'The Nurturing Center's goal is to ensure that children are treated with
respect and live in safety with secure, healthy relationships.'
Parenting is the hardest job you’ll ever have. Let us be your safety net.
Parents who have a strong support network feel more successful and are less stressed than parents in isolation. The Nurturing Center is committed
to offering programs that meet the individualized needs of families in our community. There is no “one size fits all” answer for parents.We encourage you to call to discover the right “fit” for you! The more you know about your child’s development, the better you’ll feel about your role as a parent. As
you can see, we’re all about families – whether you’re in an intact family,
a single mom or dad or a grandparent, we have something for you.
For more information on all the parenting education and support groups, contact Michelle Wheat at 406-756-1414, 800-204-0644 or michelle@nurturingcenter.org.
Child care may be available for classes and groups.
“I never dreamt I’d need the services of
The Nurturing Center. With grateful enthusiasm, I am proud of
The Nurturing Center and how helpful they have been in m y personal life.”
Pam R.
|
Raising Healthy Children
Articles,tips and videos on how to parent children into healthy, happy adults
ParentShare
A birth to five support group that meets in several locations around the County. ParentShare brings together mothers with young children to talk about the joys and challenges of being a parent. It provides an opportunity to connect with other parents who share similar interests and concerns. The weekly meetings include speakers and discussion and child care is provided.
Kalispell ParentShare
Contact Ursula DeStefano at 212-0879, Sarah at 257-2801 or info@nurturingcenter.org for more information.
Summer Plans for Kalispell ParentShare
June, July, and August 2008
We are going to try something new this summer. In the past, attendance in the summer has been sporadic. So, this year we
will not plan activities in advance, instead we will plan them as there are activities of interest and the weather is good. We will then
make phone calls to people who have expressed interest in
getting together this summer.
If you would like to get a phone call, please contact Ursula at 406-212-0879, or Sarah at sarahjane93@hotmail.com or 406-257-2801. If you have an idea of something fun to do, please let us know and we can spread the word.
We will meet informally at “Picnic in the Park” (Depot park) on Wednesdays, June 18th – August 20th from 11:30 am -1:30 pm.
*Give Ursula or Sarah a call if you would like to get a phone call
Here are some ideas of fun kid-friendly summer
activities in Flathead County:
- Woodland Water Park
- Lone Pine State park interpretive center – they have animal furs, skulls, footprint examples, and nice hiking.
- Whitefish City Beach
- Hiking along the river trail in Bigfork
- Kalispell farmers market – Saturdays 9am-1pm
- Hockaday Museum of Art Preschool art time for kids ages 2-5 Tuesdays, 11:30-12:00
Have a fun summer and we hope to see you!
Whitefish ParentShare
Meets Thursdays from 11:00am-12:30pm at
All Saints Episcopal Church, Conn Rd. (unless stated otherwise). From Whitefish turn on Hwy 40, 2.5 miles on the right. For more information contact Rachel Farris at 212-2365 or runmontana1@yahoo.com.
|
|
|
August 2008
|
|
7th
|
Soroptimist Park |
Meet at the Soroptimist Park, close to City Beach. Call Rachel (863-2987) if you need directions. |
|
14th
|
Virginia’s Pool |
Let’s meet at Virginia’s house for swimming! Call Virginia (862-8329) for directions. |
|
20th
|
Mom’s Night Out |
Let’s meet at 6:30 Whitefish Golf Course Patio. Call Rachel if you need directions. |
|
21st
|
City Beach |
Let’s meet at City Beach, bring lunch… |
|
28th
|
Kiddie Park |
Meet at Kiddie Park to play. Bring lunch… |
Involved Dads
Our father’s support group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm at our main building, 146 3rd Avenue West in Kalispell. This group focuses on how to build and maintain a closer bond between fathers and their children. Recognizing the critical role fathers play in the lives of their children, this group enriches their child’s life by exploring new ideas and activities to involve their children.
“The Nurturing Center’s support has helped me be the father I am today. The staff is very supportive and willing to help with any parenting issues that arise.”
Jeff H. |
Fathers Resource Web Links
For specific information about fathering issues, visit any or all of the following websites:
www.fathers.com
www.chswpirc.org
www.childcareaware.org
www.fathersworld.com
www.fathersdirect.com
www.fathermag.com
www.fathering.org
www.postpartum.net
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
This group addresses the unique needs facing grandparents who, like millions across the nation, find themselves raising their grandchildren.  The group meets monthly at Northridge Lutheran Church.
Next Meeting: Friday, September 19th, 2008
6:30-8:00pm
Northridge Luthan Church
323 Northridge Drive, Kalispell
“The Nurturing Center sponsors the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group where we have a good time together and find the support we need from each other.” Wanna G. |
At our next meeting Ginny Hoffman, a special friend, educator and grandmother of 21 grandchildren, will speak about children's issues. Plans will be made for a potluck in October. For more information call Michelle at 756-1414 or michelle@nurturingcenter.org.
Parent Education Classes:
Children In the Middle
Children in the Middle is a class for families experiencing divorce. Two intensive sessions will assist parents in learning how to manage the divorce process with the least amount of stress for their children. Meets monthly in two 2-hour sessions.
The “Children in the Middle” class is a life saver and I would recommend this class strongly to all parents who find themselves going through the trauma and agony of divorce. The class helped me immensely and
recommend it hands down.” Pam R. |
After The Storm: Surviving High Conflict Divorce
After the Storm is for parents who have completed the “Children in the Middle” class needing more help learning to shield children from exposure to conflict between parents. This class will help you problem-solve parenting issues and communicate your needs without conflict. The next two-session class is Thursday, November 13, 4:30-6:30pm and Saturday, November 15, 8:30-10:30am.
Healthy Discipline
Step by step information on healthy child rearing during this 6 week class. Learn new skills and brush up on what you have successfully accomplished. The next session begins on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 . Series cost is $30 per individual or $45 per couple. Pre-registration is required.
Parents Who Care
A step-by-step guide for families with teens. Real solutions that work, based on the latest research. A six-session course, this class will help you :
- Relate better to your adolescent.
- Identify and reduce risks.
- Bonding to strengthen their resiliency.
- Learn new tools to solve problems.
- Allowing everyone to contribute.
- Setting family policies and providing supervision.
The next session begins Tuesday, October 7. Six-week series cost is $30 per individual or $45 per couple. Pre-registration is required.
Parenting Counts
A three-session class designed especially for new parents with babies.
Pre-mobile infants are welcome to the class.
The focus of this class is early learning.
- Class one tackles communication and how to facilitate it.
- Class two deals with exploring and how to encourage communication.
- Class three helps you learn how to cope with stress for both yourself and your child.
The next session begins on Tuesday, October 7. Three-week series cost is $15 per person. Pre-registration is required.
“The Nurturing Center provided me with
a lot of help; a lot of hope and has given
me the courage to be a better Mom;
the courage that real change can happen.”
Jamie W. |
Pre-registration is required for all parenting education classes. To learn more about our parent education classes, the current class schedule or to pre-register, contact michelle@nurturingcenter.org or call us at 406-756-1414 or 800-204-0644.
|
Spare the Rod - Love the Child