May 2021 Family Focus

Family Focus

Programs & Ideas | May 2021

Calling ALL Dads

Are you a dad, stepdad or grandfather raising children? Or, do you know a dad or grandfather who might appreciate support and information? We are excited to offer our first Parent Café for Dads... just in time for Father's Day!

This virtual Café is an opportunity for dads to talk to other dads…about family, fatherhood, ways to strengthen their families and ideas for supporting kids of all ages.

All are welcome; the Zoom app is required. All participants will receive a "door prize!"

Let's Talk About Anger

There is still time to sign up for ACT for Strong Families, an 8-week series that focuses on understanding challenging behaviors and managing strong feelings, like ANGER-- in ourselves and our kids.

This virtual series is for parents and grandparents of kids from birth through the tween years. Participants are encouraged to attend all 8 sessions using the Zoom app.

Coping with Anxiety and Uncertainty

This time presents us with a lot of uncertainty, so this is a perfect time to learn more about how we can help our kids and teens work through their worry and anxiety. Action -- not avoidance -- is the key to success.

Join us at Lynn Lyons' virtual workshop on June 22nd from 6-7:15 pm, and then continue the conversation with us throughout the summer. We will be discussing Lynn's book Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents and will provide the book at no charge to those who attend the group.

We will connect the ideas and strategies from the book to the ways we are dealing with worry and uncertainty in our own families. Read the book, join the discussion series, or do both. This is a "reading is optional" virtual group!

Workshop signup

Summer Discussion Series signup

Lynn Lyons talks to Kids

about Anxiety

a short video excerpt

Anxiety is treatable when familes understand how it works. When anxious parents learn how to change their own behaviors, they dramatically interrupt the future development of anxiety in their own children. --Lynn Lyons, LICSW

Playgroups Return, New Support Group Starts

We are putting plans in place for in-person PLAYGROUPS at playgrounds in Portsmouth and Somersworth this summer. Stay tuned for more info and check our website calendar for updates.
A new virtual support group for Parents/Caregivers of Children with an Incarcerated Parent will meet on May 24 and then on the last Monday of every month starting in June. There are also groups available for children with an incarcerated parent. Read more and sign up here.

Literacy Tip of the Month: Encourage Kids to Tell You Stories

A simple way to promote literacy at home is to encourage your child to tell you stories.

They can tell you real stories about their lives or make up stories and flex their imaginations. Try telling stories while waiting in line at the store or driving in the car, and encourage older siblings to tell stories to the little ones!

This will help them gain a better understanding of the rhythm of storytelling, which will help them as they grow and read more complex fiction.

Reading together is one of the best things parents can do to support children's learning and development. We will be celebrating literacy at all of our locations in Rochester, Somersworth and Portsmouth later this year...more info to come soon!

19 Seconds of Cuteness

#CallYourPediatrician

Show your own cutie-pies this video, then follow these links to get in touch if you are looking for a pediatrician:

Lilac City Pediatrics

Families First

Goodwin Community Health

If your child is already our patient, why not give us a call to make sure you are up to date on checkups and immunizations?