Family Focus
Programs & Ideas | September 2021
Why Come to a Parenting Program?
Parenting is one of the hardest and most important jobs there is, and we all need support, ideas and inspiration from time to time. Join us to talk, laugh and learn with other parents and grandparents as we all work together to become the best parents we can be. Here is what parents said they learned from our recent programs:

  • A lot of strategies for interacting with my children in new ways, and how to be a more active listener with everyone in my life.
  • The power of choice when facilitating independence.
  • Ideas for how to cope and handle my daughter's meltdowns
  • To always remember to chase the reason for the challenging behaviors
  • The importance of keeping your calm when it comes to your behavior and learning to be aware of your child’s feelings. 
  • I felt supported and listened to.

Upcoming programs include Active Parenting (9/7-10/5), Parenting Journey (9/30-12/16) and Positive Solutions (10/6-11/10). We also have Parents Connect and Grandparents Connect Support Groups. Programs are free, open to all and take place on Zoom. Click the button below to learn more and sign up. Email us if you have questions or want help choosing the best program for you.
Family Morning Out around the Seacoast
Weekly In-Person Playgroups in Exeter, Epping, Somersworth and Portsmouth
It is so important -- and healthy -- for children and parents/grandparents to connect and socialize, and we are excited to be able to see you again in person to read, sing and play together.

Playgroups are open to all parents, grandparents and caregivers of children 5 and under. No signup necessary. Family Morning Out Playgroups take place at these locations:


  • Portsmouth on Mondays starting Sept. 13, 10-11 am, until Oct. 25th, at Community Campus
  • Exeter on Thursdays starting Sept. 9, 9:30-11 am, at the Parks & Rec building
  • Somersworth on Fridays starting Sept. 3, 9:30-11 am, at Idlehurst School
  • Epping on Fridays starting Sept. 10, 9:30-11 am, in the SAU building
Tools for Managing Challenging Behaviors
Sometimes we face situations that overload our capacity to cope. Check out this 3-minute video for tips on helping to prevent your child from feeling overwhelmed.

And, join us on October 12th at 6:30 pm for a free virtual workshop with Dr. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka to learn more helpful strategies for dealing with struggles, chaos and meltdowns in our day to day lives. Bring your questions for Dr. Mary, and check out her website resources here!
Looking for Trusted Info About Vaccines?
The Nerdy Girls (an all-woman team of researchers and clinicians working to empower individuals to navigate “information overwhelm”) have put together a list of non-partisan and non-governmental vaccine Q&A resources. Here are a few highlights, and you can read the full post here.

Kinship Caregiver Resources
If you are a grandparent or relative caregiver raising children, you are not alone. An estimated 2.3 million grandparents are primary caregivers in the US today.

Connect with our Kinship Navigator, Jo Ann, to learn more about resources available to support you and your family. And sign up for our Grandparents Connect Support group, which meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 9:30-11 am in Somersworth.

And remember that grandparents and kinship caregivers are warmly welcomed at all of our playgroups, parenting workshops and classes. See you soon!