Free Parenting Education Classes Support Parents Countywide




Parent Educator Sandi Cheney teaching “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent” to the Mothers of Preschoolers group in Bagdad.
 

 

The first time Jipsie Myers got a flyer about the free parenting education classes being offered in her community, she threw it away. “I was skeptical,” said Jipsie, a resident of Bagdad and a mother of three. “My first thought was: no one was going to tell me how to raise my kids.”

But other moms in Bagdad kept on asking Jipsie about the classes, so out of curiosity, she decided to go. The class was called “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent,” and would meet weekly for six weeks. The first time the class met, Jipsie crossed her arms and listened.

Jipsie is now attending the “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent” series for the third time. “It’s not about telling you how to raise your kids,” said Jipsie. “After going, I realized that I still need help. No one has parenting down pat.”



The class, which is made free for parents of young children because of funding from First Things First, works to give parents the tools they need to reduce stress for their whole family. ‘Becoming a Love and Logic Parent’ focuses on teaching young kids how to make choices, a skill that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. By giving children simple choices, such as deciding between oatmeal and cereal for breakfast, parents can empower their kids and still have control over the options they have. Everyone wins.

However, changing parenting styles isn’t always easy. “Making changes is a tough, tough thing,” said Parent Educator Sandi Cheney, who teaches the class all over Yavapai County. “But if you keep on practicing, the techniques become automatic.”

“The class gave me different ideas about how to communicate with my kids,” said Jipsie. “I learn something new every time I go.” The class also builds camaraderie among parents, who share ideas and stories about how they have applied what they learned each week.

“I’ve found that after taking this class, I’m less of a drill sergeant with my kids, I’m less stressed, and my kids are happier,” said Jipsie.

The six-week ‘Becoming a Love and Logic Parent’ series will be offered beginning May 7^th at Pine Grove Pre-School in Prescott, May 9^th at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, June 10^th at Humboldt Elementary and June 10^th at Territorial Elementary in Chino Valley. The class is completely free and free child care is available during each class. To sign up, call or visit ParentsAZ.org.