Parenting Workshops Offered in Eddy County

Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service

1304 West Stevens

Carlsbad, NM 88220

For More Information, Contact:

Jennah McKinley, Extension Home Economist

Eddy County Cooperative Extension Service

Phone: 575-887-6595   Fax: 575-887-3795

jennahm@nmsu.edu

The word nurturing comes from the Latin word Nu tri tura that means to nurse, to nourish and to promote growth. Nurturing is a critical skill for all life forms on the planet. For human beings, it is the most important characteristic for all of us to treat others and ourselves with respect, caring, compassion and dignity. Nurturing Parenting is a philosophy as well as a program that emphasizes the importance of raising children in a warm, caring and trusting home that guides them to be respectful, caring and cooperative children.

Being a parent for most is a joy, although sometimes stressful. It also involves unconditional love, tough love and an open line of communication with your child. For some, parenting is harder than for others and they want help in developing good parenting skills. In an upcoming workshop, parents will increase their understanding of Nurturing Parenting, a proven approach experienced by hundreds of thousands of families worldwide. Eddy County Extension Service’s Home Economist, Jennah McKinley said she has received requests from a number of parents in the community for parenting classes, and next Monday begins her first of four sessions.

The free classes will be held at the Extension Service office located at 1305 W. Stevens St., from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. "New Mexico State University developed the Strengthening Families Initiative several years ago. It's taught all over the state," McKinley said. "It's a program designed to strengthen parent-child relationships, encourage healthy behaviors and improve the lives of our children."

McKinley said the class is not limited to biological parents. Foster parents, adoptive parents, social workers with the state's Children, Youth and Family Services, grandparents raising grandchildren and single parents are encouraged to attend. "I would recommend that participants attend all four sessions. At the end of the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion that could help some people with continuing education credit they may need," McKinley said.

She said participants will be given work sheets and other handouts to them through the classes. Participants must RSVP for the class and may contact the Extension office for more information. New Mexico State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educator. If you are an individual with a disability and need an auxiliary aid or service, please contact us Monday through Friday at 575-887-6595.