Rutherford Weekly

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Article By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Article By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Circle of Parents designed to strengthen families Being a parent is tough. But, it's a journey you aren't alone in, and a new group that meets each week at the Clara Allen Family Center in Forest City serves as a reminder of just that. Circle of Parents Forest City Chapter meets on Thursdays at 10 a.m. The group, which is affiliated with the national program, offers a supportive environment for parents to discuss the successes and challenges of raising children. "A parent can attend at any time, and the only requirement is that they have a child younger than five," said Vanessa Parton, the group's facilitator. Circle of Parents, Parton continued, offers those in a parenting role the opportunity to reduce isolation, discuss issues in their lives and develop and strengthen their parenting skills. The group is free to attend, and information exchanged in it remains confidential. "We have a facilitator and a parent leaders, but the participants are in charge of leading the discussion and bringing up topics they find relevant and helpful," Parton said. During a recent meeting, Child Development Specialist Nancy Bayley spoke on topics those in the group had chosen previously, including tips for potty training and weaning. "Being a parent is the hardest job you will ever do," Bayley said. She read an anecdote to those in attendance, which described how a mother felt when being described as just a mom. "You are not 'just a mom,'" she explained. "What you do is very, very important." Positive discussions are held each week, Parton said, but there are also special meetings where attendees make crafts. Cooking classes are being planned for the spring. Childcare is provided at no cost for preschool age children. Breakfast is always provided, and transportation can be arranged if needed, Parton said. Meetings are not held when school is not in session. Those who attend also get incentives - for each meeting a participant attends, they receive a mom buck. Once they collect four, they receive a $10 gift card to Walmart. "We hope that through this group parents will make social connections and gain confidence as a parent," Parton said. "All these things will reduce stress for moms and their families." For more information on Circle of Parents, visit Circle of Parents on Facebook or call 828-247-0366 ext. 3. Mom's Night Outreach is the third Monday of each month at 5:30 at Florence Baptist Church. The monthly meeting is open to moms in the community to fellowship and provide encouragement to one another. An evening is meal is served, and free child care is provided. Nancy Bayley was guest speaker during a recent Circle of Parents group meeting at the Clara Allen Family Center. The group is designed to provide a supportive environment for parents of children ages 5 and younger, and give them a place to discuss the successes and challenges of raising children. The group meets on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. Outreach just for moms Outreach just for moms Moms who attended Mom's Night Outreach at Florence Baptist Church recently had an opportunity to learn about fresh starts. "As I was planning for this month's meeting, I thought about that it would be the first in the new year," said Patti McKeithan, who facilitates the meeting each month. "So, for our ice breaker, we are going to write our sins on a piece of paper, and then fold it and cut them into snowflakes." The idea, she said, comes from the verse in Isaiah that says "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." The monthly meeting for moms in the community will celebrate its one year anniversary in March. The idea was brought to the church by Anna Harrill, who McKeithan said had experienced something similar in another area. "In Asheville, there were Mommy Mondays. We put our own take on that - we have ours at night and added a meal," McKeithan said. The meeting started with four moms, and has grown to include more than 30 at times. The purpose of the meeting is for moms to have an opportunity to connect with one another. "As a mom, you sometimes feel like you're alone," McKeithan said. "Mom's Night Outreach let's others know you're not in this alone, and it gives moms a chance to encourage each other." Each meeting includes a meal, which moms and their children eat together. Then, children are provided with activities for them while moms take part in their own. Child care is offered at no cost. Mom's Night Outreach is a ministry of the church. Various Sunday School classes help each month by providing child care or the meal. Those in attendance come from other churches and the community, McKeithan said. Tanya Brookman typically attends each month, and looks forward to the chance to bond with other moms. "I like that it's a place where I don't have the kids, and I can have mama fellowship without looking over my shoulder to check on them," she said. "You will laugh and cry when you come. We have a speaker each month, and I always relate their story. It's a fun time with friends and spiritually." Portia Allen attends with her daughter, Jordan Walker, and said the monthly meeting has touched her heart. "It's just such a blessing," Allen said. Mom's Night Outreach is held the third Monday of each month (no meeting is scheduled in February) at 5:30 in the church's family life center. For more information, contact McKeithan at mno15fbc@yahoo.com. LOCAL LOCAL BUY

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