Parenting Services for Families
Enhancing attachment, empathy, and communication
between parents and Children since 1975
Welcome to the Parenting Services for Families Homepage. PARENTING SERVICES FOR FAMILIES is an educational and counseling service for families with young children who are interested in programs they can attend with their children that teach child development and effective parenting strategies during their children’s early years.
PARENTING SERVICES FOR FAMILIES
&
AFTER ADOPTIONPresidential Apartments
3900 City Avenue D-108
Philadelphia, PA 19131Elaine Frank, MSW
Denise Rowe, BA
PH: 215-879-4030
FX: 215-849-2322
Programs Include:
New Group for Stay-at-Home Dads
Parenting Services for Families
presents
“Dads at Home”NEW Parent-Child Group
for stay at home Dads
Infant to 4 Years
Tuesdays, 10amMeet other Fathers
Get Support & RecognitionDISCUSS: Pleasures, Concerns and Questions
of Fathers home with young children*Practical Tips for Handling Everyday Parenting
Presidential Apartments
Questions & To Register: 215.879.4030
Elaine Frank, MSW • Denise Rowe, BA
Tots and Moms Together
A weekly (or bi-monthly) parent-child group for children from newborn to three to attend with their parent(s). During the one and a half hour session, children develop their socialization skills while playing with other kids in the group.
Moms have an opportunity to talk about the transitions to parenthood such as going from daughter to mother, navigating parenthood with your partner, single parenting, and the ways in which how one was parented affects the new mom’s parenting techniques.
In addition discussions of child development and behavior help mothers to answer some of their questions like, Am I spoiling my baby? Can I let me baby cry? Do I give in too much? Why do I feel angry at my kid? What is quality time? Is punishment bad? Is separation anxiety normal? Why do I sound just like my mother? These discussions help mothers to better know and understand their own children giving support to the notion that “Mom really does know Best”.
The leaders have extensive training and experience in running groups for mothers and their children. Although theories of child development are discussed, no single theory provides the “be-all and end-all” answers to a mother’s dilemma about parenting her child. Information is given that is specific to a given child in a given situation at just that point in his/her life. The group process helps moms filter information to see how it pertains to their specific parent-child situation.
WHAT THE MOMS SAY
The topics discussed are never prearranged but instead, are immediate concerns of the participating parents or children. Often one parent relates a recent incident or behavior that is extremely relevant to other families.
The group helps me see my daughter as an individual in her own right – more objectively, as someone with her own personality and needs, separate from my projections.
The group teaches us so much about what the child’s perspective is – what she may be thinking, look for the causes of her behavior, understand what she might be trying to say or achieve with her actions.
Group is relaxed and informal, moms are great, a chance to laugh, we all share an understanding. The kids can have a bottle, learn to have a snack with other kids, practice the ins and outs of sharing.
The group has been terrific — Can’t imagine going thru parenthood without it. Fun, practical, always leave feeling more empowered, with new insight or way of looking at daily dilemmas.
Groups are limited to 8 mothers and their children. In you are interested in speaking with one of the mothers who attend this program, please contact us by telephone at 215-879-4030.
Please contact us if you have any particular questions about your child’s behavior, or for information on discussion groups for parents of preschool and schoolage children.
For information on programs for adoptive families click on After Adoption.