Groups

Parent-Child Programs

Since 1975, parents and their children have met in small groups to discuss child development and get answers to their parenting questions. The leaders are child development specialists and clinical social workers, Denise Rowe and Elaine Frank who have 30 years experience working with families with young children.

As we get to know you and your child, we discuss attachment, the growth of the parent-child relationship and its effects on personality development and emotional growth. Topics include sleep and bedtime routines, separations, eating and weaning, toileting and self care, fears, tantrums and aggression, siblings and developing self-control, identity, self-esteem, and school readiness.

Some moms and dads attend while on parental leave, which allows time to enjoy being with your child while enhancing your parenting. Semesters run from September to January, and February to May fees are based on income. See Calendar for dates and times.

Programs Include:

Tots and Moms Together

A weekly parent-child program 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.

PARENTING SERVICES AND AFTER ADOPTION

ORIENTATION FOR PARENTS ATTENDING TOTS AND MOMS TOGETHER

The objectives of our group are to help you understand development as it unfolds in your child, and to learn as much as possible about the parenting issues that arise in the first three years of life. The more knowledge you have, the better you will be able to respond to your infant and toddler in ways that are growth promoting for you both and that will enhance the parent-child relationship.

Our groups do not have a lecture format, or pre-scheduled agenda. We start where you are and where the children are so as to become pertinent to each family.*

Within the framework of normal child development, we will talk about the Attachment-Separation process and corresponding behaviors as they relate to your child at the moment. Although we talk about developmental stages, all children do not progress through them in the same way. Each baby is unique and this uniqueness needs to be understood and respected. This is one reason why books on parenting sometimes fall short of being helpful. *

Our goal is to increase your understanding of development (and adoption) by integrating the theories of many workers in child psychology and education. No single theory is the "be-all and end-all" for us. We don't want to teach you theory per se; you can get that from books. We want to add to your comprehension of emotional growth in your child by means of observation and discussion. We will point out to you what we are seeing in the children and we welcome questions and concerns that you have about your and your child's interaction and relationships.

Don't worry about continuity and consistency. Everything is important! We know it is hard to remain concentrated when you are following an active toddler, or soothing a crying baby. Also, each participant learns from other group members. So do try to stay focused, even when we are discussing the behavior of a child not your child's age. Parent-Child attachment is a process that takes place over years, and discussions of developmental stages other than your own child's stage will help you to understand where your child is and where s/he is heading.

The group is small so that each of you can bring up topics, ask questions and get answers, both specifically and generally. Rather than one-line answers, we want to have you see the world from your baby's viewpoint. An example: if you have questions about sleep, we will talk about why it is hard for him to separate from you for sleep at different ages; why sleep problems occur in normal children; what is happening cognitively and emotionally at the time, and then offer suggestions.

It increases your self-confidence to know that there are many "good and appropriate" responses and that it is important for you to find tactics you can live with and that are comfortable and positive for your child. Remember your child is unique and uniquely yours. You will know your child better than anyone else.

* Adoption issues are woven into our discussions in classes for adoptive families.

HELPFUL HINTS

You will help the children most by preventing them from hurting themselves or others, or by interceding quickly if prevention isn't possible. We will talk about setting limits. It comes up naturally because we must set limits for the children in this setting too. We will concentrate on helping you and the children to develop self control and confidence in your abilities to express your thoughts and feelings.

Anger is a powerful emotion that we must deal with all during our lives, from infancy to old age. All children sometimes have temper tantrums, (Toddlers, sometimes 3 an hour!). This is part of normal development, not just a cause for embarrassment. We will talk about how to help you and your child live through them.

We have much noise because the children are with us and we all want to communicate. So we ask the parents to save their conversations with each other until after the group. In this way we can all hear and you can benefit from the observations and discussions. The grounds outside the door are good for letting off steam after the group, and in nice weather suitable for picnics.

We hope that you will use the Group well, make your investments, get your rewards and have fun with us and your children.

Elaine Frank and Denise Rowe

HOUSE KEEPING NOTE: Please remember to take diapers away with you.

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