rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
TOWANDA — Supporting Area Families Every Day (SAFE) is now hosting weekly parenting classes.
SAFE classes operate with help from United Way and recently also received a grant from Walmart giving that will be used towards materials for the class.
Classes began last week and will run every Monday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. at their location on the Golden Strip in Wysox. They are taught by Wyalusing’s William Lutz.
“I learned so much about myself after taking this class,” said Heather McNett, Executive Director and founder of SAFE.
“I learned that I am a fixer. One night I told my family that I’m resigning as the person that ‘fixes’ everything/everyone. I realized that I constantly try to pour from an empty cup and I need to step back and let my kids figure out how to fix their problems even if it means they mess up. I also learned that I put way to much pressure on myself. I care about other people and I’ve been guilty of caring about what others think about me as a parent. I have had to learn that it doesn’t matter what others think. I was given my children to parent but I wasn’t directions so I will make mistakes and that’s okay too. If I mess up, if I learn from that, I am doing the very thing I want my children to learn. It’s okay to make mistakes because mistakes are an opportunity to grow.”
The class is trauma-informed. Topics for the class include: understanding the emotional experience of separation for parents and children, positioning our children for success by ensuring consistent school attendance, modeling consistency while parenting apart, strengthening the parent-child relationship and managing parental conflict without involving the children.
At the end of the five-week period, those attending the classes will receive a certificate of completion.
Though these classes have already began, McNett hopes that it will be a great resource to parents.
“We will do them every quarter and will put the dates on our website as soon as they become available,” said McNett.
To enroll, call them at 570-250-7401 or email them at safebradco.gmail. They also have a website at www. safebradco.com.
SAFE has a lot of plans in store, so make sure to checkout their Facebook page for updates!