Families First Has Programs in April

Here is the program listings for April at Families First Health and Support Center.

Tuesday, April 7

Effective Discipline: Learn which kinds of discipline are hurtful and which are helpful and effective. Find the strategies that will work for your family. Make sure you are not accidentally sabotaging the methods you use. Five-week program focuses on a different discipline strategy each week. April 7 topic: Successful Rules. Facilitators: Joanna Wicklein, CFLE, and Parkie Boley. Tuesdays throughApril 28, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Thursday, April 9

Helping Siblings Get Along: Learn the surprising underlying causes of sibling rivalry, when to intervene and when not to, and techniques for handling kids’ feelings and behaviors. These strategies can be used for handling issues between playmates as well as siblings. With Parkie Boley. Thursday, April 9, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Tuesday, April 14

Effective Discipline: Learn which kinds of discipline are hurtful and which are helpful and effective. Find the strategies that will work for your family. Make sure you are not accidentally sabotaging the methods you use. Five-week program focuses on a different discipline strategy each week. April 14 topic: Using 1-2-3 Magic. Facilitators: Joanna Wicklein, CFLE, and Parkie Boley. Tuesdays through April 28, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Tuesday, April 21

Effective Discipline: Learn which kinds of discipline are hurtful and which are helpful and effective. Find the strategies that will work for your family. Make sure you are not accidentally sabotaging the methods you use. Five-week program focuses on a different discipline strategy each week. April 21 topic: Getting Cooperation. Facilitators: Joanna Wicklein, CFLE, and Parkie Boley. Tuesdays through April 28, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Thursday, April 23

Keeping Your Cool: Anger Help for Everyday Parenting: Learn ways to reduce and handle anger so you can be the parent you want to be. Identify and understand your personal triggers; how anger works; how kids “push our buttons” and some strategies for you and your kids. With Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Thursdays, April 23 and 30, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Tuesday, April 28

Effective Discipline: Learn which kinds of discipline are hurtful and which are helpful and effective. Find the strategies that will work for your family. Make sure you are not accidentally sabotaging the methods you use. Tuesday, April 28, 6-7:30 p.m. is last in a 5-part series and will focus on Consequences that Teach Good Choices. Facilitators: Joanna Wicklein, CFLE, and Parkie Boley.Tuesdays through April 28, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Thursday, April 30

Keeping Your Cool: Anger Help for Everyday Parenting: Learn ways to reduce and handle anger so you can be the parent you want to be. Identify and understand your personal triggers; how anger works; how kids “push our buttons” and some strategies for you and your kids. With Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Thursday, April 30, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Recurring listings

Every Monday

Toddler Playtime: For toddlers, ages 1 to 2: Gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and first friendships. For parents and other caregivers: New ideas for activities and parenting, a chance to connect with other parents. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Mondays, 9:30-11 a.m. $5 per family. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Family Fun Night: A fun, relaxing evening out for families who are experiencing stress. Includes a family dinner and family activities. Advance signup required. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Every Tuesday

Mother-To-Mother Postpartum Group: Offering support for mothers during their baby’s first year, when postpartum depression and anxiety are common. Come be with other mothers who know what it’s like. Led by women trained in birth and postpartum care. Every Tuesday, 9-10 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Babytime: An educational, playful and supportive group for babies up to 12 months and their parents or other caregivers; expecting parents also welcome. A developmental therapist from the Children’s Rehab Center of Portsmouth Regional Hospital comes to Babytime once a month to talk about infants’ motor, social/emotional, language and brain development. Free child care offered for older siblings (advance signup required). Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Wednesday

Terrific Twos Playtime: For children ages 2 to 3: Gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and friendships. For parents and other caregivers: New ideas for activities and parenting, a chance to connect with other parents. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm. $5 per family.

Every Thursday (THROUGH END OF APRIL ONLY)

Mixed-Age Afternoon Playgroup: A playgroup for children ages 1-5 and parents or other caregivers (infants also welcome with older siblings). Provides children with a chance to play with siblings and friends of different ages. Join us for art projects, gross-motor activities and more. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Meets Thursdays, 3-4:30 p.m., through the end of April. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

1st and 3rd Thursdays Each Month

Parent Recharge: Kick back, get involved in relaxing activities, and recharge your parenting battery. Child care and refreshments included. Facilitator: Peggy Meyers. Free. Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month, 9:30-11 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Friday

Preschool Playtime: Join children ages 3 to 5 and parents or other caregivers for circle time, gym, free play, snack and story. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm. $5 per family.

EXETER

Every Thursday EXCEPT APRIL 30

Exeter Family Morning Out: Exeter Family Morning Out is for children ages birth to six, with parents or other caregivers. Children will explore age-appropriate crafts and other activities, have positive play with peers and adults, and enjoy songs, stories and snack. Facilitator: Patricia Keck. Held at the Exeter Recreation Center, Court Street, Exeter. Thursdays 9:30-11 a.m., Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

EPPING

Every Friday EXCEPT MAY 1

Epping Family Morning Out: Epping Family Morning Out is for children ages birth to six, with parents or other caregivers. Children will explore age-appropriate crafts and other activities, have positive play with peers and adults, and enjoy songs, stories and snack. Facilitator: Patricia Keck. Held at SAU 14 Building (213 Main St., Epping). Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.