Families First Health and Support Center January Programs

Tuesday, Jan. 5

Communicating without Arguing or Attitude: Turn arguments into discussions. You can have a much calmer home and smoother teen years. Understand why children and teens communicate the way they do. Watch demonstrations of how to handle infuriating attitudes and avoid relentless arguing. With Parkie Boley. Tuesdays, Jan. 5 and 12, 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, Jan. 7 (runs for 12 weeks but do not repeat listing; people cannot sign up after the first meeting)

Changing Destructive Adolescent Behaviors: This 12-week series is designed specifically for parents of strong-willed or out-of-control adolescents. Parents will learn strategies for identifying, preventing and intervening in the most destructive adolescent behaviors (including poor school attendance, alcohol/drug use, self-harm, sexual acting out, gangs, running away and violence). This curriculum, from the Parent Project, aims to reduce family conflict and improve family structure by helping parents respond in the best way to problematic teen behaviors. Facilitated by Michelle Kolias, MA. Thursdays, Jan. 7 through March 24,6-8 p.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 314.

Tuesday, Jan. 12

Communicating without Arguing or Attitude: Turn arguments into discussions. You can have a much calmer home and smoother teen years. Understand why children and teens communicate the way they do. Watch demonstrations of how to handle infuriating attitudes and avoid relentless arguing. With Parkie Boley. Tuesdays, Jan. 5 and 12, 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, Jan. 14

Shore up Your Child’s Social GPS: Does your child stumble when it comes to social relations? Is he too shy? Too forward? Too awkward? How worried should you be if your child doesn’t have a best friend, or any friends? What if she has been ostracized? Abandoned? Picked on or teased? Come to a Q&A session with psychologist and author Dr. Dawn Huebner. Thursday, Jan. 14, 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, Jan. 19

Active Games for Children: Even if you don’t get outside you can still be active. Come get some ideas on how to get moving with your kids, and why winning isn’t everything. With Wayne Moulton, Sages of RPG Gaming Group. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 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, Jan. 26

Kids and Anxiety: When It’s More Than Just the Jitters: A significant number of youth struggle with anxiety. Anxiety symptoms can harm children’s academic functioning, social relationships, and ability to access support provided at school and at home. Dr. Laura Rubin, founder of the Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center, will help parents understand various types of anxiety. Participants will learn how to identify potential symptoms of anxiety in their child, help decrease their child’s anxiety, and help improve their child’s coping skills. Dr. Rubin’s talk will be followed by plenty of time for Q&A.Tuesday, Jan. 26, 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, Jan. 28

Sugar Blues: Many people have issues with sugar. You crave sugary snacks to give you energy or satisfy that sweet tooth, but then you end up more tired after. You may also not be at your ideal weight, be sleeping poorly, and have other health concerns like dull skin, headaches or stress. Come learn how sugar is adversely affecting your health and your children’s health, and how your lifestyle affects your cravings. Get some tips on how to eat the food you enjoy without depriving yourself. Come change your relationship with sugar. With health coach Silvia Yardino. Thursday, Jan. 28, 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.

PORTSMOUTH

Every Friday No program Jan. 1

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.

EPPING

Every Friday No program Jan. 1

Epping Family Morning Out: 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. Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m., at the SAU 14 Building (213 Main Street, Epping). Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

PORTSMOUTH

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.

Every Monday

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

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 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.

Every Tuesday

Gosling Playgroup: 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: MJ Keane. Tuesdays, 1-2:30 p.m. at Gosling Recreation Center (40 Wedgewood Road, Portsmouth). Free. 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.

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. 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.

EXETER

Every Thursday

Exeter Family Morning Out: 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 Exeter Parks and Recreation (32 Court Street, Exeter). Thursdays, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.