​Families First Health and Support Center Offers Programs in February

PORTSMOUTH, NH —

Brand new listings

Tuesday, Feb. 7: How To Talk So Kids Will Listen: Tired of having to repeat things 20 times? Do you wish your child would just listen and cooperate? In this two-part series, parents will find out how to connect with their children while maintaining authority and providing guidance. Discover some of the best strategies for getting cooperation, setting consequences that teach, defusing outbursts and strong feelings, and teaching kids to solve their own problems. Based on the best-selling book with the same title, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Facilitators: Sue Schick and Pamela Miller-Sallet of The Upper Room. Tuesdays, Feb. 7 & 21, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

Thursday, Feb. 9: Parenting School-Age Kids: A Q & A: What chores should 9-year-olds be doing on their own? Is it normal for an 8-year-old to not want to go upstairs alone? Or a 10-year-old to need one-on-one supervision for homework? Is it normal for kids to lie? Or talk back? At this Q&A for parents of elementary-school age children, psychologist and author Dawn Huebner will help parents understand troubling behaviors from a child-development perspective and suggest ways to help children develop coping and problem-solving skills. Thursday, Feb. 9, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

Tuesday, Feb. 14: Couples Communication Workshop: The perfect gift for parents to give one another this Valentine’s Day: A workshop aimed at removing barriers to effective communication between the two of you. If you find you are on different pages regarding finances, parenting or other areas of your life; getting defensive; feeling unappreciated or left out; or assuming things about your partner, this workshop may help. With Shane Birkel of Seacoast Spark Couples Therapy. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

Tuesday, Feb. 21: How To Talk So Kids Will Listen: Tired of having to repeat things 20 times? Do you wish your child would just listen and cooperate? In this class, parents will find out how to connect with their children while maintaining authority and providing guidance. Discover some of the best strategies for getting cooperation, setting consequences that teach, defusing outbursts and strong feelings, and teaching kids to solve their own problems. Based on the best-selling book with the same title, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Facilitators: Sue Schick and Pamela Miller-Sallet of The Upper Room. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

Thursday, Feb. 23: Oral Hygiene Q&A: Families First dental hygienist and health educator Cindy Bishop, RDH, will offer age-appropriate suggestions to help parents and their kids adopt healthier dental habits that will serve them for a lifetime. Thursday, Feb. 23, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

Tuesday, Feb. 28: Go To Sleep!: Baby not sleeping through the night? Child resisting bedtime? Teen not getting enough sleep? These aren’t good for anyone, child or parent. They can result in cranky behavior, difficulty getting through the day, poor sleep habits and stressed relationships. Yet it’s hard for overtired parents to make a plan and carry it out on their own. Let us help. With Randy Tallent, Child Development Specialist. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

Other 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 tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.
• Family Fun Night: Monday is Family Fun Night! Join us to enjoy a family-style dinner and family-friendly activities, without the stress of making it happen. A fun, relaxing evening out for families who are experiencing stress. Advance signup required. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free. Advance signup required: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

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: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.
• 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 tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

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 tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208. $5 per family.

Every Thursday

• Exeter Family Morning Out: For children ages birth to six, with parents and 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 tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

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: tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208.

Every Friday

• Preschool Playtime: Join children ages 3 to 5 and parents and 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 tinyurl.com/FFparenting or 422-8208. $5 per family.
• 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 tinyurl.com/FFparentingor 422-8208.

Submitted by Margie Wachtel.