Parenting session designed to build stronger families

Cape Girardeau area parents will have a chance to hone their family skills through an upcoming series, "Building Strong Families."

The free series, sponsored by University Outreach and Extension, Success by 6, and the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau, will begin with a session on family strengths at 6 p.m. Monday at Franklin Elementary School.

"All families have positive strengths," said Mary Gosche, human development specialist with University Outreach and Extension. "The idea is to teach families to build on those strengths, and other areas will improve."

Gosche said the sessions are usually held once a year, but the requests for them were so high this year that the extension office scheduled fall and spring sessions.

"It's for anyone who needs a boost," Gosche said. "If the techniques you're using at home aren't working, maybe we can teach new techniques that will improve the family cohesiveness."

Jim Watkins, coordinator of Success by 6, said families don't have to have issues to learn something from these sessions.

"With the advent of computers, televisions and things families are not communicating like they used to," Watkins said. "This hones the skills of working together."

Subsequent sessions will be held March 29, April 12 and 19. Topics for those sessions will be decided at the first session and may include money matters, self-esteem and discipline.

If childcare is needed, parents must register by Friday by calling 334-9634. No registration is necessary if childcare is not needed.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128