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?Building Strong Families is a program designed to help parents and children create strong, respectful relationships,? said Nellie Lamers, a family financial education specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Forsyth.
The workshops begin Aug. 10 at Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks in Forsyth.
?By helping families build on their strengths, they can overcome the challenges all families face,? said Lucy Schrader, MU Extension associate state specialist. ?Research shows that family members can make significant changes in their behavior by focusing on strengths rather than on problems.?
The workshops focus on the needs of working families and address effective communication, understanding family member roles, as well as positive ways to deal with finances, discipline, health and nutrition, work and other family issues.
The adult sessions cover 13 topics, including parenting skills, financial management, stress management, communications, health and nutrition, and community issues.
Topics are designed to overlap with the many issues of family life. For example, sessions on nutrition explain how sharing cooking duties and eating meals together can improve relationships and communication, and give a better appreciation for the roles each family member plays.
The youth component, for children ages 5-12, is based on successful strategies developed by the MU Extension?s 4-H Youth Development program. ?In 4-H, we work on many of the same issues?being good communicators, understanding child and parent responsibilities and roles, managing stress, building self-esteem,? said Alison Copeland, MU Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
Through hands-on activities, children learn about things they can do around the house.
??A simple task such as making your own peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or knowing how to help change a sibling?s diaper, builds self-esteem as well as helps ease the load on Mom or Dad,? Copeland said.
Activities teach children about verbal and nonverbal communications, how to deal with feelings, listening skills and being respectful of others? feelings.
?The activities include appropriate readings that fit with the subjects being discussed,? Copeland said. ?This way, children are boosting their literacy skills while they learn these character-building lessons.?
To find out more about local Building Strong Families programs, contact Nellie Lamers at 417-546-4431 or lamersnj@missouri.edu.
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