The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

St. James Family Center will be offering "1,2,3,4 Parents!" beginning Monday, May 7.

This series of three workshops features videos, activities and discussions designed to help parents learn important skills for parenting a young child. Information on discipline methods, preventing tantrums, how to make rules your child will follow, routines that make life easier, the best ways to childproof your home, and how to care for your child at different stages will all be covered.

Most experts agree that the first four to five years of a child's life are critical to his or her development. As a youngster many of our personality traits, morals and beliefs are first developed and nourished. Of the many influences on a child's attitudes and personality, the most essential is his or her parent or caregiver.

Being a parent is the most important responsibility a person may have in their lifetime. However, little training is provided for this job. Indeed, we require more training for everyday tasks such as citizenship or driving than we do for parenting. St. James Family Center hopes to help people learn better parenting skills for raising their children who are responsible, courageous and cooperative.

This three session series is designed for parents of children ages birth to five. The first session will be May 7, 6:30 p.m. in the training room at St. James Family Center, and will continue on May 14 and 21. Free childcare will be provided. For more information and to sign up, contact Jenny Gale at 795-8612.