Helping Parents @ NCPL

By Brenda Thompson, Community Relations Coordinator

October 3, 2007

Do you remember visiting the library as a child? My mom used to take my sister and me to story hour, after which we’d load up on colorful books. We read for hours together at home, and I learned to read and write quickly because of it. But Mom didn’t tell me the real reason for all that reading until years down the road: that was the only way she could keep the two of us out of mischief!

If you are a parent, you know better than I how difficult child-rearing can be. I’m not a mom yet, but I already know children are perplexing at times. I’m proud to represent an organization that can relieve some of those stresses through the special programs and materials offered specifically to help parents.

A few of your library’s new books for parents include:

• Confident Parenting, by Jim Burns
• Bullyproof Your Child For Life : Protect Your Child From Teasing, Taunting, And Bullying For Good, by Joel David Haber
• Parenting Children With Health Issues : Essential Tools, Tips, And Tactics For Raising Kids With Chronic Illness, Medical Conditions & Special Healthcare Needs, by Foster Cline.
• Logged On And Tuned Out : A Non-Techie's Guide To Parenting A Tech-Savvy Generation, by Vicki Courtney

In addition to great books, audio books, and even DVDs for parents, library events are a great support for families of all shapes and sizes. From story times for the tiniest tots, to after school programs for elementary schoolers, there are plenty of choices for children of all ages. If you have 4-6 graders, try our “School’s Out! Tween Time” on Friday, October 26.

Teen Read Week October 14-20 provides many activities for teens, including the Poetry Slam at Metro Coffee Company, to be held October 16th at 7pm. Besides being fun, it is a great opportunity for parents to encourage their teens’ writing and performing talents.

Many of the library’s programs allow parents to spend extra time with their kids, like the continuing “No Girls Allowed” program for boys in 3-6th grades and their male role models. Each event provides an engaging atmosphere for fathers, grandpas and other male role models to spend quality time with their boys. Don’t miss Xtreme Pumpkin Carving on October 20th and a chance to play Runescape together on October 25.

This month NCPL is offering a program to help parents with young children (ages 3-7) to deal with the innate curiosity of those ages. The “Mother Goose Asks Why” course will help parents direct all that curiosity into positive learning experiences based on books and activities. Participants in the four-week course will receive free books, activity planners, and instructions for many fun activities. Sign up this week in the Children’s Department!

Whatever your parenting needs may be, NCPL can be a great resource. If you find that we’re missing materials or programs that would help your family grow, please fill out a suggestion card so we can improve our services! For more information about family friendly activities at your library, call 577-READ

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