Area parents looking for help and support finally have a place to meet others with the same concerns.
Stan Garwood, of Garwood & Associates counseling agency, along with Clarkston resident Jennifer Arkwright are putting together a Parent Support Group which will meet twice a month starting in the fall.
The support group is a spin-off of the highly attended and successful “No More Whining! Develop Positive Behavior in Children,” parenting classes that Arkwright has taught through Clarkston Area Youth Assistance for the past three years.
“That was a six week program and what we found out was that after it was over parents still wanted to talk about the issues. They enjoyed the support and wanted help with different issues. That is when I noticed there was a need,” Arkwright said.
That is when Arkwright contacted Garwood, who is a board member for the CAYA, to see if he would be interestedin teaming up for the project.
“It seemed to me that there was a big gap in the service on this topic in the area,” Garwood said. “We want to give support to everyone who needs it. Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs to do and at the same time is the most rewarding. I mean we are talking about the lives of kids.”
The meetings are aimed at parents who have kids anywhere from three-years old to 15-years old. They will cover anything that has to do with parenting.
“We want to help people understand they are not the only ones frustrated about a certain aspect of parenting,” Arkwright said. “Together we hope to give each other support and help in figuring some tough things out. It really is a win-win atmosphere.”
Some of the topics that will be visited during the meetings are the difference between discipline and punishment, how to talk so kids listen and listen so kids talk and what kind of parents people are.
Arkwright has a masters degree in counseling and has also led parenting classes before.
“If you know Jennifer you know she relates well with people and is a leader. We have a convenient location here and have made sure the program is affordable so I hope people take advantage of it,” Garwood said.
The Parent Support Group meetings are set for Sept. 15 and 29, Oct. 13 and 27, Nov. 10 and 17 and Dec. 1 and 15. Each meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at Garwood and Associates at 9340 Dixie Highway.
The cost for each two hour meeting is $5. Anyone interested in attending is asked to call Garwood & Associates at (248) 625-3123 to register for the class.
“We hope to help give the support that everybody needs,” Garwood said. “This type of program can be very effective. We want to help people realize they are not alone and help them reduce guilt and relax.”