Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library
This week’s column is all about parenting. I know I talk about my kids a lot — I try not to! But it’s hard, because when I’m not at the Library, I’m raising them. And they’re really good kids, but that doesn’t make raising them any easier.
Of course, this has always been true, is true for everyone, and everyone knows it. That’s why we have so many great, free community resources devoted to giving parents a hand. There are three events coming up in the next few weeks that I think anyone can benefit from attending.
The first is on Saturday, Feb. 18. It’s a parent support group that meets every other Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Community Center in the Meadow Mall. The topic this week is “Routines and rotation of attention as methods for providing positive discipline,” which loosely translates to “getting your kid to listen to you without whining or yelling from either of you.” I should attend this group, but I’m working that morning.
On Saturday, March 4, the group will discuss “Good nutrition on a budget” with Laura Cogar from Healthy Lincoln County. Cogar will discuss simple recipe ideas that children like, how to add more vegetables to your diet, healthy fats, and common mealtime behavior issues. She’ll help the group prepare simple recipes for everyone to try, too.
Ironically, I had a pot of old-fashioned oats cooking on the stove as I wrote this column (during Monday’s blizzard). I was feeling good about my wholesome breakfast when I put the oats up to boil. Then the smoke alarms reminded me that I’d walked away from the stove and promptly forgotten about them. I’d cooked them in a glass pan, too, so that of course had to go ahead and shatter on top of everything. I should attend this meeting too.
Both parent support groups require pre-registration with Liz Lussier. Email her at lizlussier@netzero.net or leave a message at 633-1162. Free babysitting and nutritious snacks are provided, plus you could win a door prize from Hannaford.
A different group meets on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Wellness Conference Room 6 at St. Andrews Urgent Care Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This one is run by the G.E.A.R. Parent Network and is intended for those raising children with disabilities or behavioral health issues.
This training session is called “Team up for your child!” and will help parents and caregivers learn to navigate an often confusing care system to better coordinate their child’s services. Register at www.gearparentnetwork.org or by calling 1-800-264-9224. Lunch is provided!
I have to go make another breakfast now. Not like the kids will eat it—they’ve already hit up the sugary cereals and a chocolate cake. Maybe I’ll take the 4th off…
Upcoming events
Calling Student Artists: March is our Student Art Show in the Upstairs Community Room. Prepare your art for a March 1 installation.
Minecraft Club: Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. grades K -3 and Fridays, 3-4 p.m., grades 4 and up. Children’s Room. Come and build in a virtual world with friends!
Student Art Show Workshops: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 5-6 p.m., grades 9-12 and Thursday, Feb. 23, 2-3 p.m., grades 5-8. Bring your own supplies or use ours.
Caring for Bears: Friday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. Maine bear rehabilitator and behavioral researcher Dawn L. Brown will talk about caring for orphan bear cubs, her observations, and bear patterns of development. (Sorry, there won’t be any live bears!)
