Parenting classes offered in Douglas County

GARDNERVILLE - When Melissa Loomis' son Michael reached age 5, she wondered like most parents how she was doing. So she took a parenting class for ages 6-12, "just to get a jump on it."

She came away with new strategies and a tremendous sense of reassurance.

"One of the nicest things was the two facilitators for the class would tell different anecdotes about their kids, about how their kids handled it, or how they just lost it," said Loomis.

"It was so comforting - here these people are teaching the class, and they're having the same struggles that you are as a parent. You didn't feel like they were standing there going, 'Do this, or you're a horrible parent.' "

Loomis took her class at the Family Support Council, a private nonprofit agency in Douglas County. The council is again offering the series of free parenting classes starting Tuesday. The classes focus on three age groups and will run on a specific night for seven consecutive weeks.

"Parenting Young Children" will look at raising infants to 5-year-olds every Tuesday evening through Aug. 29.

Issues involving ages 6 through12 are handled in "Effective Parenting" from Wednesday through Aug. 30.

Parents at their wits end may enroll in "Surviving Your Teen" on Thursday nights.

"This is a place where parents can come in and say, 'My 3-year-old is biting - I don't know what to do,' or, 'How did my teen and I get to this point?' " said Deborah Van Bruggen, family coordinator at the Family Support Council.

The classes will be held at 1255 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville, across from Lampe Park. There is a materials fee of $5. Sessions go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

From its beginnings in 1982 as a haven for women fleeing domestic abuse, the Family Suport Council has grown into an organization that offers up help on everyday life issues without the bureaucratic trimmings.

"People come to us in crisis," said Van Bruggen. "This is a place you can come to, and even if we can't help you we can listen to and refer you."

Along with parenting classes, the council offers divorce mediation workshops, where couples can iron out arrangements without using a lawyer.

Local courts refer juvenile offenders to the council's Aspen Program, where the juveniles must face the victim of their crime and mediate a solution. The council also puts on Better Safe Than Sorry, a Douglas County school program that teaches children about safe choices.

As Douglas County grows, Van Bruggen sees the need going up for family services, especially parenting classes.

"There's a high population of single parents today which makes for a lot of families in crisis," she said. "Across the board, there's more pressure on teens today."

Melissa Loomis couldn't agree more. One of the most importanc concepts she wallked away with was the idea that raising a child isn't just a job.

"A job is something you can quit. Raising a child is building a relationship. You 're helping another human being grow up. It's about what kind of person you want to have come knocking on your door when they're 30."

What: Parenting Young Children (ages infant - 5)

Effective Parenting (ages 6 - 12) Surviving Your Teen

When: Starting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; classes run one night per week for seven weeks, 6:60 - 8:30 p.m.

Where: 1255 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville, across from Lampe Park

Cost: Free ($5 materials fee)

For more information: 782-8692