| GROUPS |
Click here for a current list of groups in Minnesota. |
| CONTACT US |
Please send feedback and suggestions for
future issues to:
Circle of ParentsŪ Statewide Office
Priscilla Bennett
Communications Coordinator
1821 University Avenue, Suite 202-S
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-523-0099
pbennett@pcamn.org
Our Regional Coordinators:
Metro Office
Alice Lynch
Metro Program Coordinator
1821 University Avenue, Suite 202-S
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-523-0099
alynch@pcamn.org
Northeast Regional Office
Joan Johnson
Northeast Program Coordinator
9057 Sunset Strip
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
218-821-6429
jjohnson@pcamn.org
Southeast Regional Office
Barb Sorum
Interim Director of Family Support Services
606 East 5th Street
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-377-7665
bsorum@pcamn.org
Southwest Regional Office
Susan Thomes
Southwest Program Coordinator
PO Box 202
Silver Lake, MN 55381
218-308-1311
Western Regional Office
Mary Weaver
Western Program Coordinator
32662 Birchwood Shore Drive
Underwood, MN 56586
218-770-1385
mweaver@pcamn.org | |
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| CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT |
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Barb Sorum, Interim Director of Family Support Services
Parent support group forms in Mankato. Group focused on reducing violence toward children.
Published October 04, 2009 11:21 pm in the Mankato Free Press - The new chapter of Circle of ParentsŪ came together as a way for parents to connect to prevent child abuse and violence toward children.
By Tanner Kent, Free Press Staff Writer
A little help never hurts.
At least that's the idea behind the newly formed chapter of Circle of ParentsŪ.
Sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, the group is focused on reducing violence toward children. But in practice, said facilitator Tasha Fox, the group is more like a support network for parents.
"It's open to anyone in a parental role," Fox said. "And it just gives parents an opportunity to come and discuss the struggles and challenges of raising kids."
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| FACILITATOR TIP |
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Priscilla N. Bennett, Communications Coordinator
The Period of PURPLE Crying (www.purplecrying.info) is the phrase used to describe the point in a baby's life when they cry more than any other time. This period of increased crying is often described as colic, but there have been many misunderstandings about what "colic" really is.
The Period of PURPLE Crying is a new way to help parents understand this time in their baby's life, which is a normal part of every infant's development. It is confusing and concerning to be told your baby "has colic" because it sounds like it is an illness or a condition that is abnormal. When the baby is given colic medicine, it reinforces the idea that there is something wrong with the baby when in fact the baby is going through a very normal developmental phase.
The acronym PURPLE is used to describe specific characteristics of an infant's crying during this phase and lets parents and caregivers know that what they are experiencing is indeed normal and, although frustrating, is simply a phase in their child's development that will pass. The word period is important because it tells parents that it is only temporary and will come to and end.
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| CHILDREN'S PROGRAM LEADER TIP |
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 Alice O. Lynch, Metro Program Coordinator
Abilities Arts Festival has determined that everyone can participate and excel in arts and crafts. All that is needed is imagination and the right tools. In reviewing some of their ideas in this area, I found one particular project that I felt was easy, helpful, and creative, and we all probably have the equipment needed in our toolbox. Paint and Straw Blowing Pictures - Tree Painting These are instructions for blowing "trees" with a drinking-straw. The same process can be used to create other abstract paintings.
- Diluted poster paint or tempera works great and is easier to clean up than traditional India ink.
- Put just a few drops of paint in a cup, and dilute with water to the consistency of whole milk.
- Special paper isn't required, but tape down whatever paper is used.
- You don't actually have to use a drinking straw. Tubes from cheap ball-point pens also work well because they're shorter and heavier.
- Put paint on a brush and make a line about two inches long from the base of the tree upward. When the paint drops are blown, they'll move along this pre-painted line and continue from it. The line helps start and direct the flow.
- Put more paint on the brush, and deliver it as a big droplet at the base of the trunk.
- It's important not to blow too hard! Just blow slowly and "push" the paint along. The straw should be held at a low angle, back an inch or two from the flowing paint.
- If you like, add more paint at the base and repeat.
- Other decorations, along with poems can be added as desired.
- Individual paintings can be submitted separately as individual story squares or affixed to a piece of fabric with glue, staples, etc. or attached to a piece of poster board or large piece of paper and submitted as a group story quilt.
Try it yourself and see how much fun you will have and how creative you can be. If you can do it, so can your children. |
| PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS |
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| A Father's Group Participant's Story
"Most men think they don't have a problem and won't talk to anyone else. Men take care of problems themselves. In my group we teach sharing, which teaches that it's ok to be vulnerable and to ask for help. You can't always do it alone. And certainly it's ok to show your feelings. This helps fathers get in touch with their children on a much more emotional level. My relationship with my children was much better once I got involved with these groups." | |
Our Mission
The mission of Minnesota's Circle of Parents is to empower parents to create healthy and loving families through positive parenting and mutual self help. | |
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