"The Northern Westchester Parent-Child Group is in many ways a replacement for the park bench in the city..." One of our members, a mother of three, said just that after joining her Parent-Child group...
 
Approaching its 30th year in Bedford, NWPCG offers weekly groups that mothers and their children attend together.  We provide a safe setting in which children are nurtured, engaged and encouraged to discover their world around them with their parents and teachers right by their side.  For the parents, "Group" is an opportunity to come together to share ideas, experiences and seek different perspectives on tackling challenging parenting issues.  Under the guidance of a trained facilitator, parents learn what is age appropriate for their child developmentally, what are some coping skills for the rough spots and how to enjoy the special moments. Each group is structured according to the child's age, from infancy to four - and we have just reintroduced our mothers only group starting this fall!  The staff at NWPCG is highly qualified and all are experts in early childhood education. 
 
"What is Group?"  Today, for me, Group was an excuse to have a shower, get some feedback on the fit my 3 ½ year-old threw on our way out the door, learn how and when its appropriate to praise my child, have a hot cup of coffee and feel like I had a real conversation that answered my parenting questions and fed my soul. It is a weekly refuge; a place to relax and learn, a place filled with friendship and understanding.
 
NWPCG is a unique place where a parent can engage with their child in an educational setting and also enjoy the company of other parents with kids the same age.  It is not uncommon for life-long friendships to form at Group; both for the children and their parents - and some of our first group members have even returned as teachers years later. If you're interested in joining the NWPCG, please call Nancy Loden, our executive director, at 234-4119 or visit our website at