FROM THE HEART NEWS FROM KIDS FIRST
FEBRUARY 2014

Greetings to our friends and supporters,

February at Kids First brings a focus on two topics of great importance to so many; the effects of separation and divorce on young children, and the challenges of blending families. Both of these programs offer excellent insight for families who may be struggling to do what is best for everyone but may not always know exactly what that looks like. Separation, Divorce & The Very Young Child is a free evening workshop open to parents as well as professionals working in the field, and we have GAL credits approved for that program. The Kids First Program for Stepparents is a four-hour workshop held on a Saturday morning and is open to both biological and stepparents, who are welcome to attend together or on their own.

Now that people's schedules have hopefully opened up a bit with the passing of the holiday season and school vacations, please make the time to explore what Kids First can do to help you.

Warmest wishes,

Peg Libby

Executive Director

P.S. Don't forget to mark your calendar for our upcoming gala 2014, "Kids First and All That Jazz" on Friday, May 16th! Lots of fun changes this year, including moving the event in town to Ocean Gateway! Details to follow.

In This Issue

"You're Not My Mom (or Dad)!"

February Calendar of Events

QUICK LINKS

info@KidsFirstCenter.

Kids First website

Kids First on Facebook

Kids First on Twitter

email us

Managing the Stepfamily Call to Arms:
"You're Not My Mom (or Dad)!"

Terri DeCoster, M.S hand in face

Ouch! Anyone who has spent even a minimal amount of time supervising a child knows that some of the most hurtful words spoken are delivered by persons under 5 feet tall. In a stepfamily, one of the most cutting phrases a stepchild can say to a stepparent is, "You're not my Mom (or Dad)!" Not only does it have the ring and sting of truth, it IS the truth! So where does this leave a caring stepparent facing what sounds like a battle cry?

FEBRUARY 2014 girl kissing father

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Kids First Program

Saturday, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

February 1 - Portland (207-761-2709)

February 1 - Augusta/Skowhegan (207-859-1514)

February 8 - Biddeford (207-761-2709)

February 8 - Belfast - (207-338-2200 x109)

February 8 - Lewiston 8:00 am (783-3990)

February 8 - So.. Paris (333-6425)

February 15 - Portland (207-761-2709)
February 15 - Waterville (207-859-1514)

(similar program) February 1 - Rockland (207-596-0359)

(similar program) February 8 - Bangor (207-942- 8200)

(similar program) February 8 - Lincoln County (207-596-0359)

(similar program) February 15 - Ellsworth (207-942-8200)

Kids First Program for Stepparents

Saturday, February 8, 2014 8:30 - 12:30 pm

Separation, Divorce & Dads
Tuesday, February 4, 2014 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Free Evening Workshop

Separation, Divorce & The Very Young Child

Monday, February 10, 2014 7:00 - 8:30 pm

WHERE CAN I GET A COPY?

order directly from our publisher

order from Barnes & Noble

(or pick one up at the Kids First Center

or purchase from your local book store!)

CONTACT INFORMATION / QUICK LINKS

address: Kids First Center, 222 St. John. Street, Suite 101, Portland Maine 04102
phone: 207-761-2709 fax: 207-780-0059
email: info@kidsfirstcenter.org

website: kidsfirstcenter.org

make a donation

@kidsfirstmaine