FROM THE HEART NEWS FROM KIDS FIRST JANUARY 2015

Greetings to our friends and supporters,

I'm sure that some of you out there are already thinking about what your New Year's Resolution ought to be this year. Anything involving self-improvement is popular - but there is so much pressure to be perfect already, do we really need to add to that?

If you're a parent, you are probably already doing the very best job that you know how to do, but sometimes it just doesn't feel like enough - especially if you are separated or divorced and trying to play multiple parental roles. Join us in a guided meditation coming up in January to help you learn how to let go of some of that single parent stress and guilt, and improve your outlook on life! Make it a New Year's Resolution to be kinder to yourself, and learn to appreciate all the ways in which you are working so hard to raise healthy and happy children!

Sincerely,

Peg Libby

Executive Director

In This Issue

6 Things That Keep You From Moving on After Divorce

December 2014 Calendar of Events

QUICK LINKS

info@KidsFirstCenter.

Kids First website

Kids First on Facebook

Kids First on Twitter

email us

Mindfulness Meditation May Ease Anxiety, Mental Stress

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

My mom began meditating decades ago, long before the mind-calming practice had entered the wider public consciousness. Today, at age 81, she still goes to a weekly meditation group and quotes Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist monk known for his practice of mindfulness, or "present-focused awareness."

Although meditation still isn't exactly mainstream, many people practice it, hoping to stave off stress and stress-related health problems. Mindfulness meditation, in particular, has become more popular in recent years.

JANUARY 2015

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Kids First Program

Saturday, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

January 3 - Portland (207-761-2709)

January 3 - Augusta (207-859-1514)

January 10 - Lewiston 8:00 am (783-3990)

January 10 - Farmington (207-761-2709)

January 10 - Topsham (207-761-2709)

January 10 - Belfast (207-338-2200 x109)

January 17 - Portland (207-761-2709)

January 24 - Waterville (207-859-1514)

January 31 - Skowhegan (207-859-1514)

(similar program) January 10 - Rockland (207-596-0359)

(similar program) January 10 - Bangor (207-942- 8200)

(similar program) January 17 - Bangor (207-942-8200)

(similar program) January 24 - Newcastle (207-596-0359)

Separation, Divorce & Dads (Portland)

Tuesday, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

January 6, 2015

Support Groups for Kids

Group I (grades 1-3)

Tuesdays, 4:30 - 5:45 pm

January 6 - February 10, 2015

Group II (grades 4-6)

Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm

January 7 - February 11, 2015

Group III (grades 7-9)

Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

January 7 - February 11, 2015

Free Evening Workshop

Living Through Divorce: Calming the Storm (meditation)

Monday, January 12, 2015

7:00 - 8:30 pm

WHERE CAN I GET A COPY?

1)order directly from our publisher

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(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

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@kidsfirstmaine

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