Upcoming Programs & News

Information about the upcoming parenting classes, groups, and family programs is available in your choice of formats:

All parents and children are welcome at these programs. Most programs are free of charge, and all include free child care. (Scroll down for important information on child care.) Advance signup is needed for all programs (unless “drop-ins OK” is noted), and is always needed for child care; call (603) 422-8208 x2 or send an e-mail.

Parenting Classes and Groups at the Community Campus in Portsmouth
(Flyer listing most Winter 2010 Portsmouth groups)

  • Setting Kids Up for Successful Behaviors. Tuesdays, Feb. 2 and 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Learn about arranging your surroundings and schedule so kids can behave, self-fulfilling positive expectations for children, and other tricks from the trenches. Facilitated by Pam Mattingly.
  • Grandparenting First and third Wednesdays of each month, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Join other grandparents to discuss joys and challenges of the grandparenting experience. Get new ideas on how to navigate the three-generation relationship, on parenting and kids "these days," and on how to keep connected whether near or far. -- Feb. 3 and 17: Enhance your relationship with your adult child. Grandparents often wish for less frustration, irritation, and difference of opinion in their relationship with their adult child. Get ideas on how to create a future that works for all of you, communicate successfully, and distinguish their needs from yours. Presenter: Irene M. Tomkinson, MSW, author of Not Like My Mother: Becoming a Sane Parent after Growing up in a Crazy Family.
  • Co-Parenting for the Sake of Your Kids. Thursdays, Feb. 4-25, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Finding it hard to get your "ex" to cooperate? Want to keep your kids out of the middle? Wishing for smoother pickups and dropoffs? This class for divorced or separated parents can help. Facilitated by Tim Cunningham, co-parent mediator. Cost: $40 for all four sessions.
  • Keeping the Peace: Helping Siblings Get Along. Thursdays Feb. 11 & 25, 9:30-11 a.m. Sibling rivalry is the one of the top causes of parents’ anger and distress. It intrudes on everyday family life and functioning. Parents worry about whether it’s an indication of how their children will get along with others in life. Yet smart parents with the best intentions often do things that make it worse! This series will look at some of the causes of sibling fighting and competition, how to handle them, and ways to increase the friendship between siblings. Come find out the myths and realities of sibling rivalry and revelry. Facilitator: Bob Pavlik, M.Ed
  • New Parents' Tea, Tuesday, February 16, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Please join Families First for a welcoming get-together for new parents. If you have a new addition to your family (aged newborn through 12 months), come enjoy light refreshments and the company of other new parents and learn about the resources and programs offered at Families First. We'll even care for your baby's older siblings (up to age 12) in a playroom right next door, free of charge, if you register in advance.
  • Eat It. It’s Good for You! Cheap, Healthy Foods Your Kids Will Like. Tuesdays, Feb. 16 & 23, 6-7:30pm. Feb. 16: Families First Nutritionist Sharon Dubois-Carney will work with parents to prepare healthy food that their children will like. Feb. 23: Parent Educator Joanna Wicklein will help parents get a plan to reduce mealtime battles.
  • Parent Recharge alternate Thursdays (first and third Thursday each month), 9:30-11 am. Kick back, get involved in relaxing activities, and recharge your parenting battery. Child care and refreshments included.
  • Challenging Child Series. Second Wednesday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
    -- Feb 10: Children and Anger: How to Handle. How to Help. Does your child seem to have a shorter than typical fuse? Explosive anger? Regular outbursts? Many parents feel at a loss about why it happens or how to handle it. Daily life can feel like walking on a minefield. It’s natural for parents to choose peace at any price, but this often comes at the cost of the well-being of the child and the rest of the family. Presenter: Christine Nolan, M.Ed. LCMHC, Certified Guidance Counselor. Ms. Nolan, herself a mother of four, has worked with families for years in therapeutic, recreational and school settings. She will provide a better understanding, strategies and next steps to help your family and your child.
    -- March 10: Helping Kids Deal with Worries and Fears: A Conversation with Dawn Huebner, PhD. Children go through predictable fears at different ages. Worry is a universal emotion. But sometimes worries and fears get stuck, making it hard for kids to live their lives. Join us for a conversation with local psychologist Dr. Dawn Huebner, author of What to Do When You Worry Too Much and other books for kids. Bring your questions and learn how to help your children manage worries and fears more effectively.
    -- April 14: Helping the Child with ADHD or other Impulsivity, Hyperactivity and Attention Issues. Facilitator: Karen Rowell, SeaCare Health Services.
  • Mother-to-Mother: A Postpartum Adjustment Group. Tuesdays, weekly, 10 to 11:30 a.m. For moms with postpartum depression, anxiety or other challenges beyond everyday postpartum adjustment issues. Babies are welcome; child care is provided for older children. Facilitated by certified doulas Liz Gaudette, RN; Susan Remillard; and Andrea Rutherford. Advance signup required; call Liz Gaudette at 207-363-1379 (press 2).
  • Parenting Basics: Here are the instructions that didn’t come with your child. Thursdays, March 4-25, 6-7:30 pm. What you can do to get your kids to listen, go to sleep, eat right, stay safe, and be happier and easier to manage. For parents of kids ages birth to 12. Facilitator: Jodi Foster.
  • Domestic Abuse Recovery Program. For mothers and their children who have experienced domestic violence. Separate, simultaneous groups for mothers and children (ages 7-13; child care provided for younger children) are designed to help mothers and children heal, rebuild their relationships, and focus on a healthy family future. Participants will also create supportive connections with others who understand what it's like. Comfortable, confidential information, discussion and activities with caring, trained facilitators. Offered by Families First, A Safe Place, Seacoast Mental Health Center, and the Portsmouth office of the NH Division for Children, Youth and Families. Call 603-422-8208 ext. 123 for information on the next session, to be offered in early 2010.

    Programs for Parents and Kids at the Community Campus in Portsmouth
  • Make It and Take It, Tuesdays, 12:00 noon, in the hallway outside Head Start at the Community Campus. Craftmaking for parents and kids together.
  • Family Fun Night, Mondays, weekly (except 2/22); 5:30-7:30 pm. A fun, relaxing evening out for families who are living in temporary housing situations or facing other stresses. Dinner! Free childcare! Family activities! Facilitator: Pam Mattingly
  • Toddler Playtime Mondays, weekly; 9:30-11 am. For toddlers, ages 1 to 2½: Gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and first friendships. For parents: New ideas for activities and parenting, a chance to connect with other parents. $5 per family.* Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Drop-ins OK.
  • Babytime Tuesdays, weekly; 10-11:30 am. An educational, playful and supportive group for babies up to 12 months and their parents; expecting parents also welcome! Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Drop-ins OK.
  • Preschool Playtime Fridays, weekly; 9:30-11 am. Join children ages 2½ to 5 and parents for circle time, gym, free play, snack and story. $5 per family.* Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Drop-ins OK.

Programs in other Rockingham County towns

Free child care is included with all programs, and pizza dinner is included with evening programs, with the exception of "Living with Teens and Preteens." Advance signup is needed for all programs; call Families First at 603-422-8208 ext. 2 unless otherwise noted.

  • In Raymond: Discipline Series, Wednesdays (weekly, 1/13-4/14, except 2/24), 6:00–7:30 p.m. at Raymond Baptist Church Community Building, 145 Route 27.
    -- through Feb. 17: Discipline That Works! How to Take the Stress Out of Parenting So You Can Enjoy Your Kids. Jan. 13: "What were you thinking?" (Why is my child misbehaving?) Jan. 20: "What part of this don't you understand?" (Making Yourself Clear) Jan. 27: "I swore I'd never say that - I sound just like my father!" (Emphasize the Positive). Based on the Family Focus curriculum from UNH Cooperative Extension Service. Feb. 3: Helpful vs. Hurtful discipline. Feb. 10: Consequences that teach. Feb. 17: Create your own discipline plan. Based on the Family Focus curriculum of UNH Cooperative Extension Service.
    -- March 10-24: 1-2-3 Magic.
    -- March 31-April 14:     Solve It: Strategies for bedtime, mealtime, homework and chores.
  • In Seabrook: Discipline Series, Thursdays (weekly, 1/14-4/15, except 2/25), 6–7:30 p.m. at Seacoast Youth Services, 867 Lafayette Rd.
    --    through Feb. 18: Discipline That Works! How to Take the Stress Out of Parenting So You Can Enjoy Your Kids. Jan. 13:     "What were you thinking?" (Why is my child misbehaving?) Jan. 28: "I swore I'd never say that - I sound just like my father!" (Emphasize the Positive). Feb. 4: Helpful vs. Hurtful discipline. Feb. 11: Consequences that teach. Feb. 18: Create your own discipline plan. Based on the Family Focus curriculum of UNH Cooperative Extension Service.
    -- March 11-25: 1-2-3 Magic.
    -- April 1-15:     Solve It: Strategies for bedtime, mealtime, homework and chores.
  • In Seabrook: Parent Recharge Tuesdays, weekly (except 2/23), 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Seabrook Community Center. Kick back, get involved in relaxing activities, and recharge your parenting battery. Child care and refreshments included. Facilitator: MJ Keane
  • In Exeter: Living With Teens and Preteens. Third Wednesday of the month, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at New Outlook Teen Center, 120 Front St.
    -- Feb. 17:     Online bullying and harassment: What parents need to know to prevent it. Presenter: Det. Mike Munck, Exeter Police Department
  • In Epping: The Teen Years are Coming: Get Prepared. March 10 and 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Epping Elementary School. Take a trip through your child's developing (and mystifying) brain; build a relationship that will carry you through the rollercoaster years; understand teen risk-taking; communicate without arguing or attitude. Facilitated by Joanna Wicklein, CFLE
  • In Hampton: Family Morning Out. Wednesdays, weekly, 9:30 to 11 am, Hobbs House at Trinity Church, 200 High Street, Hampton. For children ages birth through 6 and their parents. The first half is family time, with play, song circle, creative activities, snack and story. In the second half, child care staff play with children while parents watch the video "Discipline: Teaching Limits With Love," followed by a group discussion.
  • In Epping: Family Morning Out. Thursdays, weekly (except 2/25), 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Epping Rec Center at Watson Academy, 17 Academy St. For children ages birth through 6 and their parents. The first half is family time, with play, song circle, creative activities, snack and story. In the second half, child care staff play with children while parents watch the video "Discipline: Teaching Limits With Love," followed by a group discussion.

* If fees present a hardship for your family, please call ahead to ask that your fees be waived or reduced. Also, punch cards are available -- 6 playgroups for the price of 5!

Child Care Policies
Child care is provided only for children ages birth through 12 whose parent or guardian is attending a Families First Health and Support Center program or appointment. Evening programs include dinner. Reservations are required to guarantee your child's spot in child care; call (603) 422-8208, ext. 2. Advance notice is needed if you can’t keep your reservation! (Parents who break a reservation without calling may have limitations placed on their ability to make future reservations.)

Stormy Weather Policy
When the weather outside is frightful, call (603) 422-8208 to find out if Families First is open and if programs are taking place as scheduled. Press "1" to hear whether the Health Center is open, and "2," then "1," to find out about Family Center programs.