What are your families dealing with?

What things are causing your families stress and hurt?

We came up with three main areas: Marriage problems; Parenting concerns; Financial issues.

Baptist Centres need to be about people. Yes, we are here to care for and educate young children, but if we truly care about those children then we will also care about their families. If those children are in stable, happy homes then they are more likely to be settled and happy in our care.

How can we make a difference in families lives? Well there are lots of things we can offer, it’s just finding the right thing for our families.

Most churches offer support groups or training for various areas, why can’t they be run in the Centre instead of at the Church. Groups like budget advice, parenting courses, marriage seminars. Why not invite the whole community not just your parents. (Great advertising!)

Linking into organisations such as Parents Inc is such an easy way to run these programmes. Contact them on www.parentsinc.org.nz.

Another idea is to have a Family Worker, a person who is employed solely to build relationships with parents. From there they can recommend courses, give support as needed and walk with them through issues. It is often easier for someone outside the ‘management’ of the centre to be this person. It is really hard for a Supervisor to push for payment on an account when they are also dealing with family issues. Also, this Family Worker needs to have some social work / counseling background and/or training. Early Childhood Teachers, even Supervisors are NOT counsellors!