Photo by: Sal Bolaños
EAST CHICAGO | There is nothing wrong with taking a little advice from another adult, especially about parenting. Laura Smith Wynn, a parenting facilitator takes time out of her day to give her knowledge about good parenting to other interested adults at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center every Monday and Wednesday. This program is apart of the “Do-Your-Part-East Chicago” agenda and is sponsored by several organizations including the Foundations of East Chicago, Harris Bank, Safe Place, Indiana Parenting Institute, and ICA.
Laura, along with other partners, were in attendance on January 18th, 2012 to discuss ways to take control of children within the household. Laura stressed the importance of structured guidelines and disciplinary acts that should take place in a family environment. “Kids should learn character, respect, acceptable behavior, and proper communications skills at home before they are sent to school. Educators in our school systems should not have to teach them these things, nor should they have to baby sit. Their job is to teach them math, science, grammar, and so on.” said Laura.
One of the huge topics discussed was leading your child to a better future. Some children talk about becoming a doctor, a professional athlete, a business owner, or something outrageous, but what parents should do is allow their children to believe in this and set the bar high for them so they can continue climbing that ladder to someday reach that goal and realize what it takes to make it. Laura made it clear that it is okay to instill the career goals that your child dreams of and let them know not to settle for mediocre things.
Irene Moore, an East Chicago native was in attendance to listen in on some of the discussions being held at the MLK Center. Moore, a mother herself, said she was there because she wanted to hear some new views and points of parenting so she can relay them back to her own after school program in which she is apart of at the Pennsylvania Center located in East Chicago. “I think it is a great program for parents to come in at least once and hear some new solutions of ideas on how they can become more active with their children and build a more stable but yet controllable relationship in the household. It’s important for parents to know how to cope with their children and make their futures brighter oppose to just letting them live however they want.” said Moore.
If you would like to learn more about the Do-Your-Part-East Chicago Program call 219. 886. 1111 to get more information.
