Upcoming Community Events

Parenting on the Same Page
Whether you are together or apart, parenting your children on the same page can be tough. Parents have different upbringings, personalities and opinions, yet still need to figure out how to be a united front for their children. Kids are great observers of their parents and their environments and hear more than we realize. It becomes even more imperative for parents (or grandparents) to work together to create similar expectations and parenting decisions in each home when families are separated, divorced or blended.
Attend this workshop to learn: Strategies on how to make decisions to be on the same page, Create plans for your family that focus on creating responsible, successful and emotionally secure children, Learn co-parent strategies to create a stable foundation in one or two homes and how to manage children's reactions when there are significant life changes
When: Thursday, April 27, 2017; 6:00-8:00 p.m. Location: Cradlerock Elementary School, 6700 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045
Cost: FREE! Space is limited and registration is required! Who Should Attend: Parents and Guardians; Child care available upon request during registration (2 yrs. and older)

Register Online for Parenting on the Same Page Register By Phone (voice/relay): 410-313-1940
TEEN Anxiety: Recognize, Communicate and Help
Adolescence is a stressful time filled with academic, community, and social pressures. Stress tops the list of concerns of most teenagers today. A teenager who has been anxious since childhood may have a lifestyle built around anxiety.  An anxious teen may use their anxiety to filter out activities and environments and may have trained friends, family and teachers to limit expectations. It can be more challenging to treat anxiety due to the developed unhealthy coping mechanisms used to manage and avoid stressful life experiences.  To manage anxiety, teens must learn to practice positive coping skills rather than avoiding environments and situations that cause stress. Teens that have parental support during stressful times are more likely to navigate daily struggles successfully. Parents can support their children by being aware of their child’s stress signals and challenging behaviors to express their feelings.  This workshop will discuss how to recognize anxiety, gain a better understanding on how to support your child, communicate with your teen about their symptoms, and ensure you don't perpetuate anxious feelings to make them worse.
When: Thursday, May 11, 2017; 6:00  - 8:00 p.m. Location: Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia, MD 21044
Cost: $8 per person;  Space is limited and registration is required! Who Should Attend: Parents and Guardians Only
Register Online for TEEN Anxiety: Recognize, Communicate and Help  Register By Phone (voice/relay): 410-313-1940
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Where Does My Money Go?
Be Proactive! Don't wait until there's a financial crisis. Be in the know BEFORE they go! Everyone talks about college being so expensive, yet tuition is not the only place money is spent.  When children turn 18, they become legal adults and start their financial future. Teens are vulnerable to financial pitfalls that take advantage of their inexperience, marketing that encourages lots of spending and credit and many opportunities to head down the path to large debt and fiscal misfortune. Have you laid the groundwork for your child? 
We will discuss but not be limited to these topics: Tracking your spending so you know where your money goes, Effective and practical budgeting techniques, The power of compounding and its effects on savings and investments, Building and using credit wisely, Turning even 1 cent into more than 1 million. Parents and Teens are invited to join MakingChange for a lively and informative exchange of ideas regarding a wide variety of money management tools.
When: Thursday, June 1, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  Location: Bain 50+ Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia, MD 21044
Cost: FREE! Space is limited; pre-registration is required  Who Should Attend: Parents and Teens
Register Online for Where Does My Money Go?   Register By Phone (voice/relay): 410-313-1940