Families First Offers Health, Support Programs

Program listings for November

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Keeping Your Cool: Anger Help for Everyday Parenting: Learn ways to reduce and handle anger so you can be the parent you want to be. Week 1: What happens in our brains when we become angry, with Pete Fifield, LCMHC. Week 2: Stress reduction for parents, with Jill Capobianco. Week 3: Identify and understand your personal triggers, how anger works, how kids “push our buttons” and strategies for you and your kids, with Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Tuesdays, Nov. 3, 10, and 17, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Tuesday, Nov. 10

Keeping Your Cool: Anger Help for Everyday Parenting: Learn ways to reduce and handle anger so you can be the parent you want to be. Nov. 10: Stress reduction for parents, with Jill Capobianco. Nov. 17: Identify and understand your personal triggers, how anger works, how kids “push our buttons” and strategies for you and your kids, with Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Tuesdays, Nov. 10 and 17, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Thursday, Nov. 12

Your Child’s Frustration: A Q&A with Dr. Dawn Huebner: Does your child give up easily? Is he unwilling to try new things? Does she fall apart at the first sign of difficulty? Is your child a perfectionist? Overly competitive? Unable to go through the paces of learning something new? Grit (or stick-to-it-iveness) is a trait, but it’s also a skill – and, like all skills, grit can be taught. Come to this Q&A with psychologist and author Dr. Dawn Huebner. Learn to respond more effectively to your child’s tears and negative talk (hint: cheerleading doesn’t work) while fortifying your child to better manage challenges. Thursday, Nov. 12, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Sunday, Nov. 15

Ten Thousand Villages Benefit for Families First – Ten Thousand Villages, a fair-trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe, will donate 15 percent of the price of items sold from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, to Families First Health & Support Center. At 87 Congress Street in downtown Portsmouth; (603) 431-2392.

Tuesday, Nov. 17

Keeping Your Cool: Anger Help for Everyday Parenting: Learn ways to reduce and handle anger so you can be the parent you want to be. Identify and understand your personal triggers, how anger works, how kids “push our buttons” and strategies for you and your kids, with Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Tuesday, Nov. 24

Go To Sleep: Baby not sleeping through the night? Child resisting bedtime? Teen not getting enough sleep? These aren’t good for anyone, child or parent. They can result in cranky behavior, difficulty getting through the day, poor sleep habits and stressed relationships. Yet it’s hard for overtired parents to make a plan and carry it out on their own. Facilitated by Parkie Boley.Tuesday, Nov. 24, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

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THIS SECTION: ONE-TIME LISTING SENT PREVIOUSLY. THESE MAY BE IN YOUR SYSTEM ALREADY

Tuesday, Oct.27

Meet Your Inner Parent: Discover and develop strategies that will work best for you and your family; connect with and strengthen your instinctive parenting abilities. Discussions will include the power of combining strategy with inner wisdom. Participants will be introduced to SOLVE, a powerful five-step problem-solving method that makes use of your own intuition. Facilitated by Bette Freedson, a clinical social worker, speaker and author of a new book, “Soul Mothers’ Wisdom: Seven Insights for the Single Mother.” Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Thursday, Oct. 29

Go To Sleep!! Baby not sleeping through the night? Child resisting bedtime? Teen not getting enough sleep? These aren’t good for anyone, child or parent. They can result in cranky behavior, difficulty getting through the day, poor sleep habits and stressed relationships. Yet it’s hard for overtired parents to make a plan and carry it out on their own. Come to this Q&A with Randy Tallent, Families First’s Child Development Specialist. Thursday, Oct. 29, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

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PORTSMOUTH

Every Tuesday

Gosling Playgroup: For children ages birth to six, with parents or other caregivers. Children will explore age-appropriate crafts and other activities, have positive play with peers and adults, and enjoy songs, stories and snack. Facilitator: MJ Keane. Tuesdays, 1-2:30 p.m. at Gosling Recreation Center (40 Wedgewood Road, Portsmouth). Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Friday No program Nov. 27

Preschool Playtime: Join children ages 3 to 5 and parents or other caregivers for circle time, gym, free play, snack and story. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm. $5 per family.

EXETER

Every Thursday No program Nov. 26

Exeter Family Morning Out: For children ages birth to six, with parents or other caregivers. Children will explore age-appropriate crafts and other activities, have positive play with peers and adults, and enjoy songs, stories and snack. Facilitator: Patricia Keck. Held at Exeter Parks and Recreation (32 Court Street, Exeter). Thursdays, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.c

EPPING

Every Friday No program Nov. 27

Epping Family Morning Out: For children ages birth to six, with parents or other caregivers. Children will explore age-appropriate crafts and other activities, have positive play with peers and adults, and enjoy songs, stories and snack. Facilitator: Patricia Keck. Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m., at the SAU 14 Building (213 Main Street, Epping). Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

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PORTSMOUTH

Every Monday

Toddler Playtime: For toddlers, ages 1 to 2: Gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and first friendships. For parents and other caregivers: New ideas for activities and parenting, a chance to connect with other parents. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Mondays, 9:30-11 a.m. $5 per family. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Monday

Family Fun Night: A fun, relaxing evening out for families who are experiencing stress. Includes a family dinner and family activities. Advance signup required. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Every Tuesday

Mother-To-Mother Postpartum Group: Offering support for mothers during their baby’s first year, when postpartum depression and anxiety are common. Come be with other mothers who know what it’s like. Led by women trained in birth and postpartum care. Every Tuesday, 9-10 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Tuesday

Babytime: An educational, playful and supportive group for babies up to 12 months and their parents or other caregivers; expecting parents also welcome. A developmental therapist from the Children’s Rehab Center of Portsmouth Regional Hospital comes to Babytime once a month to talk about infants’ motor, social/emotional, language and brain development. Free child care offered for older siblings (advance signup required). Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Wednesday

Terrific Twos Playtime: For children ages 2 to 3: Gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and friendships. For parents and other caregivers: New ideas for activities and parenting, a chance to connect with other parents. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm. $5 per family.

1st and 3rd Thursdays Each Month

Parent Recharge: Kick back, get involved in relaxing activities, and recharge your parenting battery. Child care and refreshments included. Free. Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month, 9:30-11 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.