Meeting Topics 2005

Click on each topic to download handouts from the meeting.

September 2005 - Attachment Parenting and the School Age Child: How to Parent an Attached Child in a Detached World
What should you do when your child is being teased by other kids? How do you deal with an instructor whose philosophy conflicts with the basic ideals of Attachment Parenting? How do you handle the emotional fallout when your child is exposed to behaviors or influences that you don’t condone? Let’s discuss these and other issues of the school-aged child on September 10 at 10:00am. See the “Monthly Meeting Topic” article on page 8 for the Eight Ideals of Attachment Parenting the School-Age Child as developed by Attachment Parenting International.

October 2005 - Positive Discipline: Giving Your Child the Tools to Succeed in Life
"I was a wonderful parent before I had children. I was an expert on why everyone else was having problems with theirs. Then I had three of my own." If this excerpt from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish describes you, mark your calendar for October 8th! The topic for the October meeting is Positive Discipline: Giving Your Child the Tools to Succeed in Life Life. What is positive discipline? Why do we strive for this? What is required of me as a parent to implement positive discipline? Let’s get together on October 8th to discuss these questions, share and develop strategies, and fill our positive discipline toolboxes for the year! If you’re a person who likes to prepare in advance, see page 6 of the newsletter for some thoughts from a similar meeting in July of 2002. We look forward to brainstorming with you!

November 2005 - Positive Parenting: Not Just for Kids!
The holiday season is quickly approaching. It is a time when family and friends gather to celebrate the very essence of life: good food and fellowship. Now imagine that picturesque family holiday: grandparents, parents, siblings, and children are gathered around a crackling fire after a bountiful meal, talking and laughing as you recount stories of daily life and holidays long forgotten. The conversation lulls, and dear Grandma leans over toward you and asks (loudly enough for all ears to hear, of course) “When are you going to stop nursing that child?” The silence is deafening as the rest of the room strains to hear your answer. Your confident self replies, “Well, isn’t that why the schoolyards have chain link fence? So the kids can ‘top off’ at recess?” Amid peals of laughter from some of the family and unbelieving blank stares from others, you glance over to see Grandma’s reddening face. Wow – what a stinging comeback! And yet we’ve all practiced some of these retorts in our minds during the
drive to various family functions.

Peaceful parenting – we sign many of our e-mails this way, but what does it really mean? Let’s get together for our November meeting and discuss some strategies for handling families, friends, and their many comments and questions about our parenting styles. Let’s really try to extend our “peaceful parenting” techniques to our children and extended families this season!

December 2005 - Maintaining Balance:  Prepare to Be Pampered!
This month’s meeting topic is “Maintaining Balance.” But what’s happening at the meeting is a surprise – prepare to be pampered! If you have the option available, this might be a meeting where the kids can have a special bonding day with Daddy or another caregiver. Of course, if that is not an option, we will have several mothers’ helpers available if you would like to use them. No matter which option you choose, we hope to see you on December 10th for a morning of maintaining balance in our busy holiday lives! If you’re participating in the Adopt-a-Family program, this is a great time to bring your gifts along!

If there is a topic that you would like to see covered, please contact the leaders here.