Parenting can be the most rewarding job. It can also be difficult!

So, if you reach a point when you reach a point when you say, "I need help!".. where do you turn?

A free class in Huntington that studies all parenting styles is the answer for many people.

Linda Jackson shows us "Caring Hands."

Mary Jane Klenoski, Instructor with Huntington County Youth Services says, "It's information they just need to know to be the parents and to have the authority. We talk about having a relationship."

Mary Jane Klenoski is a parenting class instructor from Huntington County Youth Services who works with Kids Kampus several times a year, assisting new and not so new parents.

The goal?
To provide a safe learning environment for children through the empowerment of adults.

Klenoski says, "I think the younger you can get the family, the better it is."

Klenoski says most of today's parents over-indulge with mere words and actions, allowing children to have persuasive power over them.
She says we need to say "no" and stick with it to build our confidence.
One student, a mother of five in a blended family, agrees.

Michelle Prater, Current Student, says "A few of the children have special needs so we deal with over-indulging them. We have different situations with each child. Also with having three step-children it can make things a little more challenging."

Another student, the mother of a four year old, attended a past seminar with her husband.

Jackie Boxell, Fall, 2007 Student, "We had used time out, but after taking the class, we just came to realize that no matter what form of discipline we use, as long as there's a consequence and we're doing it with love, kindness and respect, it's going to work to the benefit of the family."

Instructors and students agree there's no shame in reaching out.
Prater says, "I think the class would be great for anybody with kids of any age."

Joy Koch, Kids Kampus Family Resource Coordinator, says, "One of the other past parents that went through the class, she's a teacher, and she said I go to training and workshops to be a better teacher, but not often do parents go to workshops to be a better parent."

The United Way provides a grant that makes this program work.

Jackie says, "I would take it again."

Mary Jane says, "We don't have manuals on how to raise kids. A lot of it is hitting or missing and figuring out what we need to do."

Other parenting classes will be offered at Kids Kampus in the near future. Call 1-260-356-0123 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Also, look for parenting, safety and babysitting classes at your local Red Cross, YMCA or Stop Child Abuse and Neglect.