September 9, 2007

Class helps Spanish-speaking parents share tips and ideas

By KATHY GRAY
of The Chronicle

     Sometimes parents think they are the only people in the world struggling with being parents.
     Margaret Nesbit and Pilar Basile-Cox are quick to point out that’s simply not true — and to offer support and ideas to help parents gain more confidence in their most important job.
     Basile-Cox and Nesbit are leading a 13-week workshop for Latino parents. It takes place Wednesdays, starting Sept. 12 and continuing through Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) office, 1300 W. Ninth Street, The Dalles.
     The workshop is an opportunity for parents of children from birth to 8 years old to make new friends among other parents, compare notes, share a meal and discover some new methods to cope with age-old concerns.
     Dinner and childcare are provided.
     “We’re just trying to offer a place where Latino families can come and get together and make friends,” said Nesbit, who is also a substitute teacher. “We want it to be real social. It’s also a class for parenting support and encouragement.”
     Nesbit and Basile-Cox are no strangers to the challenges of parenthood. Both have three children. Both families include a set of twins.
     “We have experience parenting — but intensive parenting,” Nesbit said.
Even so, they expect parents who attend the workshops will gain a lot of information from each other.
     “It’s not like we are the teachers and they are the students,” Basile-Cox said. “We are facilitators. We will all share experiences — good things and bad things — and how we can manage in a good way with kids.”
     The workshop may also help parents who have been separated from their families in Mexico develop local support.
     Parents can also expect some lessons to be part of the evenings. Basile-Cox and Nesbit attended training in the Parenting Now curriculum. Videos that illustrate common parenting situations will provide material for discussion and problem-solving. There will also be an emphasis on parents allowing time for themselves.
     “Especially in the Spanish community, there’s a sense that ‘I am the mother and I don’t deserve any time to myself,’” Basile-Cox said.
     “It’s OK to have your time — you will be happier to be with your children,” Nesbit added.
     The program will be taught in Spanish. Both facilitators are fluent in the language.
     The workshops are offered by the Wasco County Commission on Children & Families together with OSU Wasco County Extension.
     Grant money is funding the program this fall. If it is successful, Nesbit expects it will continue.