Submitted by The Junior League of Olympia
Research shows that parents are the number one influence on whether or not their kids make healthy and safe choices.
Yet, in the 2014 Healthy Youth Survey results released last month, many students revealed their parents aren’t talking with them about important topics. Sixth and tenth graders polled also said their parents don’t spend enough quality time with them.
Simple things – like eating meals as a family, doing fun activities together, and telling kids you’re proud of them – are key to developing strong relationships and empowering kids to make healthy decisions. In doing these things, parents also help their children build resilience – the strengths they need to bounce back from adversity and positively meet the challenges of life.
Parents matter. This is the message of a new public awareness campaign launched by the Thurston Council for Children and Youth, in partnership with TOGETHER! and the Thurston Thrives initiative to improve community health and safety.
In line with this theme, on Saturday, May 2, the Junior League of Olympia will host a free Families Matter Fair and Community Summit on Resilient Children, Resilient Communities. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Educational Service District 113 Capital Event Center in Tumwater (6005 Tyee Drive SW). Attendance is free and includes lunch.
The fair gives plenty of opportunities for family fun and also helps parents learn how to have important conversations with kids. It is geared toward parents, grandparents, and anyone who works with or takes care of children. The event will feature:
- Fun, interactive activities for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens.
- Free resources and giveaways from 30 local organizations committed to healthy children and families.
- Parenting workshops with helpful tools and tips on topics including child safety, positive discipline, effective communication, and how to advocate for your child.
The schedule includes the following workshops:
11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
- Advocating for Your Children with Kim Smith and Jim Smith, South Sound Parent to Parent
- Effective Communications Strategies With Your Preschoolers with Candyce Bollinger, Parent Educator and Counselor
12:10 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Keeping Your Children Safe with expert panel members: Danielle King, Safe Kids Coalition Coordinator; Jennifer Lord, Thurston County Deputy Prosecutor; Lieutenant Jay Mason, Tumwater Police Department; Kim Carroll, Victim Advocate; and Rose Gundersen, Washington Engage Executive Director
- Effective Communications Strategies With Your School-Aged Child with Candyce Bollinger, Parent Educator and Counselor
1:05 p.m. to 1:55 p.m.
- Positive Parenting with Shelly Willis, Family Education and Support Services Executive Director
- Effective Communications Strategies With Your Teen with Candyce Bollinger, Parent Educator and Counselor
More information is on the Junior League of Olympia’s website under the Community Summit tab and on the organization’s Facebook page.
