The Boys and Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria is poised to offer two programs in Sooke with the aim of helping parents navigate the challenges of raising children in the modern world.
“Parenting has changed. We are the pioneer generation of parents raising children in a digital world,” Miriam Miller, the parenting program coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club, said.
“A lot has changed and we’re faced with having to navigate this new aspect of the world for ourselves while also acting as a guide for our children.”
The programs have been in place in other parts of Greater Victoria for more than a decade, but this will be the first time it will be offered to parents in Sooke.
The programs deal with far more than the issues of technology.
Topics include adolescent brain development, empathetic communication, boundaries, substance use, relationship bond, self-care, and more.
“All the content is based on research and presented with a trauma informed lens by qualified facilitators,” Miller said.
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The Boys and Girls Club will be offering two programs at three locations in Sooke.
The first, Parenting Without Power Struggles is a 10-week program for parents of preteens and will be offered at Journey Middle School library starting Jan. 13 and at the TD Bank boardroom starting Jan 8.
The second offering is a program called Parents in the Know, a program designed for the parents of teens. It will be offered at Edward Milne Community School, beginning Jan. 8.
The cost of each program is $60 per person or $90 per couple (subsidies are available for eligible parents).
“We also have a third program that we’re not currently bringing to Sooke. It’s called Parents Together, which is also a program for the parents of teens. It offers ongoing support and has a rolling intake and is open to the people of Sooke as well. Parents can stay in that group as long as they feel they need the support,” Miller said.
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That program is available in Esquimalt at the Club’s main office at 1195 Esquimalt Rd.
“The Boys and Girls Club has been dreaming of providing family support to the people of Sooke for years now, and it’s finally happening,” Miller said.
“We have an amazing focus on empowering youth and empowering families in a non-judgmental, empathetic approach, where people feel really accepted and cared for.”
Information on the parenting programs can be found at bgcvic.org/programs/parenting/ or by calling 250 384 9133.
mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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