The start of a new year can be a time for reflection and goal-setting. For parents, foster parents, grandparents, caregiver relatives, and other adults raising children and teens, doing “better” might be top of the list.
We get it. Parenting is hard. It’s magical and special but also has frustrating and lonely moments.
Here in Santa Cruz County, there is a remarkable support system for parents and caregivers called Triple P, a program of First 5 Santa Cruz County. The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is an evidence-based program available in English and Spanish that offers practical, proven tips and tools to build strong family relationships and make parenting easier. Triple P providers have helped thousands of Santa Cruz County families since 2010.
And this month we are celebrating you, those raising the next generation during what can feel like impossible times. To give us all a boost, and for the 13th year in a row, the County Board of Supervisors has partnered with First 5 Santa Cruz County to declare January as Positive Parenting Awareness Month.
What does this mean? It means our elected officials recognize that positive parenting is vital to the current and future well-being of children, families and the entire community. It means we’re calling attention to the fact that raising children and youth to be confident, capable, caring and independent is the most demanding, exhausting, important, rewarding (and underpaid) job many of us will ever have. It means that as a community, we recognize being a parent or caregiver can be difficult, confusing, stressful and isolating.
Even in the best of times, stress shows up in our lives. Sometimes, it comes from day-to-day events like a big test at school or a high-stakes situation at work or balancing work, caregiving and household responsibilities. Other times, it comes from major life events like a family split apart by divorce or the death of a loved one. These stressors lead to increased anxiety, depression and burnout.
Positive Parenting Awareness Month offers a reminder that taking the time to care for ourselves and creating nurturing environments for our children benefits everyone. By embracing the principles of positive parenting, we can strengthen not only our families but our entire community. This month offers a chance to focus our dedication to these guiding principles and recognize that while parenting comes with its challenges, it is also one of the most rewarding and meaningful journeys we can take in life. As we begin the new year, we can dedicate this time to recommitting ourselves to the five principles of positive parenting:
1 – Create a safe, interesting environment for children and youth of all ages. This involves supervising children and youth, and providing safe, engaging activities and environments.
2 – Create a positive learning environment that promotes growth and development. This means an environment that is supportive and nurturing – where children’s efforts are acknowledged, and they receive plenty of positive attention and encouragement.
3 – Use assertive discipline that teaches (instead of punishes) and helps children and youth develop skills for communication, cooperation, problem-solving and managing emotions. This means establishing family rules, setting a good example, being fair and consistent, and having the confidence to stay calm and follow through.
4 – Have realistic expectations of yourself and your children. This means remembering there’s no such thing as a perfect parent or child, and we all learn from mistakes.
5 – Take care of yourself so you have the emotional, physical, and mental energy it takes to be a positive parent/caregiver. This is so important for all parents, from all walks of life. Our ability to be positive, fair, patient, calm and consistent is increased when we take care of our own needs for joy, rest, privacy, support and having a break from parenting.
Positive Parenting Awareness Month is a reminder that community members, businesses, early care and education providers, schools, and faith-based, non-profit and government organizations all play a crucial role in supporting parents and caregivers to apply these positive parenting principles – even (or especially) during challenging times. Thankfully, many organizations in Santa Cruz County offer support and concrete resources such as food, housing, health care, financial assistance, childcare, home visiting and other essential services for families (dial or text 2-1-1 to get help with accessing resources).
Throughout January – and beyond – let’s recognize the vital role of positive parenting in the well-being of children, families and our community. This year, Positive Parenting Awareness Month emphasizes kindness and the small, meaningful acts that strengthen families and communities. Parents and caregivers: we see you, we celebrate you and we are here to support you!
Yesenia Gomez-Carrillo is the mother of a 2-year-old daughter and the Triple P Program Manager for First 5 Santa Cruz County. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit http://triplep.first5scc.org, http://www.facebook.com/triplepscc, or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.
More from triple p – positive parenting program
