PARENTING SWEET AUGUST 2021
Welcome to Parenting Sweet!
Parenting Sweet is a new resource for parents and caregivers, featuring all the great opportunities in our region that make parenting sweet! Subscribe to read monthly updates and share them with families in your life!
Back to School Tax-Free Weekend Dates
Tennessee: July 30 – August 1
Virginia: August 6 – 8
Bristol’s Promise Making Parenting Sweet
ICYMI, Bristol’s Promise introduced “Parenting Sweet,” a suite of parenting resources, including an enewsletter, blog, classes, resources, parenting support organizations, and a “Parenting Suite” located at 100 Ash Street, Bristol, TN, with a library of parenting books, infant and toddler carriers, handouts, and help. We are excited to open our Suite this September but give you a sneak peek this August 6 as we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week at 10 am.
Parenting Sweet works to help make parenting sweet. Parents get connected to support and information because parenting education does make a difference.
Parenting Sweet helps us keep our five promises of caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education, and opportunities to serve.
Learn more about great resources, like the Parenting Education Network, MOMS R US, Highlands Community Services, Breastfeeding Essentials, La Leche League Breastfeeding Support, Cherished Mom, Attached at the Heart Classes, Twin City Reads, Buckle Up for Life, and more.
Join La Leche League, Bristol’s Promise, API, and Breastfeeding Essentials as we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week!
Join August 6 at 10:00 am, at our Suite at 100 Ash Street, Bristol, TN
Can’t make it? Join us for our ribbon cutting in September.
Poll: Are you ready for school?
Poll: Staycation versus Vacation was evenly split!
Cherished Mom, a national organization based in Telford, TN, provides support to moms and families dealing with mood and anxiety disorders, experiencing challenges adjusting to motherhood, have had or have a baby in the NICU, those struggling with infertility, and/or parents who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.
- Bristol Public Library: Monday – Wednesday 9 am- 8 pm, Friday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, and Sunday 2 pm – 5 pm
- Steele Creek Park: Park 9 am – 9pm everyday and Splashpad 10 am – 8 pm everyday
- Bristol Farmer’s Market: May – October on Saturdays 8 am – noon, and from July – September on Wednesdays 2 pm – 6 pm
- Skateway: Morning and evening weekend and weekday hours
- Skatepark: Sunday – Saturday, 9 am to 9 pm
- Putt Putt Fun Center: Monday – Saturday 9 am – 11:30 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 11:30 pm
- Downtown Caterpillar Crawl – available 24/7
Parenting support makes a difference!
Let us help you with tips, information, support, resources, and more! Sign up now to register for Attached at the Heart Online parenting classes. Classes are free of charge and meet Thursdays at 7:00 pm. Questions? Email samantha@bristolspromise.org.
Attached at the Heart Parenting Online classes serve parents and caregivers of children from prenatal through 5 years of age.
Child-rearing tips that can help you feel more fulfilled as a parent
Treat Your Child With Respect
Look at the Big Picture
Give Effective Instructions
Problem Solve Together
Respond with Sensitivity
Find the Positive
Take Time to Play
National Smores Day: August 10
Bristol Ballet Discover Dance August 16:
Bristol Ballet offers DiscoverDance curriculum for ages 3-6! DiscoverDance is a movement curriculum designed to introduce children to the creative and expressive world of dance. The curriculum teaches ballet basics while offering children the opportunity to develop their natural movement ability in a multi-sensory environment. Music, movement, visuals, and props will enhance your child’s love of dance and other art forms. More information.
Fall classes begin August 16! Register for ballet, pointe, contemporary dance, and adult ballet for all ages as well. Register now or email mfrazier@bristolballet.org/call 276-669-6051 for more information.
Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy Auditions August 16 – 4:00 pm:
Young singers in grades 3 and up are invited to audition for the 2021-2022 season! Auditions take place at The Barn at Boone Falls Reserve. No experience is necessary. Auditions consist of singing familiar songs, rhythm and pitch activities, and learning a short song. Singers in grades 7 and up may also audition for the Da Capo ensemble at 5:30. For more information about MECCA choirs: www.meccacademy.org
BSA Recreational Soccer League – Fall Registration is OPEN! Register at www.bristolsoccer.com through August 15! Age 4 – 8th grade. Games will start after Labor Day.
Kindermusik August dates
In every Kindermusik class, families are welcomed into a playful and nurturing environment where infants to children age seven experience music of varying styles, genres, and cultures. Children interact with other children and engage in movement, rhythm, and vocal activities that develop far more than just music skills. Kindermusik approaches early childhood education with award-winning, research-based, and developmentally appropriate curricula priming children for success in school and in life. More information.
Appalachian Fair: August 23 – August 28
It’s the 95th year of the Fair! Get your sunscreen and hat and head to 100 Lakeview Street, Gray, TN 37615! More information.
Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots Kids Day: September 11, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Children’s Day at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion a free event at Anderson Street Park, 341 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Bristol, TN, is open to the community, and organized by staff at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Bursting with fun games, crafts, and performances, Children’s Day is designed to be an event the whole family can participate in together. More information.
Bristol Public Library Popular Children’s Books
- Dog Man Unleashed
- An Elephant & Piggie Biggie-Biggie!
- The Pigeon has to go to School!
- I Will Take a Nap!
- I’m a Frog!
Visit Bristol Public Library to find your favorite book!
Buckle Up for Life – Car Seat Checks and More
Buckle Up for Life began in Bristol in 2013 and is headed up by Samuel Jones, certified technician. Contact Samuel to learn more about car seat safety checks, installations and trainings.
Do you have a child who loves animals?
Check out these places:
Brights Zoo in Limestone, TN, offers self-guided and guided tours. Topics covered include learning to recognize animals at each exhibit, adaptations for survival and general information along with interesting facts about each species.
Fern Valley Farm in Bristol, VA, has many events each month – family days, adult Farm-To-Table dinners, birthday parties, and educational farm tours. Some months we also include festivals and special cooking classes. Find them at the Bristol Farmer’s Market every Saturday from May through October.
Wildlife and Safari Park, Creation Kingdom Zoo, near Gate City, Virginia, houses more than 200 creatures from around the world and features regular educational talks given daily by the staff members.
Briarwood Ranch Safari Park near Morristown, TN, features animals from around the world. On your scenic, four-mile safari through beautiful hills and pasture lands, you will experience animals from six continents.
And consider volunteering at your local animal shelter!
TriCities Babywearing features trained babywearing consultants by the Center for Babywearing Studies, slings, buckle carriers, and mei dais to try, and resources. Contact us to learn more!
Visit www.BristolsPromise.org for more information, or email parentingsweet@bristolspromise.org.
Teen childbirth and parenting classes, support groups, and resources, learn more!
Reading makes all the difference! Language, knowledge, and curiosity are the cornerstones of reading success that should be cultivated from infancy, and in every setting. That’s why we created a great early experience with reading: It’s Bristol Baby! board book.
Music Downtown Bristol
Enjoy a free concert every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Downtown Center located at 810 State Street, Bristol, TN
Enjoy Border Bash all summer!
August 13 – Josh Daniels Grateful Band and These Undowners
August 27 – Abby Bryant & The Echoes and Donnie & The Dry Heavers
Support for this program is provided by Ballad Population Health and Bristol Public Housing.
Parenting Sweet Team: Sunshine Hess, Jess Parkulo, Katherine Wilson-Thompson, Lauren Weatherly, Margaret Feierabend, and Samantha Gray.
Have information to share? Submit it to parentingsweet@bristolspromise.org.
