PARENTING SWEET MAY 2023

Welcome to Parenting Sweet! Parenting Sweet is a resource for parents and caregivers, featuring all the great opportunities in our region that make parenting sweet!

This issue features Mother’s Day activities, summer events, grandparenting support, mental health support, parenting classes, free activities, sports, dancing, reading, and more!

Appalachian Promise Alliance is Making Parenting Sweet

We have tips, information, practices, and parenting classes, sessions, workshops, support groups, seasoned educators, and friendships that can help lighten some of your load and make parenting easier. Wish you had an extra hand? A little help? A hack that makes things a little easier? Wondering if doing something different would help? Check out the Parenting Educator Network opportunities below in the April 2023 Highlights.

Monthly Fun Poll

Do you believe April showers bring May flowers?

Parenting Sweet helps us keep our five promises of caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education, and opportunities to serve.

We had a blast at Kid Power 2023!

The Parenting Sweet participated in Kid Power along with organizations from around the region to promote mental wellness of children, youth, and their families!

We enjoyed meeting folks and sharing resources and our Lily was an official costume contest judge!

Catch us next at PLAYtime on May 13 at 10 am and the Wellness Resource Fair on May 20th at the Sullivan County Regional Health Department from 12 to 3 pm.

PLAYtime in the ARTspace

PLAYtime in the ARTspace is for ages zero to five years old or so, and those who love them! Saturdays at 10:00AM (NEW TIME!)
506 State Street, Bristol, TN

PLAYtime in the ARTspace entertains and educates with favorite songs, skits, rhymes and more. Parents have the chance to connect with each other, eat coffee and bagels, and discover great parenting resources from around the region. $5 per family, free coffee and bagels, and great parenting resources. Doors open at 10:00 AM, program begins at 10:15 AM.
Be sure to check the PLAYtime calendar for PLAYtime dates and follow our social media accounts. Sponsored by Theatre Bristol, Bristol Bagel and Bakery, & Appalachian Promise Alliance, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Mental Health Awareness Month

At Kid Power, TN Voices invited children to express themselves and we are pleased to share their art and creativity.

Viewable during the month of May around the region and at 506 State Street Bristol in the Theatre Bristol ARTspace Theatre window display, TN Voices’ project elevates mental health awareness in the community. TN Voices shares that the project gives children and youth a chance to express how they feel when often children and youth who suffer from mental health challenges don’t feel heard or seen.

“TN Voices is proud to partner with Johnson City Public Library, Hands On! Discovery Center, Langston Centre, Appalachian Promise Alliance’s Parenting Sweet, and Theatre Bristol to bring awareness, acceptance, and access to mental health care for children, adults, and families” says Rikki Harris, CEO.

Sleeping Beauty

Join us for the beloved classic fairytale, the Sleeping Beauty, live on stage on May 13. The ballet tells the timeless fable of Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the evil fairy Carabosse. If she pricks her finger on a spindle, she will fall into a deep sleep for one hundred years, and can only be awakened by true love’s kiss. The good fairies, led by the Lilac Fairy, guide Aurora and Prince Desire as they journey towards their happily ever after. Set to Tchaikovsky’s soaring, beautiful score, let yourself be swept away by a favorite princess fairytale. This performance features all of the students and company members of Bristol Ballet, as well as community members and guest artists.

Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend at Bays Mountain by participating in a Yoga Hike! This hike features a 2-mile out-and-back portion of the Lake Road and Azalea Trails that will take approximately 70 minutes, yoga included. The amphitheater and other stops along the way are utilized to teach standing yoga poses that will challenge and develop your strength, flexibility, and balance. Please wear exercise clothing appropriate for the weather. The cost is $5.00 per person, and all levels are welcome. Registration is limited, so sign up soon!

Are you a grandparent?

INTRODUCING GRAND CONNECTIONS

Grandparent Workshop Series Bristol’s Promise will be offering a workshop series just for grandparents of children ages birth to five! Why? We love our grandparents! Whether you are “sharing the care” or a custodial grandparent, we recognize the vital importance of grandparents. Did you know? In the U.S., one out of four children under age 5 is cared for by a grandparent while parents work or go to school and 1.6 million children are being raised by grandparents (US Census Bureau, Zero to Three). We want to offer you the opportunity to build a strong social support network, sharing joys and challenges, as well as gaining and sharing knowledge. You can look forward to topics such as: challenging behavior, mealtimes and picky eating, early learning, sleep, generational relationships, and more! Stay tuned! If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more about this program, please submit your information here. Questions? Email Lily Royston (lily@bristolspromise.org). Click to learn more!

Yay for Mom!

Mothers work hard every day to take care of their families, but often don’t leave time to care for themselves. This Mother’s Day, consider giving yourself the gift of self-care. Studies show that self-care is associated with several well-being and work-related outcomes. Anything relieves your stress and preserves your wellbeing is considered self-care, so do something that makes you happy today!

Here are some suggestions for at least 30 minutes of “me time”:

Take a bath.
Read a book.
Sit outside.
Do a face mask.
Watch your favorite movie.
Meditate.
Give yourself a mani-pedi.
Do some gardening.
Cook your favorite dish.

Looking for more than a physical gift for mom this Mother’s Day? Country Living’s list of 51 activities shares multiple ways to give mom the gift of quality time.

Upcoming parenting opportunities

Learn, question, and meet other parents and caregivers!

Attached at the Heart Parenting Program Thursday series starts May 18 at 7:30 pm – FOI
Attached at the Heart Parenting Program Friday series starts May 19 at 10:30 am – FO
Nurturings Parenting Series Tuesdays starts May 16 at 7:30 pm – $49, OI
Tricities Parenting in-person meetup, Sundays at 4:30 pm at the Parenting Sweet – FOI
Prenatal Parenting Series at Ballad Health OBGYN offices and health departments – FI
Bristol Family Resource Center – by appointment – FIA
AHH Babies breastfeeding in-person meetup on Fourth Tuesdays at the YWCA – FI
High Country Doulas Childbirth classes and parent groups – OIA

F – free, O – online, I – in-person, A – appointment

Visit the Parenting Sweet Program Catalog for Details and Registration or email samantha@appalachianpromise.org! Don’t see a class you need? Let us know!

On Parenting

What Do Parents Want?

Samantha Gray, Parenting Education Coordinator “What do parents want? Anyone reading this may have just muttered, “Sleep.” Parents definitely want sleep. They want time. Probably time to sleep, but also time to keep up, to think, to relax. Parents want assurance they are on the right track. They want peace and no conflict. Parents want to play, even have friends. ” Read on

Local summer sports camps, clinics, and tryouts!

Gymnastics
Mountain Empire Gymnastics
Heart of Tennessee Gymnastics & Parkour
ETSU Camps Milligan Swim Clinics
Flag Football
Scott County YMCA
Baseball / Softball
T-Ball & Machine Pitch – Scott County YMCA
Baseball / T-Ball – CHAC
RSP Baseball
Baseball / Softball – Kingsport Parks and Recreation
Miracle League of Kingsport
Soccer
Wise County Youth Soccer
Wilfred Williams Summer Footy Camp
Volleyball
Youth Outdoor Volleyball – Kingsport Parks and Recreation
Volleyball Clinic – Scott County YMCA
Indoor Volleyball – Colonial Heights Athletic Commission (CHAC)
Upward – Sunnyside Baptist Church, Kingsport, TN
Upward – First Baptist Church, Kingsport, TN
Basketball
Tiny Tots – TNT Sports Complex
Scott County YMCA
Scott County Recreational Youth Basketball

Milligan Basketball Camp
ETSU Renaissance Child Spring Enrichment
ETSU Renaissance Child Camps (Ages 6-12)
Horse Creek Farms (Day Camp)
Clyde Austin 4-H Center Camp Bays Mountain (Day Camp & 2nd – 12th)
Doe River Gorge (2nd – 12th grade)
Funny Farm Day Camp (Pre-K – 2nd grade) Funny Farm Day Camp (3rd – 5th grade) Funny Farm Day Camp (6th – 12th grade)
Girls Who Code MOMAC Studio Summer Art Camp
Milligan University High School Academic Camps
The StART of Adventure Theatre Bristol Summer Camp
Johnson City Parks & Recreation: JCamps 2023 Summer Camp Guide
Keep up with more camp opportunities on Parenting Sweet’s Facebook

The Appalachian Promise Alliance’s Parenting Network meets the third Thursday of each month at noon and works to support parenting education in our community by sharing efforts, communicating the value and importance of parenting education, and learning more about how we can better serve families. If you are interested in helping teach classes or mentor parents, please contact us!

Ask us about our June 2023 Parenting Educator Training!

Get the most out of your local farmers’ market!

Princess Pig

Professional storyteller and author Sharon Kiser will be telling a tale of Princess Pig, the perfect little girls story on May 13. The Funny Farm will be providing a craft along with snacks and lemonade. Moms, daughters, aunts, grandmas, sisters are all more than welcome to bring your special little girls to the farm.

Presale tickets required. Cost is $20 per person.

Get A Family Pass For Less Today! After you’ve created your account, upgrade to our Kids Bowl Free family pass, which allows adults in your family to enjoy the same great FREE Bowling offer as your kids. You pay it one time, and you can bowl with your kids all summer long. !It’s great for parents, grandparents, older siblings and babysitters. Use Coupon Code: NoJoke5

You’ll save $5 on your Family Pass Today! Just go to the website at: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/.

Join Tinkerbell, Rosetta, Iridessa, and Fawn for a flitterific morning at UT Gardens – May 20!

They will be participating in a fun craft, telling fairy stories, eating delicious treats, going through fairy talent training, and playing a fun game!

Get tickets here.

The Wellness Center of Kingsport still has spots available in their swim classes! Anyone can learn to swim at The Wellness Center – no matter the age or skill level.

Group Swim Lessons
Children ages 3-12 | Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Parent & Child Safety Swim Sessions
For ages 6 months to 36 months and a guardian | Saturdays, 9-9:45 a.m.
Preschool Group Swim Lessons
Ages 3-5 | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.
Private Swim Lessons
All ages, adults included | upon availability

Fill out this form to sign up or request more information: https://form.jotform.com/222846007828157

Coffee & Conversation for Grandfamilies

Support

Information

Resources

1st Monday each month at 10:00 am
Memorial Park Community Center
Johnson City

Prime Your Parenting with resources from Appalachian Promise Alliance

Series, groups, training and more!

Library, handouts, babycarriers, coaching, and consulting!

iCode Summer Camps

Call (423) 900-2480 for more information or to enroll your child!

Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Education to provide at-home reading resources for free to all Tennessee families of K–2 children to help young learners become stronger readers. Based on your child’s grade level, they will receive the At-Home Decodable Book Series, a collection of seven booklets containing 20+ exciting stories full of sounds and words to practice, and age-appropriate, high-quality Scholastic books. Click here to order your kit.

This May we celebrate National Adolescent Health Month. The annual observance emphasizes the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging meaningful youth engagement in adolescent health activities, and highlighting key topics in adolescent health. To learn more or get involved, visit https://opa.hhs.gov/NAHM.

Looking for information or support?

Bristol’s Promise Parenting Education Network Programs Find a program that fits your needs! Click to search for free or low cost, morning or evening, online or in-person, first-time or veteran parent/caregiver, and more

Visit www.BristolsPromise.org to learn more about: The Parenting Education Network, Bristol Family Resource Center, YWCA MOMS R US, Mom Power, Hope House, Frontier Health, Highlands Community Services, Breastfeeding Essentials, La Leche League Breastfeeding Support, Cherished Mom, Attached at the Heart Classes, Twin City Reads, Buckle Up for Life, Doula by Donation, Sullivan County Family Services, High Country Doulas, ETSU Family Physicians, Bethany Services, TriCities Babywearing TN, Sullivan County Health Department, STRONG Pregnancies, STRONG Starts, and more.

Parenting Sweet is here to help make parenting sweet!

Parents get connected to support and information because learning about parenting and getting support does make a difference. If you would you like to continue receiving Parenting Sweet, you’ll need to be sure to sign up on the website. If you know a parent, caregiver, grandparent, or anyone who cares about children, share the sign-up link with them and help them find all that’s great for children and families in our community. Past issues and all the events are available anytime on the AppalachianPromise.org Blog.

Support for this program is provided by Ballad Population Health Community Health Initiative and Bristol Public Housing. Parenting Sweet Team: Samantha Gray, Lily Royston, Susan Turner, Emily Macbeth, Katherine Wilson-Thompson, Melissa Roberts, and Margaret Feierabend. Have information to share? Submit it to parentingsweet@bristolspromise.org.

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