PARENTING SWEET JUNE 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 family gathering, summer events, free activities, parenting classes, outdoor adventures, 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

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

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

Those fortunate enough to have their fathers in their lives are luckier than they realize, as fathers serve a vital role in child development. According to the Children’s Bureau of Southern California, “high levels of father involvement are correlated with higher levels of sociability, confidence, and self-control in children.” Celebrate your dad and all the effort he puts into your family this Father’s Day with one of the activities below!

Have a cookout.
Go fishing.
Go golfing.
Visit a museum.
Watch a movie together.
Do Father’s Day crafts.
Help dad with a home project.
Go to a sporting event.
Have a backyard campout.

Baby & Family Expo

July 29, 2023 10AM to 2PM

AT YWCA NETN and SWVA

Join the YWCA, the Parenting Sweet, and other local businesses and organizations with products and services, goodies, resources, and information for parents and caregivers in the region!

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 – FREE, ONLINE

Attached at the Heart Parenting Program Friday series starts May 19 at 10:30 am – FREE, ONLINE, IN PERSON

Nurturings Parenting Series Tuesdays starts May 16 at 7:30 pm – $49, ONLINE

Tricities Parenting in-person meetup, Sundays at 4:30 pm at the Parenting Sweet – FREE, ONLINE, IN PERSON

Prenatal Parenting Series at Ballad Health OBGYN offices and health departments – FREE, IN PERSON

Mom Power Series by Families Free – FREE, IN PERSON

AHH Babies breastfeeding in-person meetup on Fourth Tuesdays at the YWCA – FREE, IN PERSON

Project Dad at Highlands Community Services – FREE, IN PERSON

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!

Mountain Top Kidsfit

Cupcake Bouquet Class!

Summer Film Quest at Legacy Theaters

Free Summer Movies!

Specialty Camps by Kingsport Parks and Rec

LEGO Camp

Game On Camp

Cycle Kids

Juneteeth Celebration

June 17

Cumberland Square Park

Kingsport Parks and Rec

Kids Summer Camps!

Super Mario Power-up Party!

The City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, Elizabethton Library and the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition are excited to present Mario’s Power Up Party at Kiwanis Park on Friday, June 23, 2023 beginning at 7 PM.
Free hotdogs, chips, drinks and cookies to enjoy while families play on inflatables and play games.
Special showing of the recently released Mario movie!
Kids are invited to dress up as their favorite video game character!
Learn about free summer E-Sports and open gym events held each week through July at the Recreation Center.

Washington county 4-H

Livestock Club

June 27, 10:00 am

ReadNPlay Book Bus Grand Opening!

June 16 12:00 – 3:00 pm

Elizabethton Pediatric Clinic parking lot where kids can pick out books, read with their caregiver, and explore the ReadNPlay tents & learning models.

Non-profit Reading Challenge to Provide Appalachian Children with Books

The Appalachian Literary Initiative is holding a July ‘Reading for Literacy Challenge’ and Fundraiser to promote family reading and provide low-income children with books across Appalachia.

The Reading for Literacy Challenge is taking place in a free mobile app called FytFeed.

Join City of Elizabethton Parks & Rec’s first Summer Esports & Open Gym Days! Mon, Wed & Fri from June 2nd-Jul 21st from 1PM – 3PM at Parks and Rec on Mill St., Elizabethton.
Ages 5 & up can come play video games and/or basketball. Game times will last 20 mins per player, first come first serve. Basketball will be unlimited for the two hours.

Magnolia Soap and Bath

Kids (ages 6 & up) will experience hands on making of soap, bath bombs, candles, and so much more. We will learn the science behind all the products and the way they interact with water, our bodies, and explain how our ingredients are grown. They’ll also learn to clean up work stations and how to keep a tidy workspace.

Direct message this page to snag your spot!

Washington County 4-H Outdoor Club

Opens June 16! Entertainment for all ages!

www.TheatreBristol.org

Ninja Bristol
Parents Night Out- Friday, June 23rd
6:00PM – 9:00PM $30 Ages 6+ Pizza included!
OPEN HOUSE-Saturday, June 25th 10:00AM – 12:00PM FREE
Everyone ages 4-17 welcome!! More details to come!

Jr. Ninja Camp – 4-5 year olds!!
Camp #1 June 12 & 13 – 10:00am-12:00pm both days! $50
Camp #2 July 24 & July 25 – 10:00am-12:00pm both days! $50

Summer Camps 2023 Dates:
Summer Camp #2 – June 19th,20th, and 21st
Summer Camp #3 – July 10th,11th, and 12th
Summer Camp #4- July 17th,18th, and 19th
Summer Camp #5- July 31st, August 1st, and August 2nd
Camps are 9:00am-12:00pm each day. $120/3 days $40/1day
Snack and Camp t-shirt included!

Summer Camp!

Hands On! Summer Camp Week 1
Monday, June 12th- Friday, June 16th

Hands On! Summer Camp Week 2
Monday, June 26th – Friday, June 30th

Register: https://visithandson.org/summer-camp/.

June 20 – July 9: Bubble-ology Discovery Lab
Discover the science behind bubbles while assisting in formulating a fizzy CO2 “sandwich,” construct 3-dimensional square bubbles, and make rainbow bubble snakes.

June 21: Solar-scope for Summer Solstice
Go for some star gazing of our Sun on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! Take a turn using the Celestron EclipSmart solar safe finder telescope.

International Storytelling Center
28 nationally-known storytellers in live afternoon concerts every afternoon at 2 p.m. (Tuesday – Saturday) from May through October.

June Lineup
Andy Offut Irwin – May – 30 – June 3
Alton Chung – June 6 -10
Jennifer Munro – June 20 – 24
Bill Harley – June 13 – 17
Brigid Reedy – June 27 – July 1

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 starting back June 24!
ARTspace Theatre at 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.

The weekend of June 10th is for Barter’s 90th Birthday celebrations!

JUNE 10TH
10am – Gather with the Barter Players at Smith Theatre for Robin Hood. Bring a food or cash donation for Feeding Southwest Virginia to barter for your tickets.

11am – The Barter Players Host a Barter Birthday Bash
Stick around after Robin Hood for a kid-centered birthday celebration. Meet the actors in Robin Hood, and enjoy treats, crafts, and a community art project curated by Spot of Color.

2pm – Barter Day Performance of Footloose
Bring a food or cash donation for Feeding Southwest Virginia to barter for your tickets.

For more information, visit https://bartertheatre.info/3IAd6QC

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. 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!

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!

Get the most out of your local farmers’ market!

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/.

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 pm

Parent & Child Safety Swim Sessions: For ages 6 months to 36 months and a guardian | Saturdays, 9-9:45 am

Preschool Group Swim Lessons: Ages 3-5 | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-2 pm

Private Swim Lessons: All ages, adults included | upon availability

Fill out this form to sign up or request more information.

Attached at the Heart Parenting Program

Weekly free sessions

Attached at the Heart Parenting Program

Weekly free sessions

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!

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.

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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