Parenting Success Network

Parenting is a rewarding, but complex and demanding job. It certainly is one of the hardest jobs and many parents could use a little advice, support, or a chance to connect with other parents facing similar challenges once in awhile. A new local resource, Parenting Success Network, offers parenting support for families in Linn and Benton counties. Check out the new website for parenting ideas and advice, childcare resource referrals, information about parenting programs and activities in your area and more. [For instance, did you know that LBCC offers a Parent Advice Line (541-917-4899, Monday-Friday from 9 am - 2 pm - where experts can help locate resources or classes for you?] Whether you are a parent of an infant or a high schooler, the Parenting Success Network aims to provide you with parenting support. The Parenting Support Network is administered by the Linn-Benton Community College Parenting Education Department. For more information, check out the site: http://www.parentingsuccessnetwork.org/.

Notable Site: Speakaboos

Find of the week: www.Speakboos.com.

Speakaboos (Beta) brings classic stories and nursery rhymes to life using animation, song, and spoken word performed by celebrities. There is even an option for you or your child to record their own voice (option coming soon). For example, you can listen to Wilmer Valderrama recite "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" or hear and watch actor John Krasinski tell the story of Aladdin. If you're a teacher, there are story guides, worksheets, and arts/crafts ideas to peruse. For parents, there are activity sheets to download and print out, as well as links to parenting resources. Another fun way to help encourage and build literacy skills with your child!

Take a video tour here:

Notable Site: Greater Good Parenting

I recently discovered the Greater Good Parenting site - part of the Greater Good Science Center at University of California Berkeley. "The Greater Good Science Center is an interdisciplinary research center devoted to the scientific understanding of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior," according to their website. The Parents section offers research, discussion, podcasts, videos and and the Half Full blog by sociologist Christine Carter.

For a preview of what you'll find, take a look at this video on Emotional Literacy and Children: