to enroll

By Kellie Applen

STAFF WRITER

Article Launched: 08/23/2007 03:07:41 AM PDT

·  WHAT: Parents Raising Safe Children

·  WHEN: Spanish language only classes begin Sept. 11; English language classes planned

·  WHERE: Monument Community First 5 Center, 1736 Clayton Road

·  INFORMATION: Call Ruth Rodriguez at 925-671-3267

·  COST: Free, though space is limited

By Kellie Applen

STAFF WRITER

CONCORD -- Manual and Concepción Ochoa's 3-year-old daughter has a little rebellious streak in her that at times they haven't known how to deal with.

They've found themselves looking at each other helplessly, asking, "What do we do?"

The Ochoas found the answer -- and a whole lot more -- in a free Spanish language program at the Monument Community First 5 Center, called Parents Raising Safe Children.

The goal of the program for parents, designed by the American Psychology Association, is to teach them how to create environments for their young children that will protect them from violence.

"I come from a violent family that used spanking as a way to discipline," Manual Ochoa said. "(My wife and I) have learned to set limits and stay firm without resorting to spanking. It helped with our relationship, too.

"Everyone should take this class -- even grandparents."

The Ochoas attended one of two eight-week sessions at the First 5 Center, which implemented the course nine months ago.

The course explains what children are capable of understanding given their age and how adults' actions, including getting angry or losing their patience, affect youngsters' development.

Parents are taught how to deal with children's difficult behaviors, how to help youngsters control their anger and methods of discipline suitable to the child's age.

There is a great need for the program in Concord, said First 5 director Ruth Rodriguez, because there are many new, young parents in the community.

"Parents have a difficult time figuring out how to work, balance the home front, the stresses, how to manage siblings and to keep themselves afloat," Rodriguez said. "This gives them the opportunity to talk about their marriage, their children, and to hear other testimonials."

One of the many positive side effects of the program, Rodriguez said, is that parents find support in other couples. The first group to take the class still gets together on their own once a month to swap advice and catch up.

A group of mothers also meets weekly for walks (they hope to join the Concord mayor's 100-Mile Club) and to compare child-rearing notes.

"The Hispanic culture wants to integrate community into the family," said Julia Silva, national director of the parenting program. "We need relationships with other people."

And that's not always easy for recent immigrants, who've had to leave behind family and friends.

Javier Mendoza said the course made a big difference in his wife's life. She moved to Concord from Mexico, where most of her family lives, and had felt very isolated being home all day with their 3-year-old and a 3-month-old baby.

Like most men who've taken the class (fathers are required to attend), Mendoza was reluctant to enroll. But he said it has helped in more ways than he thought possible.

"No fathers come voluntarily," he said. "I just went to make sure they weren't teaching my wife something I didn't agree with. But I learned more than I imagined.

"This center has been such a blessing," he said.

Concord is one of 35 communities nationwide that offer the program. So far, there have been two sessions at the First 5 Center. Both were taught in Spanish, but eventually the center plans to offer the course in English too, so long as it can find funding.

Rodriguez's goal is to eventually offer the course to 100 families a year.

She said, "I believe this will create a community of families that will really be able to socialize together, check the developmental milestones of their children, and who will be resources for each other."

Kellie Applen covers Concord and Clayton. Reach her at 925-943-8196 or kapplen@bayareanewsgroup.com.