Inside CARE House: Preventing Abuse - The Nurturing Parenting Program Provides Tools and Advice 

Written By Rebecca Anderson

Kids don’t come with instruction manuals. So often, this program teaches parents how to parent. 

CARE House of Oakland County has a program that helps parents do the toughest job and, at the same time, prevent child abuse from happening inside a home. 

The Nurturing Parenting Program is a one-of-a-kind parenting class that follows an international, best-practices curriculum that was originally designed in the 1980s to reduce the number of families that had to encounter child protective services. It teaches a more nurturing approach, with zero tolerance for corporal punishment. Innovative at the time, it now serves as a proven program that helps parents avoid common mistakes, in an in-person group setting.

Twice a year, CARE House runs a 15-week program, meeting once a week for two hours in the evening. But the program extends beyond these sessions, with parents encouraged to implement at home what they learn at CARE House. Program leader, Sheronda McDonald, explained one lesson emphasized as part of the program, “It’s very hard to pour from an empty cup. Fill your cup with personal care so when you parent your children, you’re not doing it from a deficit. Do it from your overflow.” 

CARE House program teacher Chaka McDonald added that he encourages parents to “start a model of your family rules in class and then create the rules at home. It’s based in morals and values but geared to their individual family.” 

Participating families don’t need to worry about childcare during group meetings. CARE House includes activities for kids 12 and under. Children 4 and younger receive childcare and kids from 5-12 receive age-appropriate lessons that mirror what their caregivers are learning. 

Chaka McDonald said program leaders understand parents’ common worries at the beginning, when they learn that the topics covered include communication, handling emotions, and working through challenging behaviors.  “They wonder, what are they going to get out of this? Some have vocalized the challenge of implementing learning within the complexities of their family, in their fractured world. But we tell them what we cover is applicable to any family. If they stick to it, it’s going to build. We help them see past their present.” 

Sheronda McDonald added, “We do have to remind them that whatever is going on with their kids, you didn’t get there overnight. There is no magic wand. It’s going to take time.” 

Participating families come from across Southeast Michigan. Transportation can typically be arranged for families who live in Oakland County. The program also often includes grandparents, who need help with a version of parenting that is different from when they had to do it the first time.  Chaka McDonald explained, “They have to get adjusted to…raising them differently than they raised their own kids. Corporal punishment is not effective and also now potentially illegal. Also, access to technology has made parenting different.” 

Before every session, parents and families receive a full-course meal to ensure that dinner will not have to be a concern, thanks to the generosity and efforts of CARE House volunteers. 

At the end of the program, parents graduate and leaders say they frequently see an outpouring of emotion. Quotes from recent participants speak volumes: 

“I learned so many things, but the best thing is how to better communicate with my kiddos and the learning about the power of my words.  I really liked the open, community feel of the class and connecting with other parents.  In the end, we are all trying our best with the situations/circumstances given and we are not alone.  The body safety class was also a GREAT reminder to me to keep on having those conversations with the kids and other parents.” 

 

 “We loved the class discussions and homework that helped us apply what we learned with our kids. We learned so much, thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of the class.” 

  

 “I think what I like the most about the program is that now I know different ways of how to improve my kids self-worth and that by doing that they would be better equipped to not fall into doing bad things just to be like their friends. I also like that the program taught me different ways of approaching situations with my kids in a more healthy way. I might not do it right yet but at least now I have something to work towards.” 

 

For more information, including details on how to participate, visit https://www.carehouse.org/news/upcoming-nurturing-parenting-program 

For more information on providing a meal to the Nurturing Parenting Program, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA4AB23ABF4C07-61656627-nurturing#/

Rebecca Anderson
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