No doubt about it, raising kids is hard. The tween years can be especially challenging, when school academics and social interactions become more stressful, kids face pressure to experiment with drugs and smoking, and family dynamics seem to change every day.
The Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) recognizes these challenges and has come up with a series of programs to bring parents, caregivers and professionals together to discuss ways to deal with them. The interactive forums, hosted in partnership with the Webster Central School District, are called Navigating the Tween Years. They’re designed to help parents of tweens prepare their kids to thrive, even in a world where adolescent anxiety and mental health challenges are on the rise.
The series features three events:
- From Worries to Wellness: Building resilience in a stressful world on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Professional Development Center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster;
- Social Media & Your Kid: How tech is changing social development on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Klem Road South Elementary School, 1025 Klem Road, Webster; and
- Empowering Your Family: Harness the power of protective factors on Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Professional Development Center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster.
The focus of these events is on the tween years, but all parents are welcome to bring their questions and experiences to share. The forums will use a World Cafe model, designed to engage participants in discussion, so bring an open heart and willingness to share, learn, and support other parents while growing your parent network.
The series kicked off in October with an evening of community coffee and conversation on the topic “Social Media and Your Kid.” Presenters included: Joe Montemaro, Webster CSD Director of Educational Technology and Information/Communications; Dana Buccieri, WHEN member and a retired Webster CSD school counselor; and Dustin Bailey, WHEN member, Webster CSD Unified bowling coach, and Young Life representative. Together, they led discussions on how technology has changed social development in tweens, and how parents can help their children develop the soft skills they may be missing. The event proved so valuable that this additional session has been scheduled.
Parents do NOT need to have attended any prior sessions to attend one or all of the remaining sessions.
This event is for adults only, children will not be permitted. There is no charge for attending, but please register in advance so they know how many are coming. For more details or to register, visit WHENdfcc.org/events. You can also email your questions to info@whendfcc.org.
About WHEN:
WHEN (Webster Health and Education Network) is a network of Webster community members linked through awareness, education, and action. We assess community conditions and develop appropriate strategies to reduce early drug and alcohol exposure. Research suggests that the longer youth wait to use drugs and/or alcohol, the less likely it is that they will become addicted later in life. Therefore, WHEN’s goal as a community coalition is to collaborate with our partners to delay, decrease, and prevent substance use among youth. Together we can reduce high-risk behavior, increase protective factors, raise awareness, and strengthen community collaboration. All Webster residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to join us in this cause and can reach our Executive Director, Janine Sanger at: director@WHENdfcc.org.
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(posted 1/14/2025)
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