Parenting is not an easy job. It doesn’t come with a manual or course, and it’s one of the most important roles we play in our lives. It is rewarding, but let’s face it, parenting can also be challenging.
SafeCare, a parent support program offered by San Juan Basin Public Health since 2018, has helped hundreds of families learn that social support and relationships are just as important and essential for our health and well-being as are healthy eating and exercise. When families get support, families get stronger.
Most parents ask themselves: Am I a good enough parent, and is my child OK? We all have learned about parenting through our own experiences. We can build on those experiences and change some of the things we didn’t like when we were children. SafeCare can offer additional tools to put in your toolbox when the cracks and strains appear in your relationship with your children. SafeCare offers skills to make parenting easier and more enjoyable. Wouldn’t you prefer the precious time you have with your children to be filled with more joy and less struggle?
SafeCare also offers other practical tips to keep your child safe and healthy. We all know that children are curious and get into all sorts of mischief in just a matter of seconds. Wouldn’t you feel better if you knew how to keep your home safe and prevent unintentional injuries? We offer tips on recognizing household hazards and provide tools and materials to safety proof your home.
We strive to make our children and community healthier, and October is designated as Child Health Month. SafeCare offers families the opportunity to become better informed to address their children’s health challenges. One of the first things parents do when they think their child is sick is to check for temperature and give medication. We provide them with high-quality thermometers, medicine-dosing syringes to properly dispense medications and a health manual, which provides guidance on what to do when their child is sick or injured. Together, we can create a safe and healthy environment for families and help you make informed decisions in managing your child’s illnesses or injuries.
A new mother who recently participated said, “When I first started the program, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and honestly, I signed up because I didn’t have a lot to do as a new mom, in the middle of the woods, alone for 12 hours a day on the brink of lockdown with the pandemic. My time with you was such a blessing, and I’ve gained so much more than I ever expected. I learned so much from you and the course, and you truly helped me work through some of my first-time mommy emotions and anxieties. Talking to you was so easy and comforting.”
If you would like more information about SafeCare, we would be happy to talk with you and explain our program in more detail and answer any questions you may have. Let us join you on your parenting journey! Please visit sjbpublichealth.org/safecare or call 335-2041.
Julie Goodman is the SafeCare supervisor at San Juan Basin Public Health.
