At the Columbia Gym on Tuesday, Oct. 16 KidSpace hosted a 1-2-3 Magic Parenting Workshop™. It was led by Lacey Tsonis, who is a training specialist with the Howard County Office of Children’s Services and is a certified 1-2-3- Magic educator™. This event appealed to me because I have a 16-year-old son and a 7-year-old son. Need I say more? Parenting is tough stuff!
Each of the fitness facilities’ KidSpaces offer more than just childcare while parents work out. They have fun events for kids, as well as workshops for parents such as this one. Those who attended received an overview of the 1-2-3 Magic Plan™ and learned techniques that can help stop children’s behaviors such as whining, arguing, yelling and tantrums. Most importantly, Tsonis talked about how to encourage positive behaviors regarding homework, cleaning up, bedtime and getting ready so that you don’t have to discipline your kids as often.
I went into this workshop feeling very seasoned. I have been at this parenting gig now for 16 years. I like to think I am pretty good at parenting, but I’ll be the first to admit that I wish I had more tricks up my sleeve. I am a nag. Yep, it’s true — and I hate that! This was not on my list of things I wanted to be when I grew up. Hopefully, by attending this workshop, I can transform myself into more of the mom I want to be, as I did pick up a few things I can try.
I guess I wasn’t alone in wanting to learn more about being a better parent. In attendance were 23 other parents — new parents, expectant parents and parents like me who have older kids. Did you miss it and want to know more? You can contact CA’s Sarina Grewal by email to learn more.
____________
Melissa Sinclair works in the Communications & Engagement Division at Columbia Association (CA). Melissa recently moved to Columbia with her three-generation family. She has lived in more than a dozen cities and is looking forward to making Columbia, Md., her permanent home! Click here to read more of Melissa’s Getting to Know CA series.
CA Today 