“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” — Anne Bradstreet

Welcome to March, even though we have had some lingering winter weather. Surely we all are used to daffodils and baby iris blooming through the snow!

Upcoming family education classes

We are happy to offer two upcoming talks with Bess Windecker-Nelson and Dr. Bob Wagner, our favorite and longtime pediatrician.

Windecker-Nelson will conduct an evening talk titled “Don’t Flip Your Lid.”

“How to keep calm and not flip your lid in parenting,” a conversation about how our brains process emotions and tips on keeping it together, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 in Room C-3 at the former primary school.

Wagner will be presenting “Adolescent Heath” with topics such as teens and sleep, anxiety/depression, ADD, preventative health, immunizations and current issues regarding education. Join us from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 in Room C-3 at the former primary school.

We will serve a complimentary dinner at 5:30 p.m. for both talks. Free childcare is provided upon request.

To sign up, call Lauri Johnson at 221-6808, ext.4321 or our direct line: 221-0484

Our family education classes and support groups are made possible by funding from the Children’s Trust Foundation.

Supportive Groups

RAPP — Relatives as Parents Program

Are you raising a relative’s child? Is the child your grandchild, niece or nephew? You are not alone.

There are more than 35,000 grandparents and other relatives raising children in Washington state.

Would you like to join an informal group of relative caregivers who understand what you are going through? You are invited to attend a RAPP meeting once a month in the Family Resource Center. We also welcome drop-ins.

For more information or to sign up, call Marilynn Norby at 221-0484.

Single Mom’s Group

Our group is open to any mom who is parenting alone, or feels alone, and needs the support of other single moms.

Join this great group in a casual, confidential and supportive atmosphere, right here in the Family Resource Center. We meet once a month, and provide a light dinner and free childcare (upon request).

The next meeting is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17.

For more information and for RSVP with childcare, call 221-6808, ext. 4602.

Parents of Special Needs Children Group

All parents and caregivers of special needs children of any age are welcome to join this monthly support group. Learn from the experiences of others, contribute your experience, lend support, give support and share the joys and challenges of parenting a child with special needs.

Meetings are scheduled for the second Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the South Whidbey Family Resource Center, with childcare provided.

Call the center to be added to the e-mail notices or to RSVP with childcare needs; 221-6808, ext. 4602.

Mother Mentors

Mother Mentors provides free vital support for families with young children.

Both our mentors and moms have said we are making a difference in the lives of their families. Being able to take a nap, have a bath, attend to an older child, or just take a break is so rewarding for a busy mom.

This is a free program and given by women who remember what it is like to be at home with little ones. Call 360-730-1264 or e-mail us at mothermentors@whidbey.com for more information.

Mother Mentors is under the fiscal umbrella of Readiness To Learn Foundation.

Department of Social and Health Services Outreach

Heidi Blindauer, our DSHS outreach worker, will be in the Family Resource Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, with a break from noon to 1 p.m.

The third Wednesday of each month, hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Save yourself a trip to Oak Harbor when applying for the food program, medical benefits, and childcare benefits by making a South End appointment. Blindauer will meet with you privately to help with the application process, and answer any questions.

Call the FRC directly at 221-0484 or at 221-6808, ext. 4602.

Look for the new Internet kiosk at the Family Resource Center that will provide links to more family resources.

Our March Volunteer of the Month

We are happy to announce DeDe Strawn as our March volunteer of the month.

DeDe has two sons in the South Whidbey school district. She recently participated in our parent education class “Superparenting for Super Kids!” taught by Katharine Pfeiffer, school psychologist.

DeDe stepped in when we were short of hands to pick up dinner and deliver it to class each week. Thank you DeDe, for making our jobs, and class night, run more smoothly.

We welcome parent and student volunteers. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, contact Lauri Johnson at 221-0484, and visit our new website at rtlearnfoundation.org.

Contact Information:

Readiness To Learn Foundation/SW Family Resource Center

SW Primary School, in the light-green portable,5476 S. Maxwelton Road, Langley. Call 221-6808, ext. 4322 or ext. 4602 for more information.

Direct line: 221-0484

rtlearnfoundation.org