We like to present articles from our members, with a focus on personal and global parenting and community issues. Please contact our Executive Director at the PRC office with your ideas.
Sometimes, I hear people wish “Good luck!” Understanding the kind sentiment, I smile quietly, because one can’t rely on luck for success in life. Hard work and a good roadmap are much more useful in this life-living venture. That’s exactly where the Parent Resource Center fits in. Our family joined the PRC community in 2004, with our first child. For the Atkins family, the organization has provided a great map with many choices and services along the way, to make our journey a (so far) successful one.
Even before our first child was born, our top priority was to learn how to be good parents. Ciara (KEE-ra – yes, it’s Irish) didn’t come with a manual, although there are plenty available at the local bookstore, so we had to rely on help to live up to our goals. The PRC has been an important part of our learning curve. My wife, Patty (Board member, keeper of the Web site, and assembler of the Newsletter) has taken advantage of these parent- as well as child-development programs. We learned together (in my case, sometimes by proxy) from the instructors and other parents. I attended many of those classes with Ciara. I even spent a semester playing with Jeff Sorg on my acoustic bass guitar! By the time Robert came along, I was less available for classes (working more), but still, I find the time to join in.
Parenting is work, but it is also very enjoyable and satisfying. Part of that fun is in taking the kids to PRC events, like the concerts. Bringing the kids to see their favorite “rock stars,” like Miss Holli and Tommy, is a blast—of these shows being local and not over-the-top makes them very attractive. Through the years, we have increased our involvement in this community of like-minded, values-driven people. It helps to reduce the “you’re not alone” factor (“Oh, your kid does that also? What did you do about it?”).
I’m a “foodie” and enjoy cooking and eating excellent meals. I don’t even know how many times we’ve hosted for Progressive Dinners. One year I found out that they didn’t have someone to talk people through the cheese at the Wine & Cheese tasting. A quick call to Sandy changed that! Now, each year, I come in as the “Cheese Whiz,” and take people around the world of fromage. These are great nights out for us parents, and through it all, the PRC can continue to grow and serve parents. Of course, attending The Gala, New Member Brunches, and even organizing a couple of Cigar Nights has helped to round out our connection with adults (we are grown ups—sometimes that’s overlooked!). Going to these events is also recycling at its best—our money goes to and enhances the Parent Resource Center.
From these and other events, remarkable and long-lasting friendships developed. By bringing people together, as the PRC does, we’ve found a “well” of collective wisdom and people that share our interests. When we don’t know what to do about a problem, one of our PRC friends does. Together we find ways to increase our effectiveness as parents and find greater satisfaction in raising our children.
In parenting, you don’t need luck, although it’s great when luck is on your side. Having excellent resources is the better bet. This has been a challenging economic season. We’re not the kind of family that can drop many thousands of dollars on summer camp or events for our children, let alone ourselves. We don’t (and can’t) outsource some of our home services, like raising our children or landscaping the yard. Not too long ago, I heard a sales trainer talk about the difference between a value and a bargain. The PRC offers us both, and I will always be grateful to it. We’re almost “aging out,” but when the chance comes up, I always refer people to check it out and get involved. It has made a great and positive difference in the quality of our family.Ω
As of this writing, Patty Atkins, Rich's wife was on the PRC Board as the VP of Communications, with responsibilites covering production of the Newsletter and Website.