Gabriel’s Closet Classes Assist New Parents

New mothers aren’t given a parenting manual at the hospital after having a baby. Many young parents depend upon their own mother or grandparents to give advice. Perhaps a sister, a brother, or a friend. But when an expectant mother or a new mom doesn’t have family nearby or a support system to help and give advice, she may find herself frustrated and sometimes depressed. The information Gabriel’s Closet Parenting Classes give to parents can be lifechanging. Allison Kulbeth, Intake Manager at Catholic Charities of North La., has given plenty of advice to new parents. She occasionally teaches Parenting Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays with volunteers, Dr. Thomas Latiolais and Dr. Virginia Quinones. Gilda Rada, Client Services Manager, assists in translating these classes for our Hispanic clients. We have a great staff and wonderful volunteers who run and maintain Gabriel’s Closet. Our clients are very grateful.

Gabriel’s Closet Parenting Classes

• Parenting for the Long Haul

• Care of the Newborn

• Communication

• Discipline

• Dental Care

• Temper Tantrums

• Sleep Safety

• Labor and Delivery

• Immunizations

• Potty Training

• Nutrition

• Car Seat Safety

• School Readiness

• Summer Safety

• Speech & Language Development

• Importance of Reading to Your Children

• Growth & Development (birth – 4 years)

For Kimara, a mother of 4, the Car Seat Safety and the Discipline Classes were the most beneficial. “I never knew I had my kids in the wrong car seat or the correct way they should sit, and I didn’t know that car seats expire!” Kimara now knows how to check the expiration date on a car seat and was able to get a new car seat for her baby.Telling other young moms about the Parenting Classes has given Kimara a new purpose. She brings others to the class. “In the discipline class I learned not talk AT my kids, and not yell at them. ‘Gentle Parenting’ is what they call it and ‘timeouts’ by their age. I can tell the difference in how I raised my first child from the way I raised my other children.”

Donations for Gabriel’s Closet help CCNLA provide parents with the proper car seats, pack and plays, highchairs and other essentials for newborns and children up to age 4.