A new series for parents

Parenting with Resilience I Part two Small groups transition to seminar series for parents

In the early fall of 2020, St. Stephen’s Church Sessions will provide parenting strategies relating to launched “Parenting with Resilience,” a two- these themes for participants to integrate into their part initiative for parents. The project seeks to family life. They will also discuss definitions of provide our parents with a space for the healthy mental health and wellness and how they pertain to exploration of their challenges and concerns, parenting during the covid-19 pandemic. Sessions followed by a series of educational offerings to will occur LIVE via Zoom webinar and provide respond directly and constructively to these realities. ample space for questions and answers. Sessions Over these months, a number of small groups have will also be archived for on-demand viewing. Like all met, with another launching over November and By Will Stanley Zoom webinars, registration is required and can be December. Meredith Southwell, LCSW, from the found at ststephensRVA.org/parents. Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, and I co-led each group. These have provided spaces for solidarity and support, giving those of us TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 I 6:30 P.M. on the parish staff a window into the particular challenges parents 10 Tips for Parenting during the Pandemic face in this time of pandemic. And they have been well-received by Meredith Southwell, LCSW participants. Allen and Ginny Jamerson reflected:

We were so grateful for Will Stanley and Meredith Southwell for Parenting during the Pandemic.” Meredith is a licensed organizing the Parenting with Resilience small group; in a year clinical social worker with seven years’ experience providing that has featured many more downs than ups and such isolation, therapy to children, adolescents, and families. She has additional this course provided a booster shot of faith and community. training in spiritually integrated psychotherapy. She joined the

Our family was definitely enriched by this brief but powerful staff at the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in 2018. Meredith community and we sincerely hope that other families will get to is also a parent during this pandemic and is excited to present share this enriching experience as well. on a topic of both professional and personal relevance.

Now it is time for “part two.”

It will come as no surprise that the complex challenges of parenting during this time of pandemic are top of the list for our folks. Therefore, beginning Tuesday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m., Parenting with Resilience will launch a new monthly series to respond to these and other realities named by our parents. Meredith Southwell is excited to begin this series with “10 Tips

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021 I 6:30 P.M. Top Parenting Ways to ‘Ruin’ Your Child

Vanessa Ellison, LCSW, Therapist, Richmond Therapy Center

In this presentation, Vanessa Ellison will draw upon the work of Israel Galindo, author of 10 Best Parenting Ways to Ruin Your Child and its sequel 10 Best Parenting Ways to Ruin Your