PRACTICAL PARENTING EVENTS SET

Parents of children ages 5 to 8 are invited to a series of programs in May sponsored by the Practical Parenting Partnerships Program of the Cape Girardeau public schools. All programs will be held at Jefferson School, 520 Minnesota, from 7-8 p.m.

Understanding and dealing with stress in the family will be the focus of a program Tuesday in the Jefferson music room. Judy Stricker from St. Francis Medical Center's nursing education department will lead the discussion.

A book representative from St. Louis will also set up a display of books in the Jefferson School hallway before and after the program for parents to browse and purchase.

A second program, "Stretching Young Minds in the Summer," is scheduled Tuesday, May 11, in the school library. Playing to learn, reading to grow, writing to communicate and other summer activities will be presented.

A final May program, "Father's Day, Everyday!" is scheduled Monday, May 17, in the school gym. Children are invited to bring their father, grandfather, uncle or mom to share in "time together" activities, with the emphasis on the importance of fatherhood.

The Practical Parenting Partnerships Program now has a shelf of parenting resources books available for use by parents and educators. Parenting issues covered include discipline, stress, fatherhood, bereaved parent(s), parenting, strong-willed children, testing of children, divorce, depression, eating disorders, and activities for children, and others.

These books may be checked out through the Parents as Teachers office at Jefferson School between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Carla at 651-3703.