Parents can always use a hand or a sympathetic ear, not to mention activities to do with their children. Below are listings taken from the Parents and Kids section of The Tri-City News' Community Calendar:
Parents, grandparents, and caregivers who want to connect with others who are raising children, gain and offer support and understanding, gain information about parenting and other concerns, and have their children cared for while doing so, free of charge, can join a parent support circle. Parent Support Services of BC runs a Thursday evening circle 6-8 p.m. in Coquitlam. The support circle is an anonymous, confidential self-help group for parents with children 12 years old and under. Info: 604-669-1616 or www.parentsupportbc.ca.
Breastfeeding or pregnant and wanting to learn more? Looking for information or help? La Leche League Coquitlam groups offer informal, guided discussions and a chance to connect with other nursing mothers. New meeting location: Share Family and Community Services, 2615 Clarke St., PoMo. Meetings held second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Women interested in breastfeeding and their children are invited to free monthly LLL meetings. Info: 604-520-4623 or www.lllc.ca.
Baker's Corner Pre-school is a parent-participation pre-school that offers play-based classes for three- and four-year-olds and is located in Baker Drive elementary school, 885 Baker Dr., Coquitlam. Info: 604-461-5848 or www.bakerscornerpreschool.com.
Share Family and Community Services hosts free parent and tot drop-in, 9-11:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays at Seaview community school, 1215 Cecile Dr., PoMo. This is a free play-based program for children up to five years old and their parents/caregivers. Info: Azar, 604-936-3900.
Tri-City Family Place, a drop in centre for children up to five with their caregivers, is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2062 Manning Ave., PoCo. Info: 604-942-4672.
Learning Disabilities Association is offering keyboarding for kids program at Miller Park elementary school, tutor training and parent advocacy training. The association also has lending library of books, videos and other materials at the family resource centre at Westwood elementary school, PoCo. Info: 604-461-1167.
Parent and Tot Drop-in: open to parents with children from birth to 5 years old; offers safe and nurturing environment; children learn songs, stories and eat healthy snacks together; parents are full participants; free; open 9-11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Mountain View elementary school, Coquitlam, and 9-11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Seaview elementary school, PoMo. Info: Arshia, 604-937-6971.
Share Family and Community Services parent support circle runs Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., Mountain View elementary school, 740 Smith Ave., Coquitlam. Open to all parents, grandparents and/or caregivers. Participation is free and childminding and snacks are available. Info: 604-937-6970.
Pleasantside Play Pals, a non-profit parent-participation play group for newborns to pre-schoolers at Old Orchard Hall, PoMo; parents/caregivers invited every Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Parents and tots gather to play and learn in a Jewish-themed environment, Burquest Jewish Community Centre, 2680 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Coquitlam. Info: 604-552-7221 or info@burquest.org.
Step By Step Child Development Society Family Resource Rooms open for drop-in at the following locations: Old Orchard Hall in Ioco Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11 a.m., Harbour View elementary school Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11 a.m. and at the Blue Mountain Park Scouts' Hall on Wed from 10-11:30. Call 604-931-1977 for more information or visit the website at www.step-by-step.ca
Millside Family Resource Centre is open Fridays, 9-11 a.m. for parents and caregivers with kids up to 6 years; staff co-ordinate play, circle time and crafts. Millside elementary is at 1432 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam. Info: Arshia, 604-540-9161.
Mountain View Family Resource Centre is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-11:30 a.m. for parents and caregivers with kids up to 6 years; staff co-ordinate play, circle time and crafts. Mountain View elementary is at 740 Smith Ave., Coquitlam. Info: Arshia, 604-540-9161.
Drop-in for parents/caregivers and children 5 and younger, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Birchland School Family Place, 1331 Fraser St., PoCo. Info: Westcoast Family Resources Society, 604-941-7828.
Como Lake United church children's choir for kids ages 6 to 10 meets Mondays, 6:30 p.m., 535 Marmont St., Coquitlam. Info: Elena, 604-468-2733.
ADHD parent support group meets 7-9 p.m., first Tuesday of each month, family resource centre, Coronation Park elementary school, 135 Balmoral Dr., PoMo.
Christian Service Brigade and Senior Girls Alive at Westwood Community Church, 1294 Johnson St., Coquitlam, invite youth 11-18 to join them on Wednesday nights 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Battalion program. Info: Ronnie Tan, 604-908-1847.
Autism Tri-Cities information and support group for adults with relatives with autism spectrum disorder. Info: Clair, 604-939-5157.
Coquitlam Play Centre parent participation play group meets, 9:15 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier Ave., Coquitlam. Info: 604-936-2303.
PoCoMo Mothers of Multiples club meets the third Thursday of the month. Info: Brenda, 604-937-5534.
Simon Fraser Society for Community Living hosts Family Support, Education and Networking Group, for families with children with developmental or physical disabilities throughout the school year. For more information, please contact the Family and Individual Support Program at 604-525-9494.
Parents Together is a mutual help group for parents experiencing conflict with their teen(s), meets in PoCo. Info: 604-325-0556.
Learning Disabilities Association meets the third Thursday of each month at the family resource centre at Westwood elementary school, PoCo, 7-9 p.m.
Tough Love support group meets Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Stoney Creek community centre (in Burnaby) For parents with children in trouble or experiencing difficulties. Info: Cathy, 604-464-2437.
The Ark Child Services, a non-profit counselling agency specializing in supporting families going through separation and divorce, has an office in the Tri-Cities. Info: Lee Cassels, 604-461-2124.
Children with Diabetes parent support group meets monthly. Speakers present information for living with Type 1 Diabetes. Social activities are also planned for the children and their families. Info: Carol, 604-931-2027.
