413 N. State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482
Del Norte County (707) 465-6800 | Humboldt County (707) 725-3535
Lake County | Sonoma County | Mendocino County (707) 462-1959
Each May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads our nation’s celebration of Older
Americans Month (OAM). ACL designed the 2017 OAM theme, Age Out Loud, to give aging a new
voice—one that reflects what today’s older adults have to say.
This theme shines a light on many
important trends. More than ever before,
older Americans are working longer, trying
new things, and engaging in their
communities. They’re taking charge,
striving for wellness, focusing on
independence, and advocating for
themselves and others. What it means to
age has changed, and OAM 2017 is a perfect
opportunity to recognize and celebrate what
getting older looks like today.
Let’s amplify the many voices of older
Americans and raise awareness of vital
aging issues across the country. Join us as
we speak up and out loud for OAM! Visit
www.oam.acl.gov to find out how.
STRIVE
FOR
WELLNESS
KNOW
YOUR
RIGHTS
STAY
ENGAGED
AGE OUT
LOUD!
EXPLORE
NEW
THINGS
Happy Mother's Day!
Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate caring for others and
being cared for by a “mother” – your own or one you have found
along the way. And here’s to all the moms out there, who have raised
a family and are still caring for children!
And Grandma's too...
While we honor all our mothers
with words of love and praise.
While we tell about their goodness
and their kind and loving ways.
We should also think of Grandma,
she's a mother too, you see....
For she mothered my dear mother
as my mother mothers me.
Author Unknown
Busy time of
the school year!
SUMMERTIME
Time to Relax or Time to Serve?
By the time summer rolls around, many Foster
Grandparents are ready to take some time off!
But if you are the type of person that likes to
keep busy and would like to serve in the
summer, just call your FGP Coordinator and see
what opportunities they have for summer
service. Often there are summer camps, the
Boys and Girls Clubs and local preschools that
are open and caring for children. Let us know.
Schools are very busy in May and
June! If you would like to do
more hours in your classroom, or
for a field trip or a special event –
please go ahead and do so. Just
add the time to your timecard.
The program is able to cover more
hours for you, if you have the time
and the energy. Go for it!
Feeling tired? Need a nap?
Sometimes at school, in the
afternoon, you may feel
sleepy. Maybe you didn’t
sleep well the night before.
Maybe your medication
changes are making you
drowsy. Please don’t
hesitate to go home early if
you are tired and falling
asleep in the classroom. We
all get tired occasionally.
Better to head home and
take a nap than to be asleep
“on the job”!
Foster
Grandparents Fame at last!
Recently you may have noticed a photographer or a camera man in your classroom. Who are these
people and what are they doing?
The Foster Grandparent program is always busy looking for new volunteers, to expand the
program to serve more students. To do that, we need a new video and some photos of our own
grandparents. Nathan DeHart is a professional photographer from the Ukiah area; he worked in
photo journalism for many years. We needed some new photos of our local Foster Grandparents
helping children in the classroom, so Nathan has been visiting schools and taking photos of our
grandparents. Do you recognize any of these folks?
Pictured: Frank Zeek Elementary School Students & Grandmas Maria, Sharon, Fahimeh, and Sherry
What is Gentle Discipline?
By Amy Morin, LCSW
Gentle discipline is one of the five main types of discipline that is based on mutual respect between
parents and kids. The basis for gentle discipline is that it focuses on using discipline and not
punishment.
Similar to positive discipline, parents who use gentle discipline do not spank or use any forms of
corporal punishment. They don’t shame or embarrass kids but instead, provide respectful negative
consequences that deter future behavior.
Gentle Discipline Looks at the Long-Term
Gentle discipline doesn’t just focus on today’s behavior. Instead, it helps parents look at the longterm. Parents recognize skills that their children need and find discipline strategies that will
accomplish their goals.
For example, if a child needs to learn responsibility, parents may offer more chores to ensure a child
is gaining the skills he needs. Gentle discipline involves addressing skill deficits so kids can grow to
become healthy, responsible adults.
Gentle Discipline Teaches Kids What to Do
Gentle discipline focuses on teaching kids the appropriate behavior. For example, a child who calls
his brother names doesn’t just get a time-out. Instead he's also taught to use his words in nice ways.
Gentle discipline teaches kids how to express their feelings in socially appropriate ways. Kids learn
how to make healthy decisions on their own.
Gentle Discipline Acknowledges Feelings
Gentle discipline also takes a child's feelings into consideration.
If a child is upset, a parent wouldn't say, “Well, that’s life,” or “You shouldn’t be so upset about
something so small.” Instead, parents using gentle discipline teach kids how to learn with those
uncomfortable emotions.
Parents talk to kids about their feelings and take them seriously. Kids feel validated when they see
that adults take their feelings into consideration.
When there’s a problem, they work on problem-solving together and kids are allowed to give input.
Gentle Discipline Puts an Emphasis on Safety
Parents emphasize physical and emotional safety. Kids are taught to evaluate risks and consider
whether their choices are safe. If a child is about to make a poor choice, parents point out the
potential consequences.
Kids are also taught the underlying reasons for rules. A parent might say, “We walk in parking lots
because there are a lot of cars driving around that we need to be watching out for so we don’t get
hit.” Parents who use gentle discipline don’t tell kids to do something, "Because I said so.”
Gentle Discipline Spells Out Expectations Ahead of Time
Anything and everything can be used as a learning experience for kids. A trip to the grocery store,
a ride in the car or playing a game can be used to teach kids a variety of skills.
Parents make the rules and expectations clear ahead of time. For example, before a trip to the
hospital a child may be told, “We're going to visit Aunt Sally at the hospital today. We'll need to
use inside voices because people in the hospital don’t feel well and some of them will be sleeping.
We also have to use walking feet and calm bodies.” Kids are given opportunities to ask questions
and are told the consequences if they break the rules.
When kids are aware of the rules ahead of time, it gives them a choice. They know what will
happen if they behave and also what the negative consequences will be if they misbehave. When
parents use gentle discipline they don’t try to force kids to do anything by sheer will and they
avoid power struggles.
Gentle Discipline Uses Positive and Negative Consequences
Gentle discipline shouldn’t be confused with permissive parenting. Instead, parents offer effective
consequences. But it's important to note that each consequence serves a specific purpose.
Consequences aren't given just because a parent is upset or frustrated.
Instead, each disciplinary action serves as an opportunity for a child to learn.
With toddlers and younger children, redirection is a common discipline technique. Instead of
yelling or sending a child to his room for repeatedly touching something he’s not supposed, a
parent may get him involved in a new activity to stop the behavior.
Logical consequences and natural consequences are often used to deter negative behavior from
being repeated. Time-out may be used as a way to teach kids to take a break when they are angry
or upset.
There are also positive consequences that reinforce good behavior. Reward systemsare often used
to encourage good behavior or to help kids work on a specific behavior problem. Praise and lots
of positive attention are offered to reinforce good choices and good behavior as well.
Save The Date...
Del Norte County
Foster Grandparents
Annual Recognition Luncheon
Saturday, June 10th at 12:00pm
______________________
Lake, Mendocino & Sonoma County
Foster Grandparents
Annual Recognition Luncheon
Saturday, June 10th at 12:30pm
______________________
Humboldt County
Foster Grandparents
Annual Recognition Luncheon
Friday, June 2nd at 1:00pm
OUR NEW GRANDPARENTS ROCK!
We've been recruiting new volunteers like crazy, and we're happy to say YOU'RE ALL AMAZING!!
One of our new Foster Grandparents Gail Warner started serving this spring at the Willits Elementary
Charter School. Here’s what her Principal, Kara McClellan, has to say:
"Just a quick note to let you know Grandma
Gail's time with us is a huge success! She is a
lovely person and the kids adore having her
in the classroom. The teacher reports she is
huge help in many ways.
Thank you for allowing us to participate in
this program! "
Thank you,
Kara McClellan
Director, Willits Elementary Charter School
Congratulations Gail!
Left to Right: Grandmas Maria, Gail, & Margarita
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Debra Smith - April 1st
(I forgot to include Debra last month, sorry Debra!- K)
Mary Trevino-Dufay - May 1st
Ralph Redling - May 8th
Pat Hoenig - May 12th
Wanda Harrah - May 17th
Roy Thompson - May 20th
Carolyn Silvers - May 25th
Darlene Amann - May 27th
Fun Page!
Thank you! Rebecca, Joan, Kim, Pat,
Tracey, and Kayla