A parent’s lifesaver
Five years ago, Los Altos resident Tani Holstege was a frantic first-time mom. Today she’s the confident mother of two sons: Braden, 6, and Davis, 4, and expects a daughter in October. She gives The Children’s Health Council (CHC) a great deal of credit for the difference.
“I was at my wits end,” Holstege said. “I was an only child and the first of my friends to have children. I didn’t know what to do with this child I was supposed to be raising.”
Holstege came across a CHC flyer at her pediatrician’s office during Braden’s one-year check-up. She signed up for a class on parenting toddlers.
“Boy, did it save me,” Holstege said.
CHC has been providing classes for parents with children from birth through adolescence through its Child Rearing Program since 1973. The program offers comprehensive eight- to 10-week classes that focus on a specific age group such as young babies, toddlers, 2-year-olds and preschoolers, and cover a variety of developmental and behavioral topics.
The three- to six-week brief classes explore specific topics in depth within a broader age range. Topics include building sibling relationships, raising an only child, limit-setting and discipline, and children of divorced parents.
Courses for adoptive parents, grandparents and parents of children with attention deficit disorder are available, as well as “The Homework Dilemma: What is the Parents’ Role?”
CHC also offers child-rearing consultations and help in selecting the best pre-school program.
“You get the opportunity to problem-solve in the classes with other parents and the teacher,” Holstege said. “You get so many new strategies and new information.
“It’s great to interact with other parents in the same boat,” Holstege said of her class experiences. “It’s such a supportive environment.”
“Our mission is to provide opportunities for children to reach their full potential in the context of their family and their community,” said Anne Trela, CHC communication manager. “Our classes provide education and support for parents.”
Holstege has taken five CHC classes, including a class with Braden on raising 2-year-olds.
“That class became a real support group,” Holstege said. “Class members became so close that we still get together monthly.”
Founded in 1953, CHC also provides group and individualized therapy programs, assessments, diagnostic and treatment services through its clinic. Specialty clinics are available for children with various disorders or facing difficulties with stress and coping, test-taking anxiety or social skills. The CHC School serves children and adolescents ages 6 to 16 with learning, behavioral or emotional challenges.
CHC is located at 700 Sand Hill Rd. in Palo Alto. For more information, call 326-5530.
