Any parent out there who’s facing the challenges that come along with parenting a teenager should take note of this one.
The Metrotown branch of Burnaby Public Library is hosting a workshop on Monday, May 16 called How to Create a More Positive Relationship With Your Teen.
Klaus Klein, a registered clinical counsellor, will lead the free workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Participants will learn to identify one negative family pattern and how to change it; learn what parents mistakenly do that can lower teens’ self-esteem and how to turn it around; and what “destructive element” creates more conflict than any other mistake in parenting, according to a write-up about the event.
You’ll also learn three phrases to use in many situations that can help build your relationship.
Sound worthwhile? Be sure to register by calling 604-436-5400 or online through www.bpl.bc.ca/events.
Saving for a new baby
If you’re at the other end of the parenting spectrum –which is to say, the very beginning – here’s one for you, too. The Tommy Douglas branch of Burnaby Public Library is hosting a session in Planning Financially For Your New Arrival.
It’s designed to help expectant parents plan for a new child, and it will cover the basics of the maternity and parental benefit system, how to budget for each stage of your leave, what you’ll need to invest in before your child arrives, strategies to save for big-ticket items and where to find resources and savings.
Best news of all for budget-conscious expectant parents: It’s free.
The workshop is being presented by the library and the Credit Counselling Society. Seating is limited, so you must register ahead. Call 604-522-3971 or register at www.bpl.bc.ca/events.
Take to the links
You’re never too young to take up golf.
Well, OK, maybe babyhood is a little too young, but you don’t have to be very big to enjoy Burnaby’s golf courses.
The City of Burnaby’s golf courses – Riverway and Burnaby Mountain – offer lots of options for golf classes for the small folk in your house, with lessons for everyone aged four to 18.
Four- to six-year-olds can take part in Little Linkers classes on Saturdays.
Each four-session set of lessons costs $59, and you have a variety of start times to choose from.
The next set of Little Linkers classes starts May 28, with more coming June 25 and Aug. 6.
For the older kids, you can sign up for Level 1 (for seven- to 12-year-olds) or Level 2 (for seven- to 15-year-olds). Again, classes are on Saturdays with a variety of start times, and the next set of lessons kicks off May 28. Level 1 costs $75 for four sessions, and Level 2 costs $105.
You can inquire about the program of your choice by calling the golf course: Burnaby Mountain at 778-402-6375 or Riverway at 778-402-7799.
You can also get full schedule information online at www.golfburnaby.ca.
Get active together
Want to get more active as a family?
Burnaby’s community centres offer you some great places to start.
At Bonsor, you can take part in family badminton or gym sessions on Sunday mornings at 11:30 a.m., or a family gym and sports drop-in on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Cameron offers family badminton on Sundays at noon, while Edmonds has a family gym on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and family table tennis on Thursdays at 6:15 p.m.
You can also try out in-line skating at Kensington on Friday afternoons (3:30 to 5 p.m.), for only $2 per person.
To get the whole schedule, see www.tinyurl.com/BbyFamilyRec.
Burnaby’s indoor swimming pools (Bonsor, Eileen Dailly, Edmonds and C.G. Brown) also offer a variety of drop-in family swims and loonie swims. And, of course, there are the outdoor pools to enjoy once the hot weather arrives.
Check out the full schedule at www.burnaby.ca/swimming.
Got an item for Family Ties? Send parenting- and family-related ideas to Julie, [email protected].
