Family Advocacy

Published Jan. 11, 2008
By Tinker Family Advocacy

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Family Advocacy offers monthly services available to anyone with access to Tinker. These programs are held in the Family Advocacy office, Bldg 5801, unless otherwise noted.
   To enroll, or for more information, call 734-4390. All the following services are available to anyone who can access Tinker.
   Parent Talk appointments are available throughout the afternoon Jan. 23. Parents with concerns about their child's behavior, family separations, reaction to a parent's deployment, sibling rivalry or toilet learning problems can meet with a child psychologist and get advice. Parents should not bring children to this appointment.
   La Femina, an educational group for women, begins at 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday. The five-session group emphasizes self-esteem, equality, and mutual respect as healthy alternatives to anger, jealousy, codependency and attempting to control others.
   Infant massage takes place from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday. This four-session class for parents with children under 12 months old promotes fun and relaxation for parents and babies. Wear comfortable clothing and join the instructors as they teach techniques to calm and soothe a baby. Infant massage is also a way to strengthen bonding between parent and child, and nurturing touch stimulates your infant's brain development.
   Dads 101 is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 24. This one-session class helps new and expectant fathers learn more about being a daddy and build their confidence. Topics include: pregnancy; coping with crying; bathing and holding your baby; ways to show you care; what to take to the hospital and much more.
   Playgroups are back from holiday break today. Toddler Time meets from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and is for parents with children up to their third birthday. Baby and Me meets from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is for parents with children up to 12 months old. Call 734-4390 so they can plan for you and your child, then join the playgroups at the Youth Center for fun and friendship.
   Family Advocacy is a member of the Tinker Care Network, a group whose mission is to integrate base helping agencies into one seamless team that provides the right help at the right time to active duty military, family members, Department of Defense civilians and retirees.