In 1996 Homestar started offering Parenting Workshops that touched on such subjects as nutrition, discipline, learning, communication, physical development, creativity and daily schedules and routines. In order to make this information more available to all the parents, in 1998 the Parent Support Group was formed. This group was open to all parents and was held twice a month right after work. Dinner was served, the children were cared for, and parents had the opportunity to talk with other parents and teachers about problems, issues, successes and questions concerning all aspects of parenting. Not only did parents find that most parents had the same concerns and dealt with similar difficulties, but that they all had useful and concrete help to offer each other. This group was facilitated by Nancy Monson, the co-director. Nancy hosts a radio show at KGNU called “Parenting Solutions” and has published over 15 articles in the local parenting magazines. Her 26 years of experience as an educator has helped parents look at parenting and education from many different angles.

At this time, the Parent Support Group meets the last Monday of every month, for dinner and including child care. It is open to every parent at Homestar and is a great way to meet other parents, talk about your children and being a parent, and hear about other parents successes, lessons learned, struggles and joys, as well as receiving new educational materials.