When we signed up for the Strengthening Families Program, I didn’t know what to expect. I figured at best, we’d get a free meal, and at worst, I’d have to spend two hours listening to my tween, Roland, perfect his art of complaining (he’s really quite talented at it, by the way). But what we got? AMAZING. Not only did I find myself sitting with other understanding, battle-weary parents who could relate to my tales of tween angst, but we also got some seriously great bonding time together. And as for the younger siblings? They LOVED the childcare in the gym—like, loved it. Running wild, burning energy, laughing like they just discovered ice cream for the first time. Everybody was happy!
Even Roland, my walking, talking complaint department, left with a smile on his face AND an actionable plan to reach some of his long term goals! I’m telling you, this program is like some sort of magic. I left determined to shout from the rafters (or at least my Facebook feed) about how awesome it is. So sign up, grab your tween (and maybe some extra patience), and get ready for a fantastic experience. I really hope to see you there because trust me—you’ll leave feeling like you’ve just won the parenting lottery. 🎉
Raising Tweens: The Struggle is Real, but Carlisle YMCA’s Got You Covered!
Ah, the tween years. Remember when your biggest parenting challenges were whether or not your kid would eat their broccoli and if you could get them to sleep in their own bed for more than three hours? Yeah… those days are long gone. Welcome to the next level, where bandaids and a kiss on the forehead don’t fix everything, and "I’m fine" means anything but fine.
Fear not, brave parents! While your tween may now be filled with attitude, existential dread, and a body odor that could be classified as hazardous, the Carlisle YMCA has your back with the Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth Ages 10-14! 🎉 This 7-week program might just be your saving grace. Here’s why you should sign up (besides the fact that you’re probably 45% caffeine at this point):
The Tween Years: When a Bandaid No Longer Fixes It
Remember when a skinned knee was your biggest problem, and you could fix it with a quick hug and a Paw Patrol bandaid? Now, your conversations with your tween go something like this:
- Tween: "Nobody understands me!"
- You: "I… think I do?"
- Tween: "NO, YOU DON’T." (Door slam)
That’s right, folks. Gone are the days of simple solutions. Now, you’re navigating changing friendships, peer pressure, and figuring out if your tween is just tired or experiencing an existential crisis (probably both).
What to Expect (Other Than the Constant Need for a Nap)
This program is scientifically tested and designed to help parents and their tweens navigate the wild ride that is the pre-teen years. Think of it as a user manual for the tween phase that should have come with your child when they hit double digits.
Every Thursday from October 10 to November 21 at the Carlisle YMCA, you and your tween can join us for:
- 5:30 PM: A free family meal (because we know feeding kids is half the battle).
- 6:00-7:00 PM: Separate sessions for parents and tweens, where you’ll learn:
- How to use love and limits without feeling like a broken record.
- How to guide your tween without needing to Google “how to understand tween eye-rolls.”
- How to encourage them to make good choices (preferably ones that involve deodorant).
- And how to survive peer pressure without having to become a mind reader.
- 7:00-8:00 PM: Parents and tweens will come together for fun family activities. (Yes, you read that right—fun! Think of it as bonding time without screens involved. And if you’re lucky, maybe they’ll even talk to you about something other than Fortnite.)
Why You Should Definitely Sign Up
Let’s be real, if there’s a program that promises to help you improve family communication and support your tween in resisting negative peer pressure (without needing to hire a full-time therapist), you’re in. Plus, it’s a free meal and free childcare for the littles, so it’s basically a win-win.
And look, we get it. Raising a tween is like navigating a minefield of mood swings, confusing smells (what IS that?), and unpredictable outbursts. But with this program, you’ll have the tools, tips, and (most importantly) community support to tackle the tween years with a little less panic and a little more confidence.
How to Join the Fun
Don’t miss out on this sanity-saving opportunity! Register now and get ready to laugh, learn, and (hopefully) survive the rest of tweenhood. We promise it’s worth it. And hey, there’s pizza. 🍕
Remember
We’re all in this together. And by “this,” we mean navigating the part of parenthood where your kid still depends on you but also knows everything. Don’t miss your chance to join the Strengthening Families Program—because let’s face it, we could all use a little extra help these days.
So go ahead, click that link, sign up, and prepare for 7 weeks of parenting wisdom, eye rolls, and maybe a little bit of peace and quiet (we’re crossing our fingers for you). And if nothing else, hey, at least you’ll get dinner that someone else cooked. 🎉
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Disclaimer: While the ideas and the bulk of the brilliance are all mine, I confess that I enlisted the help of ChatGPT for minor edits and revisions. Why? Because AI is the friendliest grammarian I know—no red pen, no judgment, just pure, unadulterated love for a well-placed comma. So if you find any rogue semicolons or unnaturally perfect phrasing, you can thank my digital editor for that.
