Here's our graphic design volunteer Svetlana Suchko, a World Boston visitor from sunny ...no... snowy Syktyvkar, Russia!

ASL interpretation was provided with the generous support of Dunkin' Donuts Corporation and the participants included Deaf and hearing, parents and non-parents, gay and straight, Anglo, Latino and Russian.

With this introduction to the PARENTS FORUM program, volunteers can assist in one of several ways: helping facilitate a workshop, coordinating outreach, leading children's activities, doing IT or marketing support for our efforts.

Participant comments included the following:

"It is so much better to plan for fire safety before the house is burning, than splash water when the roof is in flames. PARENTS FORUM is a comfortable and safe corner of the world to banter about new ways of reacting to the world. You offer an excellent workshop."  [by email]

[and, responding to questions on our feedback form,'what did you like?' people wrote]
"the role playing was great"
"really listening to each other to make the world a better place"
"great role playing"
"role play great!"

The final role play focused on how to gently, respectfully offer support to a frazzled parent of a kid acting up in store, by approaching the parent as an ally with words of sympathy, "Looks like you're having a difficult day ...I've been there myself," (or something like that) and then adding a favorable comment about the child, perhaps, "I'll bet he's a great kid most days," [or] "The baby looks so cute in that outfit."

To sign up for next orientation and workshop on May 18, call 617 - 864-3802 or send email to info@parentsforum.org

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