The vision I have for Families InDeed is multi-faceted. I know I can't hit the ground with all of these opportunities in place, but here is a list of what I want to accomplish in the immediate future, long-term, and even the 'lofty dreams' category! Dream with me!

If you share the vision, give me a call and volunteer your help!

Immediate Future

I will soon be rolling out parenting classes geared towards:

• Understanding and Encouraging Cooperation in the Young Child for Caretakers - this is an excellent class for any individual who cares for young children (nannies, daycare workers, babysitters, or au pairs). Learn about the "whys" of behavior, encouraging cooperation, and the use of positive discipline techniques.

• Positive Interactions with Young Patients for Healthcare Providers - this four hour course will give you the tools you need to interact with your young patients. Understand the meaning behind the words and actions and learn how Reflective and Active Listening techniques can help you help them.

• Positive and Effective Parenting of Adolescents (ages 11-18) - pulling your hair out in frustration over your teen? Can't stand the arguing, the lack of respect, or that pigsty of a room? This six-week class will give you the tools you need to deal with one of the most difficult times of life you have faced since you were a teen!

Long-term future

• Positive Parenting for the Teen-Age Parent - Teenage parents have a difficult road ahead of them. Not only must they care for their needs, but also those of a young child, all before they themselves are completely ready for adulthood. This eight-week series will give them the basic parenting skills of the general parenting classes, but also include resources and guidance to help teen parents figure out their work, housing, daycare and education options early on.

• Positive Parenting through Divorce/Separation - Divorce is difficult on everyone. How do you take care of you while you manage to separate households, share custody, and deal with court battles? This six-week class is nearly identical to the general parenting class, but it also is a haven for parents who are struggling with the issues of divorce.

• Positive Parenting as a Single Parent - Being a single parent is not the end of the world, but it does possess its own unique challenges. This six-week class will cover the main principles of the PEP series and also encourage dialogue on how to anticipate the inevitable questions a child asks, "Do I have a daddy/mommy?" We will also discuss various resources and help every participant become an exceptional single parent!

Lofty Dreams

A Home of its Own - For now, Families InDeed will travel to wherever it is needed throughout the metro area. I dream of someday having a building, perhaps somewhere central like the River Bottoms area of Kansas City where we can have the headquarters and offer meetings and classes and even possibly daycare so that more parents can attend without having to worry about finding a babysitter.

Classes for Children - I dream of Families InDeed offering classes to children that build their knowledge, passion, and self-esteem. Activities where they learn to garden, cook, teach others, become entrepreneurs or local leaders of tomorrow, create art and communicate their needs in a safe, loving environment.

There is much, much more. But it will take time and the dreams will grow from these seeds of hope. Given time, love, dedication, and just the right pinch of luck...all this can happen. I believe it with all of my heart!