CAPS counselors are looking to provide support for parents

Jeff Broddle | Cadillac News Kelly Pendrick helps her son, Austin Pendrick, put on his skates before hockey practice. Pendrick said, ÒThe world is so critical these days that people forget to say, Ôthank youÕ and Ôgood job.ÕÓ

Cadillac News

CADILLAC — In a world that can be critical of how or what people do, Kelly Pendrick knows how important it is for younger children to have good self-esteem.

Pendrick is the mother of two students at Lincoln Elementary in Cadillac. Her eldest son, a fourth grader, has Tourette syndrome and she said it was imperative that she and her husband help him have a good self-image at an early age.

Because of her son’s condition, Pendrick said they also have had to tell him may tease him or make comments to him. If that happens Pendrick told her son he needs to try and explain why the syndrome makes him act differently. They also had Lincoln counselor Leslie Benson help by giving a presentation about Tourette syndrome in his class.

Benson said it is important that all parents talk to their children. She also said since children don’t come with instruction manuals that it is not easy being a parent. That being said, Benson and other CAPS counselors are hoping to help.

As part of a new monthly meeting directed at helping parents raise their children, Benson hosted a parents meeting. The first focus was self-esteem but in future meetings topics such as children’s moods and behaviors will be discussed.

“Self esteem cannot be attained by ‘boosters’ or ‘presents.’ You can’t talk a person into feeling good about themselves or feeling worthy of love and happiness,” Benson said. “As parents we need to look at ways we can provide experiences and opportunities for children to gain confidence, feel unconditional love and develop problem solving skills.”

Although self-esteem is important, Pendrick said there are other topics she has concerns about as a parent. They include stranger awareness and general information about health for children.

“You find that it is so easy to criticize and condemn the kids for errors and why did they do that. If they always are told they are doing something wrong how are they supposed to feel good about themselves,” Pendrick asked. “They do things right. The world is so critical these days that people forget to say thank you or good job.”

rcharmoli@cadillacnews.com | (231) 775-NEWS (6397)