Parent Talk Celebrates Our Super Volunteers, Part 2

Parent Talk is happy to honor Meghann Freni and Laura Perras as recipients of our Volunteer of the Year service award.  On December 27th, we celebrated with a blog post on Laura, and today, we follow up with a post on Meghann!
 

Spotlight on Meghann Freni, Volunteer of the Year

Meghann Freni is someone who seems to like getting off to a running start, judging from her habit of diving headfirst into each new volunteer experience with Parent Talk! 

Meghann is wife to Jon and mom to Ryan, Colin and Nora (ages 5, 3 and 1, respectively). She shares the Volunteer of the Year title with Laura Perras because of her remarkable willingness and courage to jump in and lend a hand, and leadership, when needed.

 

After giving birth to Ryan in 2012, Meghann left her Human Resources job in Boston to become a stay-at-home mom.  She moved with her young family back to her hometown of Needham.  Once in Needham, she joined a Parent Talk playgroup.

When Ryan turned 4, Meghann had her first real volunteer experience with Parent Talk.  She became Co-Chair for Parent Talk's Preschool and Kindergarten Fair in 2016.  She quickly followed that experience by once again, stepping in as Co-Chair, this time for the annual Summer Camp Fair in 2017.  Meghann explains, "I had friends who were involved with Parent Talk [who] really enjoyed their volunteer experiences, so they encouraged me to get more involved and I'm so glad I did!"

In chairing each event, Meghann's responsibilities included reaching out to schools, enrichment programs and camps to invite them to attend and purchase a table at either of the two fairs.  "From there, it was logistics such as set-up, materials needed for the event, and of course, the [Preschool Fair and Camp Fair] booklet[s]!"

While learning the ropes from the bottom up may be the preferred way many of us get started on a new adventure, a lack of past experiences appears not to have posed any constraint on Meghann!  Consider that freshly off of her second Parent Talk volunteer experience of co-chairing the Summer Camp Fair, Meghann neatly stepped into her current Board role as Parent Talk's Fundraising Co-Chair. 

Meghann has continued her involvement in Parent Talk because of what she views as the rewards of volunteering -- getting involved, making friends, and gaining a sense of community.  Of her experiences with the Preschool Fair and Camp Fair, Meghann says,  "I was able to see both events from start to finish.  It was great to see how families got a lot out of both events and I enjoyed the planning process and meeting new families and Parent Talk members.  By volunteering, you are helping to promote a sense of community, which in turn helps those who are new to the area or those who are looking to find something new within our community."

Thank you, Meghann, for all you do to make great events and programming possible for the entire Parent Talk community!

Are you thinking of volunteering or filling a leadership role for the first time? Perhaps take a page from Meghann's book and jump right in, learning trial by fire!  If that's not your cup of tea, keep in mind that beginning your involvement with Parent Talk can be as easy as clicking on the next Sign Up Genius link that you see, and filling a one-hour volunteer slot!  Volunteer opportunities are announced in Parent Talk's weekly  e-newsletter and Yahoo Groups discussions.  They are often also announced on our Facebook page and website.  Keep your eyes peeled for an opportunity!

About the Author:

Darlene W. Cancell first volunteered for Parent Talk at its biannual Used Toy, Clothing and Equipment Sale.  She followed that with at stint as PT's Blog Coordinator and currently is enjoying her role on the Board as Volunteer Chair.  She hopes she can help make volunteering with Parent Talk even more fun, convenient and rewarding.  If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about volunteering, please email her at volunteer@parenttalk.info

Successful Parenting Advice for Single Dads

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Successful Parenting Advice for Single Dads

Being a father can be an overwhelming challenge, especially if you are flying solo.  It’s a struggle more men are facing, and with the right tools you can be a successful dad with happy and healthy kids. 

You’re not alone.  More households than ever are led by single fathers.  According to studies cited by ABC News, the number of single father homes in America rose by 62 percent in a single decade, with numbers totalling over 2.2 million.  It’s believed that the rise signals acceptance of men’s ability to function successfully as single parents, and the number is only expected to continue to grow. 

Challenges.  Single dads struggle in many of the same areas single mothers do, with financial strains and finding balance between work and home life.  Unfortunately, single fathers often don’t feel they can reach out for help, fearing loss of custody. There are things you can do to face your challenges head on and work toward overcoming them, beginning with asking family and friends for help when you need it.  Get involved with local or online support groups, too - you’ll find there is benefit in shared struggles, and sometimes you may glean tips or assistance when you need help with your many obligations. 

Coping skills.  Being a single parent can be extremely stressful, but with good coping skills you can manage your concerns and overcome the obstacles in your path.  As explained by the experts at Behavioral Wellness & Recovery,  "It’s important to learn small ways to face that stress head-on and reduce it no matter where you are, because having effective coping mechanisms handy will allow you to get through even the most challenging times. You can use your new skills to immediately start feeling better, and to prevent the emergence of chronic mental health problems."  Some simple skills you can incorporate into your lifestyle are:

●      Reading a book.  Take a book with you wherever you go, and when life is feeling complicated enjoy an “escape” into the pages. 

●      Strolling outside.  Nature has a positive, healing effect on your well-being; a walk in the park or even around the block to enjoy some green space, fresh air and sunshine can work wonders for your stress level.

●      Petting animals.  Engaging with pets offers terrific benefits, like lowering your blood pressure and improving self-esteem.  If you don’t have a companion animal of your own, consider volunteering at a local shelter.

Finances.  Experts note that one of the most important issues you face as a single dad is budgeting your money.  Understanding your income and financial obligations, planning how you will meet them, and arranging your spending habits to accommodate your needs will give you a sense of security and control.  If you need to go back to school, do so.  Studies reflect that improving your level of education directly and positively impacts both your parenting style and communication, not to mention the potential for improving your work situation and income.

Enjoy yourself and your children.  Establish a daily routine in your household and make sure fun is part of it.  It’s healthy for you and your children to engage every day, talking and doing activities together.  Having a routine schedule gives your family security, and it’s better for everyone to know what expectations are.  Don’t think that because you’re a dad you can’t be close with your children; experts at Livestrong note that studies found the opposite: “...the relationship between a single parent and a child can be one that is close and affectionate.  A child in a single-parent home often sees the parent in a new light, and a single parent may be more likely to focus love and affection on a child when no spouse is involved.  The parent and child are mutually dependent on each other, and in many cases this leads to a relationship that is more supportive and communicative.”

Life as a single dad is challenging, but you aren’t alone in your struggle.  Reach out for help, use good coping skills, take control of your finances, and enjoy your children.  With these terrific tools you can achieve success as a single dad!

About the Author

Daniel is a single dad raising two children. At DadSolo.com, he aims to provide other single dads with information and resources to help them better equip themselves on the journey that is parenthood.