Parenting, most can agree, is a challenging job at best and a very difficult one the rest of the time.  Now add to that English as a second language, making interactions with the larger community difficult. Whether its tools for better parenting or traversing language barriers, there’s an organization targeting parents.

Fortunately, the Fredericksburg area is home to an educational and supportive program called Circle of Parents, run by the Rappahannock Area Council for Children and Parents (RACCAP www.raccap.org).  RACCAP's mission statement, according to the website is to "Promote positive parenting and to prevent child abuse and neglect in the Rappahannock area community."  For those parents whose first, or perhaps only language, is Spanish, RACCAP offers a Spanish-language session of Circle of Parents (in addition to several weekly groups conducted in English) wherein parents can meet on a weekly basis to discuss their concerns, hardships and, yes, their joys.

Moderated by a trained facilitator, but largely parent-led, and with childcare provided free of charge on-site, Circle of Parents as run by RACCAP, provides a supportive and confidential forum for parents to discuss a weekly topic (ranging from strategies for starting a new school year, to discipline techniques to developing and sharing family traditions), as well as share the particular issues that they may be grappling with. 

Free pizza dinner for participants starts the evening, from 6:30-7:00 p.m. At seven o’clock, the children are led to a separate room, where trained volunteers lead them in various activities such as story time, craft making and free play.  At eight o’clock,  the adults (suitably refreshed and re-energized for another week of parenting) are reunited with their offspring and the Circle of Parents draws to a close--until next week, that is!

According to Kimberly Koon, Program Manager, at RACCAP, the Spanish-speaking group meets Tuesday nights in Fredericksburg at the Bragg Hill Family Life Center.  Perhaps due to the strong family bonds within the Hispanic community, many of the families attending are couples with children, as well as some divorced or single parents.  All are welcome, however, and the group looks forward to meeting and welcoming new families, of all types, at any time.  For further information, visit the website listed above, or call the local RACCAP office at 785-6217.

Mary Becelia is the mother of two and professional at the University of Mary Washington.

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