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A&FRC to offer family-oriented classes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center, which strives to develop the military community and provide resources to competently deal with the common challenges of military life, continually takes steps to improve the quality of life for Airmen and their families.

A recent addition to the resources provided by the A&FRC includes the formation of new classes available at the center that are specifically geared toward communication between an Airmen and his or her family.

"The Airman and Family Readiness Center has a Personal and Family Life Education program new to Fairchild," said Javonika McCree, A&FRC community readiness technician. "Under that program we will conduct classes focused on helping couples communicate, reunions and coping."

Those who have deployed or have gone on excessive temporary duty assignments may know the strain put on relationships when the distance and the lack of communication begin to take their toll.

"These classes are especially geared toward Airmen and deployments, TDYs, excessive TDYs, work shifts and relocation because the biggest thing is communication can fade," said Mrs. McCree. "Parenting skills also slip and fade."

On March 5 from 6-7 p.m., the A&FRC will host the "Keeping Your Marriage Strong: A Guide for Military Couples."

"This class will provide basic information geared toward military life and couples who have been married for a while," Mrs. McCree explained. And those requiring additional, more intense care can be referred to the Family Advocacy office.

March 10 will bring the "Preparing for Reunion" workshop from 6-7 p.m. at the A&FRC. This is a class that will many Airmen may benefit from, as many are deployed.

"This class will aim to help people reengage and maintain communication as they establish a healthy routine," said Mrs. McCree.

"Ensuring a Successful Marriage" will be held March 12 from 6-8 p.m. for couples who are engaged, newly married or thinking about getting married.

"This class really hits on the components to make a marriage successful," Mrs. McCree noted. "This includes information on resolving conflicts, communication, legal commitment and the components of a successful marriage."

"Love and Logic" will be every Monday from April 7 to May 26, not including May 5, from 6-8 p.m. This class will be held at the A&FRC and is for parents who are interested in developing the skills required to get through the difficult times in raising a child or children. Those who would like to participate must register by March 28.

"This class will teach parents more about delayed consequences - ensuring children learn from their experiences - getting a child to bed, and gaining respect from a child, which seems to be a big problem today," Mrs. McCree said. "This is a seven-week parenting class for parents of toddlers to teenagers and is geared toward helping parents raise responsible adults."

The A&FRC is planning additional informative classes for members of Team Fairchild in April, the Month of the Military Child.

For more information or to register for these upcoming classes, please call the A&FRC at 247-2246.