AFRC focuses on parent, child relationships

Published March 22, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Earlandez Young
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Air Force Community Assessment covers topics including personal and family adjustment, individual and family adaptation, community well-being, deployment, resiliency, post-traumatic stress and help-seeking behaviors.

The survey is designed to assist helping professionals working in chaplains' offices, Airman and Family Readiness centers, family advocacy programs, health and wellness centers, mental health clinics and child and youth programs to better meet the needs of service members and their families.

Fairchild's A&FRC is focusing on parent and child relationships as a highlighted topic, according to the 2011 AFCA results.

Target groups are families in pay grades E1-E4, E5-E6 and O1-O3. These groups responded to the survey's results in some cases at a statistically significant lower percentage on the parent and child relationship questions than the majority of 2011 survey respondents.

"These particular groups did score lower," said Christopher Marble, A&FRC chief. "But, the overwhelming majority of people on Fairchild reported good relationships with their child. These were just a few groups who identified a little lower than the Air Force's expectation for favorable."

The A&FRC came up with a Fairchild community result by taking action and focusing on parent and child relationships. By embracing and internalizing the Comprehensive Airmen Fitness model of the four pillars of fitness (mental, physical, social and spiritual), and the five C's (care, commit, connect, communicate and celebrate) and applying resilient positive psychology methods, members of Team Fairchild will enjoy time with their children, make time and capitalize on opportunities to pursue their own interests and goals, enhance relationships and improve confidence in their parenting skills.

In a four-session series, the A&FRC is utilizing the Love and Logic Parenting program. The program works with families interested in building a better relationship with their children and it works for parents wanting to give their child the tools necessary to become a healthy self-esteemed child and adult.

The overall goal of the Love and Logic Parenting class, which is utilized by Michael Anderson Elementary and area schools, is to give parents tools to enhance their relationships with their children and strengthen relationships within the family.

"My favorite aspect of Love and Logic Parenting is that it's teaching me to help my child think for himself," said Alejandra Locke, who is an intern for financial accreditation at the A&FRC. "He's learning about good and bad consequences, and when disciplinary actions are needed, I don't get as angry and frustrated as before. I have a lovely strong willed child, and the Love and Logic classes have made it much easier to communicate and encourage positive behavior."

Locke said she has seen positive results in her relationship with her child, and it's encouraging to know she's learning to raise a responsible, self confident and happy child.

Maria Chapa, a community readiness technician and palace acquire intern at the A&FRC, has done extensive work building an effective plan for Fairchild and currently leads a team of professionals providing classes such as Love and Logic and other opportunities for families to strengthen and improve relationships.

"The importance in facilitating a class like Love and Logic is evident when you see parents eager to understand their child or children and themselves," said Chapa. "The recent Air Force Community Assessment results measured parent-child relationships, and while the survey showed favorable outcomes it was still important to offer classes that can all strengthen families."

Offering the class during lunch hours and with some availability of child care has been instrumental for the increase in attendance. Because of the strong interest in the class, the A&FRC will offer the Love and Logic Parenting classes in the summer and fall with evening and daytime classes.

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