 By: Hollie Kowalski
Outreach Coordinator Parenting a teenager is no small feat. We have four children, currently three teenagers. Nothing will send me to my knees in prayer quicker than my kids! Through the chaos, the conflict, the blessings, and the battles, I must keep reminding myself: God is in control. My husband Joe is a logical, levelheaded parent with much patience. I, on the other hand… well, I like to say I’m a very “passionate,” person, especially when it comes to my kids. Joe would interpret this as emotional and easily excitable, but also a “pro” when it comes to loving on, caring for, and guiding our children. Together, we make a pretty great team, but even the very best parents don’t always have the answers. So when we’ve been consistent, loving, patient, supportive, good role models (most of the time…) and we’ve “chosen our battles carefully,” where do we turn when one of our children comes to us with anger and insecurity that won’t subside, or when one of them just wants to give up due to the fear of imperfection, or there is an undeniable ache from a loss or a badly broken heart from “the one they thought they’d marry?”
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 By Ronda Nissley
Encompass Co-director There is no shortage of resources available to teach us how to parent each phase of childhood from infants and toddlers to tweens and teens. But the plethora of guidance slows to a trickle when it comes to navigating our relationship with our adult kids. At what point do we stop “parenting” – when they head off to college? When they move out of the house? Or maybe when they get married or have their first child. Our team at Encompass all agree that as our children transition into adulthood, our roles as parents do and should change.  By: Cindee Johnson
Encompass Relationship Facilitator SHMILY. It’s been years since my husband Dave and I first saw this “word” while sharing in a daily devotional. Yet, it never has left us or our marriage. Laura Hammond told the story of her grandparents, married for over half a century, who played a special game--write the word "SHMILY" in a surprise place for the other to find.  By Lavern Nissley
Encompass Executive Director In April we are featuring posts about children and parenting. One of my all-time favorite public exchanges with two of my children, Josh and Kristen, was during a Father's Day message in 2003. It was an interview format where I asked them a series of "penetrating questions" related to parenting. Their responses may surprise you! |
HostsDr. David Marine and Theresa Mabry are Co-Directors of Encompass since June 1, 2024. TOPICS
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Funding is provided by Clark County Job and Family Services, Charles L. Shor Foundation, Nehemiah Foundation, Springfield Foundation, Turner Foundation, and private donations and fees.
Program content is the sole responsibility of Encompass Connection Center and does not necessarily represent the views of the funders.
Encompass Connection Center services are provided to all eligible persons on a non-discriminatory basis. Encompass Connection Center complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning discrimination does not discriminate on the basis of the potential participant's race, gender, gender orientation, age, disability or religion.
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Program content is the sole responsibility of Encompass Connection Center and does not necessarily represent the views of the funders.
Encompass Connection Center services are provided to all eligible persons on a non-discriminatory basis. Encompass Connection Center complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning discrimination does not discriminate on the basis of the potential participant's race, gender, gender orientation, age, disability or religion.
Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 37-1485217