 By Abby Glaser Encompass Community Advocate Parenting is hard. Full stop! As a mom of five, I’ve done a lot of things well over the years—and made plenty of mistakes too. One of the hardest areas to navigate is parenting during conflict. Anger, frustration, exhaustion, and a dozen other emotions can bring out the worst in any of us. Let’s look at three common mistakes parents make in conflict—and some practical ways to fix them.
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 By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations As a marriage coach, I’ve seen firsthand how a healthy marriage can transform an entire family. When couples learn to communicate with empathy, manage stress as a team, and rebuild trust, their children notice—and they flourish. A secure marriage doesn’t just make life better for two people; it creates stability, confidence, and hope for the next generation.
 By Cindee Johnson Relationship Champion and Encompass Partner The first time I heard the term “generational curses” in a relationship workshop, I gave it a bit of an eye roll. It sounded archaic—something that surely didn’t apply to me, my marriage, or my family.
I only half-listened. Until I heard this: “When not recognized and broken, generational curses can destroy marriages and families.” That statement got my attention—and it has kept my attention ever since  By Lavern Nissley ECC Relationship Facilitator Fathers. Matter.
Recently, I completed an extensive Fatherhood Care Coordinator training at Pregnancy Resource Clinic here in Springfield, Ohio. The big idea is to come alongside fathers-to-be when their partners come in for pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. It is the time when they are most open to exploring and considering involvement with their offspring. Making this investment of time as a volunteer at PRC extends the two decades of healthy marriage education Ronda and I led at Encompass to a crucial set of participants in family stability - dads. When we talk about strengthening families and communities, one concept consistently rises to the top: Responsible Fatherhood. But what does that really mean—and why is it so vital?  By Lavern and Ronda Nissley Team Nissley Coaching & Consulting A surge of sadness and loss went through me the first time I (Lavern) saw my Dad walking more slowly and hunched over. He had always been active and a rather fast walker. Now he looked like an old man. Fortunately, this image of Dad didn't catch us off guard since we had numerous discussions with Mom and Dad about this stage of life. But it still hit me to see such a vivid picture of irreversible aging.
In 2018, after months of Ronda visiting her parents weekly in London, Ohio (about 45 minutes from our home in Springfield), we arrived at the mutual decision to relocate them to Wooded Glen, a long-term care facility in Springfield. In 2019, we did the same for Lavern's parents, moving them from Arthur, Illinois, to a condo in Springfield. These decisions were fully processed with respective parents and siblings, with the idea that the two of us would take the lead in helping our parents navigate their twilight years. Only one of those four parents is still living. Lavern's Dad passed in November 2021, his Mom in March 2023, and Ronda's Mom in September 2023. Ronda's Dad is approaching his 95th birthday on August 17. So, how did this all work out? How were relationships affected? What did we learn about the initiative to care for our aging parents?  By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations Some partnerships are born from a single moment. Others grow over time—formed through shared values, vision, and trust. Our relationship with Choosing Hope Adoptions is one of the latter. It's a story of convergence, collaboration, and commitment to strengthening families from the inside out.
 Dr. David and Theresa Mabry (center) with their children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations David and I had been married for 13 years when we took our first relationship assessment. He was getting ready to begin work at the Marriage Resource Center—what you now know as Encompass Connection Center—and we were invited to help teach relationship classes to couples.
I remember thinking, “Well, they’ve asked the right people! We've been married long enough to teach this stuff with our eyes closed.” Boy, was I wrong.  By Kristin Engler Guest Writer Kristin lives in Powell, Ohio with her husband, Jason, and they share four children in their blended family. Kristen and her family attend Newstart Church in Delaware and have a heart and passion to see blended families thrive. “No parent gives mercy better than one who is convinced that he desperately needs it himself.” Paul David Tripp Truer words were never spoken about parenting, but these words become even more emphasized in the child/parent relationship challenges that show up in blended families. There are many lessons God has taught me on the journey of life, but perhaps one of the most important has been what He’s demonstrated in our family by teaching us to love all of our children equally, regardless of blood. My husband, Jason, and I married in 2017 and each of us brought 2 kids to the marriage. Our ambitions of a cohesive and happy family were short-lived, as we began to navigate custody battles, children in various degrees of abuse and trauma, and even things like loyalty conflicts and jealousy. Jealousy? Certainly, you mean that of a child to their stepparent, right? Friends, I’m here to tell you that all the emotions have been present, for each of us, children and adults alike. We never could have foreseen the complexity of what we would navigate as we learned to parent our children together. What I know to be true is that ONLY with God can we truly learn what it means to love our children and our stepchildren and know them the way He does.
 By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations Parenting young children is a whirlwind of emotions. It’s excitement, exhaustion, frustration, joy, love, and everything in between—sometimes all at once. I’ve raised three children of my own, and I vividly remember feeling those highs and lows daily, if not hourly! Now, as I watch my oldest raise my grandchildren, I see those same ups and downs from the perspective of a grandparent. While the experience is bittersweet, it’s also a reminder of how precious these early years truly are. I want to encourage you: enjoy the here and now. This season may feel long at times, but it passes quickly. And the growth and development happening in these early years is so crucial—blink, and you might miss it.
So, how can you make the most of these formative years? Here are a few guiding principles to keep in mind:  By Abby Glaser Community Advocate In keeping with this month’s theme of parenting, I get to talk about something that often comes with a mix of excitement and dread—the teenage years! While I wouldn’t call myself an expert, I do have plenty of experience—I'm currently parenting my last two teens out of five! If you do the math, that means I’ve had a teenager in my house for 12 years… and I’ve lived to tell the tale!
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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