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was sharing control and not forgetting that my son needs to do
some things on his own and to allow that to happen more and
more as he gets bigger.
SH: What did you think of the format of the program?
(Coaches present a skill or strategy, then show a video with that skill
demonstrated, before practicing the skill with the parent and child.)
Helen: I thought it was really helpful to see the other parents
interacting (with their children in the program videos) and then to
talk about it with my coach, Doris, and for her to then be able to
connect it with what she was seeing in our own home. And then to
practice it. Sometimes it seemed like, gosh, this is such common
sense… but then in the day-to-day, I would realize I’m not always
doing these things! I was much more mindful of them and much
more aware. I think the format just built on itself and it really helped
me to connect it to my own situation at home.
SH: How did the coach’s role impact your experience with
the program?
Helen: I think we looked forward to it more. My son loved when
Doris would come over, and he would always say how much he
missed her when she left. It just felt like a friend coming over –
someone that could not only visit with me but share with me some
ways to make my relationship better with my son and help me be a
better parent. It was very special to have that connection with her.
SH: Would you recommend PALS to other parents? What
would you tell them about the program?
Helen: I would tell them to jump at the opportunity if they have it!
kind of blows me away that we have these services to help parents.
We had my daughter in Chicago, and I didn’t have anything like
this with her. And I feel like I could have had a much more peaceful
and happy time with her if I had known some of these strategies. I
SH: Is there anything else you would like to share about
the program?
Helen: I just thank you all; I thank everybody that is a part of
our county.
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Helen and ELC coach Doris Papa