Photo By Staff Sgt. Grady Jones | Maj. Jay Clark, Family Life chaplain, Fort Carson Garrison, addresses single parents...... read more read more
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Training in 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, isn’t just at term reserved for field exercises or weapons qualifications.
Soldiers and spouses from across 3rd ABCT, participated in Strong Bonds Single Parents retreat, hosted by the unit ministry team, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Feb. 6-8, 2015.
This Strong Bonds event is focused on single parents and geographical bachelors with children to help build parent - child relationships, said Maj. John Jensen, brigade chaplain, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div.
“This retreat is important because being a single parent isn’t always easy, said Sgt. James Davis, artillery tactical data system specialist, Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, Regiment, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., and father to a 15-year-old.
“This retreat gives me the skills to help me to be a successful father.”
The event commenced with introductions and classes given by Maj. Jay Clark, family life chaplain, Fort Carson.
Amongst the multiple subjects taught, a few ideas seemed to be of highest importance to Clark.
Education for parents is vital to break bad habits and build on parenting skills, according to Clark.
“Many times families begin with the concept that things will eventually work out and parents feel that they’ll magically become good mothers or fathers,” Clark said, “but it doesn't really happen like that. This course is designed to help parents acquire effective parenting skills.”
It’s important for parents to begin with the end-state in mind, according to Clark.
“Families should create mission statements,” said Clark. “This allows family members to work together towards common goals.”
It’s important for parents to be the center of good leadership, teaching, and mentoring for their children, Clark said.
“Parents cannot teach what they don’t know or mentor what they’ve never practiced,” said Clark. “This course seeks to educate parents in order for them to teach their children.”
Being in the military comes with unique challenges, said Davis.
“Being in the military is demanding, time consuming, and at times takes me away from family for extended periods of time,” Davis said. “This course gives me an opportunity to see things from different perspectives to make me a stronger and wiser parent.”
The event included classes given about effective ways to build parent-child relationships.
“This course gives me hope,” said Spc. Analaura Polanco, human resources specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT, and mother to a 3-month-old son. “It’s pretty neat that the brigade even considered having the retreat.”
The event ended with a Sunday brunch in the Cheyenne Mountain Resort Mountain View Restaurant.
The IRON Brigade is committed to its families as well as single parent families and their unique family situations, said Jensen.
“I’m glad they’re committed to us,” said Polanco. “It’s good to know that single parents, like myself, are not by ourselves, and even though we’re single, we’re not alone.”
The 3rd ABCT continues to train to maintain and increase readiness for possible future operations.
| Date Taken: | 02.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2015 18:03 |
| Story ID: | 154252 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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