Seminar offers helpful information to new parents

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Parents anticipating a visit from the stork can pick up a different kind of bundle of joy next week at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Bundles 'n' Books, a seminar for single parents or couples expecting babies, will be held Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the AFRC.

The bundle expecting parents will receive at the workshop includes burp cloths, receiving blankets, bibs, towelettes, washcloths, hooded towels, onesies, leaflets and a book at no cost.

The course and bundles are available to members of the Air Force, Navy and Army.
In addition to the free goodies, future moms and dads receive information about the financial and social changes that come with adding a life to the family.

"We cover so many different aspects," said Maria McIntosh, the Air Force Aid officer at the AFRC. "Between finances and couples' communication, and communicating with your newborn as well as when they grow older ... it's the carrot to get (parents) in here to educate."

The course talks about stress, changes that occur, family traditions, roles, chores and other things that parents need to realize may change, Ms. McIntosh said.

She said one thing focused on, is reminding parents that it's okay to get babysitters.

"New parents, especially, are afraid to let the child be cared for by somebody else," she said. "They're scared. Yes, everybody has that fear, but you still need a life as a couple, even as a single person. It teaches kids how to interact with other people."

However, the biggest focus of the workshop is discussing the financial changes that come with having a child.

Tom Day, community readiness consultant and personal financial management program manager at AFRC, said most parents don't have a financial plan in place.

"Maybe the young folks in the military, maybe they haven't thought about a lot of these things," Mr. Day said. "Things are going to change now, and there's going to be different priorities."

He said that having financial goals, both short term and long term, are crucial.

Mr. Day said saving for a college education would be an example of a long-term action that they can begin saving for starting now. 

"If you're going to have a child, 18 years from now is not very long before they're going to be attending college," Mr. Day said. "If they start when the child's just born or shortly thereafter, they don't have to put a lot away at once to have some money set aside for the child's education. The earlier you start, just like retirement, the better off you are."

Ms. McIntosh said many folks attend the session and realize there are many things they hadn't considered both financially as well as in communicating in their daily lives.

She said that it's important for single parents and couples to know that the AFRC is there for them and has great information to offer.

"At some point and time, it may click," Ms. McIntosh said. "Somebody will reach them. All we can do is plant the seed. It's up to them to water it and make it grow."

For more information, call 424-2486. Additional information for expecting parents is available at www.militaryonesource.com.