MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Expecting your first child, interested in infant massage and baby sign language, or need new ideas for dealing with your toddler’s temper tantrums?
The New Parent Support Program here offers support services such as prenatal and postpartum support, parenting classes, home visitations and counseling services for military families with children from birth through 5 years of age.
“The purpose of the program is to provide support, not only for new parents, give plenty of information and offer counseling services,” said Rafiah MeeKins, a home visitor for the New Parent Support Program.
The program offers a wide range of classes, including a childbirth education series, parenting and safety classes, and meetings for parents and children to socialize.
“Our play mornings are the most utilized of all the classes and services we offer,” said MeeKins. “There are crafts and songs, and it’s very interactive. Sometimes we get up to 50 children participating.”
Play mornings are held every Tuesday 10 – 11:30 a.m. in the community room of Building 656. A copy of the child’s immunization record is required for participation.
Another popular class is the childbirth education series. It is a three-class series that covers stages of labor, comfort measures, labor positions, breathing and relaxing techniques, birth plans and much more.
“My wife knew a lot of the information from the first class already from reading What to Expect When Expecting and browsing the Internet, but the information on labor experience isn’t always something you can read about and will be very helpful for us,” said Staff Sgt. Michael K. Kropiewnicki, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge at Combat Camera here who is expecting his first child.
New Parent Support Program personnel are qualified and experienced to fulfill all family needs and offer a comfortable environment for anyone needing assistance.
“All employees must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and be certified,” said MeeKins. “They must also have some history in maternal healthcare, have counseling experience and plenty of interaction with children.”
The New Parent Support Program office is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. every Monday through Friday and is located on the second floor of Building 411.
However, personnel are on call 24 hours a day to provide assistance, education and support to military families.
“We are like aunties. We’re here to help out whenever we can,” said MeeKins.
For more information or to sign up for an upcoming class, call the New Parent Support Program at 253-5553.