Recently I was at a meeting with parent educators who were discussing the fact that several of the parents that they visit have been suffering from what I call the “Perfect Parent Syndrome”. So many parents strive for perfection and worry about what effect each and every decision they make might have on the development of their children. Additionally, many parents suffer from “information overload”. Just google the word “parenting”... and you’ll come up with hundreds of internet sites ready to tell you just what you need to do to become the perfect parent who will produce the perfect child. Take a look in your local library or your favorite book store and you will find hundreds of books, containing thousands of tips and tricks on parenting strategies. Most books claim to have the perfect answer to your perfect parenting needs to produce those perfect children.
Our hope is that you will learn to trust your instincts! We want you to know that there is not just one “right”

way to approach any parenting situation. You are the expert on your child. No one, not your parent educator, your physician, your best friend or your own parent knows your child as well as you. We hope we can help you sift through all the information that surrounds you so that you can discover ways to handle parenting situations that feel “right” for your family. Each one of us makes mistakes in life, including parenting our children. So try not to get discouraged when you practice a new parenting strategy that doesn’t seem to work out for you or your child. There are many ways to approach the same situation.
Parenting is a journey that never ends. We will encounter joys and frustrations, successes and failures. But through it all we will strive to do our best based on what we know and what we want for our children.

Belinda Masters, Coordinator
Parents As Teachers

Messy Night
for 3 to 5 year olds!
(pre-Kindergarten)
Monday, June 2
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Cosmo Park
Burford Shelter
1615 Business Loop 70 W
Rain Date: Tuesday, June 3
 

Enjoy paints, water play, mud, sand and much more!
Wear old clothes & tennis shoes or aqua shoes.
Bring a towel and a change of clothes for your little one.
Severe weather date: Tues., June 3
If severe weather threatens:
Call the PAT Activity Line, 214-3959 after 3:00 p.m.
 Watch Channel 16
 Listen to KFRU 1400 AM or KPLA 101.5 FM for a public service announcement

Hearing & Vision
Screenings

for ages 6 months to 5 years
PAT office, 555 Vandiver.
 

Wednesday, June 25, 9:30 to 11:30 am

 Vision screening only - Tuesday, July 8, 4:00 to 6:00 pm

No appointment is necessary. Please sign in upon arrival.
No hearing & vision screenings are scheduled in May. Watch for June & July dates in next newsletter.

No appointment is necessary. Please sign in upon arrival.
Vision screening for amblyopia (‘lazy eye’) is offered through the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. A technician takes a photograph of your child’s eyes. The camera can detect vision abnormalities. The photo is examined through the Mason Eye Institute. If results are normal, the parent receives a post card in 6 to 8 weeks. If additional examination is advisable, parents will receive a letter. This screening does not take the place of a mandated eye exam, which is recommended before a child enters Kindergarten.

PAT Resource Center
Summer Hours

The Resource Center/Playroom will be closed to PAT families from June 9th through June 20th. Early Childhood Special Education will be conducting play-based assessments during those 2 weeks.
Beginning Monday, June 23rd, the Center will be open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Explore the play centers and check out toys and puzzles for your child and books on parenting topics.