Moms-R-Us

Program Goals

• reduce infant mortality through early intervention and education
• increase family bonds by utilizing a support group atmosphere
• reduce repeat pregnancies through continuing education
• reduce child abuse through parenting education
• improve parenting skills for mother and other support person
• increase parent's awareness of child development through parenting classes on nutrition, social interaction, growth, and development
• decrease teen drop out rate and improve career development by encouraging teens to return to back to school or obtain a job

The development of parenting skills is emphasized. This support continues throughout the first two years of her child's life. The group process is utilized to encourage, support and teach the teen mother various skills and decision-making methods.

Throughout the program, each participant receives individualized referrals to whatever assistance she may need. A full array of services to each teen is provided, including job training, employment information and daycare options. These teen mothers are given top priority in the YWCA Children's Center.

The focus is on the unique parenting skills young parents need to raise health, happy children. Classes for teen parents will meet after school for 90 minutes once a week for twelve weeks at the Bristol Family Resource Center. The class is open to all pregnant and parenting teens. Babies are invited to come, too!

Topics include age appropriate discipline, importance of time and play, handling frustrations properly, how to be a parent while living with your parents, budgeting, stress reduction, relationships, first aid.

Continuing Support Group

All graduates of the Parenting Program are invited to  continue meeting once a month to discuss topics and participate in workshops such as: Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships, Workforce Development classes, including; Job Readiness, Basic Computer Courses, Budgeting and Child Development.

Link to Job Readiness

Link to Women's Economic Development

This program is designed to assist the pregnant teenager through pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. Each class is grouped according to their delivery dates. It usually meets one afternoon a week after school for 90 minutes at the YWCA. Mothers must be 19 years of age or younger. Fathers, family, and friends are welcome to participate in all classes.

Students will learn the physical and mental changes they will experience, as well as good nutrition habits and the negative effects of drugs and alcohol. We will prepare the mothers for the labor and delivery of their child with breathing techniques and coping skills, options for medications, and the first few weeks at home after delivery. Participants will also learn how to recognize the warning signs of various problems, premature labor, false labor, true labor, and knowing when to go to the hospital.

The YW maintains a library for all participants, donated by La Leche League of Bristol TN/VA. La Leche League of Bristol TN/VA is a mom to mom breastfeeding information and support group. They have monthly meetings on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm in the YWCA Adult Care Room. For more information or immediate help call: Samantha 423-878-8359 or Sara 423-764-1548. The YWCA provides free car seats for those who attend every class. Maternity clothes are available, along with basic baby needs, such as bottles, one sizes, etc....

"When my husband and I found out I was pregnant, we got referred by my HUG nurse from the Health Department to the Moms-R-Us program. We started with the Labor & Delivery classes at the YWCA. One of the things that helped me out during labor was the fact that I wasn't scared, the reason is because the classes talked about everything that was going on! I felt more prepared! Then our Angel was born on October 17, 2000. She weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 18 inches long!"

"We moved right into parenting classes which continued to help out because we found out a lot of good information on how to take care of our baby. We still enjoy coming to the classes today and we enjoy seeing the other babies."

- Chrystal

"When my wife and I started the classes I was the only father in the class, so I really tried to pay attention to everything that was going on. I believe the classes helped us become better parents and to be prepared when the baby came. They taught me how to change diapers, give babies baths, how to give a baby CPR, and what to do if they are choking, and a lot of to the things that we didn't know how to do. We still like going and now we play with each others babies."

- Wes

Moms-R-Us Resource Library