Parent Cafés
Love Is Not Enough Parent Cafés will change your life and strengthen your family! These three evenings of conversation deal with topics that are important to every parent:
1. Taking Care of Yourself
2. Being a Strong Parent
3. Building Strong Relationships with Your Children
Parent Cafés were created by Strengthening Families Illinois (SFI).
Are Parent Cafés for me?
Are you a parent, grandparent, or other person who is actively involved in raising a child? If so, the answer is “yes”! Special cafés are organized for teens, fathers, foster parents, grandparents, and others. Materials and support are available in English and Spanish.
Where do they take place?
At daycare centers, schools, community organizations, churches, businesses—places where parents feel welcome. Upcoming Parent Cafés are listed in the calendar at right.
Are they free?
Yes! Parent Cafés are free for participants.
Is there childcare? Food?
Yes! The sponsoring organization provides childcare and food to participants.
How are they different from regular conversations?
At the Parent Café, parents use a tried-and-true process and set of questions to draw out the thoughts, feelings, and experiences they need to talk about. Having these conversations helps build six protective factors that keep your family strong. Most important, the Parent Café process includes follow-up, leading to real change in your life, your family, and your community.
Will I feel safe talking about difficult things?
Parent Cafés are all about bringing difficult situations and emotions to the surface, bearing witness to each other, and building the strength we need to be good parents. To make sure that happens, Parent Cafés create a safe environment where participants:
- Speak from their own experience, using “I” statements
- Listen attentively and don’t interrupt
- Don’t put down themselves or others
- Refrain from giving advice
- Keep confidentiality
Couples and parents who know each other join separate conversation groups so they can speak freely and get a fresh perspective.
Who leads Parent Cafés?
Trained Parent Hosts help everyone get the most out of the conversation. Parents also organize, facilitate, and plan Parent Cafés and train other parent leaders. If you are a parent, you can become a trained, paid parent leader through Strengthening Families Illinois. Learn more here!
Who sponsors Parent Cafés?
Parent Cafés are sponsored by organizations and businesses that want to promote parent engagement and strengthen families. SFI can provide you with a team of trained parent leaders and all the materials needed to provide Parent Cafés, as well as training parents in your community. The series of Parent Cafés starts at $2,000.
Go to a Parent Café—find one on our calendar at right!