How many times in your marriage, or after you became a parent, have you said, ‘I wish I had an instruction manual, because this is hard work and not what I expected!’ Well, by now you’ve probably figured out there’s not a manual, but you’re not alone in the questions you have about the roles you play in your family. In an effort to help you be a better spouse and parent, Maplewood Baptist Church in Yadkinville, NC, is hosting a parenting conference with Dr. Shannon Warden, Director of Counseling and Director of Women’s Ministries at Triad Baptist Church. She is co-author, with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the popular book, The 5 Love Languages, of The DIY Guide to Building A Family That Lasts…12 Tools for Improving Your Home Life.
Addressing Those Questions That You Ask Every Day
Dr. Shannon Warden knows a lot about the topics she will be addressing in her parenting conference. Dr. Warden has many roles in her personal life, from wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend to her professional life of being a licensed professional counselor, so keeping life in balance is something she knows about for sure, and has a vision for what she does.
“I genuinely enjoy encouraging people, especially couples and families, to be their best selves and to build healthy, happy relationships. This comes through my books, public speaking, social media, and day-to-day interactions. It’s usually a blend of counseling, Biblical truths, and humor. With the upcoming parenting conference at Maplewood Baptist Church, my hope is to encourage and equip you with relationship-building insights and tools, so you can DIY(“Do It Yourself”) and be better able to make the changes that you’re trying to make in your relationships. You may already have great relationship-building tools and abilities, in which case I’m affirming and cheerleading you on as you work to maintain healthy, happy relationships. Or, you may be in a tough season of life and struggling with one or more relationships, and so I hope to inspire you and provide you with practical ideas that can help you and your loved ones get your relationships back on track,” explained Dr. Warden.
The parenting conference will offer practical tools and encouragement, all from The DIY Guide to Building a Family That Lasts, beneficial to parents of children of all ages. “We’ll have fun and laugh, but also focus in on a few specific areas of home life that parents can improve in with even just a little effort; I want parents to feel like, ‘I can do it!’ I want them to hear relatable stories and ‘real people’ strategies for stepping up their parenting skills and helping their children succeed at home and beyond,” Dr. Warden commented. Taking a realistic look at today’s family dynamics will also be addressed at the conference.
“Parents are busy and stressed. They want happier homes, but often feel like failures. Then there’s the guilt and regrets that plague so many…what they wish they’d done. The DIY book and the parenting conference are about helping parents see that they actually can make change and the little changes add up over time to accomplish lasting change. So instead of unrealistic goals and impractical steps, we are focusing on realistic goals and practical tools and steps that can help any parent see results in themselves and in their home life. Maplewood Baptist Church is a great partner with me in this conference. Pastor Jimmy Lancaster has a heart for parents and families, not only at his church, but in the community. Rather than hoping that parents get what they need, Pastor Lancaster and Maplewood Baptist Church are taking action, reaching out, and inviting parents to come, be encouraged, and leave equipped for better relationships at home,” stated Dr. Warden.
The parenting conference is on Saturday, March 14th, 2020,* at Maplewood Baptist Church, off Hwy 421, exit #256, Unifi Industrial Road, Yadkinville, NC. Doors open at 8 am, with light refreshments served before the first session at 8:45 am, and the conference lasts until noon. The cost is $10 per couple or $5 for an individual, collected at the conference. Childcare (infants through 2nd grade) will be provided. Please indicate if you plan to bring your child/children, and their ages. To register, visit www.maplewoodbc.org or call the church office at 336-679-3555, Mon. & Wed. 9 am-5 pm; Tues. & Thurs. 2 pm-5 pm.
*Register early for the conference and be entered to win one of two free book bundles. Each bundle includes the following three books, Things I Wish I’d Known before We Became Parents, The DIY Guide to Building a Family That Lasts, and The 5 Love Languages, autographed by the authors.
