Grandparenting Class to Be Held By St. Francis Hospital

Being a grandparent can be one of the most rewarding periods of a person's life. Like parenting, it can also be one of the most challenging times. That's why there's the grandparenting class

Thursday, September 9th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Being a grandparent can be one of the most rewarding periods of a person's life. Like parenting, it can also be one of the most challenging times. That's why there's the grandparenting class 101.

Three-month-old Abby is the apple of her grandmother's eye. Patty Fargent or Nana as she's called, even stopped working full-time to help care for her grandchildren. "Raising my kids is one thing, but having a grandchild is precious," said Fargent. "That's all I can tell you, it's precious." Even so Fargent understands a lot has changed. So she and her husband are enrolling in grandparenting 101 sponsored by St. Francis hospital.

Anna Powell is a nurse and the instructor for the course. She reminds grandparents of everything from dangers that lurk in the home to how to properly communicate today with a small child and more. "The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed things like how you put a child to sleep," said Powell. "There are a 160 different models of car seats out there on the market now. Would you know which one is best for your child or grandchild?" Powell says the methods for first aid and infant CPR have also changed. And there is a wide variety of new safety devices experts recommend for the home to reduce the risk of accidents or deaths. Fargent says the improvements are important, but can be overwhelming. "I'm surprised my children are alive today," she said. "Things have changed that much."

Grandparenting 101 is designed to be educational and fun. It is an 8-hour class filled with training sessions, games and even a craft session for grandparents. The class requires a $65 dollars fee, but Fargent says it's a small price to pay for information that could save her grandchild's life. The Grandparenting 101 class will be held Saturday, September 18 at St. Francis hospital in Broken Arrow. The number to call for more information is 451-5122.