Family Advocacy offers classes for Airmen and families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Muro
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The Family Advocacy office offers a variety of classes for Team Little Rock Airmen and their families. Whether you need a way to calm anger or soothe a newborn, there is a class for you.

The Family Advocacy Office is scheduled to hold anger management classes July 14 and July 21, from 1- 4 p.m. The classes focus not only on anger management; it examines the deeper issues that cause anger.
 
"Participants learn another approach to controlling anger, how they feel about anger and ways to change their thinking about anger, leading to a more calming thought process which enhances their lives," said Lisa Dicus, the Family Advocacy Outreach manager.
 
Anger management uses cognitive behavioral techniques to address the anger cycle, conflict resolution, assertiveness skills and anger-control plans. The myths about anger are also explored in the class.
 
The Family Advocacy office also offers classes that engage families and their children, like infant baby massage. Infant baby massage sessions are scheduled for every third Thursday of the month from 10 - 11 a.m. Infant baby massage is a bonding activity between parents and children. In the class, parents are taught how to stroke the muscles of their infant by using a variety of specialized massage techniques, vocalization, eye-to-eye contact and other positive behavioral reinforcements.
 
"It's a wonderful way to spend an hour by bringing a sense of calm to you and your baby," said Dicus. Infant baby massage can benefit an infant by promoting better sleeping habits and relieving colic. Massaging an infant can also enhance an infant's immune system, motor skills and intellectual development.

The anger management and infant massage sessions are part of Leadership Pathways classes and fall under the mental and social domain.
 
For more information on anger management, infant baby massages, or other Leadership Pathways courses, contact the Family Advocacy office at (501) 987-7377 or go to www.littlerock.af.mil/leadershippathways to register.