If you're a parent, one of your top priorities is for your kids to grow up safe and healthy. And although advice and consultations from experts often come at a high price, St. Louis Children's Hospital offers affordable classes for both parents and kids on everything from nutrition to staying home alone. Here's some of this month's course offerings:
Babysitting 101
July 12, 19, and 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Missouri Baptist Medical Center (3015 North Ballas) and Sunset Hills Community Center (3915 S. Lindbergh)
$30 per person
Are you considering a new babysitter, or is one of your children thinking about babysitting? Enroll him or her in this class to learn best practices for child care, safety, and even the business side of babysitting.
Staying Home Alone
July 17, 6:30–8 p.m.
Sunset Hills Community Center (3915 S. Lindbergh)
$25 per family
If you're thinking about letting your kids stay home alone, bring them with you to this parent/child workshop to determine their physical, mental, social and emotional readiness.
Apples to Zucchini: Healthy Meals for Happy Kids
July 22, 6:30–8 p.m.
Dardenne Prairie City Hall (2032 Hanley)
$5 per adult
A registered dietician will teach parents how to prepare easy and healthy meals for their families, along with information on portion sizes, sample menu ideas, suggested shopping lists, and more.
Infant Massage
July 26, 10 a.m.–noon
Progress West Hospital (2 Progress Point, O'Fallon, Mo.)
$20 per parent/child, the second parent is free
Even babies love massages. New parents of infants up to 15 months old can bring their babies to learn how to soothe and relax them with touch, which also provides some sweet parent/child bonding time.