As a mother of five, Peg Imholte wanted to raise her children to be respectful, loving and productive human beings, so she spent a lot of time researching ways to do that.
When a former boss introduced her to Love and Logic, a curriculum that provides practical tools and techniques to help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children, she knew she had found the answer.
“I was immediately sold when I learned I could talk calmly, with respect, to my children in emotional times,” Imholte said. “It has been the most impactful class I have ever taken or taught.”
Imholte has been working with parents for more than 30 years now, teaching the principles of the Love and Logic philosophy in churches, schools, community education classes and conferences.
As a certified Love and Logic facilitator, Imholte will present two sessions for parents during the Festival of Families event Feb. 2 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell.
The Love and Logic Institute was developed more than 40 years ago and offers many resources on their website, loveandlogic.com.
Their philosophy uses humor, hope, and empathy to build up the adult/child relationship, emphasizes respect and dignity for both children and adults, provides real limits in a loving way and teaches consequences and healthy decision-making, according to the organization’s website.
During her session, “How to put the fun back into parenting with Love and Logic,” Imholte will be using the organization’s “Parenting with Love and Logic” curriculum, she said.
“While the Festival of Families is full of fun, joy and laughter, we know that parenting is not always easy,” said Christine Pinto, director of faith formation for the diocese and the festival’s organizer.
“Peg’s session will give adults the tools to foster meaningful conversations within their families and provide healthy boundaries for their children. ‘How to put the fun back into Parenting with Love and Logic,’ is one more way for parents to know they are not alone when they experience struggles and for families to grow together in love.”
Other break-out sessions for parents include financial planning for families, mental health and parenting teenagers. There will also be two sessions for parents in Spanish.
For teens, a fast-paced “Castaway”-style session will be offered and the children’s session will use a Vacation Bible School model where children will rotate through activities (Bible story, snack, music, crafts, games, etc.).
“The festival brings entire families together to provide something for everyone and that is quite a feat,” Imholte said. “It is even more important today, when family members are moving in so many different directions.”