A Baptist congregation in western Estonia has completed a six-month community project aimed at supporting parents, financed by the proceeds of the country's Sõbralt Sõbrale charity shops. The project, called “Kooskasvamine” (Growing Together), ran from last November to April and is linked to the Ridala Baptist congregation in Läänemaa, where many families with children take part in Sunday school, summer camps and youth work.
The idea grew from a practical observation: families who spend their weekdays rushing between work, kindergarten and the shops need places to meet others at the same stage of life. The best-attended event was an Advent family day with more than 100 participants, where children made Advent candle holders with saws, glue and other tools alongside their parents. Two evening training sessions for parents were also held, with childcare provided so that both parents could take part.
The sessions covered couple relationships, led by family counsellors Aili and Tõnis Roosimaa, and parenting with love and boundaries, led by Karita and Meelis Kibuspuu. One theme the leaders highlighted was that a child's tantrum has two faces: deliberate defiance needs clear limits, while a child who is overwhelmed needs comfort and a calm adult nearby rather than punishment or a lecture. The simplest rule, they said, is that in any conflict the adult calms down first — and that when a parent apologises after a mistake, the relationship is restored and the child learns more about mending relationships than any reprimand could teach. Participants rated the courses highly, particularly the trainers' willingness to speak openly about their own failures, and asked for the meetings to continue. “Every purchase and every donated item in our shops becomes, through charity projects, something you cannot buy in a shop,” said Kristiina Krabi-Klanberg, Sõbralt Sõbrale's charity manager — in this case, stronger families.
(Originally published in Estonian. Summary translated by CC / Connexion.)
Source: Estonian Free Church (EKB) / Sõbralt Sõbrale — kogudused.ee/parim-kingitus-lapsele-on-vanemad-kes-hoiavad-teineteist/
