United Action for Youth- Teen Parent Program

01/24/2012

Children spell love T-I-M-E. -Dr. Anthony P. Witham

Every moment you are with them, even just walking into daycare, rushing through the store, or putting them to bed, is precious to them. How do we take advantage of those moments when we are busy, tired and stressed?

01/11/2012

"Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."
-Anonymous..One of your child's favorite things to do is watch you, mom and dad, and practice being just like you! If you haven't seen the video below of newborns imitating their parents' facial expressions only hours after birth, it is pretty amazing. Check it out!

12/19/2011

"If there is anything we wish to change in a child, we should first see if it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves." ~Carl Jung

12/14/2011

The power of touch...powerful stuff:

“He’s doing things dead babies don’t do — you might want to come see this!” Kate Ogg told doctors who had declared her premature baby dead. After the Australian mom held him to her body for two hours in a method called “kangaroo care,” the infant stirred to life.

12/13/2011

"Each time I come to understand something about one of my children, I also learn something about myself and the child that I once was, and that knowledge acts as a guide for me. When I am able to empathize and feel compassion for a child’s pain, when I am accepting of the contrary, irritating, exasperating behaviors that my children can manifest, try on, experiment with- this healing power of unconditional love heals me as it nourishes them. As they grow, I grow. My transformations are inside."
-Jon Kabat Zinn

12/12/2011

Happy Monday everyone!
Just one of the amazing abilities of your newborn....thanks to Meltzoff (Meltzoff & Moore, 1983), we now know just how sensitive and aware these little ones are (note- this baby is not doing this consciously, yet he has an innate response to mimic the expression of his dad)...check out the video!

Ten-minute old newborn doing tongue-protrusion and mouth-opening, ala Meltzoff experiments.

12/09/2011

SUCCESSFUL CLOTHING DRIVE YESTERDAY! Over 257 youth received clothes....coats, jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry, winter accessories, shoes....the youth center was a busy place yesterday, and it was a beautiful sight. Hope you came out and joined us for a bit!

12/02/2011

FREE CLOTHING FOR TEENS! UAY Clothing Drive next week, December 8 2-7 P.M. at the Youth Center (355 Iowa Ave Iowa City, IA)! If you'd like to donate gently used teen clothes, feel free to drop them off at the Youth Center December 5, 6 and 7 from 10-5. Looking forward to seeing you!

11/01/2011

19-year-old Texas mom ready to graduate from college with honors and hopes to promote more success like her own as a public school teacher. Here's to acknowledging and celebrating the beautiful stories and lives that teen parents are working hard to create!

The young mother became pregnant at age 14. She says she didn't get much support from her mother - an alcoholic - and her father wasn't sure how to handle a pregnant teen or a baby.

11/01/2011

Thanks for visiting us! We're just getting started up here, but check back soon for upcoming events and other interesting posts! Hope you all enjoyed your Halloween!