Family Advocacy eases parenting stuggles Published April 14, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Brittany Barker 23rd Wing Public Affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Last month, my 13-month-old reached for a dime that was laying on our coffee table and put it into her mouth. I rushed over, fished the change out with my finger and was about to tell her "No," but she beat me to it. My daughter instantly looked at me with anger in her eyes and screamed, "No!" She then threw herself to the ground with tears filling her eyes as the screaming escalated. I marked that day on the calendar, as the day my little angel had her first tantrum, undoubtedly, the first of many yet to come. Being a mother is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life, but can sometimes be very stressful. From tantrums and potty training to discipline and report cards, parenting is no easy task. Military families don't always have the support of their spouse due to deployments or TDYs. Many Airmen are stationed away from their hometowns and families, so they don't have that natural support system either. Even though I grew up thinking I would never be like my mother, I have often wished I had her around to guide me through this journey known as parenthood. I have found, however, there are many Air Force programs that offer assistance to parents who may feel overlooked. I have taken three classes through the base, Great Expectations, Fit Mom and Bundles for Babies. My experiences in all of these classes were great and very informative. I learned everything from the value of a healthy diet during pregnancy to properly changing diapers once my little bundle had arrived. The Family Advocacy Office offers an array of parenting classes, including tips and advice for pregnancy and new parents, as well as parenting advice for raising toddlers all the way through the teenage years. For more information or to attend a future class, contact Family Advocacy at 257-4805.