Family Conference to provide information, strategies Published April 2, 2015 By Joanne Perkins Kirtland Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Creating strong family bonds and successfully raising children isn't often a simple task, but members of Team Kirtland are hoping to make it just a little easier by hosting "The Family Conference," April 18 at the Base Chapel. "I consider the family bond the most critical of all," said Chrisan Smith, Family Advocacy prevention program manager and conference coordinator. "Without healthy relationships at home, everything else in one's life suffers." Smith, who hosts weekly play groups and teaches classes on anger management, family bonds and positive parenting, has been conducting surveys and is structuring the conference to meet the most common needs of Kirtland families. Each person can attend three sessions from a wide range of topics, including positive discipline, total family health, effective communication, parent modules that work, cooking with kids, infant brain development and sibling rivalry. More than a dozen classes will be led by subject matter experts from Kirtland and the local community. Sessions will be held for all members of the family, regardless of age. Classes provided for kids include safe dating, bullying and understanding money. The curriculum has been developed specifically for ages 6-10 and 11-18. "Knowing that kids are often resistant to attending 'classes' on the weekend, a special effort has been made to make the sessions entertaining and fun," Smith said. The chapel will provide early childhood education childcare for families with children age 6 and under. "We want to make it possible for all families to attend," Smith said. Registration and class sign ups are at 8:30 a.m. with classes running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At noon there will be a break in the action, as the chapel will host a luncheon featuring a keynote speaker. For more information or to sign up, contact Rebecca Auringer at 846-2411.