Monday, December 21, 2009

Developing Strong Bonds


Soldiers learn parental skills for military family life; gather together for weekend retreat
By Private 1st Class Shawn Denham
101st Sustainment Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. December 18 – Soldiers and their families from the 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division attended the Strong Bonds Family Retreat in Gatlinberg, TN Dec. 18-20.
“Strong Bonds retreat is an initiative Army wide to encourage families to be equipped with relationship skills,” said Captain Michael J. Krog, chaplain for the 106th Transport Battalion, 101 Sustainment Brigade, 101 Airborne Division.
The classes teach parents how to be parents and not just friends, Krog said. The retreat focused on getting families to communicate better and deal with problems head-on. Issues such as lengthy deployments and growing up separated from family members are major concerns for Army families.
“Parents are the primary influence for values. Pass on your values to your children, and don’t hesitate to get help when needed,” Krog said.
The brigade chaplains presented slideshows and discussion groups focused on accepting changes, enhancing communication and passing on family values.
It is incredibly important to pass on your values to your kids, Krog said.
Passing on values is important to her family, said Staff Sergeant Penelope James, platoon non-commissioned officer for the Brigade Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and a single mother of two teenagers.
“I want them to think nothing negative, try to show them something positive,” she said.
A single mother of two teenagers, James said her children enjoyed the event and were eagerly discussing future events.
“I had a wonderful time and believe me, I'm going to come to more. This was just excellent, this type of stuff I think works,” James said.
“I thought it was good, especially for parents,” said Sergeant First Class Michael Bonfardine, Brigade Troops Battalion career counselor, 101st Sustainment Brigade, and father of three children.
Bonfardine said parents have a deep impact of children’s lives. “Kids are what you make of them,” he said. “Parents need to work together for structure and discipline.”

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