Flourishing Families
Free three-session workshop designed to help families in our local community navigate real-world topics around technology, conflict, and mental health for children and teens. Childcare is provided.
Navigating Kids and Technology
How much screen time should we allow? Is this the right age for a phone? What about the things they're seeing that they're not ready for? How do we keep them safe online? These are the questions we'll work through.
Managing Conflict in the Home
Conflict at home wears you down in a way that's hard to explain to anyone outside the house. This evening is about the arguments that seem to be on repeat, doing damage control when tempers get out of hand, and finding words that turn a disagreement into a conversation before it becomes a fight.
Child and Teen Mental Health and Wellness
A family physician and a licensed counselor, taking the same questions from two directions. How to tell a mental health struggle from a behavior problem, and how to talk with your kid or teen about what you're seeing at home.
9/20, 9/27, and 10/4
975 Fern Ridge Rd SE
Stayton, OR 97383
Birth to 11 years
What parents are up against
If parenting feels harder than it used to, you aren't alone.
It isn't nostalgia. Seven in ten parents say raising kids is harder now than it was a generation ago, and technology sits near the top of the reasons they give.
Pew Research Center75% of parents name screen time as a top concern.
When two thousand parents ranked what worries them about their children's health, social media and screen time came first and second — ahead of diet, bullying and school safety.
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll, 202580% of parents are ready to talk. Only 52% of teens are.
Parents overwhelmingly say they're comfortable discussing mental health with their teenager. Barely half of teenagers say the same about talking to their parents. If open conversation with your kid feels like hitting a brick wall, plenty of other parents are hitting the same one.
Pew Research Center, 2024In a world this connected, parenting feels more isolated than ever.
There is no shortage of parenting advice online. What's harder to find is local parents in the same season as you, who you can be honest with.
Three evenings, three sets of experts, and a table of parents asking what you're asking.
Nearly four in five parents say they want opportunities to connect with other parents outside of work and home. If you're one of the many in our community looking for that, we've got a seat for you.
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 2024Come hear the experts talk and meet others in our community, just like you.
Free snacks and childcare provided for children from birth to 11 years old.
Save your seatRegistered? Here's what to expect.
Where to park, where your kids will be, and where to go from there.
Meet the speakers
Sam teaches Bible, theology, and ministry and has spent more than thirty years in church ministry across California, Oregon, and Washington. Dr. Baker is a member of the Society of Professors of Christian Education (SPCE), the Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME), and the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM). His research focuses on how technology shapes faith and development. He and his wife Alyson have two grown daughters and two grandkids.
Tyler Butenschoen is the Lead Pastor of Foothills Church in Stayton, Oregon. He has served at Foothills for 19 years in various roles. Tyler and his wife, Stacey, have four children—middle school through college age—and are deeply invested in building a healthy family. Tyler loves to golf, coach youth sports, and is a budding pickleball player.
Dr. Guesly Dessieux practices medicine at Santiam Hospital with a primary specialty in Family Medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Health Sciences Osteopathic Medical School; Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Dessieux is married and has three teenage children. The Dessieux family has lived in Stayton for several years and is active in sports, church, and the community.
Jack Lander is a Counselor, MA, and LPC Intern based in Salem, Oregon. He serves individuals across various age groups, including toddlers (1 to 3), children (5 to 10), preteens (10 to 13), teens (13 to 18), and adults (18 to 65). Jack specializes in supporting clients with concerns such as anxiety and parenting. Jack and his wife, Katie, have two children and are active in their community and church in the Salem area. Jack loves hunting and fishing in his free time.
Frequently asked questions
I know the sessions are free, but do I need to pay for childcare?
No, this event is completely free. Foothills Church will provide background-checked and approved childcare staff at no cost, along with refreshments and light snacks.
Do I have to attend all three sessions?
No. While we encourage you to attend all three sessions, you can choose to attend what works with your family's schedule. The more you can attend, however, the more connected you will get with your table group, which will stay the same through all three sessions.
Do I need to be a member of Foothills or have a biblical background?
No. This event is open to anyone in the community, regardless of church background. You are welcome as you are.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes. We expect that some families may not have childcare, so we are providing childcare to parents and caregivers that sign up and attend. When you register, you'll be asked to list the names and ages (up to 11 years old) of children you will be bringing with you.
Is this for both parents, or can I come alone?
Either. Come together if you can, or on your own if that's easier. Single parents, grandparents raising kids, and anyone in a parenting role are all welcome.
Will I have to share personal things at my table?
No. Table hosts offer questions to get conversation started, but you can listen as much as you'd like. Nobody will put you on the spot. We do encourage you to open up to those at your table, however, as transparency can forge strong connections with other parents and caregivers.
What if my kids are much older or younger than the topics suggest?
The topics apply across ages, and the table conversation naturally covers different stages. Hearing from parents a few years ahead of you is often the most helpful part.
Who are the speakers?
Each session features guest speaker(s) with real experience in that topic. You can read a bit more about our speakers in the section above in “Meet the Speakers”.
Where do these sessions take place?
All three sessions will happen at Foothills Church, located at 975 Fern Ridge Rd SE, Stayton, OR 97383.
Do I need to register in advance?
Yes, we encourage pre-registration as this allows us to make sure we have an adequate number of seats, childcare workers, and snacks available.
Do I need to register individually for all three sessions?
No—just one registration is sufficient. There will be a place on your registration form to indicate which sessions you are able to attend. We do encourage you to attend all three though if you are able!
What happens when all three sessions are finished?
You will be given materials and resources to keep these conversations going at home in your households. If you are looking for more support or ways to connect further, we offer many different groups and resources that we can help you get plugged into at Foothills!
Who can I contact with questions?
If you are looking for more information, you can send an email to our Discipleship Pastor, Conner Locke, at conner@foothillsstayton.org.
Bring someone with you
You don't need to come alone. If you know a friend, a co-worker, a family member, or a neighbor that would benefit from this free parenting workshop, invite them. All are welcome.
Let's learn how to parent better, together.
Learn from experts and discuss with others in your community just like you. September 20, September 27, and October 4, 4:30 to 6:00 PM at Foothills Church. Free, with snacks and childcare. Register once for all three sessions.