Rosemond Interviewed in The State

Parenting expert to visit Midlands

Q&A with John Rosemond

Parenting guru John Rosemond will be the featured speaker Saturday at the Fourth Annual Early Child Care & Educational Conference, sponsored by First Steps of Lexington and Saluda counties. Here, Rosemond talks about his philosophies:
QUESTION:
How did you become a parenting expert and do you feel comfortable with that role?
ANSWER:
If “expert” means I think I know what I’m talking about, and that what I’m saying is valid, truthful and helpful, then I’m comfortable with the role. I arrived at this point — and believe me, I’m a work in progress, the Lord’s not finished with me yet — by accepting my assignment, hard work, lots of experience and lots of mistakes.
QUESTION:
What are the three most common questions you get asked?
ANSWER:
Each question is different, in its own way, but the three most common categories of questions pertain to (1) discipline problems, (2) school performance problems, (3) sleeping, eating and toilet training problems.
QUESTION:
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing parents today
ANSWER:
The challenge of figuring out, from the cacophony of competing voices in my field, who to listen to.
QUESTION:
If you could give a new parent one piece of advice, what would it be?
ANSWER:
Be a husband or a wife first, a parent second.
QUESTION:
What do you enjoy most about your job?
ANSWER:
Public speaking. It’s my sandbox, and I’m a natural ham. It’s also where I get to see, first hand, that my work is changing lives.

IF YOU’RE GOING: Rosemond’s talk at the educators’ conference at Batesburg-Leesville High School will begin at 3:20 p.m. Parents and educators who would like to attend can register by calling (803) 532-6861. Admission is $15.
— By Lezlie Patterson

Rosemond Speaks at First Steps Conference Saturday

John Rosemond, America’s most widely-read parenting authority, will be the featured speaker March 25 at the Fourth Annual Early Child Care & Educational Conference sponsored by First Steps of Lexington and Saluda Counties.Rosemond will speak on the “Three Keys to Effective Discipline” during the day-long conference for early childhood educators at Batesburg-Leesville High School.

The talk is scheduled to begin at 3:20 p.m. Parents and educators who would like to attend the Rosemond talk may register by calling Lexington County First Steps at (803) 532-6861. Admission is $15.

More than 400 educators from around the state are expected to attend the Early Care & Education Conference which features workshops and talks about current issues in early childhood instruction. The conference is hosted by Lexington County First Steps, Saluda County First Steps and the Midlands Chapter of the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children.

Rosemond is a psychologist and the author of 10 best-selling books on parenting whose syndicated column appears in The State and 200 other newspapers around the country. It is read by an estimated 10 million people weekly. He is also one of America's most in-demand public speakers, and by far the busiest in the parenting field.

In a typical year, Rosemond gives more than 200 presentations to parents, teachers, and professional groups nationwide. From 1980 to 1990, John Rosemond was in full-time private practice as a family psychologist and also taught at the Carolinas Medical Center Department of Pediatrics and Family Practice in Charlotte, NC. He now spends most of his time speaking and writing.

More Photos from Today's Bill Signing

Governor Mark Sanford (left) and former Governor Jim Hodges exchange pens at the First Steps reauthorization signing March 1, 2006.















Governor Sanford and the children of the Arthurtown Child Development Center.

Sanford, Hodges Attend First Steps Ceremonial Bill Signing

S.C. FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS ACT REAUTHORIZED THROUGH 2013

Early childhood education initiative will help SC's young children prepare for school for years to come

Columbia, S.C. - In a ceremonial bill signing, Governor Mark Sanford today signed legislation that reauthorizes First Steps to School Readiness until 2013. The signing took place at Arthurtown Child Development Center in Columbia, where Governor Sanford was joined by special guest former Governor Jim Hodges and SC First Steps Director Susan DeVenny.

"We've said from day one that if we're going to make a difference in children's lives, we have to make that difference early," Gov. Sanford said. "The fact is that far too many kids enter school without the tools they need to be successful. I think First Steps will continue to play a large role in changing that trend, and an increasingly important role given Judge Cooper's recent ruling on the need for these types of programs for at-risk children. First Steps has also succeeded in recognizing that different families have different needs, and has created choices for parents when it comes to early childhood education - something we believe is needed in the educational system as a whole."

Approved by the S.C. General Assembly in 1999, the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act was authorized through July 2007. New legislation to extend First Steps passed unanimously earlier this year in both the House and Senate and was sent to Governor Sanford's desk for signature. The Governor officially signed the new bill on February 21, 2006.

"It is exciting to see First Steps reauthorized until 2013, and to watch community partners continue to support families and young children as they prepare for school and life success," said former Governor Jim Hodges.

"Thanks to our elected leaders, First Steps can continue to play a strong role in ensuring quality, accountability, collaboration and leadership among all partners serving children and families," said First Steps Director Susan DeVenny. "Research proves that children can succeed at higher success rates, in school and in life, if they arrive at the starting gate healthy and ready to learn. First Steps' only goal is to provide local solutions for parents as they prepare their children for school success."

Since inception, First Steps has helped families prepare over 330,000 young children for school through community-based public and private partnerships. First Steps works to meet the needs of children under six through programs that strengthen families, improve children's health and well-being, increase the quality of child care and early education opportunities, and transition children successfully into kindergarten.The Arthurtown Child Development Center opened to the community in 1999, under the leadership of Vital Connections at the United Way of the Midlands. Since 2002, the center has benefited from a partnership with First Steps to help enhance the quality of life for children and area residents.