Newsletter: Golf, Skating & Parenting

Join us for our 6th Annual Golf Outing!

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Dana's Training Debut

Our newest trainer, Dana Guentter, led her very first Common Sense Parenting series at our Host Partner, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kenwood!

When we were hiring for this position last summer, our Common Sense Parenting Director, Natasha Howard, had one wish: to hire someone who engages with toddlers and preschoolers regularly. God brought us Dana, who works part-time as a preschool teacher. She is immersed in the lives of toddlers and preschoolers three days a week! God knew exactly WHO we needed. We are thrilled that Dana has joined our training team! Dana and her husband, Matt, have four teen and young adult children. She is truly gifted in listening to parents, honoring where they're at, and encouraging them to keep persevering in their parenting. 

Here's what Dana had to say about her new role as a T&T trainer:
"My heart is to partner with parents and caregivers to build strong families and support their kids in a loving and safe environment!"  

God continues to bless our team with the right people at the right time!

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Family Skating Party

We invited all parents and caregivers who have taken a Tried & True class to bring their families to a FREE roller skating and pizza party. We had alumni from year one and year twelve! In total, 250 people joined us!  Here are the highlights:

🛼 167 roller skate rentals

🍕 540 slices of pizza eaten

🍪 450 cookies consumed 

⌚️ Over 20,000 steps for the day. Okay, we made that one up, but we definitely got a workout!

❤️ Countless updates and wonderful reconnections

"I had such a great time at the T&T alumni event on Sunday! Seeing my instructors and some of my fellow classmates again was a great reminder of the wonderful lessons I took from the classes I got to participate in. I have done both Common Sense Parenting and TBRI. It’s been an incredible encouragement to see the warm and familiar faces and remember that I am not alone in this parenting adventure! We’re all on this journey together." ~T&T Alumni

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The Little Girl In Me
A story from a Mom in our recent Making Sense of Your Worth class

"I LOVE how you have described Jesus as a gentleman. I have revisited this thought many times in the past week. Thank you for giving your time and hearts to help us become our authentic selves. Thank you for leading us, for praying for us, for encouraging us, for valuing us. 
I know I have so much work to do to let go of all the lies, but I know it is worth it. I know I will get to the place someday with all these truths replacing all of the ugly. This work is worth doing because I want to stop the generational trauma for those that need it as much as I did as a little girl. This work has been hard and heavy, but oh so very good!"

*Thank you to Northstar Community Church for sponsoring this series!

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Your generous giving enables this work and allows us to offer hope to families! Thank you!

TRIED & TRUE TEAM

(left to right) Amy Carlisle, Julie Hellyer, Sara Riebesel, Tara Holman, Courtney Schreiner, Dana Guentter, Natasha Howard, Jen Powers, Gail Cicak

This newsletter was sent to all newsletter subscribers on March 3, 2026.

God is Renewing Families Across the City!

Tried & True Parenting Newsletter # 45  View this email in your browser A YEAR IN REVIEW By Gail Cicak, Executive Director   We have seen the Lord work in amazing ways this year! Our word for this year is “Renew,” to make new again, often through transformation, the restoration of strength. We get to see God renew and strengthen parents, caregivers and families as we offer hope through our parenting classes. In 2025, we were able to: Train 106 new parents and caregivers Host four Connect Events for anyone who has ever taken a Tried & True class. We invited their families to a roller skating party and petting zoo, and equipped parents through two educational sessions called "Connecting with Teens" and "Parenting in a Tech World" (see below). Hire two new Trainers ~ Tara Holman and Dana Guentter Add one new Board member ~ Brian Hubers Click here to read about our new team members! Our anticipation is building as we head into 2026! We are excited to see how God is going to continue to expand the depth and breadth of the work He has called us to, as He continues to renew families across the city. Glory be to God! CLASS UPDATES God faithfully equips us for what He calls us to. We get to share this truth as we offer parents and caregivers tools that come from a place of love, connection and God’s heart for parents and their kiddos. Parenting is the hardest job there is! And it’s the most important. Nothing is more important than being one of God’s tools to raise a human soul. In Tried & True, we have the privilege of offering hope to families and encouraging them on their parenting journey.   "The Common Sense Parenting class put valuable tools in our tool belt. I loved being able to have the chance to practice the skills in real time and then come back to the class the next week to discuss the wins (and sometimes fails) with the instructors and other participants. I would highly recommend this class to others!" Joy & Noah Woodruff, CSP Alumni PARENTING IN A TECH WORLD We invited local speaker and author, Daniel McKee, to speak with our Alumni about how to navigate the digital age with our kiddos, young and old. Here are some of our takeaways! 🔨 Tech is neither evil nor awesome; it is a tool that speeds up what the heart is already looking for (can be good or harmful).  ❤️ The most important thing we can do is shepherd the hearts of our children, so they make good choices with tech.  ⏰ We can set time limits for tech in our homes, and we can eliminate secrecy of tech as a safeguard. Practical tip: Set up boundaries in your home such as no phones in bedrooms or bathrooms. 🎨 We can move toward connecting with our children and encouraging creativity. Practical tip: Is there a new skill your child can learn that can replace time spent on technology? Can your family choose to play games or cards instead of being on phones?   📝 We can teach our kids to honor God, others, our family, and their future selves in how they use their phones. Practical tip: Introduce a tech contract identifying appropriate ways to use technology. Click here for an example!  🎯 We want to teach and equip our children to be able to self-regulate their tech use at age 18. This is the goal! WHAT'S AHEAD IN 2026 More parenting classes More ongoing education sessions for Alumni parents and caregivers, as well as events prioritizing fun and connection with their children More time dedicated to offering hope to families We’re praying to bring on more like-minded Partners to reach even more families We are asking God to provide the finances necessary to offer hope to more families. Will you help us love and equip even more families? Click here to Give to Tried & True! TRIED & TRUE TEAM (left to right) Amy Carlisle, Julie Hellyer, Sara Riebesel, Tara Holman, Courtney Schreiner, Dana Guentter, Natasha Howard, Jen Powers, Gail Cicak Comment Back to Top Every family has obstacles. Every family is important. Every family is unique. Every family can have hope. Contact Us 8118 Corporate Way, Suite 103 Mason, Ohio 45040 ©2025 Tried & True. All rights reserved. Tried & True Parenting, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit.