Meet Amy, Health & Parenting Educator
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Amy Denekamp, MA, CHES, Health and Parenting Educator
I am a Certified Health Education Specialist and trained Active Parenting Educator. I
have a BA in Psychology and Social Relations and my Master's degree in Community
Health Education. I recently took some time off from being an adjunct professor
teaching a health course for the Community Health Department of a local university.
My first experience with parenting education took place 10 years ago and was one of my
most rewarding positions. It was an internship as a parenting group facilitator for a teen
mother's program through my local American Red Cross in northern New Jersey.
I always felt I would like to work with parents since helping my mother run a daycare
business out of our home when I was younger. I also enjoyed helping care for my many
nieces and nephews over the years before finally having my own son 4 years ago.
While in graduate school obtaining my Master's in Health Education, I became a public
speaker for my county's health department. It was at this time that I had to perfect skills
for public speaking, having to speak on sensitive issues to groups of between 50 - 100
public employees.
In the late '90s, I worked for a maternal/child health organization as a Health Education
Coordinator. The position was ideal in meeting my passion to work with mothers and
children, but the organization lost funding for the position. Within months, I found myself
in the position of director of a small health organization. Being in charge of the education
and support services for a foundation helping chronically ill patients was a new and
exciting opportunity and lasted over three years, until I decided to stay home with my
newborn son.
In the almost 4 years since becoming a parent, I have had the wonderful chance to
become involved with a dynamic mothers' group, which has become a major part of my
new life. The group has provided me with so much support as a new parent, I am happy
to be able to give back to the group most recently by volunteering to speak on such
topics as discipline and school success and by running an educational subgroup.
I currently live in northeastern New Jersey with my wonderful husband of almost 12
years and our beloved son. Being parents has changed our lives for the best and
seeing we were blessed with a very active, charming, and precocious little "man," every
day can be a challenge. Learning to be the best, most effective parent I can be has
inspired me to return to my original passions of parenting education and maternal/child
health. Combining these passions, along with my own love of parenting, led to the
inspiration to develop "Healthy Family Parenting."
I can be reached directly via e-mail at amy@healthyfamilyparenting.com. You can also
e-mail me using HFP's Contact Form or clicking on "Contact Us" to the left.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and thank you for visiting HFP's site! - Amy
I am a Certified Health Education Specialist and trained Active Parenting Educator. I
have a BA in Psychology and Social Relations and my Master's degree in Community
Health Education. I recently took some time off from being an adjunct professor
teaching a health course for the Community Health Department of a local university.
My first experience with parenting education took place 10 years ago and was one of my
most rewarding positions. It was an internship as a parenting group facilitator for a teen
mother's program through my local American Red Cross in northern New Jersey.
I always felt I would like to work with parents since helping my mother run a daycare
business out of our home when I was younger. I also enjoyed helping care for my many
nieces and nephews over the years before finally having my own son 4 years ago.
While in graduate school obtaining my Master's in Health Education, I became a public
speaker for my county's health department. It was at this time that I had to perfect skills
for public speaking, having to speak on sensitive issues to groups of between 50 - 100
public employees.
In the late '90s, I worked for a maternal/child health organization as a Health Education
Coordinator. The position was ideal in meeting my passion to work with mothers and
children, but the organization lost funding for the position. Within months, I found myself
in the position of director of a small health organization. Being in charge of the education
and support services for a foundation helping chronically ill patients was a new and
exciting opportunity and lasted over three years, until I decided to stay home with my
newborn son.
In the almost 4 years since becoming a parent, I have had the wonderful chance to
become involved with a dynamic mothers' group, which has become a major part of my
new life. The group has provided me with so much support as a new parent, I am happy
to be able to give back to the group most recently by volunteering to speak on such
topics as discipline and school success and by running an educational subgroup.
I currently live in northeastern New Jersey with my wonderful husband of almost 12
years and our beloved son. Being parents has changed our lives for the best and
seeing we were blessed with a very active, charming, and precocious little "man," every
day can be a challenge. Learning to be the best, most effective parent I can be has
inspired me to return to my original passions of parenting education and maternal/child
health. Combining these passions, along with my own love of parenting, led to the
inspiration to develop "Healthy Family Parenting."
I can be reached directly via e-mail at amy@healthyfamilyparenting.com. You can also
e-mail me using HFP's Contact Form or clicking on "Contact Us" to the left.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and thank you for visiting HFP's site! - Amy
Hi! Below is some background information about my experience and qualifications. I
want it to be understood that although I have had considerable training in health and
parenting education, I am not a licensed medical professional and information provided
should never take the place of the advice of a pediatrician, physician, or therapist. Like
anyone else, I am really only an expert at knowing my own child and some days that is
even harder than other days, so I try to learn from my mistakes and gain insight from my
experiences. I realize I am not perfect and forgive myself.
Someone told me once that parenting is an art, not a science - there are no set rules
and it's very important to be flexible. We must learn to listen to our instincts in shaping
our most precious pieces of artwork. Every child is unique and every situation is
different, and things can change from week to week, day to day. What worked yesterday
might not help at all today. Like with any job, though, acquiring skills to help you along
the way is important to keep you on track. Parenting is probably the toughest job you
will ever have. Just remember to keep your cool and you'll get through the most trying
times. Meanwhile, you're welcome to join me as we learn more about ourselves and our
families along this journey, or should I say roller coaster ride, called parenthood. - Amy
want it to be understood that although I have had considerable training in health and
parenting education, I am not a licensed medical professional and information provided
should never take the place of the advice of a pediatrician, physician, or therapist. Like
anyone else, I am really only an expert at knowing my own child and some days that is
even harder than other days, so I try to learn from my mistakes and gain insight from my
experiences. I realize I am not perfect and forgive myself.
Someone told me once that parenting is an art, not a science - there are no set rules
and it's very important to be flexible. We must learn to listen to our instincts in shaping
our most precious pieces of artwork. Every child is unique and every situation is
different, and things can change from week to week, day to day. What worked yesterday
might not help at all today. Like with any job, though, acquiring skills to help you along
the way is important to keep you on track. Parenting is probably the toughest job you
will ever have. Just remember to keep your cool and you'll get through the most trying
times. Meanwhile, you're welcome to join me as we learn more about ourselves and our
families along this journey, or should I say roller coaster ride, called parenthood. - Amy