Mother learns to better nurture

When Nikkini Hammonds learned that her 4-year-old son had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), she knew she needed support.

The 31-year-old single mother of five boys is a resident of Artisan at Salado Creek Apartments. Former Resident Services Coordinator Janice Hardeman saw her need and referred her to the Precious Minds New Connections Nurturing Program.

The eight-week program was offered at the apartment community in collaboration with Antioch Community Transformation Network and the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation.

Topics addressed include behavior management, problem solving, and partnering in your child’s education. Discussing these topics with other parents helped Nikkini cope and learn ways to better nurture her children.

”I gained a lot of patience,” she says. “I was so used to ‘tough love,’ but I now know that it’s okay to praise your children and to deliver your messages with a lot of love and positive reinforcement.”

The young mother says that she recommends the program to all caregivers. “I’ve never lived at an apartment community that has offered so much to residents,” she says. “I’m very thankful to have found the help I needed.”