Most parents would agree that raising children is one of life's most difficult challenges. Bringing them up in a military family can be even more difficult.

The Army recognizes this reality and is full of resources to assist and support those families. The Fort Lewis New Parent Support Program is no exception.

The NPSP is a free program staffed by registered nurses and social workers that supports expectant parents and families with young children. Unlike most programs, which consider new parents to be those with children up to age 3, the Fort Lewis NPSP accepts parents who have children through 6.

"We've found that the 4 and 5 year olds have the toughest times, especially with deployments," said Diane Zumwalt, registered nurse. "They're not quite in school and they don't hit the birth-to-3 range, so we wanted to include the 4 and 5 year olds."

At a post like Fort Lewis, it should be no surprise that NPSP is growing. Soldiers are constantly coming and going, the birth rate is up, and there has been an increase in the number of special-needs children, Zumwalt said.

"Obviously, families need support and with the amount of Soldiers here, we've increased the staff just to cover families," Zumwalt said.

The nationally accredited program has been at Fort Lewis since 1995, and currently offers four classes. Each class targets a specific topic or group.

"Parenting Alone" is a weekly class that covers "topics particular to military families and a person parenting alone advocating for themselves, having fun and how to access resources in the community," according to Sol Riou, licensed social worker. Riou teaches parents how to deal with stress using mindfulness meditation - a practice that "helps parents learn how to accept reality without being over-emotional." It begins Tuesday morning and is held from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The second class, "Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers," is a nationally recognized and standardized parenting class that begins on Wednesday.

"It teaches healthy interactions with your children so they can have positive relationships," said Laurie Honan, master social worker.

"24/7 Dad," appropriately titled, is for dads only.

"It's a very fun, interactive class that will teach dads a lot about themselves and about how to be better fathers," said Marci Hales, licensed social worker.

Although "24/7 Dad" doesn't have a concrete start date yet, Hales said it will most likely be late July or early August.

The last class, "1-2-3 Magic," is a two-part class being held Aug. 4 and Aug. 11. It takes a fun, humorous look at discipline, according to licensed independent clinical social worker Sandi Vest.

"It basically teaches parents how to discipline without yelling or losing control while strengthening your relationship with your child," Vest said.

Each session is two hours long.

If a classroom isn't your ideal setting or you simply want to expand beyond it, the NPSP program also offers "Play Morning" every Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the playground across from the Clarkmoor Child Development Center. There are usually a few staff members on hand to answer questions along with plenty of toys, mats and places for babies to have tummy time, said Nancy McDermott-Halverson, registered nurse.

"It's a good way for parents to network with each other and for their children to socialize," McDermott-Halverson said.

There is no preregistration and you do not have to be enrolled in any of the classes. All you need to do is show up. During inclement weather, "Play Morning" meets inside the Summit Arena Skating Rink.

Classes are not limited to immediate military families. Honan said grandparents, custodial parents and anyone caring for military children qualify for services.

Free child care is available with preregistration, but is limited to availability.