Boys Town North Florida’s Common Sense Parenting Classes are making a growing impact across Tallahassee, and much of that momentum can be traced back to the dedication of parent trainer Akaiba Cummings.
Since stepping into her new role just six months ago, Akaiba has made it her mission to ensure every parent and caregiver in North Florida knows these classes are free, accessible and designed to support families from every background. She has taken outreach to a whole new level by tabling at community resource fairs, posting on community calendars, visiting schools, meeting parents face to face, connecting with churches, childcare centers, therapy clinics, pediatrician offices and sharing flyers in online groups. As she explains, any place that has a population that may benefit from these classes is a place she will intentionally reach out to.
Her passion recently caught the attention of a local WTXL reporter. The reporter discovered one of Akaiba’s posts in a community group and reached out to learn more. Reporter Sloan attended a class, interviewed Akaiba and produced a feature highlighting Boys Town North Florida’s Common Sense Parenting program. She later returned to cover both the toddler course and the school-aged course, bringing even more visibility to this vital resource.
Common Sense Parenting classes welcome parents and caregivers from all walks of life. Some attend because the classes are mandated, some participate from local jails as incarcerated parents and many join voluntarily. Akaiba emphasizes that the classes are never about judgment. She explains it is not about saying someone is a bad parent. It is about enhancing the skills they already have. All children are different, and she wants parents and caregivers to know they have support and people are here to help.
The impact of these classes is already evident. One mother who completed the school-aged course loved it so much that she immediately signed up for the toddler course even though she does not have children ages zero to five. She wanted to better support her younger nieces and nephews and enhance the time she spends with them. Plus, she said she can share what she learned with her siblings. Another participant, a single father of two, drives from out of town specifically to attend in-person because of the community and encouragement he finds in the room.
Akaiba creates a welcoming, discussion-based environment rather than a lecture format. She knows showing up for the first class can feel intimidating, so she focuses on connection, practice and openness. By graduation day, parents leave not only with new skills, but with a new community.
Boys Town North Florida offers two versions of the program. The toddler course is designed for caregivers of children age zero to five. The school-aged course is designed for caregivers of children age six to 17. Both are available in person and virtually. Akaiba encourages in-person participation because of the sense of community it builds, but she ensures virtual classes remain interactive and engaging. Every course concludes with a joyful graduation celebration.
Thanks to Akaiba’s passion and the growing number of parents who are sharing their positive experiences, Boys Town North Florida’s Common Sense Parenting classes are reaching more families than ever before. With each new class, another circle of support grows.
