BUILDING CHURCH LINKS
PARENTING COURSES
……..AND CHURCHES
The courses are not overtly Christian in any
way and are used by professionals and those
working with parents in many contexts. We recognise that helping
A NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES
parents improve their family relationships is very valuable and makes a
difference that in itself is worthwhile. I’ve been involved in writing an
There are many parents who are struggling with the challenges of
extra session looking at ‘Family Values and Spiritual Development’
bringing up their children in today’s demanding world. As churches we
which has proved very popular. It is interactive and not ‘preachy’ but
can have a significant role to play in coming alongside and giving
opens up questions, raising topics that are important to parents. Here
support. Many churches run toddler groups or nursery school facilities.
are some comments
They already have good contact with parents and carers in their
* ‘It was one of the most useful sessions of the course’,
locality and help with advice, a listening ear and encouragement.
* ‘I need to find out more‘
Running a parenting course is a good way of taking this a step further.
* ‘Can I bring the children on Sunday?’
Last time the biggest problem was getting people to go home at the
end of the evening!!
The course

already doing
I have enjoyed running courses in various

work with parents. Where appropriate I’m happy
to share my experiences and talk with anyone
thinking of leading a course, to give some suggestions and answer
questions. If I can offer support I’d love to. Believe me this really is
Please let me know if I can be of any help either by email
l.ollerton@btinternet.com or by phone 02920 752226.
Liz Ollerton
provides a reassuring environment where
parents can learn new skills
situations and have completed further training to
‘do-able’.
recognizes the good things parents are

encourages changes that might help
Parents really appreciate the opportunity to talk and build
relationships of trust with those running the course.
We have been
able to develop the existing relationships with parents, get to know new
folk and build links to other church activities which the parents may want
to be involved in as well.
GOOD MATERIALS
The Leader’s manual presents the material in an easy to use format.
Several good parenting programmes are currently available; one
The style is interactive with lots of discussion, small
example amongst others would be the Positive Parenting Courses.
They include
Time out for Parents (0-10 years)
Time out for Teens (for parents of teenagers)
Time out for Special Needs (parenting a special needs child)
group work, brainstorming, problem solving and visual
aids. The course, based around overhead projector
slides and flip chart work, is lively and very flexible.
Each session lasts about 90 minutes. The course is
designed to boost parent’s confidence and improve
their relationship with their children.
For details about Positive Parenting see www.parenting.org.uk
They are very helpful on the phone (023 92528787) or by email
info@parenting.org.uk if you have queries.
They also run training days which are excellent.
The Time out for Teens course is
really good to use and the feedback
has
been
encouraging.
Time out for Parents has 5 basic sessions

What children really need

Developing emotional security

Setting loving limits

Keeping Safe

Problem solving
appreciative
and
It’s great to have a
resource that meets people’s needs
and helps them to see how their
family life might be improved (without being heavy handed). This can
seem like a very scary thing to take on, but was one of the most
rewarding, and some homes are significantly happier places I’m told!