A New Woodlands daughter told her mom “I’m proud of you” and a Woodlands mother had bonded with her daughter, while doing her parent course homework.
These were some of the moments shared on completion of a seven-week positive parenting skills training from July 28 until Thursday September 8, at Lentegeur library.
The Parent Centre, a non-profit organisation initially aimed as a primary prevention project to reduce the incidents of child abuse through the promotion of positive parenting and effective child management practices that would enhance the well-being and self-esteem of parents and children, empowered dozens of parents with tools to deal better with their children’s behaviour.
Facilitators Berenice Scott, a parent education facilitator and certified life coach and Ester Wilson, a social worker and education facilitator, were proud to hear about the participants’ achievements.
Natasha Papier, 63, beamed from ear to ear, during the last feedback session.
She said attending the course made her feel good. “I can stand bold. Say my say,” she said.
Ms Papier lives with her husband, their two daughters and their five children.
“Almal saam in die huis. Nine people in the house. There had been a situation based on the manner in which it was managed. I did not cross. My daughter said to me ‘I’m proud of you’,” she said.
Lizelle Gordon, 41, lives in a backyard with her three children, aged 22, 18 and 16; and her sister’s four children, whom she fostered.
She was sitting in Lentegeur clinic when Ms Scott was recruiting participants for the course.
Being the oldest of her siblings, Ms Gordon had always been the carer and dropped out of school early.
During the early days she battled because she could not read or write.
As the course progressed she enlisted the help of her youngest daughter to help with her parent course homework.
“Doing my parents’ homework was our quality time,” she said.
Ms Scott said raising children is challenging.
“Some are more challenging than others. We as an organisation try to assist and guide parents in effective, positive ways to deal and manage their children. To understand why children act out.
“In the training participants learn about factors that affect children’s behaviour and about managing their own behaviour
“They unlearn the mistakes and unhelpful ways that were used as they interacted and raised their children and then they relearn new ways of thinking and behaving that will benefit their children and themselves and help them grow and develop and reach their potential. It’s called a process of growth,” she said.
Participants learnt to understand their children’s behaviour; how to listen to their feelings; build their self-esteem; assertiveness and to engage co-operatively; they learnt about effective discipline; problem-solving techniques, values and family meetings.