Parenting Courses

Course 1: Parenting From the Inside Out

Course Background

Caring for children can be exceptionally rewarding, but it is also a demanding and challenging task which requires great skill and sensitivity.

This course differs from the more ‘traditional’ parenting course on offer because rather than just focussing on behaviour management strategies it goes to the core of parenting.

The course focuses on the importance of attachment and the parenting relationship as a vehicle for promoting security in children. In doing this it provides parents with a framework for both understanding the thinking and behaviour of the children in their care and for helping children to settle and flourish in their family. Behaviour management approaches are discussed with a focus that promotes this attachment and assists children to manage their feelings.

In order to do this parents are encouraged to understand their own attachment experiences and how this impacts on their everyday parenting. By developing a clearer understanding of what they bring to the parenting relationship parents are able to move towards a parenting approach that better reflects the individual needs of their children.

This course is designed for a client group who often find traditional parenting courses ‘out of touch’ with their parenting reality. The aim is to create self-awareness and a ‘state of mind’ shift in participants so that their lessons are long-lasting and integrated into their way of thinking. To achieve this, the course uses varied modes of learning including media, experiential exercises and case scenarios.

The course framework was developed with a focus on attachment theory and draws on teachings from the Circle of Security, Dan Siegel, Child Trauma Centre as well as our own many years of experience working with this client group. The course is facilitated by two presenters because of the therapeutic nature of the sessions.

Course Outline

This course is designed for families to assist them in everyday parenting. It is aimed at developing a better understanding of the parenting relationship and at promoting the development of positive relationships irrespective of whether the child is in their full time or part time care.

In a relaxed manner the course includes:

Knowing and understanding what you bring to the parenting relationship prior and subsequent to separation.
Understanding child development, attachment and impact of parental conflict on children’s behaviour
Specific skills for minimising children’s anxieties following separation
Core concepts in building attachment and the importance of providing a ‘secure base’ following separation
Managing the parenting relationship by focussing on what can be done rather than what the other partner is not doing
Managing visits and transitions

At the completion of the course participants should have an enhanced understanding of what they bring to the parenting relationship and an understanding of a parenting approach that promotes lasting family relationships.

Participants Comments

‘Thanks so much – Parenting From the Inside Out has helped me deal with so much. It has made me grow as a person.’

‘I believe that this service should be available to everyone as I have learnt a lot about myself and relationships around me and have greater respect and understanding for my own relationships and parenting as I understand my children a lot better and have learnt to work together, not against.’11
‘This course has helped me realise a lot about my children, myself and our lives and has given us enormous strength and courage to begin our journey to a whole new life. Thank you.’1

Course 2:Addressing the Uniqueness of Adoptive Parenting

Course Background

Parenting an adopted child is different because adopted children come with an extra layer. Adopted children come to their family with a history of loss and a fractured past. Loving is not enough to help these children heal and no amount of parental wishing it to be different can change their child’s history – a history which sometimes gets played out in day to day interactions.
The course focuses on the importance of attachment and the parenting relationship as a vehicle for promoting security in children. In doing this it provides parents with a framework for both understanding the thinking and behaviour of the children they have adopted and for helping children to settle and flourish in their family. Behaviour management approaches are discussed with a focus that promotes this attachment and assists children to manage their feelings.
However in addition to what the children bring, parents also come to parenting with their own history of being parented. In this course parents are encouraged to understand their own attachment experiences and how this impacts on their everyday parenting. By developing a clearer understanding of what they bring to the parenting relationship parents are able to move towards a parenting approach that better reflects the individual needs of their adopted child.
The course framework was developed with a focus on attachment theory and draws on teachings from the Circle of Security, Dan Siegel, Child Trauma Centre as well as our own many years of experience working with adoptive families.

Course Content

The two day workshop is designed for parents and parents-in-waiting to assist them with everyday adoptive parenting.
In a relaxed and thought-provoking way, the course includes:

Knowing and understanding what you bring to parenting
Understanding child development, attachment, trauma and behaviour
Core concepts in building attachment and the importance of providing a ‘secure base’
Parenting Styles
Communication skills in parenting
Approaches and strategies for managing behaviour

Topics will be covered with a particular understanding of the children who are joining families in adoption and the impact this has on parenting approaches.
At the completion of the course you should have a better understanding of the behaviour of children and the thinking that underpins it, of attachment theory and the impacts for your child as well as be able to reflect on your own parenting behaviours and the way in which this impacts on the child’s behaviour. This understanding promotes a stronger foundation of emotional well-being and security which enables children to thrive and for you to feel more competent as an adoptive parent.

Participant’s Comments

‘An excellent course. The ability to better understand the WHY of my kids behaviour is just as important as understanding the WHY of mine.’
‘Feel much more confident!!! Thank you!!!’
‘It should be mandatory for all adoptive parents to go to this course so the awareness of some of the issues is there. Well done Narelle and Susan. Many thanks.’
‘Well balanced course between instruction and participation, very flexible in approach. No specific suggestions for changes.’
‘Very impressed and grateful to have experienced it.’

Course 3: Parenting After Separation

Course Background

Parental separation is a difficult time for all family members. Due to the levels of stress leading up to and following a separation it is easy for parents to lose sight of their children’s needs and to adequately help them cope with the change and loss when the parents’ own lives are also in turmoil.
This course differs from the more ‘traditional’ parenting course on offer because it goes to the core of parenting (whether the child is in full or part time care) rather than just focussing on behaviour management strategies.
The course is of benefit to any parent who is seeking to maintain their contact and relationship with their children following separation as well as any parent who is concerned about the impact of separation upon their children. It offers skills that promote attachment and assist children to manage their feelings. It provides parents with a framework for both understanding the thinking and behaviour of the children in their care and for helping children to settle and flourish in their family. There is a strong focus on parents developing self awareness and reflective capacity about what they bring to the parenting relationship (in the midst of their own stress) which would enable them to better meet the children’s needs.
The course framework was developed with a focus on attachment theory and draws on teachings from the Circle of Security, Dan Siegel, Child Trauma Centre as well as our own many years of experience working with separated families. The course is facilitated by two presenters because of the therapeutic nature of the sessions.

Course Content

This course is designed for separated parents to assist them in everyday parenting.
It is aimed at developing a better understanding of the parenting relationship and at promoting the development of positive relationships irrespective of whether the child is in their full time or part time care.
In a relaxed manner the course includes:

Knowing and understanding what you bring to the parenting relationship prior and subsequent to separation
Understanding child development, attachment and impact of parental conflict on children’s behaviour
Specific skills for minimising children’s anxieties following separation
Core concepts in building attachment and the importance of providing a ‘secure base’ following separation
Managing the parenting relationship by focussing on what can be done rather than what the other partner is not doing
Managing visits and transitions