Parenting workshops offer guidance
MIDRAND - Heidi Beyers, a Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T) facilitator from Midrand helps parents form a better relationship with their children.
“South Africa, like any part of the world, has many broken families, and families who are still together but are hurting. Parents and children often have problems communicating with each other.
“Our programme teaches parents to listen to their children so that, in turn, the children listen too. It helps parents with conflict resolution and does not always leave the child a loser in any argument or situation. It teaches parents a balance that is often lacking when parents and children try to talk to each other.”
Beyers added, “Many parents we have worked with now have better relationships with their children. Families are happier when communication flows well. Our programme has no family activities: the focus is on the parents and guardians to equip (their children) with skills to help guide (them) effectively as they grow. I did the course 20 years ago and as a facilitator I have benefited a lot and I have a great relationship with my children. Parents have to compete with social media as they raise children, but through the training parents are taught ways to teach their children values they can live by. Children often shut down when shouted at, parents have to have a better way of reaching out to their children.”
A parent who is currently benefiting from the training, Nicola Dickason, said, “Very little about child-rearing methods appealed to me and as a mother of three, the training offers an alternative to disciplining children. I now have a wonderful, open and honest relationship with my children that allows us all to have our needs met in our home and encourages us to express our feelings and love each other without conditions.”
The next parenting workshop will be on 5 October at Hedgehog Meadow Nursery School at 2pm at 18 King Willow Crescent. Entrance is free.
