CASE STUDY TWO

PARENTS GROUP

CLIENT REQUIREMENT:

A group of parents, couples and others concerned with the education of children wanted training and tools for more effective parenting.  Their objective was to learn better communication skills; ways to encourage positive behavior and good performance at school and in extra-curricular activities while still being able to maintain adherence to a framework of ground rules; and ways to assist children through difficulties and personal problems.

OUR RESPONSE:

We offered a workshop designed to fit these needs and more.  Extremely interactive and full of practical exercises, it was also flexible enough to account for unanticipated needs and questions.  Work was done in a series of sessions for the full group, for small groups and for pairs, thus giving each and every participant a “voice” and an “ear” throughout the process.

The workshop also included basic training sessions for one individual who wanted to be able to carry on the work that was begun with the workshop.

CLIENT OUTCOMES:

Participants received not only “theory” and reference materials for future support, but they went through experiential exercises that they would in turn be able to use with children, thus gaining a real sense of being on the “receiving end” of what they would soon be putting into practice.

Clients made clear their desire for additional follow-up and refresher workshops and these will be carried out.

CLIENT EVALUATION:

“Having taken this workshop I feel opened to the possibility that as a partnership we may be able to unite over educating our children.”

“I now feel better equipped to continue the parenting journey…the practical sessions were helpful to me.”

“A very enjoyable workshop managed professionally with great care and sensitivity.”

“In this workshop I became more aware of how to help people find their own solutions to problems.”

“I now feel equipped with new tools.”

“Excellent facilitator!”

“I feel empowered.  The most helpful thing was to know that I now have powerful tools to use in everyday life.”

“I’m now more self-aware in interacting with others.”

“Something new that I learned:  bringing up kids is much harder & involves more thought than I’d thought; in self-reflection I know I need to look more at what I do & say and its influence on others.”  (From a participant who is not yet a parent.)

“The workshop was really great, eye opening, a whole new outlook on bringing up children.  Wonderful!  Thank you!”

“Most helpful and meaningful for me was learning how to parent in a positive way – the interactive sessions were excellent.”