24/7 Parenting Course

Parenting courses draw families closer together

The Evening Advertiser by Lyndsay Scanlan 

RAY James had his work cut out when he moved in with his girlfriend. He instantly became a dad to Tracey Lockley's two disruptive daughters and with one on the brink of being served an Asbo, family life was never going to be plain sailing.

But thanks to parenting classes at New College, Mr James says he and his girlfriend have been able to put Samantha, 12, and Jessica, 11, back on the straight and narrow.

The 24-year-old, who moved in with Miss Lockley of Pinehurst in March, was speaking yesterday, just after the Government announced that some parents will be forced to attend parenting classes to help cut anti-social behaviour on Britain's streets.
"Before I moved in the girls hadn't been used to having a man about the house so it was a really big change for them," said Mr James. "The girls had been acting as carers for Tracey after she had a stroke so they had loads of responsibility put on them. "They had started to rebel a bit and we've had problems with them getting into trouble out on the streets. "I think Jessica was about to get an Asbo and the Youth Offending Team told us that we should go along to these classes because we might be able to do something to control her. We didn't really know what to expect but it's been really good for all of us."

The classes have a different theme each week, including learning how to deal with family arguments and how you can encourage your child to behave with a special reward scheme. "The girls didn't really want to do the things we were told at the class to start with but they did come round. "We had to write down what we expected of them and then they could write down what they expected from us as parents. "We just left the sheet of paper on the sofa and after a while they looked at it. "Now I think there's more respect in the house between us and the kids. "We've definitely seen an improvement in their behaviour and when we ask them to do something they do it more than they used to."

He added: "No-one tells you how to be a good parent and I think if we had not have come to these classes Jessica would have been given an Asbo. "I think it would be a good thing for all parents to come along because it just shows you you're not the only person whose having problems."

In January Tony Blair visited New College's parenting classes during his Respect' campaign. And the course has just been shortlisted to win a Beacon Award, which recognises good practice.

Andrea Howe, one of the class tutors, said: "People often need help and it's a really positive thing to come along to the classes to get some advice and tips." 

Wednesday 22nd November 2006
 

The six week course covers topics such as Love Me, Love My Child and Handling Behaviour, we pray that the right people are motivated and able to attend. Please also pray for the continued impact of this ground breaking course and the growing links between Church and Community .