'Bag-of-tricks' course offered to parents

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 558, 18 October 1994, Page 11

'Bag-of-tricks' course offered to parents

By

Elizabeth

Mortland,

Ruapehu REAP.

Ruapehu REAP is offering a second parent education programme. For some years now REAP has organized and promoted 'P5 Positive Parenting' courses throughout the region which have been much in demand. Now REAP also offers 'Bag-of-Tricks'. 'Bag-of-Tricks' is not a parenting course; it's a package that's all about having something up your sleeve when things go wrong. The 'triCks' learnt work some of the time, and sometimes not at all. The important thing is being aware that there are other ways. A little change is better than no change. All parents rear their children to the best of their ability. Some things they do very well, and some things they don't do so well. "Bag-of-Tricks' is all

about working frorn the positive. The 'Bag-of-Tricks' parent education programme has been developed jointly by Far North REAP and Buller REAP to meet the needs of parents who want to help themselves and their children with improved parenting skills. Over recent years it has become evident that there are many stresses being placed on parents who are finding that bringing up children involves many skills which are now not being passed on from generation to generation. In many cases there is no strong family support system to help young parents. There is an increasing number of solo-parent families. Broken marriages are increasingly common. Changes of partners and de-facto relationships are another dimen-

sion while there are now many adolescents who are parents at a very early age. These factors, when added into an equation of rural-isolation, restrictedcommunication, unemployment, limited-job opportunities, low-income and poor-housing, often make parenting a very difficult function. In local needs assessment surveys, there have been increasing requests for parent education programmes. Social workers and health professionals also commonly identify a lack of parenting skills as a contributing factor to child abuse, child ill-health and general family trauma. Schools are frequently identifying children who are apparently suffering from inadequate parenting, and comments from the public and the police back up the perception that there are a large number of

families struggling in our communities. All of this material is of great social significance but only very limited attempts are being made to deal with it. Often those attempts are being directed at the crisis situation and little is being done for the total spectrum of parents. 'Bag-of-Tricks' is a broad-based programme which introduces skills suitable for all parents. It is not full of philosophical statements nor does it promote one magic recipe. It recognises that: □ Many parents are already doing things 'OK' but may want to do them better. □ There are many cultural factors and a variety of personal considerations including whanau, hapu TURNTOPAGE12

Bag of tricks course

FROM PAGE 11 and iwi in any parent's parenting. □ Simple skills are essential but they need to be introduced outside of a stress situation. □ Local facilitators are more likely to know the needs of their community and are better placed to monitor and deliver the programme than outside tutors would be. □ Many people do not handle printed language that well, so the programme uses plenty of discussion, cartoons, diagrams, role-play and games to help the learning process. The programme is designed to be fun. □ The 10 modules may not be needed by all parents, so there is an element of choice, though generally most people would choose to do most or all of the modules.

Ruapehu REAPiscommittedtooffering'Bag-of-Tricks' on a regular and on-going basis as it does 'P5 Positive Parenting'. The programme is structured to be delivered in modules. Each of the 10 modules follows a set format and lasts four hours, run in two sessions. The programme is delivered in group interaction. An important part of 'Bag-of-Tricks' is the training of facilitators so they are aware of group process and the whole group. It' s all about having fun in a group, and that' s where this training comes in. The first facilitator training was held in Taihape in February 1994 with a second facilitator training pro-

gramme to be held in midOctober at the REAP Centre. Robin Shepherd from Far North REAP, Kaitaia, will provide this training for local facilitators. Eliz Mortland, community education officer for REAP, plans to offer programmes for parents throughout the region on a regular and on-going basis. A second programme of two modules for parents in Taihape starts this month with further modules planned later in the year. Programmes are also planned for Waiouru, Ohingaiti and Ohakune/ Raetihi during term three. For further information on either the facilitator training programme or programmes for parents, contact the REAP Centre.