I have no idea how Mumsnet works and who is seeing my reply, but I too have had a an amazing journey through using Peaky Parents. After five years struggling to find proper help for my son, which I personally found wasn’t out there through the numerous other routes we had tried, both through the NHS and privately. Some probably got us through the weeks but none made me ever feel like this is behind us until I found them. In my view, amazingly dedicated, clearly hardworking staff who supported and guided us through every step. I feel light again, my mind is not caught up constantly about how I’m going to help him. The route back wasn’t easy, it was time and headspace consuming but we stuck with it and life is so much brighter. I’m not a social media user normally, I don’t trawl the internet on this subject anymore looking for any answers or solutions to my sons issues with anxiety, I don’t need to as we are busy just getting on with life. Someone had mentioned ‘mumsnet’ and negative comments on it to me, so I was intrigued to find out what anyone could possibly say that was negative about them. Most threads I have read just show natural suspicion, which I can completely get when you see ads on the internet. I can’t see much substance though in the odd comment from anyone who has signed up and used them. I don’t want anyone to think you sign up, pay and job done. Their mentor helped my son, dramatically. But, it is definitely a commitment on the parents part as well, obviously a monetary commitment, but also their time, their focus to learning and putting new approaches into practice. Having had two older siblings already flown the nest, I felt my parenting skills were alright. I’d made those changes needed for parenting a young child to those needed to parent a teen and beyond. Throw anxiety in the mix though and what to do for the best wasn’t always clear as the day to day tasks of getting in to school, or even just getting up, became a problem. They gave me my confidence back in what I was doing, whilst they taught him. It wasn’t always easy, it was very much a commitment for the passed 10 weeks (I’m guessing without getting the calendar out!) but it was so worth it. Having tried everything else out there (for 5 years! That seems ridiculous now), I knew nothing else out there was anything like a permanent solution. Early on I felt we’d found the right support, and my resolve to see it through was strong. None of this is rocket science (and I say that about ‘everything’ we have tried) but in my experience and belief from where my life is now, it does need the ‘intensive’ (not just an expensive counsellor/therapist once a week or the CAMHS 10xCBT sessions and then off you go) approach offered by this programme and their huge level of support and guidance. If you go this route, really commit to it and stick with it - with their teachings, help guidance and constant support, it very much worked for us.
Like I said, no idea who will be able to see this…. maybe it’ll just be the person who is also reaping the rewards of being with Peaky Parents… if so, hi and I’m pleased you found them too. X