Circle of Security parenting

[somethingdifferent1]

I've been referred for a 'Circle of Security' parenting course. I'd never heard of this until today and now that I've looked into it, I'm wondering if the referee is thinking I'm at risk of not developing a good attachment to my child. Does anyone have any insight as to under what circumstances someone is referred to this sort of course?

We were referred to it as we had approached our local gp about needing help for our son's behaviour and what might help him, it's not a reflection of your attachment or any issues really.

It is an intervention aimed at strengthening the attachment relationship yes but that can be for many reasons including having a child whose behaviour is challenging. I would expect that to be a first step though, not the last if it's your child's behaviour that is the concern.

Thanks both, but my child's behaviour isn't an issue (10m) so I don't think that's the reason in this case which leaves me potentially even more baffled.

Who referred you?

If you have a social worker it may just be a standard offering which I think is great, take whatever support you can get because lots of parents would kill for it!

The perinatal mental health team. I was referred to them by my GP despite my issue being sleep related rather than mental health issues, and the MH team are referring me for this parenting course. I'm just at a bit of a loss as, as much as I appreciate the offer of help, I'm struggling to understand these professional's interpretations of my circumstances based on where they are referring me.

Ah well if there's nothing more to it then to be honest it just sounds like standard NHS shit where they funnel everyone through a pathway no matter the relevance

Who has the sleeping issue?

I do, as a result of my child's poor sleep.

@somethingdifferent1 sleeping problems can be caused by difficulties with mental health and people often don't realise that it's that way round, instead thinking their mental health is suffering as a result of the lack of sleep. They might be approaching it from that point of view.

I understand what you mean but I didn't even go to them complaining of mental health issues, I told them I wasn't coping with 10 months of sleep deprivation (which I think is a pretty reasonable thing to say) that was now causing insomnia.

Interesting. I did the Circle of Secruity parenting course from Sep - Dec last year. Any parent can sign up and complete the course at their local Children’s Centre which is what I did.

If you’ve been referred because you mentioned sleeping issues it’s probably because the course touches on sleeping. It’s not all focused on attachment but it gives you tips on how to deal with things and you’re able to speak with other parents and hear their experiences.

When people hear ‘parenting course’ they think that it means they’re doing something wrong. It’s not. Every parent should do a parenting course to learn more and understand how they can help their child/children. You should go, you don’t have anything to lose and you may find some helpful suggestions on how to help your child’s sleep