Has anyone got experience with a parenting course?

[Babybirdmum]

I have seen a new job running a parenting course and I was wondering if anyone had any experiences they’d like to share about either doing the job or being on the course.

Well, if you get the job, and have the authority, the first thing you should do is re-brand them. Through my work, I am aware that people are really offended that it is suggested and then most won't attend, or attend under duress and therefore it takes a while to win them round.

At a conference once, I listened to a fascinating session from a sleep charity. They had been doing some research and offering support to families of children who don't sleep. The picked up a major correlation between children who don't sleep and children with challenging behaviour. (Note I said correlation, no-one is saying all children who don't sleep have challenging behaviour).
They worked with colleagues to develop some courses advertised out in the community for families struggling with children with really poor sleep. Did work with them on both the science of sleep and on sleep hygiene, and supported them with daily phone calls to help problem solve and stick with the advice to really improve the children (and teens) 's sleep, then through questionnaires and working with the schools, were able to show a massive improvement in behaviour.

There is sympathy given to parents whose dc don't sleep. But there is judgement given to parents whose dc have challenging behaviour.

Worth thinking about.

Yes I did a parenting course years ago, I found it really helpful. However I would say the course was largely made up of families, who were reluctant to engage and were inconsistent with their attendance!