4 MyFamily and Me

This course has been life changing for the parent I am working with and I’ve noticed her grow over the weeks.

The facilitators were wonderful, clear and to the point, amazing. I will use it every day to help children overcome their barriers to learning.

The most significant piece of learning was the work around The Language of Safety – tuning in, re-phrasing and becoming more aware. The course has raised my awareness of all areas of Protective Behaviours, how this will fit with our culture/ethos in school and alongside Restorative Practice approach.

The most significant thing I learned is to understand situations and I have the right to feel safe like the rest of my family/friends. I thought it was a well delivered course by 2 brilliant tutors who were calm, clear and supportive. Absolutely brilliant course and it’s made me aware that you can never stop learning about different strategies.

I can talk better with my mum about my feelings. I told her I even enjoy the workshops because I feel safe to say what I want about my feelings. I like Matilda and mum’s getting me one for Christmas.

I found the group very good, very supportive and much needed. It’s been helpful knowing you can share without judgement. I’m listening more and we are communicating better at home and my children are benefitting from me being calmer.

The most significant thing I have learned is that I’m not failing as a dad and that most people probably face parenting issues. I’ve now got skills to help me help my children.

My children have benefitted from me attending because it’s helped create a happier home by me being more understanding and reacting differently.

I have a renewed passion for Protective Behaviours. I’ve used it in my professional work but recognise through this group I can use it more at home within my own family.

I feel Protective Behaviours is the pinnacle of our work, which helps reshape our service on every level with the families we work with because our families can relate to it on an everyday basis.

Lots of good ideas and discussions, lots of activities and time to process ideas. Good pace and supportive. Lots of knowledge and experience shared by the facilitator. I will use it with everyone, especially with young people

Thank you! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the learning and discussions. Thank you to the facilitators, it’s been a pleasure to meet you all. Very supportive.

We can talk with someone about anything, even if it’s awful or small

Before I attended It was like walking on egg shells with my daughter’s anger and frustration. Now, it’s harmony and effective communication

I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it all useful and practical. I’ve told others how positive the course has been and how much more confident I feel in myself and my ability to parent. It’s given me practical strategies to try out with my children and I’ve had such a positive outcome from discussing feelings with them.

It’s been particularly useful thinking the way I am when the children misbehave and my approach to discipline. It’s helped me feel more laid-back and I investigate the problem more. I found it was very good and lovely to spend time as a family doing activities.

It was particularly useful breaking down Teddy’s feelings (Morris) into simple terms to help my son understand. It will help me to use different language when discussing how they are feeling. Also, reminding me that I need to let them know how I am feeling. My son particularly enjoyed the one to one with me.

We all have the right to feel safe all the time

Lots of good ideas and discussions, lots of activities and time to process ideas. Good pace and supportive. Lots of knowledge and experience shared by the facilitator. I will use it with everyone, especially with young people

The facilitators were wonderful, clear and to the point, amazing. I will use it everyday to help children overcome their barriers to learnin

The most significant learning has been the clarity of how PBs can be delivered effectively to parents and carers. Well supported by thorough programme manual. It will enable me to use PBs further to empower carers and parents to change behaviours and lives

I’ve found it helpful explaining to my child feelings are usual and normal and seeing his realization that feelings are OK to have. As a parent it has helped me be more patient and understand that feelings are real and valid even if I cannot understand why he feels this way. I enjoyed the group, a friendly calm atmosphere

Nice to be given a reminder of how to communicate effectively with my child as I have slipped into old communication methods

I have been calmer in my dealing with my daughter. I feel our relationship has improved as a result. I think the whole course has been very useful and I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to attend

Although Protective Behaviour programmes delivered by Hertfordshire’s Families Feeling Safe Protective Behaviours Service are available at schools and children’s centres, the families trapped in the cycle of addiction that we work with, are incredibly vulnerable and hard-to-reach and, consequently, rarely engage in them. However, here at The Living Room, these families have gained our trust, and are given the time and close support they need to assimilate new learning. Consequently, there is a high need for us to run our own in-house Protective Behaviour programmes

It gave me so much insight into my child’s, feelings, thoughts and behaviour.

A key factor was that the content of the programme complimented and affirmed parents’ learning from the in-house 12 step programme they had been attending. Therefore their learning was reinforced and built upon in relation to what this meant in parenting their children.