BARNARDOS WHAT:Provides courses to groups in the community. Typically these are a series of two-hour sessions run over six weeks, geared towards parenting of children aged 0 to six, primary school age and adolescents.
APPROACH:"We're flexible and led by the needs of the people on the course and their children," says training officer Imelda Graham. "We like to build in an understanding of the child's particular point of development which may be affecting the issues in the family."
WHERE: Venues around the country.
COST: Barnardos charges €840 to provide the six-week course to a group, so the cost per person will depend on how many attend.
MORE INFORMATION: barnardos.ie or tel 1850 222 300.
CUIDIÚ
WHAT: Parenting courses are organised in response to requests from local branches.
APPROACH: Depends on the facilitators available in your area; programmes used include Family Trust and Incredible Years.
WHERE: cuidiu-ict.ie for a list of local branches, where you can inquire if one is coming up or register your interest. The Cork branch, for instance, regularly runs eight-week courses.
COST: Varies. The Cork course costs €100 for members, €120 for non-members.
NEXT COURSE: Cork Cuidiú has an eight-week course starting in September.
MORE INFORMATION: cuidiu-ict.ie for a list of local branches or for the Cork course e-mail: cuidiucork@gmail.com.
EDSTAT
WHAT: A Galway City Partnership initiative which provides 12-week parenting courses.
APPROACH: The Incredible Years programme (see below).
WHERE: East and west sides of Galway city.
COST: Free.
NEXT COURSE: End of September 2010.
MORE INFORMATION: gcp.ie or tel Nicole McGuigan 091-773466.
HELP ME TO PARENT
WHAT: One-day courses for parenting of children aged one to six, six to 11 and teenagers (as well as ante-natal and newborn courses).
APPROACH: An adapted version of the Parents Plus programme, which was developed in Ireland and is aimed at empowering and supporting parents.
WHERE: Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin 22.
COST: €99pp (€180 for couples).
NEXT COURSE: Parenting ages six to 11 on June 12th.
MORE INFORMATION: helpme2parent.ie or tel 087-6890582.
INCREDIBLE YEARS
WHAT: Evidence-based parenting education programmes, run over 12 weeks, which were developed in the US.
APPROACH: A social competency programme, it is designed to prevent and treat emotional and behavioural difficulties in children aged three to 10 years.
WHERE: Run by various providers around the country. Contact Archways, a national organisation which promotes and evaluates the Incredible Years programme, to find the nearest one.
COST: Varies and there is tailoring to meet individual needs.
MORE INFORMATION: archways.ie or tel: 01-4568734.
ONE FAMILY
WHAT: Six-week, group-based Positive Parenting programme for lone parents; also workshops for dads who parent on their own or who share parenting.
APPROACH: The programme focuses on parenting of children aged two to 10 years, but is relevant to all age groups.
WHERE: Cherish House, Lower Pembroke Street, Dublin 2.
COST: €25 for course; €10 for workshop.
NEXT COURSE: Dads' workshop: Talking to your Children about your Family Situation, June 1st, 2pm-4.30 pm; Positive Parenting resumes in September.
MORE INFORMATION: contact Geraldine Brereton at 01-662 9212 or e-mail gbrereton@onefamily.ie.
PARENTLINE
WHAT: Parents Plus courses dealing with pre-school, primary school and secondary school age groups run in two-hour sessions over six weeks.
APPROACH: "We are there to facilitate the parents' learning; we hear what they are saying and guide them," says manager Rita O'Reilly.
WHERE: Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7. (Courses can also be run for groups within the Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow area.)
NEXT COURSE: Courses for parenting of all three age groups will start in the week beginning September 20th at the Carmichael Centre.
COST: €75pp (€135 for couples); the six-week course is offered to groups (max 16 people) for €700.
MORE INFORMATION: parentline.ie or tel: 1890 929277.
PARENTS ADVICE CENTRE
WHAT: Variety of courses, ranging from the six-week Positive Parenting and Parenting Ur Teen programmes to shorter, specialised ones such as those focusing on fathers, challenging behaviours, step parenting and anger management.
APPROACH: Promotion of positive parenting. "Confidence-building parenting courses, which address children's developmental needs, can be the catalyst for a parent's self-directed change."
WHERE: At the Parents Advice Centres in Belfast and Derry; they will also deliver courses to groups in the community.
NEXT COURSE: Four-week Positive Parenting courses, aimed at parents of children aged 0-11 will run from Thursday, June 3rd, 6-8pm, at the Parents Advice Centre, Andras House, Great Victoria Street, Belfast and from Monday, June 7th, 6-8pm at the Parents Advice Centre, City Factory Building, Patrick Street, Derry.
COST: Free at the Parents Advice Centres; there is a charge for ones run in the community.
MORE INFORMATION: parents advicecentre.org or tel: 028-9031 0891 (prefix 048 from the Republic).
PRACTICAL PARENTING
WHAT: General parenting courses that apply to all ages of children, delivered in six weekly sessions or one-day Saturday courses. One-to-one mentoring is also available.
APPROACH: Sheila O'Malley provides a course which was developed by clinical psychologist Dr Tony Humphreys, and works on the principle that all parenting starts with the parent. "You can't take care of anyone until you first take care of yourself."
WHERE: Venues in south Co Dublin.
COST: €80pp for one-day Saturday session (incl lunch); €130 for six-week course.
NEXT COURSE: One-day parenting courses on May 29th, June 12th and 19th in Bewleys Hotel, Leopardstown, Dublin.
MORE INFORMATION: practicalparenting.ie or tel: 086- 8759086.
SOLUTION TALK
WHAT: A series of four parenting talks by psychotherapist, author and resident Irish Times parenting expert John Sharry.
APPROACH: Empowering parents to find solutions, based on the Parents Plus programme which he co-developed.
WHERE: Dublin city centre.
NEXT COURSE: Autumn 2010.
COST: €20 a talk.
MORE INFORMATION: solutiontalk.ie
