Supporting Parents
How are members working to support parents in the Diocese?
Being a parent can be hard work and we all have times when we struggle with children’s behaviour or worry about their progress. Mothers’ Union has always looked for ways to support parents in the important task of bringing up children and preparing them for the adult world. Our second Object is to support families and nurture faith.
For many years, members have trained to facilitate Parenting Groups and we still offer a variety of materials, mainly from Care for the Family, that can be used in group settings.
Time Out for Parents
Facilitator-led sessions over several weeks covering
The Early Years
The Primary Years
The Teenage Years
Children with Special Needs
Dads
Handling Anger in the Family
Some feedback from parents who have taken part in Time Out sessions:
"It has built a confidence in me to be a parent."
"The main thing I have learnt is to laugh and have fun together."
"I have found the group useful - I have stopped acting on impulse - I now stop and think before yelling my head off!"
"I really enjoyed time out to just think about what I am doing and how to improve on being a mum"
Parentalk
6 Video-based sessions for parents of primary or teenage children.
Single video-based sessions suitable for any group
A Mind of their Own – Building Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
Left to their own Devices – Parenting in a Digital Age
Digital Parenting
Building Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
What Should We Tell the Children about Relationships and Sex
We also run a course called What Should We Tell the Children about Relationships and Sex which helps parents to talk to their children and young people about difficult topics.
Feedback from parents:
“I’m not alone in being anxious about this [talking about relationships and sex with my children]”
Flourishing Families
Following a central review of the Parenting Programme, a new initiative is being trialled that promotes a more holistic approach to supporting families. This includes working with local communities to find out what is required, gathering groups of parents to share ideas, and encouraging further meetings for mutual support.
A pilot course was held in Kenilworth in December 2024 and another in February 2025.
Feedback from parents: Thank you for making me feel normal.
It’s made me think when communicating with my baby and husband and how, why and when to implement things. Supportive and useful to have information resources.
It has been lovely to meet new mums and adults and do something different and it’s made me feel well supported and like I have a comfort blanket and that no-one is perfect – it’s helped to relieve guilt and reassure I’m doing a good enough job.
To help parents nurture Faith in the Family, Mothers’ Union has produced a series of Ideas Sheets called Hand In Hand.
Children With Additional Needs Course Including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Training
Care for the Family do a course aimed at parents of children with additional needs and disabilities. It requires some additional training, and up to now, only Ba Marsh has been licenced to facilitate this one, which she has run at Brook School in Rugby, on several occasions, with very positive feedback.
However, in July, Karen and I also completed the training, along with a refresher for Ba, so there are now three of us licensed to facilitate this programme. If you think there might be some interest from parents/schools/nurseries in your local area, please get in touch.
Coffee Tots
Coffee Tots continues to offer parenting support, but although they run independently from MU, we continue to support and encourage one another by sharing ideas and news etc. which is such a blessing!
If you would like more information on any of these resources, or would like to explore running or attending a course in your local community, please contact Felicity Hawke
