Eight graduate from Mothers’ Union Parenting Programme

Eight persons, 6 women and 2 men are now better equipped with parenting skills and have graduated as part of the Mothers’ Union Worldwide Parenting Programme of the Anglican Archdeaconry.{{more}}

The parenting programme aims to strengthen family life with an emphasis on developing sound relationship between the parent and the child, as well as creating support structures within the church and community for persons wishing to share their experiences.

Mothers’ Union members worldwide promote the importance of parenting and its impact on family life. The local leg of the programme, therefore, seeks to provide an environment of mutual support that increases confidence in handling a variety of issues affecting our children through participatory learning and follows the guidelines and parameters as set out by Mothers’ Union Worldwide Parenting Programme.

The participants were exposed to nine weeks of participatory learning by Facilitator Merle Bailey. This follows on the heels of two other successful parenting programmes within the Archdeaconry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Parishes of Holy Trinity and St. James, with the final in this phase to be conducted in the St. George’s Parish.

At the conclusion of the programme, participants were encouraged to maintain the group support structure, while establishing and forming new support groups, a leader identified and empowered to continue meeting as a support group within the community.

The participants have expressed the positive impact of the Parenting Programme on their lives and relationships with children, relatives and others. Citing changes in temperament between family members, in the attitude and behaviour of a high-strung, abusive single parent who has had to cope with a situation of low income and lack of access to basic services and bringing up her child on her own. The encouragement and tangible help from the programme through networking has aided the turn around in the attitude and circumstances of that individual.

The second leg of the programme is due to begin in late May and persons are encouraged to be part of the programme or invite persons who they believe might benefit from this programme in their communities. Application forms will be available from the facilitators.

The programme is open to all parents, grandparents and care givers in the Archdeaconry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and is also open to non-Anglicans as well.

More information on the Parenting Programmes may be had from Lois Friday, Coordinator – Mothers’ Union Worldwide Parenting Programme within the Archdeaconry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The graduation ceremony was held at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Calliaqua, on Sunday, February 12 at 7:00 a.m.