Sam Williams will be facilitating an eight-week parenting course in Carterton. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Jade Davies
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A new eight-week programme for families “written, delivered and run by local people” is set to start in May.
Parenting Today, a group course led by Proactive Parenting Services parent education, and developed by support co-ordinator Sam Williams, aims to provide tools and strategies to help manage “the challenges most parents face from time to time”.
With over 30 years of experience behind her, Carterton woamn Williams is well known for her parenting expertise in the community.
“Parenting is the most important job – but it is one with no annual leave and very little preparation,” she said.
“The programme is for parents of children aged 3 to 12 years old and is a positive and warm-hearted approach to parenting.”
Williams said the course is timely: “as many families have been feeling stressed, anxious and even overwhelmed during these unique and difficult times”.
She said she designed the group classes to be fun and educational for families, providing a space for them to share their experiences and learn together.
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“I have spent most of my career helping families manage challenging behaviour, build healthy relationships, and enjoy their children.”
Williams started working with parents after moving to a remote area of the country in 1988 – where she found there was no support available to help her with two children of her own.
With a background in teaching, she decided to re-train in parent education and ran parenting services in Tararua, before moving to Wairarapa in 2013.
Williams has written and developed a wide range of different parenting programmes – but said what makes Parenting Today different is its focus on local needs and issues in the Wairarapa community.
The programme is a joint initiative between the Wairarapa Safer Community Trust and Carterton District Council.
“The programme benefits the whole community – with the positive results from attending parents having a flow-on effect to their children, whānau, schools, early childhood centres and the wider community,” a CDC spokesperson said.
CDC community services manager Glenda Seville said the council is pleased to support the programme through community grants.
“Wairarapa is very lucky to have someone of Sam’s experience and expertise providing parent education.”
Parenting Today will be delivered at the Hurunui o Rangi room at Carterton District Council, starting on Tuesday, May 3, from 9.30am to 11.30am. The final session will be held on Tuesday, June 21.
