Youth coach Abby Cooper, left, Jasmin Nixon, Teen Parent Unit manager Prue Smith, Tayne McBride with her baby Skyla, Phillipa Stevens with her baby Tamati, and parent educator Sam Williams. PHOTO/EMILY IRELAND
Emily Ireland
Five young mothers at the Teen Parent Unit in Masterton have completed a six-topic parenting programme.
The programme is called Positive Tools for You and Your Child, and was delivered by Sam Williams, Proactive Parenting coordinator, with assistance from youth coach Abby Cooper.
This programme is part of the Youth Services provided by Wairarapa Safer Community Trust.
The programme covered the topics of brain development, conscious parenting, managing childhood behaviour, keeping children safe, managing stress, and playful parenting.
Sam said the group was “very enthusiastic”.
“We are very proud of them for completing the programme while being mothers and students,” she said.
Mum Tayne McBride said she enjoyed every part of the programme and “learned heaps”.
The most important message she took away from the course was to “sit down and actually spend time with your kids, play with them, one on one”.
Jasmin Nixon said she was interested to have learned more about the safety of her baby.
Phillipa Stevens said it was great to be able to talk openly about parenting “the good and the bad”.
“It’s good knowing that you are doing a good job, talking about your kids, and learning new things to do with your children.”
Wairarapa Teen Parent Unit manager Prue Smith said Sam, the educator, had “fantastic expertise”, and great manner with the girls.
“She has given them invaluable information in terms of going forward as a positive parent.
“Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could do a parenting course when they first have a baby?”
