It was quite by chance that I ended up attending a Youth Connect 5 course. With eight children between us, my friend and I had done our fair share of moaning about how hard this parenting lark actually was day in and day out. One day she phoned and asked if I fancied going on this parenting course she’d found on social media.
When we arrived, we weren’t sure what to expect but we were soon put at ease by the lovely course facilitators, Lynne and Suzie. It quickly became a weekly highlight for us; a safe space where we could share freely, listen, laugh and cry with one another.
I think the biggest things I learned over the five weeks was that firstly I am far from alone riding the roller-coaster that is parenting in 2018. Too often we feel isolated, yet at any given time, others are going through similar experiences. The course gave us all an opportunity to learn from and support each other. The second thing that soon became apparent was that the strategies given actually work!
Our family life has been calmer as a result and I have also been able to pass on my knowledge to my partner. Finally, the course emphasises personal wellbeing and the importance of “putting on your own oxygen mask first”. I have made some life changing decisions as a direct result of attending Youth Connect 5, which have and will continue to have, such a positive impact on our family life.
Thank you, Lynne, Suzie and all the lovely ladies at the Belvidere centre in Wallasey for reminding me that parenting and indeed, life itself is an experience to be shared!
