The Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) through the sponsorship of Republic Bank’s Power to Make A Difference programme has been saving families one at a time. Approximately 800 persons have participated in the Common Sense Parenting (CSP) programme sessions in government, private, primary, special education and secondary schools, parishes, communities, institutions across the country between July 2010 and August 2011.
The AFLC embarked on implementing two holistic and practical parenting programmes in response to the many different challenges faced by parents when raising children. These programmes help to facilitate adult reflection on parenting styles and responsibilities and teach methods and practices that can be utilised to create healthy homes and family living.
Common Sense Parenting® (CSP) is an award-winning, practical, skill-based parenting programme that teaches parents easy-to-learn techniques and logical strategies to address everyday issues of communication, discipline, decision-making, relationships, and self-control.
CSP works by placing emphasis on the head and the heart. The “head” refers to using skills to change children’s behaviour while the “heart” refers to having unconditional love for your child. The “head” and “heart” need to work together in order to help improve the child’s behaviour.
The AFLC has trained 117 persons including teachers, principals, parents, clinicians, peer counsellors, guidance officers and care givers as Parent Trainers in the CSP programme.
Through the employment of a number of evaluation tools and techniques, research is being conducted to gather information on the effectiveness of the programme in areas of parenting practices and child behaviours in Trinidad and Tobago.
The testimonies from participants of CSP have been positive so far:
“It has already begun to make a different in the way I deal with my kids”.
“I now have a more balanced feel about parenting”.
“The most important thing is for me to stay calm. This programme has re-inforced for me how key this is”.
“This programme should be compulsory for all parents/teachers”.
“The skills/information provide clear techniques to apply in providing positive parenting to my son”.
“We were able to fine-tune strategies that were previously being employed in our home environment. Better communication has definitely been established”.
“I am seeing positive changes already even after two sessions and the children are responding to the calmer more reasonable approach”.
“Common Sense Parenting has had a positive impact on my family, effects which are already bearing fruit”.
“This programme really makes me appreciate, love, understand and care for my children more than I expected. Wonderful changes take place in my family”.
“ I practiced with my class and it did work”.
“We need this programme in schools”.
It is a worthwhile investment in building and strengthening the relationship with your child. The programme runs for six weeks, two hours per week.
If you are interested in having this programme in your parish, school, community or area, please contact the AFLC through the following: email: familylife.commission@gmail.com; phone: 672-4280, 299-1047. Visit our Facebook page at AFLC Parenting Programme.
