Programme benefiting parents with teenagers

Programme benefiting parents with teenagers

A free parenting programme run by The University of Auckland for parents who want to improve their relationship with their teen is getting the desired results.

Joanna Chu, a doctoral student from the Triple P-Positive Parenting Research Group, based in the Faculty of Education, is researching the effectiveness of a Triple P parenting programme designed specifically for parents with teenagers.

Twenty families have been through the programme so far with many reporting positive results. The programme for parents with children aged 12 to 15 is run over eight sessions.

“Some parents reported that the programme had made them feel more confident about their parenting skills and improved their teenager’s behaviour while others had benefited from discussing and finding ways of dealing with parenting problems,” says Miss Chu.

One parent said the programme had made her a more confident parent. "It gave me the confidence to parent as I realised that others have the same difficulties. It strengthened my resolve to develop tools to manage behaviour, seek partner and children's agreement and stick to the tools. This has greatly improved my children's behaviour and has minimised the need for arguments as the tools and consequences are clear.”

Another parent who completed the programme said introducing family meetings had improved communication: "Our family really enjoys the family meeting. When I first brought it home from the course I wasn’t sure if it was going to work but now it’s the kids who are reminding us every week and bringing their own agenda. It feels like there is a lot more communication between the kids and us.”

Miss Chu says the programme is designed for parents who want to improve their relationship with their teenager or address a specific issue.

“Parents may be concerned about their teenager making the transition from intermediate to high school or they may want to get more information on how to reduce conflict with their teenager. Teenagers who grow up with positive parenting are more likely to have high self-esteem and develop to their full potential,” she says.

Seventy places are available for the free programme, which is being run in central and west Auckland this year. The study is supported by the Auckland Council.

To attend the parenting programme email Joanna Chu at jt.chu@auckland.ac.nz.

For more information on Triple P visit www.triplep.net.

ENDS