As the weather cools, parents across the country have been preparing for a return to school. For some, this will have been an exciting and joyful time, and for others, an anxious one. Whether the season feels exciting or overwhelming, it is a time of significant change for many families.
The SFSC team is mindful that September is a month of transition for many families: children starting school for the first time, moving up into the junior stage of primary education in Year 3, or moving from primary to secondary school in Year 7. The SFSC programme helps parents navigate these transitions in a culturally attuned, strengths-based and empowering way. What might be straightforward with one child may be much more complex with another.
The programme helps parents to understand how children see their world at different stages of development. It encourages parents to reflect on their own and their children’s unique strengths by considering individual temperament, gifts and interests, while introducing positive discipline approaches that help children feel safe, happy and healthy. By understanding what their children are thinking and working with each child individually, parents are better prepared for these challenging times. Children’s self esteem and resilience increases when they ‘get it right’ and feel a sense of pride in themselves as they cope with change.
Appreciating that everyone navigates life’s challenges differently is central to the SFSC approach. Parents are given a safe space to explore their parenting values, drawing on their ethnic, familial, cultural and spiritual histories, before deciding what they think is best for their children. The programme also acknowledges that no parent nurtures, educates and protects their children in isolation. Online and offline communities can offer support, but they can also create new worries for parents – for example, when they are deciding whether a child is old enough to walk home from school safely or own their first smartphone.
SFSC continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of families. The six-week online courses offer focused support that targets particular needs or challenges, including these times of change. The team also continues to review its resources on a regular basis to ensure that the support and information we offer is always up-to-date.
For more information about SFSC and our six week online courses, contact Eleni Bloy, our Parental Conflict and Online Courses Lead.
