The SFSC: Stronger Relationships programme supports parents in building healthier co-parenting relationships by enhancing trust, communication, and understanding. By reducing conflict and reinforcing positive parenting techniques, the programme fosters mutual support, benefiting both parents and children. Read Tony’s story to see how these tools can transform family dynamics after separation.
Tony, a British Black man, registered for the Stronger Relationships online programme at the beginning of August 2024. He is the father of an 8-year-old boy and has already separated from his co-parent. Tony had already started a family court application for a child arrangements order as his co-parent was only allowing him weekly video call contact with his son.
Tony joined a discussion group made up of four fathers and two mothers; the group quickly formed into a supportive and safe space with parents supporting, encouraging, and suggesting ideas to each other. Tony became an active group member and was able to share early on that his co-parent had some fears about ‘letting go’ of her only child and that he was trying to reassure her of his intentions and love for their child.
Tony was able to go away each week and positively use the techniques introduced to gradually increase the level of trust between him and his co-parent. For example, after session 1, he recognised that he had different customs, traditions and values from his co-parent and that both ‘styles’ can co-exist. He was able to praise his son more in his video call contact and thanked his co-parent for taking such good care of their child.
Tony saw progress in his own positivity: understanding his co-parent’s perspective, focusing more on the strengths of each adult and how those strengths met his son’s needs and interests, together with clearer communication and conflict resolution, these techniques were highlighted by him as having been particularly helpful. Tony was able to make proposals that the contact moves to a contact centre, where contact can still be supervised and he can further show his co-parent (and therefore reassure her) that he can be trusted to take the best care of their son.
Tony now says he is ‘hopeful of building a better co-parenting relationship’.
