We have parenting courses below and many more resources to browse through using the resource subject links above to promote learning with your child - whether you are at home or taking it to a child education centre. We are continually compiling resources, so we welcome any further links, books, workshops or personal ideas. Send them to us here.
Parenting courses:
Family works Northern (formerly known as James familyTM) in Waitakere is the child and family services division of Presbyterian Support Northern. Ph: 835 1288 http://northern.familyworks.org.nz
Man Alive specialise in counselling for men by men, Youth Programmes and Living Without Violence (including the Maori programme, Te Ara Taumata Ora). They started the Big Buddy Mentoring programme, which proved so successful that they have become an independant organsation. They offer family counselling and relationship courses. http://manalive.org.nz
Parents Inc. (was Parenting with Confidence) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making life better for parents and their kids. They offer 'Toolbox' parenting groups, usually meet in someone’s home.Over six sessions key parenting principles are explored and participants are encouraged in their parenting.Click here for info on 'toolbox'
"No Sweat Parenting Events" are especially designed for Mâori, although Pâkeha, Pasifika, and people of other cultures have all appreciated the material and style. It has been designed to inspire and equip parents and caregivers in the awesome role they play in their whânau. Click here for info on 'No Sweat" events.
Parent to Parent
The criteria for attendance are that the participants are a parent or family member of a child with a special need, disability or health impairment. This provides the ability to train a broad range of volunteers.
The main Support Parenting Training Course has recently been developed and renamed the Perent Support Programme to increase its relevance and accessibility to parents.
It is made up of three courses:
• One day Personal Support Course
• Two day Communication Skills Course
• Navigating the system sessions
This training is free to participants but those who attend the courses are asked to consider their ability to offer support to another who is going through a similar journey. All volunteers go through an accreditation process to assess their readiness. Parent to Parent is happy to provide training to other groups volunteers as long as the volunteers meet their criteria and are happy to become one of their Support Parents; this is usually a commitment to make a call to another parent who has a child with a similar condition, once a month or so. For further information on courses and how to participate please contact 0508 236 236 or email
PEPE (Parenting Education ProgrammE) is a Plunket-developed national programme which consists of a series of four courses, aimed at supporting first time parents www.plunket.org.nz
Practical parenting WEA Henderson are running course every term in 2012 starting on Thursday 16 Feb, Thursday 3 May, Thursday 9 August and Thursday 25 October for 8 weeks. Time: 12.30pm-2.30pm Cost $40. Childminding facility available on site. Make informed and responsible decisions about your children's behaviour. With Miriam De Jong. www.ourwaitakere.co.nz
SPACE - Supporting Parents Alongside Children's Education
The SPACE programme is for first-time parents with newborn babies, starting at age 0-3 months. Sessions are held over 3-4 terms in a relaxed, baby-friendly atmosphere. Our courses aim to:
• Promote the value of parenthood.
• Promote and support parents in their role as the best and most important educator of their children.
• Maximise children's learning opportunities from a young age.
• Recognise their child's development and to support and extend their children's learning.
• Provide new parents with a support network of other new parents.
• Provide qualified facilitators and other professionals who will share their collective knowledge and experiences with the group.
• Provide parents with links to other community organisations.
For more information: Te Akoranga (West Auckland) Playcntre Association ph: 838 8849 email: te.akoranga@xtra.co.nz web: www.playcentre.org.nz
Toughlove - loving through the tough times
Toughlove shows parents how to come up with loving solutions to help with family problems by teaching self responsibility.
Parent Support Groups meet weekly. Meetings follow a carefully planned structure. Parents are guided through a discussion format designed to assist them to develop action plans that work.
By sharing our stories we find that we are not alone and need not feel isolated any more. “There are no quick fixes.” Parents are encourages to attend regularly in order to develop new skills needed for coping with difficulties.
Meeting Thursdays 7.30-10.00pm. at Massey Community House & Thursdays 7.30pm to 9.45pm at New Lynn Community Centre. Contact: Jeff 09 6244 363, email or website: www.toughlove.org.nz
West Auckland Parents Centre Childbirth education (antenatal courses), parent support and parent education. Tinies to tots& terrific toddlers courses as detailed:
"Tinies to tots" - a course for parents of ‘tinies’ from 9 to 15 months, and "Terrific toddlers" a course for parents of toddlers, 18 months - 3 years.
New Lynn Community Centre, 45 Totara Avenue, New Lynn. $20 (members) / $30 (Non-members). For more information or to book a place on either of these courses contact us by phone on
09 837-8481 (answer phone), email or visit our website www.westaucklandparents.org.nz
