NEW RELATIONSHIP COURSE

Session 1. Everyone Wants to Belong

Session 2. Society’s 7 Best Kept Secrets

Session 3. Relationship Worlds

Session 4. Relationships Interrupted

Session 5. Importance of Boundaries in Relationships

Session 6. Emotion Calls for Motion

Session 7. Communication – The Life-Blood of Relationship

Session 8. Individual Maturity Leads to a Mature Society

“Life changing,  this course has given me more information and understanding about myself and my children”

Brian, Swords

” I wish it was longer, I got so much from it, I didn’t want it to end.”

Sarah, Blanchardstown

” I came to this course looking for help for my daugher, who was ‘out of control’, I finished the class, realising she was very much ‘in’ control’ and her behaviour was showing me that something was troubling her, I felt so supported”

Margaret, Drogheda

” I thought I was the only parent with ‘problems’ before I joined the class, knowing there were other parents who were having difficulties, was reassuring. I made some friends for life”

Sara B. Clontarf

” I attended another  parenting course a few years ago when my son was 3, I found it helpful, however his behaviour did not change despite the ‘naughty’ step etc. I decided to try Paula’s course, I realised that  controlling my child by getting ‘him to change’ was not the answer.  I learned to understand my behaviour, I talk ‘with’ my child, not ‘at’ my child now, we have great fun, our relationship has changed because I have changed”

Pat, Drumcondra

Parents’ Inspiration

This is for all the Parents who froze their bottoms off on metal benches at soccer games Friday night instead of watching from cars, so that when their kids asked, “Did you see my goal?” they could say, “Of course, wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” and mean it.
This is for all the Parents who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up sick laced with that days dinner and fruit juice saying, “It’s OK honey, I’m here.”
This is for all the Parents of Kosovo who fled in the night and can’t find their children.
This is for the Mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see. And the Parents who took those babies and made them homes.
For all the Parents of the victims of the Beslan shooting, and the Parents of the murderers. For the Parents of the survivors, and the Parents who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely. For all the Parents who run carpools and make cakes and sew Halloween costumes. And all the Parents who DON’T.
What makes a good Parent anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to cot at 2 a.m. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a school shooting, a fire, a car accident, a baby dying? I think so. So this is for all the Parents who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the Parents who wanted to but just couldn’t. This is for reading “Goodnight, Moon” twice a night for a year. And then reading it again. “Just one more time.”
This is for all the Parents who mess up. Who yell at their kids in the grocery store and slap them in despair and stomp their feet like a tired 2 year old who wants ice cream before dinner.
This is for all the Parents who taught their child to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the Parents who opted for Velcro instead. For all the Parents who bite their lips- sometimes until they bleed-when their 14 year olds dye their hair green. Who lock themselves in the bathroom when babies keep crying and won’t stop.
This is for all the Mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and nappies in their purse. This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a ball in pool.
This is for all Parents whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls “Mam?” in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home.
This is for Parents who put flowers and teddy bears on their children’s graves. This is for Parents whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them.
This is for all the Parents who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they’d be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
This is for young mothers stumbling through nappy changes and sleep deprivation. And mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers.
Families with money, Families without. This is for you all. When being ‘good’ enough is just enough. So hang in there.

Anonymous