Did you know that according to a recent “Parenting Across Scotland” survey, only 5% of Parents had been on a parenting course, but 77% said they would consider it!

Well, this is your chance to not just consider a parenting course but actually experience it!

We are going to be running a well-used parenting course called  “21st Century Parent” during September on Wednesday evenings in the Kirk Centre, Station Road, Ellon.

21st Century Parent is a course designed by an organisation called Care for the Family. Care for the Family is a national charity established in 1988, which aims to support and promote family life and help those suffering from family breakdown. With over 100 staff, the charity operates throughout the whole of Britain, ensuring that wherever families need care, they are on hand to offer help, hope, support and encouragement.

The course itself was developed for mums, dads and carers of all kinds with babies, children or teenagers of all ages. Each session starts with a short DVD presentation which will offer helpful and practical insights into the world of parenting. Some of the topics covered will include:

•        The gift of acceptance

•        The testing child

•        Boundaries

•        Building sense of value

•        Teenagers!

The course is mainly discussion based – there will be no “Super-nanny” type rules and regulations. Rather, it seeks to encourage parents to discuss, learn from and encourage each other in their parenting struggles and joys!

We first ran the course back in March and some of the feedback from the 20 or so local parents who were able to come was as follows!

"Thank you very much, thoroughly enjoyed and looking forward to using the info in every day life"

"I am not alone"

"have more classes"

and, when asked if they had changed anything in their parenting because of 21st Century Parent, one mum wrote,

" I talk to my children better and explain things better and I tell them I love them both more"

Although our toddler groups are obviously our first motivation for running the course, it is open to anyone from the Ellon area who is keen to explore the whole topic of parenting in an informal relaxed setting. Refreshments including home bakes will be provided each week as we chat and share together.

The course will run every Wednesday evening for 4 weeks from Wed. 8^th September to Wed. 29^th September inclusive, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm upstairs in the Kirk Centre, Station Road, Ellon. There is a small charge of £10 per person, or per couple if two parents wish to attend, but financial assistance may be available if necessary. The course is limited to around 30 people so if you wish to attend or would like more information please visit the church website www.ellonbaptistchurch.org.uk for contact details and drop us an email to start with.