International Family Day Celebrations

The Tramore Parenting Group recently created a fabulous piece of art-work representing what family means to them.  The group were established in September 2012 when Respond Housing Association decided to run as part of their family support programme.  This six week Parents Plus Community Parenting course ran in Ard an Ghleanna Community building Tramore for any parent interested in learning more about parenting skills.

This informative programme involved parenting ‘tips’ on behaviour management, tuning into your child, shared reading plus looking after yourself as parents.  The group met for two hours, once a week every Tuesday morning.

Due to the success of this programme the parenting group wish to continue to meet, because of the support they felt they received from each other, plus the on-going learning about everyday parenting issues. One parent felt that no matter how good she was at parenting there was always more to learn from each other. Another enjoyed the informal approach which progressed into on-going friendships. Topics that came up during the weekly sessions included;  how to play with your child, discipline, separation in the family, anxiety in children and various other challenges facing parents and families today.

These sessions were needs-led therefore parents were encouraged to bring topics that were relevant to their own families requirements. Originating from these discussions various professionals were invited in to do workshops with the group.  These included nutrition – healthy snacks for kids and art therapy which highlighted the need for the parent to look after themselves. One parent stated:

‘It was a light-bulb moment for me when the idea that if I am feeling ok with myself then I will be ok with my children.  It was vital that I look at my own well-being which in turn had a positive effect on my children’.

The group finished the programme for the summer months by celebrating International Family Day in May when they created the piece of art-work representing what the parents felt family meant to them.  Respond hopes to re-commence this group in September 2013 and would be delighted to see new faces.  It you are interested or would like to find out more please contact Niamh Flavin Family Support Worker Respond Housing Association  (087)9161369. All are welcome.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT (GROUP PHOTOS) JOE EVANS

Sean Browne Crescent in Enniscorthy also celebrated family day by doing some very artistic pictures of what family means to them. These works of art were entered into the national ESB / One Family competition.  The aim of the competition and Family Day is to promote family diversity and to celebrate our wonderful families, whatever their shape or size.

A ‘family tree’ was also used as an imaginative way for families to depict what family means. A tree was used as a representation of the various branches of the family. Members of the family then designed thoughtful message and hung their colourful decorations on the trees designed by Family Resource Officer Jennife Danaher for both Marquis Drive, Dungarvan and Ard an Ghleanna, Tramore, Waterford.