HSE positive parenting programme is launched
A positive parenting programme, Triple P has been launched by the HSE and is now available in Sligo and Leitrim.
Mayor of Sligo Municipal District, Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady was on hand to support the initiative at The Sligo Park Hotel.
Speaking at the launch, Teresa Cawley, Child Health HSE Health and Wellbeing Division CHO 1 said: “There is a strong emphasis in the programme on building positive healthy relationships within families and for parents to support their child’s growth and development through a range of tips and strategies that have been tested and proven.”
It helps parents cope positively with the challenges of raising children and managing misbehaviour making family life more enjoyable.
Cara O Neill, Head of Health and Wellbeing Division CHO Area 1 HSE said: “Triple P was chosen for delivery in Sligo/ Leitrim due to the unique partnership of the HSE and community and voluntary organisations under the Sligo Leitrim Children and Young People’s Service’s Committee (CYPSC).
The launch was attended by representatives from Oireachtas, key stakeholders and heads of services from the HSE community and midwifery services, TUSLA, community and voluntary sector, the CYPSC Board and some primary schools.
Karen Heavey, Midlands Triple P co-ordinator spoke of the experience that they had in the Midlands where the programme has been rolled out by the HSE.
“Coming to a Triple P course, parents can be unsure if they are in the right place. They may just want reassurance that they are handling issues the right way, or maybe they are having a bit of a battle over bedtimes, meal times or whatever. So often they ask ‘is it only me . . .?’ and, through the sharing of experiences with other parents on a course, they soon find they are far from alone.
“It normalises these everyday challenges and the fact that children will test boundaries,” says Heavey.
“A key piece of advice is to watch how much attention they are giving to negative behaviour and to try to give attention for positive behaviour – praising when children are doing things well. This can be a light bulb moment. The behaviour they are giving the most attention to is the one that they are going to see repeated.
“It is amazing to be a parent of a young child, there will be challenges along the way and we all need some tips from time to time that can make parenting easier and that we can be more confident in how we can support our children as they grow and develop.” A series of courses or workshops will be held throughout the Sligo/ Leitrim area. To book or for further information, phone Teresa on 071 9135076 or email Teresa. cawley@hse.ie