It's fair to say the Real Parents crew is a collaboratively strong and experienced group. Bringing a diverse range of skills & knowledge in psychology, communications, teaching, social-work, law, and of, course, parenting, we offer a range of parenting programmes, seminars and private-coaching, including:
Want next level parenting strategies?
One of our most popular parenting programmes is the "Incredible Years", which we run several times throughout the year, around the wider Canterbury region.
We offer programmes for two specific age-groups:
The "Incredible Years" programme is a 14-week parenting programme - which in itself, is a real strength. This 14-week period gives parents enough time to implement the parenting strategies with support every step of the way. It also means that strong connections form amongst the group - much like Plunket groups when we had new babies.
Supported by the Ministry of Education, the Incredible Years programmes are completely FREE. Incredible Years is one of the most researched parenting programmes in New Zealand, if not the world.
The outcomes we see for parents who complete the Incredible Years programme include:
Real Parents has facilitated the Incredible Years programme as far south as Ashburton, and as far north as Kaikoura. We have recently adapted our programme to fall into line with Covid-19 alert level and physical distancing requirements and remain flexible with how we run our programmes.
Most of our programmes are well sought after and have extensive waiting lists and bookings are essential. We usually start our programmes in February, and again around August (generally to coincide with term times).
Anna and Melissa (two of our Incredible Years facilitators) recently recorded a podcast chatting about the Incredible Years programme and all it covers. Listen in here.
If you are interested in either of these programmes sign-up online here and we'll be in touch. Or if you're interested in one-on-one private parent coaching, then please get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
Missing a deeper connection with your child, or wanting to develop your relationship further?
Then our "Tuning Into Kids" programme is for you.
Sometimes we question our love for our kids and this can be hard for parents to grapple with. We want to love them, feel we should, but… arrrrgh!
"Tuning Into Kids" is a parenting programme for parents of three to 12-year-olds, who would like to find ways to help their kids through tough emotions, lessen the meltdowns, and re-establish a loving connection.
The programme is designed to run over six-weeks, where parents meet with other parents who face many of the same challenges. In this way, the group normalises the struggles they can sometimes experience with parenting.
As it suggests, the programme is all about "tuning in" to our kids' emotions, (as well as our own) and teaches parents how to provide emotional coaching in order to support their own children.
This way, children learn to recognise and understand their feelings, and eventually, manage them (the research confirms this!).
Amazingly too, kids who are emotionally intelligent (ie, can generally recognise and manage their emotions) tend to do better academically, and throughout their adult career. They also tend to have better social skills, are good friends and display more positive behaviours.
Real Parents currently offers the "Tuning Into Kids" programme in conjunction with other support organisations and Early Childhood Centres (ECE). Our offerings vary throughout the year, so please touch base to determine dates of our upcoming courses.
Note that this programme is not a funded initiative (as is The Incredible Years) and there is a cost to attend. Please contact us if you'd like to register, or for further information.
When parenting isn't always plain sailing, it's good to know there are people who you can reach out to for support.
Our parent coaching is next level. Built around you - your schedule, your goals, and your unique challenges. You’ll be supported by one of our experienced professionals, with backgrounds in psychology, education and social work, we'll provide guidance and the tools for you and your kids to thrive.
Coaching sessions are priced at $140 per session - you can find more details here, or contact us for a completely confidential, no-obligation chat.
Managing emotions
This is our most popular presentation and where we remove the worry from the 'emotionally challenging behaviour' by taking parents (and teachers) through:
Book one of our specialist team for this interactive presentation today.
"It's so great to have a clearer understanding of my children and how to connect with them through their struggles. Being able to see confidence grow in them since working with you has been fantastic.” Parent, 2022
Our team have some favourite topics to present about, and this is one of them! In this dynamic and interesting workshop we'll talk you through:
Book one of our specialist team for this interactive presentation today.
Our tamariki spend a lot of time in education, so getting this right, supporting this and making it fun and manageable are crucial. This interactive presentation will support parents to:
Book one of our specialist team for this interactive presentation today.
“Thank you so much. Since working with Real Parents we have a better relationships with our children and are much more able to better cope with their challenging behaviour which is nowhere near as much!” Parent 2022
We have been lucky enough to support organisations and groups working with refugee and migrant-background families. These programmes are 10-week courses consisting of group seminars on parenting and child development.
The programmes run over 8 to 10 weeks and can include one-one coaching sessions with individual families where further support is required. Seminars are interactive, discussion-based with practical examples, role-plays and other activities to aid learning. The programme is designed to be tailored to fit the needs of your community and can be carried out with or without an interpreter, depending on parents’ level of English language.
We have been privileged to work alongside Red Cross, Ministry of Education, Phillipstown Kidsfirst Kindergarten and the Department of Internal Affairs with these programmes.
You have made me feel like a better mother. I recognise all the good things I can do. (Chinese parent graduate)
The sessions on discipline had a big impact on me. It has helped me manage my child's behaviour - before I wouldn't know what to do. I didn't know there were ways to change, I thought it was just the way some children are. Now I feel like I have options and it has made me feel much calmer. (Eritrean parent graduate)
Coming from a refugee camp where it was stressful, it is hard to parent properly. It is not a good situation for kids, and you feel that every day...It is hard to focus on parenting. Coming here it is a relief to think about these things, but then we do not know some ways to parent... this course has been helpful in providing this knowledge. (Eritrean parent graduate)
The team at Real Parents have developed a foundational child and family support workshop which is 3 hours long and can be delivered within your workplace.
The workshop supports your team to learn positive parenting strategies and improve their family relationships, and covers:
This is an investment in the psychological wellbeing of your team and their families - now, and for the rest of their lives.
Tailored to meet the needs of your team and workplace. Contact us for pricing and booking.
“It's the perfect course and thank you to the facilitators” - Parent attending, 2022
