Parents
After the 1st session 2 parents had made significant progress and one said the communication in the family has never been as good as it is now. After the 2nd session 1 more parent had reported her partner had been engaged with all the family and the atmosphere was very much better in the family.

After the 4th session the parent I thought would be the most challenging, left a message on my phone the following day and said I've tried all sorts of therapies and counselling and I don't know how you have done it but, you have shown me a chink of light in the black hole. I never thought I could ever be happy and you have given me faith in myself

All parents have now made significant breakthroughs with their family relationships.

Children
Generally the girls were introspective and the boys hyperactive with very little concentration. After 4 weeks they are now able to enjoy and participate in the whole 2 hour session (with breaks) together. One of the girls has picked up a book and read it throughout and been more assertive and another has complained that she has not got a speaking part in the Christmas play. One of the boys is very concerned about his behaviour and is self monitoring it.

Whilst other things are going on in the school to help and the parents have their bad days the overall feeling is that the programme is far exceeding expectations.

Some comments from the parents were;

"I have learnt enough to know my thoughts are more positive now than ever before.....I take time now to listen to my thoughts and my children express their own. Things have improved at home. My youngest daughter tells me how she is feeling, what she wants to do and say and expresses herself much more and I have found her older sisters listen to her and take into consideration what she has to say...."

"With the course I and my kids have found a way that is working towards this (our strong family again). I don't expect things to go back to how they was before, as we have all changed and are getting to know each other again as the people we are now, but we all believe we will be a stronger family and as individuals."

"I have found that changing the way I think has changed the way I talk to the children. There is not any more shouting and screaming above them. We now try and talk to each other. Not always possible but we are getting there. As a family we also do more together .....There is more respect between all of us ... With all the family getting on better I do not feel a failure. I enjoy being a mum."

Head Teacher
"I was struck by the innovative approach of the programme in engaging parents with their children. We have had some very positive feedback from the parents and the children really enjoyed working with their parents at home and in school.
Nic Fiddaman, Head Teacher, Woodlands Primary School