Parents most common complaint is that their kids wonB次元官网网址檛 listen.
While the same frustration has been expressed for generations, thereB次元官网网址檚 a program in Greater Victoria that just might help find a remedy.
Since 2008, educators around southern Vancouver Island B次元官网网址� within schools, community centres and public health units B次元官网网址� have been trained on Triple P, or Positive Parenting Program, a system of parenting techniques based on behaviour monitoring and designed to reinforce positive actions and prevent the negative ones.
Previous parenting systems havenB次元官网网址檛 been evidence-based and havenB次元官网网址檛 allowed parents to access the level of information they seek, said Cindy Knott, Vancouver Island Triple P co-ordinator.
That level of information, Knott added, can range from one-time sessions and take-home materials to registration in free parenting workshops and ongoing group support sessions.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not saying this is a program for people who are having difficulty or (who are) bad parents,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 for everybody. And thatB次元官网网址檚 how it differs. B次元官网网址� Some parents just need the basic information, others may need more intensive support.B次元官网网址�
Triple P offers both early prevention and treatment, added Knott, who trains Island Triple P practitioners.
B次元官网网址淏ecause it is being offered at multi-access points, if you talk to someone at a school, or in public health or at your neighbourhood house, theyB次元官网网址檙e all speaking the same language,B次元官网网址� Knott said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all talking about the same strategies and techniques.B次元官网网址�
In Greater Victoria, Triple P is offered primarily through community centres, such as Saanich Neighbourhood Place.
Patricia McKay, co-ordinator of family support services at Saanich Neighbourhood Place, said the feedback she receives from Triple P programs is generally quite positive, even if some of whatB次元官网网址檚 taught is more about reviewing what works than learning new techniques.
B次元官网网址淧arents typically feel like itB次元官网网址檚 really helped them,B次元官网网址� McKay said. B次元官网网址淪ome (teachings) are things that parents already know B次元官网网址� like time outs B次元官网网址� but they learn a different way to do it.B次元官网网址�
For McKay, key components are knowing how to curb escalating behaviour, engaging in activities and implementing logical consequences.
And while she canB次元官网网址檛 guarantee Triple P will remedy the most common concern she hears, it brings parents one step closer.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the one thing that parents tend to say to me: B次元官网网址楳y kids donB次元官网网址檛 listen to me.B次元官网网址� This gives (parents) some strategies.B次元官网网址�
Between March 1, 2009, and Aug. 31, 2010, nearly 2,500 families on Vancouver Island accessed the program. For more information on Triple P programs in Greater Victoria, visit triplepvip.ca.
nnorth@saanichnews.com
