City of York Council is giving parents a helping hand on how to make their child's transition from childhood to adolescence as smooth as possible this autumn.

The new round of parenting programmes for parents of eight to 13 year olds are part of a government-funded initiative called 'Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities'. York is one of a number of cities in the UK that has been chosen to pilot the scheme to help support parents and enhance their parenting skills.

The programme promotes violence-free, healthy lifestyles and aims to build on parents own values, rather than telling them how they should be parenting.

The main emphasis of the eight to 13 parenting sessions will be on:
- Enhancing relationships between parents and their children through anger management and solution building
- A variety of techniques to increase respectful behaviour
- Activities to help mothers and fathers understand how their own family backgrounds influence their behaviour
- Encourages parents to access community resources and become involved or set up their own community activities
- Illustrating how to reduce violence in all settings – in the community, in the home and against the self.

The Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities programmes will run in six areas of the city - Hob Moor, Tang Hall, Clifton, New Earswick, City Centre and Poppleton Road - starting in either September or November. There will also be specific groups for dads, separated mums and dads, travellers, drug using parents and a Polish speaking group. The programmes run for a whole term and a free meal will be provided, along with free childcare for younger children.

Liz Savage, from the Children's Trust Unit at City of York Council, said: "Historically there has been little support for parents of children aged between eight and 13 years, but it can be a difficult time for parents and youngsters alike. It's a time of great change, with children moving from primary to secondary school, youngsters starting to become more aware of peer pressure and often starting to test the boundaries set by their parents.

"The courses are designed to provide parents with ways of dealing with a wide range of situations and the feedback that we've had suggests that they have been very effective in reducing tension in the household and making families feel closer."

To book a place on a course. Or for more information, please contact Liz Savage in the Children’s Trust Unit on 01904 554344