Many new Mums and Dads find parenting much harder than they expected, and this catches them by surprise. They may feel they are failing or alone because everyone else seems to be OK…on the surface at least.

Every child is unique and they don’t come with an instruction manual (if only!), so it can be confusing and confronting when your child presents new or challenging needs or behaviours. All parents need support at some point in their child’s development.

Parenting, like any job – requires a set of skills that develop over time. Although it may feel or look as if it comes naturally, many parenting skills can be learnt, practised and improved upon. At The Parents Village, we can help you understand your child’s developmental needs and behaviour, and build a toolkit of strategies to ensure that your family thrives instead of survives.

There is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ parent, but there is such a thing as effective parenting. Effective parenting meets the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of children. It stimulates and nurtures children so they develop into skilled, self-reliant, empathetic individuals who relate well to others. These core functions of parenting are universally important.