About this Event
About these sessions
Parenting can feel difficult at any stage- not only when a family has reached crisis point. At Tend, we believe families should be able to access specialist support early: when questions, worries or repeated struggles first begin, and while there is still space to understand what is happening and find a different way forward.
Led by a qualified play therapist, this five-week group brings specialist knowledge about children’s emotional development, behaviour, play and relationships into a relaxed, welcoming and practical space. It is for any parent or carer who would like to understand their child more deeply, feel more confident in difficult moments and build a calmer, more connected family life. You do not need a referral, diagnosis or particular level of difficulty to attend.
Pricing
We want specialist support to be financially accessible, so places are offered using a sliding scale. Families can choose for themselves the price that best reflects their circumstances. Everyone receives exactly the same five-week programme, whichever price they select. The lower prices do not reflect a difference in the quality or value of the support- they are offered so that cost does not prevent families from taking part.
Each ticket books one parent or carer onto the complete five-week programme. Guidance beneath each ticket option will help you choose the price that best reflects your current circumstances.
This workshop is subsidised by Norfolk Community Foundation’s Love Norfolk Grant. If you need further support with the cost, please email [email protected] and we’ll send you a code to attend for free. No questions asked- we don’t want cost to be a barrier to joining us.
Course Outline
Arrive from 10:45 am | Sessions 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Each session is relaxed, supportive, and practical:
- Arrive, make drinks, settle in
- Welcome and what we’ll focus on today
- Simple ideas about children, behaviour, and why things go wrong
- Talking things through using real-life parenting situations
- Take-home ideas to try during the week
Week 1: “Is This Normal?” – Making Sense of Children’s Behaviour
If you’ve ever wondered “Why are they like this?” this session is for you. We look at what children’s behaviour is really telling us and why some things are much harder for children than adults expect. We’ll talk about how staying connected - sometimes using play - can make everyday moments easier.
We’ll cover:
- Why children behave the way they do
- What’s normal for different ages
- How empathy and play can calm things down
- Letting go of guilt and self-blame
Week 2: “I’ve Tried Everything” – Getting Cooperation Without Punishments
This session is about moving away from rewards, punishments, and constant battles. We’ll look at why these often stop working, and what helps instead. Parents learn simple ways to use empathy, play, and problem-solving together to reduce resistance and build cooperation.
We’ll cover:
- Why punishments and reward charts often fail
- How empathy helps children listen
- Using play to reduce tension and pushback
- Solving problems with children, not against them
Week 3: “Why Does This Push My Buttons?” – When Parenting Feels Hard
Parenting can bring up big feelings. This session helps parents understand their own stress, triggers, and reactions - especially when things spiral. We focus on being kind to ourselves and finding ways back to connection when things go wrong.
We’ll cover:
- Why certain behaviours feel unbearable
- What happens when we’re stressed or exhausted
- Losing our calm - and finding it again
- Repairing after shouting or snapping
Week 4: “I React Before I Think” – Staying Calm Without Being Permissive
This session is about responding rather than reacting. Parents learn how to slow things down, keep boundaries without shouting, and stay connected even when saying no. We’ll look at when play helps, when empathy helps, and how to problem-solve together.
We’ll cover:
- Pausing instead of reacting
- Holding limits kindly
- Staying calm without giving in
- Turning tricky moments into learning moments
Week 5: “How Do We Make This Last?” – Building a Happier Family Life
The final session pulls everything together. Parents reflect on what’s working, what feels possible, and how to keep going when life gets busy or stressful. The focus is on building family relationships that feel warmer, calmer, and more enjoyable.
We’ll cover:
- What really makes family life easier long-term
- Building trust and connection
- Using play and teamwork in everyday life
- Creating a parenting approach that fits your family
Your Programme Summary
At the end of the five weeks, you’ll receive a written Programme Summary covering the key themes and areas you have explored during the workshop.
This gives you something concrete to take away from the programme and can also be useful when talking with your child’s school or other professionals involved with your family. It can help you show what you have been exploring, the approaches you have learned about and the work you have undertaken as a parent or caregiver.
Your Programme Summary reflects your participation in a specialist-led parent programme. It is not an assessment or clinical report about your child and does not provide a diagnosis or replace individual therapeutic or clinical assessment.
Event venue & nearby stays
Tend Collective Community Interest Company, Carrow House, Norwich, United Kingdom
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