National College of Ireland > About > Early Learning Initiative > Dublin's Inner - City Programmes > Support for Parents

Restorative Parenting

The aim of the Restorative Parenting group is to support healthy parent-child relationships, develop good communication, and assist in building strong and happy families.

“Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do.”

Being a parent is one of the most challenging roles in life, which is why it is important for parents to support themselves in that role.

Restorative Parenting compliments the existing Restorative Practice initiatives being run in the community which are funded by the Government’s Area-Based Childhood (ABC) Programme and North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative. The Restorative Parenting Groups take place in various community settings, which make them accessible for parents to attend.

The group meet over an eight-week period and explore the following themes:

1. The nurture & structure roles of the parent
2. Approaches to dealing with challenging behaviour
3. Connecting feelings with needs
4. Helping children to identify and name feelings
5. Developing a supportive and encouraging relationship
6. Connecting with children through play
7. The importance of self-care in the parenting role

What parents say

Parents who have completed the course have commented:

“it has helped me to understand my children better, to listen to them...to be patient with my children, listen more...it has helped me to less hard on myself, have more self-care.”

“It has helped me to think differently to how I am with my children, to be more patient and to listen to what they need from me.”

“I felt I’m not alone, I can open myself without judgements, I learnt a lot about being a mother...I learnt things that I’m going to carry for my whole life.”

“The course helped me to understand my kids feelings and behave calmly in difficult situations.”

“The course gave me time to learn, think and reflect on my parenting, making me more aware and conscious of my habits and behaviour...”

“It has made me realise that I need to take time out for me...”