Children’s Fund Medway

Background

Discipline a difficult issue in the home, lots of conflict and arguing, also behaviour problems at school.

Approach 

Attendance of 7-week parenting course.

Outcome 

Parent reported that the child's behaviour had changed because the parent had approached disciplining differently, i.e. by the way the parent responded - offering choices and consequences instead of shouting.

Quotes (not necessarily re this case study)

"My outlook as a parent has changed.  I enjoy my children more and have more respect for their feelings. I feel that my whole family's life is easier and more fun and relaxed."

"Of course at first I didn't believe some of the techniques would work but they did!"

"My children have handled being disciplined a lot better - instead of situations getting out of hand, I've been more calmer, I've learnt to ignore certain situations to a certain degree."

"I am calmer and more laid back."

"I found all aspects of the course really useful and helpful."

"The way I deal with problems and situations with the children, I handle in a different way. Happy and calmer household. Enjoy my children more."

Estimated savings to statutory services as a result of intervention

If behaviour problems at school had escalated research by Carl Parsons suggests educational costs of £4,300 p.a. and mean costs to other services of £1,200 p.a.  This is probably an underestimation as these are 1994/5 figures.