Family time

By Lindsay and Mark Melluish, London, United Kingdom

Course resources/make up

The Family Time Book: - covers all the material presented in course and questions which correspond to each session.

The Family Time (course) Handbook: one  handbook for each member. It contains session notes, worksheets, and suggestions.

The Family Time Course Leader’s Handbook: covers all information included in the course handbook but in more detail.

10 Session Course on 5 DVD’s –  to be run consecutively, although they can be done in a way that best suits community and child care provision of participants

Publicity material (posters and invitations) are also available to purchase.

Staffing the Course

Ideally the course is led by a couple with children so that they can model what is being taught about family life. This would be best if they are not brand new parents and preferably a couple who has children of varying ages.  If the leaders are a couple who have adult children, it is good for them to team up with a couple who have small children.

It is also good to encourage those parenting alone to share in leading the course, especially if there are single parents planning on attending the course.

Be prepared to offer ongoing informal (i.e. non professional) ongoing support following course.

Course Participants

Parents with young children – largely aimed at those with children under the age of 12, however material is also relevant for those with older children.

It is more effective if both parents are able to do the course together.

The Handbook recommends this course for use in a local church, local school or any community where there are parents with young children. It is ideal for those with small children who are on the fringes of church but not yet ready for Alpha; or for those in the church asking questions about parenting.

Aims of the Course

·         Families united together - individuals sharing a common vision, holding common values and having a common purpose

·         Strengthened family ties with a model/framework to create a rhythm for family life that allows for reflection, relaxation and adventure together.

·         Enabling people to be equipped for the practical issues of parenting children.

·         Enabling people to adopt a lifestyle that creates a rhythm in life for families.

·         To reach both parents so that the whole family is impacted.

Overview of the Content

The course looks at the whole family, how members relate to one another and to those around them.   It encourages reflection on the children, and family life. Following reflection, the course encourages participants to move on to look at both who they want to be and how they might get there.

Topics

Session 1
Having a vision for our Family – living lives significant within and outside the family.
Reaching our Children’s Hearts – understanding who our children are, where their hearts are, what is motivating them to live the way they do.
Our example as Parents – reflecting on who we are as parents, and the opportunities to influence our children by our behaviour and words.

 

Session 2
Love and Marriage (includes lots of references and ideas for single parents). The impact marriage has on the family and how to make it stronger.

 

Session 3
Communication – building strong relationships with our children.

 

Session 4
The family – The influence ‘family’ has on children, how to build a family identity.

 

Session 5
Other Influences – Influences children come under in and outside of family, how parents can influence this  for good.
Faith – Briefly explores children’s relationship with God and looks at ways parents can encourage that relationship.

 

Session 6
Values – Identifying and passing on family values.

 

Session 7 & 8
Discipline – Obedience in family life, discipline and behaviour – encouragement of good and correction of not so good. **Please note, spanking is illegal in New Zealand, You need not watch this session. This session is based on the premise that spanking is one of many tools a parent can choose to use or not use. It discusses guidelines for ‘loving’ spanking – including when not to spank.

Session 9
Relationships – Sibling relationship and child’s relationships with friends, parents and other adults. What it means to be an outward looking family.

 

Session 10
Review and celebration of individual family achievements of course participants.

 

** The course also encourages a 3 month follow up social activity to keep links and relationships.

Format of a typical evening

It is an informal environment and the course is 2 hours long

The course begins with a welcome and notices, as well as feedback on the past week.

Watch the talk.

Refreshments (supper) and social time (about 20 minutes)

Discussion Groups (10 – 12 maximum)

Close with prayer if appropriate.

Costs

Participants could make a nominal charge to give people a sense of ownership and to cover the costs of the handbook, venue and supper. For more information  contact the website www.discoverfamilytime.com

Why use this course?

• It empowers parents and gives them confidence to be the parents God has called them to be.
• It draws people into the church and can be a follow up contact following baptisms, weddings or kids groups.
• When run regularly (yearly or more often) it helps the church become known in local community as a family friendly environment. Your church may be the place they will go for baptisms, Easter, Christmas etc.
• It is a proactive way of reaching out into the community with Christian Values to meet peoples relevant and immediate needs. Parenting is a hot topic in all communities at the moment. This course may be a first point of contact for many people to experience Gods love.  In England the course has been run successfully in schools – some schools have requested it be run.  It provides opportunities for parents to build relationships with Christians in a non- threatening way.
• Parents can meet other parents – it breaks down barriers and provides opportunities for parents to build their own parenting networks.

 

• Alpha
• The Alpha Marriage Course
• Marriage Course
• Triple P
• Toolbox
• Family Time
• Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right

Links to other pages

• Parenting Courses
• Pre-Marriage & Marriage
• Whats On
• Library Resources