Our stories

While delivering our Bringing Up Great Kids parenting program to a new group of mums in custody in Queensland recently, it quickly became clear to our facilitator that the participants had faced many obstacles and challenges in their parenting journey.

Bringing Up Great Kids is a parenting program which supports mums and dads to reflect on their own childhoods while learning practical tools to better understand and connect with their kids. It’s all about helping parents become the best version of themselves they can be for their kids.

Right from the first session, especially during “messages from the past” section, the mums opened up freely about their struggles.

Many shared that they’d never had positive parenting role models growing up. Instead, they were trying to raise their own children by focusing on what not to do as they were determined not to repeat the experiences they’d lived through.

For many of the mums in the group, past trauma still impacts their lives, including their mental health.

But what stood out the most to our facilitator was their strength. They spoke about their motivation to create something better for their own kids.

During the session on brain development, moments of realisation happened when the mums said the information helped them understand not just their children’s behaviour, but their own and why they react to situations the way they do.

Mindfulness also came up again and again throughout the program. The mums said that the tools they were learning were helping them to improve their wellbeing so they could be more present for their children and strengthening their connection.

The sessions on communication also filled gaps in knowledge for those who had never been shown what healthy parenting looks like.

By the final session, the group had grown very close to one-another and their SHINE for Kids facilitator, and they were keen to share what the program meant to them.

Here’s what they had to say:

“I am one step closer to reunification with my twin sons.” 

“I feel I am able to make a change for our future. I feel I can fix some of the past through better decisions and choices.”

“I trust the parental course and the SHINE for Kids Storytime options that you provide toward BWCC women and our family.”

“Summa is amazing teacher. She covered all basis and listened without judgement. You’ve done an amazing job.  Thank you.” 

“I have a greater understanding of all impacts – emotionally, physically, mentally and feel I will have a much greater appreciation of the connection with my children and I feel I will be able to be a lot more present.  Thank you heaps Summa.” 

Their words say it all. This program is making a real difference, helping parents to heal, grow, and move forward with for their children.