Figuring Things Out… For Parents

Service Description

Connected Families: Figuring Things Out... for Parents – Stage 1 Foundation is a free, local programme for parents and carers in the Cawdor school community. Cawdor Hub has secured funding from the Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme for its Connected Families project. Figuring Things Out... is Mike Ogden’s programme, delivered through MJO Wellbeing Services. The first Stage 1 block is planned to begin in late September 2026. Stage 1 is made up of eight connected two-hour sessions. They bring together practical ideas, shared knowledge, honest conversation and the experience already in the room. This is not about telling anyone how to parent or suggesting that children and families need fixing. Parents can explore what fits their family, keep what is useful and leave what is not. The eight sessions are: 1. Caring for yourself 2. Looking underneath behaviour 3. Pause before response 4. Validation, connection and moving forward 5. Communication that keeps connection 6. Boundaries, routines and shared problem-solving 7. Family life, difference, change and resilience 8. Digital wellbeing and bringing it together Each session has a clear theme and enough structure to hold it, but also room to breathe. I will bring ideas, questions and activities to help us get started, while allowing the conversation to follow what feels most useful for the group. We may spend longer on one part, move more quickly through another or leave something to return to. Parents’ questions, knowledge and shared reflections are part of the session, not an interruption to it. Nobody will be put on the spot or expected to share private family experiences. You can talk, write, draw, reflect privately, take a break or pass without having to explain. Examples can be fictional or kept general. We will begin by asking what parents want from this kind of space and what would make it useful. We will return to those hopes during the final session to understand what helped and what may need more attention. This is a practical group programme. It is not counselling, group therapy or an assessment of you, your child or your parenting. Taking part does not create a counselling relationship. Clear group and safeguarding arrangements will be explained at the beginning, and individual concerns will be directed towards the right source of support.