- The Parent Centre in Wynberg helps parents understand and positively influence their children’s behaviour through various programmes.
- Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the centre offers affordable counselling and training sessions to families across Cape Town.
- Success is measured by positive changes within families, supported by referrals from various social and health organizations.
Modern-day parents are battling to understand their children’s behaviour as it differs from how they were raised. However, help is available at The Parent Centre, a non-profit organisation in Wynberg.
The centre strives to contribute to a society in which every parent/caregiver can raise resilient and well-balanced children in ways in which they can develop their full potential, protected from victimisation and abuse in communities.
“We teach parents/caregivers how to learn to parent positively, unlearn unhealthy and negative parenting habits of the past and relearn how to build a relationship with your children again,” says Carmen De Vos, manager of the facility.
While the centre is based in Wynberg, it has a satellite office in Gugulethu.
40th anniversary
The centre celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The facility has clients from the greater Cape Town areas like Hout Bay/Imizamo Yethu, Plumstead, Hanover Park, Wynberg, Athlone, Plumstead, Delft, Kenilworth, Kraaifontein, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Philippi, Nyanga, Table View, Simons Town, Mfuleni and Strand, to name a few.
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“We determine success by any positive change within the parent or family. We regularly receive referrals (formal and informal) from statutory organisations (Child Welfare Society, Badisa and the Department of Social Development). Other clients were referred by the Department of Health, children’s courts, attorneys and family advocate offices. Counselling sessions are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the costs are based on household income and range between R50 to R450.
“We do assist families who do not have the means to pay. We facilitate two to three groups every quarter (April to June, July to September, October to December and January to March).
“As we are subsidised by the Department of Social Development and an NPO, we also need to generate income to sustain our programmes.
“We are embarking on offering our training on Saturdays for working parents, at an affordable cost,” De Vos says.
- Through your training sessions, I learned invaluable lessons about positive parenting, empathy and understanding. I realised that being a parent doesn’t mean always being right, but rather listening to my children’s feelings and understanding their perspectives. Your programme helped me break away from harmful patterns of stress, shouting, and physical discipline, and instead, embrace a more compassionate and constructive approach to parenting.
- The impact of your training extended beyond my own family. I shared the insights and techniques I learned with my colleagues, who were equally inspired by the positive changes they saw in me. The support and camaraderie we found in each session were truly uplifting, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside other parents. Booking half- day leave from work was a pleasure because I knew I was at the right place at the right time.
- “The training solved my biggest problem – not understanding my children.”
- “It has taught me lifelong relationship building skills to use with my family and beyond.”
- “My kids look at me differently asking me ‘mom are you okay’? I’m grateful they notice the change in me.”
- “I feel liberated, knowing now what to do in a (parenting) situation”.
- “My kids are more at ease, I feel positive.”
It is advisable to book in advance as only 25 places are available.
- For more information on the programmes, contact De Vos on 021 762 0116 or email paces@theparentcentre.org.za
