Parenting with purpose

When Nikki and Craig Mackay step into the Family Works meeting room each week, they know they’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who share a common goal of raising their children to the very best of their ability.

Nikki and Craig are currently taking part in the Incredible Years programme and both are gaining valuable information and skills.

Nikki has a background in early childhood education and what she learnt during her training is helping today. Incredible Years focuses on strengthening parenting skills and nurturing relationships through play, attention and involvement.

“The Incredible Years programme is helping us develop strategies so that we can better engage with Hudson and see him grow into a nice young boy,” says Nikki.

Hudson is 5½ and could be described as having some behavioural challenges but the Incredible Years programme is about positive parenting and focusing on good behaviour.

“Craig and I and the other parents share something in common in that we all have children and want to improve the way we parent. It’s a positive experience and the group have started a group chat which is great.”

“While we want Hudson’s behaviour to improve, it’s up to us as parents to pave the way for that. For example, when we’re sitting at the dining table we ask him how his day was at school.

Rather than getting a yes or no answer, we’re encouraging him to share more information. We also focus on his good behaviour rather than his not-so-good behaviour and it’s clear his behaviour is improving as a result.”

The Incredible Years programme is held once a week over 14 weeks and is in a group format.

Banner image: Craig and Nikki Mackay with their son Hudson

Download a PDF of our People Magazine - 8MB