Understanding children's behaviour and dealing with tricky parenting situations were just some of the things a group of Strandfontein parents tackled during a one-and-a-half-month parenting course.

The weekly classes were held at Masjidul Bahr hall, in Dennegeur Avenue, from Thursday July 25 to Thursday September 12.

“The training has been truly amazing, and I have learned so much,” said one of the parents who did not want to be named.

She could now go to the shop with her 15-year-old son without being badgered to buy things they could not afford, she said.

“In the past, I dreaded taking him along, as he always wanted something, regardless of the cost, which often led to conflicts because I couldn’t always afford it. But now, we even enjoy window shopping together."

Berenice Scott, the facilitator from The Parent Centre who ran the course, said the final class showed the participants had come full circle in piecing together the puzzle of parenting.

The Parent Centre is a registered non-profit that helps parents raise resilient children through its programmes and workshops.

Ms Scott said family meetings should allow each family member to be heard and appreciated and contribute to fostering better relations.

“Set the ground rules early and listen to each other as you communicate, express and assert your thoughts, ideas and feelings,” she said.

Parent Fagrieyah Adams said she had realised that parenting had changed a lot in the past 30 years.

“The course taught me many ways to approach a situation with softer eyes. To forgive the past. As my parents tried their best to rear us with the limited knowledge they had,” she said.

“We had to apply ourselves with what we had learned from our parents, and that came with lots of trauma deeply buried in the far recesses of our subconscious.

“If I knew what I learned over the eight weeks, I might have caused less trauma in my children, but I'm at peace that I tried my best. I shall continue to ask forgiveness for the trauma I caused my children.”

Each session had helped her better understand her own feelings and how to deal with different phases in a child’s growth, she said.

Shakeera Clayton said the “robot“ technique - red to stop, amber to think and green to respond in a positive manner - had helped her be a better parent.