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Hand in Hand’s Foundations Course for Parents and Caregivers in Neurodiverse Families Online with Lara Zane and Alison Kemi

6 Mondays beginning February 10th, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM UK, 9:00 AM US Pacific, 12:00 PM US Eastern (**this class will remain in UK time after the March 3rd US time change)

£265

Do you ever wish that your child had arrived with a ‘how to parent me’ manual?

Are there sticky situations that crop up again and again?

Or have you entered a whole new stage with situations that you’re not sure how to navigate?

Do you find yourself feeling like you’re the only one dealing with challenges like this?

For over 30 years, Hand in Hand Parenting has been supporting parents to understand their children’s behaviour and build deeply connected relationships that last a lifetime. We know that every family is unique and that with sufficient support each parent can figure out what will work best in their specific situation. 

The five Listening Tools that we share are easy to learn and yet hugely effective. They have transformed lives around the world, helping parents to connect deeply with their children, bring more play and joy into their lives and support the development of emotional resilience in the whole family. 

Joining a Foundations course allows you to explore the Hand in Hand approach within a small group of like-minded parents, guided by a certified instructor. This class is led by two instructors, Alison Kemi and Lara Zane, so you will get double the support and experience! 

Alison and Lara love working with parents from families of all shapes and sizes, and their personal and professional experience in supporting neurodivergent children is of particular value to those who are seeking an extra level of understanding in this area. Since connecting as Instructors, they have really enjoyed exploring and discussing neurodiversity and how the Hand in Hand Parenting tools can support neurodivergent families.

Alison says,

“In recent years, there has been a huge increase in information and advice for parents in neurodivergent families. So much of that is really helpful but I still keep coming back to the Connection Tools from Hand in Hand Parenting. Building that emotional understanding as a foundation and developing deep listening skills is essential for having strong supportive relationships in our families.” 

Lara agrees, and adds,

“I know from my own life that finding a guide with relevant lived experience is particularly valuable when your children are showing up in ways that seem ‘more’ than the norm. So if you would describe your child as highly sensitive, reactive, or neurodivergent (or you are yourself neurodivergent) then joining a class with other parents in ND families could be a wonderful opportunity. It gives you a chance to learn more about how to support your child while building your own network of adults who ‘get it’ and are also working to parent in a respectful and connection-focussed way.”

During this six week course, Lara and Alison will support you to explore the Hand in Hand approach, use it to make the changes you want for your family and become more confident in your parenting. Every week you’ll meet over Zoom in a small and cosy group to take a look at one of the Hand in Hand tools in detail and answer your questions to help you with whatever’s going on in your home right now. 

By the end of this course you will:

  • Have a much better understanding of what drives your child’s behaviour
  • Understand all five tools that make up the Hand in Hand Parenting approach
  • Know how to help your kids move through the hard times and recover from old hurts
  • Develop new ways to have fun and play together
  • Feel much more confident about setting warm limits in a way that builds co-operation and connection long-term
  • Be carefully listened to in a safe and emotionally supportive space, allowing you to find the best way forward for you and your family
  • Have had plenty of opportunities to ask questions about how to use these tools with whatever situation you are facing right now
  • Meet like-minded parents and discover a community of others who ‘get you’
  • Learn the skills to set up Listening Partnerships with other parents that will enrich your life for many years to come.

The course costs £265 which includes:

  • Weekly zoom calls of 1.5-2 hours (depending on numbers) in which Alison and Lara will explain the key concepts around each tool, answer your questions and provide opportunities for you to develop Listening Partnership skills in a pair and as part of a whole group
  • Membership of a small community of other parents on this course (maximum 10 participants). Having this safe space to share openly and be there for each other is a hugely powerful benefit to joining a class and you can stay in touch and continue to support each other long after the course has finished
  • A dedicated discussion group for questions and help as we go along
  • Lifetime access to an online classroom with excellent videos and reading material to support your learning by Patty Wipfler, Hand in Hand Parenting’s inspirational founder.

Payment plans are available and one bursary place is available per course. There is a discount for couples joining together. Please email one of us to discuss any of these options.

To hear updates, ask questions or to book your spot you can email us on 

[email protected] or [email protected] or 

 

click here to register

 

More about Lara and Alison

 

Lara Zane is a mum to two school aged kids based in London. She writes,

“In my own parenting I’ve discovered that this connection based approach is a real game-changer, enabling me to help my kids to work through their tough times, and helping me to build both the skills and the emotional support I need to show up confidently in my parenting and beyond. This approach made such a difference in my life that I trained to become an instructor and, since then, have been hugely privileged to have supported hundreds of parents to bring real and lasting shifts in their families through my classes, workshops, writing and via the       Tales from the Toolbox Podcast which I present alongside an international team of instructors. “

Alison Kemi is based in Glasgow and has one child. She says,

“As a floundering new mum, I searched everywhere for support in dealing with all the big emotions coming up, both mine and my son’s. After feeling like I’d tried EVERYTHING, I began to wonder if there was something wrong with me or my son when nothing seemed to help, I came across Hand in Hand Parenting which advocates listening. Listening to myself, to my son, to other parents and developing the skills to notice and be with those emotions instead of trying to stop them has transformed my life. Meeting others online has helped me find community that has sustained me in the years since and enabled me to build that community around me in person too.”  

To hear what other parents have said about working with Lara and Alison, and to learn more about the neurodiversity focus of this course, please read on…

What it’s like to work with Alison and Lara

 

Here’s what parents have said about what it’s been like to work with Lara: 

“I’ve really enjoyed the Hand in Hand Parenting classes with Lara. She is warm and kind, creating a lovely safe space in the group to listen and share. I am learning a lot about myself and my children and the parenting techniques Lara teaches us have been eye opening and empowering. The weekly classes have been an oasis of calm and the zoom format works really well. It is so reassuring to know that you aren’t alone in your parenting challenges and that there’s support out there.”

 “The course in general and working with you in particular has been amazing. It is completely changing the way I parent and look at the role of being a parent. You create a kind, empathetic and respectful environment within which we can all explore the demands and frustrations, and equip us with the tools to deal with these in a gentler and more playful manner. I have found it to be a moving and powerful thing to be a part of, and can’t thank you enough for the gift you offer.”

 “Attending Lara’s Hand in Hand parenting course has been a total life-changer for me. It has given me back a sense of confidence in my parenting, helping me to regain feelings of joy in my interactions with my twin boys. Lara’s sensitive, non-judgmental approach has allowed me to gently unfold my fears and worries around being a Mum. She offers a safe, supportive environment in which to share and learn. I am bowled over by the simple yet very effective tools taught on this course and I love that it is underpinned by brain science.”

Find out more about Lara here or listen to the Tales from the Toolbox Podcast to get a really good feel for who she is and how this approach can support you and your family. 

 

Parents have shared the following about working with Alison: 

“I can’t tell you how much you’ve given me and my family. You’ve opened up a world of likeminded parents, you’ve given me time for myself, you have given me the most AMAZING support.”

“I love the real life examples given – this brought the concepts to life and let me imagine how I could use them practically with my own kids.”

“Just wanted to say thank you again for your wisdom and support. Your help has been invaluable and I’m feeling very optimistic and hopeful that whatever life throws at us, we’ve got the tools to thrive.”

You can find out more about Alison here or on social media here

If you have questions or are ready to book your spot you can email us on 

[email protected] or [email protected] or 

 

click here to register

 

FAQs on the neurodiversity focus of this course

 

Lara Zane and Alison Kemi have a wealth of experience and understanding of various expressions of neurodivergence including autism, ADHD, PDA, dyslexia and anxiety. And yet, we know that this does not make us experts on your child. Throughout this course, we will support you to attune to each unique child in your family, building connection not only in cosy times or through play and laughter but also in the tricky moments, helping you to lift your own fears so you can see situations with more clarity and understanding.

Does my child need a diagnosis for me to attend this course?

No, this course is suitable for parents of all children no matter their neurotype. All parents/carers are welcome whether your child has a diagnosis, is waiting on assessment, you are unsure of their neurotype or have decided not to seek assessment. 

Will you teach more about autism/ADHD/PDA etc during this course? 

Not directly, as this is outside of our remit as Hand in Hand Instructors, and there are many other wonderful resources available elsewhere that can help you find out more about understanding neurodiversity. This course is special in that it helps you to build a foundation for understanding how your child’s emotions affect them in different ways and how to build and deepen the connection that you both need to navigate these years together, while building in lots of support for you, the parent. 

Each week we will teach a different Hand in Hand Connection Tool to help you understand your child’s emotions and clarify your thinking on what you notice in your child. You will build support and discover how different ways of responding can affect your relationship and your child’s ability to engage with the world and gain confidence in themselves. Our experience has shown us that with careful attunement and nuanced use, these tools work brilliantly to support neurodivergent and neurotypical children alike, and their parents or caregivers. 

While we won’t be teaching about different neurotypes as part of this course, you are warmly encouraged to ask questions and learn from your own experiences, and that of other participants as you experiment with these tools. By taking a neuroaffirming approach, we can help you to explore ways of adapting these tools for your unique children, whatever their needs and neurotype.

Why are you teaching a course for parents/carers of neurodivergent children? 

One of the things we’ve noticed in the years of being in, and leading courses and support groups with Hand in Hand Parenting, is that it can feel hugely supportive to be around other parents who are having similar experiences. The specifics of each child’s neurotype might be different, but we know how helpful it is to feel like you are in a group of others who get it; for example, it can be a relief to be with others who also feel like they are having a more challenging experience of parenting than others around them, or the sense that you may be facing more judgement and lack of understanding. 

We know that it can feel isolating to be the only parent in a group where children do not respond to life’s events in a way that is considered ‘typical’ or whose upsets do not resolve quickly. We have noticed that some families need to think more deeply about their child’s emotions, and/or their response to them, and we enjoy supporting that process. 

I am diagnosed/identify as a neurodivergent adult. Is this course a good fit for me? 

We warmly welcome parents/carers of any neurotype and are supportive of self-diagnosis. Please contact us if you wish to discuss your access requirements or have any questions. We have lived experience of neurodivergence ourselves. 

Do I need to attend the live calls? 

Yes. This course contains a lot of information which you can learn through reading materials or watching videos in your own time. However the main experience is interactive and you will benefit most from coming to each weekly call and hearing the discussion, submitting your own questions either on the call or by message beforehand and taking a turn in Listening Partnerships. 

We understand this can feel daunting for many parents and will endeavour to make the call a safe space for all. There is no one ‘right way’ to show up in this space. Rather we invite you to come as you are. We can’t wait to meet you.

Are you ready to join us? Do you still have questions?

If you have questions, please email us. We know it can seem overwhelming trying to find the right support for you and your family and we want to make sure that this course is a good fit for you before you commit. We’re happy to email or chat before you sign up to answer your questions, give you a chance to get a sense of us and how we work, and help you decide. 

 

Get in touch at [email protected] or [email protected]

 

Or, if you’re ready to sign up!

Details

Date:
6 Mondays beginning February 10th
Time:
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM UK, 9:00 AM US Pacific, 12:00 PM US Eastern (**this class will remain in UK time after the March 3rd US time change)
Cost:
£265
Event Category:

Location

Online Event

Instructors

Lara Zane,
Alison Kemi
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