For those of us who are parents it is probably the most important job that we have and probably the hardest but we receive very little training or support in doing it. Using self-help materials, 'experts' and discussion and encouragement these groups will aim to support you in this vital role.

The needs of toddlers and teenagers are quite different (unless you think that your teenager behaves like a two year old!) and so, if there is sufficient demand, we will aim to run groups looking at parenting issues for children and young people of different ages.

The sorts of issues which might be looked at are:

• communicating love
• what makes for a happy child?
• sharing values
• talking about sex and drugs (and rock and roll)
• boundaries and discipline
• health issues - physical, emotional and mental
• a happy child at school (dealing with bullying, competitition and stress, etc)
• loving the less than lovely toddler or teenager!
• what you identify as the issues you want discussed

One reason that 'parenting' isn't taught to us, is that there is a lot of disagreement about how it should be done. Perhaps there is no such thing as being the 'perfect parent', only being 'good enough'. However, there is much to be learnt from the experience of others - parents or 'experts', even if it is just to give you more confidence in your way of doing it.

Parenting matters. It matters to:

• your child, if he or she is to grow up happy, healthy and able to realise his or her potential
• you, because yuo want the best for your child
• to God (who Christians call 'Our Father') who wants the best for all of us.