The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity highlighted in Ponta Delgada the effective contribution provided by Parental Education programmes to strengthen the relationship between parents and children by improving relationship patterns "in responsible and positive parenting."
 
"Parental education sessions are primarily intended to break our insecurities and acknowledge our role as fathers and mothers in order to effectively contribute to the development of our children in a positive way," said Andreia Cardoso. She spoke at the 9th Meeting of Families, an initiative promoted by the Social Security Institute of the Azores (ISSA) that took place at the 21st Century Park.
 
This programme, implemented in 2011, "is one of the strong commitments of the Government," stressed Andreia Cardoso. In this regard, she ensured that the Government wants "to continue this mission with association leaders and technicians so that, together with parents, they can provide a decisive contribution to the development of children and young people."
 
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity emphasised that "these programmes aim to provide parents with tools so that they can be parents and mothers in a more comfortable position and with more serenity, knowing that they are doing their best. They all have the opportunity to share with other parents their difficulties and, together, find ways to overcome them."
 
Andreia Cardoso also stated that "being a father and mother in the 21st century is not exactly easy, as it is necessary to face challenges on a daily basis and, sometimes, the exercise of responsible and positive parenting is the greatest of them, even greater than the working life."
 
The Regional Secretary also mentioned that these programmes contribute to the promotion of a safe family environment. This not only promotes their development and well-being, but also creates a feeling of increased emotional well-being and satisfaction among parents with their role as parents.
 
The 9th Meeting of Families gathered two dozen groups of participants, who received their certificates. It covered 162 parents/parental figures and 172 children and young people, corresponding to the training groups that took part in the "More Family, More Youth" and "Incredible years" programmes and in the "Stronger Parents" project.