Supporting Links

Supporting Links Supporting Links: Supporting you to become the parent you would like to be

Supporting Links, a Social Enterprise, provides parenting support through workshops, courses and 1:1 mentoring of parents and children. We value the knowledge and experience that every parent brings and we aim to build on those skills to enable parents to feel more confident and positive about their own abilities. We can help you understand your child's behaviour and develop effective strategies that really work to improve behaviour and communication, and build the foundations for successful family relationships.

Learning is messy and takes time!As parents we all want our young people to learn new skills, have better behaviours, to...
26/01/2026

Learning is messy and takes time!

As parents we all want our young people to learn new skills, have better behaviours, to be kind, helpful, independent and responsible people BUT this doesn't happen overnight!

We all made plenty of mistakes on the way to becoming the adults we are now, and so will our children.

Anyone who has attended one of our Talking Teens courses will have heard us talk about parenting as bringing up the adults of the future - not just about bringing up children.

Dr Becky Kennedy https://www.goodinside.com/blog/the-learning-space-is-key-to-building-resilience/ talks about how frustrating and difficult we all feel when we are learning something new, and just like us, she encourages parents to support their children through this "learning space".

Check out this short video https://www.youtube.com/shorts/X689j743kzk if you would like to hear her speak about what is happening whilst our young people are learning and building resilience.



Thanks to Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash for the photo.

❓New Year. New Questions❓It has been a while since we have answered your "Wednesday Whys" and this month we will be kick...
23/01/2026

❓New Year. New Questions❓

It has been a while since we have answered your "Wednesday Whys" and this month we will be kicking off with a couple of questions that come up often during our courses and workshops.

If YOU have a parenting conundrum and you would like and answer from us or our followers please comment below or DM us and we will do our best to share some insights!🔎

Don't hold back.... we have been around a long time - nothing surprises us and we love a thorny question!

Every family deserves support...Whether your child...🟦has a diagnosis or is on a diagnosis pathway for an additional nee...
23/01/2026

Every family deserves support...

Whether your child...

🟦has a diagnosis or is on a diagnosis pathway for an additional need such as ASD or ADHD
🟪has experienced trauma
🟦Struggles with anxiety, mental health or other medical challenges
🟪is challenged by barriers to attending school
🟦or has experienced trauma
...you deserve suppost NOW, when you need it and waiting lists are very long as we all know.

Our Talking ASD & ADHD workshops are an indepth look at important parenting stages and situations that can help you to support your child right now.

They are fully funded by Herts County Council and we are currently taking bookings for this term's FREE workshops:

✅Talking ASD & ADHD: Stress & Anxiety
✅Talking ASD & ADHD: Responding to Anger
✅Talking ASD & ADHD: The Teenage Years
✅Talking ASD & ADHD: Sibling Struggles
✅Talking ASD & ADHD: Tech Use

Our workshops are:

❓An opportunity to understand what is going on for your child and why they behave the way that they do
🆘a great resource of strategies that work in supporting your child with their needs
📝 interactive events sharing topical and helpful advice
🙋🏻‍♀️an opportunity to ask questions
🆓FREE to attend for all parents and carers of children aged 2-25 living or schooling in Herts

Places can be booked by clicking on the link below or by following the Eventbrite link in our bio
https://bit.ly/3JfDWkP

📞 Booking essential

Do get in touch if you have a question:

📧 bookings@supportinglinks.co.uk
📱 07512 709 556

🌐Check out our website for our full listings

So refreshing to see the fatherhood experience being spoken about honestly and in real terms.Dads need support just as m...
23/01/2026

So refreshing to see the fatherhood experience being spoken about honestly and in real terms.

Dads need support just as much as mums do — and they need space to talk about the challenges, the identity shifts, and the emotional side of parenting. Especially with other dads who actually get it.

This is exactly why we created our Talking Dads course over a decade ago. So many fathers told us they felt unseen, unheard, or unsure of where to bring these conversations.

The more stories like this are shared, the more we normalise the idea that dads don’t just “help out” — they parent, they feel, they connect, and they sometimes struggle too.

Let’s keep making space for their voices.

Curious about our Talking Dads course? Send us a message to find out more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmd80gkwkdo











23/01/2026

"This workshop has left me feeling far more positive about our relationship, because I now under-stand why we were clashing."

"I am so glad I made the effort to go to this workshop in person. It is great to be able to chat with other parents and ask questions - such an informative evening!"

have kindly invited us to share our flagship Talking Teens workshop...

📅 Monday 9th March 2026
⏰ 6pm – 8.30pm
📍 Dame Alice Owen’s School

It really is a fabulous way to find out the answers those questions all parents of teens and pre-teens have about their behaviour, their attitude and how to stop all the arguments and get your teen talking with you!

Suitable for all parents and carers of all children from Year 7 upwards, tickets are £19 and can be booked by following this link, or following the Eventbrite link in our bio:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-teens-816-for-parents-at-dame-alice-owens-school-tickets-1922510363249?aff=oddtdtcreator

Subsidised tickets are available for those in receipt of Universal Credit.

Why come on a Supporting Links course?👂🏼We are here to listen, share ideas, answer questions and support....not judge 👩🏻...
22/01/2026

Why come on a Supporting Links course?

👂🏼We are here to listen, share ideas, answer questions and support....not judge
👩🏻You will meet other parents and carers with similar questions and concerns 👨🏻
📝There is always something we can learn that will make our parenting even better

🆓If you are a parent or carer of a child living or schooling in Herts, Herts County Council have funded these events so you can access these courses FREE OF CHARGE

We are currently taking bookings for our FREE Spring term courses that begin this week and again in the first week of February....

Get in touch to ask a question or join one of our six-week parenting groups...

✅Talking Teens
✅Talking Anger in Teens
✅Talking Additional Needs
✅Talking Dads
✅Talking Anxiety in Families
✅Talking Families

📞 Booking essential
📧 bookings@supportinglinks.co.uk
📱 07512 709 556
🌐Check out our website for our full listings

I loved this headline — it instantly took me back to the days when I had three little ones under five and felt like I’d ...
22/01/2026

I loved this headline — it instantly took me back to the days when I had three little ones under five and felt like I’d been taken hostage by my own children! 🤣

The communication strategies mentioned work with anyone, and especially with little ones who are still learning boundaries and how to assert themselves. They’re such powerful tools for turning down the heat in tricky moments. 🔥

It is so good to see approaches that we explore in our courses and workshops being shared so widely.

Get in touch if you want to find out more about our work!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2yd455rd0o












21/01/2026

Here is this week’s Wednesday Why: “Why won’t my toddler EVER leave the park when I ask?!”

You’re not alone if you’ve had to carry out a screaming toddler who refuses to leave the swings!

According to our team, there are a few good reasons why this moment feels so hard:

Yael & Claire reflect that it is HARD to leave when you are having fun! 👶

Stopping something enjoyable to do something less fun (like going home for lunch) is a big ask.

⏰ Transitions are hard.

Every transition is a tiny separation — from the activity, from the space, or from the people they’re playing with. That “goodbye” feeling can be big.

🧩 Our child may not know what’s happening next. Even if you have told them - they may have forgotten

WE know because we make the plan & it may seem obvious to us...but, if the next step feels unknown or boring, there’s less motivation to leave and not knowing can make young people feel unsettled and insecure.

👂 They might not actually hear you.

Toddlers get deeply absorbed in play. Sometimes your “time to go!” doesn’t fully register at first.

So next time you’re stuck at the park gate negotiating with a tiny (very determined) young person… know that it’s not defiance. It’s development. ❤️

Try some of these for smoother exits:

✔️ Validating feelings (“It’s hard to leave when you’re having fun”).
✔️ Giving a warning (“5 more minutes”).
✔️ Naming what’s next (“Then we’ll go home for lunch”).
✔️ Allowing a goodbye ritual (“Say bye swings!”).
✔️ Continue validating feelings (“I can see this is really hard for you”).

When your child pushes back, they are struggling with how this makes them feel and yes, they may be trying to carry on - wouldn’t we all try to get more time doing something we love?

Little brains learn transitions with practice and, with our help, they will get there! 🙌

The smallest change can make a big difference!Our one hour online bitesize sessions are:⏱️short and manageable sessions ...
20/01/2026

The smallest change can make a big difference!

Our one hour online bitesize sessions are:

⏱️short and manageable sessions answering key parenting questions
📝 interactive events sharing topical and helpful advice
❓an opportunity to ask questions
👨‍👩‍👧 an investment in your family!
🆓 FREE to attend for all parents and carers of children living or schooling in Herts

We are currently taking bookings for this term's FREE Bitesize workshops answering the following parenting conundrums:

✅What is going on in my teenager's head?
✅Why does my child give up so easily?
✅How do I get my child to listen to me?
✅How can my child learn to manage their feelings?
✅How do I talk to my teen/preteen about difficult topics?

Places can be booked by clicking on the link below or by following the Eventbrite Bitesize link in our bio
https://bit.ly/4hOTVTK

📞 Booking essential

Do get in touch if you have a question:

📧 bookings@supportinglinks.co.uk
📱 07512 709 556

🌐Check out our website for our full listings

Parents keep telling us:“I left feeling calmer, more confident and way more prepared.”Our Bitesize workshops are back th...
19/01/2026

Parents keep telling us:

“I left feeling calmer, more confident and way more prepared.”

Our Bitesize workshops are back this term and they’re here to make family life a little easier (and a lot less stressful!). In just 60 minutes you’ll get practical tools, expert insights and a chance to ask your own questions.

🎥 If you can't attend the live event then you will receive access to a recording; We don't want you to miss out! 🎦

Topics include:

🧠 Understanding your teenager’s brain
🗣 Getting kids to listen
💬 Having difficult conversations
💛 Helping children manage big feelings
…and more!

➡️ Click the link below to reserve your place or look for the Eventrite link in our bio.

https://bit.ly/4hOTVTK

If you’ve attended before or know someone who’d benefit, please share — it helps more families than you know.

Address

Hemel Hempstead

Website

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/supporting-links-15053924960

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