Page 67 - Disrupting the Transmission of Violence

that something bad would happen so I wouldn’t allow them to go out much. I
never allowed them to go out and play. That wasn’t good. Also I never know how
to deal (treat) with my children. When they come to me for anything, I rush them
(drive them away).

“But from coming here (into the parenting programme) I feel a different spirit (atti-
tude). I learnt how to have faith and know how to encourage. I became aware
of my own self-esteem and realize that I have to show myself love and encourage
myself. Then I was able to show my children love. Whenever I hear another person
talk about my child, me nuh flare up. Me just keep calm and know how to deal
with the matter. Yes, this programme is a good programme. From I come in this
programme, I feel a different spirit. I feel a calm spirit. CSJP, mi love oonu!”

Behavioural Outcomes: Substance Use
A number of parents in the parenting programme indicated that they used alcohol and

smoked ganja since their teen years. They said that they used these substances in order to
help them deal with the stress of parenting. In the following testimony one male child and

his mother spoke on this area:

Child (son of Althea):
“Before CSJP my mother was smoking and drinking and I never use to get that love
and attention from her. But from she start to do the CSJP programme, she change.
Me getting the attention as she stop smoking and she stop drinking. This mek me
feel good because we lifestyle change. We alright now.”

Althea, the parent, also shared:

“I use to smoke and drink a lot, and I never had any patience but in this programme,
me learn different things. Now me get patient where I can sit down and listen to
my son read a story to me every night. Yes, we have story time. We play. I had an
anger problem but the teachings helped me to look into myself and me get calmer
and think it over, rather than turn to the smoking and drinking. Before, you couldn’t
tell me anything. But I learnt that parenting is all about love and it help you to un-
derstand your kids.

“When I was much smaller, I use to wonder how parenting so rough, how my par-
ents use to bark after me (shout at me). The people dem who show me love intro-
duce me to the smoking and drinking.

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