What Parents and Schools say about Sheila & Practical Parenting
Parenting Talks Testimonials – Secondary Schools
Glenstal Abbey School
Wesley College
“Sheila O’Malley spoke at the AGM of the Parent Teacher Association, Wesley College recently. Sheila is an insightful and engaging speaker – she gives practical advice on parenting in a very relaxed and thought provoking way. Sheila has a way of simplifying teenagers often seemingly complex behaviour, empathising with both parent and child in given situations of conflict, giving many examples of how to avoid or work through them. The feedback from Sheila’s presentation was very positive – parents enjoyed her talk and felt encouraged to put into practice her many practical suggestions made during the evening.” Chairperson, Wesley PTA.’
Loreto Foxrock
“We had the pleasure recently of having Sheila speak at a talk organised by the Parents’ Association of Loreto Foxrock. The subject of the talk was “ Happy Parent, Happy Home” and we asked her to cover the subject of the importance of the parent being content within herself in order to do a good job in dealing with her children. Sheila covered this topic so comfortably. Her talk was easy to listen to, nicely light-hearted yet highly professional. We came away from the evening feeling more knowledgeable and equipped with new strategies to approach the common issues of daily living as a family. Sheila communicates so naturally with her audience and is a true expert in the whole area of parenting.” Parent Association
Blackrock College
“Sheila O’Malley of Practical Parenting was the Keynote speaker at the Blackrock College Parents Association AGM, her presentation style is very effective and inclusive. The presentation was necessarily brief but gave excellent tips and an appetite to learn more. Sheila provides a fresh perspective for parents to look first to value and respect ones “self” and from there to communicate in an emphatic non-judgmental way with our teens. I am pleased to say that the feed-back we received back from parents was very positive and highly recommend Sheila to other Parents Associations or parenting groups looking for an informed and practical approach to parenting teens.” Chairman, Parents Association.
CBC Monkstown
“We asked Sheila to speak on the subject of teenage parenting at our parent council AGM..We found the talk both thought provoking and educational. Sheila has an easy style of presentation which keeps the audience focused..Many thanks Sheila.”
Newpark School, Blackrock
“The Practical Parenting talk presented information in a way which was open, honest and fun! Sheila enabled parents to gain an insight into their own behaviours and that of their child. She looked at both the child’s needs but the parents needs as well. The talk was very positive in its approach to parenting and although parents came to find out how to deal with challenging behaviours; they left with so much more.” PTA Chairperson
Loreto Abbey School, Dalkey
“Sheila O’Malley spoke to a meeting of our Loreto Abbey Dalkey Secondary School parents recently on the topic of “Parenting Teenagers”. Sheila is a wonderful, entertaining speaker with practical advice for parents with children of all ages. She has a special talent of illustrating her parenting techniques by using real life examples in a humorous, interactive and thought provoking way. We have received very positive feedback from the parents who attended our evening, and we have received a record number of hits on our Parents’ Association Website on www.loretoabbeydalkey.com where you can see the slides used by Sheila in her presentation. We would strongly recommend having Sheila come and speak to any group of parents and we hope that she will become a regular at our school.” Parents Association
St Brogans College, Bandon. Co Cork
“Sheila O’ Malley addressed parents on: Communicating more effectively,Respect, Parenting styles & setting Boundaries . The evening was highly informative and throughout the talk a series of heads were nodding in agreement as Sheila offered a different way to interact. A highly enjoyable evening – great feedback from parents who attended.”
Newpark School Blackrock - a Talk for Parents on Alcohol,Drugs and Teens
“Sheila O’Malley of Practical Parenting spoke to a group of 2nd year parents about dealing with Alcohol & Substance Abuse in our Teenagers. It was an excellent presentation which showed how parents can deal with this difficult issue. Sheila has some very constructive advise about communicating with Teenagers and setting realistic boundaries. I’d recommend this talk to any parent of Teenagers.” PTA
St Mary’s Girls Secondary School, Naas
“Everyone really engaged with the talk and the feedback was great, very positive”.
Maryfield College Secondary School,D 9
Many thanks for your talk at our recent AGM. The feedback has been very positive. Parents found it thought provoking, especially the techniques recommended to diffuse situations we all find ourselves in when dealing with teenagers.
Coolmine Community School
Parenting Talks Testimonials from Junior Schools
St Patrick’s Castleknock
Dalkey School Project
“The most successful Parent evening we have run. Fantastic, parents enjoyed a thought provoking yet humourous talk from Sheila that gave us plenty to think about. Her talk was funny, yet a Must Have for any parent interested in parenting ‘at their best’. Highly recommended.” PTA
St Gerard’s Junior School, Bray
“Really found the talk brilliant.” “Excellent Talk, no one has said otherwise”"Good Speaker”
St Pius X, Terenure
“It was a great success from our point of view – both from a content point of view but also our attendance was excellent”
Terenure College
Sheila O’Malley from Practical Parenting was invited to address our Junior School Parents’ Meeting.
Sheila’s lively and interactive presentation was very well received by our parents as she addressed the topic “Helping your Child become more Responsible”. As well as giving very practical advice and direction, she spoke from her own experience as a parent. Her talk was insightful and helpful. She took questions from the floor and in doing so addressed the real needs of our parents.
We would highly recommend her for any parents’ evening. Principal
Teresian Junior School, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
“Sheila O Malley gave an excellent presentation to the parents of Teresians Junior School and the feedback we received was very positive following the talk . The content was very interesting for parents and included practical parenting tips and skills that parents could take away.We have no hesitation in recommending Practical Parenting to any school seeking a parenting spokesperson.” PTA
St Michaels Junior School, Dublin 4
“Sheila O Malley came to St Michael’s Junior School to give two evening talks over subsequent weeks. Both evening talks were very well attended and the feedback we received was excellent. The PTA feedback was that parents found the material practical yet thought provoking, interesting and highly informative. Sheila uses a lot of practical examples and presents them in an easy to remember format. Parents said they were able to take something from the talk that made positive change at home. We hope to invite Sheila back to the School and can highly recommend her to any school seeking a parenting spokesperson. ” PTA Chairperson
Carysfort National School, Blackrock
“Sheila O’Malley addressed everyday parenting topics in an informal yet engaging manner. Plenty of audience participation kept everyone with her and Sheela was extremely generous with ther time and advice in the Q and A session afterwards.” PTA
St Louis Infant & Junior School, Rathmines
‘Sheila O’Malley’s talk received wonderful feedback from parents. Her talk was informative, interesting and entertaining. She opened the floor from the beginning of her talk, which included the audience, making them feel more relaxed and encouraged them to participate more.
French School, Foxrock
“Sheila’s presentation was inspirational and fun. Very memorable and easy to use tips for when the going gets tough with the kids. Would highly recommend her to any parent.” Lesley Osborne, Lycée Francais d’Irlande
Balbriggan Educate Together
The talk on bullying was very interesting and Sheila brought a breath of freshness in dealing with the topic. The talk gave ways practical ways of both uncovering if bullying was happening and the importance of leading by example. The discussion was interactive which encouraged plenty of questions and Sheila was well organised and professional, simple, clear and to the point, and gave real life examples.
Scoil Mhuire, Griffith Ave.
“Even more experienced parents felt that they got something out of the evening. A lost opportunity for anyone who missed it.”
St Vincents School, Glasnevin
We at St. Vincent’s found you to be a very warm and friendly in your approach and the talk was very enjoyable and worthwhile. Everything you said made sense and the suggestions and tips you gave were practical and easy to apply.
Gorey Educate Together National School
“Sheila O Malley of Practical Parenting was guest speaker at our 2010 Parent Teacher Association AGM. Her material is thought-provoking, yet positive and affirming. Sheila’s delivery is interactive and motivating. Highly recommended! Principal
Gaelscoil National School Roscommon
“Parents have reported the ‘the talk was excellent’ ‘Sheila was very easy to listen to, practical and entertaining’ parents reported that they had ‘tried out some of the tips and found they worked straight away’. Thank you so much for coming to Roscommon and sharing your parenting tips. Although our group was small parents really enjoyed the evening. Once again sincere thanks for an informative, practical, insightful and enjoyable evening.”
Loreto Dalkey Primary School
“Sheila O Malley gave an excellent talk to the parents of the school. Feedback following the talk was really good, I can highly recommend Sheila as a speaker to your school.” PTA
Good Shepherd National School, Churchtown
“Feedback from parents to Sheila’s talk was very positive. Parents really engaged with her material and the talk was interactive and enjoyable”
Finglas Home School Liason Officer
Working in a disadvantaged school and community, it can be hard to judge what parents will respond to when arranging speakers and to judge how many would even show up! It turns out that Sheila’s talk on Happy Parent, Happy Child and dealing with challenging behaviour became the most successful parent workshop my school has been involved in.
The modules hit on exactly what our parents needed and Sheila delivered the workshop in a way that made them feel comfortable to get involved and share their stories. Their response spoke volumes, about the advice that Sheila offers, but also the friendly and understanding way that she approached our parents. I hope to have a second session with Practical Parenting very soon!
Carlow Primary School
Everyone found the talk excellent and each came away with a few good tips. The feedback is that they were very happy with the talk and said they found it very good and most worthwhile.
National Parents Council
“Sheila spoke to the Dublin North Branch of the NPC on Childrens Challenging Behaviours in March 2011. Sheila’s unique approach to parenting and understanding; encouraged parents to really think about how they parent and the influence that they may have on the child.”
Parents Quotes after One Day Parenting Class
“We thought the course was fantastic. The material was brilliant, practical useful information that has made our house calmer. I really feel every parent need this course, and Sheila presents it so well. The day was a really positive experience and we got the parenting tips and skills we needed and it felt supported by the other parents attending. I feel I am parenting more effectively and my child is blossoming!” Mary & John
“Revealing. There was a lot of conflict in the home and communication was fraught. The day gave me a chance to reflect and an opportunity for change. With some simple changes, I seem to be managing conflict better and there’s less of it anyway. The house is no cleaner; but it is a happier home with fewer squabbles. Thank you Sheila.” Bernie & Colm
“Well paced. Great material. Messages clear and concise. Lovely, caring, positive & informative teacher. Thank you”. Linda
“Sheila has helped me become more competent and confident in my parenting. Participating on the One Day course was a hugely positive experience – I came away full of positivity and plans to put into action, that have since proven very effective in yielding the results I wanted. Even my son has noticed I’m a nicer mummy – we negotiate instead of argue now! I also brought home really comprehensive and helpful notes, so I can do a top-up on parenting skills as required. I have noticed dramatic improvements in our household by implementing relatively minor changes – the 8 minutes a day child led one on one time pays real dividends!” Margaret
“I learnt so much in one day; I left feeling optimistic and encouraged to do the best job possible as a parent.” Rachel
“We loved the day! I thought it was brilliant and really want to shout from the top of houses to people about how great it was. Brian and I came home from the course and put the 1000 watt bulb on both our boys and the last 4 days have been amazing. Not without their moments but how to deal with those are different and great. We are all feeling the benefit and just encouraged every day to up the wattage on the bulbs because the rewards are instant for us all. You are doing an amazing job and you are changing lives, really you are. Please keep up the good work, parents out there need you!” - Yvonne and Brian
“I liked the facilitative approach as it helps to know that other parents are facing the same issues and you’re not alone. The handouts were succinct and relevant. The presenter has a nice relaxed style and uses practical real life examples rather than theory.” Mary
“The course was fantastic. It started a new journey about improving my self esteem. It has helped me be a more effective parent and my child is blossoming.” June
“The material and presentation was excellent. The course will allow us to give our best to our children and each other. Make the journey all the more enjoyable.” Michael
“Excellent, good pace and well presented. I hope to bring more positivity and confidence back home.” Brian
“Very worthwhile session! Demonstrated how important it is to look at parent behaviour before child’s behaviour. It will help me to improve my relationship with my daughter.” Vivienne
“What’s extremely helpful and encouraging is learning the ‘everyone’ faces challenges in parenting – we’re all in this together.” Emily
“It’s really all about me and how I deal with my world. My child mirrors me and their confidence is dependent on me. I need to reflect and manage my parenting rather that react out of my own lack of self esteem / coping mechanism.” Geraldine
“I found the course empowering, informative and relaxing. It has increased my knowledge and equipped me with better words to use in certain situations and helped me to be more understanding and empathetic.” Annette
“it gave me a chance to reflect on what I am doing now, question my own behaviour and see how it effects how I get on with my daughter. It re-inforced some things I am doing right and gave me the opportunity to correct the things I’m not for the future.” Jeanette
“I am delighted with today’s course. It has given me plenty to think about, discuss with my husband and put into practice. The most important thing I learned today was not to react so quickly. The course made me feel better inside and this should reflect in my relationships with my kids. I will offer more choices and be less confrontational.” Aileen
“Really enjoyed it, confidence booster, improved my patience, communication skills and made me stop and think more before I speak or act. Home life before course could be stressful at time, now more relaxed, kids enjoying life more and freer.” Alison
Quotes from Parents who attended a Weekly Parenting Course
“I really found it inspirational and insightful; it should be a prerequisite that EVERY parent attends a course like this. … the sessions were really, really enjoyable; each Monday morning, I actually looked forward to the class. You asked what really resonated for each of us, and for me, there were many, many valuable key points but the ones below really leap out :
- Be a parent to yourself, nurture yourself, affirm yourself, because you can only take care of others if you’ve taken care of yourself first.
- Every child is a genius & All behaviour makes sense. To me, the realisation that every thing that your child does is for a reason, that by behaving in a certain way, the child is trying to alert you to a need they have, was a really fundamental point; it was like a lightbulb going on, a missing piece in a jigsaw.
- In each and every engagement with your children, treat them with respect – in how you speak with them, in how you interact with them, in how you are with them – and always, always put yourself in their shoes, empathise with them.
- All communication is about the person it comes from – this is so, so true but often gets forgotten (and closely intertwined with point 1 above because our communication with others at any given point in time is a function of how we’re feeling in ourselves at that moment.) Every parent can benefit from a parenting class to improve communication, understand the feelings beneath the child’s behaviour and resolve conflict successfully.” Margaret
“I recommend to any couple to do this course – together. It has had such a positive impact on our family. All the kids are doing great! I think everyone should do this course. Everything changed – for the better. We had a child who was really challenging us – and by the end of the course – that relationship had utterly transformed – she virtually blossomed and we are a much more contented family” Brian & Sinead
“Fantastic! I have regained my family. We were not communicating and there was a lot of conflict in the house. The course gave me time to reflect, time to take on board new ways of parenting. When I made some simple changes at home there was less conflict, the children were happier and we all just got on better. I learnt to communicate more effectively which created a more respectful home environment. When I understood that my child’s behaviour reflected how he felt I was more empathetic and he felt understood eliminating the need to act out . There is an incredible transformation. We are a much happier family.” Elaine, 4 children
“I found the course excellent. It was very thought provoking. It also gave practical tools to deal with specific issues.” Elaine
“We can see benefits already with happier more responsible children. Respect is a word now used all of the time at home.” - Brendan
“Gave me tools to deal with conflict. Taught me ways to build confidence in my kids. More harmonious at home. I’m a better listener as I’ve learned to separate child from behaviour.” – Muriel
“I am definitely more reflective, more positive in my approach. Maybe, I am ready for child no. 4!” – Valerie
“Different to what I’d anticipated in that less ‘top 10 tops to parent’ and much more reflective which is great. It all begins with oneself, can be hard pill to swallow but it’s absolutely right.” Michelle
“I really learned a lot from the course and will recommend it to my friends. Have to try and put it all into practice now but starting slowly!” Hayley
“The course had a positive impact on the whole family. After 6 weeks I have a responsible and able to help (enabled) 6 year old, a caring 4 year old (no longer throwing tantrums!) and a baby surrounded by so much love he’s as happy as can be and is sleeping at night (just started) Em
Parents Quotes after Parenting Teenagers One Day Class
“I found the course very helpful, positive & encouraging and it met the needs of everyone in the group. I came away feeling optimistic, with lots of practical down to earth advice. Sheila’s very experienced, confident and believable ” Ann
“Very good, very relevant. Parenting teenagers is very complex and needs skills to do it well.” Brendan
“I learnt a lot and feel ready to address issues that need to be worked on, Sheila’s very knowledgeable and engaging. Nice to know I’m not on my own, I feel more confident about my parenting.” Susan
For further information
Practical Parenting now offer Well-being in the Workplace as well as Parenting services including: Wellbeing Talks and Wellness Webinars, One to one Parent Support, Parenting Talks and Parenting Courses. You can read feedback from people who have availed of these services.
Click here to see the schedule / make a booking or check out our helpful Q & A , Videos, Articles or our Blog. Please contact Sheila with any query and we welcome your comments.