The Parent Practice

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The Parent Practice

Parenting coaching—insight, inspiration & skills for contented, confident children. Elaine says of herself " I’m not Wonder Woman or Super Nanny.

The Parent Practice was established in Southwest London in 2004 by Melissa Hood and she was joined by her partner Elaine Halligan in 2009. Elaine struggled to understand her challenging son, and Melissa became her parenting coach as she trained Elaine in positive parenting techniques, teaching her new skills about children and psychology. They worked together for 12 wonderful years, sharing powerful tools and techniques with thousands of parents all over the world to help them to create harmony in their own homes. Post 2020 and COVID19, the business restructured and Elaine now runs the Parent Practice solo, and Melissa continues her studies and parenting work in Sydney. Elaine's story, as told in her book 'My Child's Different', documents how with Melissa's support, she transformed herself and her parenting approach, and was able to support her son who had been excluded from 3 schools in so many years and eventually finished his education as Head Boy and went on to become a budding entrepreneur. I’m not Mary Poppins or Nanny McPhee, I’m just me (and in essence, I’m probably you) and that’s what makes me different. I’ve been in your shoes, I’ve been at the end of my tether wondering why my child is different and what I can do to support him. I’ve learned first hand the skills it takes not just to survive the struggle but to get to the other side and change the story. It is my mission to create a happier future generation by sharing parenting strategies that will have an authentic impact, transforming challenging children into confident and contented children with my personal style and a positive approach."

05/05/2026

Our flagship Harmony at Home course is back!

Six week live online courses start again soon - Friday 15th May (lunchtime) & Tuesday 19th May (evening).

25% off full price until Thursday 7th May.

Harmony at Home will provide you with a framework of skills, tools and strategies that create a holistic approach to parenting, which can be used day to day and when any issue arises.

This is one of the things that makes Harmony at Home different to much parenting support - it isn't about how to deal with one type of issue or challenge that might come up with your children. Instead, the course equips you with a toolkit that allows you to feel confident and empowered to deal with whatever challenges may arise.

The skills are suitable to use with children of all ages - from toddlers to teens - and with both neurotypical and neurodivergent children.

For full course details and to sign up, visit https://www.theparentpractice.com/harmony-at-home

29/08/2025

It’s funny because it’s true!🤪

Kids are more cooperative when they’re prepared.

So use this very simple tool to help prepare your child for what’s to come next. For example

“You’ve got 5 more minutes and then we need to switch the TV off ready for dinner”.

Give it a go and see how you get on.

27/08/2025

Is your child struggling with sharing or playing nicely with others? 🤔 It’s completely normal for little ones to find these skills challenging—they’re still learning how to navigate their emotions and social interactions.

Here’s how you can help:
✨ Model the Behaviour: Show them what sharing looks like.
✨ Teach Empathy: Help them understand how others feel.
✨ Praise Positively: Reinforce good behaviour with specific praise.
✨ Set Expectations: Gently remind them about sharing before playdates.
✨ Role Play: Practice sharing and turn-taking at home.
✨ Stay Calm: Use conflicts as teaching moments, not reasons to scold.

Remember, patience and consistent guidance are key. 💖 Over time, your child will develop the social skills they need to share and play cooperatively.

26/08/2025

“The way we view and speak to our children on a daily basis influences how they see themselves, how they see us, and how they see the world and others around them.”

Let that sink in for a moment. 
Every eye-roll, every “you never listen,” every sigh of frustration, it lands somewhere.

And so does every moment of connection. Every “I see you,” “I hear you,” “I believe in you.”

Our words don’t just guide behaviour, they shape identity. They build the inner voice our children will carry with them into adulthood.

Of course we won’t get it right all the time (we’re human, after all). But if we can lead with empathy more often than not, we create a foundation of safety, trust, and self-worth.
So the next time your child is struggling, try asking:

💬 “What’s going on underneath?” 💬 “How can I help you feel safe right now?”

Your voice becomes their inner voice. Make it kind.

21/08/2025

By focusing only on what we don’t want our kids to do, we’re missing the chance to guide them towards better behaviour.

It’s simple to say

“don’t jump on the sofa” or “don’t throw your rubbish on the floor,” but a helpful alternative would be “I can see you’re enjoying your jumping, how about jumping on the floor instead?”

or

“Now that your food is finished, let’s put the rubbish in the bin.” Offering clear alternatives helps kids understand and follow through with more positive actions! for 5 seconds

When we simply tell our kids what not to do, we’re missing an opportunity to offer a positive alternative. Instead of saying,

“Don’t jump on the sofa”

or

“Don’t throw your rubbish on the floor,” try guiding them with a better option

like, “I love seeing you jump; why not do it on the floor instead?”

or

“Great job finishing your food; now let’s toss the rubbish in the bin.”

07/08/2025

What should I do if my child throws a tantrum?

Tantrums are a normal development phase, and how you respond can create your child valuable lessons in managing emotions. You’re not just getting through the moment - you’re equipping your child with lifelong emotional intelligence skills.

05/08/2025

Back to school season can sneak up fast… and with it comes a whole mix of feelings — worry, resistance, big emotions, and lots of questions.
If your child struggles with transitions or gets anxious about returning to school, this free webinar is for you 💛

🗓 Thursday 21st August 🕛 12–1pm 🎙Hosted by

I’ll be joining a wonderful panel of experts to share simple, supportive strategies for helping children (and parents!) feel more prepared, more confident, and more connected.
We’ll be covering: 
✔️ How to talk to your child about their fears ✔️ What to do when they say “I don’t want to go” ✔️ Practical tools to help them regulate and feel safe

It’s completely free and open to all parents and carers — sign up now via the link in my bio.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s support our kids through change, together 🌿

01/08/2025

🌟 Parenting adventures never cease! Who knew such tiny garments like socks could be such a big deal! 😀

Whilst it’s always exhausting, there may be a legitimate reason your toddler is struggling. Ever heard of sensory integration dysfunction? Some children have real sensory issues and can feel every lump, bump and seam in their clothes and especially with socks!! Oh the number of seamless socks I had to buy and spending time cutting labels out of clothes.

31/07/2025

As a parent, it’s easy to feel like yelling is the only way to get your child to listen. But here’s the truth: yelling might get immediate compliance, but it doesn’t teach long-term cooperation or respect. So, how can we encourage our children to listen without raising our voices? Here are a few strategies:

1. Connect Before You Direct: Before giving instructions, get down to their level, make eye contact, and gently engage with them. Children are more likely to listen when they feel connected and understood.
2. Be Clear and Concise: Sometimes less is more. Give clear, age-appropriate instructions and avoid overwhelming them with too many commands at once.
3. Offer Choices: Empower your child by offering choices within boundaries. For example, “Would you like to put away your toys now or in five minutes?” This gives them a sense of control while still guiding them toward the desired behaviour.
4. Positive Reinforcement: Catch them when they’re listening well and acknowledge it! Positive reinforcement can go a long way in encouraging good behaviour.
5. Stay Calm and Consistent: It’s hard, but staying calm is key. Consistency in your approach builds trust and helps your child know what to expect.

Remember, parenting is a journey, and none of us are perfect. But with patience and practice, we can guide our children to listen and cooperate without resorting to yelling. Let’s aim for a home filled with understanding, respect, and effective communication.

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http://www.theparentpractice.com/

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