Training programme for parents of teenagers: active parental participation in development and implementation

In Sweden, all new parents should be offered parental training, but up until now, the programmes have been provided only within maternity and child healthcare, and they have been initiated and planned by central public authorities. We describe the process whereby a training programme for parents of teenagers was developed, in co-operation with the parents themselves, and we report the results of a brief questionnaire survey to the participating parents. A 'parents' school' was planned by 36 parents and a project leader, and between 14 and 26 parents participated in four planning meetings. Four lecture evenings, including group discussions, were arranged, a total of 105 parents registered their interest in participating, and between 50 and 70 attended each lecture. The majority of the parents reported being basically satisfied, feeling that they had acquired knowledge and insights about the teenage phase, and they wanted the 'parents' school' to continue.