When you talk to a member of the Northwest NC Families team about parenting, we’ll always point you in the direction of Triple P. This global organization has set the standard for parenting support. We’re excited to connect more families in Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, and Avery counties with local resources to help you build the best environment for your family.

Triple P Parenting is a household name, but we know that not everyone has learned about this hub of parenting support, courses, and resources. Let’s dive into the world of Triple P and learn more about the history of these global parenting programs.

What is the Triple P Positive Parenting Program?

Positive parenting is simply an approach that gives parents tools and strategies to raise their children in a safe, loving, and predictable environment. Parents decide what is essential, with a foundation from Triple P to build the confidence and skills to form good relationships with their children. Parents can confidently set boundaries and rules with consequences that teach their children more than they harm them.

The Triple P Positive Parenting Program is one of the most effective parenting programs and is one of few based on evidence from continuing scientific research. More than 200 evaluation papers and decades of clinical trials and evaluations show that Triple P works for most families in various family situations, cultures, and countries.

Triple P provides parents and guardians with the skills to raise confident, healthy children and teenagers and build lasting family relationships. This parenting program helps families manage misbehavior and prevent problems. But Triple P doesn’t tell people how to parent; instead, it gives families practical and straightforward strategies that are adaptable to suit their needs, values, and beliefs.

What is the history of Triple P?

The research home of Triple P is in Australia, at the University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family Support Centre led by Dr. Matt Sanders. There are hundreds of researchers around the globe contributing to the development of new Triple P Parenting Programs. Their work means Triple P has the most extensive global evidence base of any parenting program.

You wouldn’t drive a car without a few driving lessons, yet most of us raise our families without knowing what works best, consulting with successful parents, or reading books from child and family specialists. Dr. Matt Sanders, the clinical psychologist behind the foundation of Triple P, believes parents are always on the clock for the most important job in the world, and it deserves additional study, time, and effort. After decades of working with families worldwide, he says parents everywhere have similar goals: they want healthy, happy children; they want less stress, and they’re glad to get a few tips to achieve those goals more quickly and easily.

Who can participate in a Triple P Program?

Triple P is not a “one-size-fits-all” system; it offers increasing levels of support to meet parents’ diverse needs. Families can choose from one-off public seminars or self-help books to more detailed group courses or individual sessions.

While it is not essential, it is great if both parents can attend Triple P Parenting Programs together. Single parents and guardians have great success with Triple P as well. Families with both parents in attendance will benefit from working as a team to change their child’s behavior. When working as a team, you’ll probably communicate better about parenting, support each other more while arguing and disagreeing less often. Triple P programs apply to family members, guardians, godparents, and caregivers who care for children. Parents and guardians can complete as many Triple P courses as they wish.

Which Triple P Parenting Program is best for my family?

Connect with local Triple P Parenting Providers through Northwest NC Families. Your local provider will help you decide which programs are best for your family!

• If your child has minor behavior problems, ask about Seminar, Level 3 Individual, Discussion Group, and Group Triple P. Group Triple P is also helpful if your child has more severe behavior problems.
• If you have severe problems at home, Level 4 Individual, Enhanced, and Pathways Triple P are intensive programs that may meet your needs.
• Stepping Stones Triple P – This program is for parents or guardians of a child with a disability.
• Triple P Online – Triple P designed this eight-module web program to complete at home on your schedule.
• All of these programs are also available for parents of teenagers.

You can complete a Triple P Parenting course with a provider on your own or with a partner. Connect with Northwest NC Families to find a local Triple P provider for one-on-one consultations. If you want to DIY your Triple P experience, Triple P Online is the program for you. This eight-module course features Dr. Matt Sanders as your personal (virtual) provider. The Triple P Online modules mix video clips, workbook exercises, goal setting, optional podcasts, and automated reminders. If an online course isn’t your DIY style, you may be interested in the Triple P self-help book available at the library in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties!

• Wilkes County Library
• Watauga County Library
• Avery County Library
• Ashe County Library
• Alleghany County Public Library

How can I find a Triple P provider? Connect with Northwest NC Families!

Triple P Providers are trained and accredited in Triple P and often work for governments, agencies, institutions, or individual health practitioners. Connect with Northwest NC Families to find your local Triple P Parenting providers in northwestern North Carolina. Northwest NC Families is here to support you on your parenting journey!