This group is my lifeline.Nicola, New Zealand
You don’t have to do this on your own.
Parenting can be beautiful and tender, and it can also be really hard. Especially on the days you know the kind of parent you want to be, and bedtime still falls apart and you’ve nothing left to give.
Come as you are. We’ll listen, help you understand what’s happening for your child and for you, and gently support you as you find your way.
“I’m much more playful, and kinder to myself.”
Kristen · USAA place to be real, and say how you’re really feeling
Connection & Play isn’t a library of parenting information. It’s a village of parents who understand that this way of parenting can be wonderful, and really hard.
This can be your village: somewhere to receive the guidance, support, care and encouragement you may have been longing for.
What our members say
“I’m so much more present with my girls.”
I have loved the combination of Helena and Vivian’s compassionate listening during our sessions. They both help me laugh and cry almost every time. I’m surprised at how much more present I am with my girls afterwards. I’m definitely feeling more present and grounded in my day to day life, which is a massive shift!
“I’m not floating aimlessly anymore.”
The resources, information, and space held for all of us is exceptional and meant so much for my growth as a parent. Being a part of this membership has allowed me to become much more playful and take better care of myself with less guilt.
“I feel so held by Vivian and Helena.”
This group is such an incredible support. Their love and wisdom is always there. The Q&As and listening time is incredible value. A space to not feel alone in it all. I’m so grateful.
Over time, something starts to shift.
You understand your child differently.
Their big feelings frighten you less.
And you start trusting yourself more.
Parenting isn’t just about knowing what to do
And still find yourself completely overwhelmed by what is happening in your own family.
Sometimes you need an idea for bedtime, hitting or school refusal. Sometimes you know exactly what you want to do, but something in you makes it incredibly hard to do it.
There’s room here for your feelings too.
And sometimes your reaction makes perfect sense once you understand what you experienced as a child.
We make room for both. We can help you work out what might be happening for your child and gently look at what’s getting stirred up in you.
Not because you need fixing, but because understanding both changes what becomes possible.
Practical parenting support and deeper support for you
“What do I do when my child keeps hitting?”
Bring us what’s actually happening. We’ll look at the behaviour, what might be driving it and what you can try next.
“Why does my child exploding after school affect me so deeply?”
We can slow that down too, making room for what’s happening in you, what it might connect to, and what you need so you can meet the situation differently.
We’re here, walking alongside you as you understand your child, understand yourself and find your own way forward.
What you’ll find inside Connection & Play
A new theme each month
One part of Aware Parenting that can make a real difference to family life, the parenting side and what it brings up in us. Teaching, reflection questions and things to try.
Themes have included:
Time to really take it in.
Listening circles
To be listened to without anyone giving you advice, fixing it, or telling you what you should do. Your child, your own struggle, a childhood memory stirred up, or just how hard the week has been.
Being properly heard changes so much.
Practical help
Bring the bedtime battle, hitting, sibling rows, school refusal, meltdowns, whatever is actually happening. We’ll help you make sense of it and work out something practical to try.
Something you can use tonight.
Play, play and more play
Not elaborate games. Not being endlessly entertaining. Discovering how laughter and silliness help children with fear, frustration, separation, aggression and cooperation. Attachment Play ideas for your child, and you’re so welcome to ask for ideas for your own situations. We love being creative with you.
Not a playful person? You’re so welcome here.
Space for your own story
Sometimes the hardest part of parenting isn’t your child’s behaviour at all, it’s what it brings up in you. There’s space here for your feelings, needs, old hurts and patterns too, and gentle practices to help you tune in to yourself.
As much or as little as you want.
A community that gets it
Somewhere to ask, share and celebrate between sessions. Over time you realise other thoughtful, loving parents lose their temper too. That other people’s children hit, refuse, scream and fall apart.
You’re really not alone in this.
The membership keeps evolving. We’re always adding new content, and we’d love to shape it around what you need.
How it actually works
Our members are spread across the UK, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand, so we run at more than one time of day.
Four times to choose from, across three days. Come to whichever suits you, or more than one.
So whichever time suits you, each month brings you a listening circle and a Q&A.
Parenting alongside your partner
Your partner is welcome to join you as part of your membership, with no second fee. Doing this together tends to change what happens at home far more quickly than one of you doing it alone.
- Build a deeper understanding and more compassion in parenting together
- Support your partner on their own journey
- Grow in acceptance and appreciation of their way of parenting
Helena + Vivian
One of the things that makes Connection & Play special is that we bring quite different things to the community.
I have an 18 year old daughter and a 12 year old son, and I’m so grateful I discovered Aware Parenting and Hand in Hand Parenting whilst my eldest was a baby. My approach is built on connection, play and listening.
Rather than trying to stop difficult behaviour as quickly as possible, I’ll help you understand what might be going on underneath it, and find practical ways to respond that strengthen your relationship with your child.
I’m not here to give you another impossible standard to live up to. I know what it’s like to lose your patience, doubt yourself, and wonder why something that looked so simple in the parenting book feels completely different when it’s your own child screaming at you.
I’m a Certified Aware Parenting Instructor, a Certified Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor and a former Doula, and I’ve been working with families for 15 years. And I really do believe you don’t need to be a perfect mum to be a great one.
“She helps ground me by providing a safe place where I can off-load all of my fear, frustration and exhaustion. This way I come to parenting lighter and more flexible.”
I am the mother of a wonderful almost 15-year-old boy and have been practicing Aware Parenting, inspired by Aletha Solter, for 15 years. When Aware Parenting came my way it resonated with me deeply, even though it wasn’t always easy to put into practice.
I soon realized that Aware Parenting wasn’t something I could just “do” to my child. This journey involved all of me, and I needed to love and embrace many parts and feelings of myself before becoming the mum I am today. It truly is an ongoing journey.
I’ve been an instructor for 10 years and am passionate about helping parents love and appreciate themselves and their journey. Attachment Play is also close to my heart, and I love supporting parents in making play a joyful experience for themselves and their children by including themselves into play as well.
“What I especially adore about her is her playfulness and calm presence.”
Is Connection & Play right for you?
This is for you if…
- You want to parent with connection rather than punishment, and you want help doing it when it gets hard.
- You’d like somewhere to bring what’s actually happening at home, without being judged for it.
- You’re open to looking at what your child’s behaviour stirs up in you, as well as what to do about the behaviour.
- You want to trust your own judgement and yourself more.
You won’t fall behind
Some months you might join lots of sessions. Some months life will be busy and you’ll barely appear. That’s okay. Our doors are always open. You can come and go exactly as you need.
Come to one session a month and you’ll still get what you came for. This isn’t a course you can get behind on.
Anything you’re still wondering?
When can I join?
Any time you like. There’s no intake date and no cohort to wait for. You’ll get everything straight away and you’re welcome at the very next session, whenever that falls.
What does it cost?
£42 a month, or £230 for six months, which saves you £22. Your partner joins as part of your membership at no extra cost. You can cancel at any time.
When are the live sessions?
Four times to choose from: Mondays at 7.30pm, Wednesdays at 6.30am and Thursdays at 9.30am, every fortnight, plus Thursdays at 1.30pm once a month, all UK time. Come to whichever suits you, or more than one.
Each slot alternates between a listening circle and a Q&A session, so whichever time suits you, every month brings you one of each.
What if neither of those times works for me?
Do tell us. Our members are spread across the UK, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand, and we’ll always look at whether we can create a time that works better for you.
Do I need to know about Aware Parenting already?
Not at all. Some of our members have been practising for years and some have only just come across it. We teach as we go, and there’s never any expectation that you already know the language.
What if I don’t want to talk in a group?
Then don’t. You’re very welcome to come and listen, for as long as you like. A lot of people do that at first, and plenty say listening to someone else describe their week was the part that helped most.
How do I get in touch before I join?
We’d love to hear from you. Email Helena at hello@helenamooney.com or Vivian at hello@vivianviester.com with any question at all.
“I’m feeling more present and grounded in my day to day life, which is a massive shift.”
Most of what shifts, shifts over months rather than weeks. That’s why we offer six, and why most of what you’ll read above came from parents who stayed a while.
Come with what’s hard right now. We’ll meet you there, and help you understand what’s happening, find your next step and trust yourself a little more.
A welcome email from us, with your links and the date of the next session.
Come and say nothing at all if you’d rather. Plenty of people listen first.
Our private group is there between sessions, for questions and for the hard days.
We truly look forward to connecting with you and being by your side on your parenting journey.
With love, Helena & Vivian