HELP is at hand for stressed parents struggling to cope with the "terrible twos" - and threes, fours and fives.

A new ten-week parenting course in Whitefield aims to help mums and dads get to grips with with tantrums, fussy eating, bedtime blues and the trials of bringing up a toddler. Organised by Bury Family Centre at Tenters Street, the aim is to give parents the opportunity to share their experiences, to learn why children behave as they do, to pick up tips on parenting issues, and to boost self-confidence.

Courses are already up and running in Bury and the free weekly sessions at Elms Street Methodist Church will be open to parents with children under five not attending school or nursery.

Project leader Mrs Wendy Buckland said: "We have been running parenting courses in Bury for about three years and they have been very successful. In a sense they have gone too well as they are oversubscribed and that is why we have decided to hold one in Whitefield. "It is a chance for parents to listen to each other, find out why children behave the way they do, and encourage them to behave more sociably."

One parent who has already benefited is 23-year-old Gail Ireland. She is finding it easier to cope with son Bobby's tantrums after attending the Bury course.

"It has really helped a lot," she said. "They told me how to do things such as distracting him and I have really noticed a change. I am surprised at how much the course has helped, he is now really well behaved. He still has a couple of tantrums now and again, but I know how to deal with them better thanks to the course."

A further course is planned for Bury in April and it is hoped more will follow in areas such as Radcliffe and Ramsbottom.

Mrs Buckland added: "Parents sometimes just want that little bit of help and they get low key support from us which boosts their confidence."

The Whitefield course starts on Monday, April 12, with a free creche available. For details contact Mrs Buckland on 764 4811.

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