Voimaperheet – Support for Navigating Emotional Storms
Does everyday life feel like an endless sea of conflict? Struggling to get your child to daycare amidst their tantrums, which may involve lying on the floor, kicking, and screaming? Do you frequently deal with your child’s angry outbursts when things don't go their way? Do you have trouble ending playtime without upsetting your child? Are you concerned about your child’s aggressive behaviour towards you or other children when they feel frustrated?
If these scenarios resonate with you, you're not alone. Fortunately, for those living in Western Uusimaa, Voimaperheet is here to help. We specialise in supporting families as they navigate the complexities of daily life with preschool-aged children, particularly when their usual parental coping mechanisms are falling short or put to the test.
Let us assist you
We provide free, flexible, and evidence-based support. As part of a collaboratively funded research project with the University of Turku’s Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County offers the Voimaperheet parental guidance program to support parents of 3- and 4-year-olds. The best part? This coaching is completely free for families in Western Uusimaa! Our trained family coaches offer personalized support tailored to the specific challenges your family and children face in daily life.
You may feel utterly exhausted and unable to commit to any coaching program. That’s understandable. However, consider that an 11-week commitment to this program can profoundly transform your family life and break negative patterns. It can have a significant positive impact on your child’s development and self-image while providing substantial benefits for you and your whole family.
Voimaperheet in Action: How It Works
Voimaperheet is a program born from years of research and development, focusing on digital preventive care. The entire parental guidance program for parents with 3-year-old children is available online, freely accessible to all families in Western Uusimaa. Check out the link below to take a test and see if this program is suitable for you! Parental guidance for parents of 4-year-olds is offered based on the Voimaperheet questionnaire, integrated into child and maternity health clinics. Once approved for the program, families are paired with a dedicated family coach. This coach offers help, support, and motivation throughout the coaching period and is available to answer any questions you might have during this time. It is important to note that receiving an invitation to, or participating in, this program does not imply that your child has a behavioural disorder.
The coaching program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online resources with personal weekly contact via phone or a remote connection. It’s designed to be flexible: these weekly sessions can be scheduled for weekday evenings to suit your family’s schedule! You can start the parental guidance program just 2 to 3 weeks after submitting the Voimaperheet questionnaire, which is part of your child’s four-year health check at the child and maternity health clinic. Support is readily available and accessible within a short timeframe.
Keep an eye on your mailbox! Approximately a month before the child's 4th birthday, families with children registered as Finnish or Swedish speakers in the population register will receive the Voimaperheet questionnaire.
Filling out the questionnaire is voluntary but highly recommended. It also serves as an assessment of your child’s psychosocial wellbeing during their four-year health check. Family situations can change quickly. If you receive a positive response, your family is entitled to participate in the parental coaching for the entire year while your child is 4 years old.
Additional Information:
You will receive a registration code for the 8-week Ole läsnä lapsellesi (“Be present with your child”) parental coaching program for parents of 3-year-olds after you have first determined your suitability for the program: The Voimaperheet questionnaire and registration for parental coaching (external link).(external link)
Ole läsnä lapsellesi video for families in Finnish(external link)
Ole läsnä lapsellesi video for families in Swedish(external link)
Digitalized Universal Positive Parent Training Intervention (Ole läsnä)(external link) (University of Turku)
Digitally Assisted Parent Training Intervention for Disruptive Behavior in 4-Year Old Children (Voimaperheet – Huomaa hyvä lapsessasi)(external link) (University of Turku)