This is my account of the experience as a mum of three children, aged 4months, and 3 and 5 years.

After enrolling for the programme with the Braidwood Hospital, I waited for the correct timing, at the height of dinner-bath-bed time that night to run it by my husband. Thankfully he agreed that it would be a good idea for both of us to go so that we could present a united front with whatever new tactics we would be trying out on the troupes.

The older two had some lovely indulgent evenings with Granny and Poppy while the baby came along with the walking milkbar.

With four other mums, one other dad and one other baby we went along for our first session. I would like to confess that at this point that I had a few preconceived ideas about how things would go.

1. I wasn't sure anyone would have any earth shattering advice that would help with the children's behaviour without compromising my parenting ideals.

2. 2. I knew my husband thought that the children didn't get enough discipline at home (read, mum's a big softie) and I guessed he would throw in the towel after a few weeks.

The first few weeks I realised we were all facing similar issues at home, such as tantrums, being ignored, manner (lack of!), fussy eating etc etc etc, and then there was the children's behaviour to deal with as well (only joking....)

I think everyone involved came away feeling better about themselves as parents and yes, the advise given - if followed consistently really did work with sometimes amazing results.

The results for our family were very positive and I would recommend that parents ( both if possible) give it some serious thought. It is only 12 hours out of our lives but in the broader picture, time well spent. I think as parents we are more in tune with different types of behaviour, why it occurs and how to try to deal with the things in a more calm and controlled manner. Certainly mum is happier and when mum is happy, everyone is happy, right?