Earlier this month, specialists from Save Ukraine’s Community Centers took part in a Positive Parenting training — a space for honest dialogue, shared experience, and practical tools that help parents support their children even in times of crisis.

Our psychologists, social workers, educators, and representatives of local communities explored what stands behind children’s emotions, how to respond to difficult behaviour without shouting, and why discipline is not about punishment, but about guidance. Participants discussed children’s needs at different developmental stages, the role of secure attachment, and the importance of an adult’s emotional presence.

A separate part of the training focused on parental stress — a challenge many families face today. Together, participants learned to recognize signs of overload, practiced techniques for self-regulation, and looked for personal resources that help parents remain emotionally available for their children.

One of the warmest moments was the creative session “A Special Gift for Yourself”, which became a reminder that taking care of yourself is an essential part of taking care of your family.

For our team, this training is more than professional development — it is an investment in stronger, more resilient families. When parents feel supported, children feel safer, more confident, and better able to grow.

The training was conducted within the project “EMPOWER: Education, Mental Health, Protection, and Opportunities for Well-being and Enhanced Resilience,” implemented by Save Ukraine in partnership with the German humanitarian organization Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe. The project supports children and families in 8 Community Centers and 2 centers for children with disabilities across Ukraine — creating places where every child is heard, supported, and welcomed.