The Family Centre are launching a campaign to help people become better parents.

It will kick off on Monday on the International Day of the Family.

And next Friday there will be a family event from 6-8 p.m in Victoria Park with castles and games.

Family Centre executive director Martha Dismont said: ?We will invite families to sit off, listen to music and have free food and spend some quality time with their children.?

But the event is just the beginning. ?We will provide the community with strong, solid practical parenting tips throughout the year.?

She hopes to pull together all the agencies providing parenting training to make it more widely available.

?We will get the best of what is offered and make families more aware of what are best practices,? she said.

Taking the stigma away from asking for help is part of the battle.

?So people don?t think you are going because someone says you have to go because you are not a good parent.?

Expectant parents can also get tips before their children arrive, she suggested, while lunch-and-learn sessions hosted by businesses will spread the message.

Asked what had sparked the campaign, she said: ?People feel there?s a major lack of awareness of what constitutes good parenting. And people aren?t being good parents. So, let?s talk about what good parenting is about.?

Arguments over how to bring up kids have raged between disciplinarians and those offering a more liberal approach for years.

?All we can do is offer what?s been successful. You can get a lot of data from those sitting in prison and those who have come out of prison.

?How did you grow up? How did your parents treat you? What were the consequences?

?Half of them have been abused or went on drugs because of problems that occurred.

?You find out what caused the problems by talking to people with the problems and you put in place measures to prevent that for other families and individuals growing up.

?There are ways to measure ? that?s where you get best practice ? from the things that are proven to have worked.?

Bonding with a parent is vital, said Ms Dismont.

?There could be two children who come from the same poverty stricken neighbourhood.

?The difference between a child who makes it and is successful and a child who doesn?t is bonding ? having a committed adult attached to that child.

?It makes all the difference in the world. It?s been proven that children who choose to live a lifestyle of health are often concerned about the individuals they will disappoint.?

Parents need to remember they are ultimately raising healthy adults, not children.

?You have to teach healthy behaviour. How many of us really communicate healthy behaviour to our children ? respect adults, make your bed, do your home work.

?You have to start with having that standard as a parent and communicate that healthy behaviour.

?You have to be a model of what you believe in.?

Children who behave well need recognition from parents and the wider community, said Ms Dismont.

?If you don?t manage your family well ? breakfast, doing homework, a child getting to bed on time ? whatever it is ? a child will be at risk for substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-outs and violence.?