Our courses often inspire significant initial enthusiasm and commitment, but the real test lies in maintaining these changes amidst the chaos of everyday life. The concept of the “Honeymoon Effect” applies as much to PET as it does to BYB and LET with similar challenges of sustaining behavioural changes over time.
To support participants success , consider the following structured follow-up mechanisms:
1. Scheduled Check-Ins
• Regular Group Sessions: Organise monthly or quarterly meet-ups (virtual or in-person) to share their successes, struggles, and questions. These can be priced into your original offer.
• One-on-One Coaching: Offer periodic calls or meetings with participants to review progress and troubleshoot challenges.
2. Practice and Reflection Session
• Journaling: Encourage participants to maintain a journal to reflect on specific interactions and document moments when they successfully used new techniques—or when they didn’t, to analyse why.
• Role-Playing Refreshers: Arrange follow-up workshops to revisit and practice key skills in a safe, supportive environment.
3. Digital Reinforcement
• Micro-Learning Modules: Send short, digestible reminders or videos reinforcing core concepts.
• Parenting Apps or Forums: Provide access to a digital space where parents can ask questions, celebrate wins, and connect with others working on similar goals.
4. Accountability Partnerships
• Pair participants with a fellow parent from the course to support and encourage each other. They can check in regularly to discuss progress and challenges.
5. Involvement of Family Members
• Involve the other caregivers in the household, so everyone is aligned with the principles and can support one another.
6. Incorporating Parenting Techniques into Daily Life
• Create visual reminders (like posters, posy-iy notes or the Behaviour Window) that summarize key strategies and place them in high-traffic areas of the home.
• Encourage families to have weekly meetings and set weekly goals based on the techniques and reflect on progress together.
By ensuring consistent reinforcement of the principles introduced in the PET course, you’ll significantly increase the likelihood that participants sustain and integrate these changes into their family life long after the “honeymoon phase” fades.
