A House of Peace

‘Managing your money and being a good parent starts with getting help for yourself,’ says Sarah*. ‘I can’t teach my kids if I don’t start with making good choices myself.’ 

When a family member passed away leaving eight teenagers (four sets of twins) in need of a home, Sarah opened her door without question. ‘That’s what you do for family,’ she explains. Sarah had been working with a Salvation Army financial mentor to get out of debt. It had already been a steep learning curve for Sarah, but with eight additions to provide for, the real climb was just beginning.

When I first came here, I was so lost. I wouldn’t be the mum I am today without these guys—I call them family now. The thing I love about The Salvation Army is that  they don’t turn you away. Ever. They will keep saying  “come in.” They keep helping you. I’m so grateful.’ Parenting one young child is challenging at the best of times, but adding eight grieving teenagers into the mix seemed an impossible task. 

‘The thing I love about The Salvation Army is that they don’t turn you away. Ever. They will keep saying “come in.” They keep helping you.’

‘Before I did the parenting course, it was so tough. I would go into my room and sob saying, “why did you do this Sarah?” I was that typical mum—yelling, nagging and demanding. But now there is peace in our house. The parenting programme changed the way I see things—mostly the way I see myself. You can’t run a household when you are angry  all the time. The parenting course helps you to heal.’

Sarah now has a peaceful home, where the rules are clear and so are the consequences and rewards. ‘Before the parenting course the TV was on all the time, there was music blaring, the laptops and devices were out, and I was yelling over all that. Now I can talk normally to the kids and I’m a better mum. We joined the library and now everyone has books of their own and we are not in each other’s face all the time. It’s family quiet time from 6pm and there are no devices allowed.

We read and sing and talk, and we pray together every night.’ The parenting programme holds an extra special place in Sarah’s heart because after 24 years of estrangement, Sarah has reconnected with her own mum. A family bereavement brought them together, giving Sarah the opportunity to extend an olive branch. ‘I had been so angry with her, and if I hadn’t done the parenting course, I would have been attacking her straight away. But we had a heart-to-heart, and I went from hating her to saying, “love you Mum” when she left.'

*Name changed to protect privacy.