Gentle-MAN - Moms and Sons Workshop - Cape Town

Date: Weds,11th December

Venue: Cape Town. Details of venue TBC. A comfortable venue with indoor and outdoor space if possible, allowing for group discussions and interactive activities.

Time: 09h30-15h30

Refreshments: lunch, tea and coffee provided

Materials: Each participant gets a workbook with prompts, resources, and exercises

Cost: R2,500 per mom and son. No one who can't afford it will be left out. Please consider gifting another couple if you can afford it. We are looking for sponsors. DM us! (082 565 0765.)

Workshop: Moms & Sons: Building Bonds and Resilience.'

Workshop Goals:

• Foster strong, supportive relationships between moms and sons, especially for single moms navigating the teen years.
• Equip teen boys with tools to handle personal and social challenges.
• Create a safe space for discussion, healing, and connection for moms and sons.
• Establish an ongoing community for moms and sons to continue supporting each other.

Workshop Format: (please note this may be subject to some adjustments, depending on needs!)

Welcome & Opening Circle:

• Introduction by Simon Ekin and Wanita Sparrow.
• Icebreakers to help everyone feel comfortable./
• Introductions by moms and sons: Why are you here? What do you want to achieve?
• Ground rules for a successful day.

Session 1: Understanding the Teen Boy's Journey

Topics:

• Navigating male stereotypes
• Handling peer pressure
• Understanding emotions
• Addressing male toxicity.
• Activities: Group discussion with prompts and journaling exercise for boys.

Session 2: Parenting Teen Boys as a Single Mom

Topics:

• Understanding the unique challenges of single-parenting teenage boys
• Encouraging emotional openness
• Setting boundaries with empathy.
• Activities: Moms-only breakout discussion with Simon & Wanita, whilst boys have their own assignment.

Session 3: Healing, Trust, and Reconnection

Topics:

• Addressing trauma
• Rebuilding trust,
• Strengthening mother-son bonds.
• Activities: Joint exercises (e.g., trust-building exercises, guided discussion), and creative activities like art or storytelling that express their unique relationship.

Session 4: What now? Having a plan of action.

Topics:

• Using the G.R.O.W goal-setting technique: (Goal, Reality, Options and What next?)
• Signing the declaration for how things will be in the future between you
• What's next?:
• Introduction to an ongoing support network for moms and sons
• Further workshops and resources: WhatsApp group, further workshops, personal coaching for support.

Session 5: Closing Circle & Community Creation:

• Reflection, learning and celebrations on key takeaways
• Commitments going forward.
• Review of Workshop Goals:
• Foster strong, supportive relationships between moms and sons, especially for single moms navigating the teen years.
• Equip teen boys with tools to handle personal and social challenges.
• Create a safe space for discussion, healing, and connection for moms and sons.
• Establish an ongoing community for moms and sons to continue supporting each other.