Welcome back Parents and Guardians!
If you’re on this page, it’s because your child has just experienced a workshop in The Man Cave! We really hope their experience was a positive and empowering one and now we want to set you up for success to support them.
So, what actually happened in the workshop?
LEVEL 1: Self-Discovery and Emotional Literacy
In the Level 1 workshop, participants focused on self-discovery through age-appropriate activities and discussions. They learned about emotional literacy, the impact of outdated masculine norms on mental health, and interpersonal relationships. The workshop included practising the Check-In tool, fostering authentic emotional expression and awareness of others, and recognising each other’s strengths to envision their future selves.
LEVEL 2: Cultivating Healthy Relationships
The Level 2 workshop builds on the self-awareness from Level 1, guiding participants towards developing healthy relationships. They explored the LEAD framework (Listen, Empathise, Ask, Do) to support others effectively. Through shared narratives and personal reflections, participants understood the evolving dynamics of relationships, engaged in activities to foster empathy, and acknowledged the strengths of their peers.
LEVEL 3: Understanding and Respecting Boundaries
The Level 3 workshop focused on the concept of boundaries, integrating self-awareness and interpersonal skills from the previous levels. Participants discussed the significance of boundaries, learned to articulate their own and understand others, and explored strategies for addressing boundary issues. The workshop provided tools for maintaining healthy boundaries, enhancing individual wellbeing, and contributing to a positive group culture.
Parents and carers often ask us how to support their children after the workshop. Following the workshop, we encourage you to continue engaging in meaningful conversations and modelling positive attitudes. Your involvement is crucial in reinforcing the lessons learned and fostering ongoing positive changes in behaviour and understanding.
Create Space for Conversation – within a week of the workshop, set aside some time to sit down and talk about your child’s experience. Approach the conversation with curiosity but without pushing too hard. Let him share at his own pace, and respect his need for privacy if he isn’t ready to open up immediately. Understand that his relationships with peers may be evolving, and don’t take it personally if he seems less inclined to share with you.
Shout Out a Unique Gift or Talent – consider honouring your child by acknowledging a unique gift or talent, rather than an achievement. At the end of each workshop, the boys participate in an ‘honouring/shout out’ session where they recognise each other’s positive traits and actions. You can prepare a similar honouring for your son.
The structure is → “I want to honour you for [gift/talent/trait], the impact it’s had on me is [describe the impact].”
E.g. “I want to honour you for always saying hi to me at the start of the day. The impact it’s had on me is that it makes me feel seen and loved by you, which makes me feel important to you.”
This might initially feel odd, and your son might be taken aback, but recognising our young people for their character rather than their achievements helps them feel seen and heard. This is crucial for opening conversations and strengthening connections.
Help Them Connect with Us – If your child wants to stay connected with The Man Cave, there are several ways to do so. We offer work experience opportunities at our organisation, and we’re also active on Twitch a few nights a week, where they can engage live with our facilitators. Additionally, our Instagram regularly features tips and tricks to help continue the learnings from the workshop. We encourage the boys to reach out to us if they want to engage further.
