The purpose of this thesis was to organize a peer support group for the parents of children going through the defiant age stage of child development. The thesis was made in co-operation with Lempäälä child welfare clinic. The aim was to learn about the children's growth development, about techniques used by the public health nurses at the child health clinic to support the parents of the children as well as to learn guidance skills for the peer support group.

The theory part studied the children's growth and development and different parenthood support methods in raising defiant children. In addition the Finnish child welfare clinic system as well as the techniques used by the public health nurses to support parents were researched. The theory concentrates on how peer support can help parents with defiant children. In the practice based part of this thesis a peer support group for parents was organized at Lempäälä child welfare clinic. The group met four times in two week cycles during spring 2014.

Participants provided feedback in the last group meeting by filling out a questionnaire. Parents who participated in the meetings felt the peer support group to be very beneficial. Participants felt that they received support from other participants and also gained understanding that they are not the only parents who have troubles with their children.

Group support activities have become more common in the child welfare clinics. As previous research and this thesis show, peer support groups can be recommended to support parents with defiant children. Peer support can be used as one working method at the child welfare clinics. Organizing peer support is beneficial to the public health nurse because it is economical, valuable and unique.