Chaplains Spot

‘Raising resilient Parents’

This article comes from Sharon Witt’s chapter in the ‘Raising Resilient Kids’ book. To be able to raise resilient kids, we need to be resilient ourselves. Here are some of her gems for us:

“We need to model resilience for our children – they are more influenced by our actions than our words.

1] Demonstrate self-care: Take time out to refuel – you can’t pour from an empty cup

2] Take care of you – proactively monitor and manage our own health when difficult situations arise. 

3] Be honest and upfront – this provides space to ask questions, and helps gain some control and perspective.

4] Develop your tribe – it does take a village to raise a child. Parenting is a team sport. By expanding our network of trusted friends and relatives, we become less isolated and lonely. 

5] Maintain perspective – we often catastrophise. Worse things than this could happen. Let’s move on.  

6] Set and maintain boundaries – it’s okay to say no, or even ‘not now’. Learning to be patient and to compromise contribute towards resilience. 

7] Show our kids it’s okay to fail – but not to stay there. Nobody has got it all together all the time. This is just a season – it will pass. 

8] Keep your sense of humour – never take yourself too seriously. 

I would encourage you to read Sharon’s story, to see how her journey has shaped her wisdom, her life choices, and how she impacts people’s lives. 

Toast Tuesday: Our free Toast Tuesday program runs from 8.30 until start of school. 

Our second-hand uniform stock is also available for gold coin donations. 

We have a huge a stock of dresses, from size 4 up to 12, ready for the warmer weather, and for next year’s Prep students. Come and see us on Tuesday mornings, as well as at assembly every second Friday. We also have track pants, shorts and skorts. 

Do you have any polo shirts or jackets at home in good condition, that your children are not wearing anymore? We have a shortage of these items. Please bring them to the office so we can recycle them to other families. 

Contact: Feel free to email me, phone me or see me at school on my days listed below.

Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Tuesday, Friday]

[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au] Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing. 

Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.