Assistant Principal's Report Katrina Spicer - Welfare and Wellbeing

6th September, 2019

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Information for Parents

Education Department

Did you know that the Education Department Website contains a wealth of information for parents?

Topics available include information on homework, parenting, managing behaviour, family health,  and services for parents. Information is available regarding children in different age groups, including, babies, toddler, primary and secondary aged students.

There is also a section alerting parents to things that are happening in Victorian education with stories from schools around the state.

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/default.aspx

Beyond Blue - Healthy Families

We all know that raising a family can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be very challenging at times.  Beyond Blue has created a Healthy Families website, which contains lots of information about mental health and wellbeing within families. I strongly recommend families add this website to their toolbox, as it is a wonderful resource to call upon if things are getting tough.

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/home

Parenting Ideas Article

Are You Asking Your Kids to Step Up?

By Dr Deborah Gilboa

We do a lot for our kids, because we love them they often they need us. But we forget that one of the best things we can do for our kids is to help them learn to do it for themselves and for others.

Do you ask your kids to do chores, to help out on a regular basis? You would be surprised how many parents – who were raised doing chores – don’t ask the same of their kids. If you do give them chores, do you sometimes go behind them and redo the work when they’re done? Don’t! If it’s not right, get your child to fix it.

When I ask why parents don’t give chores or why they don’t challenge their kids with hard things – and I do, all over the world – parents tell me it’s because kids are too… busy! They’re working their tails off on classwork, teams, clubs, groups, trying to excel at 100 different things! So adults are willing to take on every other responsibility in their lives in order to facilitate these goals. And it’s hurting kids.

We drive them everywhere – fewer teens are seeking drivers’ licences each year. We type their work, do their research and try to buy them anything they or we think might possibly increase their success. We solve every problem and bulldoze over every potential obstacle. And kids accept this as the natural order of things.

We are stepping in front of our kids, when in fact we should be stepping back and allowing our kids to step up.

It sounds like tough love, but it’s not. This is parenting. This is making sure that our kids, in just a few short years, don’t still need us to do everything for them. Our kids know that we are expert problem solvers. Now it’s their turn to step up and learn to help themselves and others.

So how can we let kids step up? Here are a few tips you can try right now with kids of any age.

1. When your child or teen comes to you with a problem, don’t fix it. Say “You’re a good problem solver. What do you think?” And then listen to the answer.
2. Expect them to fail, and talk about what they’ll do when (not if) that happens.
3. Give them tasks to do that help the whole family (not only themselves) and make sure they do them, until it’s done well. Be patient, but firm.

It’s crucial that you take a step back and let your kids make mistakes and learn from their experiences. You aren’t going to be there in adulthood to clear the obstacles they face or solve the struggles. They eventually will have to make decisions and find solutions on their own and they will be ill-prepared if they weren’t allowed to make those mistakes under supervision while you’re right there to show empathy and give support!

You may be thinking “But what if there’s an emergency and I have to jump in?” Well, first define emergency.

Two percent of the time, kids need an adult to jump in front of them and solve the problem. They need an adult to protect them from a life-threatening issue that overwhelms their internal resources such as when they experience bullying, mental health issues and eating disorders.

The other ninety-eight percent of the time kids need a compassionate adult to take an interest, from a distance, without fixing anything. So step back so that a child or a young person can step up and handle problems and dilemmas themselves.

You can attend our upcoming webinar, Step back so kids step up, at no cost!

About the webinar:

Children and teenagers are capable of so much more than they are often given credit for. Closing the expectation gap between what adults believe kids and young adults are capable of, and allowing them to create their own solutions to the challenges they face will greatly impact their resilience, and society as a whole. In this webinar, Dr. G will outline the practicalities of doing that, and the guiding principles that will make it possible.

When: Wednesday 18 September 2019 8:00pm AEST.

Price: This webinar is $37 per person to attend, and is free of charge to families at schools that have a membership.

How parents can redeem the voucher

1. Click this link: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/parent-webinars/webinar-step-back-so-kids-step-up

2. Click ‘Add to cart’

3. Click ‘View cart’

4. Enter the voucher code STEP and click ‘Apply Coupon’ (valid until 18 October 2019). Your discount of $37 will be applied.

5. Click ‘Proceed to checkout’

6. Fill in your account details. These details are used to login to your account and access your parenting material

7. Click ‘Place Order’

Katrina Spicer

Assistant Principal - Welfare and Wellbeing