Wellbeing Hub
'Parental As Anything- Helping your child make friends' (Podcast)
In an age of information, how great is it that we can access support for parenting when we need it? Whether that's through our schools, local clubs, healthcare settings or even websites and media (depending on the source).
Our topic this fortnight is a prevalent one- how to help our children make friends. Maggie Dent and Bec Sparrow dive deep into this topic giving practical tips in an enjoyable discussion. The podcast is an easy 30-minute listen and you could pop it on while you are doing household chores or driving between work and home.
Tips for Parents from the Podcast:
- Promote kindness with your kids- tell them to 'Be kind, but strong. It's ok to be friends with some but kind to all.'
- Be calm when your child/ren tell you about their friendship issues- set the tone for a calm conversation
- Help them to stay away from drama cyclones! Talk about helpful/unhelpful ways of dealing with friendship conflict E.g. Talking about others unkindly behind their back, delivering messages between social groups- unhelpful. Asking to speak with them privately and letting them know that you didn't appreciate what they said/did- helpful.
- How to find your friendship group? Join clubs-sport, drama, chess, Girl Guides, Scouts, dance etc., invite children for playdates with your child
- Listen without judgement, be empathetic, ask them questions about how they would solve the problem (this builds problem-solving skills).
About the Podcast:
Parental As Anything is the podcast that gives you practical, supportive, advice from two real-world parenting experts. Beloved Australian parenting author and educator Maggie Dent and teen-parenting whisperer Bec Sparrow share wisdom and experience that comes from years of working with parents, kids and teens. With seven seasons of practical advice and helpful tips, Parental As Anything is here to help find solutions to the challenges that parents face every day. No trends. No judgement.
How to listen:
ABC Listen app- https://www.abc.net.au/listen/listenapp
Spotify app- https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Dv0xcptYB61HrjxAiEFcB?si=_GotxYfkR1utDcwhLmr84w
ABC Website- https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/parental-as-anything-with-maggie-dent
Mental Health & Wellbeing Resources
Kids Helpline or 1800 551 800
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Also has fact sheets and information about a range of topics for parents to support their children.
Access to trusted mental health and wellbeing information, online programs and digital resources.
Learn more about depression and anxiety or talk it through with our support service.
Phone: 1300 224 636 (24/7)
Email or chat online
A confidential, free and secure space where young people aged 12 to 25 or their family can chat, email or speak on the phone with a qualified youth mental health professional.
Phone: 1800 650 890 (9am – 1am everyday)
Access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services.
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Raising Children Network- https://raisingchildren.net.au/
Provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts.