A message from Emily Murcott - Assistant Principal / Wellbeing Literacy

Parenting is hard! I am sure that at times you may feel like you are the only family having challenges, but I can assure you are NOT alone. I have two children of my own and as they grow older they come with different experiences (otherwise known as challenges).

My daughter is turning 16 next week and son is turning 18 next week! Party week in our household. Although I'd love to say they are a dream....I need everyone to know that I too have been unsure if the decisions we (my husband and I) make are the right ones. We second guess ourselves all the time. Some decisions bring tears to my children's faces, other times I am sure that if they could they would have red flames coming out of their ears, and then other times I am the one in tears. We just do the best we can with the knowledge and information that we have at that time. That is why I wanted to share some great resources with you. Below I have included some podcasts that have been created by Anglicare about a range of topics. Further on, there are a range of parenting sessions that you may be interested in. I hope you can be brave and reach out and listen or watch these resources.

ParentZone Pods

In this resource Anglicare have identified common issues that parents bring to their parenting groups and they explore these in detail. They not only discuss the issues and concerns parents bring, but also offer strategies parents can try in these situations. These podcasts recognise that parenting is the toughest and most important job there is! Children don’t come with a manual, and sometimes parents seek guidance in ways to support their children and improve the family unit as a whole.

Podcast Series 1

Episode 1: Family Meetings

Episode 2: Dealing with Anxiety

Episode 3: Sibling Rivalry

Episode 4: Getting Children to Listen

Episode 5: How to Respond to Kids' Behaviour

Episode 6: How to Stop Yelling at your Kids

Podcast Series 2

Episode 1: Positive Discipline

Episode 2: School Refusal

Episode 3: Parenting our Teenagers

Episode 4: Meltdowns vs Tantrums

Episode 5: Couples Parenting Together

Episode 6: Dads Parenting Today

ParentZone Pods can be found on our website, Apple and via Spotify

Check out ParentZone Parenting Groups for Term 2, 2025

Positive Parenting Strategies

Session One: Recognising your parenting style

Do you ever sound like your own parents – and wish that you did not?! Join the discussion to:

explore different approaches to parenting
identify the differences between how you were parented and the world you parent in today
learn strategies to become the parent you would like to be.

Session Two: Building trust in your family

Would you like to strengthen positive relationships and communication in your family?This session will explore:

Factors contributing to positive relationships and trust
Communication that works well to build trust
How to establish rules and consequences so that your child know what to expect and trusts you to be consistent and fair.

NOTE: These parenting sessions are general in nature and seek to create an environment where parents are learning from one another. We aim to equip parents with transferrable knowledge and skills, but the sessions do not address specific issues such as neurodiversity.

Date: Tuesday, 6th May (Session One) Tuesday, 17th June (Session Two)

Time: 12:15pm - 1:30pm

Price: FREE - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Location: Online

Contact: Carey Cole

Phone: 0437 428 281

Email: carey.cole@anglicarevic.org.au

Register here

Parenting Anxious Children - In person

Dates: Tuesdays (6 morning sessions)

May 13th to June 17th

When: 9:30am - 11.30am

Where: Boronia Heights Primary School

Register here

Calm Parenting

DATES: Thursday 22, 29 May 5, 12, 19, 26 June 2025

Time: 10.00am - 11.30am

Price: FREE - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Location: Online

Contact: Michelle Brown

Email: michelle.brown@anglicarevic.org.au

For parents, step‐parents, grandparents, families and carers of children of all ages. A FREE 6 week parenting program. Come along Wednesdays to share ideas, feel supported and learn new things!

ARE YOU TIRED OF ALL THE YELLING? How to communicate better within the family

DEALING WITH ANGER - Helping parents deal with anger in themselves and the kids

RESPONDING TO BEHAVIOUR - Understand why children behave the way they do

STRATEGIES THAT WORK - How can parenting be easier and more fun

Register here

Parenting Anxious Children - Online

Dates: Thursday mornings (6 sessions) May 22nd - June 26th

When: 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Where: ZOOM/Online

Register here

Tuning Into Kids

Dates: Tuesdays (6-day sessions)

13th May - 17th June

When: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where: ZOOM/Online

Register here

Would you like tips and strategies to:

Better understand and communicate with your child?
Help your child learn to manage their emotions and deal with conflict?
Manage challenging behaviours?
Parent anxious children?
Raise resilient children?

Children with emotional intelligence:

Have greater success with making and keeping friends
Show improved concentration at school
Have fewer illnesses

Living with Autism and/or ADHD | Online

Date: Thursdays May 15th – June 19th 2025

Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm

Price: FREE - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Location: Online

Contact: Michelle Brown

Email: michelle.brown@anglicarevic.org.au

FREE 6-week interactive program for parents/carers living with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Learn and develop parenting strategies and approaches specifically to help you parent your neurodiverse children. Topics may include:

Developing their social skills
Tapping into their strengths
Navigating changes and transitions
Responding to meltdowns and overwhelm
Helping your child to regulate their emotions
Support your child with their challenges
Learning to navigate and even enjoy this atypical parenting journey
Sharing the journey with other parents and carers who understand.

Register here

If you are willing to share what you have learnt or if you found these resources helpful or not, I'd love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful week.

Regards,

Emily Murcott

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