FREE SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF TEENS

Helping you to support them, whatever challenge your teen is facing.

Free expert advice, coaching and support for parents and carers in Australia.

Following are links to just some of the articles available:

Home - ReachOut Parents

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELF-CARE BINGO

See how many of these you can tick off over the school holidays!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seasonal information for the school community from the Royal Children’s Hospital

We’re well and truly into term one and we hope that students are settling into the year. We know the new school year raises some specific seasonal concerns for families, and we have developed some advice that we’ve shared across our social media platforms.

Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see our latest posts. Kids Health Info website to explore further information – www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/

Healthy school lunch boxes

Our school lunch bingo challenge encourages families to tick off items from the five food groups: cereals and grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and alternatives, and meat and alternatives. View the post on Instagram

Back-to-school check-in

RCH Psychologist Dr Zeffie shares conversation starters to help encourage young people to discuss how they are feeling about the new school year, as well as signs that could relate to a young person experiencing school anxiety. View the post on Instagram

Digital safety

With young people accessing smart phones and digital devices at earlier ages, this short guide provides parents and caregivers with a checklist of what to do when setting up new devices for their child. View the post on Instagram

And with winter illnesses just around the corner, next month we will be highlighting some resources to help parents prepare for cold and flu season, so keep an eye out at the start of April.

Below are some of our simple tips for parents relating to the following issues:

Sleep problems - children and teens

Gambling – teens and young people

Taking risks – teens and young people

We've also just released a bonus episode of our Kids Health Info podcast.

Subscribe to the Kids Health Info podcast on your podcast platform of choice.

Link to podcast : Listen to the new episode of the Kids Health Info podcast

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITY IDEAS

The arrival of autumn usually brings about mild, pleasant weather with cooler temperatures, clear skies and the beautiful colours that come with the changing of the season. Being in nature can be one of life’s simplest of pleasures, so these holidays, take advantage of our wonderful region and venture out to try some of these activities:

Pack a picnic – Picnics offer a change of scenery and the chance to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Pack a basket filled with your favourite snacks and roll out the rug to dine alfresco and connect with family/friends.

Birdwatching - Boasting a diverse array of landscapes, East Gippsland is home to a magnificent range of bird life. Challenging and rewarding, bird watching doesn’t just stimulate the senses, but also teaches patience and can create moments of wonder that you wouldn’t normally experience.

Get your green thumb on – Planting and tending a garden is a great way to focus our attention on the beauty, change, and growth that nature offers. Caring for a garden can also be an exercise in gratitude, and if you’re planting vegetables, you’ll be rewarded with the fruits of your labour.

Walking/Hiking - From beach walks, riverside strolls or meandering through the bush, East Gippsland lays claim to many varied walking/hiking opportunities with something to suit everyone’s preference or fitness level.

Fishing - Fishing spots are in abundance throughout the region, and you can drop a line in just about anywhere - from the beach, jetty or riverbank. For the more adventurous, take a chartered trip or even hire your own boat.

Just ‘being outdoors - Sometimes, simply making contact with, and taking in the atmosphere of a green space can be beneficial for our health. The natural environment can provide a sense of calming and grounding, giving us the same opportunity to connect with nature. Lay down on some grass, plant your feet in the soil, or just sit by a tree.

If the weather is less than desirable, or you’re just looking to chill inside, there are also plenty of indoor activities available to fill in your day:

PJ Day - Spend the entire day in your pjs’ playing board games or partaking in a movie marathon with your family/friends.

Make over your bedroom – Tired of looking at the same four walls in your bedroom? There are so many great ways to revamp your own space .. most of which are simple changes that don’t cost a fortune. Get googling online for inspo!

Science Experiments – there are literally hundreds of simple science experiments and activities you can try at home (with parental authorisation of course!) Break out the white coats and start searching the internet for ideas.

Get Moving in front of the TV - Many gaming programs and accessories are designed to encourage movement while you play. For example, a dance mat or Wii remote can get you moving and burning calories while playing your favourite games. Similarly, virtual reality games require full-body movement and can provide a great workout.

Pamper time! Spoil yourself with a mini spa day at home with a variety of DIY beauty treatments. Try a nice manicure/pedicure, facial mask, experimenting with make-up, or even just a soak in the tub with a bath bomb.

Easter Inspired Activities

Egg & Spoon Race – a classic Easter pastime, an egg race involves the art of walking/running from one point to another while balancing an egg on a spoon without dropping it. There are lots of ways you can make the game even more entertaining - try turning the egg race into a relay, carrying the spoon in your mouth, or make up your own rules.

Scavenger Hunt – a fun, interactive game where participants follow clues to find hidden Easter eggs or treats. The objective is to find all the hidden items or complete a series of tasks based on clues provided. A game for all ages and lots of fun!

Easter Cooking - Spend a day in the kitchen cooking up a storm of Easter-inspired goodies! From biscuits, cupcakes, slices and cakes, there are hundreds of online recipes designed to get your taste buds excited. Your homemade yummy treats can be gifted to others to celebrate the occasion or eat them all yourself!

Upcoming events

Key Dates