From the Counselling Suite

Never underestimate Your Influence as a Parent

Being a parent is a very ‘mixed bag’ of experiences; there are days filled with joy, there are days filled with frustration; it is exhausting, it is exhilarating; some days you feel as if you are in control while other days you feel as if everything is spiralling out of control.  

Because it is such a roller coaster ride and you are constantly ‘on call’, it is all too easy to forget what an important influence you are on your child. Even from their earliest years, your child will be influenced by your behaviour, by your morals and attitudes; your child will make sense of the world around them through you.  

Parents are the first teacher of their child, and children are great mimics! We are all impressed by our not-yet two-year old who picks up the remote control and puts it up to her ear after observing her parents use their mobile phone. Parent behaviour is imitated – parents who treat others with respect, and who value the dignity of all irrespective of ability, gender, race etc, teach their children this way of behaving. Parents who demonstrate that it is all right to lie and act dishonestly, even in small things, teach their child that this is acceptable for them too.  

If as a parent, you want your child to be respectful, kind, self-disciplined and compassionate, then you must treat others in this way. Children learn from what parents do, much more than what parents say. There is little point in talking to your son and/or daughter about the dangers of Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat if you are constantly on your electronic device keeping up with the latest gossip.  

Don’t be afraid to show your emotions, to let your child know that you are angry, sad or worried. If your children learn from you that it is all right to say they are angry, sad and worried, they will be much more likely to tell you, than to bottle it up in an unhealthy way. Children learn to understand, name and express their emotions by following the example of their parents.  

Inevitably as our children grow, especially into adolescence, parental influence is overtaken by peer influence, but it is what they learn in those early years which remains as the foundation for their behaviour and their attitudes. Just as a building lasts longer when there are solid foundations, so too does parental influence – if it has been laid down firmly in those formative years, it will withstand all attempts to overturn it.

The Counselling Team is available to advise and support all students and families and can be contacted by email on counselling@bps.sa.edu.au

Parents may also refer their son to the Counselling Team by using the Referral found on the Parent Portal. 

Ms Cathie Oswald

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR (Monday, Thursday and Friday)

Mrs Karen Davies

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST  (Tuesday and Thursday)