Mindful Parenting

Mindful Parenting is a FREE six week course for parents, grandparents and foster parents of children with an intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The course is based on the theory and practice of a mindfulness-based intervention called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  ACT uses mindfulness, acceptance and behaviour change strategies to help people take positive, values guided action in their lives.

Mindful Parenting is very different to a traditional parenting course.  Mindful Parenting helps parents to make workable, lasting and positive changes in their own lives and in the lives of their children by improving their own psychological flexibility and behavioural adaptability. Parents develop ways to get space from difficult thoughts and make room for unpleasant or painful emotions and body sensations so they can make choices and take action that is guided by personal values. Parents also improve motivation and commitment towards their own self-care and stress reduction.

Mindful Parenting aims to deliver the following outcomes for parents:

  • Increased psychological flexibility
  • Expansion in range of adaptive parenting behaviours
  • Increased skills in mindful attention and awareness
  • Increased ability to take positive action that is guided by personal values
  • Improvement in relationships with children
  • Improvement other family and personal relationships
  • Increased kindness and compassion towards themselves and others
  • Opportunities for social connection with others in similar situations
  • Opportunities to share personal stories in a safe and validating environment
  • Access information, knowledge and wisdom from other parents and caregivers

Wollgongong Flyer May 2016 - Microsoft PowerPointUlladulla Flyer 2016 Microsoft PowerPointNowra Flyer June 2016 Microsoft PowerPoint

Are you Teaching Someone to Drive?

You are invited to attend a FREE Workshop for Parents and Supervisors of Learner Drivers

To help you with practical advice about:

  • Supervising learner drivers
  • Completing the learner driver log book
  • Providing on-road driving practice and
  • L and P Plate licence laws

The next workshop will be held from 6.00pm to 8.00pm,Wednesday 9 October 2013 at Kiama Municipal Council Chambers

Bookings for the workshop can be made through Kiama Council’s Road Safety Officer

Janelle Burns

P | 4232 0568

E | janelleb@kiama.nsw.gov.au

Munch and Move News

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We hope you enjoy reading our refreshed Munch and Move newsletter. This issue features:

  • Gumnut Village and Shoalhaven Community Preschools
  • How to encourage children to drink more water
  • Upcoming Go4Fun programs
  • Useful websites

You can also download Munch and Move news specifically tailored for parents to add to your newsletter.

We would love to hear your feedback on the new Munch and Move news and parents’ newsletter.  Feel free to email us with your comments or articles you would like included in future editions.

Helping Our Daughters Move Beyond Bratz, Britney and Bacardi Breezers

The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is proud to bring Dannielle Miller to the Illawarra for two special presentations of her Seminar: Helping Our Daughters Move Beyond Bratz, Britney and Bacardi Breezers. 

Dannielle is one of Australia’s foremost educators, authors and media commentators on teenagers and will be presenting on the issues affecting girls today and how we can help empower girls to become happy and confident young women.

Dannielle reveals the reasons that so many teen girls today are stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted and angry, and why too many are binge drinking, self harming or going on extreme diets.

Dannielle will give you the tools so that you can help girls cut through the negativity and bloom into happy and confident young women.

If you are a parent, professional, role model or individual from the community, come to this seminar and find out how you can support and empower girls in our community.

Helping Our Daughters Move Beyond Bratz, Britney and Bacardi Breezers

Presenter: Dannielle Miller

  • Tuesday 18 June, 6.30-8pm, Corrimal High School, Murray Rd, Corrimal

Please find attached further information about Dannielle, as well as a flyer advertising both events.

All welcome, there is no cost associated with these events.

Reserve your place by contacting the Centre on 4255 6800 or emailing Samanthak@womenshealthcentre.com.au

New Rules of Engagement ~ communicating & connecting with your young person

If you have you ever found yourself confused, frustrated or even offended by the attitudes and expectations of your children and  today’s younger generation, you are not alone.

Michael McQueen; New Rules of Engagement with the Younger Generation

Michael McQueen, is a nationally sought after presenter, who has dedicated over eight years to guiding families and organisations through disorientating change through understanding changing communication patterns within society. Michael has authored several books including ‘New’ Rules of Engagement’, which focuses on strategies for connecting with younger generations. Parents will leave this humorous, revealing, and engaging session with a clear idea of what is shaping the next generation, why they are the way they are, and how to connect with them in meaningful ways

Youthsafe; Understanding & Negotiating with your Young Person

Youthsafe is the leading peak body in NSW in preventing serious unintentional injury in young people aged 15-25years. Youthsafe have undertaken extensive work focusing on safer socializing for young people.  Recent research on adolescent brain development has provided insights into the ability of young people to plan, make decisions and manage risks.

Parents play a key role in supporting and assisting young people to build skills and help them understand and manage the negotiating process. Youthsafe will provide parents with a deeper understanding of young people including their decision making and risk taking behaviours to assist parents to be able to communicate and negotiate more effectively with young people

Wednesday 29th May 2013

  1. Albion Park 12:30pm-2:30pm: Centenary Hall, Tongarra Rd, Albion Park
  2. Wollongong  6:00pm-8:00pm: Wollongong Town Hall, Kembla St, Wollongong

Thursday 30th May 2013

  1. Ulladulla 9:00am-11:00am: Dunn Lewis Centre,141 St Vincent’s St, Ulladulla
  2. Nowra 12:30pm-2:30pm: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge rd, Nowra

A donation of $2 per person (at the door) is greatly appreciated. Please arrive early to allow workshops to commence on time.

Bookings Essential: Ph. Tina Camitz: (02) 4254 2700

(Places may be limited)    Martina.camitz@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Understanding Management of Drug- Wollongong SUPPS

New rules of engagement

Parenting Teenagers Seminars

Below is a flyer for our up and coming Parenting Teenagers seminars to be held in the Warilla North Community Centre.

Please print and pass these out to parents and those who care for teenagers and forward this email on to your local contacts who also work with parents and families that have teenage kids.

Parenting Teenagers Seminar Common Ground

If you would like printed brochures they are available on request to revdrbrian@gmail.com

This series of three seminars will be held on Wednesday evenings May 22,  June 5 and June 19.  The material covered will be very practical, relevant and accessible to parents in our area.  While participating all three seminars is the most beneficial  each seminar is a stand-alone presentation and can be attended as such.

Chris Hudson, our presenter, has a wealth of knowledge and experience working with both teenagers and  those who raise them.  His experience and expertise are matched by his down to earth and very practical presentation style.  Chris believes that most adults want to connect with the teen’s in their lives and have a fair idea how to go about it.  However there are always questions, areas of uncertainty, new frontiers where the rules aren’t clear or seem to be constantly changing.  It is here that his insight is invaluable.

Common Ground is the community development initiative of  Warilla North Baptist Church.