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Five top parenting tips

There is no such thing as a perfect parent.

Even the ones who look like they have it all together probably find themselves, on occasion, in the broom cupboard either counting to ten or having a cry.

Well help is here.

Professor Matt Sanders founded the Triple P Positive Parenting Program and believes being a parent is the most important job in the world.

“You’re raising the next generation,” he says.

“That takes a lot of dedication, persistence, patience, understanding, love and sleepless nights.

“But raising kids doesn’t have to be overwhelming.”

He shared his Top 5 tips with Ipswich First

Professor Matt Sanders

1. Keep kids safe and busy

Create a safe, interesting environment in which your kids can play and explore. When you safely remove any potential dangers you give your kids the freedom to investigate their world and keep busy on their own (meaning you’ve got time to do the things you need to do).

2. Encourage learning

Kids are naturally curious so when they come to you wanting help or to talk, they’re ready to learn. Take the opportunity to give them positive attention (even just for a minute or two) by sharing what you know. The more your kids know and are able to do things for themselves, the more independent they’ll become.

 3. Rules are a good thing

Children do best when they have clear rules and boundaries in place, so don’t be afraid to have rules with age appropriate consequences. And remember to praise your kids when they do things you like. That way you’ll see more of the behaviour you like and less of the behaviour you don’t like. 

 4. Be realistic

Nobody’s perfect and that goes for both kids and adults. Make sure your expectations of yourself as a parent and the ones you have for your kids are realistic. If the standards you set are too high, you and your kids will be left stressed and overwhelmed. 

 5. Take a break

It’s equally as important to make sure you take care of yourself too. Parents have needs too so if you can, ask a friend or family member to watch the kids for a while and give yourself the chance to unwind, do something you enjoy, or spend time with your partner. You’ll be happier for it and so will your kids.

UQ’s Professor Matt Sanders will be delivering his ‘Find out why kids do what they do and what you can do about it’ seminar, free of charge to families in the Ipswich region on Wednesday November 1 at the Barry Jones Auditorium, Ipswich City Library 7pm–9pm.

To register visit www.triplep-parenting.net.au

Ipswich is one of three specifically selected regions in Queensland to take part in the Every Family: Australian Triple P System Population Trial.

It’s a three year project which aims to target some of the most vulnerable families in Australia.

When local families attend any of the free Triple P programs, they will collect data that will help to determine if their programs help to improve outcomes for families in regards to heath, housing, employment, education and social inclusion.

It’s not a one size fits all approach, as no one family is exactly like another. 

You might be able to attend the 8-week course, or come along for a one-off discussion group.

We want to help families to overcome their everyday challenges.

I strongly encourage all Ipswich families to take advantage of this unique opportunity to increase their knowledge and upskill their parenting techniques.

My mother did the program almost 35 years ago and will again be attending Professor Sander’s seminar in Ipswich on Wednesday evening. She said she would do it all over again and found the tips very handy.

And I guess I turned out all right.

Lena Krause

Local Coordinator

Ani Feofa’aki recently completed the 8-week Triple P Group Program hosted by the Poppy Centre in Ipswich.

“The fantastic strategies have assisted me in making better positive parenting choices,” Ani says.

“It’s helped me to enjoy each other’s company. I realise now how important my own needs are in order to cater to the needs of my children, making our family so much happier.”

All of the programs are offered for free. You can find more information on www.triplep-parenting.net

Upskill your knowledge about Ipswich by signing up to Ipswich First

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