A parenting program built on connection, not perfection

Parents don't need to be perfect, say Cat and Lara from IMPACT Community Services' Early Years team.

That's one of the key messages behind Bringing Up Great Kids, a free six-week parenting program designed to help parents strengthen relationships with their children through reflection, connection and conversation.

“Parents can be really hard on themselves,” Cat said. “From my experience, most are doing a good job and should give themselves a little more credit.”

Cat, from IMPACT's Positive Start Parenting team, and Lara, from the Pathways to Early Learning and Development team, will co-facilitate the program. Together, they bring experience supporting families from the early years to the teenage years.

Rather than focusing on giving parents a set of rules to follow, Bringing Up Great Kids encourages them to reflect on their own experiences, consider the messages they've carried forward from childhood and explore how these shape their parenting today.

For Lara, one of the most valuable aspects of the program is the opportunity for parents to learn from one another.

"It's not just us telling you what you need to do," Lara said. “It's everyone coming together and doing the program together."

The sessions are built around group discussion, giving parents an opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas and realise they're not alone in the challenges they face.

Lara said many parents are surprised to discover that meaningful connections with their children don't have to be complicated.

"Some parents think they might need to go above and beyond when it could just be reading a story of a night time," she said. "Simple interactions do make a difference."

Cat said the program also helps parents shift their perspective when challenges arise.

Instead of viewing behaviour as something children are doing wrong, parents are encouraged to reflect on their own responses and consider what might help strengthen connection and understanding.

Importantly, the program recognises that difficult days are a normal part of parenting.

"Everyone is allowed to have a bad day," Cat said. "It's just about what they can do to move forward from that."

Parents and carers of children of any age are welcome to express their interest in future Bringing Up Great Kids programs by calling (07) 4153 4233 or completing the online form.