Tips for parents as Families Week kicks off

Teenage parties, dieting and improving optimism are some of the key topics in a suite of free parenting guides released today by Community Services Minister Tony Simpson to mark the start of National Families Week 2013.

  • National Families Week celebrated nationally May 15-21, 2013

  • Parenting WA guides on teens and families launched

  • Inaugural WA parenting conference held

Teenage parties, dieting and improving optimism are some of the key topics in a suite of free parenting guides released today by Community Services Minister Tony Simpson to mark the start of National Families Week 2013.

Mr Simpson said the new sets of teen and families Parenting WA guides were a valuable resource for parents, carers and the organisations that supported them.

"As a father, I appreciate the importance and challenges of raising children, especially when mixed with all the demands of parenting in a modern society," he said.

The guides include topics such as teenage parties; teenage eating and dieting; talking sex with teenagers; family violence; and parenting in single parent families.

The Minister was opening Western Australia's inaugural parenting conference, entitled Talking Up Our Strengths, on behalf of Linkwest, CLAN WA Inc and the Department of Communities.

Speakers will focus on topics such as father figures, the impact of mental illness on parenting, alcohol and teenagers, and keeping our young children safe.

"Families Week is the perfect time to reflect that among the hard work and sometimes the struggle and tears of families, there's also lots of laughter and warmth," Mr Simpson said. 

The Parenting WA guides are available at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/parents/ParentingWAGuides/Pages/default.aspx

 

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