Parenting through Covid-19: FREE guide by Triple P Positive Parenting Program

As so many Queensland families are experiencing new challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis, you may be concerned about the physical and emotional wellbeing and safety of your children….

As so many Queensland families are experiencing new challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis, you may be concerned about the physical and emotional wellbeing and safety of your children. It’s also very important to look after yourself as a parent. Triple P have some practical tips and strategies that will help, including…

To check out all these resources and more, click here: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/get-started/parenting-during-covid-19/

Posted: 6/05/2020

How to keep kids safe and entertained at home for extended periods

One of the difficulties many parents will be facing right now is coming up with ideas to keep children busy and engaged in learning if they are at home….

One of the difficulties many parents will be facing right now is coming up with ideas to keep children busy and engaged in learning if they are at home.

With the usual ways kids engaged – through libraries, sport, playgroups, shopping centres and other public places – now cut off, families will need to be innovative in the ways they interact with kids in the home.

We loved this article by Save the Children – which talks about how to understand and engage with your kids at home during the Covid-19 season.

Click here to read the full article: https://www.savethechildren.org.au/our-stories/surviving-and-enjoying-isolation-with-kids

Posted: 5/05/2020

A ‘vaccine’ for days in isolation!

I live on a bikeway next to a park. Once upon a time (3 months ago), foot and bike traffic was always very light past our home. Today we…

I live on a bikeway next to a park. Once upon a time (3 months ago), foot and bike traffic was always very light past our home. Today we need our own set of traffic lights!

Interestingly, the majority of people walking and riding past are families rediscovering the joy of doing something physical together. There’s a lot of shiny new bikes!

As this season full of home restrictions was beginning to take place, leaders from six global movements met in South Africa. Through conversation around the opportunities of this challenging season, a partnering initiative was birthed to create the first faith-based fitness strategy for families at home. Family.fit was launched just 2 weeks later – an antidote for frustration and boredom.

Family.fit is a holistic fitness project designed for the whole family regardless of shape or size. It is suitable for all ages, abilities and cultures – and points people to the Bible. Each week a new Family.fit resource is released – jam packed with activities based around a theme and a big life question. Simple visual videos are provided to illustrate these concepts.

Family.fit is…

  • available online and as a PDF version designed to fit on the screen of your phone
  • FREE, no membership or sign up necessary
  • available in 10 languages (and counting)
  • flexible so as to be used in a house, apartment or local park
  • for anyone and doesn’t assume you know much about fitness.

Week 5 is complete and a full schedule for 52 weeks has been planned.

Getting involved is easy – here’s what it involves…

As a family, do some physical exercise 3 days a week (though even once is helpful!). If you can do it more often, then do other types of exercise too – walking, jogging, riding, skating, or swimming. Each week is built around a theme that is explored through a 7 step process.

Anyone in the household can take the phone and lead a different step in the adventure.

  1. Warmup
  2. Talk
  3. Move
  4. Challenge
  5. Explore
  6. Pray
  7. Play

So, why not download Week 1 today? Get fit and healthy, stay connected, grow in character and faith, have some fun together, and build some positivity into your family that will leave a legacy beyond this stressful season. (Don’t forget to share this resource on your social media).

Click here to visit the website and access Family fit plans! www.family.fit

 

About the author…

Terry trained and worked as a teacher in primary and secondary schools before joining the staff team of Scripture Union Queensland, where he has worked for 36 years as a specialist in ministry with families and children. For the last 12 years Terry has shared half of his time with the SU International staff team. Terry is married to Margaret and they have three adult children and five grandchildren.

Posted: 30/04/2020

Camp Quality’s Happiness Hub is supporting kids through Covid-19

Camp Quality, who are known for supporting kids who are battling cancer, have recently launched their ‘Happiness Hub‘. The website is focused on providing fun activities, wellbeing resources and…

Camp Quality, who are known for supporting kids who are battling cancer, have recently launched their ‘Happiness Hub‘.

The website is focused on providing fun activities, wellbeing resources and inspiring content for children and their families. We’ve really enjoyed exploring the site and getting some great activities and resources for this time in isolation.

Check out the Happiness Hub here: https://www.happinesshub.org.au/

Posted: 29/04/2020

FREE Bible Reading Plans from Scripture Union NSW

Scripture Union NSW, working with the YouVersion Bible App, have released some fantastic resources to help people engage with the bible – especially in the midst of Covid-19. Here…

Scripture Union NSW, working with the YouVersion Bible App, have released some fantastic resources to help people engage with the bible – especially in the midst of Covid-19.

Here are some links to a range of reading plans made for children, teens and adults.

Who Do You Say I Am?’ (Primary Age): https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/19079-who-do-you-say-i-am-primary-age

Stories Of The Kingdom‘ (Primary Age): https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/19091-stories-of-the-kingdom-primary-age

A Step Of Faith‘: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/18788-a-step-of-faith

Jonah: Taking Part In God’s Big Story‘: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/18954-jonah-taking-part-in-gods-big-story

The One Behind The Book‘: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/18992-the-one-behind-the-book

A Recklessly Extravagant Love‘: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/reading-plans/19010-a-recklessly-extravagant-love

Posted: 24/04/2020

Finding the balance – encouragement from a parent working from home

As a father of 3 children under the age of 10, my daily calendar currently starts off something like this… — 9:00am:     Team ‘meeting’ 9:10am:     “Dad I…

As a father of 3 children under the age of 10, my daily calendar currently starts off something like this…

9:00am:     Team ‘meeting’

9:10am:     “Dad I need to go potty” (3 year old)

9:20am:     “Dad I’m hungry” (3 year old)

9:25am:     Argument ensues between my boys, typically about why one is not playing with the other

9:30am:     “Dad I need to go potty” (3 year old)

Working from home while trying to entertain three kids under 10 is a real juggling act! I’d like to give ABC iView a huge shout out for all their “babysitting content!”

For the last almost 10 years I have had the privilege of having the flexibility to work from home one day a week to help balance parenting responsibilities. I have loved the opportunity to spend more time with each of my three children, and in a pre-coronavirus world this worked great!

Working 5 days from home is a totally different ball game…

These days I find I’m highly productive from 9pm-11pm, but that’s probably not sustainable indefinitely.

Over the last two weeks I’ve been putting a lot of thought into this. I don’t have any magic solutions but here are 4 things I have discovered that might help you balance parenting with working from home…

1. Exercise breaks can be a great time for inspiration

Taking my kids for a bike ride each afternoon for an hour has been a great opportunity to process the day and dream of what could be next. It’s well known that exercise is great for your brain’s wellbeing – increasing the amount of oxygen that your brain needs to thrive and grow. We are in the middle of planning what SU camping looks like online, and most of my ideas have come from that hour away from my desk each day.

2. Relaxed team video meetings each morning are so valuable

Even though I miss catching up for coffee with colleagues at work to hear what people are doing and input ideas, our 30 minute relaxed team catch up each morning has become my favourite part of the working day. Maintaining strong teams is crucial to keep productivity and positivity levels high!

3. Be honest about what you can achieve

It’s important to be realistic about what can and can’t be achieved in this time period. For us, not being able to run physical camps over school holidays has been a huge setback, and has changed a lot of our goal posts for 2020. Working to find other ways to encourage the communities we’re interacting with, particularly online, has been rewarding and encouraging – particularly due to the wise understanding of the situation from our leadership.

4. Look to our creator for refuge and strength

This passage has been a real encouragement for me…

“I run to you, God; I run for dear life. Don’t let me know! Take me seriously this time! Get down on my level and listen, and please – no procrastination! Your granite cave a hiding place, your cliff aerie a place of safety. You’re my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Psalm 31:1-3

As we move into school-from-home, I wish everyone all the best and hope these tips help you find peace in this (at times) crazy season.

If you are about to teach your students in person and online I pray for peace, joy and laughter in this time. Above all else, don’t be too hard on yourself. Embrace the chaos. It will make for some great stories someday.

I still remember my first zoom training I ever ran, people couldn’t hear me, see me, see my screen, but I enjoyed hearing them have a wonderful chat amongst themselves for 20 minutes until we pulled the pin and tried again another day.

And that’s the thing, if at first we don’t succeed, we’ll try it all again tomorrow. So don’t sweat it. You got this!

About the author…

Beavs is a former High School Maths and Christian Education Teacher who has been working and volunteering with SU QLD Camps for almost 20 years. As Camps Specialist he supports volunteers and chaplains run camps and community outreach events throughout Queensland, reaching over 4500 young people. Beavs is married with 3 children, and loves coffee and watching sport.

Posted: 23/04/2020

How to talk to your kids about the coronavirus

News of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is everywhere, from the front page of all the papers to the playground at school. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the…

News of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is everywhere, from the front page of all the papers to the playground at school. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice from the experts at the Child Mind Institute.

  • Don’t be afraid to discuss the coronavirus. Most children will have already heard about the virus or seen people wearing face masks, so we shouldn’t avoid talking about it. Not talking about something can actually make kids worry more. The conversation is an opportunity to convey the facts and set the emotional tone. The goal is to help children feel informed and get fact-based information.
  • Be developmentally appropriate. Don’t volunteer too much information, as this may be overwhelming. Instead, try to answer the child’s questions. Do your best to answer honestly and clearly. It’s okay if you can’t answer everything; being available is what matters.
  • Take your cues from the child. Invite children to tell you anything they may have heard about the coronavirus, and how they feel. Give them ample opportunity to ask questions. You want to be prepared to answer (but not prompt) questions. Your goal is to avoid encouraging frightening fantasies.
  • Deal with your own anxiety. When you’re feeling most anxious or panicked, that isn’t the time to talk to kids about what’s happening with the coronavirus. If you notice that you are feeling anxious, take some time to calm down before trying to have a conversation or answer questions.
  • Be reassuring. Children are very egocentric, so hearing about the coronavirus on the news may be enough to make them seriously worry that they’ll catch it. It’s helpful to reassure children about how rare the coronavirus actually is (the flu is much more common) and that kids actually seem to have milder symptoms.
  • Focus on what you’re doing to stay safe. An important way to reassure kids is to emphasize the safety precautions that you are taking. Kids feel empowered when they know what to do to keep themselves safe. We know that the coronavirus is transmitted mostly by coughing and touching surfaces and washing our hands properly is one of the most effective ways of protecting ourselves from the virus. If kids ask about face masks, explain that the experts say they aren’t necessary for most people. If kids see people wearing face masks, explain that those people are being extra cautious.
  • Stick to routine. “We don’t like uncertainty, so staying rooted in routines and predictability is going to be helpful right now,” advises Dr. Domingues.
  • Keep talking. Tell kids that you will continue to keep them updated as you learn more. Let them know that the lines of communication are going to be open.

Posted: 21/04/2020

5 keys to prepare you for home-based learning

With the recent announcement here in Queensland that schools will be moving to home-based learning for the first 5 weeks of Term 2, it’s time to get ready for…

With the recent announcement here in Queensland that schools will be moving to home-based learning for the first 5 weeks of Term 2, it’s time to get ready for the adventure. This is going to be new for many of us, but here are 5 ideas that just might you get into the swing of homeschooling!

1. Get a Few Things Straight

A bit of clarity from the start is sure to help everyone down the track. As Term 2 approaches, sit down and talk with your kids about your expectations of them as at-home students. You also need to hear from them. What do they think about doing school from home? Are there things they’re concerned about? Are there things they’re looking forward to?

2. Become Masters of Time & Space

(No, not quite like Doctor Who)… Time – Get a good daily routine going. Each child’s school may set this up in some way, but if not, help your kids to design a school day that works for them. When does it start and end? What does break time look like? What should be covered during the day? Space – It’s also important that your child has a space set up for effective learning. Does the space provide them with what they need? Does it allow them to focus on their learning without too many at-home distractions?

3. ‘Home-based Schooling’ Does Not Equal ‘Online Learning’

We live in an amazing time where our technology allows us to do incredible things when it comes to online learning. Most, if not all, schools will be running an online learning program to facilitate virtual classroom experiences. BUT, keep in mind there are other ways to learn at home that don’t involve the internet. Can your kids read actual books, create some art, build something, cook something or run around outside as part of their learning program?

4. Get the Balance Right

The current circumstances have put all of our lives out of balance and trying to get some sense of balance back is going to be a daily challenge for everyone. Be mindful that your new at-home student is engaged in that daily re-balancing act but may not always have the awareness or words to describe their experiences. They are the same person with their usual social, emotional and spiritual needs – just living in a world that has turned sideways on them. Keep an eye on them. Do they need some physical activity? Do they need to connect with their friends? Do they need some fresh air?

5. Keep Talking

In the end, if you keep the lines of communication open with your kids, you almost can’t go wrong. Check in on them regularly and create opportunities for them to share how things are going for them. What’s working? What’s not working? What do we need to change to make this crazy new world order work better for us?

All the best with it. We hope you enjoy your home-based schooling adventure and that these 5 ideas help to get you off to a great start.

 

About the author…

Steve has over 30 years experience in school, community and church-based youth work. He is currently working as the Training & Development Manager at SU QLD, overseeing teams that deliver training and produce resources for SU QLD staff and volunteers. He holds post-graduate qualifications in Social Work, Politics & Government, and Christian Studies.

Posted: 16/04/2020

Coronavirus ‘sanity guide’ to help with stress and anxiety

We love what the guys at Ten Percent Happier are doing! They’ve released a ‘Coronavirus Sanity Guide’ to help people cope with the stress and anxiety this disease is causing around…

We love what the guys at Ten Percent Happier are doing! They’ve released a ‘Coronavirus Sanity Guide’ to help people cope with the stress and anxiety this disease is causing around the world. Check it out at https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide

Posted: 9/04/2020

Covid-19 and Domestic Violence

Here’s some great advice from the Domestic Violence Action Centre about how to deal with DV in an isolation situation. If you have to stay at home with a…

Here’s some great advice from the Domestic Violence Action Centre about how to deal with DV in an isolation situation.

If you have to stay at home with a violent partner, here are some key points to consider:
• Identify safe areas of the house where there are ways to escape if possible.
• If possible, have a phone charged and accessible at all times with numbers to call.
• Call the police on 000 if things escalate and you are concerned for your safety. Notify the police if there are any Covid-19 concerns on site.
• Let trusted friends and neighbours know of your situation and develop a plan and visual signal for when you need help.
• Make a habit of backing the car into the driveway and keeping it fuelled.
• Your life and your children’s lives are important. If you must leave for safety reasons, then do so. If you have been exposed or you are sick park in a safe location and stay in the car while contacting a GP or hospital nearby to organise to get tested and to discuss quarantine options.
• Call DV Connect on 1800 811 811 to see if they can support with other accommodation options if needed.

Credited to – https://www.thehotline.org/help/path-to-safety/ and www.dvac.org.au

Call DVAC for further safety planning and support:
DVAC Ipswich 07 3816 3000
DVAC Toowoomba 07 4642 1354

Australian Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-news-and-media
World Health Organisation https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Posted: 7/04/2020

What is Family Space?

Family Space is a resource-based website that’s all about nurturing the family unit.

Our mission is to equip, empower and nurture family households and church families across Australia.

Family Space seeks to support children, teenagers, parents and churches through practical resources, activities and expert advice.

We’re all about nurturing healthy families and creating healthy communities.

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