Launch of free 1998 calendar providing info to parents of young children

18/12/97

More help is available for Western Australian parents of young children with a free 1998 parenting calendar produced by Family and Children's Services.

Launching the calendar today, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker said the calendar was targeted at parents of young children aged up to four years and contained helpful information about bringing up children and building family relationships.

The calendar is bright and attractive and features colourful pictures of parents and children enjoying themselves together.

"Each month has concise, simple statements on a range of subjects including communication, getting closer to your child, your child's self-esteem and positive messages, all of which help build better relationships," Mrs Parker said.

"The calendar is a delightful way of showing the importance of families and the value Family and Children's Services places on the family unit."

The calendar makes particular note of the important role played by fathers and grandparents in the life of a child.

Parents are also encouraged to make time to address their own needs as a happy relaxed parent is better equipped to meet parenting challenges.

Positive parenting tips such as Be firm but fair, Make your child feel important, Catch your child being good are featured on each page, as well as activities such as reading a story, playing dress ups with old clothes and building sandcastles. Text has been taken from Living with babies and Living with toddlers magazines and the Being a father fact sheet.

The calendar is part of the parenting campaign, an initiative of Family and Children's Services. Telephone numbers of Family and Children's offices and support services such as the Family Help line and Parenting Line and the parenting Internet site address are also included.

The calendar is available by telephoning the Parenting Line on 9272 1444 or 1800 654 432 (free for STD callers), or from your local Parenting Information Centre.

Media contact: Donna Cole 9481 7810