The Parenthood Newsletter June 2021

On the subject of making Australia the best place to be a parent so that children can thrive, we have been busy over the last few weeks and an update is overdue. First, I'd like to introduce our new colleague, Maddy Butler.

Dear friends and supporters,

On the subject of making Australia the best place to be a parent so that children can thrive, we have been busy over the last few weeks and an update is overdue. 

First, I'd like to introduce our new colleague, Maddy Butler. Maddy joined The Parenthood team as Campaign Organiser and we are stoked to have her on board! Maddy has a background in communications, volunteer management and digital campaigning and with two small kids of her own, Maddy’s main passion is fighting for a better future for our children.

Maddy is working on a new campaign and she would love as many supporters as possible to play an integral part of it. If you are interested to find out more about the campaign and how to get involved feel free to send her an email: [email protected] (We'll keep you posted in the coming weeks though!)

We all know the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. And we also know that for far too many parents this village is a pipedream.

That’s why Dinah Thomasset founded Villagehood Australia, an organisation committed to creating a safe space for parents to meaningfully connect and make friendships. Dinah was born in Morocco and grew up in France. Moving to Australia and becoming a mother here, 18,000km away from her village, was the toughest challenge of her life.

When Dinah reached out to us a few weeks ago it was immediately apparent that we share one goal: Making Australia the best place in the world to be a parent! We asked her a few questions about Villagehood Australia, motherhood and her upbringing in Morocco. Click here to read the full interview with Dinah.

Parenting is a tough gig. Even with all the love and effort in the world parenting can be overwhelming and finding advice and support isn't always easy. 

When I met Genevieve Muir, a Parent Educator, Obstetric Social Worker and mum for four boys who works in a Maternity Hospital in Sydney, I had to stop myself from taking notes as she shared the most fantastic practical tips about handling the daily challenges that come with parenting little children. But I did ask her if she'd be willing to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and share some of her knowledge and wisdom with The Parenthood community and she couldn't say yes fast enough!

She is passionate about helping parents to foster connection with their babies and kids in the first few years and not just survive parenting but thrive. In this blog post she writes about why embracing boundaries is as one of the highest forms of love a parent can give. 

The Parenthood is proud to be a strategic partner supporting Family Friendly Workplaces.

Family Friendly Workplaces is a new certifying body providing employers with a policy and practices framework to become more inclusive and supportive of employees’ competing work and family needs. It encourages employers to benchmark their own internal standards against nationally recognised best practice policy and practices.

The programme was launched in Sydney three weeks ago and Deloitte, Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie Group and QBE Insurance are among the first companies participating in the programme established by Parents At Work and UNICEF Australia. Find out more here: familyfriendlyworkplaces.com

From 26-30 July 2021, educators, families and community leaders around Australia will come together to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the early learning sector.

Early Learning Matters Week is a great opportunity to tell our communities and local politicians how high-quality early education and care supports children to be confident, enthusiastic learners, building a foundation for wellbeing and achievement throughout their lives.

Our friends and partners from Early Childhood Australia and Thrive by Five organise events all over the country and you too can get involved! Find out how on the Early Learning Matters website: www.earlylearningmatters.org.au/

Thanks for your ongoing support and your interest in our work!

Georgie