Families Week

Families Australia CEO, Jamie Crosby, said this year’s National Families Week theme, Lending a hand to thrive: Supporting each other, was inspired by the knowledge that family and community support is essential to our wellbeing, especially in challenging times.

Triple P, the positive parenting program, stated that a 2024 Beyond Blue survey found that 1 in 3 parents reported poor mental health, including feeling unsettled or struggling and that Parenting stress is an ongoing issue, which is why parents and carers need to feel supported, now more than ever – by their communities and each other.

At Discovery we are proud to be a part of a family's support network. As Triple P International Country Director, Carol Markie-Dadds, said “Asking for help is a sign of strength, and parents and carers don’t have to navigate it alone.”

We remind parents and carers that they can access free, online parenting support 24/7 through Triple P at triplep-parenting.net.au, who shared the following advice to families:

Triple P’s practical strategies to help families feel more confident, calm, and connected

1. Find your support network: If you can, reach out to friends, family, or community groups (online or in-person) for support in a way that works best for your situation. Whether it’s swapping childcare duties, sharing advice, or chatting with a loved one, even a small amount of support can make challenges feel more manageable and help families cope.
2. Add small daily habits to boost wellbeing: Looking after yourself doesn’t have to be a huge investment in time, energy, and resources. Little changes every day can add up. Waking in the morning before the kids to have a hot drink or some time on your own. Listening to a podcast on the way to work or to do the school/childcare drop-offs. Reading a book or watching funny videos after the kids are asleep. Doing one small thing for yourself every day can make a difference to your mental health.
3. Set realistic expectations: Be gentle with yourself by having a realistic outlook for what you can achieve at home or work – no one is perfect, and no one day will go exactly as planned. Try to focus on what’s working versus what isn’t. Keep in mind that progress is more important than perfection.
4. Be grateful for the good: Appreciating what we have and focusing on the positives can improve wellbeing and help feelings of being overwhelmed. Take the time to celebrate small ‘wins’. Whether it’s a moment of connection with your child, or a successful family dinner, recognising your achievements helps build confidence and a positive family environment.
5. Schedule in family time: Spending time with our family can make us feel closer and more connected. Think quality over quantity. Just 10 minutes of focused attention on our kids can help them feel loved and cared for. Try to do something you all enjoy. This could be playing a card game after dinner (they might even let you win!) or going to the local park on the weekend.

You are not alone, we are all in this together