Guides show way
BE PREPARED. There are things that an angst-filled teenager will not want to ask their parents.
But if the grandparent/ aunt/uncle/godparent is open, receptive and wellread, the touchy conversations may start with them.
Sixty-four-year old Melbourne journalist and media identity Eileen Berry is the energising force behind the creation of Parent Guides, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that has set up a comprehensive website and various book guides to help parents, grandparents and those who care how to educate themselves about drugs, sex, social media, mental health and more.
The guide came about after Eileen, a concerned citizen, caring aunty and godmother, realised she was not hearing or seeing the sort of conversations that could support our youth.
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “The conversations we weren’t having years ago – we’re still not having now.”
The website parentsguides.com.au presents upto-date research and expert advice in a “no holds barred” way that tackles difficult issues and facilitates conversations. Helping families to be mentally strong and deal with the “tremendous challenges” they face is close to the heart of retired businessman, father of three and grandfather of seven David Corduff.
The Beyond Blue speaker and now Parent Guides ambassador is passionate about mental health. He often sees parents, carers and children struggle to cope with social media, cyber bullying, drugs, gambling, mental health and respect.
“Parents need as much support and information as possible to be there for their children when life challenges occur,” David says. “There is a definite gap in connections – and this resource helps to plug it.
“In an ever-changing world, parents need to access factual, research-based information such as the Parent Guides.”
David said the book’s relevancy was enhanced further with the well-researched information.
“If anyone asks if this is really true, or if the statistics are correct, then you can assure them this absolutely is,” he said.
David worked in manufacturing and has been married to Liz for 45 years. He arrived from Ireland in 1971 and became an Australian citizen in 1988. He is a board member at Presentation Family Centre on the Mornington Peninsula, which offers short-term low-cost respite facilities for families affected by adverse conditions.
David has had a long association with Parent Guides
CEO Yvonne Hackett and more recently Eileen Berry. He said their publications were “top class, relevant and well researched”.
“They are an excellent resource and can fundamentally make a difference to the parent/child relationship.”
David is also a fan of Alan Hopgood’s superb play about suicide, Jess Chooses Life, and wants to see it and Parent Guides promoted more widely, particularly in schools.
“Life is always full of challenges,” David says. “It is our response to these challenges that determines whether the outcomes are good or not so good.
“In the critical parent/ child relationship, it is very important to have resources such as the Parent Guides available, to underpin a supportive and potentially positive outcome.”