Sole Parent Family Network in Sydney, Australia | Community organisation

Sole Parent Family Network

Locality: Sydney, Australia

Phone: +61 491 059 094

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25.01.2022 Hi Super Parents ! We are still seeking a sole parent who is on or has been on the Parents Next program who would like to be interviewed for a podcast by a reputable Sydney community radio. Please PM us ASAP. Please share and refer anyone who is interested. If youre not in Sydney, interview can be done on the phone. ... Thank you ! Julie

25.01.2022 We feel like our inability to somehow make our lives work is because we are failures. Us personally. When in fact, the system is set up to make us fail. The system may have worked in the 1960s, but is really freaking difficult to manage today. The delicate juggle of babysitting, preschool, and daycare is precarious at the best of times but throw in a late meeting, an evening shift or a sick kid and watch it (us) all come crashing down in a screaming heap. If you are a so...le parent this becomes a zillion trillion times harder. If you are just starting your little ones at school this year or you have been braving this already for years we salute you.

25.01.2022 Whatever the week has brought your way, you are here You are brave, brilliant and beautiful, yes all of you mums, dads, grandparent carers, foster parents, all of you raising children alone We care about and believe in you. May your weekend be peaceful and the sleep-ins long

24.01.2022 Thinking of all the families including our sole parent families affected by the #bushfires.

23.01.2022 Goodbye #Robodebt. Not a minute too soon. We won't miss you. https://www.abc.net.au//federal-government-refund/12299410

22.01.2022 Maybe you can relate? Big shout out to you! #singleparent #soleparent #superparent https://medium.com//im-a-single-parent-and-this-pandemic-i

22.01.2022 Hello to all our beautiful members, families, friends & community. We just wanted to check in and see how everyone is? It has been a traumatic start to the year with so many in our nation affected by the recent fires. Sometimes it can take a while for us to realise that we might be personally affected by events such as these. While the immediate victims can experience trauma there is also vicarious trauma that can affect bystanders.... Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary trauma, can be described as indirect exposure to a traumatic event through first-hand account or narrative of that event. Any person who has a significant relationship with a survivor of trauma may also come to experience secondary traumatisation. This post below contains some really useful information on how to deal with traumatic events with children. If you are struggling please reach out. We are here to listen and help in whatever way we can. Much love to all. Rossy xo President

20.01.2022 FOSP has some exciting additions coming this year, one of them is a brand new name. We would love your input! Your voice is important to us and the reason we are here. Help us to choose a new name that reflects the voice of our community. Please take a moment to complete this short survey.... Click here - https://bit.ly/2sJasnX See more

19.01.2022 Hi Super Parents, This year 2020, more than ever, you are deserving of that title ! We hope the return to school is going ok for you and your children as you navigate this ever changing situation. NCSMC is running a campaign to keep the coronavirus supplement going, entitled 550 Reasons to Smile. ... If this additional payment has made a difference to you and your children, you may wish to share your story. Heres a link to the page : https://www.facebook.com/107396810987895/posts/119804106413832/?d=n

19.01.2022 The following post has been copied from elsewhere and lightly altered. We are thinking of you all. Dear Parents,... You might be inclined to create a minute by minute schedule for your kids. You have high hopes of hours of learning, including online activities, science experiments, and book reports. Youll limit technology until everything is done! But heres the thing... Our kids are just as scared as we are right now. Our kids not only can hear everything that is going on around them, but they feel our tension and anxiety. They have never experienced anything like this before. Although the idea of being off of school for weeks sounds awesome, they are probably picturing a fun time like summer break, not the reality of being trapped at home and not seeing their friends. Over the coming weeks, you may see an increase in behavior issues with your kids. Whether its anxiety, or anger, sadness, or protest that they cant do things normally - it will happen. You may see more meltdowns and tantrums, or oppositional behavior in the coming weeks. This is normal and expected under these circumstances. What kids need right now is to feel comforted and loved. To feel like its all going to be ok. And that might mean that you tear up your perfect schedule and love on your kids a bit more. Play outside in the yard and lay watching the clouds drift by together. Bake cookies and paint pictures. Play board games, video games with your kids and watch movies. Do a science experiment together or find virtual field trips of the zoo. Start a book and read together as a family. Build a blanket fort and camp in the backyard. Snuggle under warm blankets and do nothing. Dont worry about them regressing in school. Every single kid is in this boat and they all will be ok. When they are back in the classroom, they will have the support of the community and teachers and you. They will course correct and teachers will meet them where they are. Dont pick fights with your kids because they dont want to do math. Try not to get into battles with them if your kids won't follow the schedule. Break up the learning with fun times and if they are resisting just leave it and go back to it later in the day. If I can leave you with one thing, its this: at the end of all of this, your kids mental health will be more important than their academic skills. And how they felt during this time will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during these weeks are long gone. So keep that in mind, every single day. Stay safe.

19.01.2022 Dear Parents , ABC article re shared care in these days of #covid19: https://mobile.abc.net.au//managing-shared-custo/12067214

19.01.2022 Happy Thursday to our wonderful community. How are you today? As parents its so easy to lose sight of our own well being especially with all the craziness this year has brought with it.... How are you looking after yourself? Here are some simple ideas you might like to try Create some enjoyable personal goals for yourself and track your progress Find or create some me time and do something that you enjoy Start a gratitude journal and write what you are grateful for each day Read an inspirational book and write your thoughts about the book in your journal Take a long walk and enjoy nature then write about your experience in your journal Try a new exercise and stretch afterwards Just do nothing or take a power nap Notice the amount of time spent watching TV which is full of negative repetitive bad news. Take some time away from it. Listen to Podcasts that are encouraging and supportive. Download an app and practice mindfulness regularly - ie ,Smiling Mind, Stop Breathe & Think, UCLA Mindful, 10% Happier, Calm, Headspace Clean out an area of your home or rearrange your living area. Clean out the apps and phone numbers on your phone and set a timer to remind you to stop what your doing and take 5 deep slow breaths every day, relax your shoulders & neck and any tension you might be holding in the body. Get up from whatever you are doing and have a glass of water. Think of someone you love, close your eyes and really imagine every detail about them, what they sound like, the clothes they wear, the colour and style of their hair, how they make you feel, then write them a letter telling them how much they are loved, get the kids involved by drawing pictures or writing their own letters as well. Show up for yourself with kindness. Remember that all feelings and thoughts are OK. Reach out and ask for help if you are struggling. What are your favourite positive coping strategies? We would love to hear - post them below

19.01.2022 If you have been affected by the #bushfires, we are thinking of you. This may be helpful.

17.01.2022 They say it takes a village, but finding a village or even trying to create one is hard when your juggling all of the things all of the time in the face of strangulating financial constraints, constant stigma and ruthless shaming by the media. Heres what lone parents need: A friend. A meal. An offer to drive a child somewhere. A babysitter. A night off. A box of healthy groceries, help with an occasional bill, A tank of petrol, your understanding and support instead of judgement and your voice standing up with us fighting back against the stigma that is endlessly tearing us down right across the media. We are fine, sometimes, but we are also probably not fine.

17.01.2022 Looking for something to do end of holidays...check this free event out.

17.01.2022 While it's easy to send out a quick 'have a happy Christmas!' message, we know that for many, the holiday season is actually a time of year that brings a lot of anxiety, stress, sadness and loneliness. We also know that sometimes, many times, life doesn't gift us the families we dreamed of, and that can make the Christmas period even more difficult. As sole parents we know the extra hurdles we face. So, no matter what is going on in your world - regardless of whether you're... spending Christmas with or without friends and family, whether your children are currently with you or you are currently in lockdown, we want to let you know that you are valuable, you are important, you are loved and cherished and we appreciate you. Wishing you a peaceful and restful holiday period.

15.01.2022 What was your experience of Mothers Day as #isolation with our children continues? A big shout out to all of you managing the juggle!

14.01.2022 Please find below a list of resources that may assist you in supporting yourself and/or others with the coronavirus. APS : Tips for coping with COVID-19 https://www.psychology.org.au//38/20APS-IS-COVID-19-P1.pdf... Beyond Blue: Information to help with mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety in relation to COVID-19 https://www.beyondblue.org.au//looking-after-your-mental-h Dept of Health: Keep up to date with the latest developments and other information about limiting the spread of the virus or managing symptoms. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au//dise/Pages/coronavirus.aspx Headspace: Information aimed at supporting teenagers and young people https://headspace.org.au//how-to-cope-with-stress-related/ Reach Out: Self-care strategies for young people https://au.reachout.com//10-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself- Centres for Disease Control & Prevention: Information on how to talk to children https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindi/helping-children-cope.html A downloadable colouring-in book for children that explores the feelings associated with disasters and how to cope. https://www.cdc.gov//do/RW_Coping_After_a_Disaster_508.pdf The Autism Educator: A social story explaining COVID-19 https://littlepuddins.ie/coronavirus-social-story/ Queensland Government: Social Stories for children recovering from natural disasters (available in a range of languages). https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au//natur/storybooks/

14.01.2022 You can still add your voice to the survey. Here’s the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/550smile

14.01.2022 How did you find your village or are you still looking?

13.01.2022 A handy resource in this time of #Covid. https://www.tenants.org.au/covid19/rent_reduction_calculator. Best used on a computer rather than a phone.

12.01.2022 "Children raised by single parents can be just as happy and mentally healthy as children living with two biological parents. Whether a child has one parent or more, children do well when they have parenting thats nurturing, warm, sensitive, responsive and flexible."

12.01.2022 How are you and your children feeling with the return of face to face classes? Tomorrow the majority of children will be returning to a full-time normal school week which will no doubt leave many anxious about a myriad of things including transport with the rules around the maximum capacity of trains and buses, social distancing challenges in school and keeping your kids safe.

11.01.2022 Almost half of those due to be repaid their Robodebt refund will have to wait because the Government does not have their current contact details! Please help... us spread the word - If you think you may be due a refund, update your contact details with Centrelink! And please tell your friends to update their contact details with Centrelink as well!! If you need free legal advice about a Centrelink claim or a debt, we can help. Call us on 1800 226 028 or go to our website - link in our first comment.

10.01.2022 Hi Super Parents, would anyone in Sydney like to participate if youve been on the Parents Next program ?

09.01.2022 A superbly written message from a wise and beautiful soul. Be Kind to yourself this Easter, be gentle loving and compassionate. Whatever you are feeling tonight is OK.... Whatever you have or haven't done this week for yourself, your work, your kids, distance education, housework, etc, is OK. You have the inner resources to get through this and you will be OK.

08.01.2022 Parents jump in quick to access some top-shelf clinical support for parenting after separation with the $550 fee waived for all of April. Essential for any pare...nt in a high conflict separation, and is specifically designed to help parents manage intense emotions, develop more flexible thinking and reduce conflict with the other parent. 1 APRIL 2020 30 APRIL 2020 FREE FULL ACCESS FOR ALL AUSTRALIANS Use code Free@HomeTogether at checkout Follow link: http://www.resourcingparents.nsw.gov.au//relationspace-onl See more

07.01.2022 I saw this and thought I would share it because Humour is always helpful.

06.01.2022 550 reasons to keep families with a roof over their heads, kids fed, medication, dentists, doctors, school fees, homes warm in winter, healthy food in the fridge not living on bread, rice and pasta every day, petrol in the car, fares to send the kids to school and get out to work or study, warm clothes in winter, safe homes, finances to leave violent partners. If I could change the words in the pic below I would. 550 reasons to keep breathing without having a panic attack a...nd/or having parents AND children spiralling into mental health issues and/ or staying with a violent and abusive partner issues because the Newstart allowance is NOT enough to live on for anybody!! Take the survey and use your voice!

06.01.2022 A glimpse into a #soleparent's life story https://www.abc.net.au//drive/changing-tracks:-bev/12254452

06.01.2022 Last chance if you have not already voted. Poll closes soon!

05.01.2022 We are thinking about all those affected by the #bushfires. It can be difficult for sole parents to prepare their homes and evacuate.We are thinking about all those affected by the #bushfires. It can be difficult for sole parents to prepare their homes and evacuate.

04.01.2022 A new term brings new free courses. There have been 13 new courses added including micro-courses. Check them out below. https://bit.ly/2VQJkix

04.01.2022 Did you know TAFE is currently offering some free courses in response to COVID-19. Have a look and perhaps consider if one or two of these might be helpful for you? Develop Administration Skills Enhance Your Digital Impact... Grow Health and Medical Knowledge Improve Leadership Performance Practical Business Skills https://www.tafensw.edu.au/fee-free-short-courses

04.01.2022 This is a useful resource received from Economic Security for Women. We have no affiliation with Verve Super. http://covid19.vervesuper.com.au/

03.01.2022 A young person doing the HSC in this challenging year is seeking to interview several sole parents by phone for her Society and Culture project on changing gender roles and sole parenthood. Please PM us if youd like to be interviewed. .

02.01.2022 Make a phone call and let your voice be heard! We know this is a punitive, demeaning system that further disenfranchises vulnerable people.

02.01.2022 Sharing this information. With thanks to NCSMC.

01.01.2022 Keep up the pressure...every one of your voices count.