How to approach parenting and stress in a positive way

PARENTS frequently ask ‘Am I getting it right?’ Sue Jameson will discuss this concern in her talk, ‘Parents under Pressure’, at Cuidiú’s annual conference tomorrow.

The conference theme is how to approach parenting and stress in a positive way, and David Coleman, clinical psychologist and TV parenting guru, will also speak.

Jameson, a tutor for Cuidiú, urges mums and dads to be ‘parenting clever’, to avoid the big spats about unimportant stuff, but to set clear rules about the things that are important in your family. “You can fight endlessly with adolescents about the state of their hair/bedroom/clothes. None of these is important. What’s important is their safety — knowing where your child is and who with. For these, you need clear ground rules — where are you going, who with, what time will you be home? Plus, a commitment to phone at a designated time,” Jameson says.