Hills Parent Forum
By Bev Jordan
If you are looking for answers to raising teenagers today, the free Hills Parent Forum at Castle Hill on Wednesday, May 26 could provide some useful insights.
Clinical psychologist and Family Therapist Colleen Hirst and psychologist, author and qualified teacher Collett Smart will both be speaking at the forum on Building Healthy Relationships in Our Teens and will be available for questions afterwards.
With over 35 years’ experience of working with families Colleen has seen what can be done to restore communication and says that understanding the teen brain and how teenagers develop is a vital key to the puzzle.
She says consistent and clear communication is important.“Teenagers don’t cope with long lectures … less is more.” She will touch on physical and psychological development and hurdles to respectful communication.
Collett Smart will provide tools for healthy relationships and talk about the sexualised media, body safety and discussing ideas on consent.
She says there is no secret to raising healthy teenagers: “The small things are the big things. Simply spend time with your teen, doing things they enjoy, to demonstrate your love and to show them they matter to you,” she says.
Also speaking on the night will be Youth Liaison Officer with The Hills Area Police Command Ethan West who will talk about trends and issues police are dealing with concerning young people in The Hills.
There will also be an opportunity to talk to a range of services who will be at the event. The event has been organised by the Forum Committee of the Hills Domestic Violence Prevention Network and will be the sixth Hills Parent Forum at Castle Hill.
Committee member Donna Fraser said the past five forums had each been attended by more than 100 parents.
“You will leave the forum with an increased knowledge on how the adolescent brain works and how to improve communication and cooperation within your family,” she said.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 26.
WHERE: The Pioneer Theatre (under Castle Hill Library) 14 Pennant St, Castle Hill
TIME: 6.30pm to 9pm, doors open at 6pm.
COST: Free. Bookings are a must at http://bit.ly/Hillsparentforum
