Parentline Launches National Parent's Week 2009
Ireland's Fifth Annual National Parent's Week will take place across the country, from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th October 2009. National Parent's Week which is organised by Parentline and supported by Abbott aims to celebrate parenting and to provide information and support to parents
This year's event will focus on five parenting topics including: premature babies, post natal depression, issues affecting primary school children and teenagers as well as fathers and their role in parenting - whether husband, partner or lone parent.
The week commences on Monday, 5th October. Premature Babies - From Day One focuses on parents of premature babies and explains how this can be a very demanding and stressful time for parents. The website www.prematurebaby.ie is a very useful tool for new parents and provides relevant information on what to expect, how to care for a premature child and has some real life stories from other Irish parents of premature babies. There will also be a series of educational events in maternity and paediatric hospitals around the country for parents of premature babies. These events include coffee mornings, educational sessions from nurses and doctors and talks from parents of children, who were born prematurely.
Tuesday, 6th October focuses on Post Natal Depression. As many as 15% of mothers in Ireland experience Post Natal Depression and medical attention should always be sought in these cases. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment by a doctor results in a speedier recovery. Sufferers are advised to involve their G.P, partner, family and/or friends and contact Parentline, the national telephone support service for Post Natal Depression.
Wednesday, 7th October focuses on Parenting of Primary School Children and issues including building self esteem, encouragement, the importance of listening, facing conflict, discipline and bullying.
Thursday, 8th October covers the often challenging stage of parenting teenagers and focuses on the importance of communication in helping teens to make the right choices, getting to know their friends and their friend's parents, setting boundaries and negotiating reasonable rules.
Friday, 9th October will see the focus shift to Dads and the changing role of fathers in Ireland and the importance of a father's role during the formative years. Parentline, and Abbott are encouraging as many people as possible to participate in Parent's week events, from coffee mornings to conferences. The Parentline support available at these events will be invaluable to any new or even experienced parents.
Parentline Manager Rita O'Reilly commented “We fully recognise the complex difficulties facing families today. National Parent's Week is about celebrating the fantastic job that parents do and letting parents know that it's okay to ask for help and guidance no matter what the issue, or indeed no matter how young or old the child. We speak with thousands of callers each year, no one family is the same and as we all know there is no training manual!”
Parentline, and Abbott are encouraging as many people as possible to participate in Parent's week events, from coffee mornings to conferences. The Parentline support available at these events will be invaluable to any new or even experienced parents.
You can contact Parentline on Lo Call 1890 927 277 or www.parentline.ie
For a full list of events taking place during Parents week 2009, please click here
