Category: Diverse Families
Strong Families
What makes a strong and resilient family – what are they, how do they work?
***Key Points***
Strong families have children who grow up feeling safe and secure have the confidence to be themselves and find out who they are.
Strong family relationships include: warmth, care and positive attention; good communication; an environment that is dependable; and good relationships with other family members.
***Key Points***
***Love, time and relationships***
Showing love, warmth and affection can be achieved by: spending quality time together, physical touch [hugs], smiles and praise, telling them you love them and positive communication. This can result in the child having a more positive experience learning about the world, they tend to develop better relationships with friends and other important people in their life and have less conflict.
Relationships can be strengthened by using good communication about both positive and negative things. This can demonstrate to children that it is okay to talk about feelings like embarrassment as well as positive things that have happened. The parents are the role models with good communication, children will learn from how adults around them communicate.
A dependable family environment may include things such as routines and family rules. Children feel safe and secure when they can anticipate what will happen at home and what to expect of each day.
Children can develop a strong sense of self when they develop good relationships and connections with other people such as extended family members, neighbours or others in the community. Having a good support network can be good for the whole family.
***Love, time and relationships***
REFERENCES:
Raising Children Network – Strong families, what they are how they work
Roadmap for reform: Strong families, Safe children
Diverse Families and Resources for Pregnancy
Finding support and building a good relationship with your healthcare professionals can help you to have a feeling of empowerment that can lead to overall greater wellbeing.
***Key Points***
Often members of the LGBTIQA+ community are at risk of/ and experience poorer sexual and reproductive health because of lack of awareness of the health care professional, stigma and discrimination.
There are limited resources specifically related to pregnancy for the LGBTIQA+ community. LGBTIQA+ support workers should be part of your pregnancy care team.
***Key Points***
***Resources***
RESOURCES:
1800MYOPTIONS can provide you or your support person with sexual and reproductive health advice and support. Call 1800 696 784 during business hours. Visit the website for more information.
Rainbow Door is a free service providing support, information and referral for the LGBTIQA+ community. Call 1800 729 367 10am – 5pm 7 days a week. Interpreters are available. You can also text 0480 017 246 or email support@rainbowdoor.org.au
Information regarding specialised pregnancy care is limited. However, when pregnant and booking in to the hospital you can request to see a social worker who will provide guidance and support. You could ask if there are any LGBTIQA+ friendly antenatal classes available, or you may be able to find some available privately in the community.
Raising Children Network have links to national, state and territory support services for LGBTIQA+ parents, their friends and families.
Queer and LGBTIQA+ support services in Australia.
Queerspace provide counselling, advocacy and case management based in Carlton, Melbourne. Call 03 9663 6733 for more information or complete this form to access counselling services.
Visit PANDA for information about mental health support.
Qlife offers anonymous, free peer support and referral. Call 1800 184 527 or Webchat between 3pm and midnight.
***Resources***
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
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