Classroom mentors and Triple P graduates included: Front row, Kathleen Hopkins, Marilyn Bond, Gail Barrett, Maylene Saltner; second row, facilitator Michell Forster, Bessie Arnold, Naomi Cutmore, Corey Sullivan, Sammy-Joe Barrett; and back row, Norman Wragge, Gwen Button and Eddie Alberts 

December 12, 2012

By Marcus Priaulx

Providing consistency, support and time to your children is the best way to make them confident, happy and strong.

Eighteen Murgon and Cherbourg people reinforced this recently as they workshopped ways to build deadlier families with Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) facilitator Michell Forster.

Ms Forster believes the program has allowed her to build a stronger bond of love and respect with her own children.

On Monday, the latest group of a dozen graduates said the one main thing they got from their two days of workshops was the need to be patient with children.

Ms Forster said the three best ways to build a strong relationship with children are:

1. Be consistent in everything you do;

2. Focus on the positive behaviour of your children and praise them often;

3. Spend quality time with your children.

“The most important time to spend with your kids is when they come to you; to look at a bug or to read them a book, put them to bed,” Ms Forster said.

“Spending many short periods of time with your children is often better than spending long periods of time on outings.

“This is what has worked for me and the things Triple P talks about is backed by scientific studies and research.

“It’s worked for me and I believe it has helped many others to raise loving, respectful children.”

People who would like to take part in a Triple P workshop in 2013 should contact the Barambah Parent and Community Engagement (PaCE) program by email or by phoning 0403-002-306.