Village Voice News - Community - Advising grandparents on positive parenting

The final session in a series of classes designed to help grandparents take part in raising their grandchildren will take place at the Drummoyne Community Centre this month.

Social worker Belinda Power, who will be leading the session, titled Competant, confident children, said many grandparents play a significant role in caring for their grandchildren during the early years when mum or dad returns to the workforce.

More younger grandparents are juggling full or part time work with helping to care for grandchildren, Belinda said.

Most children under three have some of their care provided by grandparents, she said.

Belinda said communication between grandparents and their adult children was important to make sure that expectations were clear.

Some of the topics covered at the seminar will include caring for grandchildren when they are ill, and dealing with cultural issues for grandparents who were not born in Australia.

The seminars have been adapted from the Positive Parenting Program for grandparents.

In the local area I think there are quite a lot of young families and senior citizens. If grandparents have a strong relationship with their grandchildren when they are young, they reap the benefits as the grandkids get older and into their teens, Belinda said.

Ros Lance from the Drummoyne Community Centre said the centre is currently looking at setting up a playgroup for grandparents and their young grandchildren at the centre.

People enjoy being with people from their own generation, so it would be a great social thing for both the kids and grandparents. Theres still quite a few stepping stones before we get there, but if people are interested they should contact the centre and let us know, Ros said.

The workshop will take place on June 28, from 10am to 12pm. Drummoyne Community Centre is at 10 Cometrowe Street, Drummoyne. Bookings essential on 9719 8102.