Round table discussion 2
Participants noted their recommendations on post-its. These are listed (roughly) under the headings/themes below.
Information materials
- Understand that there is a huge range and diversity of need for information (and support) and that we consequently need to develop information resources that are sufficiently responsive to deal with this range and diversity
- Don't forget dads!
- Ease of access and good signposting
- Information needs to be provided to parent/carers in a variety of forms - books/internet. It is important information includes what teenagers need from parents Need for information of different kinds eg helplines and one to one
- Continue with the positive relationships/communications that started when they were young
- Make parenting a normal part of developing as a parent - involve media and make accessible to all, make it like 'just something you do' like ante-natal classes and learning to drive
- The brain development is such an interesting topic and how this can give us a better understanding of our teens
- Provide parents/carers/schools/professionals with more information on the teenage brain development and its effects
- Media and television etc promoting that it's not a failure but a positive to access parenting support. Use groups/events ie playday, clubs, Facebook to promote so parents know how to access in their area or online
- Style of parenting is the same through their life course. Parenting should be collaborative
- Keep the communication open between you ie amnesty of mobile while chatting to each other
- Extremes of parenting - ability to detach
- Parents adopt a collaborative style of parenting from the outset. Discuss issues not impose
- Respect and listen to your children from the outset, not just from 11 onwards
- We need accurate up to date information about teenage development, especially regarding brain development. This needs to be mainstream, accessible ie storyline in a soap, commercials etc. More information for parents about the development of teenagers - 'safe' websites
- More information and knowledge to parents of teenagers about development stages of teens
- One to one support, peer support, good relationships
- Easy-read information and good, ongoing support
- Importance of good relationships to support information provided - one to one support, peer support, professional relations
- Access to peer support, someone to talk to
- Early intervention versus teenage needs?
- One size doesn't fit all
- Nothing beats relationships
- Information is important but support dealing with issues still requires individual support to suit each family when they need it
- People need people - time to get relationships right then provide information
- It has to be client-led and tailored to their needs and issues
- Individual to parents' needs
- Tailored approach to the young people and families' needs and wants
- Parents have lots of control of younger children versus lack of control in the teenage years - how do parents adapt?
- Child development at transition point into high school (similar to book given at birth to parents)
- Get parents more involved in the children's schools and then offer parenting support classes/groups
- Teaching S2 onwards what it's like being a parent. What happens emotionally from baby to teenage years. Teenage and parents workshops. How to be a teenager and come out the other side feeling safe, happy and ready for the world. How to be a parent of a teenager and come out the other side feeling safe, happy knowing that you did your best
- Train parents of teenagers to support other parents of teenagers in their own community, remove stigma!
- Share information through our Parent Network Scotland 'Getting on with your teenager' course
- Resolution, conflict and mediation
- 'One stop shop' of available resources of information on local authority websites
- More ways that parents can access information - Scot Gov website linking to best evidence. NHS - website linking to individual organisations rather than parents going from place to place for info
- 'Menu' of services from leaflets to group work
- Multiple information resources
- Provide the information for parents before the children are teenagers
- Transition events in schools, health, voluntary sector, leaflets, websites so that parents know what's happening to their child as they go into the teenage years. Promote parenting as a very worthwhile job
- As covered: simple, factual, visual and relevant information both online and paper based
- Well advertised and funded online/phone information service for parents as a relevant/authenticated source
- Use GIRFEC named person role as conduit of information for families
- Supportive, eye catching information that provides general info about the issue but then sign posts to other services
- Universality of access but choice within that - printed, online, groups and one to one support. Messages on importance of communication, relationships and role modelling
- Universal information available via internet/leaflet - distributed in schools or community settings
- Same information available for all parents across Scotland. Parents advised how/where to access information