Mindful Awareness Parenting (MAP)

As a parent of a young child, do you notice yourself feeling:

• Overwhelmed or exhausted?
• Lacking confidence?
• Frustrated with yourself or your child?
• Concerned about forming a healthy bond with your child?

If so, you are like many other parents of young children and you may benefit from the unique Mindful Awareness Parenting (MAP) program. If you would like to enhance your wellbeing and improve your confidence as a parent, whilst maintaining a healthy relationship with your child, here’s some more information for you:

As you know, there are many parenting programs out there. It’s hard to know where to start and what will be helpful. Most parenting programs are aimed at teaching parents to manage or control their child’s behaviour. Whilst many aspects of such programs can be helpful, parents often tell us it is difficult to implement and maintain the strategies suggested.

Unlike most parenting programs, MAP is unique because rather than teaching a set of strategies or interventions aimed at controlling the child’s behaviour, it focuses on teaching parents to improve their own self-awareness and their attachment with their child. MAP encourages parents to become more aware (mindful) of their own thoughts and feelings, and to develop self-compassion when they make mistakes. Rather than following a list of pre-set rules, MAP focuses on giving parents the confidence to make their own decisions about parenting and gives specific alternatives to the usual ‘time-out’ process. Research has shown that these skills are important in parenting young children, as they can decrease our level of stress, frustration, worry, depression and anxiety. The skills taught in MAP aim to help parents develop a secure, healthy and long lasting relationship with their child. Parents learn how to be a stable and secure base to ensure their child feels loved and is safe to explore their world.

Unlike most parenting programs, MAP is unique because rather than teaching a set of strategies or interventions aimed at controlling the child’s behaviour, it focuses on teaching parents to improve their own self-awareness and their attachment with their child. MAP encourages parents to become more aware (mindful) of their own thoughts and feelings, and to develop self-compassion when they make mistakes. Rather than following a list of pre-set rules, MAP focuses on giving parents the confidence to make their own decisions about parenting and gives specific alternatives to the usual ‘time-out’ process. Research has shown that these skills are important in parenting young children, as they can decrease our level of stress, frustration, worry, depression and anxiety. The skills taught in MAP aim to help parents develop a secure, healthy and long lasting relationship with their child. Parents learn how to be a stable and secure base to ensure their child feels loved and is safe to explore their world.

MAP was developed by Australian Clinical Psychologist Dr Rebecca Coleman, based on extensive research into mindfulness and parent-child relationships. Laura Hann (Psychologist & Family Therapist) is an accredited MAP instructor who is passionate about improving relationships within families and teaching mindfulness skills to enhance wellbeing.

Who can attend?
MAP is open to any parent or caregiver (eg: grandparents, child care workers) of children aged birth to 5 years. Of course, expectant parents are also welcome.

When is the next course?
Our next MAP course will be run on Wednesday mornings from 9.30am to 12noon commencing on 11 May 2011. The course will be held each Wednesday morning for a total of 5 weeks, with our Psychologist & Family Therapist, Laura Hann.

What does the course involve?
The course is designed to be nurturing, respectful, supportive and enjoyable. It is not a therapy group and there is no need to share personal information. There will not be any tests or quizzes! As well as providing information, the sessions also involve lots of opportunities to practice mindfulness skills and you will be given resources including a CD and handouts to help you to do further practice at home. In order for parents and caregivers to obtain the most benefit from MAP, it is designed for adults only and children do not attend. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunity to practice with the kids at home!

What does the course cost?
The course fee is $300 per person, or $275 each if you enrol with a friend. The fee includes the 5 session MAP program, a parent’s information booklet and a mindfulness skills practice CD.

How do I register for the next MAP course?
You can register by emailing us or by phoning our office on 9456 0411. If you would like more information about the course or wish to discuss if it is suitable for you, please contact us on 9456 0411. We are planning to offer future courses in northern and southern suburbs, so please contact us to register your interest if the next course is not in your local area.