‘Top Tips for Parents’ and ‘Top Tips for Parenting Teenagers’ offer practical ideas from dealing with toddler tantrums at the supermarket to understanding teenage worries.
The booklets have been produced by a group of leading parenting organisations and government departments working together to promote positive parenting.
The Health Minister said: “These booklets are an excellent example of government and the voluntary sector working together to support parents on the ground. Already the booklets have proved extremely popular with over 200,000 copies of the first booklet being distributed in advance of the official launch.
“My Department understands the importance of promoting positive parenting which is reflected in the draft strategy, Families Matter: Supporting Families in Northern Ireland. We must do all we can to help parents to be confident and responsible in helping their children to reach their potential.”
The Minister for Education added: “Education begins in the home and parents can have a vital teaching role. Too often, we forget that parents also need help and assistance and materials and resources such as these booklets can begin to provide that much needed support.”
To mark Parents' Week, the Parenting Forum is organising a series of special events to celebrate and recognise the value and importance of being a parent.
Notes to Editors:
1.A photograph of the two Ministers launching the leaflets is available by contacting the DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 0571 or 07919 400 248.
2.Article 2 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, which came into effect on 20 September 2006, restricts the defence of “reasonable chastisement” to a charge of common assault.
3.It was agreed that the new law would be underpinned by ongoing work on positive parenting and the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People approved the establishment of the Inter Disciplinary Group on Positive Parenting (IDGPP) to take that work forward.
4.The Group held its inaugural meeting in October 2006 and, has undertaken a number of initiatives in the positive parenting field, including the publication of 'Top Tips for Parents – Your Guide to Positive Parenting' and 'Top Tips for Parenting Teenagers – Your Guide to Positive Parenting'.
5.The ‘Top Tips' booklets are available from GP surgeries, dental practices, community Centres, libraries and via the DHSSPS website www.dhsspsni.gov.uk or by contacting:
Family Policy Unit Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Room C4.22 Castle Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3SQMedia queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
