A statewide survey has revealed the top threeconcerns keeping Queensland parents awake at night.
Encouraging kidsto be fit and healthy, managing screen time, and dealing with kids’ emotionaloutbursts are the three biggest worries facing parents in the Sunshine Stateright now, according to a Triple P – Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) surveyof almost 2000 parents.
52 per centof parents surveyed said encouraging kids to live a healthy lifestyle was in theirtop three concerns, followed by 43 per cent of parents who said managing screentime was a major worry.
36 per cent ofparents said they worried about how their children dealt with emotions such astemper tantrums, and 28 per cent said managing disobedience and dealing with bullyingwas a concern.
Encouraging a healthy lifestyle is a particularworry for parents of young children, with mental health and school work more ofconcern to parents with one or more older children.
The survey canvassed the hot topic ofbullying, with 40 per cent of parents saying their child had been bullied - 84per cent in person by another child, 27 per cent by siblings, and 14 per centonline and via social media.
Parentingexpert and Triple P founder Professor Matt Sanders said the best way forparents to encourage children to be healthy, avoid screen dependence and managetheir emotions was to be a good role model.
"So much of our children’s behaviour is a mirror of our own, so I encourageparents to show by their actions how to make healthy choices, sensibly managescreen time and handle emotions appropriately," he said.
"TripleP programs are also free in Queensland through a state-funded initiative soparents who want to know more about positive parenting can visit www.triplep.net to sign upfor free sessions."
ProfessorSanders said the survey showed a major shift over the past 12 months in the wayparents are disciplining their children, with 52 per cent of parents now sayingthey never smack their children compared to 41 per cent in last year’s survey.
"The surveyalso shows more parents are using positive parenting strategies to disciplinechildren such as explaining why they’re upset and why the behaviour isunacceptable, or by taking away a toy or device or sending them to a quiet spotto calm down and think about their behaviour," Professor Sanders said.
"Researchproves without a doubt that positive learning strategies like this are far moreeffective in improving a child’s behaviour, and maintaining that improvement inthe long term, than smacking."
ProfessorSanders said children raised in a positive environment - guided by consistentrules and routines, reasonable expectations and appropriate consequences - havebetter communication and social skills, more positive relationships withothers, do better at school and in the long run have better job prospects andhealth outcomes. Parents who do Triple P are also less stressed and depressed.
An estimated160,000-plus parents have received free Triple P support since the StateGovernment launched open, voluntary access to the evidence-based program inmid-2015. ---
