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Parenting our way: Understanding social and emotional wellbeing

This resource is part of Parenting our way, a collection of resources created with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, families and workers to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing.

 

There are many things that help children to grow healthy in their mind, body and spirit.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have told us that for them wellbeing is also about their connections to Country, kinship, culture, Ancestors, mind and spirit.

This is what Community calls social and emotional wellbeing – the links and connections to all the things in our lives that keep us well.

 

‘Social and emotional wellbeing for me and my family is having a strong identity – knowing our history, connection to families, knowing who I belong to and who belongs to me.’

– Parent, Tarndanya workshop

 

In this video (3 minutes, 25 seconds), families talk about what makes up their children’s world and supports their wellbeing – the things that make up the whole Aboriginal child.

After watching the video, you might like to think about these questions:

  • What stood out for you in this video?
  • What did you find important? What did you connect with?
  • Did you see all parts of what makes up a child’s world and supports wellbeing?

This way of thinking about health, wellbeing and connections has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to be the oldest living continuous culture in the world, with families and children who are strong, healthy and connected.

What shapes your child’s social and emotional wellbeing?

The following diagram, which was created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, looks at the different connections that impact a child’s social and emotional wellbeing. This is an adapted version of a diagram from Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Your child’s wellbeing is everything that surrounds the whole child, including how they:

  • think and feel about themselves and others
  • act and behave at home, with friends and in the community
  • make friends and build relationships
  • learn and play in everyday life.

In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, children are seen as part of a bigger picture. Their wellbeing includes:

  • the whole child, not just their learning or health
  • the whole family, not just one parent
  • the whole Community, not just close relatives
  • connection to Land and spirit, which guide values and meaning
  • giving and receiving, with roles and responsibilities for children and for other people in their lives.

All of this reminds us that children grow best when they feel connected – to people, place and culture.

Watch this video (1 minute, 29 seconds) as Lukas describes what social and emotional wellbeing means for his family.

Thinking about your own social and emotional wellbeing

As a parent you will know there are many things that can impact how you’re feeling and what you might be experiencing. For example:

  • struggles with money  
  • family conflicts 
  • racism on social media. 

Social and emotional wellbeing looks at all our experiences and the things that impact our life. This includes those things that may get us down, but it also includes that things that keep us strong – like the connections we have with family, Community, Country and culture. 

 

‘Coming back here on Country, to this special place, is what makes me strong for my family. Our family has had this land for generations. Our kids love coming out here. This is our Country. It keeps us strong and together.’

– Parent, Murrangoon workshop

 

As a parent, you can better support your child’s wellbeing when you look after your own. By focusing on what surrounds the whole child, and by nurturing their identity, relationships and connections, you help them grow up strong and proud in culture.

In the next video (21 seconds), Sonia talks about why it’s important for parents to look after themselves.

 

What’s next? Explore other Parenting our way resources:

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