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Parenting our way: Supporting family wellbeing through culture, identity and connection

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.

 

Community, culture and connection to Country are powerful supports. Families who helped develop this resource told us that everyday cultural practices help their wellbeing and build a strong sense of identity for themselves and their children.

 

‘Respect cultural identity, because it’s who we are, where we are from and who we connect to.’

– Parent, Tarndanya workshop

 

In this video (1 minute, 26 seconds), Angela talks about culture as something you can’t leave at the door but instead carry with pride in all parts of life.

What can I do to support cultural identity?

Many parents have cultural knowledge and strengths they can share with their children.

But there are also many parents who may not have that foundation or might feel a bit disconnected from Country and culture. That’s OK – don’t let it hold you back. You and your family can learn and reconnect together.

In the next video (1 minute, 30 seconds), Felix reflects on the deep connection between language, culture and family, as well as the disconnection he experiences from being far away from his cultural practices and language.

Learning about your culture together and sharing cultural knowledge helps to strengthen your child’s identity.

In the next video (1 minute, 19 seconds), Alison describes cultural identity like a ‘bigger container’ that holds children through tough times, giving them a sense of belonging, purpose and connection.

Think about what’s important for you and your family and which practices or traditions you would like to share with your children. You might like to consider some of the following ideas for sharing cultural knowledge.

Ideas for supporting cultural identity

Learn and teach your children about the stories of your Country, roles and responsibilities, totems and where your mob comes from.
Learn and teach your children language.
Learn and teach art, weaving or carving.
Make a bush food garden together.
Go to Community events like NAIDOC, Survival Day or Reconciliation Week.
Connect to your local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) for programs and services.

There are resources to help you support children’s cultural identity at the end of this page.

 

‘I want to capture the seasons of [my child’s] life by taking photos; holding the memories and experiences they can look back on.’

– Parent, Garramilla workshop

 

Spending time on Country

Families who helped develop this resource spoke about the importance of healing and being on Country – walking along the river or beach, camping, fishing or collecting shells. These activities build strong bonds and help children feel grounded.

Watch this video (1 minute, 18 seconds) of Harley talking about how being on Country and around Community keeps him strong and stops him from feeling isolated.

Ideas for spending time on Country

Learn and teach the stories of your Country and share them with your family.
Learn and teach ways of cooking food that have been passed down from Elders or Ancestors.
Go out bush for walks on Country by the river, in the bush or on the beach.
Learn about plants and look for native bush foods.
Learn about animals on Country and how to look after them.
Sit outside and yarn, on Country, at home or around a fire.
Pass on the knowledge and history of survival on Country.

 

Spending time on Country can be:

‘sitting in front of the fire and gazing at the stars – the campfires of my ancestors in the sky.’

– Parent, Tarndanya workshop

 

Togetherness is strength

Connections to family, Community and culture play a central role in helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents build strong cultural identity and resilience. Spending time with aunties, uncles, cousins and Elders helps children learn who they are and where they belong.

Parents who helped develop this resource spoke about how being surrounded by Community creates strength, keeps them from being alone and helps connect them to positive influences.

Ways to stay connected

Spend time with aunties, uncles, cousins – your child learns from all of them.
Show your child how to respect and connect with Elders and listen to their stories, wisdom and advice.
Be still in mindfulness and connect with Ancestors.
Teach that ‘caring is sharing’ and help those that need help.
Spend time fishing, hunting and doing other traditions to help build connections and resilience.
Join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men’s or women’s groups, playgroups or parenting programs.
Laugh with your child, family and Community – humour is a big part of who we are and helps us stay strong.

 

‘[It’s important to] ensure our cultural ways of parenting persist.’

– Parent, Boorloo workshop

 

Your parenting shapes their future

Children of all ages notice and absorb language and culture from parents, family and Community.

In this video (38 seconds) Lukas reflects on how babies and children ’soak up’ everything around them.

Culture is unique to each person, continually shifting and evolving over time. This means we all experience culture differently and have different cultural strengths.

Some people may feel disconnected from their culture for various reasons. Remember that learning together is another way to connect with your child.

Every moment spent sharing culture with your child strengthens their sense of identity. culture, Community and Country. These strong cultural roots can help you and your child grow with strength, pride and love.

 

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