Give your child the opportunity to make decisions – episode six

Give your child the opportunity to make decisions and have their voice heard. Drought is notable for the sense of powerlessness it creates, which is why giving children choices and asking for their opinions, can help them feel more empowered and positive. 

In this episode, two rural parents share their experiences in how they support their children to make decisions and have their voices heard. Clinical psychologists John Dean and Andrea Baldwin provide their practice wisdom for parents and caregivers on why it’s important to support a child on their own decision–making, and some practical strategies on supporting a child to achieve this.      

Some of the stories in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636. If life is in danger, call 000. 

Reflections:  

• Reflection 1: Belinda (parent) [00:48] 
• Reflection 1a: John (clinical psychologist) [02:11] 
• Reflection 2: Kirsty (parent) [05:25]
• Reflection 2a: Andrea (clinical psychologist) [06:43] 

Further information and resources: 

• Parent-child play: A mental health promotion strategy for all children: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parent-child-play-a-mental-health-promotion-strategy-for-all-children/ 
• Parent-child play: Conversation guide: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parent-child-play-conversation-guide/ 
• Parent-child play: Practice resource: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parent-child-play-practice-resource/ 
• The importance of story and play for young children following a natural disaster 
• The use of therapeutic story books following a natural disaster  

Acknowledgements: 

Hosts: Events On Air (Drew and Leigh Radford). The Radford brothers previously work for the ABC and held various roles from Journalist, Executive Producers and Directors in both the urban and regional settings in Australia. Drew Radford is passionate about rural issues and need for respectful and authentic storytelling to ensure that the essence of people’s experiences and stories are captured.  

Podcast voices: Emerging Minds thanks the parents for Isolated Children’s Parent’s Association SA, School Link and Got It! Programs, NSW Health Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, for contributing to this podcast.  

Development committee: This podcast series has been co-designed with support from executive members from Isolated Children’s Parent’s Association SA and NSW Branches,  Remote Isolated Children’s Exercise, South Australia Government Drought Response program, Department of Rural Health, University of South Australia and Emerging Minds staff.  

Funders: This podcast series has been made possible by funding from Country SA PHN under the ‘empowering our communities SA’ grant and the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health, led by Emerging Minds. The National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health under the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program.  

Music: Podcast music theme for this series has been created by Stu Day Music: https://studaymusic.com/

Photos and Drawings: Postcard images courtesy SA Commissioner for Children and Young People’s “Tell Helen Postcard Project” Visit ccyp.com.au for details.