The Modern Parent

03/02/2023

The theme for this years is “Connect, Reflect and Protect”. I am looking forward to supporting these online chats hosted by headspace working alongside the eSafety Commissioner to help both young people and their families do just that.
See links below to register for
Sunday 5th: a chat for young people
Sunday 12th Feb: a chat for parents/carers.

Whether you are a young person or an adult supporting a young person, our professional-led online chats, hosted by trained mental health clinicians and vocational specialists, cover a range of topics to help answer any questions you may have.

22/12/2022

For young people feeling lonely and isolated, the holiday season can be a challenging time.

New research from the headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey 2022 shows nearly two thirds of surveyed young people aged 12-25 feel lonely and left out some or most of the time.

“Our message to young people who may be doing it tough at this time of year is to remind them they are not alone,” headspace CEO Jason Trethowan says.

“There are people available to help and support resources are available now. Talk with someone about how you’re feeling, whether that’s a family member or friends – or a professional service like headspace.”

View the full infographic and findings at http://bit.ly/3WAXXmF.

16/12/2022

Many true words here. Most of us are where we are because of pivots we had to make, sliding door moments and doing what worked for us at the time….working hard and having goals are still part of the equation but taking opportunities when they arise and keeping an open mind on the long game also help

I'm getting emails from parents of devastated teens this morning. So here's a letter from Aunty Bec.

Dear Teen

If you're sitting in your room, listening to Adele and eating Milo out of the tin because your Year 12 score is not what you hoped ... I want to remind you that there is NO ONE WAY to get to where you want to go.

There is more than one path forward.

You will find your way.

Listen, nobody wins a prize for finishing their tertiary study first. There's no prize money. No eco-friendly glitter-cannon goes off at the finish line. (If there was money AND a glitter-cannon, I'd be there for it, TBH).

Kiddo, it's possible the adults around you have kinda led you to believe that you're in some kind of race to the finish line. Spoiler alert: there's no race. And no finish line. There's just lots of tired, overwhelmed adults who are still trying to work out what they want to do with their lives.

TAKE. YOUR. TIME. A longer path is not a worse path!

I didn't get the score I wanted. I didn't get into the course I had hoped to do.

I had to go to Plan B. And in the 33 years since I got my TE Score (in ye olde days) ... NOT ONE PERSON has asked me what my score was. Not one.

And other than helping me get into that first university course (part-time) - that NUMBER has been wholly irrelevant.

My life has been a glorious zigzag of experiences and opportunities, missteps and failures and extraordinary wins based on my attitude and choices. My Year 12 score didn't come into it.

Cliche time!

Life is a marathon not a sprint. So many of the greatest career moments in my life have happened because I was forced to take the longer road or pivot. Doors closed so I climbed through windows.

This PDF was created by a wonderful woman to help teens realise there are many ways to get into university (if that's what you want). Download it for yourself for free here: https://rebeccasparrow.com/uni/

A few other reminders ...

✅ You don't have to go to university.
✅ You're allowed to take a gap year.
✅ Traineeships can be BRILLIANT!!
✅ Getting a job and earning money will teach you more about the world than anything else.
✅ You don't have to know NOW what it is you want to do.
✅ Ask yourself, "What do I want to do FIRST?" rather than "What do I want to do forever?'
✅ The easiest way to stand out in 2022 is by being ENTHUSIASTIC. Your attitude will open more doors for you than your grades.

You've got this. I believe in you. Now go take the 3 million dirty cups out of your room.

Love
Aunty Bec

07/12/2022

A fabulous and comprehensive post from my friend Leonie at Digital Families Counselling

A parents guide to the online gaming store known as "Steam" What is it? Is it safe? Where are the safety and privacy settings?

What is “Steam” is it safe? Does it have parental controls and good privacy settings? This post is a parent’s guide to Steam an online gaming store that your children are probably already using.

30/11/2022

A good reminder

Today is National Computer Security Day 🌐🔐

Computers, smartphones and tablets make up an important component of our everyday lives. Globally, people average 6 hours 58 minutes of screen time per day. Cyber security is no joke.

Make use of today's importance by

🔑 updating your passwords
🔑 check your devices OS (operating systems)
🔑 update spyware and malware protection software
🔑 turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Being aware of scammers and phishing techniques is a vital way to be one step ahead of avoiding cyber threats, as is keeping your personal information private.

For more online safety tips and how to protect yourself and your devices from cybercrime and learn how to report cybercrimes and online abuse, visit ➡️ https://www.police.vic.gov.au/cybercrime-reporting-and-online-safety

19/10/2022

I’m looking forward to supporting both headspace and eSafety Commissioner in the facilitation of these fabulous (free) info sessions open to all Australian primary and secondary teachers. Feel free to share with your networks lnkd.in/gXPtzfyF

01/09/2022

Some more TikTok videos that are pretty crappy…

31/08/2022

I have done many, many podcast interviews in my time, and I love being able to chat about my work. But I especially loved this chat with Dr Ray Swann from Brighton Grammar’s Understanding Boys podcast, where I got to delve a little deeper into the personal side of my parenting.

Martine Oglethorpe is a digital wellbeing and online safe educator, speaker and writer.

For over 10 years, Martine’s blog, The Modern Parent, has been a trusted resource for parents on the challenges faced by families in the cyber world and has recently authored a new book, The Modern Parent – Raising a Great Kid in the Digital World.

If you have ever wondered if you should let your child watch Squid games, play Fortnite, get Tik Tok, Instagram, or play Call of Duty, then this episode is worth a listen.

Listen on our website in the below link, or wherever you access your podcasts.

https://www.understandingboys.com.au/podcast_posts/ -oglethorpe