A parent's point of view

My children were fortunate enough to have a Life Education visit whilst at day care when they were little. Their excitement afterwards took days to subside. They talked on and on about what (puppet) Harold said, not occurring to them that it was what Mum and Dad tell them all the time too.

But the real learning was visible when the moans and groans about cleaning teeth were transformed into a ‘Harold said……’ on the importance of cleaning them. So Mum and Dad didn’t get the message across but a giraffe with no teeth to them is the authority on dental care. Well – it worked. And for months and months after, the recall on what ‘Harold said..’ worked beautifully.

And even after a few years, I can still emphasise the cleaning teeth issue and refer back to Harold and get a positive result.

It then occurred to me that in the eyes of a child, no matter how big or small, it sometimes takes that third person (or giraffe) to back up the messages of Mum and/or Dad, because, as we all know, what do Mum and Dad know!

And in trying to understand why the Life Education messages work, I came to the conclusion that it is about respect. My children have a respect for Healthy Harold and for the educators from Life Education and I believe this is earned because it is mutual respect.

The educators cover topics in a non judgmental and age appropriate way. When parents try and do this, it is combined with hopes and more so their fears. But together, we make a great team. When your children get the opportunity to participate in a Life Education experience, as parents, ask questions and listen, really listen, to what messages where important to them. Supporting these is a valuable way to reinforce those teachings and even learn a few things yourself.

When you first have children, you are told the hardest part is getting through the sleepless nights and tantrums. But the reality becomes clear as they grow and venture into the world that it is going to be a long hard road to ensure that they come out the end as healthy happy adults.

There is no manual on raising children but I feel a little more confident that Life Education has my back when it comes to helping guide them through those issues that life is going to throw at them. But it is a team effort.

Marisa Wilson

Parent of Matt & Emery