Who is it for?
Parents and carers looking to support their children through family change and loss. Change affects everyone differently, as does grief. It’s the impact of the change, not the event itself that Seasons for Growth focuses on.
The program builds on the philosophy and strengths of other Seasons for Growth programs - small group, grief and loss education programs for children, young people and adults that use the imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief.
How does it work?
Seasons for Growth assists parents to understand the experience of death or separation and divorce from a child’s perspective, and to learn about the most effective ways to support their child/ren.
This distinctive child-centred approach provides emotional space and a non-judgemental environment for parents to wonder, share, discuss and learn how to care for and nuture their children after separation, divorce or the death of someone they love.
The program offers a range of activities that allow parents and carers to learn about:
- how children react to change and loss
- what parents can do to help their child
- communicating with their child
- understanding and managing, change loss and grief
- caring for themselves as a parent and a person
"This program is great to help parents realise that children are passing through the seasons of grief at similar or even later times."
Participant, 38
How is it delivered?
There are two components within the program:
1. Supporting your child following separation and divorce (2 x 2 hour sessions or 1 x 4 hour session). Parents and carers will learn about:
- Why separation/divorce can be a challenge for children
- How to talk to children about the separation/divorce
- What reactions they may expect from their children
- What children need and how they can best support their children
- The importance of caring for themselves
- What changes they can make as a result of their learnings
2. Supporting your child following the death of someone they love (1 x 2.5 hour session). Parents and carers will learn about:
- Why loss and grief can be a challenge for children and how bereavement impacts children
- How to talk to children about what’s happened
- What reactions they may expect from their children
- What children need and how they can best support their children
- The importance of self-care
- What changes they can make as a result of their learnings
Outcomes
The programs provides the support and space to:
- Learn how children and young people respond to change, loss and grief
- Understand that it is normal to experience a range of grief reactions
- Explore new approaches to dealing with change, loss and grief in the lives of their children
- Build communication, decision making and problem solving skills
- Participate in a supportive network of adults
- Integrate new learning into their relationships with their family
MacKillop Family Services acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Elders in each of the communities where we work.