Family and Child Consultants

  How to Tell Your Children That a Close Relative Has Died: Navigating Grief with Grace and Sensitivity Grief is an intricate emotion, even for adults. For children, the concept of death and the emotions it stirs can be even more complex and challenging. As parents or guardians, our role is not only to process our own grief but also to guide our children through their feelings of loss. If you're faced with the heart-wrenching task of informing your child about the death of a close relative, here's a guide to help you approach the conversation with grace, compassion, and understanding. 1. Choose an Appropriate Setting Opt for a quiet, familiar environment where your child feels safe. This will allow them to process the news and express their feelings without feeling overwhelmed by external factors. 2. Use Simple, Clear Language Depending on your child's age and understanding, adjust the complexity of your words. It's essential to be straightforward: "Grandma passe...

The intricacies of the human heart and its capacities for both suffering and profound love were never more evident than in the story of Opa. When he reached out to us at Family and Child Consultants, we quickly learned that this man, who had literally touched the sky by building skyscrapers, harbored a pain so deep, it had cast a shadow over six decades of his life. Trauma has a way of rewriting the stories we tell ourselves. For Opa, a tragic event during his youth had woven a myth around his heart - that evading doctors would allow him to escape the grip of death. This conviction, no matter how irrational, stemmed from the loss of his father at a young age. His father's passing, linked to a visit to the hospital, had inadvertently convinced young Opa that medical intervention was the harbinger of death. It's a heavy burden to bear, the belief that one's actions could change the fate of those they hold dear. This belief kept Opa away from medical help for 60 years. It wa...

Last week, the chilling news broke out that yet another woman and baby lost their lives due to family violence. The horror, the despair, and the helplessness many felt upon hearing this news cannot be put into words. How did we get here, and what can be done to change the course? Seeking answers, I recently attended a meeting where I asked five liberal politicians about their plans to tackle this seemingly relentless issue. Their unanimous response was that it's "all about family values". However, I must say, this answer is a cop-out and nowhere near enough. Here's why. Family Values Are Not Enough Blaming the escalating violence on the degradation of family values is a simplistic and insufficient response. It doesn't address the root causes, nor does it provide actionable steps to combat the issue. Family violence is a deeply ingrained problem that transcends boundaries of class, ethnicity, and social status. Shifting the Cultural Paradigm What we desperately nee...

The Australian Women's Soccer Team, affectionately known as the "Matildas," is more than just a team playing the beautiful game. They symbolize a movement, represent an entire nation, and have become a beacon of inspiration for both women's sport and sport in general. Here's why: 1. Breaking Gender Barriers The Matildas are playing a crucial role in breaking down the gender barriers that have historically been entrenched in sports. By showcasing their talent, hard work, and competitiveness on the international stage, they are challenging stereotypes and proving that women's sport deserves equal attention, support, and respect. 2. Inspiring Future Generations The success of the Matildas on the pitch has had a ripple effect, inspiring a new generation of young girls to take up soccer and other sports. They have become role models, demonstrating that with determination, skill, and passion, anything is achievable. Their influence extends beyond the soccer field, e...

  In the world of community services, leaders play a pivotal role in inspiring their teams, empowering individuals, and creating positive change within the communities they serve. At the heart of effective leadership lies a fundamental quality: genuine care. As a community services worker, your ability to connect with others, empathize, and genuinely care can make all the difference in the lives of those you serve. In this newsletter, we'll explore why genuine care is an essential trait for any successful leader in the community services sector. Building Trust and Empathy Genuine care fosters trust, and trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, whether it's between a leader and their team or between a community services worker and the individuals they support. When people know that their leaders genuinely care about their well-being, they are more likely to open up, share their struggles, and seek guidance without fear of judgment. As community services workers, our a...