Parenting Courses & Services

For many years, Meerilinga has delivered parenting support, courses and services to thousands of families across Perth and we will continue to do so. From this month, the way parenting services in WA are delivered has changed and Meerilinga is proud to be partnering with our colleagues at Kwinana Early Years Services (KEYS) and the City of Cockburn, to provide the new South West Metropolitan Parenting Service (SWMPS).

A guide for parents

Parents and carers with children aged birth to 18 years living in Cockburn, Rockingham, Kwinana, Fremantle, Melville and East Fremantle localities are eligible to access parenting support services to assist them in:

• managing the challenges of parenting;
• building knowledge, skills and confidence;
• understanding children’s development; and
• identifying local community supports and other relevant networks.

‘Parent’ is considered to include carers, foster carers, relative carers, stepfamilies, grandfamilies and others who have a direct full-time, part-time or occasional parenting role.

Download the guide for professionals.

Download the referral form.

Join a parenting course 

– Online Parenting Course –

Raising Good Kids: Managing Behaviour and Emotions in 0-5’s

Created by trusted child psychiatrist Dr Kaylene Henderson, this research-based yet practical course will teach you how to be a more calm and confident parent, how to foster a close bond with and between your children, manage your young children’s challenging behaviours and promote social and emotional skills that will even help your kids at school and all throughout their lives.

Course locations:
Online only course. Email the SWMPS team at SouthWestMetroParenting@meerilinga.org.au or phone Susie at 08 9331 2211 to register your interest.

My Time: Me Time – Aboriginal Parent Support Group 

Join this free weekly group, sharing friendship, time and experiences. Meeting every Tuesday during school term, contact us to arrange free transport and free creche facilities.

Playgroup location:
Coolbellup Community Hub, Tuesdays 12-2pm. Click here for more information.

Tweens to Teens – supporting your child venturing into high school 

Tweens to Teens is a 3 week evidence informed parenting program based on emotional intelligence and attachment theories. This course has been designed to help parents support their adolescents transitioning into high school.

Course locations:
Fremantle & surrounds: commencing 2 May 2018. Click here for more information.

Circle of Security – Parenting

A FREE five week parenting program for parents of children from birth to 18 years. This internationally recognised program focuses on how to strengthen the parent/child relationship. Teaching parents and carers new ways to understand their children’s behavior and needs as well as the importance of having a secure attachment.

Course locations:
Fremantle & surrounds: commencing 30 April 2018. Click here for more information.
Fremantle & surrounds: commencing 1 May 2018. Click here for more information.

Tuning in to Teens

A  FREE four week parenting course for parents and carers of adolescents aged 12–18 years. This program is designed to provide you with the tools to help your teen develop their emotional intelligence while navigating the challenges of their transition into adulthood.

Course locations:
Cockburn & surrounds: commencing 28 February 2018. Click here for more information.

Kids and Anxiety

A free parent information session for parents and carers of children aged over 4 years. Whilst some feelings of anxiety can be a normal part of children’s development, an increasing number of children are experiencing higher levels of anxiety that are impacting on their everyday life. Facilitated by Resilience Kit and the Cockburn Parenting Service, this course aims to assist parents and caregivers to understand anxiety and provides simple strategies for parents and caregivers to use at home.

Course locations:
Cockburn & surrounds: commencing 24 March 2018. Click here for more information.

Protective Behaviours – Parent Workshops

A FREE parenting workshop for parents of children from birth to 18 years.

Protective Behaviours provides ideas, discussion starter points and practical activities to use with your family teaching valuable personal safety skills as strategies that help empower your child and keep them safe.

Course locations:
Kwinana & surrounds: come to one of two workshops commencing 14 March 2018 & 26 March 2018. Click here for more information.

1-2-3 Magic & Emotional Coaching

A  three week parenting workshop which gives parents and caregivers a simple and effective approach to discipline children aged 2-12 years. It provides parents with knowledge and practical skills to nurture their child’s emotions, whilst setting limits confidently and calmly, and the ability to follow through with reasonable consequences.

Course locations:

Cockburn & surrounds: commencing 27 March 2018. Click here for more information.
Kwinana & surrounds: commencing 29 March 2018. Click here for more information.

Children and Sibling Rivalry

In this interactive one off workshop, learn practical strategies such as: how to handle sibling conflict – when to step in and when to let them work it out; how to acknowledge the challenging feelings children have toward each other; setting consequences and boundaries around sibling rivalry.

Course locations:
Fremantle & surrounds: commencing 4 April 2018. Click here for more information.