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.
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.
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. This date is currently at capacity. To register your interest for future dates email the team at southwestmetroparenting@meerilinga.org.au
Fremantle & surrounds: commencing 1 May 2018. Click here for more information.
High Wycombe & surrounds: commencing 7 May 2018. 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.
Understanding Tears and Tantrums
An interactive three week parenting group, looking at the causes of children’s tantrums and off track behaviour in children 0-6 years. You will learn tools that will assist you to encourage children’s positive behaviour and cooperation.
Course locations:
Cockburn & surrounds: commencing 10 May 2018. Click here for more information.
Triple P Positive Parenting Program
A FREE seminar series for families with children aged 2 – 12 years. Learn how to raise confident, competent and resilient children with the power of positive parenting.
Course locations:
Ballajura & surrounds: commencing 22 May 2018. Click here for more information.
Tuning in to Kids
A free four week parenting group to learn emotional coaching skills to help you recognise, understand and manage your own and your children’s emotions during difficult times. Suitable for parents of children 5 – 12 years.
Course locations:
Fremantle & surrounds: commencing 6 June 2018. Click here for more information.
Engaging Adolescents
A three week parenting program for parents and carers of adolescents aged 12–18 years. This program is designed to provide you with the tools to help your resolve teenage behaviour problems.
Course locations:
Cockburn & surrounds: commencing 9 June 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:
Fremantle & surrounds: commencing 12 June 2018. Click here for more information.
Communicating with your child: The how and why of Emotion Coaching
A free introductory workshop for parents & carers of children aged 4 – 12 years. This workshops will assist you to understand the emotional world of your child and to give you tools to help you support your child’s emotional needs.
Course locations:
Cockburn & surrounds: commencing 18 June 2018. Click here for more information.
Telethon Speech & Hearing Presentation
A one off presentation for families with children birth to 5 years. This presentation will cover hearing, how we test hearing, middle ear infections, signs of hearing loss & speech delay associated with hearing loss.
Course locations:
Rockingham & Kwinana: commencing 27 June 2018. Click here for more information.
Parenting by Connection – Starter Class
A five week interactive parenting workshop that will help you gain the skills and support to be the parent you want to be. Suitable for parents/carers of children from babies to primary age. These workshops will help you: gain new understanding about your child’s feelings and behaviour and learn how to help them when they have big emotional moments; develop skills to address challenging behaviours such as separation anxiety, sleep issues, power struggles and aggression; deepen your family connection and get support for yourself.
Course locations:
Cockburn & surrounds: commencing 19 July 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:
Email the SWMPS team at SouthWestMetroParenting@meerilinga.org.au to register your interest.
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:
Email the SWMPS team at SouthWestMetroParenting@meerilinga.org.au to register your interest.
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:
Email the SWMPS team at SouthWestMetroParenting@meerilinga.org.au to register your interest.
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:
Email the SWMPS team at SouthWestMetroParenting@meerilinga.org.au to register your interest.
Sleep Strategies for children aged 1-6 years
This sleep strategies short course course has been designed to give parents some insight into: ideas and strategies for establishing sleep routines; looking at the sleep environment to encouraging settling; sleep cycles and children’s sleep requirements; tips for dealing with children’s night time fears.
Course locations:
Email the SWMPS team at SouthWestMetroParenting@meerilinga.org.au to register your interest.
Chatter Matters – Parent Seminar
Join us for a free presentation by Karen Nitsche (speech pathologist) providing information and resources on how to give your child the best start to learning language.
Course locations:
Email the SWMPS team at SouthWestMetroParenting@meerilinga.org.au to register your interest.
Contact your local service
Telethon Speech & Hearing Presentation
Families with children 0-5 years are invited to meet Audiologist Trude Hallaraker and Speech Patholo...
June 27 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Upcoming Events
Telethon Speech & Hearing Presentation
Families with children 0-5 years are invited to meet Audiologist Trude Hallaraker and Speech Patholo...
June 27 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am