Stop for a moment to consider these questions:

• What does it mean to be a child?
• What do I expect of children? Is this realistic?
• What childhood experiences do I want children to have?
• How do I want children to experience adults in their lives?
• How do I want my child to experience me?

There is no such thing as the perfect parent, just as there is no such thing as the perfect child. Children and parents learn together. The way you parent will be influenced by your own experiences of being parented, your own values and beliefs as well as the unique qualities and personality of your child.

Parents tell us they want different things at different times to support them in their parenting.

• Affirmation – parents want to know they are on the right track.
• Reassurance – parents want to know that they can change their parenting approach if they want to and they are not the only people who experience difficulties at times.
• Share common experiences – parents have much to learn from other parents.
• Information – parents want more information and ideas on aspects of parenting in which they lack confidence.

This website contains lots of very valuable information about parenting and child development. Hopefully it will inspire you, boost your confidence and give you lots of great ways to enjoy family life. Let us know what you think. Your feedback is important to us.

This website is part of the Every Child is Important Campaign. It has been developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation and supported by the Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services.