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Children 0-7 years

Children's experiences in the early years have a lasting impact on their development emotionally, mentally, physically and socially.  A parent's role in this stage is to protect and nurture their child as well as helping them to explore the world in a safe way, learn about themselves and others around them, and gradually develop skills and independence in different areas of life.

On this page you can read some of our info sheets and parent stories.  In this section on parenting 0-7 year old children, there is also an overview of child development , information about the kinds of calls we get at Parent Line, links to other services and websites, and suggestions for how we can help you. 

Use the links on the left hand side to find your way around.  You can also use the search tool which is in the upper right hand corner of each page. 

Info Sheets

Parent Line has developed a range of info sheets for parents on important aspects of being a parent and emerging parenting issues that can impact on family life. Below you will find links to download info sheets that may assist with parenting 0-7 year old children.   To view a complete listing of our info sheets and parent stories, click here.  

This information is intended as a starting point for parents or a reminder of key strategies for a particular topic. These info sheets do not replace professional advice or consultation.  We recommend that you call us for parenting advice and support tailored to your situation. 

Simply click on the link and a new window will open with the information sheet.  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents.

Anxiety - tips on helping children to cope with anxiety.

Bedwetting - strategies to tackle the issue of bedwetting.

Boundaries - tips for parents on setting boundaries with children and within families.

Bullying - information on how to cope if your child is bullied.

Children - some ways to help children work through grief and loss.

Consequences - pointers on how to effectively use natural and logical consequences for children's behaviour.

Global Recession - information on how to talk about the global recession to children.

Preschoolers and the News - understanding the impact of news stories and world events on preschool aged children. 

Protective Behaviours - ways to teach your children behaviours to help protect them from inappropriate adult interactions.

Rules - ideas for establishing family rules and how to make them work.

Saying No - suggestions for parents on how to manage saying 'no' to children.

Sharing Busy Mornings - some ideas on how to manage busy mornings and get your children involved

Sleep – Toddlers - information for parents on managing sleep issues with toddlers.

Time Management - tips for parents on how to manage your time when you have competing demands.

Time Out- information on how to correctly use the strategy of Time Out to manage children's behaviour.

Toilet Training - information on how to start and manage toilet training.

Parent Stories

Being a parent is a universal experience for many people. While each child (and their family) is unique, there are many common themes. Hearing other parents’ stories can be source of comfort and can help us to feel less alone. It can also be a great way to get new ideas, strategies and hope that things can be different in our own families.

All of our counsellors are professionally qualified and experienced in working with families. In addition to this, many of our counsellors are also parents themselves. Below are some of their stories - stories that share the challenges and joys that they have experienced in their parenting journeys.

Please be aware that some of these stories may potentially be distressing to some readers, particularly if the story is similar to an experience you may have had. If this happens, we would encourage you to seek support and talk about your experience with someone you trust, or talk to one of our counsellors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. Clicking on a link will open a new window. To return to this page, simply close the window when you have finished reading.

Riding the Storm  A mother shares her experience of parenting a child with food intolerances, and provides some great tips for other parents facing this challenge.

Terrific Two's A great example of how using empathy with young children can help to manage their behaviour and teach them skills about emotions and communciating.

The First Goodbye  A touching story about a child losing their beloved pet, and ways for parents to help children through such experiences of grief and loss.

The Poo-Covered Monster  An amusing and informative anecdote about the struggle to manage a 2 year old's nap-time antics.

Supporting Shyness  A story about responding to one child's unique personality and helping her to develop skills for being with other people.

What Love Means  A gentle reflection on how saying 'sorry' can strengthen and bring hope to family relationships.