Easy English fact sheets for parents dealing with the child protection system. Advice from parents with experience.

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Look after yourself

This time can be very hard.
But
You must look after yourself.
You are important.
Your child still needs you.
These are some things you can do.
They may help you feel better.
  1. Look after your feelings.

This is called your mental health.
You can
  • talk to your doctor
  • talk to someone who helps you talk about how you feel.
    This is called a counsellor.
You can talk with
  • friends
  • family.
Look for a group to meet.
Some groups are
  • a support group of other parents
  • a group who do things you also like to do.
    Like a movie group.
You may make new friends.
  1. Look after your body

This is called your physical health.
Take time to do things like
  • go for a walk
  • go to the gym.
See your doctor for a check up
Eat food that is good for you.
  1. Enjoy the time with your child

Read our fact sheet Seeing your child.
Have fun when you see your child. Like
  • play with toys your child likes
  • share books your child likes.
Put your family photos in a scrap book.
  1. Get help to parent well

Look for a parent support group.
Read our fact sheet
Help to parent well.
Find a Family Support Service.
Call Parentline 1300 1300 52.
They can help you get help to parent well.
Read our fact sheet
Get help. Who to call

Some ideas from other parents

We did special things.
It helped us to feel good. Like
  • a massage
  • go somewhere special.
We made time for things we liked to do. Like
  • paint
  • look after animals
  • go to the movies
  • see a band.
We tried new things
Like
  • a new parent group
  • a new course.
    It may help get a new job
  • try some new art
  • try a new sport.
More information
This fact sheet is general information.
It may not be the same for you.
Talk to a lawyer about
  • your own child
  • your family.
This fact sheet was made by
  • The WASH House
  • The Ability Rights Centre. A service of IDRS
with
  • a Parent Advisory Group, 2020.
Images
We have used images from
  • ChangePeople
  • Mayer-Johnson
  • Picto-Selector
Access Easy English helped The WASH House write the Easy English.
February 2020.

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