By Mara Pattison-Sowden
A GROUP of parents went back to school with their children to re-connect with the teenage world.
The parents completed a course at the Cerini Centre in Warburton which aims to open the communication barriers that often exist between parents and their teenage children.
The parents spent six weeks learning about technologies their children use every day, such as social networking sites Facebook and Myspace, and how to use a Nintendo DS.
UYCH course coordinator Rob Graeves said the parents were learning in classrooms next to their children who were completing their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning courses.
“We had every intention to bring the two groups together but the students began approaching the parents in their lunch time,” he said.
“It was wonderful to see them sit down together and talk,” he said.
Mother of 15-year-old Catrina, Doris Wiltshire said the parents were updating skills the young people already have.
“We learnt the Nintendos and got in the chatrooms online,” she said.
“The group (of parents) mainly wanted to know about the kids’ issues – what makes them tick, and how we can support them.”
Parent Julie Twigg said the course helped to change the way parents think about their children.
“It was a real benefit to ourselves and our children. It’s been a fun group and we’ve had a lot of laughs,” she said. Course co-ordinator Rob Greaves said guest speakers had been brought in to address parents’ concerns and this flexibility had led to the course’s outstanding success.
“We wanted to skill the parents up so they can see the benefits of some of the new technologies that kids use, why they’re using them, and help the kids protect themselves from the harmful side of technology,” he said.
“The parents are not empty vessels and it’s important to call upon their experience, skills and knowledge to encourage them with their children.”
Every parent who completed the course is either going on to an accredited or pre-accredited training program to further their skills.
