Alongside Parenting
Mobilising Families and Community Through Play
I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Alongside Parenting operates, the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respects to their Elders past, Elder present and to emerging leaders, recognising their continuing connection to land, water, culture and community.
I created Alongside Parenting after witnessing the power and transformation my family experienced through Aware Parenting, in particular attachment play to heal our birth and early separation trauma. I am willing to create a healthier future by supporting carers and parents to consciously raise children who are seen, heard and supported to become their true selves without shame, guilt, punishments or rewards.
Are we a good fit?
If you want a space to:
- Feel heard
- Reflect
- Be gently guided
- Be met with open and safe communication
- Build connection and meaningful relationships with children, carers and families
- Support your children to become their true selves without shame, guilt, punishments or rewards
- Understand your children’s tears and how to show up for their big feelings
- Support in reparenting yourself
- Get free from shame and guilt
I offer:
- Deeply compassionate listening and gentle guidance
- Healing and growth for children, parents, carers and families through play
- Bi-lingual, bi-cultural inclusive support for Deaf, HoH and Deafblind individuals and their families
- Understanding and support for families with multiples
- Queer inclusive safe spaces and sessions
Areas of Support
Healing trauma and supporting attachment through play
Play is a child’s language and a powerful tool for a parent or carer. Through play we can support children to heal, relieve stress, strengthen attachment, release tension, improve behaviour and increase cooperation. All the while, laughing and connecting with one another.
I would love to support you on your journey to a more playful, deep connection with your child(ren).
I offer sessions to address all things play:
- support to integrate play into your daily life
- play and consent
- play at bedtime
- play and school (Building parents/carers confidence around what to ask and expect from schools, how to get right supports and what to look for in a new school)
- identifying our play “strengths”
- exploring and expanding on the challenges of play in your home
- support to utilise play therapeutically.
New & Expectant Parents
The journey to parenthood is a deeply personal and vulnerable experience. I want to support as many families as possible in this journey. I offer specialised supports for families who identify as LGBTQIA+, Deaf/HoH/Deafblind, those trying to conceive, going through IVF and families using donors.
Toddlers to Teen
The growth, change and challenges that arise during these years can feel hard for many families. I can support you to feel more confident and equipped in your journey by providing a space to feel seen and heard, gently reflect and grow in your personal journey and parenting capacity, and connect with other like-minded parents.
Parents of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Kids
90% of D/deaf and Hard of Hearing children are born to hearing parents who have no ties to the Deaf community. If you are a parent or carer who has learned their child is D/deaf or has hearing loss, this is a lot to process and you’re likely feeling a range of emotions from fear, anger, and overwhelm. You are not alone.
Medical professionals give advice on how to “fix” your child’s “broken hearing”. Nothing on a child can be broken. Your child is incredible, whole and can live a meaningful, connected life with you, their family and larger community.
I offer:
- Compassionate listening as you work through what this diagnosis means for you and your family.
- An introduction to cultural options. There’s an amazing world of Deaf folks with a rich culture and history.
- An introduction to linguistic options. Sign language (Auslan here in Australia) is a language with the exact same benefits as a spoken language. Access to language is crucial for development.
- An invitation to continue viewing the beauty that lies behind the diagnosis
I am a hearing, sighted woman living on Wadawurrung Land (Geelong, Victoria). I have a Bachelors Degree in American Sign Language & English Interpreting. I gained my Masters in Social Work from Gallaudet University. I’ve spent the past 18 years working alongside the Deaf/HoH/Deafblind community, am a Auslan user and strong community ally.
Families of Multiples
Learning you are carrying multiples (twins, triplets and more!) can elicit an array of emotions for any parent and family. For our family, we were excited (to FINALLY be pregnant) and simultaneously terrified. I had SO MANY questions. I searched high and low for answers. Let me save you some time and energy in your search and offer you support to find the what works for your family, from an Aware Parenting Perspective.
I offer:
- guidance and support as you prepare your home and heart for multiples.
- physical and emotional preparation for their arrival
- support for early or unexpected changes to birth and labour
- responding to birth and separation trauma
- supporting other siblings
- finding a rhythm for your family.
Gender Creative Parenting
As parents and carers, we are the foundation for our children’s understanding of self, others and the world. We know that the impacts of gender biases, stereotypes and roles is dangerous and contributes to gendered violence. We are agents of socialisation for our children.
I can can support you to discover, reflect and navigate how we support and raise our children to be their authentic selves in a gendered world.
Monthly Connection & Chat Membership
With this membership, you get free access to Play 101! course and can join me for monthly one-hour video sessions. This is a great opportunity to seek clarity, ask for ideas and connect with other like-minded parents. You will receive tailored support for your family in a compassionate and safe space. Group members lead topics and questions. All members receive a 10% discount on all Alongside Courses.
Learn more about me!
Contact Me
adrienne@alongsideparenting.com
Wadawurrung Country, Geelong, Victoria 3000