Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Parenting is one of the most important things you will ever do. Don't cope alone.
- Many parents have concerns about parenting.
On this page
Parenting is one of the most important tasks we undertake. It doesn't always come naturally, though; parenting takes practice and patience. There are a range of support services to help parents.
Parenting services help families to raise happy, healthy children. They are available to parents with children aged 0 to 18 years. These support services are widely used by large numbers of parents.
Parentline
Parentline is a telephone information, counselling and referral service. The service is available to parents of children of all ages - from birth to 18 years of age. Parentline operates between 8 am and midnight, 7 days a week, Tel. 13 22 89.
Parentline helps with everyday questions and concerns such as:
- resolving family conflict
- discipline issues
- sleeping problems
- improving family relationships.
See also: Information and advice for parents.
Finding a Maternal and Child Health Service
Maternal and Child Health Services provides information and advice about child health, child development, maternal health, parenting and home safety for families with children from birth to 6 years.
Early parenting centres
Early parenting centres:
- provide free support for Victorian families with children aged from 0 to 4 years
- work in partnership with families to enhance parent-child relationships and support parents with strategies for achieving their parenting goals
- often help families in areas such as sleep and settling, child behaviour, child learning and development, and parent and child health and wellbeing
- call the Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29 (24 hours, 7 days) or for more information visit Early Parenting Centres support families.
Family Intervention Services
Visit Regional Parenting Services or contact your local council to find out about local parenting services.
Help to manage behavioural problems
The types of behavioural problems that parenting services can help you with include:
- challenging behaviour and parental stress
- setting limits
- fighting among siblings
- disagreement between parents over the management of their children
- violence in the home.
Help with other parenting issues
Other issues that parenting services can help you with include:
- children with a chronic illness or disability
- accident prevention
- changes in family relationships, such as divorce
- communication problems between parents and their children
- contact with other parents facing similar issues.
Parenting groups
Many community agencies run parenting groups. Places where you may find parenting groups include:
- maternal and child health centres
- neighbourhood houses
- community health centres.
Where to get help
- Your regional Department of Health office
- Parentline Tel. 13 22 89
- Family Relationship Advice Line Tel. 1800 050 321 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm)
- Regional Parenting Services
- Your local council
- Your maternal and child health nurse
- Community health centre
- Raising Children Network
- Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
