Towards Parenthood Program
The Toward Parenthood Program has been developed by the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) from a review of the literature and extensive clinical experience in helping soon-to-be parents adjust to parenthood. It has been trialled as a self-help program supported by telephone counselling in two randomized controlled trials and found to be helpful not only for reducing parenting stress but also enhancing mood.
The Program is ideal for expectant parents who want to prepare themselves for the changes and challenges of parenthood. It covers a wide range of important areas not necessarily covered in routine antenatal classes.
The Towards Parenthood Workbook
The self-help workbook includes nine chapters – eight antenatal and one postnatal. Each chapter contains information and activities to generate thought and reflection, conversation and communication between partners.
Chapter 1: Toward Motherhood.
Chapter 2: Toward Fatherhood.
Chapter 3: We're Expecting! Preparing for Parenthood.
Chapter 4: Caring for Yourself is Caring for Your Baby.
Chapter 5: From Lovers to parents- Managing Relationshop Changes.
Chapter 6: Keeping some Balance in your Life.
Chapter 7: Healthy Thinking, Healthy Self.
Chapter 8: Caring for your Newborn Baby.
Postnatal Unit
Chapter 9: welcome to "The Club".
The workbook has now been published by ACER and was recently launched (23 June 2009) by Professor Rob Moodie, Professor of Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne & Chair of the National Preventative Health Task Force.
To purchase the workbook please complete the order form or contact us on (03) 9496 4496 to speak to one our our friendly staff.
To download the media release for the Towards Parenthood Workbook, click here.
The Telephone Counselling Package
The telephone counselling package that is part of the program is also available through PIRI. The Towards Parenthood package costs $400.00 and this includes the workbook, postage and eight telephone counselling sessions with an experienced psychologist. (half an hour each).
Alternatively, you can purchase the workbook and have telephone counselling sessions for $50.00.
For Health Professionals
If you are from an organisation which supports women in the perinatal period - training is available from PIRI in delivering the telephone counselling package.
"This Program should be compulsory for every new parent!"
"I've learnt so much about how I was parented and the kind of parent I hope to be"
"I feel like I have more strategies to help me cope with the daunting task of parenting a baby"
"I wish this program was available to me when I had my first baby, it has been so useful"