It's time for parents to go back to school

Reported by Zara Dawtrey, THE SUNDAY EXAMINER, Sunday May 27, 2007, page 18

Although ALL parents want their children to succeed, most have at some time struggled with issues surrounding homework.

For this reason, the Tasmanian State School Parents and Friends Association arranged for Adelaide Author, presenter and award winning teacher Mark Le Messurier to present two workshops for parents yesterday at Summerdale Primary School.

Association President Jennifer Branch said the morning workshop had been designed to equip parents with contemporary skills to improve their child's emotional resilience, and the afternoon session would deal with homework related issues.

"We often have parents asking for suggestions on how they can deal with these issues, and these workshops were perfectly designed to offer a variety of strategies," Ms Branch said.

Mark Le Messurier's latest book, Parenting Tough Kids, was also launched at yesterday's workshop.

"It's filled with down-to-earth ideas to help families and children find success," Mark said.

"It delivers a hands-on approach to improve the behaviour, emotion, organisation, learning and friendship skills of children."

Mr. Le Messurier said that despite setbacks including five rejections from Australian publishers, the book had now received rave reviews in the US and pre-orders in Australia had topped 3,500.

"At the heart of this book is a collection of case studies and real suggestions that are useful to every mother and father," he said.