BEING a parent to a child with additional needs can be hard on all involved.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With this in mind, Gralee School is starting up a parent support group from May 1.
The idea behind the group will be for parents with children at the school or, who have a child with a disability at home, to connect and offer each other support.
Parents will be offered a safe and quiet place at the school to chat among themselves, share their stories, fears, anxieties and triumphs, as well as enjoy morning tea together.
Each get together will be informal and all family members are welcome to attend, including grandparents and siblings.
RELATED
Kirstie Craker is a parent at Gralee School and was thrilled the new group was starting up.
"I actually reached out to Gralee before I enrolled Mason in kindergarten because there isn't really anything like this in Leeton for parents who have a child with a disability," she said.
"I think the idea of the group has been floating around for a while, so I'm really excited to see it's starting up. It can be quite isolating as a parent.
"You can chat with other mums, but it's hard for them to understand what you're going through.
"Sometimes even by chatting with them you can go away feeling not great because they aren't in the same boat as you.
"With this group I think we will all be able to share our stories, connect with each other and just support each other."
Gralee teacher Carly Dunn was hopeful parents would take up the offer.
"We wanted to have something where parents could just get together and chat," she said.
"Hopefully they can discuss all range of things. Even things like the NDIS - it's an opportunity for them to support each other, but also offer any tips or help.
"Teachers will be staying out of it, but if there are any questions or we can help, of course we will.
"We'll offer a safe space for them. We're hoping to have it once a week at this stage."
The group will start from May 1 and the school can be contacted on 6953 3350 for more information.
****
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Friday at 6am from The Irrigator. To make sure you're up to date with all news in Leeton sign up here.