Perspectives for parents on a range of issues – click on the headings.
Parenting Your Teenager about sex and relationships
Parenting your teenager about homosexuality and gender issues
All posts by alison
Annual Report for the year 2020
News from Open Doors June 2021
As I write, our counsellors are once more working from home as COVID restrictions again affect Melbourne where our centre is based. Thanks to the online platforms now available, we can quickly move to video conferencing for all clients. Face to face is preferable but online works well as a substitute and is perfect where distance presents a problem to accessing services. Many of our current clients live too far from our Ringwood centre to easily attend in person and it is great to be able to offer them this alternative, COVID or no COVID.
News from Open Doors September 2021
Lockdown remains for us in Melbourne. It certainly has been a challenging couple of years, especially for those who are already dealing with difficult personal situations. I hope you are faring well wherever you are!
Our counsellors continue to work from home and are doing wonderful work on the phone and online. We have quite a number of new post abortion clients, some referred by other services which is always good to see. One of our local hospitals has referred several women to Open Doors following abortion for foetal abnormality. This would not happen if they did not view our service as professional and trustworthy. I’d like to give a shout out to one of our volunteer counsellors, Pat, who is currently supporting four post abortion clients. Pat is a wonderful counsellor and has been with Open Doors for many years.
Resilient Kids Book – Parent/School resource
Resilient Kids BOOK
Book and ebook available
- For children aged around 8-12.
- Parents, a great addition to your child’s toolbox.
- Teachers and School Counsellors, use with your class or individual students.
An easy to read, engaging, jam packed little book of top resilience building tips and skills for children (and adults!).
Emotional ups and downs are normal. Some days life is just tough!
No matter how old or young, you can take steps to handle these times.
Learn how to recognise and tolerate uncomfortable or difficult emotions as signals to take action. Use failure and disappointment as stepping stones towards achievement. Seek support when times are tough.
Wonder of Living, 2019 video series
New in 2019. Supplied on USB - a 3 part video series plus comprehensive Teacher's Manual on pdf ready to print and go. Focuses on the needs of children ... supports and empowers parents ... takes a family focus ... presents values for life!
Wonder of Living is a sexuality education package for Levels 3-6 that delivers age appropriate information in an uncompromising context of 'best health values' for young children and teenagers.
Watch the promo -
Wonder of Living BOOK – Parent resource
THE WONDER OF LIVING BOOK, a guide to growing up. 
For children aged around 8-12.
For parent and child to read together or separately.
Chapters cover the development & birth of a baby, the amazing human body, how a baby starts, puberty and handling teen issues such as body perfection, the selfie culture and cyber safety.
Cost: $20. (postage included)
Pre-marriage Education – ‘Prepare & Enrich’
Pre-marriage education is the most important part of your wedding preparations ... It might just be the best wedding present you can give to each other!
Affordable Pre-marriage Education is available from Open Doors to help you -
- Identify your strengths as a couple
- Explore areas for growth
- Enhance your relationship skills
When a pregnancy ends
When a pregnancy ends early, in whatever circumstances, it can be a devastating time for a woman. Men can also be deeply affected.
Whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned, you may experience a range of feelings which include disbelief, sadness, emptiness, anger, disappointment and a sense of isolation. These are normal feelings that we experience after a loss.
However for you they may have been unanticipated, especially if your pregnancy was unplanned. You may be overwhelmed and confused trying to make sense of the way you feel.
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat – a spiritual healing journey after abortion
2020 Retreats: March 27-29, July 3-5, Nov 27-29 Enquiries - anne@opendoors.com.au
About Rachel's Vineyard RetreatsRachel's Vineyard Retreat is a beautiful opportunity for healing for any woman or man who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. It's a chance to get away from the daily pressures of work and family, to focus on a painful time in life, and to begin healing through a supportive and non-judgmental process.