Close Menu
  • Home
  • What’s On
    • Events
    • Add an Event
    • Major Event
    • School Holiday Guide
  • Things To Do
    • Free Activities
      • Coastal Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
      • Picnic Spots
      • Playgrounds
      • Pram Walks
      • Rainy Day Activities
      • Walks and Bike Rides
    • Places to Visit
      • Attractions
      • Day Trips Away From The Peninsula
      • Galleries & Libraries
      • Historical
      • Markets
      • Tourism Centres
    • Places to Eat
      • Cafes
      • Restaurants
      • Wineries
    • Places To Stay
      • Accommodation
    • Shopping
      • Baby Goods – Sale & Hire
      • Child Friendly Shops
      • Made on the Peninsula
      • Online
      • Retail
    • At Home
      • Craft
      • Games
      • Recipes
  • Classes & Groups
    • Creative
      • Art and Craft
    • Playgroups
      • Central and Northern Peninsula
      • Southern Peninsula
      • Western Port
    • Sports
      • Fitness
      • Pre School Sports
      • Sports Classes and Tuition
  • Services
    • Health & Wellbeing
      • Dental
      • Health Care Practitioners
      • Hospitals
      • Support Groups
    • Pregnancy & Baby
      • Prenatal
        • Pre Natal Care/Birth Support
        • Pre Natal Fitness & Wellbeing
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Maternity Products
      • PostNatal
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Post Natal Support & Wellbeing
    • Special Needs
      • Activities for Special Needs
      • Support for Special Needs
      • Therapists for Special Needs
    • Education & Childcare
      • Daycare
      • Kindergartens
      • Schools
    • Finance
      • Finance
    • Photography
      • Photography
    • Child Safety & Wellbeing
      • Child Safety/First Aid
      • Emergency Numbers
  • Articles
    • Education
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Parenting Articles
    • Places to Eat
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Reviews
    • Member Questions
  • Parties
    • Celebrate – Party Ideas
    • Entertainment
    • Suppliers
    • Venues
  • Giveaways
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Testimonials
  • Giveaways
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Wednesday, September 3
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Testimonials
  • Giveaways
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
Peninsula Kids
  • Home
  • What’s On
    • Events
    • Add an Event
    • Major Event
    • School Holiday Guide
  • Things To Do
    • Free Activities
      • Coastal Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
      • Picnic Spots
      • Playgrounds
      • Pram Walks
      • Rainy Day Activities
      • Walks and Bike Rides
    • Places to Visit
      • Attractions
      • Day Trips Away From The Peninsula
      • Galleries & Libraries
      • Historical
      • Markets
      • Tourism Centres
    • Places to Eat
      • Cafes
      • Restaurants
      • Wineries
    • Places To Stay
      • Accommodation
    • Shopping
      • Baby Goods – Sale & Hire
      • Child Friendly Shops
      • Made on the Peninsula
      • Online
      • Retail
    • At Home
      • Craft
      • Games
      • Recipes
  • Classes & Groups
    • Creative
      • Art and Craft
    • Playgroups
      • Central and Northern Peninsula
      • Southern Peninsula
      • Western Port
    • Sports
      • Fitness
      • Pre School Sports
      • Sports Classes and Tuition
  • Services
    • Health & Wellbeing
      • Dental
      • Health Care Practitioners
      • Hospitals
      • Support Groups
    • Pregnancy & Baby
      • Prenatal
        • Pre Natal Care/Birth Support
        • Pre Natal Fitness & Wellbeing
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Maternity Products
      • PostNatal
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Post Natal Support & Wellbeing
    • Special Needs
      • Activities for Special Needs
      • Support for Special Needs
      • Therapists for Special Needs
    • Education & Childcare
      • Daycare
      • Kindergartens
      • Schools
    • Finance
      • Finance
    • Photography
      • Photography
    • Child Safety & Wellbeing
      • Child Safety/First Aid
      • Emergency Numbers
  • Articles
    • Education
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Parenting Articles
    • Places to Eat
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Reviews
    • Member Questions
  • Parties
    • Celebrate – Party Ideas
    • Entertainment
    • Suppliers
    • Venues
  • Giveaways
Peninsula Kids
Home»Parenting Articles»What parenting isn’t
Parenting Articles

What parenting isn’t

Updated:July 14, 20214 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

By Deanne Atkinson

What is parenting? Most of us will have our different version of answers to this question depending on our beliefs, our upbringing and our values. But what about what parenting isn’t? Let me explain.

No one likes to feel suppressed yet I see the results of a suppressed childhood on many occasions. A mother who grew up with overpowering parents and was taught to do as she was told as a child, she learnt to please her parents to keep the peace, stay out of trouble and be a ‘good girl.’ Now into her forties she has a need to have control over her own environment and those around her. She demands strict order and her three children are all responding differently. One is just like her and overpowers his siblings. One has shut down and tries to keep the peace whilst the youngest is rebelling and feeling suppressed at the force placed upon her. There is a lack of cooperation in the household and resentment is rife between family members.

Another real life example is a grown man whose own father was big in stature and so used his large size, added to a raised voice to keep his sons in line. So this man now parents his children in the same manner, often hearing his father’s voice in his head, demanding his children obey him. There is little respect or bond between him and his children but this method works in the short term. And even though he knows the pain of being on the receiving end of this parenting he doesn’t know any other way.

There are a few points I am trying to make here. One is the pattern of negative behaviour and how easily it can be passed on from generation to generation. Second, is how emotionally we haven’t evolved very far in comparison to the growth of technology for instance. There is still a pattern in overpowering each other and we can easily copy this behaviour in parenting because it works for us as parents in getting what we want done. But parenting isn’t about telling our children what to do and using our size, raised voice or controlling ways to get the result we want.

What if we parented from a perspective of equality? Putting ourselves in our children’s shoes? How would it feel to be on the receiving end of our demands? What would that feel like? What if we parented with accountability of our own emotional growth or lack of? Are there some onion layers we need to peel back, letting go of some of our own baggage so we can parent without carrying forward old patterns? What if an aspect of parenting was an opportunity to change these old ways, to free ourselves of the need to control or overpower? To develop a relationship without dominance but one of understanding each other leading to a more independent child and a less stressed parent?

For me what parenting isn’t is as equally important and as what parenting is. I want to teach my children to grow by watching me grow as a person but most of all as a mum, to treat them as equal human beings with feelings with a need to feel heard and respected; to continue to grow in my role as a parent knowing I have the perfect teacher’s right there in front of me to do just that.

If you need to peel back some of those onion layers and parent in a way which develops an ongoing relationship of equality with your children, please feel free to contact me.


Deanne Atkinson is a Parent Coach and Spiritual Counsellor and founded Parent with Passion to help reduce the negative cycle which occurs in parenting. She has a spiritual approach to parenting which is all about supporting positive emotions. She helps mums and dads who are struggling with their role providing a parenting method which supports independence and confidence in children and a more fulfilled parent.

For enquiries Deanne can be contacted on 0413 316 079 or at www.parentwithpassion.com

You can also join Deanne on Facebook or Instagram.

First published in Peninsula Kids – Spring 2018

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Comments are closed.

Calendar
Today
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1
2
3
10:30 AM - MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
12:30 PM - MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
4
5
6
10:00 AM - Creative Music Workshop
7
11:00 AM - Dad skates FREE at Sk8house this Father's Day
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
4:00 PM - Sk8house Sensory Sessions
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2:00 PM - Soundwaves
7:00 PM - Soundwaves
2
3
4
5
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
September 3, 2025    
10:30 am - 11:15 am
McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery
  • Workshop/Class
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Jams for Juniors comes to McClelland. Join Karen Kyriakou and MSO musicians for joyful music-making with little ones aged 0–5. Tickets required [...]
More Info
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
September 3, 2025    
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm
McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery
  • Workshop/Class
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Jams for Juniors comes to McClelland. Join Karen Kyriakou and MSO musicians for joyful music-making with little ones aged 0–5. Tickets required [...]
More Info
Creative Music Workshop
Creative Music Workshop
September 6, 2025    
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery
  • Workshop/Class
Join McClelland and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a music workshop on Sat 6 Sept! With guidance from MSO musicians, participants aged 10-14 will develop music skills, experiment with composition, and co-create a brand-new piece to be performed in the MSO in Your Neighbourhood concert in Mornington.
More Info
Dad skates FREE at Sk8house this Father's Day
Dad skates FREE at Sk8house this Father's Day
September 7, 2025    
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sk8house
  • Family Activity
Let’s celebrate the legends we call Dad this Father’s Day at Sk8house! Sunday 7th September 2025| Morning Session: 11am – 1pm Afternoon Session: 2pm – [...]
More Info
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
September 16, 2025    
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sk8house
  • Workshop/Class
The Sk8house Sensory Sessions aim to be a calm, welcoming space for skaters of all abilities to roll their way — with reduced noise, gentle [...]
More Info
Soundwaves
Soundwaves
October 1, 2025    
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Band and Cinema complex
  • Family Activity
  • Free Activities
Join us for our flagship concert series, Soundwaves, at HMAS Cerberus and experience the RAN Band bringing our full wind band and variety of chamber [...]
More Info
Soundwaves
Soundwaves
October 1, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
HMAS Cerberus
  • Free Activities
Join us for our flagship concert series, Soundwaves, at HMAS Cerberus and experience the RAN Band bringing our full wind band and variety of chamber [...]
More Info
Events on September 3, 2025
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
3 Sep 25
Langwarrin
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
MSO presents Jams for Juniors at McClelland
3 Sep 25
Langwarrin
Events on September 6, 2025
Creative Music Workshop
Creative Music Workshop
6 Sep 25
Langwarrin
Events on September 7, 2025
Dad skates FREE at Sk8house this Father's Day
Dad skates FREE at Sk8house this Father's Day
7 Sep 25
Carrum Downs
Events on September 16, 2025
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
16 Sep 25
Carrum Downs
Events on October 1, 2025
Soundwaves
Soundwaves
1 Oct 25
HMAS Cerberus
Soundwaves
Soundwaves
1 Oct 25
HMAS Cerberus
Visit Our Advertisers
ABOUT

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

MPNG also publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

ADVERTISE WITH US

Instagram
⚪️⚫️🏏WOOLWORTHS BLAST⚪️⚫️🏏

Crib Point Cricket Club  have opened up Registrations for their popular Woolworths Blast sessions this Summer, with the first session kicking off in early January.

Last year saw fantastic numbers and an enthusiastic group of kidlets learning to play the game of cricket and the Club is hoping to grow those numbers even more this year.

Woolworths Blast is open to children aged 4-7 and a lot of fun. Simply jump on to https https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/6fcc29 and register. It’s that easy!!

* Junior Blasters Program
* For kids new to cricket aged 4-7 years of age
* 60 minutes of fun game based activities each session
* Parents join the fun!
* All equipment supplied
* All kids get their own Blasters Pack and wear the colours of their favourite Big Bash heroes
* Cost $99

Blast will kick off on Friday January 9th at Crib Point Recreational Reserve and run for 8 consecutive weeks.
⚪️⚫️🏏WOOLWORTHS BLAST⚪️⚫️🏏

Crib Point Cricket Club  have opened up Registrations for their popular Woolworths Blast sessions this Summer, with the first session kicking off in early January.

Last year saw fantastic numbers and an enthusiastic group of kidlets learning to play the game of cricket and the Club is hoping to grow those numbers even more this year.

Woolworths Blast is open to children aged 4-7 and a lot of fun. Simply jump on to https https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/6fcc29 and register. It’s that easy!!

* Junior Blasters Program
* For kids new to cricket aged 4-7 years of age
* 60 minutes of fun game based activities each session
* Parents join the fun!
* All equipment supplied
* All kids get their own Blasters Pack and wear the colours of their favourite Big Bash heroes
* Cost $99

Blast will kick off on Friday January 9th at Crib Point Recreational Reserve and run for 8 consecutive weeks.
•
Follow
⚪️⚫️🏏WOOLWORTHS BLAST⚪️⚫️🏏 Crib Point Cricket Club have opened up Registrations for their popular Woolworths Blast sessions this Summer, with the first session kicking off in early January. Last year saw fantastic numbers and an enthusiastic group of kidlets learning to play the game of cricket and the Club is hoping to grow those numbers even more this year. Woolworths Blast is open to children aged 4-7 and a lot of fun. Simply jump on to https https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/6fcc29 and register. It’s that easy!! * Junior Blasters Program * For kids new to cricket aged 4-7 years of age * 60 minutes of fun game based activities each session * Parents join the fun! * All equipment supplied * All kids get their own Blasters Pack and wear the colours of their favourite Big Bash heroes * Cost $99 Blast will kick off on Friday January 9th at Crib Point Recreational Reserve and run for 8 consecutive weeks.
23 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
DOWNLOAD FROM LINK IN BIO FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Winning entries will receive one of five family vouchers (family of five admission ticket) valued at $75 each to @ashcombemaze 
Email entries to info@peninsulakids.com.au or PM your artwork to facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids.

Prize drawn on 14/11/2025. Winner will be notified by email.
Prize must be collected from Peninsula Kids offices during office hours,
9am-5pm, located at 1/15 Wallis Drive, Hastings VIC 3915
•
Follow
DOWNLOAD FROM LINK IN BIO FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Winning entries will receive one of five family vouchers (family of five admission ticket) valued at $75 each to @ashcombemaze Email entries to info@peninsulakids.com.au or PM your artwork to facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaKids. Prize drawn on 14/11/2025. Winner will be notified by email. Prize must be collected from Peninsula Kids offices during office hours, 9am-5pm, located at 1/15 Wallis Drive, Hastings VIC 3915
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
🍋 When life give you lemons...pop them on an adorable front cover of Peninsula Kids magazine! 💛

Read the spring edition via link in bio.

#peninsulakidsmagazine #lovepeninsulakids #springedition
•
Follow
🍋 When life give you lemons...pop them on an adorable front cover of Peninsula Kids magazine! 💛 Read the spring edition via link in bio. #peninsulakidsmagazine #lovepeninsulakids #springedition
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
The countdown is on, school holidays are just around the corner and Acro Kids is the place to be! 22nd September – 3rd October in Mornington and Braeside. 
Reinvented full day programs designed for beginners to advanced skills, kids will learn wicked acro and parkour tricks and make heaps of new friends. 
Don’t miss out on the fun (and some time to yourself) book now to avoid disappointment – https://www.acrokids.com.au/school-holiday-program/

@acrokidsau #schoolholidays #springschoolholidays
•
Follow
The countdown is on, school holidays are just around the corner and Acro Kids is the place to be! 22nd September – 3rd October in Mornington and Braeside. Reinvented full day programs designed for beginners to advanced skills, kids will learn wicked acro and parkour tricks and make heaps of new friends. Don’t miss out on the fun (and some time to yourself) book now to avoid disappointment – https://www.acrokids.com.au/school-holiday-program/ @acrokidsau #schoolholidays #springschoolholidays
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
FREE Father’s Day printable questionnaire. Just download form and print!

https://peninsulakids.com.au/wp-admin/post.php?post=17344&action=edit

#fathersday #questionnaire #aboutmydad
•
Follow
FREE Father’s Day printable questionnaire. Just download form and print! https://peninsulakids.com.au/wp-admin/post.php?post=17344&action=edit #fathersday #questionnaire #aboutmydad
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Have you entered our Things We Love winter competitions?
We're choosing winners Monday, so hurry up!

ENTER HERE: https://peninsulakids.com.au/winter-2025-things-we-love-giveaway/
•
Follow
Have you entered our Things We Love winter competitions? We're choosing winners Monday, so hurry up! ENTER HERE: https://peninsulakids.com.au/winter-2025-things-we-love-giveaway/
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
The Hawks are back in Frankston this weekend!

Get your tickets here:

https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/hawthorn-v-carlton-2025-nab-aflw-season-10-frankston-23-08-2025/event/130062D7A58C195D

Please Note
Junior Policy:
Children aged 0-17 as at 1 January 2025 are entitled to enter the ground at no charge; however, they must hold a valid ticket for entry.
Persons aged 18 and over as at 1 January 2025 are classified as an adult.

@hawthornaflw Hawthorn FC AFLW 
#aflw #kineticstadium #frankston
•
Follow
The Hawks are back in Frankston this weekend! Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/hawthorn-v-carlton-2025-nab-aflw-season-10-frankston-23-08-2025/event/130062D7A58C195D Please Note Junior Policy: Children aged 0-17 as at 1 January 2025 are entitled to enter the ground at no charge; however, they must hold a valid ticket for entry. Persons aged 18 and over as at 1 January 2025 are classified as an adult. @hawthornaflw Hawthorn FC AFLW #aflw #kineticstadium #frankston
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Robots and magic and slapstick… oh my!

Following appearances on Sesame Street, Universal Kids, and on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Mario the Maker Magician heads to Frankston next school holidays.

Contagiously upbeat and full of heart, the ever-endearing Mario leads you through a romping explosion of energy and belly laughs punctuated with moments of heart and emotion that will catch you by surprise. Not "just a kids show", this is an all-ages theatre experience!

Prepare for a world of vaudeville and magic, cardboard and robots, science and innovation, instilling a positive message that will last in the minds and hearts of all audiences.

“The best kids’ magician in the world!!”- David Blaine
"Magic with a soupçon of science." - The New York Times
"Instant and infectious chaos in the best possible way" - One4Review

MARIO THE MAKER MAGICIAN
Frankston Arts Centre
Tuesday 23 September, 2pm
Tuesday 23 September, 6pm
Wednesday 24 September, 10.30am (Relaxed Performance)
Wednesday 24 September, 1.30pm
Tickets: $20 (Family of 4: $75)

Book at thefac.com.au or call 03 9784 1060

Frankston Arts Centre @the_fac 
#frankstonartscentre #magic #familyshows #thingstodowithkids
•
Follow
Robots and magic and slapstick… oh my! Following appearances on Sesame Street, Universal Kids, and on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Mario the Maker Magician heads to Frankston next school holidays. Contagiously upbeat and full of heart, the ever-endearing Mario leads you through a romping explosion of energy and belly laughs punctuated with moments of heart and emotion that will catch you by surprise. Not "just a kids show", this is an all-ages theatre experience! Prepare for a world of vaudeville and magic, cardboard and robots, science and innovation, instilling a positive message that will last in the minds and hearts of all audiences. “The best kids’ magician in the world!!”- David Blaine "Magic with a soupçon of science." - The New York Times "Instant and infectious chaos in the best possible way" - One4Review MARIO THE MAKER MAGICIAN Frankston Arts Centre Tuesday 23 September, 2pm Tuesday 23 September, 6pm Wednesday 24 September, 10.30am (Relaxed Performance) Wednesday 24 September, 1.30pm Tickets: $20 (Family of 4: $75) Book at thefac.com.au or call 03 9784 1060 Frankston Arts Centre @the_fac #frankstonartscentre #magic #familyshows #thingstodowithkids
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Chasing Change, in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire, are holding our annual Walk for Suicide Prevention on Sunday the 14th of September. We hope that you can join us to gather, connect and remember our loved ones lost to suicide. You can find more details, including a link to register the name of a loved one for our memorial roll call, on their event page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/16wCzifSWR/

@chasingchangeau Chasing Change - Suicide Prevention Network
•
Follow
Chasing Change, in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire, are holding our annual Walk for Suicide Prevention on Sunday the 14th of September. We hope that you can join us to gather, connect and remember our loved ones lost to suicide. You can find more details, including a link to register the name of a loved one for our memorial roll call, on their event page. https://www.facebook.com/share/16wCzifSWR/ @chasingchangeau Chasing Change - Suicide Prevention Network
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
View on Instagram
Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay In The Know

Sign up to our free newsletter and receive weekly updates on events and things to do with kids on the Mornington Peninsula.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
© 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.