Hello from your School Counsellor (Ali Friedrich)

Welcome back everyone to Term 2 and I hope you and your family have enjoyed your holiday break and built some great memories. Today I would like to take the opportunity to share some information about upcoming parenting groups in Term 3 and 4 called “Circle of Security Parenting Program”.

This parenting program explores the attachment relationships with our children and supports the building of secure attachment relationships.

Attachment Relationships

What does an Attachment relationship look like and how does it apply to how we form relationships with our children?

Our attachment experiences with our primary caregivers (Parent, Grandparent or Foster Carer) during our early years shows us how to connect to them. We gain an understanding on how close or far (emotionally or physically) we can get to our attachment figures (primary caregivers) at any given time.

When we become parents and are forming attachment relationships with our children, we are often responding from our childhood experiences of attachment and can be triggered by our current life stressors (interactions with people at work or home, or financial challenges).

We do not have control over what kind of childhood experiences we had or what kind of Attachment style we now are parenting with. We can take time to learn more about our parenting responses and consider what kind of Attachment Style (secure or insecure) we want to implement into our children’s future.

Making time to learn more about Attachment relationships and parenting will impact on how your child understands relationships with family, friends, teachers and in the future their employers and life partners. Supporting your child by providing them with a secure Attachment experience will assist them to feel valued, worthy and confident in knowing that you understand their emotional and social needs now and into the future.

When children feel safe within a secure attachment relationship, they are more confident to explore their world (learn better, try new things, adapt to change). When children enter their teenage years, they will be more likely to seek your support during difficult times.

Circle of Security Parenting Program

Below is an image of the Circle of Security (a concept developed by Circle of Security International) which shows us how our children have needs both on the top of the circle and the bottom of the circle.

The Picture of the Hands represents the primary caregiver (you) as the child’s Secure Base and is present both for the Top and Bottom of the Circle.

The Top of the circle shows how the Child Explores (Learns about their world) and while exploring they need the parent to support them by watching over them, Delighting in them, Helping when needed and Enjoying the experiences with them.

The Bottom of the Circle shows how when your child is ready to come back to their secure base (you), what they need is for you to protect them, comfort them, delight in them and help organise their feelings.

In Term 3 (5th August-10am-12) and Term 4 (28th October -6.30pm-8.30pm). Both Circle of Security Parenting programs will be held at the Enfield Baptist Church and a free Creche is available. There is no cost to attending the program, but you will need to book your place as soon as possible. If you need creche for your child, you must book your child into creche also.

I recommend this 7-week parenting program for anyone who has children in primary school. Please contact the organisers by phoning: 82611844 or emailing: casey@enfieldbaptist.com.au

Can I encourage you to consider attending the Circle of Security Parenting program. Investing your time to learn how building a secure relationship with your child will promote a positive attachment experience for your family.

Written by Ali Friedrich on 4/5/25 and below image by Circle of Security International