Kyo, Deedee, Michael & Chi

 Michael

I first stumbled across YHES House in 2007. I was 27 and my wife Deedee was 18 & under 3 months pregnant. We were out of food and I saw the YHES House building and decided to see if they could help. We initially asked for food support and found them to be very helpful. We also found they were able to assist us in other areas that we needed help such as my mental health and      providing us with counselling. Furthermore, they helped us to connect with other services like Head space. We also attended the Childbirth Education Group which helped us to know what needed to be done during the pregnancy and also to prepare us for the birth of the baby. For example, changing nappies, clothing and keeping the baby warm.  At first I was very scared of handling a new born baby but after attending the group I became more educated and   confident. I was also previously told that because of my mental health that I would not be able to care for a baby but with YHES House’s support I was able to take care of Chi my baby daughter.

I very much enjoy being a father and seeing my child happy. I attended the New Parents Group when Chi was about 4 months old. We were able to share and gain ideas from other young parents and guest speakers in regards to taking care of the baby. Such  as  feeding  and  sleeping  requirements. Since then, we have had another baby called Kyo and again YHES House supported us in ways to handle having two children, manage stress and my mental health. With YHES House support we are able to be more successful parents.

 

 

Jodie & Bridget W.

 Bridget W.

I started going to YHES House about four months ago for one on one counselling because my dad had advised me that I needed someone to talk to. I started to attend the New Parents Group shortly after that. The group has helped me to get out of the house and make new friends which have enabled me to keep a social life. The guest speakers have been great help in answering all my questions about parenting. I think that it is really important that my child Makayla attends the group so she can learn from the other babies by watching and interacting.

 

Jodie

I started to come to YHES House New Parent Group to meet new people five months ago when my baby Baillie was 3 weeks old. YHES house has enabled me to meet lots of new people and also     provided me with different ideas for how to put my baby to sleep and what to feed her. Each week I look forward to the   different guest speakers in the New    Parent Group as they are a big help. I catch a bus each week because I think that it is very important for Baillie to be attending the group so that she can have a chance to interact with the other babies.

 

 

Bridget, K. & Calvin

My name is Bridget Krauss and I fell     pregnant in January 2009, when I was 15 years old. I was still at school but was not doing very well.  When I found out that I was pregnant with my boyfriend I was scared and also happy. I started to go to YHES House to attend the antenatal classes a couple months after I found out I was pregnant. I really enjoyed the hospital tour where I was able to see where I would be having my baby as well as what instruments the midwife would be using.

As well as attending childbirth education classes at YHES House I decided to pursue my education and to complete my year eleven and twelve at TAFE. I was due to start the next semester in July and I could only do two subjects at a time, so I chose English and IT. I have now finished my year 12 and I am on my way to completing a journalism course at home through Cengage Education. I still attend the New Parents Group on Wednesdays and now thanks to Tamsyn (Youth Worker at YHES House) I have an opportunity to have my articles published in the YHES House newsletter. I hope you will enjoy reading the pieces I have written.

 

 

Amanda

I started to come to YHES House when I was pregnant with Lila last year to attend the child birth classes. I found out about this    service through my old school,   Nerang High. Lila is now 8 months and I travel by bus from Labrador every Wednesday to attend the New Parent Group. YHES House has helped provide me with lots of great parenting advice and more.

In particular, the New Parents Group has helped me to make   social connections with other mums the same age as me.  Also, the guest speakers that have attended New Parent Group have been very helpful in providing different information about my baby’s       development. I think that it is really important for Lila to attend the group because she gets a chance to interact with other babies