Supporting Your Gentle Parenting Journey
Our Story
The Southern Natural Parenting Network began in early 2014 as a way to connect parents in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, Mornington Peninsula and Dandenong Ranges. With just one rule “Be Kind”, the online group promised support without judgement for families with a basic focus on babywearing, breastfeeding, baby-led weaning, modern cloth nappies and co-sleeping. These core issues were ones which came up frequently in other online forums, with questions about practical matters often leading to judgmental comments and heated discussions between those with alternate views.
By starting out with a philosophy of parenting in which these practices are considered normal, a safe space was created where information and resources could be shared without controversy. That doesn’t mean alternatives are criticised or that those who practice them are excluded: indeed, there are many who don’t use all or any of these approaches, for all sorts of reasons, and they are just as respected. There is no need to debate, justify, dispute or create conflict – each parent is supported in whatever choices work for their family.
The group has evolved to become a real community, an actual village, not just an online forum. Grandparents, health care providers and allied health professionals as well as others providing services supportive of gentle, natural parenting have come together to share and learn. Weekly Fresh Air & Friendship play dates explore local parks and playgrounds, with a focus on free play in natural environments. Sister groups – including the South Eastern Babywearing Group, a buy/swap/sell group and more have evolved as members ideas and needs are nurtured into reality. As a completely funds-free community, there are no fees, no committees and no fuss.
In the spirit of reconciliation the Southern Natural Parenting Network acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
We acknowledge the Bunurong people, the traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present and emerging. We thank them for sharing the land in which we live, work, and learn on.
The Boon wurrung/Boonerwrung/Bunurong people are the traditional owners of the country that commences at Werribee River and spreads around the coastal part of Melbourne then East as far as Wilson’s Promontory. The word Boon means “to speak or with the lips” and wurrung means language of the people. The Boon wurrung are part of the larger Kulin nation.