Prof Lea Waters AM - Supporting Early Years Parents

Strengths‑Based Parenting with Prof Lea Waters AM:

Raising Little Humans in a Big‑Tech World

Parents of children aged 0–5 years

Monday 31 August | 9:30–11:00am (90 mins including Q&A)

Bowral Memorial Hall

Generously supported by

Why this event matters

Parenting little ones is one of the most beautiful and demanding seasons of life — full of love, mess, big feelings, tiny wins and the perpetual juggle of work, life and small children. Many parents are stretched thin, doing their best, and looking for guidance that genuinely helps rather than adds more pressure.

This workshop is designed with that reality in mind.

What makes this event special

Join internationally acclaimed psychologist Professor Lea Waters AM for a practical, energising session that meets parents exactly where they are. Lea is one of the world’s leading experts in strengths‑based parenting, wellbeing science and child development. Her approach is warm, relatable and backed by decades of research — offering tools that lighten the load, strengthen connection and help families thrive.

What you’ll learn

You’ll explore simple, strengths‑based strategies to understand and respond to your child’s behaviour in ways that create more calm, connection and cooperation at home. These are small, doable shifts — woven into everyday routines — that help you move from constant firefighting to moments of flourishing.

Lea also shares practical ways to support your own wellbeing, reduce stress and find steadier ground in the busiest times of family life. Her guidance feels comforting, achievable and immediately useful.

Who this event is for

Parents and carers of children aged 0–5 years who want to feel more confident, more supported and more equipped — without sacrificing precious time or energy. It’s about creating the best environment for your family to thrive, even in the thick of the juggle.

About Professor Lea Waters AM, PhD

Professor Lea Waters is one of the world’s leading experts in Positive Psychology, Positive Education and Strength‑Based Parenting. She is an internationally recognised psychologist, researcher and keynote speaker who has spent more than 25 years at the University of Melbourne, where she served as the Founding Director and Inaugural Gerry Higgins Chair at the Centre for Positive Psychology.

Lea has been named one of Australia’s Top 100 Women of Influence and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant contributions to youth mental health, education and wellbeing. Her work has helped families, schools and communities around the world understand how small, strengths‑based shifts can make a meaningful difference in children’s behaviour, confidence and wellbeing.

Warm, relatable and deeply practical, Lea brings decades of research together with real‑world parenting experience — making her guidance both comforting and immediately useful for families raising young children.

A rare opportunity for Highlands families

Thanks to generous local support, we are able to offer Professor Waters’ parent workshop at a substantially subsidised rate, making world‑class guidance accessible to Southern Highlands families during the early years when support matters most.

Coffee & Tea provided. We'd love you to just come and have this opportunity for yourself. However, we are fully aware of the challenges of logistics in getting someone to mind your child/ren. Whilst we cannot say we are officially offering babysitting due to Bowral Memorial Hall not being fit for purpose, we will have volunteers with WWCC there who can hopefully entertain and distract for you. Bring their favourite toys and snacks.

If you’re aware of a family who would value this workshop but may be unable to meet the ticket cost, please get in touch with Sarah, event organiser. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible for everyone.

“Practical tips for parents from the wise and wonderful Lea Waters! So many parents, including me, struggle to translate scientific research into real-world strategies. This terrific book not only helps us understand ourselves and our children better but also makes that understanding actionable!”

— Angela Duckworth, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Grit