Stressed out, mum and dad? This free app includes tips from a 'parent whisperer'
In these unprecedented times, stressed out parents have had to juggle multiple hats – employee, teacher, cook, playmate and dorsum again, all in ane blur.
But aid is here, in the form of a parenting app. It's called Family5 and it'due south the brainchild of Singapore-based Dutchmen Robbert Bos and Jaap Frolich. The co-founders have been working and living in Singapore for the past three and a half years, and 6 years, respectively.
The complimentary app, which is available for iOS and Android users, is designed for parents with children anile betwixt ane and 12, which is considerably broader than nigh parenting apps that usually focus on early childhood.
Family5 features more 500 activities to assist with common parenting problems such every bit sleep-training stubborn kids. And you'll also accept, at your fingertips, content and tips from 50 parenting coaches and family unit experts from Singapore and overseas.
In other words, it'south a bit like a parenting app for parents who need some, well, parenting themselves.
THE PARENTING APP THAT PROVIDES Seize with teeth-SIZED Data
The idea started when 43-year-old Bos, who had been working for several years in the mobile games industry and co-founded a popular app-based fintech start-up (BUX), thought he needed "to create something that had a positive impact on the earth".
The father-of-two said information technology had dawned on him that most people do non receive whatsoever training for what he considers that nigh hard job of a lifetime – raising children.
"While school teachers go through years of education and ongoing learning to support children's development, at home, parents are frequently left to their own devices, no pun intended," he told CNA Lifestyle.
"Research shows that children with strong family relationships live healthier, happier and more productive lives. Unfortunately, today's parents of young children accept no time to read parenting books or attend courses to improve their parenting skills."
And thus came Bos' lightbulb moment. "Since parents always deport their phone with them, I thought why non have an app that provides inspiration and support in a bite-sized format?"
MEET THE PARENT WHISPERER
According to Bos, all the parenting coaches and experts on Family5 have been carefully selected based on their credentials.
"We interviewed every motorbus in person or via video calls," he said. "Nosotros also look for general parent coaching skills, certification and feel simply too specific specialisations such as sleep, nutrition or mindfulness."
Although Family5 is a global platform, with many coaches and experts based both in the The states and the UK, Bos says that fifteen per cent of them come directly from Singapore.
These include psychologists similar Camellia Wong and consultants similar digital literacy and parent jitney Carol Loi and even a self-professed "parent whisperer" like Lup Wai Chan, who provides tools and tips like active listening to help parents strengthen their relationship with their child.
The activities available on the app are too endorsed by educational experts. For instance, some of the drama activities were courtesy of Singapore Repertory Theatre's learning and engagement managing director.
"We believe that parents strengthen the bail with their children past encouraging learning through play and what'southward a meliorate manner to practice that than through the performing arts," said Bos.
According to him, the app is currently being used past fifty,000 families around the globe to date.
LOOKING FOR HELP DURING COVID-nineteen
The pandemic, which has led to unusual measures such as home-based learning everywhere, besides resulted in a new defended section on the app, which can assistance parents looking for ways to talk to their children almost the virus and its consequences, every bit well as figure out activities to do from home.
Bos' partner-in-criminal offence Frolich, whose outset son is built-in in Singapore and who is expecting his 2d child along the way, said that this was built-in out of the sheer fact that hundreds of parents started contacting the pair through the in-app request functionality looking for aid.
"Right from the kickoff of the circuit breaker, nosotros created a divide category for communication related to dwelling-schooling and behaviour challenges that may occur," shared the 38-year-one-time.
"Families may for example experience more than feet or sibling rivalry. And kids may simply miss their friends and playing exterior. The good advice has helped parents talk about these challenges and find ways that work for their family to deal with it."
Frolich also revealed that during the height of the pandemic, the usage of the Family5 app grew by more than than 120 per cent.
"It was incredibly eye-warming to receive all the kind feedback and positive reviews in the App Store from parents around the world," said Frolich.
LIVE COACHING WITH FAMILY5 EXPERTS
Moving forward, the creators plan to introduce Family5Live, which will offer online group coaching and workshops with alive hosting past the app'south coaches and experts.
"Many parents have indicated that, in addition to the text based content in the app, they would appreciate a more interactive and personal approach," said Frolich.
"Coaching can be highly constructive in establishing behaviour alter only non everyone tin afford a personal autobus. Past grouping parents of same historic period kids, who are struggling with similar issues, we're making it more affordable. An added benefit is that parents will learn from the passenger vehicle equally well as from each other.
The Family5 app is available for download athttps://familyfive.app/get .Family5 Live volition be soft launched in Singapore in the coming weeks and be officially rolled out globally past September.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/wellness/parenting-tips-family5-app-pandemic-177591
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