A team from the Faculty of Psychology UGM, in collaboration with the Indonesian Family Advocacy Institute (LAKI), is delivering a collaborative parenting education program in the form of an interactive workshop to strengthen family resilience. The initiative emphasizes caregiving that aligns with children’s emotional needs and developmental stages, while equipping parents with practical, easy-to-apply parenting principles. This program is funded by the 2025 Community Service Grant (Hibah PkM) of the Faculty of Psychology UGM.
The workshop “Strengthening Families through Parenting Education” responds to challenges commonly faced by Indonesian families: inconsistent parenting, difficulties with emotion regulation, strained parent–child dynamics, and long-term effects on children’s confidence and even marital relationships. LAKI’s 2023–2024 assistance data show many cases rooted in unhealthy family interaction patterns, including anxiety, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems. At the same time, parents need concise, values-based, and knowledge-informed guidance to face today’s parenting realities such as screen exposure, emotion regulation, and empathetic communication.
Addressing these needs, the UGM Psychology team and LAKI designed an interactive workshop that presents comprehensive yet grounded parenting materials. Sessions combine concept briefings, case discussions, simulations, and role-play to help parents practice communication and emotion-regulation skills for everyday situations. The program centers on four key parenting principles that balance warmth and firmness, respond to children’s emotional needs, shape character, and cultivate wise reminders of values and consequences. This approach helps parents understand the essence of caregiving and the child’s position as a growing person, so daily decisions at home become more consistent and welfare-oriented.
The program aims to improve parenting literacy and skills among parents and prospective parents, strengthen positive family interactions, and prevent psychological problems that often stem from misguided caregiving practices. The implementation is concise and measured: needs socialization with partners; an in-person workshop that blends materials, practice, and a take-home family action plan; bite-sized video learning support; and follow-up through support groups for fathers and mothers. To sustain progress, participants also join an online forum as a space to share experiences and seek real-time solutions.
The program is led by Dr. Bagus Riyono, M.A., Psychologist, supported by lecturers, practitioners, and students from the UGM Faculty of Psychology, alongside LAKI facilitators. Cross-disciplinary inputs—especially clinical psychology and industrial–organizational psychology—ensure relevance for working families: sharing roles, maintaining clear communication, and building healthy caregiving routines. Students contribute to material development, workshop technical support, educational content production, documentation, and participant assistance in discussion forums.
Participants are expected not only to grasp the principles, but also to bring home a realistic action plan they can apply immediately. The intended changes are practical—calmer and clearer communication, consistent family agreements, and warm value-based reminders about choices and consequences. The program also seeks to foster a supportive parent network (a community of care) so good practices continue beyond the training.
Expected outcomes include stronger parenting competencies, reduced tension in family interactions, and safer, more supportive home environments for children. In the longer term, strengthening families at the household level is anticipated to contribute to higher-quality human capital and healthier social life. This initiative positions UGM Psychology and LAKI as active partners in community empowerment through relevant, practical, and sustainable education. This activity is funded by the 2025 Community Service Grant (Hibah PkM) of the Faculty of Psychology UGM.
Writer: Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda