Anne Stringer is a registered psychologist who has worked with children, young people and their families for over 30 years. She has a Master of Education in student wellbeing and has worked in well-being roles within schools for over 20 years and this is her passion. Anne is currently Head of Wellbeing at an independent co-educational grammar school educating students from prep-year 12. She continues to be passionate about supporting young people to build strong wellbeing practices that will support them through life and provide workshops that give the skills and knowledge that they need to be equipped to enter a complex world. During Anne's working life she has spoken to supported and provided therapy to many parents with young children and adolescents. Anne is also a parent of 2 children in their 20's so knows firsthand the complexities of raising a family. She has respect and admiration for parents who she believes love their children unconditionally and try their best at times under difficult circumstances to provide the support and love that young people need during this turbulent time. This book is intended for parents of adolescents, because I already speak to teachers, day in and day out. My hope is that by sharing these stories, I can o er a window into how your daughter's think and what they might need from you, their loving parents. I acknowledge this book represents the lens of a particular group of young women; those who are cisgender, heterosexual and primarily from an Anglo middle to upper class background. They are all in the private school system and English is their first language. This book is not a research document from a psychologist making broad reaching comment on all young women and how they experience the world. I am writing about what I have learned and what I have heard from the specific young women I worked with in multiple school settings. Weaving the Stories Together has been written with passion outlining Anne's work with young women within a school setting. She has captured the voices, stories, and expertise around a series of issues that face young women has the journey through adolescence. The aim is to honour their voices but also provide a lens for parents of young women to understand how they see the world and what works from their point of view to help them support them through tricky times. It is an honest book that is written in a style that is easy to read and provides practical tips of managing such issues as self-harm, mental health, and grief just to name a few. The hope is that the book will help to affirm and support the role of a parent, however it may also provide insight and understanding for anyone working with or supporting young women in their lives.
