Community service is one tangible action for implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. The form of community service carried out by the Faculty of Psychology at Diponegoro University involves providing education about mindful parenting. This activity was conducted at SMP Negeri 33 Semarang on June 14, 2024.
Mindful parenting awareness is one of the community service activities aimed at the teachers of SMP Negeri 33 Semarang under the theme “Mindful Parenting Training.” The focus of this activity is to build awareness among parents and teachers about parenting. Teachers, as responsible figures and also as parents at home, have challenging roles. This activity provides not only parents but also teachers with the skills to handle students who are entering adolescence with all its changes.
The activity was led by Dr. Dinie Ratri Desiningrum, S.Psi., M.Si., who served as the chair and resource person. During the activity, the teachers showed great enthusiasm, ensuring that the parenting lecture session ran smoothly with a Q&A session addressing issues related to juvenile delinquency and the role of teachers as surrogate parents in school, providing a safe space for students to express their concerns and preventing juvenile delinquency. During this session, both parents and teachers also asked about preventive measures that can be taken at home or by the school to respond to adolescent development and apply the mindful parenting model.
This community service activity was organized by the Faculty of Psychology at Diponegoro University, consisting of Dr. Dinie Ratri Desiningrum, S.Psi., M.Si. as the team leader, along with members Dr. Yeniar Indriana, M.S., Psikolog, Dra. Darosy Endah Hyoscyamina, M.Pd., and Endah Mujiasih, S.Psi., M.Si. The lecturer team was supported by a team of master’s students collaborating with undergraduate students, including Fanindiya Indriadi Rasyid, S.Psi., Dewi Marianty, S.Psi., Oktoria, S.Psi., Shafa Kirana Dewani, S.Psi., Arsi Yulistari, and Salmah Azzahra Salsabila.
“Applying positive parenting to children is one way to show gratitude to them. Parenting is not always easy, which is undeniable by anyone, especially when children do not follow directions or break rules. Being a parent is a lifelong responsibility that begins at the birth of a child. Parental roles change as children develop, and the type of attention and affection given to children changes as they grow. Mindful parenting consists of aspects of awareness, which means listening to children attentively and maintaining awareness. Attentive listening and maintaining awareness of a child’s emotional feelings is a way to nurture children through good communication.
Mindful parenting emphasizes presence and awareness in daily interactions between parents and children. It is done to show that they are parents who can love and accept their children with compassion. Being a mindful parent, unfortunately, is not easy. Parents must know the best ways to nurture their children as they grow and enhance the well-being of both parents and children. Parents who strive to become better over time will be able to nurture, educate, and protect their children according to their needs,” said Dinie, the head of the community service team.
The school hopes that parenting education activities can be held regularly in the future, with the support of the community service team from the Faculty of Psychology at Diponegoro University. This activity will ensure that parenting styles can be adapted according to children’s growth and development while considering the rapid advancement of science and technology. Implementing this activity aligns with the vision of the Faculty of Psychology at Diponegoro University, which is to become the center for developing family-based psychology in Indonesia, adaptable to changes in Southeast Asia by 2025. (Fanindiya Indriadi Rasyid)
