Caring Twice Over: Practical Tools for Frontline Parents Navigating Dual Demands
Tracks
Marquis Room - In Person Only
| Monday, March 2, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Marquis |
Overview
Deirdre Brandner, Deirdre Brandner Psychology
Details
Connection Over Perfection – Why small, consistent moments of presence with children provide more protection and resilience than striving for “perfect” parenting.
Practical Tools for Everyday Life – How to use simple family rituals, honest communication strategies, and resilience practices to strengthen bonds without adding pressure to already full plates.
The Work–Family Link – How strong family wellbeing directly supports frontline focus, reducing guilt and distraction while sustaining the capacity to care for others at work.
Speaker
Deirdre Brandner
Child & Adolescent Psychologist
Deirdre Brandner Psychology
Caring Twice Over: Practical Tools for Frontline Parents Navigating Dual Demands
Presentation Overview
Frontline workers often carry a double caregiving load, showing up for their communities in demanding roles, then returning home to the complex needs of their own families. This dual demand can leave workers stretched thin, experiencing guilt, exhaustion, and a sense of disconnection. Yet, when family life feels steady and supported, frontline workers are better able to focus fully on the critical work they do.
In this workshop, Deirdre Brandner, child psychologist, parenting expert, and Sunrise regular, draws on over 30 years of experience supporting children and families to offer frontline workers and managers practical tools that strengthen home life without adding to already full plates.
Participants will:
• Create a family ritual that anchors children in safety, predictability, and connection.
• Master a communication strategy that builds trust through honest, age-appropriate conversations.
• Commit to a resilience practice that sustains you and your family through even the toughest weeks
Known for her engaging, down-to-earth approach, Deirdre will combine evidence-based psychology with lived examples from frontline families. Attendees will leave with a personalised connection plan, proving that small, intentional actions can be profoundly protective, or children, parents, and the frontline itself.
In this workshop, Deirdre Brandner, child psychologist, parenting expert, and Sunrise regular, draws on over 30 years of experience supporting children and families to offer frontline workers and managers practical tools that strengthen home life without adding to already full plates.
Participants will:
• Create a family ritual that anchors children in safety, predictability, and connection.
• Master a communication strategy that builds trust through honest, age-appropriate conversations.
• Commit to a resilience practice that sustains you and your family through even the toughest weeks
Known for her engaging, down-to-earth approach, Deirdre will combine evidence-based psychology with lived examples from frontline families. Attendees will leave with a personalised connection plan, proving that small, intentional actions can be profoundly protective, or children, parents, and the frontline itself.
Biography
Deirdre Brandner is a distinguished Australian child and family psychologist, author, and Ch 7 Sunrise regular, bringing over three decades of experience supporting children, adolescents, and their families. A registered psychologist (AHPRA) with advanced credentials in child and adolescent psychology and family psychology, she is known for her warm, empathetic presence and her practical, evidence-based strategies that truly empower. Deirdre regularly provides expert commentary for national TV, podcasts, and parenting platforms, distilling complex psychological insights into accessible, real-world tools. She is passionate about helping families thrive through resilience-building, honest communication, and connection-driven parenting
