The long days of school holidays can be challenging for families. Work commitments keep parents out of the home and away from their children. And if they’re lucky enough to have time off, children complain about how ‘bored’ they are.
Read moreForget ‘Overscheduling’ versus ‘Boredom’ – Self-Direction is the Key to School Holidays.
Fun kids are laughing, playing and generally having a good time on the playground. But they’re also building skills that will lead to better relationships.
Being in love feels amazing. And it’s incredibly good for you. New research shows having parents in love is also incredibly good for our kids.
I recently wrote about how to find joy during crisis. Much of what I included came from my Facebook community, who shared their stories of joy and happiness out of a stressful and difficult time. This included parents who have had the immense pleasure of watching their previously anxious and unhappy children thrive.
Read moreHow to Help Your Anxious Child Transition Back to School
Pandemic parenting. It’s intense and surreal (and sometimes claustrophobic). There are so many new expectations on parents at the moment. Many of us are working from home, managing our own stresses in a new environment with more or less technical difficulties.
I’ve been receiving a lot of questions from mums and dads who are divorced and separated about parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic. I understand why – even if you are on the same page as your ex-partner generally, the unsettling times we are living can throw a spanner in your carefully constructed parenting regimes.
Read moreHow Can Divorced Parents Get on The Same Page During COVID-19?
One in five Australians are part of a blended family. Statistically, 30% of the kids in your child’s school class will be part of a blended family. In fact, blended families are one of Australia’s fastest growing family types.
Read moreHelping Your Blended Family Thrive, Not Just Survive
Parenting is an exercise in organisation, communication, and flexibility at the best of times. Co-parenting, particularly in blended families, is even more complicated. And in the midst of a pandemic, it’s exponentially harder.
I recently received an anonymous message from a devastated mum. After reading one of my articles about why we should never threaten our child with abandonment – like “If you don’t get in the car right now I’ll leave you here at the park”, she wrote in anguish:
Read moreWhat to do When You’ve Made a Mistake With Your Child
A few Saturday nights ago (only 36 hours before all restaurants and cafes were closed by the government) my 17-year-old daughter grabbed the car keys, called out “See ya Dad!” and ran down the front steps to head out with friends.
Read moreHow to Get Your Teen to Take Isolation and Social Distancing Seriously