ChattyBear, a soft, brown-furred teddy bear, begins every conversation with a jubilant, “Hello, my buddy!” Tama Leaver, Katrin Langton and Suzanne Srdarov look at why AI toys are risky for kids No longer the province of the imagination, ChattyBear is part of a new generation of...
Abandoned as a child in India and later adopted by an Australian family, Madhu Rollings shares how writing down his memories helped him understand his past — and feel he belonged to two places. Making sense of my story I’m Madhu, and this is my story. I...
Most families know the 10-cent bottle and can refund as a handy way to clear out the recycling bin or give kids some pocket-money motivation. But a timely reminder about a new campaign, shows those small refunds can also become a powerful way to support...
Bruce M Smyth looks at what’s changing – and what’s been missed Many parts of the federal government’s budget have been hotly debated in recent weeks. But budgets are dense documents. There are always important measures that receive very little attention. One of these is planned changes...
Your toddler demands a Bluey-themed yoghurt and has a tantrum when offered something else. If it’s not a Nutella sandwich, your child’s lunchbox comes home uneaten. Researchers Juliet Bennett, Alex Broomand David Raubenheimer look at fussy eating and the food industry. And the dinner table can become...
On International Day of Play (June 11), early childhood experts say it may be time to rethink how families talk about technology, learning and screen time. For many parents, screens and play can feel like opposites. One is often seen as active, imaginative and social; the...
This pecan pie is rich, sweet and nutty, so it’s best treated as a special-occasion dessert rather than an everyday budget bake. Pecans and maple syrup can be expensive, but you can make the recipe a little more family-friendly by using fewer whole pecans on top...
Worried about feeding your baby solid foods? Here’s what you should know, report Lillian Krikheli and Samantha Turner When you have a baby, mealtimes can be messy and stressful. If you’re a new parent you may be unsure what, when, and how to feed your little one....
Should surrogates be paid for carrying someone else's baby? Australia is reviewing its surrogacy laws, and the question of payment is dividing opinion. Here's what's being considered, and why it matters for families everywhere....
Teeth brushing can feel like one more daily battle for tired parents, especially when children wriggle, stall or clamp their mouths shut. But with the right approach, brushing can become calmer, quicker and more consistent — and help protect children’s teeth from early decay. Why kids...
