Halloween is an annual celebration on October 31. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints;...
Some children just aren’t that into parties, writes Clare Wishart. Why do we have parties? What are we celebrating in that nebulous notion of ‘turning’ a new age? When I was growing up, I wondered what all the fuss was about. Now, I am a mother myself,...
Jennifer Fergus reflects on her relationship with her grandchildren, who live overseas. As I was introducing myself to my granddaughter’s teacher, a voice yelled out from across the playground: “Her real name is Grandma!” The teacher and I paused, looked at each other, and smiled. She...
As Vicki Englund lurks in the shadows of parties past, she bows to peer pressure and procures a performer for the party present. Pre-birthday-party tension. Every year, a couple of months before my daughter’s birthday, it starts. Most mothers and some fathers are familiar with it,...
Olympians captivate us with their incredible performances, but their success isn't just about physical prowess—it's also about mental strength. Recent Olympics have shown that mindset is key to thriving under pressure, and the good news for parents is that the same traits that help athletes succeed...
It’s more diverse than you think, report researchers Yuvisthi Naidoo, Ilan Katz and Megan Blaxland When we think of the concept of the family, a specific version often springs to mind: a mother, a father and children, usually two or three. It’s the version of society...
Paula Maher tires of her daughter constantly coming to the party. “Look, Mummy! It’s an envelope, and it has my name on it! Open it, Mummy, open it!” My daughter, Kayla, stands before me, beaming excitedly, holding a pink, glittery envelope covered in fairies. Luckily, she...
We know parents shape their children’s reading, writes Emily Grace Baulch, but so can aunts, uncles and grandparents by sharing beloved books Over 80% of Australians with children encourage them to read. Children whose parents enjoy reading are 20% more likely to enjoy it too. My research...
National Child Protection Week launched this week with a clear message that "every conversation matters" National Child Protection Week kicked off on September 1st with a powerful message: "Every Conversation Matters". Organized by NAPCAN, this week is all about engaging Australians to "Play a Part" in...
The eight winners of the 2024 HESTA Excellence Awards were announced in Melbourne on August 30th. Selected from a record-breaking 400 nominations. These awards celebrate outstanding teams and individuals across Australia working in the Disability, Allied Health, Aged Care, and Community Services sectors. Among the winners are...
