Stress is part of growing up, but coping skills can be learned. Psychologist and Associate Professor Erica Frydenberg explains why supportive relationships, family routines and practical strategies can help children develop resilience and manage life’s everyday challenges. Why this matters for parents today From friendship worries to...
I’m a drowning prevention researcher, writes Amy Peden, and my kid’s school swimming carnival shocked me. It is swimming carnival season in Australia. This typically means children from about Year 2 and up are asked to swim a distance of 50 metres or one length of...
After decades devoted to caring for others, one Sydney mum discovered that even a small, flexible income could create a life-changing impact — not just for her own independence, but for women in her community. A small income, a big ripple effect After more than 30 years...
For many of us, pets are more than just animals. They are family. So, when a beloved pet dies, the grief can feel overwhelming, writes Erin Smith For some, like me, it does more than break your heart. The death of a pet can reopen old...
Teacher retention remains a significant concern in Australia, with stress, burnout, and job dissatisfaction being major contributors to educators leaving the profession, writes Hugh Gundlach Numerous studies and media reports highlighting declining job satisfaction and deteriorating wellbeing among teachers make attracting new applicants challenging as well. Declining...
Should we do couples counselling? Are we happy? Are we both pulling in the same direction? How can we get our spark back? Will the therapist take sides? Priscilla Dunk-West explains. These kinds of questions are normal in a society that places such importance on coupledom, despite...
Joseph Kelly’s boyhood dream hits a speedhump when he and his daughter go shopping for a car. Back then I would have thought a guy trying to force his wife, two children and Woody the dog into a black, two-door V8 was a pretty tragic sight....
No diagnoses and no gap fees for physios and speechies. What else do we know about Thriving Kids? Asks Helen Dickinson and Molly Saunders. Thriving Kids is back in the spotlight, after the states and territories agreed last week to match the federal government’s A$2 billion...
If you think your child might have developmental delays, having them assessed early can make a lasting difference. In this personal story, Helen D* reflects on the moment her family stopped wondering — and started seeking support. “Thousands of young children have developmental delays, but it is...
Children’s songs are meant to be comforting, imaginative and timeless. But during one ordinary bedtime singalong, John Hershey realises that some of our most beloved classics might be quietly preparing kids for a world of sealing wax, string… and very low expectations from dragons. A Bedtime...
