School holidays and school ovals and playgrounds have been sitting unused. Why aren’t more available to the community? Asks Paul Kidson Schools are full of extremely useful and valuable facilities. These include playing fields, play equipment, sandpits, netball courts, concert halls, libraries and even pools. But these...

After enduring the uncertainties of how to respond to her son’s illness, it is another family’s plight that provides a lasting lesson to Cathy Watson. It’s a strange, twilight zone, the Emergency Department at night. It is full of interrupted lives and children in dressing gowns,...

Business owner and single mother Kate Heussler talks about how vital financial planning is, as she prepared to became a solo mother. Pregnancy: Preparing for the Unexpected Money conversations matter If you have a partner, discussing finances before pregnancy is essential—covering expenses, parental leave, emergency savings, shared domestic...

While they might seem alike, there are some fundamental differences between the two, report researchers Jennifer Koplin  and Desalegn Markos Shifti At one time or another, you’ve probably come across someone who is lactose intolerant and might experience some unpleasant gut symptoms if they have dairy....

Clinical Trials Director Nick Fuller has some tips on how to stop ‘weight creep’. As we enter a new year armed with resolutions to improve our lives, there’s a good chance we’ll also be carrying something less helpful: extra kilos. At least half a kilogram, to...

Researchers Nicole Rinehart and David Moseley look closely at the questions that remain for those who don’t get NDIS support The Federal Government recently released Australia’s first National Autism Strategy, with A$42 million of funding for the first stage of the strategy. Many autistic Australians and their...

Katharine Clifton has a less-than-enthusiastic response to her daughter being assessed as gifted. Almost six months ago, my daughter was diagnosed as gifted. It came about when she performed well beyond expectations in a vocabulary test at her three-and-a-half-year check-up and the maternal health nurse suggested...

Daryl Higgins and Gabrielle Hunt report on why sleepovers can be a fun part of childhood, and can foster independence, friendship, and resilience. Feeling unsure about your child going to a sleepover is completely normal. You might be worried about how well you know the host family,...

A new school year can see friendships change – this is tough on kids, but parents can help, writes Karyn Healy The start of the school year means new classes, routines, after-school activities and sometimes even a new school. This can be a really exciting time for...