Why does squishing NeeDoh, slime, or putty feel so satisfying? Instagram Susan Rowe, Bond University; Amy L. Kenworthy, Bond University, and Daniel Brennan, Bond University NeeDoh is the latest squishy sensory toy to go viral. Social media is reporting how these blobs of gel are flying off the shelves,...
Many parents know the feeling: a movie is rated PG, but ten minutes in, the kids are hiding behind cushions. New Australian research suggests families want screen ratings that better flag scariness, self-harm, sexual violence and age suitability. New Australian research says parents want clearer screen...
For many working mums, the hardest critic isn’t a boss, a teacher or another parent — it’s the voice in their own head. Emma Robertson reflects on motherhood, guilt, grandmothers and the impossible standard of being everywhere at once. What makes a “real” mother? Mention childcare and...
Chicken Drumstick Rice Bake: a budget family dinner that cooks in one dish Chicken drumsticks are often much cheaper than chicken breast, and because they cook on the bone, they add plenty of flavour without needing expensive extras. This simple rice bake is warm, filling and...
More than 500 early learning and outside school hours care services across NSW and Victoria were visited without warning this week as regulators stepped up efforts to strengthen child safety in childcare settings. Here’s what parents need to know about the latest compliance blitz —...
When Kym Armytage’s son’s daily meltdowns didn’t ease with age, discipline or parenting books, she began to wonder what else might be going on. Her family’s experience led them to explore food intolerance — with professional help. When the “terrible twos” don’t pass My son has issues....
With more creativity than you might think, report Annabel Blake, Eduardo Velloso and Marcus Carter In 2022, the founders of chatbot startup Character.AI launched a platform where anyone could create interactive characters powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The app exploded, quickly growing to more than 20 million...
Don’t throw it out! Australians are feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices. At the same time, writes Lauren Ball and Emily Burch, we throw away huge amounts of perfectly edible food every year. Australians are feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices. At the same...
Many parents want social media platforms to do more to keep children safe online. But when safety tools involve scanning private messages, the question becomes more complicated: where does protection end and surveillance begin?...
They should be regular, reports Shane Rogers, not just a one‑off. Students’ mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing schools. In Australia, half of all adult mental health challenges emerge before the age of 14. It is also estimated that more than 50% of children...
