Parents don’t need to try harder to ease parenting stress, writes Elizabeth Sharda. Forget self-reliance and look for ways to share the care. I wrap up my workday and head for home, making a quick stop to grab the supplies my sixth grader needs for a...
NSW daycares face a whopping $500k in fines if there's a breach of safety rules. Will this ensure safety? asks Erin Harper The New South Wales government has proposed huge fines to crack down on childcare providers who breach safety rules. New laws, introduced to the state parliament...
After speaking with many parents who have lost children to suicide, here’s what Debbie Swibel wishes all parents could know. For many parents, the thought of speaking to their children about suicide sparks fear and anxiety. It feels daunting, too confronting, or not suitable for their...
Bullying in schools can have a devastating impact on victims. Research shows it can lead to reduced academic performance, depression, anxiety and even suicidal behaviour. So, preventing and reducing bullying is an urgent priority for governments as well as families and schools. However, a common obstacle to...
Coercive control: the silent abuse harming children nationwide Barnardos Australia is warning that children across rural and regional Australia are becoming the hidden victims of coercive control — a form of domestic violence that uses intimidation, surveillance and financial restriction rather than physical assault. Although often invisible...
Lisa Burling looks at outdated myths and the new awareness of advanced wound dressings. Every parent knows the routine: a tumble in the playground, a grazed knee, and a dash to the bathroom cabinet. For generations, we’ve reached for a plaster, dabbed on some antiseptic cream,...
Martha Wegner is often a reluctant audience to her family of extroverts. A Constant Stream of Stories “Mum, are you listening to me?” I turn around once again to face my youngest child. “Of course I’m listening to you. Aren’t I always listening to you?” Undaunted by...
The 2025 Uniting Families Report shows housing stress, money worries, and care responsibilities are cutting too many parents off from the community support every child deserves. Why a Village Matters We’ve all heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”—but for many Australian families, that...
Why Planning for Hidden Health Costs Matters Australia’s animal shelters are under pressure, with pet surrenders climbing as families face rising living costs, relocations and downsizing. In the last financial year, more than 81,000 animals entered RSPCA shelters nationwide, while Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) recorded...
Nisa Salim, a textile scientist explains how to ‘unshrink’ them When your favourite dress or shirt shrinks in the wash, it can be devastating, especially if you followed the instructions closely. Unfortunately, some fabrics just seem to be more prone to shrinking than others – but...
