Screen Time and Children’s Vision

A behavioural optometrist provides some insight into the effect screen time has on children’s eyes and how to combat this....

12 October, 2024

The design tricks keeping your kids hooked on games and apps

Chris Zomer and Sumudu Mallawaarachchi show you 3 things you can do about it. Ever found yourself unable to resist checking out a social media notification? Or sending a random picture just to keep a Snapchat “streak” going? Or simply getting stuck staring at YouTube because it...

10 October, 2024

Festivities without fuss

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,...

03 October, 2024

When Duty Calls…

Reluctance turns to relief when Andrew Bartholomew finds that helping at his daughter’s school is actually quite enjoyable. “Don’t we pay fees?” I demanded. “We pay fees, go to meetings – I even do the occasional Saturday morning working bee!” My wife had just told me the...

26 September, 2024

Our Long-distance Grandma

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...

26 September, 2024

How It Is…Parenthood

Wendy James considers the lifetime commitment that is parenthood. When the receptionist asks for my daughter’s date of birth I am slow to respond. Is it the 23rd or the 24th? May or June? The woman laughs, shakes her head and clucks: “How could Mummy forget...

24 September, 2024

How can you help your child tidy up their room?

And without having a massive fight every time? Elizabeth Westrupp, Christiane Kehoe and Gabriella King have some great ideas. If you’ve ever opened the door to your child’s room only to be greeted by a sea of clothes, toys and who knows what else, you’re not...

23 September, 2024

Guns Of A Son

Denise Norton can find no explanation for her son’s fascination with weapons. Lying in the summer grass, gazing at the clouds taking shape across the sky, I ask my four-year-old son what he can see. “That one is guns,” he says, pointing at the cloud directly above,...

19 September, 2024

Marriage and Divorce in Australia: What the Latest Statistics Mean for Families

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) highlight some key trends in marriage and divorce in 2023. While marriages are dipping after a post-pandemic high, divorce rates remain relatively stable. For parents, these statistics offer a glimpse into the changing dynamics of...

17 September, 2024

The temptations of childhood are many!

Martha Wegner gives into the contemplation of temptation. “Mum, I have something to show you.” Grim words spoken with a sombre expression. A slight look of panic around the eyes nearly gives him away. My son has something to show me all right, and it isn’t...

12 September, 2024