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...
If your child has a FASD diagnosis, or you’re considering getting a diagnosis, it can feel daunting. But a diagnosis unlocks understanding and support. It’s not the end of the journey, it’s the beginning. Diagnosis opens the doors Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), often called a “hidden...
National guidelines are urgently needed to give clarity and consistency to the rules around surrogacy. For many Australians, surrogacy offers a precious pathway to parenthood. In Australia, surrogacy is altruistic only – meaning it’s not paid, beyond covering expenses – and often takes place between close friends or...
What families need to check for a Surrogacy Birth (hospital policies, legal paperwork, etc.) Before the Birth ✅ Legal agreements: Make sure you and your surrogate have a written surrogacy agreement, and both parties have had independent legal advice (a requirement in most states). ✅ Counselling sessions: Confirm...
Not all processed foods are bad for you, Clare Collins writes. Here’s what you can tell from reading the label If you follow wellness content on social media or in the news, you’ve probably heard that processed food is not just unhealthy, but can cause serious...
Science says it can actually be good for us, writes Michelle Kennedy and Daniel Hermens We have all experienced boredom – that feeling of waning interest or decreased mental stimulation. Eventually, we lose focus, we disengage. Time seems to pass slowly, and we may even start to...
Rising overdoses prompt sales halt. An international retailer has suspended sales of melatonin gummies and supplements in Australia after a sharp rise in overdoses among children, prompting fresh warnings for parents to focus on safe sleep routines. The US-based store iHerb confirmed it has paused all melatonin...
Teenagers no longer answer the phone: is it a lack of manners or a new trend? Asks Anne Cordier Teenagers can seem to have their phones glued to their hands – yet they won’t answer them when they ring. This scenario, which is all too familiar...
Nearly 140,000 Australian babies were protected against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter, thanks to the country’s world-first National RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program. Early results show a 30% drop in hospital admissions for infants under six months, including a 33% fall in intensive care admissions,...
When it comes to stepping out, Alex A. G. Taub’s son refuses to toe the line. Last year, my son gave me my first Father’s Day gift – some insight into his future sense of humour. As a ‘professional’ father, I found the lesson that accompanied...
