Emma Viskic swears off swearing when her daughter starts using some colourful language. I have a confession to make: I was a bad mother. Or, at least, a foul-mouthed mother. I tried, I really did, and most of the time my language would have delighted the...
What do you do when your child is being bullied—and the school insists everything is fine? Anthea Rowan shares her harrowing journey through denial, doubt, and finally, decisive action to protect her son. The First Signs: “Some of the boys hit me” It began when Jack* was...
Victoria Minson asks What are the national standards? Recently, we heard claims of shocking abuse and neglect in Australian childcare centres on ABC’s Four Corners program. While 91% of services met or exceeded the national standards as of February 2025, there have also been reports of centres...
It’s so stressful hearing my children constantly fighting with each other. How do I cope and get them to stop? Nigel Latta has some suggestion Take a firm and non-negotiable line. I don’t favour the UN approach of endless negotiations and hollow pleas; I think tactical...
Why do women get ‘reassurance scans’ ? asks Christopher Rudge. And how can you spot a dodgy provider? Recent media coverage in the Nine newspapers highlights a surge in non-medical ultrasound providers offering “reassurance ultrasounds” to expectant parents. The service has resulted in serious harms, such as...
Cathy Watson swore that she would never deflect her children’s questions, but lately they have become increasingly complicated. I think I am a victim of deflective parenting. As a child, I found it hard to understand why, at times, my mother sometimes looked tired and absent...
Here’s what to know about these popular garments, reports Rebecca Van Amber, as not all synthetic fibres are equally flammable. Last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued at least nine recall notices on products that didn’t comply with the mandatory standard for...
The reaction of the public to Adolescence reveals a broader social anxiety about boys, sex and the digital world, reports Alexandra James, Andrea Waling and Lily Moor. News feeds have been flooded with reactions to Adolescence, Netflix’s newest viral hit. Released in March, the limited series racked up...
A powerful new Netflix documentary is sparking conversation among families across Australia, shining a spotlight on the growing world of kidfluencers—children who share their lives on social media, often with massive followings and brand deals. But while their online fame may seem glamorous, Australian teens...
Sarah Jefferson advises how to help your child return to school after a long illness, new diagnosis or an accident It is very common for children to have a day or two away from school due to illness. But children can also miss much longer...
