Her songs are simple, repetitive and often interactive, writes Elizabeth Coombes. They encourage children to respond, copy gestures or sing along. For many parents of babies and toddlers, there is one YouTube channel that is a household name. Ms Rachel and her Songs for Littles has attracted...
Carmel Hobbs reports that Australian teens need adults to help them recognise red flags for potentially abusive relationships. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates 2.2 million adults have been victims of physical and/or sexual violence from a partner since the age of 15. Almost one in three...
Not every parent has family or friends close by, but there are simple ways to create the support network your children—and you—need. Why a Village Matters Parenting can feel overwhelming when you don’t have people to lean on. While some families have grandparents, neighbours and friends close...
Australian children are being robbed of their childhood, according to Barnardos Australia, as new research reveals that more than one in three children in single-parent families are living in poverty. The latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey shows that 36.2% of children...
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...
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...
Lisa Burling looks at outdated myths and the new awareness of advanced wound dressings.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,...
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...
