Lucinda Bertram reminds us of the joys of child’s play. If my lounge room is looking neat and no form of craft is filling up the dining-room table, then you can pretty much guarantee we’ve been on holiday or the TV has been on for too...
Psychologists warn that forcing children to hug relatives sends a twisted message about consent....
Andrea Travers wonders if over-protecting our children is harmful. From advertising to the evening news, the message is ‘Be afraid’. We can never let up, never let go. Our children are always at risk in so many aspects of their lives, from educational underachievement to stranger...
Researcher Rebecca English looks at why more and more parents are homeschooling and why governments need to be vigilant. Bullying can be a major factor in deciding to homeschool. An increasing number of Australian families are educating their children at home, either through homeschooling or distance education. My...
Whether it’s a new teacher or class – parent and researcher Sarah Jefferson gives insights into what to do when your child is not loving it The first signs were the half-eaten lunches coming home from high school. This was in stark contrast to the primary...
Volunteering mum Suzy Mills is delighted to find she’s cool at school. I’m not sure who enjoys my weekly canteen duty more – my boys, or me. I get such a thrill when I see the grins on their faces as they rush to be first...
I’m at my wit’s end, what can I do? Clinical child psychologist, John McAloon has some thoughts for families aiming to achieve a desirable outcome Everyone with young children experiences parenting challenges. And these are often exacerbated by parental exhaustion, financial or relationship difficulties, and work stress. I’m...
Even if you took them months before surgery, report researchers Nial Wheate and Tina Hinton Cough medicines containing the active ingredient pholcodine are being withdrawn from sale due to safety concerns highlighted for years both in Australia and internationally. Yesterday, Australia’s medicines regulator announced the immediate registration...
Toy libraries across Australia are booming as more families turn to borrowing toys to save money, reduce waste and reconnect with their communities after COVID-19. Memberships at Australia’s 380-plus toy libraries have surged over the past two years, with new figures showing that over 130,000 families...
Here's why International Women's Day is relevant to parents of boys, too, writes Danielle Dobson. International Women’s Day (March 8, 2023) presents an important narrative around raising strong girls and encouraging them to be part of a more inclusive future. And as an advocate and consultant...
