Avoiding excess can sow the seeds for a successful birthday party, writes Martha Miller. Giving your child a memorable birthday party is one of the many pleasures of being a parent. But it’s easy to get carried away in the party-supplies aisle where everything seems inexpensive...
Year 1 and Year 8 can be surprisingly tough transitions (if your child is struggling, they are not alone), write Nina Van Dyke and Cynthia Leung. When we talk about “school transitions”, we generally refer to three specific points: starting primary school, starting secondary school, and...
Adam Guastella, Kelsie Boulton and Natalie Silove guide parents and what they should know about getting a neurodevelopmental assessment With childcare and schools starting the new year, parents might be anxiously wondering how their child will adapt in a new learning environment. Some parents may be concerned...
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...
