Want to bring more Te Reo Māori into everyday life with your kids and whānau? This guide shares 67 fun Māori words and phrases you can start using…
Need co parenting schedule examples? See 7 realistic routines by age, plus how to choose one that suits school, work and your child’s needs.
Need a co parenting communication script example? Use calm, clear wording for schedules, money, school issues and conflict without more stress.
There it was. The text message that made me want to scream into a pillow: All I asked was for you to leave the garage door unlocked. That’s…
Every time we sat down to watch a movie together, she’d fall asleep halfway through. Sometimes before the opening credits were even done. We’d make plans to finally…
It happened on a Tuesday. I was staring at my daughter’s school report while reheating my coffee for the third time. There it was—another “average” in maths, a…
Last Tuesday, I found myself standing in the kitchen, holding a lunchbox my daughter had barely touched. Again. She’d been quieter than usual that morning, brushing past me…
It started with a fall. Not a dramatic one – just a quiet stumble in the garden that left Mum shaken and me rattled. We’d talked about it…
It started with a phone call no parent ever wants to get. Lisa was mid-grocery run, juggling apples and mental to-do lists, when her phone rang. The contact…
You’re here because you love your mum. Maybe she’s still fiercely independent—driving, gardening, refusing help with the groceries even when you offer twice. But deep down, you’re starting…
If you’re here because you’ve heard the stat and felt a lump in your throat—yeah, this is the right place. And no, you’re not overreacting. Whether you’re a…
You’ve probably heard about plastic in the ocean. You’ve maybe even ditched plastic straws or started bringing your own bags to the supermarket. But here’s what you weren’t…
In the first month of 2025, something smelled off in New Zealand schools—and it wasn’t just the curry lentil bake. A Government-funded lunch programme, meant to feed thousands…
Let’s talk politics—but not the boring, fall-asleep-in-the-high-school-hall kind. We’re talking about a tax that could’ve helped fund your kid’s school lunches, speech therapy, or that local maternity ward…
Ever felt overshadowed by your loud, assertive older sibling or annoyed by your overly pampered younger one? If you’re a middle child, you’re probably nodding your head vigorously.…
We’re told from day one that if we want our kids to succeed, we need to hammer phonics and math facts into their brains before they can even…
You’re here because you’ve hit a wall. Maybe your once-sweet toddler has turned into a dinner-flinging dictator. Maybe you’ve followed every “gentle parenting” script, downloaded every PDF, and…
Ever looked at your child and quietly thought, “I need to do better than what I grew up with”? Maybe you once promised yourself that your kids would…
You’ve tried everything. The calm tone. The sticker charts. The threats to cancel screen time. The late-night Google rabbit holes. But your kid still explodes when you ask…
You think you’re tech-savvy. You’ve locked down the iPad, added time limits, and installed parental control apps with names like “SafeSpace” and “KidShield.” But here’s the bad news:…
Most of us at 14 were too busy worrying about Fortnite skins, school uniforms, or awkwardly trying to flirt over Snap. But not Heman Bekele. Nah. Heman was…
Let’s be real: If you’ve ever lost it and yelled at your kid, you’re not alone. Maybe you were running on no sleep. Maybe the cereal ended up…
If you’ve ever looked at your kitchen at 6:07 PM and thought, “Nope, not doing this today” — welcome. You’re not alone. You’re not failing. You’re just tired.…
By: A Frazzled Parent Who Just Wanted One Saturday Off Let’s be honest: parenting is the wildest ride no one really warns you about. You start off thinking…
Photo: Inside Edition We all do it. We go out with our kids — to the mall, the park, the zoo. We hold their little hands while juggling…
So there I was. Standing in the kitchen, holding a half-eaten fish finger, covered in some unidentified toddler goo, while my husband sat on the couch scrolling TikTok…
If it’s your first Mother’s Day — or you’re shopping for someone who just became a mom — you might be feeling a weird mix of emotions. There’s…
If you’ve ever stared at your child’s report card and felt a weird tug in your chest —Not because of the grades, but because you know they only…
As a Millennial parent you are trying to balance empathy, mental health awareness, boundaries, and real-world survival skills — all without the parenting handbook they deserved but never…
You know that kid who walks into a room like they belong there? Who tries, fails, laughs, and tries again — without crumbling? Who doesn’t need a hundred…
If your child has ever begged you to download Roblox… If you’ve glanced at the cute, blocky graphics and thought, “It’s just like LEGO — how bad can…
If you’re raising a son—and you’re worried sometimes that he shrugs when he’s upset, or that you’re supposed to somehow “toughen him up” even when your gut says…
If you’re here because you’re worried your child could be a bully—or you’re scared they could be the target of one—you’re exactly where you need to be.Today, I…
If you’re waking up with your jaw clenched, your chest tight, and a never-ending to-do list spinning in your head before your feet even hit the floor… I…
If you’ve ever looked at someone who seems to “just get” money and wondered, “What did their parents teach them that mine didn’t?”—this one’s for you. Or if…
If you’ve been with someone for six months and you’re wondering whether you should know more by now—you’re not weird. You’re wise. You’re past the butterflies stage. The…
If your child can’t seem to stay on task without you hovering nearby… If their go-to strategy for problem-solving is “wait for Mum to do it”… If you’re…
If you’ve ever stared into the glazed-over eyes of a child who “forgot they had a test,” panic-scrolled Google for division tricks, or tried to motivate your kid…
If you’re here wondering what happens when one doctor walks into a room filled with twenty people who don’t believe in vaccines… you’re in the right place. Yes,…
We all know cars today are smarter than ever. Some can park themselves, some can practically drive themselves, and some just won’t shut up if you forget your…
It all started on a Monday morning. The cereal was gone (again), one kid was crying because her favourite hoodie was “missing” (on the back of the couch,…
Let’s be honest: New Zealand is already ridiculously good-looking. But when winter hits the South Island? It’s like someone threw a snow-dusted Instagram filter over the entire landscape.…
If you’ve ever tried to comfort your child during a meltdown or a moment of self-doubt, you’ve probably said this phrase.It seems harmless—kind, even. We say it because…
Let’s be honest: getting kids to help around the house can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats. You know they can do it; you’ve seen them organize…
In kid’s sports, there’s no doubt parents are essential – they’re the free ferry service, the half-time orange supplier, and the local cheer squad. But when it comes…
As families across New Zealand welcome the new year, growing concern looms over the wellbeing of our children. And one of those concerns is around e-cigarette use, otherwise…
How do we foster creativity in our children and in our parenting? Both require space and time. We all need ample time and a sense of abundant space…
It’s tricky, the whole ‘going back to work’ thing after or amidst your kids early years. I actually looked on Seek for a few jobs before listening to…
Have you been wondering how you can celebrate Matariki the Māori New Year at your place. Here’s 5 fresh ways to celebrate Matariki with your family.
All around the country families are starting to prepare for their child’s return back to school or even starting school for the first time!
New research shows Kiwi men are romantic, believe in love at first sight, spend more on Valentine’s Day than their partners, and would rather cuddle up as a…
It’s cold outside but this easy to make heating pad or wheat bag will help keep you toasty warm. Wheat bags are so easy to make, and they’re…
The evidence is in: children who have a close bond with their parents, or primary caregivers, are more likely to have improved brain development. Find out the importance…
Petplan in the UK tell us about the amazing research they conducted using Artificial Intelligence, or AI. They’ve scoured the web and social for pictures of owners and…
Dads have a special and important role in their children’s lives. We’ve compiled over 90 tips and ideas to help Dads show up, and be the Dads their…
After numerous, and sometimes disastrous, attempts at finding a consistent ad partner for our blog, we finally found Nirvana with Monumetric – probably the best ad network for…
‘Mum’. The small word carries a big meaning for most of us. That meaning partly depends on how we feel about our own mothers and grandmothers and also…
Let’s face it. Power bills are typically the biggest ones that New Zealand families face each month. Household energy costs tend to climb highest during the winter, but…
If there’s one thing we’ve learned last year, it’s that digital devices are key to ensuring learning continues in spite of lockdowns and disruptions.
The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest public health threat that people around the world are facing right now. It calls for decisive, actionable plans on a broad scale…
Parenting can be a demanding and stressful job at any time, however parenting through a pandemic can pile additional pressure on parents, according to new research.
A rip is a narrow body of water moving out to sea like a river. These currents are caused by complex interactions between the ocean – such as…
In the new world of navigating COVID-19, we’ve seen a surge in online healthcare and it’s certainly been welcomed by many. Kiwis across the country can see the…
Men in general have fewer social and emotional support systems and these generally involve the sort of social activities that are Covid-19 has currently curtailed, such as meeting…
Family law varies in different countries and more often than not, the legislation is influenced by the tradition or religion that is practiced by the majority of people…
Nowadays, turning 50 is not anymore considered as an “over the hill” cliche it used to be. Although it’s still an important milestone in a person’s life, there…
A few simple touches to a delicious home-cooked meal can seriously increase the food’s health content. If you have a young family, you want to make sure that…
Many parents are stuck in an ever repeating cycle of foods that their child comfortably eats. Over time repetitive menus become boring and our child loses enthusiasm for…
Cove launched mid-2017 with the goal of making insurance in New Zealand friendlier, smarter, and a whole heap simpler.
At this time of year, we’re all looking forward to some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to relax and re-charge and enjoy the…
It’s a child’s natural response to protest against our parental demands (on their time, space, behaviour, activities, etc.). But a child’s protests are all part of their development.…
If you’ve had a baby, you likely attended a 6-week postnatal check with your obstetrician, midwife, or GP. But you may not have had a postnatal check with a women’s…
In response to a reader comment on our What is eczema article, Kiwi Families reached out to our wonderful Facebook community for advice. We had such a great…
We all know planning a holiday for the family can be stressful and often pricey. Thankfully there are several ways to save some cash, from scoring cheap flights…
There’s an old chant many parents will remember: “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me; I’m going down the garden to eat some worms.” Challenging behaviour from small children…
In this article you’re going to find out exactly how we used online tools to save $57,653. I’ve worked in the consumer information industry for more than 15…
Looking for the right lunch box to suit your family’s needs can be somewhat of a mammoth task. So here at Kiwi Families we’ve made the job a…
Christmas, oh Christmas! ‘Tis the season to be jolly! To offer presents of presence, slowing down with family to create everlasting memories and connections. While ideally inspiring gifts…
Teenagers spend quite a lot of time home alone, after school, holidays, into the evenings and also sometimes overnight while parents are at work, away or even just…
This article’s title covers a lot of the parenting experience! Learning and teaching is a two-way street – you and your kids are both engaged in learning and teaching…
Click the image below to view the 2020 Kiwi Families Gift Guide
It can be hard to think of gifts for the whole family at Christmas time. The great thing about printed books is that they’re well-priced gifts, they’re always…
So your teen has made the big decision about what they want to do after school. Now they need to put a plan in action to make it…
Hey dads, you make a big difference! By teaching your sons how to respect women you prevent violence. Simple.
I want the best for my children and want them to be the best they can be. I suspect most, if not all, parents want this for their…
Ever find yourself in a situation where your toddler is nearing meltdown mode, hyperventilating, panicking, losing all control? Teaching your toddler deep breathing may be the answer.
Have you ever wondered how to grow a giant pumpkin for Halloween? When you think about Halloween, you instinctively think of an American celebration with carved pumpkins at…
As first time parents, or any time parents really, we may sometimes find ourselves sitting in front of ‘professionals’ vigorously nodding our heads in agreement with what they’re…
I have been doing the ‘doing’ for my children for so long, they can’t see their own capacity and capability to be able to ‘do’. I’ve read the obligatory…
We took the Nestlé Choose Wellness quiz and were a bit shocked at the results. I thought we lived pretty well. But what we’re discovering is that living…
You – yes YOU – are a successful mummy Instantly, some of you will have thought “no, I’m not”. If that’s you, stop right there. That’s storytelling: a story…
Hard-working superstar needed for world’s most important role. Are you up to the challenge? Applications open now. Salary and conditions to be determined.
Being a parent is a mixture of elation, exhaustion, delight and fear, sometimes all at the same time!
Like most families, we’re always in search of health and wellness for ourselves and our children. Sometimes it feels like we’re searching for the holy grail though; we’re…
The first parent I think of celebrating is the widow of the black man, Philando Castile, murdered by an American policeman when pulled over for a broken tail…
With the Hi-5 House Hits tour just about to hit New Zealand shores, we wanted to find out something about Hi-5 we didn’t already know.
We’ve rounded up an eclectic mix of 2022 Father’s Day gift ideas. We’ve selected gifts at a few different price points, so there should be something for everyone on the…
There’s some absolute truth about fatherhood in the modern age that I’ve discovered. In fact, there are 12 actual truths. Share them with every Dad you know.
There’s only one thing I ever ask for on Father’s Day. It’s the same thing every year. Breakfast in bed, with a coffee and a newspaper. Ahhh, the…
They did… I did … I hope she does… We consciously and subconsciously carry through our lives pre-conceived ideas, learnt behaviour and negative influences from our upbringing. It’s…