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…
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…
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,…
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…
Homeschooling can feel like an uphill battle some days, especially when it comes to keeping your child motivated to complete schoolwork. Imagine the time your little one hid…
When Reddit user u/RodneySquirrel said “I just saw the best handled temper tantrum in Wendy’s yesterday”, it sparked over 500 responses sharing their insights on handling tantrums. Here…
Bullying remains a significant issue in New Zealand, affecting the lives of many children and their families. With the rise of digital technology, the scope and impact of…
Mamas, if you work from home, there’s a good chance you know the guilt monster well. That feeling hits when you hear a frustrated cry from the other…
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…
You need something from the shops but your child insists they’re old enough to stay home alone. Your heart says “no”, but your brain wonders… maybe? It’s a…
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…
At this time of year, families are entertaining their kids by painting pictures or having an impromptu dance party. While these activities are fun, art and dance movement…
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!
I never maintain to have all the answers, in fact I spend a lot of my time helping parents realise they already have the answers, deep down inside…
Of all the learning difficulties, ADHD or Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is perhaps one of the most difficult for teachers to manage in the classroom and for…
Not living with your child full-time doesn’t mean you lose your rights—or your place—in their life. Being a non-custodial parent in New Zealand comes with a unique set…
Teenage pregnancy rates have been trending down in most countries in the developed world since the early 1970’s. As education increases, availability of contraception becomes more accessible and…
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…
New Zealand has some amazing parenting experts, and some equally amazing writers. This combo makes for some really great family magazines. Check out our list of the 9…
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…
‘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…
Most parents are equipped to get through the inevitable tantrums and meltdowns of little kids. As children grow they gain patience, develop more skills, learn problem solving and…
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.
As parents, the sense of worry and guilt that comes with offering your child the iPad or turning on the TV can feel all too familiar. Neuroscience Educator…
Shirley Pastiroff, Counsellor at Renew your Mind, Mindful Parent trainer, and mum of 5, talks mindfulness parenting and our kids’ emotions, and introduces the Mirror-Link-Pause, or MLP technique.
Can you spend just 15 minutes a day doing whatever your kids want? It’s a Magic Number that means the world to them, and is a great commitment…
The first and most important learning in a child’s life happens within the family. Children learn from the way people treat them and from what they see, hear…
Sexting is a really tricky topic for parents to deal with. How can you provide sexting advice when it literally didn’t exist when you were young? But a…
Dads have a special and important role in their children’s lives. Children are lucky if they have a dad who is involved in their lives, who knows their…
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…
The end of the final year at school can be a stressful time. Your teen will be focusing on exams and assessments. They’ll also be thinking about what…
Good weather and school holidays are just the excuse you’ve been looking for to get out on your bikes. What better way to wear out your kids, get outdoors…
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.
Te Reo Māori is one of New Zealand’s three official languages (the other is New Zealand Sign Language) and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a great opportunity to…
When I first became a parent I recall feeling enormous pressure to get it right and not damage my children. I also felt niggling uncertainties about whether I…
Bullying is repetitive, deliberate, and hurtful behaviour, aimed at causing harm to another person. If your child is being bullied, they may not tell you. Find out how…
Today technology and media can bring traumatic and scary events directly into a child’s world – often in graphic detail. From an early age, images, video and audio…
Dealing with challenging behaviour from 6, 7 and 8 year olds is hard work, and can be very emotionally draining on parents. Here’s 4 key tips for managing…
Wondering how to get your kids to eat more vegetables? Don’t worry, you are definitely not alone! In fact almost all parents we’ve spoken to wish their children…
Here in New Zealand, we prize the ability to ingeniously solve problems. Being creative in our approach to problems is a matter of national pride. So much so,…
If you ever struggle with the way your child behaves, you’re certainly not alone! At times, children’s behaviour can be challenging and it can make things difficult for…
Back when I was a classroom teacher, the ‘StarTrekkin’ song was doing the rounds. My class did a little dance number for the end of year show. 34…
The silly season is gearing up for another whirlwind of celebratory parties, parades, fairs, shows, and music. ‘Tis the season for overindulgence, letting your hair down, and being…
Family photos are precious and hold so many memories of the people, places, and events in your life. It’s important to capture your family’s key moments. But, as…
I was at a conference recently and one of the speakers was talking about how she was doing this science experiment with her kids that involved planting a…
Professional photographs can’t be beaten. Of course I am biased – I am a professional photographer. And, I need to eat and to pay my bills. But using…
Getting professional photos taken of your kids can be a tricky business. Kids are unpredictable and you never know when they are going to do what they are…
Growing up in the States, the holidays were always celebrated with as much extravagance as we could muster. Sometimes that was a lot and sometimes just a little…
The word “ceremony” may conjure in the mind an image of the pageantry of a royal wedding with all its formality, expense and protocol. However one of New…
This article looks at how to support your child when they have witnessed or been caught up in distressing situations, like an accident, a death, violence, bullying, a…
Children are constantly grappling with increasingly new amounts of information, environments, activities, expectations, people and so much more. Helping children to adapt to change, and to become more…
Changes within the family come in almost any conceivable way. It could be as joyous as the addition of a new baby all the way through to the…
Do we have the Easter Bunny to thank for a couple of days off each autumn? Does the New Zealand government have such sympathy with chocolate lovers that…
Hi everyone, Cecilia Robinson here with a few more tips on easing the transition back to school. I hope you have all had a fantastic summer break. Funny…
After the summer break, it’s time to get ready to send the kids back to school. We become used to relaxed mornings, fun outings, seeing friends and family,…
Raising pre-teens and teens truly is a balancing act. If you’re too lenient, you might end up with kids who don’t understand limits. On the other hand, being…
It can be hard for parents to know where to draw the line between being too permissive, or being too strict. Learning to discipline your toddler and preschooler…
All children have moments of aggression. Aggressive behaviour in children is a fairly natural emotional response. But no parent wants that sinking feeling of realising their child has…
Has your cute and cheeky child suddenly turned into an argumentative opinionated kid with an attitude to match? Do you find yourself saying yes to things just to prevent…
It can be hard for parents to know where to draw the line between being too permissive, or being too strict. Try to think about discipline as guiding…
For our children, just the same as it is for us, there are times when they have their big difficult feelings that really need loving attention. No matter…
Over the next few weeks there will be a myriad of emotions at the school gate. Tears glistening in the eyes struggling to be held back, excitement with…
Homework plays a very important part in your child’s learning and is given to them for a reason. While it’s not compulsory, most teachers will give students homework in…
Seeking help to become a better parent? Would you like to become calmer, less guilty, more confident with, and/or more tolerant of your kids? Help yourself and/or your partner with hypnosis…
Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about Time Out as one of many effective behaviour strategies for disciplining young children, and how to use this behaviour technique effectively to discipline your…
Are you researching discipline methods and techniques to improve your child’s behavior? What about smacking to solve child behaviour problems? Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about smacking, and provides advice…
Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about sibling rivalry and how to control the non-stop squabbling that’s common in so many families.
A little squabbling between siblings — brothers and/or sisters — is, in all but the most extraordinary families, inevitable. We all have “war stories” from growing up.
We get frequent email enquiries from worried parents wondering what the safe legal age is for their child to do certain things in New Zealand.
As we confront the daily challenges of child behaviour, child development, discipline, and raising children, let us calmly pause to remind ourselves of the ‘big picture’ as parents.…
Parents are the single biggest influence on young people’s career plans and can play a significant role in helping family members to make informed decisions about their future. Here…
Parenting isn’t easy whether you’re forty or fifteen. We all experience the same things just at different stages. Deciding to take on the challenge and responsibility of being…
Education can take a back foot when a teen becomes a parent. Teen Parent Units are schools for young mums and dads.
Becoming a teen parent can interrupt your education and you often have to reassess your options. Find out more in this article on Teen Parent Education Options.
This article Teenagers and Birth explains some of the issues that are common amongst teenagers when they are at the end of pregnancy or giving birth.
This article looks at teenagers & pregnancy and provides advice for teenagers on how to care for themselves and their babies during pregnancy.
This article explores the combined pill, its advantages and disadvantages. How does the combined pill work? Will it be suitable for you?
This article on condoms for teenagers explains their advantages, how they work and the pros and cons of condoms. Information that all teenagers should know!
Being a teen parent is hard work, but you do not have to do it alone. There are lots of NZ organisations dedicated to supporting teen parents, and they…
Making the shift back into school mode can be tough for children and parents. If you’re feeling a bit nervous about making the switch, here are 5 key…
A new school year can bring starting school and back to school anxiety. Find ideas and advice here about easing starting school and back to school anxiety you…
Fathers… It is fifteen years since my father passed away, just six weeks after our first son was born. My husband John’s father passed way before he was…
I live in a world surrounded by males. With six brothers and no sisters, four sons and no daughters and a husband, you could say that I have…