By: Clare Bruce
Every new era of pop culture brings with it a fresh cast of creepy characters sure to frighten the living daylights out of vulnerable kids. Read more
By: Robert Garrett
When I was 7, my mum passed away. It wasn’t until some 30 years after the fact, that I was finally able to talk about her without ending up in tears. The impact of unresolved grief, particularly on the developing brain (which already functions in a highly emotive state in teenagers), can have long-term implications. I’ve known adults still struggling decades after a tragic event in their childhood. Read more
By: Rachel Doherty
Bullying can be a difficult issue for parents to deal with, but when we boil it down to its basics, it’s all about power. Read more
Hi Dr Justin, we recently had a family meeting and decided on a family safe word – a word we can use in case someone other than family has to pick the kids up. I know I need to explain to my kids why we need a safe word, but I’m worried about scaring them, especially my five year old. How can I teach her how to be safe without scaring her? Read more
By: Robert Garrett
Time and money are two of life’s scarce resources. How a person spends those limited resources provides an interesting window into their real priorities. Read more
By: Rachel Doherty
Social skills are a set of actions we need to get on with others and navigate life. Parents, youth workers and school chaplains are well placed to help children and teenagers not only develop them, but keep them too. Read more
I’m sure there really are kids out there who are excited about heading back to school after the summer holidays. But I don’t know any of them. Read more
Every parent has those days. The ones where your child has refused to get ready for school, thrown food at his brother and stomped on the dog’s tail. Read more
By: Clare Bruce
It may be counter-intuitive for a frazzled mum or dad who’s longing for some quiet—but giving the kids the freedom to be noisy is great parenting. Read more
As parents, sometimes you feel like you can talk and talk and your child just doesn’t listen. Sometimes they may just have a blank look on their face. Or worse, they do the complete opposite of what you’ve asked them to do! Read more