How to Stop Feeling Like a Guilty Parent in the School Holidays

By: Rachel Doherty

The parent guilt of letting teenagers and children spend the school holidays glued to a screen is real. But what’s wrong with letting our kids be a little lazy? Read more

7 Tips For a Relaxing and Memorable Summer Holiday

By: Dr Justin Coulson

Each year, when summer holidays roll around, I remind myself that I need a break. I remind myself that it is time to try to relax and enjoy the holidays with my children before the pressures of work and school start up again next year. I know how important it is to have time to just chill together as a family… but each year it seems to get harder and harder. Read more

Are Smart Toys Safe?

By: Dr Justin Coulson

There is a toy revolution building. Kids toys are becoming smarter. It’s part of the “internet of things”, which basically means that every “thing” you can buy can be connected to the Internet. Read more

Six Top Tips For Reading To Kids

By: Anne Rinaudo

New research from Australian Catholic University finds that HOW you read to kids is very important. Learning Sciences and Teacher Education researcher Dr Ameneh Shahaeian has six tips for parents. Ameneh read a story to Stephen O’Doherty to demonstrate the how best to read a story. Read more

You Could Have Been: The Children’s Book Written For Grieving Parents

By: Clare Bruce

When Ann-Maree Imrie lost her first baby mid-pregnancy, her whole world crumbled. Read more

How to Motivate Kids – and Why Rewards aren’t the Answer

By: Dr Justin Coulson

How do you motivate kids? It may be one of the biggest struggles parents and teachers experience. We remind them to clean their room or do their schoolwork. They reply that it’s too hard. Read more

Responding Well When Your Child’s Sexuality Is Not What You Thought

By: Amy Van Veen

Several times a week, our care and counselling department receives phone calls from parents whose child has just “come out” to them, either identifying as LGBT or revealing the fact that they are struggling with their attractions or sexuality. Read more

My Son Won’t Talk About His Day

By: Dr Justin Coulson

“Hi Dr Justin

My son won’t talk when he comes home from school. I ask him how his day was and he just says, “Fine.” I ask him what he did and he says “Nothing”. I ask him who he spent time with and he shrugs or mentions a friend or two. That’s it. Why won’t he talk? Is he being bullied? How can I get him to open up? He’s 9 years old.” Read more

Seven Strategies to Combat Teen Porn Use

By: Danny Huerta

Pornography is pervasive, but avoidable with the right skills. It can quickly become an addiction. There are seven things you can do to help your teen either not access pornography or begin turning away from needing to access pornography. Read more

When Is It Ok to Leave Your Child Home Alone?

By: Dr Justin Coulson

I was born in the 1970s, and raised in a lower-to-middle-class suburb. Mum and Dad ran their own business and they both worked long hours. This meant that when I was a kid, I let myself into the house every afternoon after school, and I was free to play anywhere in the neighbourhood until my parents returned home from work. I spent the afternoons riding my bike down to the park or to the shops with my best mate Andy. Read more