Dear Dr Justin,
My 15-year-old son was hanging out in his bedroom with one of his friends. When I walked by, I saw my son’s friend frantically trying to stash a packet of cigarettes into his bag! I was horrified, but since he isn’t my child, I wasn’t sure how or if I should intervene (I did talk to my son later). What should I have done?
By: Clare Bruce
When everything your family is going well, it can be easy in holidays and family celebrations, to forget that others are doing it tough.
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By: Clare Bruce
For kids and teens who spend a lot of time on social media and Youtube (and that’s most of them!), every year seems to bring new threats to their safety and wellbeing – from cyber-bullying to dangerous ‘challenge’ fads. 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
Above: Some of the men featuring in the film ‘DAD’. Top row, L-R: Ian Rogerson, Lai Huynh, Mat Rogers and Michael Whelan; Bottom row, L-R: Monir Elhage, Nick Orsatti, Raj Shashi and Richard Peake.
By: Clare Bruce
Parents of children with autism will nod, smile, laugh, shed a tear – and gain great insight and encouragement – from a moving new short documentary film called DAD. Read more
By: Hope Media
The Bible: it’s still the most read, quoted and revered book ever published. Read more
By: Arlene Pellicane
Date nights during the courtship years might have included bouquets of roses, candlelight dinners and strolls through the park. But date night looks quite different now that you have kids. These days, your “romantic evenings” may more often involve finding free food samples at the grocery store and then heading to the discount movie theatre. Read more
By: Rachel Doherty
Curfews can be a useful way for parents to influence the behaviour of their teens. Especially when they’re making poor choices or hitting the party scene. Read more
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
By: Susan Sohn
Schoolies is an interesting topic and one that seems to evoke a lot of emotion within parents. To send or not to send, to allow or not seems to be the question for most parents. Read more