What's the protocol for parents who choose not to 'do Santa' with their kids? One mum highlights the pitfalls...
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When my brother was seven, the teacher called him a "nasty little liar" and made him sit outside the classroom all afternoon for telling Julie Ashbrook that Santa didn't exist.
Topics: Parenting, Primary School, Preschool, Prep, Christmas
The need to spend time with their parents differs for different kids. For some, there’s no end to the time they’d spend with you. However, other kids feel differently. There’s no right answer.
Topics: Parenting
Even the best parents make mistakes. Generally it's better to focus on the positives - what you should be doing as a parent - than fixate on where you are messing up. However, sometimes it helps to be reminded of some of the behaviours we should stop or do less of, if we are to raise autonomous, emotionally-smart citizens of the future.
Topics: Parenting, Teens, High School, Primary School
Many teenagers today are sleep deprived. They should be getting between nine and 10 hours sleep each night, yet most get only seven or eight hours. Some get less.
Sleep deprivation is akin to jet lag. It causes young people not to function at their optimum. It can be the cause of poor behaviour, mental health problems and low functioning in the classroom.
Topics: Parenting, Teens, High School, Sleep
Twelve. It’s a glorious age of independence and new opportunities. In Queensland, 12 is the age your child can legally be left home unsupervised, walk to the shops on their own or take the bike to the beach without their parents in tow.
Topics: Parenting, Teens, School Leavers, High School, Primary School
Over-scheduled kids, exhausted parents, no family time? Feel like you're constantly trying to be in three places at once, chauffeuring children to clubs, training and rehearsals?
How much time should kids spend on extra-curricular activities? And how can families stay on top of it all?
Topics: Parenting, Teens, High School, Primary School, Homework, Planning, Sport
