Parents! You can’t be happy all the time and that’s OK!
You must feel sad. Human emotion is not capable of being monochromatic; one must accept the full spectrum of brain chemical combos. You cannot feel happy without allowing yourself to feel sadness as well. Something I found terrifying about motherhood was the unexpected anxiety and despair. Everyone promised the oxytocin highs, the love, the desire […]
7 important reasons a child needs outside play
I think we all instinctively want contact with nature — a room with a view, a picnic under a tree or to feel our bare feet in the sand. Yet today’s lifestyle sees us living removed from nature, shut inside our cars, our homes or in big shopping centres. In these indoor spaces our senses […]
Say ‘no’ to your children – and they’ll benefit in the long term
I was standing in a department store checkout queue recently, when my 7-year-old daughter started hounding me to buy whatever it was they put in the checkout queue to seduce kids into pester power territory. “No” I say, simply. She asks for the next “thing”. “No” I repeat. “We’re not buying anything from these stands […]
Protect against bullying with communication and social skills
As we observe the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence this week, it’s worth considering the role of social and communication disorders in bullying. Poor social problem-solving skills are a common characteristic of bullies and their victims, and children with communication problems are more likely to be bullied. How is bullying different to […]
Kids at different schools? 9 tips to make it easier
It wasn’t too long ago that I had one son in high school, one in primary school, two in another primary school, and my youngest in preschool. Complicating matters, all four schools were in different towns! Here are my top tips in case you find yourself in a similar situation. Kids at different schools? 9 […]
Pass the Parcel – is it OK to disappoint?
I’m in the midst of birthday parties at the moment. Every weekend is a haze of cake, bouncy castles, presents and party games as many of the children I know, including one of mine, become a year older. This was my first year of ‘proper’ parties. Previous child birthday parties have mostly been about the […]
7 ways to be the best parent you can be – because you can’t be perfect
In the day of modern parenting, we are constantly inundated with images of the perfect parent, raising perfect children. Being perfect is about as achievable as finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It is not that our parenting skills are on a downward spiral, but we are placing too much […]
First day of school blues – why it’s OK and how to help
When I was in primary school I cried on the first day of school every day until Grade 3. It was always put down to the fact that I was shy, clingy to my mother and apprehensive due to my multicultural background. When I reflect on that now I can pinpoint the reason I was […]
Ballet for my girls? No thank you
Now that I am a doting mother of two girls, I would much rather have them participating in some form of martial arts over dancing.
7 things new dads need to emotionally prepare for parenthood
Becoming a dad brings with it a range of changes to your physical and emotional health. Helen McAllister, St John of God National Director Raphael Services, shares her advice on the essentials all dads need to know to keep their emotional wellbeing in check.