Content Provision for Member Stations
Every few days the news readers tell us another story (or five) that reminds us how terribly badly some people in our society treat others. (I’ve stopped watching the news, but that’s another story entirely.) Continue reading “How to Teach Your Children Empathy – and Why It Matters”
In March 2020 Western Australia shut its borders. While there may be well-meaning policies behind the border closures, there’s no escaping the fact that this decision has irrevocably changed people’s lives – especially for fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) families. Continue reading “Mental Health Consequences of Hard Border Closures on FIFO Children”
By: Robert Garrett
When our kids were little, people would say, ‘enjoy them now, because when they’re teenagers …’ Consequently, I had this sense of resignation that when they hit their teen years, we’d lose connection with our kids and there was nothing to do but wait in anticipation for their ‘return’. Continue reading ““Leave Them Alone and They’ll Come Home””
Doubt and fear seem to be intrinsically woven into the hearts of some children. Their worries and anxieties cause them to shrink, lean out, and avoid. Sometimes, as parents, we fail to recognise that fear responses are normal, healthy, and to be expected. Continue reading “Helping Children Face Their Fears”
By: Robert Garrett
In several recent blogs I reference experts encouraging parents to keep the channels of communication open with their teens.
Continue reading “4 Lessons About Parenting Teens in a Hyper-Sexualised Age”
Why do adolescents take risks – a lot? It’s almost like they feel they’re immortal. Adolescents are impulsive. They seek constant stimulation. They don’t weigh risks before they dive headlong into situations. Continue reading “Why a Teenager’s Brain is Like a Ferrari with Bicycle Brakes”
A friend of mine had an awful ‘sexting’ incident occur with her 11 year-old daughter. Her daughter was having an innocent conversation with a boy from school via text when he asked her to send “noodz” to him. I have two daughters and a son who are between 9 and 14. Is sexting normal now? How can I stop them having to deal with this? Continue reading “Sexting: What to Do if It Happens to Your Child”
A guy I know – let’s call him Justin – was a failure at school by nearly all measures. I (oops, “he”) had few friends. And academically… well, let’s just say that Justin’s report cards were never worth framing and putting on a wall. He was given full marks, however, for being an “underachiever”. Continue reading “Success at School: IQ vs Personality”
In Australia, two-thirds of parents are both working and raising young children. And many of those families are turning to grandparents to fill the vital role as carers for their kids. Continue reading “What to Do When Parents and Grandparents Disagree”
Though families have felt palpable relief as restrictions have started to ease across the rest of the nation, our Victorian children are struggling more and more to follow the rules still in place. Continue reading “Isolation Is Getting Harder for Our Children. Here’s How to Help.”