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I recently received an anonymous message from a devastated mum. After reading one of my articles about why we should never threaten our child with abandonment – like “If you don’t get in the car right now I’ll leave you here at the park”, she wrote in anguish: Continue reading “What to do When You’ve Made a Mistake With Your Child”
By: Collett Smart
Many around the world have been housebound for some time now. We’re not even sure when this way of living will come to an end. How might we navigate everyone being at home, in a confined space, for most of the day, for an unknown period of time… and still maintain mental fitness? Continue reading “How Housebound Families Can Stay Sane”
By: Sabrina Peters
There are so many great things that we can do (and should do) for our kids, but in the midst of all the practical demands may we never forget our role as their parent is to raise spiritual giant killers (not obedient robots). Continue reading “10 Promises to Declare over Your Family”
A few Saturday nights ago (only 36 hours before all restaurants and cafes were closed by the government) my 17-year-old daughter grabbed the car keys, called out “See ya Dad!” and ran down the front steps to head out with friends. Continue reading “How to Get Your Teen to Take Isolation and Social Distancing Seriously”
By: Laura Bennett
Many parents have pulled their kids out of schools to help slow the spread of COVID-19. For many parents, diving head-first into home schooling will feel daunting – but it is possible to set up an effective learning environment at home. Continue reading “How to Set Up Home Schooling – Expert Help for Parents”
By: Collett Smart
We know that we can’t shield our children, because they will hear ‘bad news’… from peers, siblings, online… But how much is too much information? And what is age appropriate? (I cover both younger children and teens in this video). Continue reading “How to Talk to Kids about Bad News in the Media”
We’re living in unprecedented times. Offices are shut, streets are increasingly empty, and some people are locking themselves away. The uncertainty that we are grappling with is challenging enough for us as adults, but it’s also hard on our children. Continue reading “My Child is Struggling Because Everything Is Being Cancelled”
Eli is eight years old. He has been diagnosed with depression. And, like it is for anyone with this diagnosis, depression is a daily battle for Eli. His father is essentially absent. His single mother is single-handedly raising three children, working full-time, and trying to do the impossible; stay calm and level while doing it all. Continue reading “Helping Your Child with Depression”
By: Collett Smart
Like many reading this, I am a parent to 3 children – and the talk of COVID-19 hasn’t left our house much in the last few weeks, especially since the flow of information (and misinformation) has picked up. It’s difficult to ignore isn’t it? Continue reading “What to Say to Children and Teens About COVID-19”
By: Collett Smart
Part of my day job sees me lucky enough to spend time with teens. I have run media literacy seminars for students, in schools around the world, for a number of years now. Whenever I ask a group of tween or teen boys what they think the main area of body focus is, for boys, they yell out, ‘A six-pack!’ (I’ve even heard 9-year-old boys talking about and trying to compare their six-packs.) This line is the same, whether I am in Zimbabwe, New Zealand, the USA or Australia. Continue reading “Boys Have Body Image Issues Too”