Let’s face it: raising children can be quite the adventure. Rewarding at one turn, challenging at the next ? it’s the ultimate roller-coaster for the parenting thrill seeker. In the Game of Life, you rolled the dice and accepted the role of co-parent. While the rules seem deceptively simple, (raise child into healthy adult), the […]

In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose (yes he is an expert with three kids of his own) said:
Australian parents currently rate achieving work-family balance as their greatest parenting challenge. Currently, 71% of Australian parents say they have difficulty finding time to do the things they enjoy with their children.
So what are […]

As parents, we strive to address all of the questions asked by our children. If we don’t have the answer, or don’t like the question, we would never think of ignoring the child. We do not accept improper communication as acceptable behavior. Most parents, however, are quick to excuse or overlook the behavior of their […]

Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way down to the annexe that housed the school’s History Department.
The annexe was about 100 metres from the main school building, down an attractive, leafy hill.
On the way I was irked by two girls in front of me complaining about the hill, the wind ruffling their […]

Former students would probably attest to the fact that few things tried my patience as much as did the statement, "This is boring!" As I reflect back on my many years in the classroom, I can’t help but feel a tad bit sorry for the first kid who made the mistake of uttering those words […]

For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression or other serious issues, residential treatment centers that offer therapy-based solutions might be the best option. Residential treatment centers usually have a complete psychiatric staff available to monitor each troubled teen closely and provide therapy in addition to a curriculum of academics, exercise and personal […]

Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret it ten minutes later?
Silly question, it happens to us all no matter how well-behaved our kids or placid and patient we are. At times the general strains and stresses of life wear us down so our emotional responses don’t match children’s behaviours. Or rather, their […]