Preparing Your Child for a New School
Starting school, moving up to secondary or changing schools mid-year brings excitement and worry. Practical steps for the weeks before and the first term…
Writing
Parental Guidance
Everyday strategies for parents on behaviour, emotions, confidence, routines and family life.
16 articles
Homework Without the Battles
Practical ways to take the fight out of homework: a steady routine, a workable space, knowing when to step back, and talking to teachers…
Why Comparing Your Child to Others Can Do More Harm Than Good, and What to Do Instead
Comparing your child to others can quietly damage their confidence. What children really hear, the hidden effects, and what to say instead.
Praise That Builds Effort, Not Pressure
Saying 'you're so clever' feels kind, but it can make children afraid of getting things wrong. How to praise in a way that encourages…
Child Influencers: Opportunity, Exploitation, or a New Responsibility for Parents and Educators?
Child influencers are part of the creator economy. What children gain from digital fame, what they may quietly lose, and a better framework for…
Talking to Children About Frightening News
How to talk with children about wars, attacks and disasters in the news: honest answers for their age, less exposure, and reassurance that holds…
What Influences a Child’s Development the Most?
Nutrition, education and health matter. But the environment a child grows up in, the people, the community and the culture, shapes them in ways…
Morning Routines That Get Everyone Out the Door
School mornings do not have to mean shouting. A short, practical guide to calmer mornings: prepare the night before, picture the steps, and protect…
Screen Time Without the Shouting: Making a Family Media Plan
Arguments about screens often come from rules that change daily. A family media plan sets expectations in advance, so the conversation happens once instead…
Calm-Down Corners: A Gentler Alternative to Time-Out
When a child is overwhelmed, sending them away can feel like rejection. A calm-down corner gives them a place and a set of tools…
Tantrums and Meltdowns: What’s the Difference?
Tantrums and meltdowns can look alike but need different responses. How to tell them apart, what helps in the moment, and how co-regulation builds…
When Your Child Says ‘I’m Stupid’
Hearing a child call themselves stupid is painful. How to respond in the moment, what may sit underneath the words, and how to rebuild…
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