Why Early Years Testing Matters – And Why Parents Don’t Need to Fear It
By: Bec Harris
When parents hear the word testing, it often brings anxiety. Will my child fall behind? Are they being judged? Does this affect their future?
Why Raising Boys Is Different
By: Sabrina Peters
Raising boys is an exhilarating adventure that often resembles a thrilling rollercoaster ride, filled with ups, downs, and unexpected twists.
Tackling the Tough Teen Girl Hormone Years
By: Bec Harris
The teen years bring big changes. For girls, those changes often include hormones, periods and powerful emotions.
Read more: Tackling the Tough Teen Girl Hormone Years
While this season can feel overwhelming for teens and parents alike, experts say knowledge, reassurance and gentle support make all the difference. Naturopath Mel, from Natmed talks about teenage hormones, period pain and how families can better support young women through this important stage of life.
Talking About Periods Without Shame
First and foremost, Mel says it’s time to normalise the conversation. “Periods are a normal biological function that happens to around half the population,” she explains. “There’s no shame in talking about them, and knowledge is power.”
Today, girls are starting their periods earlier than previous generations. In some cases, periods can begin as young as nine. However, irregular cycles in the early years are usually normal.
“For example, a girl might have one period and then not have another for many months,” Mel says. “That doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong.”
Hormones fluctuate significantly during puberty. Emotional changes, mild PMS, and occasional skin breakouts are all common. What matters most is perspective.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While many symptoms are normal, there are times when parents should seek professional help. Mel encourages families to look out for red flags, including:
- Period pain that stops normal activities or requires time off school
- Bleeding that lasts longer than seven days
- Severe pain that doesn’t improve with pain relief
- No period by age 15 or 16
- A strong family history of hormonal or reproductive issues
“If period pain is relentless or debilitating every month, that’s when it’s time to speak to a healthcare professional,” Mel says.
How to Start Healthy Conversations With Teen Girls
For many parents – especially dads – talking about periods can feel awkward. However, Mel says open, gentle conversations are essential. “Choose the right time,” she advises. “If your teen is tired, stressed or in public, it’s probably not the moment.”
Instead, start with simple check-ins like “Are you okay?” or “You seem uncomfortable – can I help?” These small steps help teens feel supported and safe to speak up. Importantly, conversations don’t need to happen all at once. Sometimes it takes several gentle attempts before a teenager opens up.
Natural Ways to Ease Period Pain
Mild cramps, bloating and discomfort are common during periods. Thankfully, there are many natural ways to help reduce period pain and support hormone balance.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps relax muscles, including the uterus. Mel recommends magnesium glycinate, around 300mg per day, to ease cramping.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Found in fish oil, omega-3s reduce inflammation and can help with PMS and menstrual pain.
Calcium
Calcium supports muscle function and may reduce bloating and cramping. It’s best taken separately from magnesium for better absorption.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a role in hormone regulation, mood and muscle health, making it especially helpful during puberty.
Iron
Because periods involve blood loss, many teenage girls need extra iron – particularly those who are vegetarian or vegan. Iron glycinate is a well-tolerated option.
B-group vitamins
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) has been shown in studies to reduce period pain. Mel recommends a B-complex supplement rather than a single B vitamin.
Food Choices Matter Too
Diet plays a significant role in inflammation and hormone health. Highly processed foods and fast food can increase inflammation, which may worsen cramps and skin issues. “Do the best you can,” Mel says. “Even simple swaps help.”
For example, choosing a roast chicken and salad over deep-fried options provides protein and nutrients while still being convenient. Hydration is also important, even though getting teenagers to drink enough water can be a challenge.
Drug-Free Pain Relief Options
In addition to supplements and diet, several physical therapies can help relieve menstrual pain:
- Heat packs or hot water bottles relax the uterine muscles and reduce cramping
- TENS machines use gentle electrical pulses to block pain signals
- Castor oil packs may improve circulation and reduce muscular tension
- Ginger supplements (1,000–2,000mg daily) can reduce pain, nausea and inflammation
“Ginger helps reduce prostaglandins, which are responsible for uterine spasms,” Mel explains. Often, a combination of rest, heat, magnesium and ginger can make a noticeable difference.
Supporting Teen Mental Health
Normalising period conversations also supports mental health. When girls feel comfortable talking about their bodies, they’re less likely to suffer in silence. “Be emotionally intelligent,” Mel says. “Read the room. Keep things private and supportive.”
She also encourages parents to explore modern options like period underwear or menstrual cups, which can make periods feel more manageable for teens.
You’re Not Alone
Puberty and periods are a normal part of growing up, but no family has to navigate them alone. With the right information, gentle conversations and practical support, parents can help their daughters move through the teen season with confidence.
And if symptoms are severe or impacting daily life, seeking professional advice is always the right next step.
Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.
Feature image: Canva
How Parents Can Lead Their Family In Faith
By: Kourtney Smith
While church and youth group helps, the biggest influence on a child’s faith comes from home.
When Kids Lie
By: Telana Sladen
Susan Woodworth from Walk and Talk Psychology shares why kids lie and how parents should respond and proceed with the situation.
Finding Grace in The Chaos of Parenting
By: Melody Tan
Yelling at children—especially younger kids—appears to be effective. They stop whatever they’re doing (or not meant to be doing) and start obeying you.
Do You Know Your Child’s Love Language?
By: Melody Tan
In 1997, Dr Gary Chapman released the book The 5 Love Languages of Children as a follow-up to his bestseller, The Five Love Languages.
The concepts that Dr Chapman shares in his book are essentially about how to increase a child’s sense of self-worth, love, belonging and role in the family. He narrowed down the ways children feel loved to five key ones (not dissimilar from the original).
While many parents have reported the book has helped children feel more deeply understood, valued and, most of all, loved, Dr Chapman’s work is not without controversy. Critics have pointed out a lack of scientific evidence to support the theory, its vagueness and potential oversimplification of the categories, and the potential for misuse.
There is however, still merit in the ideas behind love languages in that focusing on them can help you strengthen your relationship with your child. The key is to remember, and as pointed out by Dr Chapman himself, even if your child has a dominant love language, they will benefit from all five ways of receiving love.
It is crucial that parents still practice all five love languages. Show them love in all the languages and then teach them how to use these for themselves. The value is not only for your children but for the people with whom they will live and associate with.
Here’s a bit more about the five love languages for kids:
1. Words of Affirmation
Compliment them or their work. Have interactive conversations with them, both sharing your thoughts. These kids may love a good book, thoughtful gifts which include words, and heartfelt messages (think a note in the lunch box).
2. Acts of Service
Allow them to help you and offer your help whenever appropriate. Thoughtful acts and unexpected assistance can make them feel like you appreciate them. There are lots of practical ways you can show your child you love them without saying a word.
3. Gifts
Give them something tangible that lets them know you were thinking about them. Something in their favourite colour, animal they love or food they enjoy to show you know what they like. Gifts don’t have to be expensive or even cost at all. Be creative!
4. Quality Time
Every child wants to connect with their primary caregiver. Quality time doesn’t necessarily look like hours on end of uninterrupted play, but it does require genuine undivided interest to make it count.
5. Physical Touch
All children thrive on physical contact. This could be a pat on the back, a hug, holding hands while going on a walk or a game of tickles.
Ultimately, whether or not you fully embrace Dr Chapman’s theory, intentionally expressing love in a variety of meaningful ways can only deepen your connection with your child and help them grow into secure, compassionate individuals who both recognise and generously give love.
Melody Tan is a passionate advocate for empowering mothers through connection, faith and digital engagement. She is project manager of Mums At The Table. She lives in Sydney with her husband and their primary-school-aged son.
Article Supplied with thanks to Sign of The Times Magazine
Feature image: Canva
Overcoming The Parenting Guilt Trap
By: Sabrina Peters
If you’ve ever gone to bed replaying the day in your head, wondering if you were too harsh, too distracted, or just not enough, you are not alone.
5 Step Parenting Lessons I Learned the Long Way
I have been a step-parent for close to twenty years. It’s a unique journey, and no person’s experience will be the same.
No family has a recipe for successfully combining relationships with the other family, adding to the blended family, or navigating the myriad complicated circumstances that can occur with family breakdown. My husband and I both brought children into our relationship. Due to infertility, we were unable to add to our family. When we married, we both became step-parents. I am sharing from my experience things that worked in our house, as well as things we learned from our own family.
Give the Children Some Agency
If you are starting the blended family journey, something that worked really well for us was to work with our kids on the house rules and consequences. We included our children in the conversation, then made sure we had a couple of posters with the rules up. In a situation where both of them had very little control, it meant they could gain some buy-in. It also helped with different rules at different homes. Because the kids had a part in discussing our house rules, it removed ‘well, I can do it at the other house’ from the conversation.
The Kids Need Time
The kids need time to readjust when they come back from the other family’s house. Even in the most amicable of situations, there are likely to be some different rules and expectations between homes. It can be challenging, confusing, and frustrating for kids to come back, and it takes a minute to adjust. We used to find it took the kids at least a couple of days to acclimatise, which definitely led to some challenging behaviour.
Avoid Being the Disciplinarian
It may be a controversial take, but as much as humanly possible, for us, it worked to have discipline done by the primary parent. I am not talking about situations where the step-parent was the only one present; if my husband and I were both in the room and something happened with our respective children, we would try to discipline our own. Our role as step-parents was to build relationship. We didn’t always handle this well in our house, and it can quickly lead to resentment when the non-biological parent constantly steps in to discipline unnecessarily.
Communication Between Partners is Key
Communicate with your partner. I did not communicate some things that happened early on in our relationship. It was while we were adjusting to being a blended family, and I was afraid to upset everyone. I was trying to make things work, and I didn’t want to hurt my husband’s feelings. We had already both had a failed relationship, and I was terrified of messing up our marriage, so I kept quiet instead of working through things together. I carried a lot of anxiety in the early days, trying to hold it all together. My husband also struggled with this. It took a while to find a good balance, but communication is key.
Prioritise Your Marriage
Your relationship with your spouse is primary. My daughter is married now, and we have discussed this in detail a few times over the years. I did not put my husband first in the early days of our relationship. It had been my daughter and me against the world for a few years, and I jumped too quickly to her defense, often without hearing his side. Sometimes it was necessary, because I understood her unique perspective on life better than he did. But sometimes it wasn’t. When we blended the families, I just wanted everyone to be happy, and at times, that came at the expense of the relationship.
They Are Not Adults
We always tried to keep in mind that the children in our family were just that, children. Children hear everything, even when you don’t think they are listening. There is no place for any bad mouthing, gossip, or abuse of the other parent in front of them. Yours or your partner’s fight with the other parent is not their fight. They, as children, should be able to be children for as long as they can, and part of that is not being dragged into their parents’ adult situation. Doing this is not easy. Family breakdown comes with all sorts of tension and pain. As a step-parent, there is nothing to be gained by saying horrible things to a child about their other parent. All that will happen is they will resent you.
Blending a family is tricky. Not only are you bringing the scars from your previous relationship into the new one, even if you have done some healing, the kids can be deeply affected by what has happened in their home. Every situation is completely unique, and step-parenting itself is a unique journey. I have found in my own life and family, it has been a gift. I have learned things about myself that surprised me a good way, but also found some areas that really needed some work. We have developed a strong family bond over time, but it was the insights developed through the ups and downs of the journey that led to this.
Article supplied with thanks to Lorrene McClymont.
About the Author: Lorrene McClymont is a writer and photographer from Hope Images. On her blog ‘Moments to Rest’, she shares about rest, faith, and family.
Feature image: Canva
Supporting a Child with Separation Anxiety
By: Sabrina Peters
It’s one thing to drop your child off at school or daycare and see them wave goodbye. It’s another thing entirely when that goodbye comes with tears, clinging, and pleas not to leave.