What the Final Class of 2020 Needs from You Right Now
By: Collett Smart
It’s been a strange year for all students, but none more so than those in their final year of school. Read more
Teaching Teens About Healthy Disagreement
By: Robert Garrett
In Braving the Wilderness, author Brené Brown says, “In philosophy, “you’re either with us or against us” is considered a false dichotomy or a false dilemma. It’s a move to force people to take sides. [However] the ability to think past either/or situations is the foundation of critical thinking, but still, it requires courage. Getting curious and asking questions happens outside our bunkers of certainty.” Read more
9 Practical Ways to Support Anxious Kids Return to School
By: Collett Smart
The relaxing and lifting of restrictions in schools makes it sound like we’re on our way back to normal, yet ‘normal’ is a long way off. And our children know it. Read more
How to Help Your Anxious Child Transition Back to School
I recently wrote about how to find joy during crisis. Much of what I included came from my Facebook community, who shared their stories of joy and happiness out of a stressful and difficult time. This included parents who have had the immense pleasure of watching their previously anxious and unhappy children thrive. Read more
Make Sure Your Teens are Using Social Media Well in Isolation: Expert Tips
By: Laura Bennett
Social media is a complex beast. Read more
Children’s Entertainer Colin Buchanan Creates Online Kids Church
By: Laura Bennett
Keeping the kids entertained is a tall order at the moment. Between the closure of their usual outdoor hangouts and the time pressure on parents, giving kids meaningful activities to do can be tough. Read more
When Schooling Comes Home
By: Collett Smart
There is a staggered start to online learning all over the country this month – as school holidays officially end. Like many of you, I am picking up this next plate to add to those already spinning in the air. I am actually a teacher as well as a psychologist and let me reassure you, this is not homeschooling. This is not even normal schooling for schools! Read more
What to do When You’ve Made a Mistake With Your Child
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: Read more
How Housebound Families Can Stay Sane
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? Read more
10 Promises to Declare over Your Family
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). Read more