batman parenting

Channelling the Inner Batman

By: Dr Justin Coulson

“If you do what I ask you to, you’ll get a gold star on the reward chart.”

“No treats until you’ve done your job.”

“We’re not going to the park if you won’t do what you’re told!” Read more

parent

To the Parent Without the Right Answers

By: Jennie Scott

Tears streamed down my child’s face, the frustration apparent.

The frustration was clear, but the real issue wasn’t. I couldn’t get to the root of the matter. Was it exhaustion? A misunderstanding? Did something happen at school? What was really going on?

I never figured it out. My questioning and probing did no good with the child sprawled across my bed, so I couldn’t make sense of it.

Which basically summarises being a parent. Read more

discipline

What Your Kids Need When They Don’t Do What They’re Asked

By: Dr Justin Coulson | Happy Families

Dear Dr Justin,

My children don’t do anything they’re told. I’ve tried everything. I withdraw privileges and use time out and even smacking them won’t work with them. I’m tired of yelling. Nothing works no matter what I do to them. I’m seriously over it. I have a girl whose 3, a boy whose 8, and a girl who is 11. Read more

teens

How to Give Your Teens Advice They’ll Listen To

By: Rachel Doherty | Tweens 2 Teen

Giving advice to teens can seem like an important role for parents. But if you want them to listen to you, you’ll need to find a clever way to share your thoughts that keeps them tuned in. Read more

screen time

5 Ways to Set Screen Time Limits With Your Children

By: Dr Justin Coulson

The latest research from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) tells us that most Aussie kids (around two-thirds) are using their screens significantly more than expert guidelines suggest is healthy. Read more

teens

Communicating to Teens That Sex Is a Sacred Affair

By: Michael Ross

“I’m a Christian, but I don’t understand why the church creates so many rules for sex,” 17-year-old Alex says. “Where in the Bible does it say it’s off-limits for singles? And what if I don’t ever want to get married? Does this mean I’ll have to remain celibate?” Read more

discipline

How to Teach Your Child to Think About Others

By: Dr Justin Coulson | Happy Families

When it comes to discipline, there are two schools of thought.

Some parents think discipline is about punishment. They believe the best way to teach children to learn the lessons of life is to hurt them. They use time-out, they withdraw privileges, they ground their kids, and in many cases they even hit them. Read more

parent

Encouragement for the Parent Who Just Feels Different

By: Jennie Scott

My life looks nothing like the one I planned.

My life doesn’t look like most of my friends’ lives.

I am different from most of the other mums in my circle.

And different is hard. Read more

pornography accident

7 Strategies for When Your Child Accidentally Finds Pornography

By: Dr Justin Coulson | Happy Families

Many experts view pornography as a public health crisis, especially because of the way that it impacts children and young people. According to the UK Office of the Children’s Commissioner, “Basically… porn is everywhere.” Their analysis of research into the impact of pornography on children was conducted in 2013, and confirms several concerning things: Read more

body confidence

Developing Body-Confidence in Your Daughter

By: Focus On The Family

Dannah Gresh shares the importance of helping your daughter gain body confidence, instead of body consciousness.  Read more