Parenting Ideas Blog

Do your kids have Gemeinschaftsgefuhle? (it's good if they do)

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:17:57 GMT

One of my parenting heroes, Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler, referred to the development of social interest as Gemeinschaftsgefühle . I call it the development of a sense of ‘other’(it’s easier to pronounce, that’s for sure). Regardless of the name, social interest (Gemeinschaftsgehule) is something we all aspire to for our kids…..or should.

What do kids learn from their dads?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:11:18 GMT

Kids learn important lessons from their dads.

A recent study found that three quarters of Australian dads nominated their father as the person from whom they learned their most important life skills.

Children's imaginary friends

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:07:58 GMT

Does your child have an imaginary friend? It's quite normal for children to have imaginary friends and they can stay around for quite a while. And they can become part of the family too.

Help your teen make the jump to adulthood

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:27:25 GMT

Just because your young person finishes secondary school doesn't mean that you stop parenting. You assistance is needed to help them make a successful transition to adulthood..

Helping kids get rid of anxiety

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:21:15 GMT

Anxiety and fear can be paralyzing. Some kids simply can’t stop their ‘bad thoughts and feelings’. They can’t silence the voice of fear that whispers to them continually. Here's an approach to use when kids become anxious

Does parenting make you happy?

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:44:01 GMT

When we strip parenthood of fun and enjoyment then raising our kids can become such hard work. Many mums and dads are too busy being busy to enjoy their brief time as a parent.

Sibling fighting is a learning experience

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:34:34 GMT

Parents who stop their children from arging with each other may be robbing them of important learning opportunities according to recent research.

How does your family function?

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:35:09 GMT

One in four familes are now non-intact, yet it's how a family functions rather than it's form that's important when it comes to bringing up kids.

When should children cycle on their own?

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:25:53 GMT

Have we overstepped the mark with our over-protectiveness of kids? Are we taking all the risk from children's environments, as well as the fun and freedom of childhood. A recent case in the UK has got many people scratching their heads about the 'nanny state.'

The Thriving! Way

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:27:06 GMT

What do kids need to thrive in the modern world? There are core characteristics that parents can focus on so they can give kids the best possible start.

Get the most from Thriving! The book

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:29:27 GMT

There's more than one way to read a book. Thriving! was designed to be read in different ways. Try more than one way to get the most out of this new parenting book.

Would you like to be a kid today?

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:19:22 GMT

Most people recognize that kids today don’t have the same freedoms that they had as kids. In fact, today’s kids live with a type of pressure that few us experienced when we were growing up. Would you like to be growing up today?

Is parenting the world hardest job?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:22:06 GMT

Raising kids has always been challenging, but today's parents face challenges that parents of past generations did have.

Choosing the right school for your child

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:45:42 GMT

Selecting a school for your child can be a complicated, even stressful process. Most parents want to send their child to the best school available but it’s important to choose a school that’s the right fit for your child and for you as a parent

All schools strive for excellence in education, yet in these days of educational choice schools also strive to be different. Even in the public system there are many differences between schools that are in the same locality.

Rock star first borns

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:12:16 GMT

A new U-K study has discovered that the order in which siblings are born can significantly sway what profession they take up later in life. Successful rock stars Mick Jagger, John Lennon and Paul McCartney are all eldest kids..
While middle-born children are the most likely of the family to become Prime Minister..

And acting becomes the calling of many YOUNGEST children. So what else is determined by your birth-order?

Show and ......... practise!

Wed, 26 May 2010 09:00:16 GMT

Sick of telling kids what to do? Here are some ideas you can use to help get better behaviours and save your voice and patience.

The Incredible Power of the Kitchen Table

Fri, 21 May 2010 16:57:47 GMT

The kitchen table is a parent's best friend. You can build a family around a kitchen table. That's how powerful it is.

Change kids' behaviour without rewards or bribes

Wed, 19 May 2010 09:00:45 GMT

Bribery and rewards are now common ways of getting kids to behave well. The trouble is, you need deep pockets when you go down this track. Here's a way to imporve kids' behaviour that won't cost you a cent.

The riddle of kids' poor behaviour

Wed, 12 May 2010 08:58:00 GMT

Next time your kids misbehave step back, rather than respond impulsively. It will help you solve the riddle of poor behaviour.

Setting limits & boundaries that work

Wed, 05 May 2010 08:53:23 GMT

Kids need limits and boundaries to keep them safe and teach them to be social. But not all limits work. Find out how to set limits so that they are effective in terms of teaching kids to be safe and social.

The Secret to raising well-behaved kids

Mon, 03 May 2010 09:00:50 GMT

Your success in raising well-behaved kids is dependent on meeting their three basic needs. All kids crave three things. Deliver on these and you'll go along way to raising happy, well-behaved kids.

Teach kids to ask for what they want

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:33:48 GMT

Helping kids to communicate their wants, needs and aspirations is a basic task for parents. Some kids whinge, nag or go quiet, when a simple articulated request for assistance is all that's needed.

Who relies on your child?

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:44:21 GMT

I’m often asked by parents how to develop responsibility in kids. The answer is simple – give responsibility to them! Let them feed the family pet, empty the dishwasher, clean up the living area at the end of the day.

STOP sibling put-downs NOW

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:01:28 GMT

The impact of positive and negative statements on kids’ self-esteem depends on who makes the statement. Age, gender and relationships matter when it comes to both praise and put-downs. Siblings and peers matter most when it comes to put downs.

4 ways to build your parenting capacities

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:56:47 GMT

Parenting is a fantastic personal growth activity.Becoming a better parent transfers many other areas of life. It makes you a better person.