Fast forward a couple of years and I had a gorgeous new boyfriend. I really liked him and I wanted him to be so impressed with me (not quite the fierce feminist at that point, sorry mum). We’re at this party and, okay, it’s possible I’m tipsy and he suggests maybe I should stop drinking. …
parenting
Tips to Successfully Manage Kids’ Screen Time
Most of Australia is just past two weeks (or more, for private school families) into our long summer break, and now is around the time that parents often start evaluating how much time their kids are spending on their screens. Often this takes the form of parents getting out their metaphorical big stick and beating …
Understanding Family Therapy and Coaching for Separated Families
Parenting Orders can have blunt statements directing that parents “be restrained and an injunction granted restraining the parties from denigrating the other party”; and “use their best endeavors to reach agreements” – but how do you actually do that? That’s a skill-development process, and belongs in the therapy room, not the court room.
When Your Ex Takes Your Kids to a Psych
If you are interested in the healthy development of your child – and the overwhelming majority of parents are – then you have nothing to fear, and a lot for your child to gain, from your child seeing the psychologist your ex has chosen. The psychologist is interested in assisting, as much as possible, your child to have a healthy relationship with BOTH of you. This may be the very opportunity you’ve needed. You might even want to thank your ex.
Tasting Freedom – and why this is my last Blog Post ever.
There’s this moment when I’m flying down the hill, wind in my face, blue sky above me, and I notice this thought passing by – that this is it, THIS is tasting freedom. It’s exhilarating, and not just because I’ve got all that lovely exercise endorphin flowing through me. In fact, this freedom has nothing …
Stuff that Definitely Doesn’t Suck – a review of Ben Sedley’s “Stuff that Sucks”
I don’t know what your reading list is like – maybe it’s a little like mine. Last year, I was super excited to hear a colleague of mine had his book published. What a magnificent achievement. Then I looked at the pile of books beside my bed I was slowly making my way through, and …
The Jacarandas are Blooming – The Importance of Stories
It’s the eve before Toothless’ birthday and we’re enjoying a goodnight snuggle as I start to tell him the story of his birth. He wriggles and giggles with anticipation – he’s heard this many times before, and he delights in this special tale that is all about how incredible it was that he came to …
Kids starting school? How to Survive School Mum Anxiety
* This one’s for the ladies – School Dads are a different kettle of fish all together * “So I was watching this show, and there’s this psychologist – no psychiatrist -,” “Or clairvoyant, whatever,” I interject. We all laugh. It’s an in-joke reference, now several years old. I pause in this moment to look around …
Thriving through the School Holidays
It’s nearly here – that gorgeous six-week break at the end of the school year. It’s a time I look forward to SOOO MUCH!! I LOVE the extra time with my little people… oh, and that break from the school-day routine!! But have you ever had the experience where the IDEA of school holidays has been …
Why TV could be making you – and your children – unhappy
At the recent Australia/New Zealand Association of Contextual Behaviour Science conference, I was enthralled by guest speaker Dr Tim Kasser (Professor of Psychology at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois), who spoke on the contradiction of what society tells us will improve well-being, and what actually does. I’m cut from the same cloth as Dr Kasser when it …