Dr Maneesh Deva: Is social media harm inescapable without isolating our children?

Child safety reform in the world of big tech is sweeping the globe at the moment.  Australia's leading the charge in the social media ban for under 16s, and California has expanded the Coogan Law to cover child influencers, to name a few.  Although we haven't seen any change here in New Zealand, …

John Cowan: Stress is making you a bad parent

Many parents will be starting to feel the exhaustion from getting back into school and extracurriculars.  We often go into the new year with high expectations of ourselves - like completely homemade school lunches, no takeout, keeping on top of house work - but quickly realise there was a reason w…

Kathryn Berkett: Who's dropping the ball with new entrants?

A new report this week found nearly 90% of Auckland primary school say there's an increasing number of new entrants starting school without bare basic skills like being toilet trained and talking properly. These are 5 year olds who are otherwise capable, but some stage of their early childhood see…

Dougal Sutherland: Some kids need a hands-off learning approach

Schools have started back up and we all, obviously, want our children to do well.  Parents will be doing drop off and pick up, making sure the homework is done and forms are signed, keeping an eye on grades and reports.  But how involved should parents really be in their children's education? L…

Sara Chatwin: When should you let your kids get a smartphone

One of the hottest topics of the modern era is kids and smartphones. As we've seen more of the what the internet can do (for better or worse) they seem like an essential part of life. Wallet, Keys, Phone, that's what you always keep on you.  A first phone is typically only for texting mum and dad,…

Nathan Wallis: Dealing with disappointing NCEA grades

NCEA results are officially out. Most kids would have genuinely worked as hard as they could to get the grades they hoped for - even the kids who act like they don't really care.  And for many it won't have turned out as hey had planned - whether that meant not quite meeting the dizzying heights …

Sara Chatwin: Raise your kids to be grateful for their Christmas gifts

We've all seen the videos - we may have even seen it in our own living rooms on Christmas morning...  A child, even teenager, opens a gift their loved one has especially picked out for them, and they proceed to complain about how it's not the one they wanted.  The wrong colour bicycle, wrong mode…

Dr Jacqui Maguire: Parents need to prepare their kids for the real world

What are the essential life skills our kids truly need to know before they head out into the real world?  How often to wash their sheets, how to cook a basic meal, managing bills and payments, doing laundry without turning their white shirts pink - these are things that most of us learnt well befo…

Dougal Sutherland: Does NZ need a social media ban?

In just a few days, a law banning the use of social media for under 16s will take effect in Australia.  For many parents, social media has been a daily part of family life for years - allowing kids to stay connected with their friends and family, sharing life updates with people they may not get a…

Kathryn Berkett: Do we need to change the way we do prize givings?

The school year is drawing to an end and soon enough, families will be filling school halls and gymnasiums for the end-of-year prizegiving.  For the star students or athletes, it's a moment of pride to walk across the stage and receive a well-earned award. For others, the whole thing can feel demo…