It happened over pancakes. My daughter, eight years old, syrup on her chin, hair a mess, asked, “Mum, when do I get boobs?” Cue choking on my tea.…
So, my mate Sarah called me last week in full meltdown mode. She’d walked into her teen’s room to grab the laundry basket and got smacked in the…
A ring in the middle of an ordinary day. I was sweeping leaves off the porch when my phone rang. It was a simple Wednesday afternoon, the kind…
There it was. The text message that made me want to scream into a pillow: All I asked was for you to leave the garage door unlocked. That’s…
Every time we sat down to watch a movie together, she’d fall asleep halfway through. Sometimes before the opening credits were even done. We’d make plans to finally…
It hit me when my daughter, Layla, walked into the dairy with $5 in her pocket and walked out with… a pink glitter slime she already owned in…
It happened on a Tuesday. I was staring at my daughter’s school report while reheating my coffee for the third time. There it was—another “average” in maths, a…
If you’re reading this, you’re the kind of parent who wants to get it right. You’re not here because you’re failing—you’re here because you care. And that’s everything.…
If your teen is suddenly “just hanging out” with someone they met at school, or if you’ve heard the words “we’re talking” and felt your stomach drop, you’re…
If you’re the kind of mum who crashes into bed only to scroll mindlessly through TikTok for 47 minutes, then wakes up exhausted and wondering why you’re still…
Last Tuesday, I found myself standing in the kitchen, holding a lunchbox my daughter had barely touched. Again. She’d been quieter than usual that morning, brushing past me…
It started with a fall. Not a dramatic one – just a quiet stumble in the garden that left Mum shaken and me rattled. We’d talked about it…
It started with a phone call no parent ever wants to get. Lisa was mid-grocery run, juggling apples and mental to-do lists, when her phone rang. The contact…
You’re here because you love your mum. Maybe she’s still fiercely independent—driving, gardening, refusing help with the groceries even when you offer twice. But deep down, you’re starting…
If you’re here because you’ve heard the stat and felt a lump in your throat—yeah, this is the right place. And no, you’re not overreacting. Whether you’re a…
You’ve probably heard about plastic in the ocean. You’ve maybe even ditched plastic straws or started bringing your own bags to the supermarket. But here’s what you weren’t…
In the first month of 2025, something smelled off in New Zealand schools—and it wasn’t just the curry lentil bake. A Government-funded lunch programme, meant to feed thousands…
Let’s talk politics—but not the boring, fall-asleep-in-the-high-school-hall kind. We’re talking about a tax that could’ve helped fund your kid’s school lunches, speech therapy, or that local maternity ward…
Ever felt overshadowed by your loud, assertive older sibling or annoyed by your overly pampered younger one? If you’re a middle child, you’re probably nodding your head vigorously.…
If you’ve been worrying about not knowing what’s going on inside your child’s heart, don’t panic. Parenting doesn’t come with a cheat sheet for feelings, but this article…
If you’re standing over a half-eaten plate of pasta (again), wondering how your kid survived the day on two crackers and a banana, you’re in the right place.…
Something’s finally shifting in the autism research world. And no, it’s not another baseless conspiracy or another finger-pointing trend. This time, scientists are pointing somewhere completely different. Somewhere…
You’re standing in the kitchen. Shoes nowhere to be seen. Bag unpacked. Clock ticking. Your kid’s moving like molasses. You take a breath, try again: “Please get ready.”…
We’re told from day one that if we want our kids to succeed, we need to hammer phonics and math facts into their brains before they can even…
You’re here because you’ve hit a wall. Maybe your once-sweet toddler has turned into a dinner-flinging dictator. Maybe you’ve followed every “gentle parenting” script, downloaded every PDF, and…
Ever looked at your child and quietly thought, “I need to do better than what I grew up with”? Maybe you once promised yourself that your kids would…
You’ve tried everything. The calm tone. The sticker charts. The threats to cancel screen time. The late-night Google rabbit holes. But your kid still explodes when you ask…
You think you’re tech-savvy. You’ve locked down the iPad, added time limits, and installed parental control apps with names like “SafeSpace” and “KidShield.” But here’s the bad news:…
Most of us at 14 were too busy worrying about Fortnite skins, school uniforms, or awkwardly trying to flirt over Snap. But not Heman Bekele. Nah. Heman was…
If your toddler has ever screamed bloody murder because their sock seam was “wrong” or their banana broke in half, congratulations—you’ve met the toddler amygdala in action. This…
Let’s be real: If you’ve ever lost it and yelled at your kid, you’re not alone. Maybe you were running on no sleep. Maybe the cereal ended up…
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself this: “How do I help my child grow up confident and resilient—without pushing them too hard or shielding them too…
If you’ve ever looked at your kitchen at 6:07 PM and thought, “Nope, not doing this today” — welcome. You’re not alone. You’re not failing. You’re just tired.…
By: A Frazzled Parent Who Just Wanted One Saturday Off Let’s be honest: parenting is the wildest ride no one really warns you about. You start off thinking…
You’re two minutes into the supermarket. You’ve got a list, a trolley, and a toddler. And then… bam — a full-body, limbs-everywhere meltdown because they saw a Paw…
Photo: Inside Edition We all do it. We go out with our kids — to the mall, the park, the zoo. We hold their little hands while juggling…
If you’re pregnant and suddenly Googling whether sleeping the “wrong way” can hurt your baby—breathe. You’re in the right place. You’re not being dramatic. You’re not overthinking. And…
So there I was. Standing in the kitchen, holding a half-eaten fish finger, covered in some unidentified toddler goo, while my husband sat on the couch scrolling TikTok…
Let’s be honest: kids can be absolutely brutal. Especially when it comes to names. So when one mum realised her daughter might be stuck with a last name…
If it’s your first Mother’s Day — or you’re shopping for someone who just became a mom — you might be feeling a weird mix of emotions. There’s…
If you’ve ever stared at your child’s report card and felt a weird tug in your chest —Not because of the grades, but because you know they only…
As a Millennial parent you are trying to balance empathy, mental health awareness, boundaries, and real-world survival skills — all without the parenting handbook they deserved but never…
You know that kid who walks into a room like they belong there?Who tries, fails, laughs, and tries again—without crumbling?Who doesn’t need a hundred gold stars to believe…
If your child has ever begged you to download Roblox… If you’ve glanced at the cute, blocky graphics and thought, “It’s just like LEGO — how bad can…
If you’ve ever caught yourself doing something eerily like your mum—folding a towel just so, making that face when you’re annoyed, or even stressing about the same tiny…
If you’ve ever praised your kid for being “so smart” after they crushed a puzzle… Or muttered “You’re so clumsy” when they tripped over the dog for the…
If you’re raising a son—and you’re worried sometimes that he shrugs when he’s upset, or that you’re supposed to somehow “toughen him up” even when your gut says…
If you’re here because you’re worried your child could be a bully—or you’re scared they could be the target of one—you’re exactly where you need to be.Today, I…
If you’re waking up with your jaw clenched, your chest tight, and a never-ending to-do list spinning in your head before your feet even hit the floor… I…
If you’ve ever looked at someone who seems to “just get” money and wondered, “What did their parents teach them that mine didn’t?”—this one’s for you. Or if…
If you’ve been with someone for six months and you’re wondering whether you should know more by now—you’re not weird. You’re wise. You’re past the butterflies stage. The…
If your child falls apart the moment they lose—whether it’s a game, a test, a turn, or a race—you’re not alone. If you’ve felt that flush of secondhand…
If your child can’t seem to stay on task without you hovering nearby… If their go-to strategy for problem-solving is “wait for Mum to do it”… If you’re…
If your child has ever come home upset after being left out, said “Nobody likes me,” or turned into a tiny dictator during group playdates… don’t panic. You’re…
If you’ve ever stared into the glazed-over eyes of a child who “forgot they had a test,” panic-scrolled Google for division tricks, or tried to motivate your kid…
If homework time at your place feels like a full-blown crisis—where someone’s crying, something’s burning, and you’re Googling “how to explain fractions to a 9-year-old without losing your…
If you’re a mum who’s ever done an Olympic-level tiptoe out of the nursery only for your baby to sense your absence like a Jedi and wake up…
If you’re here wondering what happens when one doctor walks into a room filled with twenty people who don’t believe in vaccines… you’re in the right place. Yes,…
We all know cars today are smarter than ever. Some can park themselves, some can practically drive themselves, and some just won’t shut up if you forget your…
It all started on a Monday morning. The cereal was gone (again), one kid was crying because her favourite hoodie was “missing” (on the back of the couch,…
Let’s be honest: New Zealand is already ridiculously good-looking. But when winter hits the South Island? It’s like someone threw a snow-dusted Instagram filter over the entire landscape.…
You know how some things just hit different in your own language? That’s because language isn’t just words—it’s your history, your vibe, your entire worldview wrapped up in…
If you’ve ever tried to comfort your child during a meltdown or a moment of self-doubt, you’ve probably said this phrase.It seems harmless—kind, even. We say it because…
I remember the exact night I hit my breaking point. Layla, who was about four months old at the time, woke up six times between midnight and 5…
Teenagers today live in a world where a swipe or a tap can open the door to a whole new social circle—but it’s not always a safe or…
Want to know more about the gear your teenager needs for school and recreation? Check out our gear guides here.
All you need to know about common illnesses, allergies and immunisations for teenagers.
If your confused about education for your teen, read on! We cover everything from subject choices to explaining NCEA.
In this section we cover everything you need to know about food and nutrition for your teenager.
Awesome recipes for filling your child’s lunch box.
Delicious recipes to feed the whole family
Want to know more about childhood wellbeing or keeping your teenager healthy? Check out our articles here.
Great information to help you discuss sex with your teenagers and tweenagers.
We overview heaps of different activities, sports and classes for teenagers and tweenagers in NZ. This section helps you in choosing which activities & programs are right for…
All you need to know about sending your teenager back to school, and entertaining them throughout the holidays.
Recipes and ideas for baking for you family
Planning a party or birthday for your teenager? We’ve got great ideas for food, themes and games to get the party going.
Relationships with other kids aren’t always easy. In this section we cover making friends and how to deal with bullying.
Find our guides and links to help you plan your family vacation in New Zealand
All you need to know about travelling with kids!
Planning a trip to the City of Sails? We’ve got some great ideas to help you make the most of your trip.
Surely one of the most under-rated jewels of the North Island. Find out all about travelling in Taranaki, the surf capital of New Zealand.
Heading to Wellington for a family holiday? We’ve got some great ideas for your trip.
Quick and easy dinner ideas for your family
Here we give you the history of some important celebrations and festivals, and give you ideas for sharing the celebration with your children.
A range of ideas to get your teenager started with being creative.
Delicious dessert recipes and ideas.