My heart died a little bit when my daughter got ill and my arms could not comfort her. When she looked at the light, and turned towards the…
Ok so these have to be one of the greatest and easiest breakfast ideas around. I have completely fallen in love with breakfast oat cups. I wish I had…
Father’s Day always brings a smile to my face – and a little bit of happy chaos too! Last year, my two decided to surprise Dad with a…
Winter is high season for colds, viral infections, asthma exacerbations and the flu, but you can reduce the risk of getting sick by making sure that you and…
Te Reo Māori is one of New Zealand’s three official languages (the other is New Zealand Sign Language) and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a great opportunity to…
When I first became a parent I recall feeling enormous pressure to get it right and not damage my children. I also felt niggling uncertainties about whether I…
A beam of sunlight projects through the window and across the bathroom. You notice the dust dancing in the golden light. You can’t see it, but floating in that…
Bullying is repetitive, deliberate, and hurtful behaviour, aimed at causing harm to another person. If your child is being bullied, they may not tell you. Find out how…
Today technology and media can bring traumatic and scary events directly into a child’s world – often in graphic detail. From an early age, images, video and audio…
Dealing with challenging behaviour from 6, 7 and 8 year olds is hard work, and can be very emotionally draining on parents. Here’s 4 key tips for managing…
Wondering how to get your kids to eat more vegetables? Don’t worry, you are definitely not alone! In fact almost all parents we’ve spoken to wish their children…
Here in New Zealand, we prize the ability to ingeniously solve problems. Being creative in our approach to problems is a matter of national pride. So much so,…
If you ever struggle with the way your child behaves, you’re certainly not alone! At times, children’s behaviour can be challenging and it can make things difficult for…
Back when I was a classroom teacher, the ‘StarTrekkin’ song was doing the rounds. My class did a little dance number for the end of year show. 34…
The silly season is gearing up for another whirlwind of celebratory parties, parades, fairs, shows, and music. ‘Tis the season for overindulgence, letting your hair down, and being…
Family photos are precious and hold so many memories of the people, places, and events in your life. It’s important to capture your family’s key moments. But, as…
I was at a conference recently and one of the speakers was talking about how she was doing this science experiment with her kids that involved planting a…
A guide to the Ohana Young Parents Charitable Trust, what it does, and how you can access its support. Learn all about the Ohana Young Parents Charitable Trust…
As parents, our job is to protect our children and support their development; so one day they can stand on their own two feet, and support themselves. Part…
Professional photographs can’t be beaten. Of course I am biased – I am a professional photographer. And, I need to eat and to pay my bills. But using…
The risk of a fire in the home increases in winter as you start to use fires and more appliances like dryers and heaters. It’s important to look…
Getting professional photos taken of your kids can be a tricky business. Kids are unpredictable and you never know when they are going to do what they are…
New Zealand is a wonderful place to live for many reasons. We are privileged to enjoy nature in a safe, protected way that few other countries in the…
As a parent, sometimes it’s hard to know how to choose safe children’s products and you’ll want to make sure the children’s products you buy and use are…
There are several reasons why New Zealanders have a higher risk for developing skin cancers – including a high proportion of the population with fair skin, our low ozone…
Growing up in the States, the holidays were always celebrated with as much extravagance as we could muster. Sometimes that was a lot and sometimes just a little…
The word “ceremony” may conjure in the mind an image of the pageantry of a royal wedding with all its formality, expense and protocol. However one of New…
As parents, our focus is on looking after our kids – giving them lots of learning and growing experiences, and opportunities to shine. Trampolines offer families a great…
Adding a pet to your family can be a great way to help your children build empathy and responsibility, as well as help their physical, emotional and social…
This article looks at how to support your child when they have witnessed or been caught up in distressing situations, like an accident, a death, violence, bullying, a…
Children are constantly grappling with increasingly new amounts of information, environments, activities, expectations, people and so much more. Helping children to adapt to change, and to become more…
Changes within the family come in almost any conceivable way. It could be as joyous as the addition of a new baby all the way through to the…
Dining out as a family can be enjoyable for you and exciting for your kids, but it can be a challenge. Kids can get bored quickly, so here…
Hot Cross Buns are an Easter tradition in New Zealand. Here’s a twist on an old recipe, combining both of the popular varieties of bun: chocolate and dried…
Do we have the Easter Bunny to thank for a couple of days off each autumn? Does the New Zealand government have such sympathy with chocolate lovers that…
I have always gone for the most eco looking product on my supermarket shelves. When my baby was born, however, I started looking a bit more earnestly at…
If your house constantly feels chilly no matter how many heaters you have going, it may be worth your while to look into insulating. Insulation is one of…
Do you want to decrease your family’s impact on the environment but are not sure where to start? Whether you need some ideas that take very little time…
With the rising cost of power as well as the environmental impact of electricity use regularly in the media, saving power is something we are frequently reminded we…
Hi everyone, Cecilia Robinson here with a few more tips on easing the transition back to school. I hope you have all had a fantastic summer break. Funny…
After the summer break, it’s time to get ready to send the kids back to school. We become used to relaxed mornings, fun outings, seeing friends and family,…
Raising pre-teens and teens truly is a balancing act. If you’re too lenient, you might end up with kids who don’t understand limits. On the other hand, being…
It can be hard for parents to know where to draw the line between being too permissive, or being too strict. Learning to discipline your toddler and preschooler…
All children have moments of aggression. Aggressive behaviour in children is a fairly natural emotional response. But no parent wants that sinking feeling of realising their child has…
Has your cute and cheeky child suddenly turned into an argumentative opinionated kid with an attitude to match? Do you find yourself saying yes to things just to prevent…
It can be hard for parents to know where to draw the line between being too permissive, or being too strict. Try to think about discipline as guiding…
Travelling with children, and family members, who have food allergies can add extra stress to family holidays. The secret is to plan ahead! Check out our tips for travelling with family…
For our children, just the same as it is for us, there are times when they have their big difficult feelings that really need loving attention. No matter…
Imagine this. Put a child on a moving mat suspended a metre off the ground. The mat’s job is to throw the child in the air. Surround it…
Over 2000 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said ‘All disease begins in the gut’. This is as true today as it was then. When our digestion…
Trampolines are a lot of fun, and great for you too – just 10 minutes on a trampoline provides the same aerobic benefit as half an hour of…
The Foundation for Conductive Education is not a parent support group, but provides support to nine educational centres around New Zealand which deliver conductive education – a programme…
Over the next few weeks there will be a myriad of emotions at the school gate. Tears glistening in the eyes struggling to be held back, excitement with…
Every year children are seen at emergency departments with injuries caused by toys they’ve just received as Christmas presents.
When you’re planning a family Christmas holiday there’s lots to think about, including where to stay, what to do, and how much to spend. Here is some useful…
When the children’s father no longer lives with you it’s easy to excuse anything to help you forget the man who they call “Dad”. Most divorced parents resent…
Statistically, the effects of divorce on our society are difficult to prove although there are figures bandied around. What we do know, is that some people go on…
Matrimony to Acrimony or Harmony? The choice is yours … The importance of the choices you make when your marriage ends through which children were born into this…
Do you co-parent? To wish harm for your Ex is to wish ill for your child.
I believe most of us have what it takes to be genuinely great parents; regardless if we have been separated, divorced or attempting to co-parent. More often than…
To speak ill of your Ex with your child says “I love you, but biologically you’re 50% a Jerk.” Speaking poorly of your child’s other parent is one…
I was told that “assume” means “to make an ass out of you and me” so, although it can seems obvious for why routines are important, let’s just…
Have you ever stopped to think how many varieties of routines there are? You’d be surprised. You’ll also be surprised at what you think is so obvious, suddenly…
Why do you want to spend less time with your children when growing up happens so quickly these days? Don’t you look back on how many years have…
If you dread handovers – you’re not alone. If you are frustrated because you’ve managed to get your kids to tidy up the house before the Ex comes…
Do you find it takes time for your children to settle in when they come back from the Ex’s place? If you’re like me, sometimes I wonder what…
Albert Einstein when asked of “Relativity” answered with this. “ Relativity: An hour sitting with a pretty girl on a park bench passes like a minute, but a…
Have you had those moments when you find yourself waking up while you gently hold a particular specialness because it’s your little sweetheart’s birthday today? If you have,…
If you’re a parent, you know how quickly money rushes out the door. It doesn’t seem to matter how careful you are with the budget – children always…
It’s easy to believe reading an article on “Getting Active” you’ll find new tips about fitness, diets, summer trimmings and all manner of hard-to-keep promises. If you too…
The catch phrase this time of the year is “I’m so busy!” It seems the last thing we have time for is arranging Christmas and then it dawns…
Wet or fine, children (and parents with “cabin fever”) need to explore the world via full-day or half-day outings. Find interesting places to visit in your area — parks, museums,…
Eating out has taken on a whole new meaning over the past few years. As New Zealand’s ethnic and cultural population continues to diversify, so your family can…
Homework plays a very important part in your child’s learning and is given to them for a reason. While it’s not compulsory, most teachers will give students homework in…
Life Education Trust is a charitable trust that delivers a health programme that slots into what the children receive as a part of the New Zealand Curriculum, to…
The Outdoor Pursuits Centre — known formally as The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand, and informally as “OPC” — is New Zealand’s leading provider…
The Spirit of Adventure Youth Development Voyage is the highly sought after 10 day programme for 15- 19 year olds. NZ students may apply either through their school…
The Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) is a leading not-for-profit organisation managing unique youth development programmes aimed to inspire school age children in New Zealand to reach their full…
Relationships Aotearoa is a non-government, not-for-profit agency which provides skilled counselling and education services throughout New Zealand. Their particular field of expertise is relationships, but they work with…
FamilyLife NZ is run by Nikki Bray and her husband Andy Bray. They run counselling seminars to help couples strengthen their relationships and families, and have already helped 15,000…
Five NZ mothers came together through letters in the NZ Treasures Magazine in 1998. Two Mums (Narelle and Toni) wrote letters to the magazine indicating that they wanted…
A guide to The Nurture Foundation, what it does, and how you can access its support. Learn all about The Nurture Foundation for Reproductive Research here.
Pregnancy Help supports the well being of pregnant and recently pregnant women, parents, caregivers and their families/whanau, by providing information and practical support with non-judgemental Care, Concern and…
New Zealanders know what it’s like to experience “Life’s little spills”. Loss of bladder or bowel control regularly affects nearly 600,000 of us. Mothers and children are especially…
La Leche League offers information and encouragement – primarily through personal help – to women who want to breastfeed their babies. Find out how it can help you.
Gastric Reflux Support Network NZ for Parents of Infants and Children Charitable Trust (GRSNNZ) are committed to providing support and information to families caring for infants and children…
The Adoption Option Trust is a national organisation which promotes adoption as a positive option for people facing an unwanted pregnancy. Read more about them here.
Toughlove is a non-profit, self-help organisation that provides ongoing education and active support to NZ families who are struggling with unacceptable behaviour from adolescent children. The programme is…
The SPACE (Supporting Parents Alongside Children’s Education) programme was developed within the Hutt Playcentre Association and is aimed mainly at first time parents and their babies. It has…
Plunket is New Zealand’s leading provider of well child and family health services, and they provide a unique mix of professionals and volunteers working side by side.
Playcentre is an internationally recognised Early Childhood organisation unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. It began as a parent co-operative during the 1940s to support families and promote new…
The Parenting Place (formerly Parents Inc) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making life better for parents and their children, by offering a wide range of programmes to encourage…
The New Zealand Open Adoption Network (OPAN) provides information and support for families experiencing open adoption. Read about the services they offer here.
Multiples NZ is a not-for-profit organisation which supports families with ‘multiples’, be they twins, triplets, quads or more! The association acts as an overarching support for individual multiple…
Wetting (enuresis) and soiling (encopresis) can be embarrassing and debilitating problems for children, particularly once they reach their school years.
In 1997, when Diane Vivian took over the care of her small, traumatised grandchildren, she could not believe the stress she encountered.
Birthright is a national organisation working to support, strengthen and advocate for one-parent families. According to New Zealand census statistics, there has been a 20% increase in the…
Brainwave aims to reach people with vital information on what is happening inside babies’ brains in the first critical years, and how this impacts on adulthood. Brainwave Trust…
The Big Buddy mentoring programme is based on the simple philosophy that boys need good male role models in their lives to become good men. Unfortunately, many boys…