As much as grandparents adore their grandchildren, chances are if you’re raising your grandchild it’s because of circumstances rather than choice. There may have been trauma in the…
If you’re even considering being a foster parent, then that makes you someone special. While fostering can be immensely rewarding, it’s also a lot of hard work. You…
When a new man enters the family, some things – like discipline – get complicated.
What you say can affect your children and your future
One winter night a few years ago, I found myself lying on the bathroom floor, pausing between bouts of vomiting and diarrheoa to listen out for my toddler…
When I was pregnant, I secretly wanted a girl. I’d give people the standard line, “Oh, as long as it’s healthy, I don’t mind,” but inside I figured…
Finding good male role models for children in fatherless homes
Juggling your finances is a big part of being a solo or single parent. We discuss WINZ, benefits, subsidies and budget advice here.
While researching this article, I came across the sobering statement: “Children never really heal from divorce.”
I knew having and raising a baby by myself would be hard. Really hard.
It looks like flossing my teeth has now become a habit. It used to be just a good intention – until I read an article about how much…
When I first became a solo mum, I thought the only way I’d find a man would be if he appeared miraculously between the back door and the…
Every Thursday night for a couple of years, my daughter and I had dinner with a girlfriend and her family. With seven people around the table, it was…
Someone once asked me, “You know those columns you write – do you do everything you write about?” Answer: no. Most times I write about things I’m struggling…
Single Parenting can involve lots of stress. We provide strategies to beat the Stress.
Help and advice from other solo parents can be invaluable.
Whether you are a single parent by choice, or circumstances have chosen for you, there is no denying that parenting alone can be tough. Emotional needs aside, the sheer…
Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about Time Out as one of many effective behaviour strategies for disciplining young children, and how to use this behaviour technique effectively to discipline your…
Are you researching discipline methods and techniques to improve your child’s behavior? What about smacking to solve child behaviour problems? Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about smacking, and provides advice…
Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about sibling rivalry and how to control the non-stop squabbling that’s common in so many families.
A little squabbling between siblings — brothers and/or sisters — is, in all but the most extraordinary families, inevitable. We all have “war stories” from growing up.
We get frequent email enquiries from worried parents wondering what the safe legal age is for their child to do certain things in New Zealand.
As we confront the daily challenges of child behaviour, child development, discipline, and raising children, let us calmly pause to remind ourselves of the ‘big picture’ as parents.…
Parents are the single biggest influence on young people’s career plans and can play a significant role in helping family members to make informed decisions about their future. Here…
Parenting isn’t easy whether you’re forty or fifteen. We all experience the same things just at different stages. Deciding to take on the challenge and responsibility of being…
Education can take a back foot when a teen becomes a parent. Teen Parent Units are schools for young mums and dads.
Becoming a teen parent can interrupt your education and you often have to reassess your options. Find out more in this article on Teen Parent Education Options.
This article Teenagers and Birth explains some of the issues that are common amongst teenagers when they are at the end of pregnancy or giving birth.
This article looks at teenagers & pregnancy and provides advice for teenagers on how to care for themselves and their babies during pregnancy.
This article explores the combined pill, its advantages and disadvantages. How does the combined pill work? Will it be suitable for you?
This article on condoms for teenagers explains their advantages, how they work and the pros and cons of condoms. Information that all teenagers should know!
Being a teen parent is hard work, but you do not have to do it alone. There are lots of NZ organisations dedicated to supporting teen parents, and they…
Bunk beds can be a great way of saving space in bedrooms but it’s important to make sure that they are safe for your children. Every year, over…
Supervising your dog around children and supervising your children around dogs is paramount for both their safety. Find out more in our Dog safety around children article.
Child Safety is uppermost in the minds of most parents, and yet New Zealand experiences very high per capita rates of child injuries and deaths. We overview a…
Get gardening with your children these holidays. Here are some great gardening activities, projects, and ideas to get kids started. This should keep them busy for at least a…
Find out what can you create with your kids for free or at low cost in our Craft Activities for Parent and Child article. Craft activities like card…
Holidays can be really expensive, so finding some free activities for the children is great. Once you start thinking about it, there’s actually lots of 100% free holiday outing…
Our seven going on thirteen year old came home from school this week with a new ‘home learning’ exercise for the week…apparently the formally referred to homework is…
Information sharing on periods can be tricky – this information sheet on periods can be used to help explain periods to young people.
When should mums and daughters talk about periods, what advice should we give them and how can we do this effectively?
This article discusses the menopause or change of life and examines what the menopause means to women and their families.
Find out about mammograms and what breast screening is all about. This article also explains who should be having mammograms in New Zealand today.
Many women in New Zealand do not get enough iron in their diet. Read about why women’s health depends upon regular intake of iron rich foods.
Endometriosis – is often referred to as a silent disease or a hidden epidemic, and yet it affects more than 128,000 women in NZ. The words “hidden” and “silent”…
September is Cervical Screening Awareness month, so Kiwi Families (KF) interviewed Helen Waaka, RGON, BN, Registered Nurse and Smear-taker to find out the key issues, misconceptions and fears…
Find out what a cervical smear is all about – who should have cervical smears and why they are recommended.
Breast self examination is recommended to all women over 20, every month. Read on to find guidelines on how to effectively do a breast self examination.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD as it is commonly known, is described here, as well as common signs and possible treatments for those winter blues.
This article covers the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, the treatment and the complications that can occur in children with pneumonia.
This article on influenza – or flu as it is commonly known – explains the common symptoms of flu and how to care for your afflicted child.
This article explains the cause of cold sores, how to prevent the spread of them and the treatment available for cold sores in New Zealand today.
Building immunity is vital as we are all more susceptible to colds and flu in the winter – building your immunity can help you to stay well.
Kiwi Families has provided helpful articles on salmonella and explains this common stomach bug, its signs and symptoms, treatment, risks & complications and how to prevent the spread…
We provide information on gastroenteritis and explains the signs and symptoms, Treatments, Risks and Complications of this bug and the special considerations for children with gastroenteritis.
Read on to find out all about campylobacter, we explain the signs and symptoms, treatments, risks and complications of the stomach bug and how to prevent the spread of campylobacter.
This article on urinary tract infections in adults will help you to prevent, treat and to ease the symptoms of urinary tract infection.
Meningitis is inflammation of the layers covering the brain and spinal cord. It is an illness that can be caused by a virus, fungus, parasite, bacterium, medical condition…
This article explains reflexology, the history and the benefits and what to expect from reflexology therapy in New Zealand.
This article on naturopathy explains natural health medicine and how naturopathy can benefit the health of your family and what to expect of your treatment.
This Kiwi Families article on iridology provides parents with a guide on iridology and how it can be used to benefit families.
This article on homeopathy explains the natural healing process of homeopathy and how it may help your family.
Craniosacral Therapy is a very gentle, non-manipulative and non-invasive approach to whole-body treatment.
What is the Aura-Soma® Colour Care System? The Aura-Soma Colour Care System is an internationally recognised natural therapy. It is a non-intrusive, self-selective, self-empowering system that enables you…
This article gives parents an excellent insight into aromatherapy. It explains how aromatherapy may benefit you and how to access this natural therapy.
This article on acupuncture provides parents with great tips on the benefits of acupuncture and how it can help your family.
Men need to know about prostate glands. This article explains the function of prostate glands and its importance to men’s health.
All men over the age of 15 need to look after those testicles. A self examination of the testicles should be part of every man’s monthly routine.
Headaches are very common in the adult and adolescent population. Find out more about types of headaches, headache causes and treatment.
There is increasing awareness of the importance of cardiovascular health among men – for information on maintaining cardiovascular health, read on.
Vitamin and mineral supplements are used commonly in New Zealand, but are vitamin and mineral supplements necessary for healthy toddlers, young children, teenagers, and women?
Women often need advice on staying healthy during the menopause. Here are some great tips on feeling strong and healthy around the menopause.
Most women are aware of the importance of hygiene. For more information on the importance of hygiene for women, read on.
Women and diet – we are obsessed by it! Women probably think about their diet more than any other health related issue.
Women need time out – time out from children, time out from household chores and even time out from their partners. Here is how to get it.
Exercise – we women need to be passionate about it! Women who exercise feel great and look great, so here are some neat ideas.
The role of the public health nurse is many and varied: this article covers the main aspects of the work of the public health nurse and when you are…
This article outlines the role of the practice nurse within a general practioner surgery. It explains when you are likely to need to see a practice nurse and…
This article explains the role of the podiatrist and explains how a podiatrist can help your family. There are also great tips on recognising problems and taking care of your…
This article outlines the history of Plunket in New Zealand and what Plunket Nurses have to offer young families.
Physiotherapists can help family members in many different ways to achieve optimal health. This article covers the role of the physiotherapist in health care and what you or your…
This article describes the role of the pharmacist and explains how advice from the pharmacist can help your family.
This article explains the complex role of the paediatrician in looking after children of all ages, how you can access a paediatrician for your child and some tips…
This article covers the role of the orthodontist, best known in families for corrective braces for teeth. There is also information on how finding orthodontists and how they can help…
This article covers the role of the optometrist, how they can help your family and what to expect from your visit to the optometrist.
This article explains the role of obstetricians and when you may require the specialist care of an obstetrician in pregnancy or childbirth.
This article explains the role of the midwife in New Zealand, how to find a midwife and what they will do during pregnancy, birth and afterwards.
This article on GPs covers the complex role of the General Practitioner, or family doctors, in New Zealand. There is great advice on how to access GP services,…
This article gives information for parents on the role of the doula, a fairly new phenomenon in New Zealand, how to find a doula and what the benefits…
Dietitians and nutritionists are quite different – this article dietitian will help you to understand the difference and know how they can help your family.
Dentists are highly skilled health professionals who offer advice and treatment for teeth and gums. This article explains role of a dentist, how they can help your child…
A dermatologist will treat people of all ages and work both in private practice and in hospitals throughout New Zealand. Find out more about dermatologists, their role, how…
This article contains information on the role of the dental therapist, treatments they may carry out and how to access a dental therapist as well as what to…
This article on chiropractors gives you all the necessary information for finding a chiropractor and knowing whether they may be able to help you, as well as understanding…
Audiologists are highly trained individuals in hearing and auditory problems. This article covers the role of the audiologist, how to find one and what to expect – and…
A vasectomy or male sterilisation is a common and effective form of contraception and family planning. Read about the procedure, costs, the pros and cons of vasectomy.
This article on Tubal Ligation or Female Sterilisation explains how it works, who it is suitable for and the advantages and disadvantages of Tubal Ligation.
This article on progesterone only, or mini pill, explains the advantages & disadvantages of the progesterone only pill as a contraceptive choice.
This article explains the concept of natural family planning, the pros and cons and how natural family planning may work for you.
This article on the Intra Uterine Device / IUD contraceptive explains how it works, who IUDs are suitable for, and the advantages & disadvantages of intra uterine devices.