Hangry (haa-n-gree): Being irritable or bad-tempered as a result of hunger A hangry toddler can manifest in a thousand different ways – from tears to tantrums. Luckily something as simple as a bottle or a cracker can turn a toddler-saurus rex back into a cherub. The question is what do you do when the foods your...

These days we are more interconnected than ever before. And while that brings huge advantages to our everyday life, it also leaves our children exposed to various media wherever they turn. Smartphones, tablets, laptops and plain personal computers are all very alluring in the eyes of children. However, they can also be very addictive and...

In Australia, interest in Halloween has spiked! While our Spring is more sun-kissed than pumpkin-spiced, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the spooky season. For many years, Halloween was little more than an excuse to watch scary movies and chow down on lollies. Now we have pumpkins and parties, parades, trick or treating,...

“What are you getting daddy for Fathers Day?” This seems like a perfectly innocent question- and indeed it is- but I’ll be the first to put my hand up and say that hearing, “I don’t have a Dad,” still rattles me. As more families ditch the “traditional” family dynamic it’s important to remember that Father’s...

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the sense of power and dominance is a basic emotional need that we all seek to fulfill. The need to satisfy this craving for power begins as early as the age of two, as this is when children begin to see themselves as separate individuals from their parents. This...

Towards Toddling: Activities for 6-12 Months This is a very exciting time in your infant’s development. At six months s/he may show the first signs of dragging himself/herself forward. S/he can grasp and pull things and even transfer objects from one hand to another. S/he can respond to your tone of voice, and even babble,...

“Mummy, are you proud of me?” My seven-year-old son was swinging a gold medal he had just won for his school sports day in front of my face, when he suddenly paused and frowned, before posing this question. I felt a slight pang of guilt (was I not looking pleased enough?). “I’m certainly very proud...

Learning to share and take turns while playing can be challenging for young children – especially those under six – but it is a vital skill that they need to pick up during the early years. If they can master it properly, they will acquire something invaluable for their social development. As a parent, you...

Tired mum or not, mothers tend to bear the enormous responsibility of being the centre of their children’s worlds. It’s no surprise that between scraped knees, story time, rushed sips of coffee, meal prep, nappies, play dates, bottles, more nappies and everything in between we often forget to stop… and take a breath. As it...

From the day your child was born, you have envisioned a bright future for him/her – one filled with huge dreams and potential that serves as an inspiration for those whom he/she is bound to meet in life. So, what can you do to ensure that your little one makes that fearless spirit and the confidence...