What really makes parents happy?
If you’re like most parents who read the title of this piece, you’re probably thinking that what would make you happy is if the kids would just do as they’re told! Or at least let you get a ...
7 Habits of Pro-Active Parents
Let’s face it. As a society, we’re pretty highly strung. Our work lives are full-on. Our family lives are far too frantic. And the feeling that everything is under control is infrequently felt.
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Why Getting Angry Doesn’t Work
Recently I spent some time with a father who struggles to control his anger towards his children. He described a scene that had played out in his home shortly before our conversation:
My teenage ...
Life Lessons Every Child (And Adult) Can Learn
I’m getting close to my 40th birthday. Seeing those words doesn’t make sense. It seems as though they should be about someone else – not me. The years flash by faster and faster. I pinch myself ...
How to survive ‘One of Those Days’ as a Parent
We’ve all had those days as a parent – the ones where we wish we could go into our bedroom and hide. Or drive to the nearest airport and catch a plane to… hell, anywhere! Just so long as it’s ...
‘B’ is for Breathe
Ask any parent how they’re going and you’re likely to hear some variation on “busy”, “flat out”, or “run off my feet”! Life is busy, and all that busy-ness is building stress.
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My 12 yr-old is cutting herself and wants to die
Dear Dr Justin My 12 year old daughter is cutting. Counsellors, mental health people etc. have had no effect. She hears voices. Writes about suicide. I’m at my wits end over this. I have sought...
Kids Make You Poor and Miserable – Or Do They?
It seems that ‘having children’ is getting a lot of bad press. Decades of data now describes the way that your children decimate your income and diminish your happiness. The topic has hit the ...
