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Welcome to Hills Relationship Centre's
Resource Library
Practical tools, helpful insights, and gentle support — every step of the way
At Hills Relationship Centre, we believe that meaningful change doesn’t just happen in the counselling room — it continues between sessions, in everyday moments of reflection, connection, and growth.
Our Resource Library is a curated collection of tools, articles, and downloadable resources designed to support you on your counselling journey. Here you’ll find thoughtful information on topics relating to mental health, relationships, family life, parenting, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth — along with practical strategies you can use in real life. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding, explore something that came up in session, or find ways to support yourself or a loved one, this space is here for you.
Check back often — we’re always adding new content created and recommended by our team to support you with care, compassion, and clarity.
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School Refusal – A Guide for Parents
When school feels impossible Is getting your child to school a daily battle of tears, stomach aches, shutdowns, panic, or flat-out refusal? It is important to know that you’re not alone. School refusal is far more common than many parents realise and it can be deeply distressing for families who feel stuck between wanting to support their child and worrying about attendance, learning, and the future. A recent 2023 survey found that 39 per cent of parents agreed or strongly a
Hills Relationship Centre
Feb 14 min read
Parenting a Teen with ADHD: Less Battles, More Connection
Parenting a teenager is challenging at the best of times. Parenting a teenager with ADHD can feel like you’re playing on “hard mode” — with the rule book constantly changing. As a parent of an ADHD teen are you feeling exhausted, confused, and unsure whether you’re being too strict… or not strict enough? Often you have tried everything — routines, consequences, encouragement — yet still find yourselves locked in a daily power struggle over homework, screen time, chores, or e
Toni Stephan
Dec 16, 20253 min read
Navigating the Holidays in a Blended Family: Finding Connection in the Chaos
The holiday season often brings joy, connection and familiar traditions. But for blended families, it can also come with extra layers — more people to consider, more moving parts, and more emotions in the mix. None of this means something is wrong; it simply reflects the real complexity of bringing different families and histories together. Merging traditions, balancing schedules, and supporting children who move between homes can add to the business and overwhelm that often
Hills Relationship Centre
Dec 9, 20254 min read
Screen Time and Children: Finding Balance in a Digital World + Free Downloadable Parent Resource
Screens are now part of everyday life — from online learning and games to family movie nights and social connection. While technology can be a wonderful tool, many parents worry about the impact of too much screen time on their child’s development, attention, sleep, and mood. The goal isn’t to eliminate screens altogether, but to find a balance that supports healthy growth, emotional wellbeing, and family connection. Understanding Screen Time “Screen time” refers to any time
Hills Relationship Centre
Oct 22, 20254 min read
Parenting After Separation: A Practical Guide for the Transition to Co-Parents
The end of a romantic relationship brings significant changes — especially when children are involved. Moving from partners to co-parents can feel complex, emotional, and sometimes overwhelming. While your relationship as a couple may have ended, your shared responsibility as parents continues. Co-parenting involves shifting from being partners in life to partners in raising your children. That shift is not always easy. It often asks parents to manage grief, disappointment, f
Montana Harper
Aug 14, 20257 min read
Parenting After Separation: Helping Children Through Separation and Divorce
Separation and divorce are major life transitions — not only for parents, but for children as well. For many children, the changes can feel confusing, overwhelming, and uncertain. Their routines may shift, they may move between homes, and they may worry about how the family will look in the future. Yet children are also remarkably resilient. When parents approach separation with care, clarity, and compassion, children are far more likely to adapt and continue to feel safe, lo
Montana Harper
Jul 21, 20254 min read
Co-Parenting with Care: Understanding Shared Parental Responsibility After Separation
At Hills Relationship Centre, we often support parents who are navigating the complexities of separation—not just the emotional toll, but...
Hills Relationship Centre
Jul 21, 20253 min read
Parallel Parenting: An Alternative Approach for High-Conflict Co-Parenting
For some separated parents, cooperative co-parenting is possible with time, structure, and support. For others, it simply isn’t. When communication is consistently hostile, manipulative, unpredictable, or emotionally draining, traditional co-parenting can feel impossible. Every message may trigger anxiety. Every handover may feel tense. Even small parenting issues can quickly escalate into conflict. If this is your reality, it does not mean you are failing. It may simply mean
Hills Relationship Centre
Mar 26, 20256 min read
Boundaries and Expectations with Teenagers: The Secrets to Guiding Your Teen Without Pushing Them Away
Author: Mark Burnard | Counsellor at Hills Relationship Centre Parents love their kids and the concern for their safety and wellbeing leads us to want to put up some guardrails and boundaries to keep them safe and happy. However, as they grow it is very natural for teens especially to test boundaries, to be adventurous, sometimes overconfident, to run risks and even be plain rebellious. However, not all teenagers are the same and even within families, kids can differ in pers
Mark Burnard
Mar 13, 20259 min read
When Big Feelings Collide: Teaching Kids How to Handle Conflict
Children learn conflict skills by watching us. Every disagreement—whether between siblings, friends, or even parents—becomes a teaching moment. When we model calm, respectful communication and actively teach resolution strategies, we give children lifelong tools for empathy, resilience, and healthy relationships. What Not to Do vs. What to Encourage Avoid… Try Instead… Shutting down with “Because I said so.” Inviting dialogue: “Can you tell me what’s upsetting you?” Yelling,
Toni Stephan
May 13, 20242 min read
Parenting with Purpose: Building Strong Family Bonds Through Connection
In the busy, fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy for families to become disconnected. Work schedules, school demands, technology, and the everyday pressures of life can leave little space for meaningful connection. Yet at the heart of every thriving family is something simple but powerful: connection . Connection helps family members feel safe, valued, understood, and supported. It strengthens relationships, supports children’s development, and creates the sense of belongi
Toni Stephan
Aug 8, 20234 min read
Parenting with Purpose - The Way We Speak to our Children Becomes Their Inner Voice
We all have a little voice inside our heads. You know that one that gives us a pep talk and whispers words of encouragement when we are having a tough day, or the one that might cause us to feel insecure by shaming us for our mistakes? That is our inner voice. As humans, we all have an inner voice that can lift us up when we practice positive self-talk, or further drag us down when we engage in negative self-talk. Oftentimes the inner voice that children develop comes from th
Montana Harper
Mar 16, 20233 min read
Parenting with Purpose: The Power of Quality Family Time
Family life is busy. Between school runs, work deadlines, activities, and household chores, it’s easy for meaningful connection to slip through the cracks. Yet, carving out intentional quality time together is one of the most powerful ways to nurture your family’s relationships, resilience, and sense of belonging. Why Quality Time Matters Quality time is time spent together outside of the daily routine — free from stress, conflict, or distraction. It creates space for bonding
Toni Stephan
Nov 4, 20222 min read
Parenting with Purpose: Building Resilience in Children and Teens
Resilience is the ability to “bounce back” from adversity. Resilient people still feel pain, sadness, or anger — but they are able to cope with and manage these feelings while continuing on with their lives. For children, resilience is an especially important skill. It: Helps them adapt to a new classroom or school Buffers them against bullying Promotes more favourable outcomes when home or family environments are stressful 10 Tips for Building Resilience in Children and Teen
Hills Relationship Centre
Sep 30, 20222 min read
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