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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 belongin

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

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

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