R U OK Day – Having the Conversation and What to Do If the Answer is ‘No’
Alex* was a popular kid. He seemed OK. He was good at sports, doing fine at school, and came from an affluent, strong family. But…
Category: Articles
Navigating Your Teen’s Quest For Independence
Dear Dr Justin, “My daughter started high school and already there are parties and outings organised where no parents are allowed. She’s only 12 and…
Dads: How To Stay Connected With Your Kids
Even When You Don’t Live Together Research is unequivocal. Dad matters. As long as he is safe towards his family, the more a dad is…
It Takes A Village… But the Village is Sick
In recent weeks, to surprisingly little fanfare, the Morrison Federal Government has announced a new Children’s Mental Health Strategy. Announced by Health Minister, Greg Hunt,…
Making Pocket Money Easier
My 9-year-old was carrying $48 in her wallet. Cash. She’s been saving well for some time, and the cash has accumulated. Her plan was to…
The Case Against Boredom
Recently there has been a groundswell of popular opinion extolling the value of letting our kids be bored. A recent New York Times article argued, “Boredom…
Helping Our Kids Feel Good By Doing Good
We all want our kids to feel good. Ice cream. Cake. Beach days. Playdates. These are all great for bringing joy. But typically, these good…
What To Do When Your Child Lashes Out
Dear Dr Justin, “My 9-year-old son lashes out at his younger siblings when they bother him and often ends up hurting them. He feels terrible…
What To Do When Your Child Lies To You
You enter the kitchen. Your child looks at you like she’s hiding something. You see cake crumbs on the counter and the tips of her…
How to Tell your Friend What Their Teen is Doing on Instagram
Dear Dr Justin, “My husband and I have some family friends. Their daughter is friends with our daughter. I recently heard their daughter telling my…
What to Do When your Child is Fearless!
My childhood friend Joel was fearless. When he was about six, Joel’s parents installed a balcony on the back of their pole home. For some…
How To Stop Yelling
Dear Dr Justin, “I have been reading a lot about how yelling isn’t good for my kids, but I can’t seem to get them to…
Our Family Holiday in Bali
When it comes to holidays, I’m normally a do it yourself kind of guy. I’m big on exploration, activity, and getting off the beaten track.…
Screen Time and Our Teens’ Mental Health Crisis
In a 2018 survey, half of the parents questioned believed that smart phone usage negatively affected their child’s mental health. And nearly half thought their child…
Please Turn Off Your Phone
Is your attention tuned to your phone rather than your child? It’s time to switch off and tune into our kids. I took a poll…
Six Ways To Be The Best Parent You Can Be
Think of the times that your parenting has been its best. Those times where you were unconditionally there for your child and it felt “right”.…