How to Banish Tech and Make Mealtimes Matter
Meal time matters. It’s a widely acknowledged fact. Researchers have found that families that eat their meals together have children who are 35% less likely to engage…
Tag: Happier Homes
6 Strategies for Respectful Relationships
Nothing puts fire into the belly of parents faster than a child being disrespectful. When our kids ignore us, stomp their feet, slam the door, or…
Why is 2am ‘Wake-up Time’ for my Toddler?
Hi Dr Justin, We’re going crazy. Our daughter is our second child, just turned 2 last week, and is an overall delight in every way…
I Work Full-time. How do I Connect With my Kids?
Dear Dr Justin, I work full-time and have a toddler, and am keenly reminded every day of how much I missing out in terms of…
How do I Stop the Cycle of Abuse?
Hi Justin, I am a mother of five – ages 19, 17, 12, seven and four – and I’m struggling with the younger two who…
How do I get my Daughter to Drop Social Media and Study for Exams
Hi Dr Justin, My daughter is doing her final year at school and unfortunately she is failing all subjects. I saw her teachers the other…
Screen Time Guidelines Updated for the Touchscreen Generation
Current screen time guidelines are laughable. The guidelines we have had for a couple of decades say that children should not be on screens more…
Winning the “Gaming” Battle with our Boys – and Taking our Parenting to the Next Level
I recently conducted a parenting night at Trinity Grammar School in Kew, Melbourne about Boys and Gaming. More than 450 parents turned up to find…
10 Reasons You’re Doing Better as a Parent Than You Think
Parent guilt seems to be at an all-time high. Social media, tabloid ‘gotcha’ moments, and endless blog articles outlining our mistakes seem to be leaving…
Why Does my 6 Year-old Cry so Much?
Hi Dr Justin, My 6 year-old daughter’s emotional reaction to almost every situation seems out of proportion. For example; tears are her reaction to her…
Don’t Buy the Birth-order Myth
There is a longstanding myth that children who are born first are more intelligent than their siblings, more outgoing, more likely to be leaders, and…
Overcoming Consumer Culture in Kids
Consumer culture is making our children unhappy. The drive to have the latest stuff, and to look ‘hot’ is associated with a downward spiral of…
Favourite Father’s Day Films
With Father’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to look at films that teach us why fathers count. All too…
When do I Take my Son out of Nappies?
Dear Justin, I am a mother of 6 year old boy. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on kids bed wetting.…
Not an Addict
Access to technology has become nearly universal for young children. Casual observation suggests that children love their screens. It is common to watch infants as…
How to Get Your 6-Year-Old Off Screens: Practical Tips for Parents
In today’s digital world, managing your child’s screen time can feel like an uphill battle, especially when screens seem to dominate their free time. For…