The Night the POTUS Dined in Our Neighborhood
Last night, after an epic afternoon of activities followed by an Open House at my oldest child’s middle school, we headed downtown for dinner ...Driving home from dinner I noticed an unusual number of police vehicles lining the main street. And then I remembered that President Obama was in town. Earlier in the day my big boy had begged me to take him to see Obama, not understanding that he was here to raise campaign funds not discuss policy issues with an enthusiastic 12-year-old. Read full article
Four Girls Who Have an Opinion - a Child Rights Case?
This week the rights of a child are in the news in Australia. What? You didn’t see all the media? Did you see the numerous television and news stories about four girls (aged 9, 10, 13 and 14) ‘on the run’, trying to avoid a court order that they return to Italy where their father lives (their mum is Australian)? Without knowing the details of those four girls’ experiences and knowing nothing about the mother or father, it’s a mistake for any of us to pass judgement on where those girls should be living right now. That’s a judgement for experts and the courts – but you know what, it’s also something about which each of those four children would have a strong view. Read full article
Why Stay at Home Mums Might be More Depressed - New Poll
A Gallup poll in the United States of over 60,000 women found that mothers who stay at home with their kids, when compared with working mums, experience - more worry: 41% compared to 34%; and - more depression: 28% compared to 17%, as well as slightly more anger, stress and sadness.Today, I discussed this in more detail on Channel 9 show, Mornings. View the short video here and join the discussion: What do you think about these figures? Do you think as a society we need to get better at valuing parents who stay at home? Read full article
Don't Chase Your Happiness - Let it Land on You
It was a little difficult for me to compose a blogpost mainly about happiness because I don’t believe in chasing it. This might seem ironic coming from the publisher of a website called happychild. But happiness is just one of many rich feelings that give me, and I think most people, a feeling of humanity and a sense of living a full and meaningful life. When happiness is absent in our daily lives or is fleeting, that’s a sign that something is more seriously wrong – and it’s the time to get support from experts, not the time to chase happiness. Because if you run after happiness you may never catch it. Read full article
Parenthood Can be Very Funny
Parenthood can be very funny. These little people we are helping to become big people can come out with some funny things, especially when they are learning to talk. My personal favourites from my kids are: “where are my gubbles (GOGGLES)?” “look at that man’s mooshraka (MOUSTACHE)" “I love wearing chiuauas (TIARAS) on my head" Then there’s the toilet humour. Read full article
Why BFFs - Best Friends 'Forever' - are Good for Children
Anyone helped through hard times by a close friend knows how much that support meant to them, but do close childhood friendships play an important role in long-term emotional development? Dr William Bukowski, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Concordia University, Canada, has researched how experiences with close peers affect a child’s social competence and wellbeing. His research indicates that friendships have a protective impact on our children’s emotional wellbeing by affecting how a child’s brain deals with stress immediately after a negative event. Read full article
National Children's Commissioner - A Champion for our Children
Opinion: Many would agree that Australia is, in so many ways, a great place to be a child. Many children have positive experiences and opportunities. Why then, does Australia need a National Children's Commissioner? Why should we welcome the announcement of the establishment of a commissioner as a major step forward in ensuring the best interests, needs and rights of all Australian children? Read full article
My Boy Henry Hotdog and an Irrational, Perfect Love
Yesterday when I picked up the little travelers from school, Henry Hotdog's kindergarten teacher had something to tell me. "You have to tell your Mummy about the poem you wrote today Henry - can you tell her?" The hotdog considered the proposal for a moment and then proceeded to pull my head down towards his. In my ear he whispered ... Read full article
Who are Your Children's Everyday Heroes?
This week we will commemorate Anzac Day and remember those thousands of young soldiers whose bravery defined a nation. Young boys who left their shores, many never to return, forever remembered as heroes. I asked my children (9 and 7 years) about their heroes. I cringed at the anticipation of hearing names more notorious than heroic, more infamous than illustrious, more TV show than book cover. Pleasantly, I heard back – “Mum and Dad,” “my family,” “my teacher “, “zoo keeper,” and “J.K. Rowling”. Not a mention of One Direction! Happy with that! Read full article
I Stopped and Really saw My Daughter - Moments of Mindfulness
There are some moments with my kids that are so precious I just want the moment to be permanently recorded forever and stored somewhere safe. I want this so I can re-live the moment and tap into the wonderful feelings that swam over me at the time. For five minutes today I had one of these moments. I was simply sitting on the floor brushing my five year old daughter’s hair while we both listened to Alvin and the Chipmunks soundtrack (of all things!). And I haven’t felt so peaceful and content in a very long time. Read full article
