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Tracking Your Child’s Development

Photo by Cengizhan Konuş. Research reveals that a child’s brain goes through a period of rapid growth during their early years, as they are learning more than they will at any other time in their life. This is why it’s important that your child has opportunities to learn and develop every day. Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. The way children play, learn, speak, behave, and move…

Complex PTSD and Trauma – What it Feels Like

Living with Complex Trauma Via Amanda Robins Psychotherapy Trauma seems to a popular topic of conversation in the mental health world, but how much do we really know when it comes to recognising it in ourselves — and others? When we hear the word “trauma” we usually think of a terrible life-threatening event — a car accident, natural disaster or an act of violence that changes us forever. However, the kind of trauma I am talking about isn’t be caused by a…

In Search of Free-range Children

Photography by La Bella Vita Photography. Remember when you were a child, you would run around outside with your friends after school? In those days, children would go down to the local park to play and then, when 5pm came around, raced home! Jenny England looks at the lack of outdoors playing that the current generation is facing.I spent most of my childhood climbing trees. From the treetop branches, I would look out into the neighbourhood and beyond with curiosity…

Interview with Dr Sears: Attachment Parenting

We had the pleasure of interviewing Dr Sears when he was in Australia for an Australian Breastfeeding Association seminar! By Kristy Pillinger. Has ‘Attachment Parenting’ changed over time? It has evolved over time. The thing about parenting is that good things do not change. It is either right or wrong, black and white. It doesn’t change. I think what has changed is AP adapts to the changing lifestyles. For example, more and more mothers have other professions outside the…

Addressing Bullying

Author Arna Baartz. Bullying has become a widespread epidemic. Whilst there are many ways people have tried to tackle the issue, they have only addressed the issue superficially. Arna Baartz explains why the bullying epidemic will only be solved through true compassion and forgiveness. Bullying c o m e s in many forms and everyone is capable of being a bully, fortunately understanding a bully’s and victim’s core needs can help change the offending patterns of behaviour. We have…

It’s All Academic: A Few Thoughts on Brain Development in the Early Years

Dr Pat Wolfe I Photography by La Bella Vita Photography. Parents can spend hundreds of dollars buying the latest educational flashcards and DVDs for their babiesto make them smarter. However, does it really help? Dr Pat Wolfe looks at the current research intobrain development to determine whether these products actually work. Recently I’ve been reading articles in the news about the large number of parents who are concerned about getting their children into what they consider the best “academic” preschools…

Learning Manners With Our Children

Naomi Aldort I Photography by Whitby B Photography. Children are often told to say “thank-you” or “sorry” or some other words that are founded in oursocieties concept of manners. However, is it more important that they say the words or actually feel them?Naomi Aldort discusses a more gentle way of teaching children manners. “What do you say?” demanded a woman after handing a child his dropped glove. The child rushed over and hid behind his Mum. “You say ‘thank you,’”…

Beautiful Reflections

Claire Eaton I Photography by Daphne Heath Photography. Have you ever stopped a while and reflected on your parenting path? Claire Eaton asks a few questions which may gently guide us towards the reflection of our parenting journey. Parenting is a funny thing! We often talk about it, plan for it and dream about it, but how often do we just stop awhile and reflect on how we are ‘doing it’ from moment to moment? When we’re in the thick…

Making Time-outs Positive

Kate Bartlett I Photography by Daphne Heath Photography. Many parents were told as children “Go to your room” as a form of punishment for doing what was considered the ‘wrong’ thing. Many parents are now using this punishment on their own children. However, Kelly Bartlett explains how times outs, when used in a non-punitive way, can achieve a positive outcome for both parent and child. Though time-outs are an often-used consequence for tantrums, outbursts, or fits of anger, they are…

Time To Get Nakey Elimination Communication for Bubs

It has only been in the last 50 years that Western children as old as 3 and 4 are still wearing nappies. Prior to that time, parents observed their child from birth and used what is known as ‘Elimination Communication’ to help their babies eliminate. Tiffany Cowling explores this wonderful, old, concept. All over the world, babies are listened to and communicated with in regards to their elimination needs. In the West, babies are ‘taught’ to ignore their instincts and…