3 Essential tips for coping with a stubborn child

Coping with stubborn children Dealing with a stubborn child can be endlessly frustrating. They ignore you, they chuck things, they throw tantrums in public. They stare you straight in the face as they finger-paint your freshly painted hallway. They make it extremely difficult to keep your cool. That’s why I’m here with a few simple …

10 top tips for busy parents over the holidays

10 top tips for super busy business parents during the summer break The summer vacation is here, for those of you who are business owners or entrepreneurs it means weeks of stress and guilt while you try and juggle parenting with working.  So here are my top ten tips for super busy business parents.   …

3 Strategies to help you manage a child’s violence

How to calm down a child who is being violent There can be a whole host of reasons why a child is showing violent behaviour, and it is important to understand the root of those problems in order to help your child in the long run. However, it’s also crucial that you know how to …

Why the Naughty Step is wrong

Why the Naughty Step doesn’t work. The Naughty Step has been a go-to punishment for years, but it is far from the most effective method. In fact, it can often have the opposite effect – rather than calming a child down, it can make them angrier, more upset, or more frustrated. In case you are …

What is helicopter parenting?

What are the long term implications of helicopter parenting? Helicopter parenting is a phrase used to describe a parent who hovers over their child’s actions.  They remain close to their child at all times in case they need help or to keep a close eye on them.  It can be linked to anxiety about a …

The development of the adolescent brain

Why are teenagers so moody? Pre-adolescent brain development In the two or three years leading up to puberty the brain develops millions of new neurons, particularly in the pre-frontal cortex (the area at the front of the brain) and the grey matter surrounding.  Just as with the young child, it is important that these new …

The development of the brain

Regions of the brain Reptilian Complex Medulla Oblongata – Regulates bodily functions like pulse and breathing rates. Cerebellum – Controls balance and voluntary muscle movement. Pons – Connects both halves of your body to integrate movement like walking, running or swimming. Limbic System (Mammalian Brain) Thalamus – This is the area of the brain that …

Why do children or teens stab?

There are stories of teen or child stabbings in the news regularly.  Sometimes they appear to be linked to gangs and other times it feels like a lone child, so why does it happen? Why do children carry knives? A knife is a very personal weapon, it’s there for people who will be close to …

Helping children to understand terrorism and acts of violence

What do you tell children about terrorism and violence Terrorism is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “The unofficial or unauthorised use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.” Terrorist acts have played a major part in world events, increasingly so in more recent years.  Where an attack in Africa may not …

How do children learn about anger?

Anger is a strong emotion, it’s one of the first ones we experience as a baby when these adults around us don’t understand what we’re asking for.  As we grow other people don’t do what we want them to do or give us what we want and that makes us angry too. This is all …