By: Robert GarrettIn several recent blogs I reference experts encouraging parents to keep the channels of communication open with their teens. From dads staying close to their daughters, to maintaining healthy parental dialogue around social media use, a positive outcome involves parents who...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonWhy do adolescents take risks – a lot? It’s almost like they feel they’re immortal. Adolescents are impulsive. They seek constant stimulation. They don’t weigh risks before they dive headlong into situations.Their impulse control and judgement seem...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonA friend of mine had an awful ‘sexting’ incident occur with her 11 year-old daughter. Her daughter was having an innocent conversation with a boy from school via text when he asked her to send “noodz” to him. I have two daughters and a son who are...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonA guy I know – let’s call him Justin – was a failure at school by nearly all measures. I (oops, “he”) had few friends. And academically… well, let’s just say that Justin’s report cards were never worth framing and putting on a...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonIn Australia, two-thirds of parents are both working and raising young children. And many of those families are turning to grandparents to fill the vital role as carers for their kids. In fact, almost one in four children receive some care from grandparents. And the...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonThough families have felt palpable relief as restrictions have started to ease across the rest of the nation, our Victorian children are struggling more and more to follow the rules still in place.Isolation just seems to be getting harder, and the easing restrictions elsewhere...
By: Collett SmartNote: The use of * throughout this article is so that it gets through any web filters you may have.Young people are naturally curious and innately want to know more about love and sex, yet porn has the ability to destroy everything that is good about romance, love and...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonAre you raising children to love or fear you? Most parents have a deeper goal in mind for their children than mindless obedience.“I’m in my 40’s and I’m still afraid of my old man.”The comment came from a wiry, sun-tanned farmer sporting a fresh...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonDear Dr Justin, my husband has tried to take his own life twice in the past six weeks. He is now in hospital receiving care but I’ve just told the kids he’s dealing with some emotional problems and needs special help.My eldest (11) is not talking, is acting...
By: Dr Justin Coulson‘Get up!’‘Hurry up! It’s time to go.’‘Do your homework now. You should have done it already!’‘You will study tonight.’Nobody likes to be told what to do. It gets our back up and makes us resistant to what’s being...
By: Jennie ScottOK, son. You’re in that weird stage right now where you’re technically not a teenager yet, but you’re not a little kid anymore, either. I know it’s super strange. Your body is changing, your voice is sounding different, and your brain is struggling to...
By: Dr Justin CoulsonMany of our children don’t like to admit this – and if they’re reading this article, they’ll say it’s not true – but until at least the age of 16, our children need us to be actively involved in a good portion of their lives. In reality, our...