Good to Great Parenting

24/06/2026

What's a midweek meal that wins at your place?

24/06/2026

“My kids never listen to me.” This is one of the things that many parents say and it drains our energy.

How many times do we repeat ourselves over and over again. Put your shoes on, brush your teeth, pack your bag - HANG UP YOUR TOWEL!!!

Only to have our words fall on deaf ears.

Mostly our kids are busy being kids, they are not deliberately tuning us out. We can be like the white noise in the background.

How we speak matters just as much as what we say.

A slow voice
A low voice

When we shift our tone, our pace, and are more present, these things make it easier for kids to hear what we say.

22/06/2026

One way to keep communication channels open is to remember QTIP, easier to say and harder to do, especially if you are feeling under pressure. Ditch the should and QTIP. Being a teen is in itself a hard place to be - it's not about you.

22/06/2026

Who is your fave parenting author and why?

22/06/2026

Here are some beautiful and worthwhile words to remember from Dr Kaylene Henderson - Child Psychiatrist

Words are powerful!

Having always done this with my three kids, I can honestly say these are such powerful words for children to hear wondered aloud and to learn to wonder themselves.

“I wonder what’s going on for your friend for them to have been so snappy today?”

“I wonder what that’s like for your teacher, to put so much thought and effort into how they can help you all learn, only to have some of the kids they’re trying so hard for deliberately ignore them?”

“We’ve noticed that particular customer here at the supermarket before… I wonder why they choose to behave in that way? I can only imagine that makes life harder for them, so what might that be about do you think?”

“I wonder what that’s like to move to a new school at this age, when lots of you are already settled into your friend groups? I wonder what you could do to help the days feel less hard for them as they find their people?”

“You’re such a kind human. It’s one of the gazillion things I love about you. But what you said back there wasn’t kind, so I'm wondering what that was about. What's up? And how can I help?”

I suspect the world would be a better place if we all did a little more wondering… ❤️

Image credit: Lori Deschene / Tiny Buddha

21/06/2026

Parenting is a one size fits one, rather than a one size fits all.

Understanding what kind of child we have and their special tempo helps us to create conditions that match what they need. Each child is different and what works for one won't for another.

Small steps that suit their tempo can reduce stress and anxiety. Regular chunks of time add up.

Do you need to allow more time for your child to get ready for the day?

Are evenings the time when they need to decompress?

Sometimes a longer trip to the park or a walk on the beach on weekends give us all a boost.

What's something you are doing for yourself each day, even a 20 minute break, to make sure you can handle the unpredictable things that come along?

Working out our child's tempo can make all the difference.

31/05/2026

If you're the parent of a toddler (or a child who acts like one) you'll know that it can feel like you are living with a pint sized dictator. They want what they want when they want it. And they won't take no for an answer. They can also be incredibly fun, loving and say the most hilarious things. We get both sides.

A question I was asked by a parent recently made me think about how tough this age and stage can be - "How do you get such a little child who has strong will power to take "no" for an answer?"

This is a really good question. A part of knowing what to do is knowing what it's like for your child first. Toddlers have a lot in common with teens. They want greater independence - to do it themself. Often toddlers insist they'll do it themselves, even when you are not convinced it's a good idea. Like when they TRY to pour themselves a cup of milk and they end up emptying the whole container. This desire for independence is actually is a sign of healthy development.

Three facts about toddlers which can help us to understand them better.

1. They need your attention and lots of it

You struggle to do the most basic of tasks, even to unload the dishwasher, as they want you to watch them and pull on your clothes all the time. Research tells us toddlers can make bids for our attention every 20 seconds. This is a stage of development which is very needy.

2. They are in an egocentric stage of development - it's ME focused

This helps us know why they act like it's all about them. You help them relate to others gradually. This is a process which happens over time. Because it's a needy stage, there's a lot of help that is needed here.

3. Toddlers can't regulate emotions on their own...YET

Toddlers learn how to regulate emotions, attention alongside you. Helping your toddler move through big emotions rather than trying to stop slowly builds their awareness of their inner world and develops skills they need.

Note to self - in the messy chaos of raising your toddler you will need a lot of energy and to give yourself the grace to say "Wow, we made it through another day."

27/05/2026

What's a way to make mornings go more smoothly?

20/05/2026

What's your favourite game to play with kids?

13/05/2026

What's a new dinner your kids would like to try?