Baby sleep – what’s the solution?

Functioning without a decent amount of sleep is one of the harder parts of having a baby. Jodie Benveniste from Parent Wellbeing says that instead of looking for a foolproof method, new parents should try to find a style of parenting that they are most comfortable with.

Letting your children go

Protecting one’s children from hurt and disappointment is a primal instinct. Cherisse Khoury however advises parents to let them find their own ways of defending themselves.

It’s a boy!

To celebrate the birth of the future King, Open Forum has a special Parenting featured forum which includes a wide range of debate surrounding issues on raising children.

Why both sides of federal government must recommit to halving homelessness by 2020

Behind each statistic about homelessness in Australia is a personal story of isolation and desperation. Michael Perusco, CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW urges all politicians to commit to the target of halving homelessness by 2020.

More than a game

Parents use a number of different tools to try to teach their children life lessons. Anne-Maree Thomson shares how Australian Rules Football is helping to instil strong values in her sons.

What Murdoch could do instead

Australia should start talking about new systems and a new constitution. Dr Klaas Woldring thinks that Rupert Murdoch with his considerable media influence could help.

Bastille Day – not just for the French

On Bastille Day the French remember their revolutionary past. Sharon Stratford, who is running a website for Francophiles, explains why more and more Australians are joining the celebrations.

When you’re no longer part of your football family

Manly Sea Eagles rugby player Steve Menzies has announced his retirement on Thursday two months before turning 40. Having had the personal experience, Stefan Grun explores what is left once the active sporting career is over.

Children in detention: child rights not refugee fight

The new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has set the issue of asylum seekers high on his political agenda. Leila Druery, a refugee advocate for activist group GetUp!, describes the plight of children in mandatory detention and argues that their rights should come before political considerations.

Celebrate NAIDOC week

It’s NAIDOC week from 7 to 14 July. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields.

A Canadian’s Guide to Canada Day

The national day of Canada is celebrated every year on 1 July. Laura Ballantyne, a Canadian living abroad, provides an overview of all things Canadian – eh to z.

Wear jeans and fight childhood disease

Jeans for Genes Day is a national day when people are invited to wear their jeans to raise funds for research into birth defects and diseases such as cancer, epilepsy and a range of genetic disorders. On Friday 2nd August workplaces, schools and streets will become a sea of denim in a united stance against childhood disease. The money raised goes to the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI).