The relationship between the ‘good’ parent and parent fatigue

Modern parents are expected not only to participate in their children’s lives, but to perform. Dr Kym Macfarlane, senior lecturer of Child and Family Studies at Griffith University, argues that we should make time to play and relax.

Lessons from the Middle East in Restoring Hope for refugees and asylum seekers

Last week’s Refugee Week celebrated the contribution of refugees rebuilding their life far from home. Phil Glendenning, president of the Refugee Council of Australia, argues that we should measure up to the generosity of Middle Eastern countries in supporting refugees.

The Edward Snowden impact on intelligence

There has been some controversy about Edward Snowden’s motives to share classified information regarding the National Security Agency with the press. Dr Patrick Walsh, senior lecturer for intelligence and security studies at Charles Sturt University, speculates about the consequences of this intelligence leak.

Find a Grandparent – Connecting Surrogate Grandparents with Young Families

Grandparents play an important role in raising children. Cate Kloos explains how her not-for-profit organisation helps families that are looking for a caring grandparent.

Teens and acceptable behaviour online

What was considered private personal information a decade ago is being redefined in the digital age. Joanne Jacobs from 1000heads advises parents to use a common sense approach in dealing with the online behaviour of their teenage children.

Importance of swimming for children

Being confident in and around water from an early age is an important part of growing up in Australia. Jasmin Forsyth from Swim Australia urges all Australians not only to swim, but to swim well.

Parenting forum

Our featured forum for June and July is Parenting. This is a subject that brings out passionate and polar opposite responses: What should we feed our precious offspring? How much TV is too much – or shouldn’t we let our children watch movies at all, lest we infiltrate their innocent brains with Hollywood stereotypes? What is safe online behaviour for teenagers? Do they need discipline to learn boundaries or should we let them develop their own sense of right and wrong? Is slapping ever acceptable? Do we need more helicopter parents or tiger mums?

Gender is never off the agenda while denigration of women is a national pastime

There has been a renewed focus on gender-related issues in Australian politics lately. Kate Galloway argues that it is time to address the deep seated disdain for women in our society.

Refugee Week

Thursday 20 June 2013 is World Refugee Day. Refugee Week is held from Sunday 16 June to Saturday 22 June 2013 throughout Australia. The organisers raise awareness about the issues refugees deal with and celebrate the positive impact refugees have on our society. The theme for this and next year is Restoring Hope.

Kids or career? The costs to consider when having another child

There is considerable debate surrounding returning to work after having children. Claire Esmond from Pave Wealth Services looks at the true cost of raising a child and explains the financial burden of adding to the nest.

Temper taming or: How not to kill your children in the middle of the night

Every parent knows how difficult it can be to stay composed when your child starts screaming in the small hours – night after night. Anna Gibson offers strategies in calming your baby while keeping your sanity.

Why is children’s television important?

Television has been accused of making our children obese and passive. Jenny Buckland, CEO of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, argues that age-appropriate television programs for children can have a positive impact on their development.