Let go; enjoy their return
Families around the country are preparing for the big move - teenagers off to tertiary study or work in another town, writes Ian Munro.
parenting
Avoiding the third degree
Avoiding the third degree
They've been back at school for a week or so now. How's it been trying to find out how the new year is shaping up, asks parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Ration that screen time
Ration that screen time
Get away from that darn television before your eyes go square.
The inevitable 'summer love'
The inevitable 'summer love'
Parenting columnist Ian Munro shares a few tips on "summer love" - when you discover that your little darling is now someone else's darling.
Sun protection a must in NZ
Sun protection a must in NZ
Our children deserve great summer memories, not a legacy of skin cancer in later years, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Time for water fun outside
Time for water fun outside
Another great summer and getting wet is an essential part of it, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Royals top rejected baby names
Royals top rejected baby names
The Royals enjoyed renewed popularity last year, and not just for their weddings.
Here's to our citizen-makers
Here's to our citizen-makers
Earlier in the month I attended a concert at the Wellington Opera House called Some Enchanted Evening and I wasn't just enchanted, I was spellbound, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Don't be a snowplough
Don't be a snowplough
This week I was introduced to an expression new to me, although it's apparently been around for several years: "snowplough parenting", writes Ian Munro.
Thoughtful giving
Thoughtful giving
Christmas is coming and while the geese might be getting fat, the wallet is unlikely to be - unless it's with eftpos receipts, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
All-round fun and more
All-round fun and more
Whatever the season, ball games still play a major part in our leisure and sporting consciousness, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Teens’ teeth — the issues
Teens’ teeth — the issues
When teenagers are in a rush, lots of "annoying, time-consuming things" don’t get done and often taking care of their teeth is one of these, says parenting columnist Ian Munro.
A question of attachment
A question of attachment
Our earliest attachment to people has a profound effect on our lives, writes Helen Dent.
Keeping it real
Keeping it real
I recently had the opportunity to save Planet Earth from space invaders. It was a demanding and exhausting job, but I did it, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
How parents can help at exam time
How to help at exam time
Exams can be a time of pressure and one where a little bit of family tolerance and understanding can help, writes Ian Munro.
Critical thinking - part 2
Critical thinking - part 2
In this time of disinformation and deceit, having the skills to think critically is vital, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Teaching to think critically
Teaching to think critically
There can be no question in this time of disinformation and deceit that, more than ever before, human beings have to be able to think critically, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
A tricky condition
A tricky condition
For teenagers in their senior high school years, the impact of ME can be significant and extremely debilitating, says parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Child-rearing survival 101
Child-rearing survival 101
Time is an important thing needed to keep ourselves together and a relationship in good shape, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Anger can hit parents, too
Anger can hit parents, too
I've mentioned several times over the past few weeks about trying to respond calmly and matter-of-factly to a 2-year-old's tantrum and bumptious teens, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.