Helping our children be motivated
February 17, 2020It can often feel like our job as parents is to motivate our children to do well at school and home. This can lead to a focus on rewards and punishments. However, research on motivation is very clear that the goal should be more about fostering self-motivation (or intrinsic motivation).
In this article, we explain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and offers some suggestions on how to effectively “motivate” ...
Read moreDo you know your Parenting Style?
November 25, 2019 Research by Diana Baumrind, a development psychologist, showed that parents fall into four main categories or styles: Permissive, Authoritative, Uninvolved and Authoritarian.
This refers to the overall climate in which they raise their children, rather than the actions they take.
So, with-in ...
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What is attachment parenting and why is it important?
November 4, 2019 Attachment parenting is about the quality of the relationship between the caregiver and the child. It is a measure of the child’s connection to an adult caregiver and is formed when the child is young.
Attachment research has shown how important ...
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Wellbeing tips for parents
September 10, 2019 As parents, we need to look after our own wellbeing. Often, we want to believe that we are superheroes and can keep on top of everything. But we all know that is far from the truth and that there are ...
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Positive parenting tips for happier families
April 9, 2019 The term “positive parenting” is everywhere and has become increasingly popular over the years. But what does it really mean? We know from the calls we get that many parents feel confused and disempowered by the contradictory information out there. ...
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How to talk to your child about terrorism
March 20, 2019 Parent Help joins with all New Zealanders who have condemned the horrific violence on Friday 15th March at the two mosques in Christchurch.
To our Muslim communities, especially the families who have lost loved ones, and to those who endured the ...
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Parenting young people in a digital age
January 29, 2019 One of the biggest and most complicated challenges that parents face as their children grow in today’s world seems to be related to spending time online – surfing the net or on social media sites. Having almost constant access to ...
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Ways to handle toddler tantrums
January 14, 2019 There is a reason that you’ll often hear people talking about “the terrible twos” and “three-nagers”; parenting toddlers is hard work! One of the biggest challenges for parents is dealing with the tantrums and meltdowns that are commonplace during this ...
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Parenting after separation
December 4, 2018 In the midst of the stress of ending a relationship, couples with children face the extra pressure of making decisions about how they will parent after separation. This can be a very difficult time for families.
We know from the calls ...
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Anger and aggression in children
November 12, 2018 Anger and emotional outbursts during childhood are normal, and if met with appropriate boundaries and expectations from the caregiver, the child will eventually learn to manage these difficult emotions.
This article covers some of the key questions to ask if you ...
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Challenging teenagers – how to deal with them
October 29, 2018 For many parents, the teenage years present the greatest challenges. They feel lost and overwhelmed by how reckless, rude and uncooperative their child has become. Why won’t they listen? Why are they so irresponsible? What makes them so irrational?
They often ...
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