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It 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 … Read more
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 each parenting style, the parenting practices will differ. For example, each family will … Read more
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 it is – it lays the foundations for healthy brain development and shapes the … Read more
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 times we need help and it’s OK to ask for it. Even if it’s hard … Read more
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. This can increase stress and anxiety – which makes parenting even harder than it has … Read more
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 unspeakable horror of those fateful minutes, we echo the Prime Minister who said, “You … Read more
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 the internet is a relatively recent phenomenon and the impact it is having on the … Read more
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 time. Although some lucky parents may skip the drama during the toddler years – perhaps … Read more
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 we get that many parents struggle to reach an agreement on what is the … Read more
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 have a child who struggles with anger: What triggers the feeling of anger (what … Read more
