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Parenting Place exists to support parents and caregivers in Aotearoa New Zealand, through practical, evidence based parenting courses, age and stage information, coaching, tips and strategies through in person and online options.

Parenting Place is a non-profit organisation established in 1993. We are a charity with a heart for New Zealand families, supporting parents through courses, coaching, media, articles and online resources.

Our comprehensive guide to parenting toddlers + preschoolers (2-4 year olds)

Parent coaching provides you with personalised access to support that is unique to your family situation. Our coaches are available online and in person for Auckland based parents

With your regular giving or one-off donations, parents in New Zealand can access the vital resources, tools and courses they need to support their children through milestones, challenges and just everyday life.

Our comprehensive guide for parenting teenagers (12-18 year olds)

Free online resources are available to all parents and caregivers and meant to inspire by offering hope for families, equip with information and strategies whilst journeying with them through key transition times.

Our courses are designed to encourage, inform and support parents through various issues, milestones and challenges on their caretaking journey. We provide in person and online options for busy parents.

Is it a problem that most toddlers can navigate YouTube on their parent's phone, operate an iPad and recognise Bluey from a mile away?

We know kids are sponges, soaking things up... they're also mirrors, reflecting what they see in us!

Pro tips for powerful and productive exam prep.

A 101 on TikTok: what it is, how it works, why kids love it and what to look out for.

Ever had a surprisingly big reaction to something? Could be that there were some big emotions boiling away beneath the surface...

Heading back to class can be unsettling for kids. Here are some ideas to ease the transition.

How do we help our kids have a positive view of themselves and the confidence to back their own talents and abilities as they navigate the challenges ahead of them?

The breakdown of a relationship doesn't need to get in the way of raising secure and confident kids. Advice for navigating the challenges of separation and co-parenting.

Five tips for continuing to foster a nurturing environment when one home has become two.

Our job as parents is to calm things down. To do this, we need a plan. Could it be as simple as ABC?

Relationships act as a buffer against stress. We can boost the buffer we provide for our kids by prioritising our own emotional well-being.

Screens are often what kids turn to when there’s nothing else to do. Here are five distractions from technology.

Is it time to enlist the troops? Parent Coach Jenny Hale offers advice to busy parents who do all the work.

Great questions unlock great conversations – and with over 50 Chatter Box questions to choose from, there’ll be no shortage of talking, listening, laughing and connecting in your family.

Bad news is a fact of life, but how much should we let our kids in on this reality? What do we let them see/hear/read and how do we help them process what they’ve heard?

What to say, what not to say and how to listen when your child is anxious about the return to school.

To nurture healthy self-esteem in our kids, we need to talk more about the wonderful things our bodies can do and less about what they look like.

Climate change can have kids worried and parents wondering how to guide a generation with strong opinions about single-use plastic and electric cars

Dodgy content is everywhere unfortunately, so our kids need to know they can talk to us about anything, at any time, whatever they stumble across.

Drug use is obviously a big conversation, but long lectures probably won’t have the desired effect. Try these conversation starters to help us get to the heart of the issue with our young people.

Worried your kids can only communicate well online? With some coaching and practise, they can also master the art of making friends IRL.

Common responses to school reports and ideas for 'A for effort' conversations with your child about their progress.

It might feel every kind of awkward, but the best thing we can do is create a space where our kids know they can talk to us about anything.

Why regular check-ins with our kids about what’s happening in their online worlds and how it's making them feel are so very important.

Equipping our kids with tools to make the sixty-or-so minutes between bells more enjoyable for everyone.

Pets can become companions and even family members. So how do we support our kids when a furry friend is no more?

Why is something which happened so long ago still so important? A great question, and one worth talking about with our tamariki.

Let's talk about risks, for sure, but it's also worth having a positive party pep talk that prepares our teens to have fun safely.

First, take a look at what the causes could be, and second, have some good questions up your sleeve to engage in helpful conversations.

Gather together whānau! Five ideas for simple Matariki traditions that you could introduce at your place.

The pressure can mount as the year wraps up. Survival tips for enjoying the ride.

Simple ways to share te reo Māori at your place. Karawhiua – give it a go!

Summer holidays are for fun, but they're also a golden opportunity for our teens to make some cash! Valuable life-skills an added bonus.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts to manage and support our kids' technology use, they see things we wish they hadn’t. And then it's time to talk.

Life doesn’t stop throwing curveballs just because a baby is on the way. Carly Roberton reflects on a season marked by anxiety, chaos and the good things that still shone through.

Parent Coach Jenny Hale offers a deeper understanding of how these amazing kids sees the world and how they can best be supported.

Atmosphere is fundamental to our family’s well-being. So how do we keep the mood harmonious when things are getting tense?

Stress makes the brain work overtime, leaving us feeling overwhelmed. Here's a tool to help you find some calm.

With our support, experiencing big emotions helps our kids learn to understand, and then manage their feelings.

How to apply an aircraft safety message to the mental well-being of your whānau.

Three empowering messages to send our kids every day - you are capable, you can be confident, you can contribute.

From pyjama days and beach hangs to lunchboxes, homework and after-school activities – how to adjust and find the pace that works for your whānau.

When our kids are struggling at school, it's hard to know when to step in - and what those steps should look like!

Ideas for navigating pyjama party pitfalls and guiding kids to sleepover success – when they’re good and ready.

Friendliness doesn't always come naturally. When it comes to social skills, Jenny Hale suggests some gentle coaching.

Need a break? There’s fun to be had at home, and it’s also a great place to hit refresh.

Devices don’t have to be dangerous – there is plenty you can do to guide your young person’s behaviour when it comes to porn and other damaging content online.

Relationships mean there will be conflict, but the good news is that children can learn – little by little – to get on.

In a rapidly-changing world, digital technology has made everything more accessible. This means children are being exposed to porn and parents need to know how to protect them.

Online connection is a fact of life for today's tweens and teens - but can our kids handle themselves when messages are no longer appropriate?

To be a parent, to love deeply, is to open the door to wonder and joy, but also grief and pain. Peter Atkinson reflects on the loss of a son and the soothing of scars.

One mum's discovery that te reo lessons offer a lot more than just language.

Old phone, new phone, smart phone, dumb phone. A guide to supporting kids to have a phone and use it wisely.

Three tips to help your family to navigate through disastrous and downright frightening news and events.

Do lots of reasons, explanations and words help when we're trying trying to engage cooperation with our kids, or are we at risk of over-talking?

Community and support for parents during baby's first year

Our comprehensive guide for parenting primary aged children (5-11 year olds)

As a charity we rely on the giving, energy and support of thousands of New Zealanders and business supporters who partner with us to help families all over Aotearoa.

Parenting Place has an inclusive, friendly, supportive work culture where staff are celebrated often. Our people have a heart for our land, our heritage, our faith, our history and are driven by our mission to support New Zealand families, Come join us.

We are happy to help you with queries and support on course bookings, coaching enquiries, media enquiries, and more.

A whānau kaupapa unique to Aotearoa for parents + caregivers of 2-13 year olds

Having your children like one another is not an impossible dream. Jenny Hale explains how validation helps us all get along.

Feeling stretched in all directions? Ideas for supporting well-being and extending your bandwidth.

If the goal of sport is fitness and enjoyment, what do we do when competition makes things a bit tense? Great conversations to have while watching the Olympics!

It's vitally important we encourage our teens to think about what they could do to look after themselves and others when faced with high-risk situations.

Parenting coach and author Jenny Hale shares her top tips for parenting success – stay Kind, Firm and Calm.

Our teens are experts at online connection, but how are their social skills playing out in real life?

Why is it so hard to get a tired child to sleep? A consistent routine and some KFC might help, writes family coach Jenny Hale.

The release of NCEA results is a big moment for teens and parents. How we handle ourselves affects our kids – be it their need for cushioning, congratulating or a delicate balance of both.

Sunshine, free time and a bunch of mates. Sounds idyllic! Help teens create great memories while staying safe.

Classification labels and timebands are there to help parents navigate safe viewing for kids. But what do they mean?

Looking after yourself is especially important if you're parenting solo. Here are some ideas for how.

Kids choose some choice words sometimes. Here are some tips for tackling swearing.

Relationships are key for well-being so kids might need some help to stay in contact with their mates in a lockdown.

Activities that help both parents and kids harness the benefits of mindfulness.

How good information, good people and time can make a huge difference.

Why the struggles typical of being a new dad need to be talked about.

How tough times offer a valuable invitation for character growth and life skills.

Just realised it's almost school holidays? We've got you covered with 30+ things to do for school holiday fun.

The power of curiosity, ways to start a conversation and alternatives to "Because I said so!"

Anxiety sometimes looks like procrastination, and procrastination can result in panic. Time for a plan!

No one enjoys stuffing up, but mistakes are how we learn. So how we face our own failings can really help our kids.

Why generosity is so good for us all and ideas for ways to get kids giving.

Giving our kids gifts can be delightful. It can also be expensive and even fraught with disappointment. A few good chats in the lead up can really help.

These last few years have been the season of the screen – with good reason! When it comes to pulling the plug, gently and thoughtfully is the key.

Feeling jolly tired? Tis the season for a rest and some recovery time with our nearest and dearest.

Navigating risk is an important life skill, so here are some ideas for talking to kids about safety.

Time for a whānau hui? Most families need a bit of a reset at some point - a moment to take stock and hit refresh.

Why caring for your family starts with caring for yourself, and self-care strategies that are more kindness, less pressure.

Hot, bothered and bored? It's time for a sprinkler under the trampoline and other summer classics.

No matter how ‘messy’ the breakdown of a relationship, there are a few key strategies that can make the journey significantly smoother for your kids.

When confronting headlines and traumatic events reach our kids, how do we support them with the right information at just the right time?

How a simple Q&A can help our kids find calm in the face of yet another storm.

How do you know when a child is ready to say goodbye to nappies, and how to we support them in this steep learning curve?

A chat about vaping can help our kids think about addiction while developing empathy for others and some healthy hesitancy of their own.

What's hitting a ball back and forth over a net got to do with having a conversation with a teenager? A handy metaphor that encourages us to keep serving.

Kids turning up their noses at your delicious and nutritious lovingly prepared meals? Try the no fuss/no drama approach to feeding the whānau.

Easter traditions look different for every whānau. Parenting Place staff members share what they get up to at their whare...

Could the secret to successful supermarket shopping, that sticks to the budget, be KFC?

Explaining Anzac Day to kids and three simple ways to acknowledge a significant day.

How the simple act of sitting together around the table offers significant health and well-being benefits to our kids.

Jenny Hale reflects on the gift her mother left her and how we can share it with our kids – and ourselves!

No one wants their child to be bullied and no one wants their child to be a bully, hence it’s something we need to keep talking about.

How pink shirts can help eliminate bullying and make the world a better place for everyone.

From strict and disciplined to free-range and even helicopters, we’ve looked at parenting from lots of different angles but one style is a clear winner.

With May being NZ Music Month, we asked mum/musician Emily Benge why music is so meaningful for kids and how to jazz up your family's soundtrack.

We talk a lot about the need to support kids through their big feelings but what about our own? How taking a break can help everyone cool down.

Make memories for all the right reasons with some careful road-trip planning, packing and stashing.

The value of grandparenting and how to enhance the relationship for all three generations.

There are a number of tricky spots that most families encounter at some stage. Learn what ‘little dances’ are going on and how to work in sync, not in opposition.

"Say sorry" most of us were probably instructed at some point in childhood. Does a forced apology really help make things right though?

Trying something new pushes us out of our comfort zones. And while some of us need more of a push than others, the benefits are universal.

5 ways to connect with your kids when they're on holiday but you are not...

Big feelings can cause big behaviours – moments that call for a fresh parenting approach. Psychologist Katherine Tarr explains the theory and practice of emotion coaching.

How do we raise kids who'll do the right thing, even when nobody is watching? Psychologist Ele Porteous explains self-determination theory and how to apply it in our parenting.

Conversation starters to help our kids embrace the reality that winning isn’t everything and losing isn’t failing.

When devices have become our go-to for entertainment, a simple list on the fridge can work wonders for inspiration.

How do our kids learn, and who are they learning from? Psychologist Katherine Tarr explains social cognitive learning theory and how to apply it in our parenting.

While there's no one-size-fits-all guide to baby sleep, we can offer insights and strategies to support more restful days and peaceful nights.

Attachment can mean a lot of things in parenting. Here we take a closer look at a theory of human relationships – specifically how children develop a close relationship with at least one caregiver.

Tricky behaviours! Talking about what’s really going on below the surface can help make everyone feel – and behave – better.

So, your child is starting school or moving to intermediate or high school. There's a lot to think about, right? Mum-of-two and ex-teacher Holly Brooker talks us through her decision-making process.

How do we talk to an anxious teen, and do they really want to hear what we've got to say? Listening is a good place to start, followed by a little bit of curiosity and a whole lot of empathy.

The annual State of the Nation Parenting Survey has revealed that most of us are feeling the pinch and juggling multiple life stressors. Nathan Wallis offers some coping strategies.

It's prizegiving season, but not everyone gets a trophy. Every child can feel seen however, and celebrated for the wonderful work they've put in this year.

Christmas can be a time of joy, but it can also mean pressure and strain on family relationships. What's the recipe for smooth celebrations and peaceful togetherness?

Time is a precious resource in family life. Why do we need to keep some spare and how do we ensure we have a buffer?

For anxious kids, the important adults in their lives are powerful allies in helping them manage their big feelings can keep anxiety in its place.

Picking up the school routine after the holidays can be a challenge. Tips for greater confidence when that back-to-school bell rings, for parents and kids alike!

Any kind of weather event can be unsettling for children and challenging for parents. How can we support our kids emotionally through a natural disaster?

A complex question with no easy answer! But here are some useful things to think about and helpful questions to ask.

What's a tween? No longer a little kid but not yet a teenager. This is an important developmental stage where connection is key.

So many great things to do, so little time! It helps to know your priorities but also to know your limits.

Less is more? More is more? How to balance the benefits of extra-curricular activities with the pressures of over-scheduling.

Life lethargy is a legitimate struggle for many of us right now. How do we lighten the load when everything feels so heavy?

When tech takes more of our attention than it should, it gets in the way of genuine connection and relationship building. So what do we do? Try a digital detox!

A beautiful thing about being in a family is that even though ruptures can (and will!) happen in our relationships, so can repair.

Some kids love to entertain, but what do we do when things get a bit a silly? Family coach Jenny Hale offers advice on parenting the 'class clown' or 'court jester'.

With a regular habit of talking through the day, the whole family gets to share highlights and lowlights, and to practise great listening.

Need to change track? Here's an acronym to help us sweeten the mood and get our kids on board with what we’re asking.

Most unwanted behaviour comes from unmet needs, and if a child is constantly playing up, it’s good to pause and work out what else could be going on.

Parenting Place pou tangata Pio Terei remembers his adoptive mother who taught him respect and loyalty – and the love language of food.

Holly Brooker reflects on a challenging childhood and her remarkable mother who was determined to turn the page for the sake of her family.

From troubled child to teenage mum to adored and celebrated grandmother - how one woman found hope and moved her family towards a whole new future.

The power of simply being present through life’s ups and downs, and resisting the urge to jump in and fix.

Having arrived at the end of one road, Dave and Phoebe bravely embarked on an alternative pathway to parenthood, embracing the beauty in every challenge.

By front-footing these trickier conversations, you’re setting your young person up with the knowledge and confidence to build healthy, respectful relationships for life.

How to we navigate important conversations about cash? “Money doesn't grow on trees” has traditionally been a starting point, but we can probably do better... right?

Parent Coach Kristin Ward explains how a simple reframe can make boundaries more effective, keeping children safe and parents sane!

A practical guide to Snapchat – how does it work, what are the concerns and what are the benefits?

If your child is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with a new environment, a new routine, even a new playground, it can really help to ‘rehearse’.

Supporting a teenager’s emerging need for autonomy requires a delicate balance. Here are three things autonomy-supportive parents will keep in mind.

In our quest to help our kids through tough moments, we sometimes dismiss or even disapprove of their feelings. Parent coach Jenny Hale offers a more fruitful approach.

We polled the Parenting Place office and gathered up the team's top ideas for great gifts that don't cost the earth.

Boundaries help keep our young people safe, but like everything else in the teen years, our approach to rules and limits will be a little different.

Kids behaving in ways you're not keen on? We can mentally time travel to 'worst case scenarios' in the future OR we can calmly keep parenting in the moment.

Hold tight, you're still needed! And connection is still within reach... even when our teenagers withdraw.

The words we use with our kids can invite cooperation or start a fight!

It's here to help, or is it? The pros, cons and conversation starters concerning Artificial Intelligence and our kids.

Some kids are sending Snaps, some are dancing on TikTok, others are styling their breakfast for the gram. But what are the Discord crew up to?

A safe and fun way to record important things about your family and keep everyone on the same page, quite literally!

Ever find yourself drifting away? Clinical psychologist Ele Porteous shares some strategies to help us reconnect with the present moment, so we can truly connect with our little ones.

NEW An 8-module, self-guided online course developed in collaboration with psychologists and our parent coaches.

Feeling a bit thinly spread? Tips for self-care when you're needed everywhere!

Robust conversations and practical measures are required to keep our kids safer online. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this process.

From season two of Parents We've Met, doting dad-to-three Nathan King chats candidly about family life, a music career and the complexities of raising a neurodiverse child.

Kanoa Lloyd joins us in season two of Parents We've Met for a thoughtful kōrero on motherhood, career juggling and what to do with all the big feelings.

Little loving steps can help a child feel confident with a babysitter, and parents feel happy about heading out!

"Nothing prepares you." From season two of Parents We've Met, Rebekah Randell reflects on loss and healing in motherhood.

Diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) at age 40, Kylie DellaBarca Steel – mum to three young sons – started a blog to document her journey and kindly shares this post with Parenting Place.

Grounding thoughts and tools to help you navigate 'life and death' conversations with your kids, whether you're facing loss now or preparing for honest discussions in the future.

Coming soon Learn to confidently support your kids as they navigate an ever-changing digital world.

Is there a ‘magic ratio’ when it comes to positive vs negative interactions in healthy relationships? What is it, how will I implement it and do I even have time?!

Strong-willed kids are wonderful, wild and absolutely have the capacity to drive a parent crazy. Fear not, help is at hand!

Kind, Firm, Calm: Simple strategies to transform your parenting

Encourage and affirm your little ones with our affirmation stickers

Celebrate your family’s achievements with the Red Plate

Celebrate your family’s achievements with the Red Plate