Search results: family journeys

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.

Most families need a bit of a reset at some point. After the year we've had, it's a good moment to take stock and hit refresh.

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

A family kaupapa that is unique to Aotearoa

Lockdown fatigue is real, but a few subtle shifts in focus can help us come out the other side relationally connected.

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?

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

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

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

Sooner or later you, you may find yourself having some quality whānau time at home. We asked a mum fresh out of self-isolation for some pro tips.

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.

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

There's a lot to process as our kids head back to school this year. Gentle encouragement for more confident steps into 2022.

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.

Uncertain times can leave us all a bit unsettled, so how can we lend kids some of our confidence?

What's your parenting vibe right now? Maybe you'll recognise yourself in these classic styles of pandemic parenting.

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

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.

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?

How can we enhance the atmosphere and respond to the needs of our kids in self-isolation? Family coach Jenny Hale offers some strategies.

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

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

Inspiring lists of things to do when stuck at home have their place, but sometimes it’s just as helpful to reflect back and acknowledge that, boy, that was hard!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Is your teenager stuck with you or are you stuck with them? It’s a bit of both. Here are some useful tips to enhance the vibe.

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

Technology has enabled our teens to stay connected through tough times of isolation. But how do we help them connect with others and build relationships in the offline world?

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.

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

Three teachers share advice for lockdown learning: lower expectations, set realistic goals and prioritise connection.

Need another project? Ideas for keeping kids busy and entertained during lockdown.

Teens strive for independence and connection with their peers, so how do parents support them during lockdown?

Made your own sourdough yet? No, neither have we. Here are a few more ideas for keeping busy in your bubble.

Feeling stretched? Why moments of connection are hugely meaningful, and interruptions are an invitation.

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

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.

Kids may have big feelings about returning to school. Suggestions from a psychologist on how we can support them.

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

Takeaways for dinner may sweeten the mood in level 3, but here are some other ideas for supporting your whānau too.

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.

Running out of ideas? We've got you covered with 30+ things to do for school holiday fun.

Encouragement and fresh ideas for those of us still doing school at the dining table.

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

NCEA, prize-givings, graduations – all a bit different this year, and kids and parents alike might need some extra support.

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

Raising the next generation can be daunting, but the key is quite simple – relationship.

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!

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

Rebuilding connection in the face of challenging circumstances.

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.

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

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.

Community and support during the critical first 1000 days

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?

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.

Tips for talking about the future in a season where plans seem impossible.

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.

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

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.

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.

Uncertainty and anxiety takes a toll on well-being. A psychologist offers some tips for coping with the challenges of life in a time of Covid.

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.

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

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

Is it possible to not just survive another lockdown, but actually thrive? Holly Brooker gets strategic.

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.

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.

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.

Enlist the troops! A family coach 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?

Family coaching provides you with the take-home strategies that can help you bring about the positive changes you desire for your whānau.