MySpace and your kids
The recent deaths of two teenage girls in an apparent suicide pact in Victoria has raised fears of copycat self-harm behaviours, influenced by youth subcultures and their online activities on sites such as MySpace.

Positive peers make a huge difference
There is little doubt that positive peer relations impact on a child’s academic success, emotional well-being and state of mind.

Bringing out the best in boys
Raising and educating boys is still a hot topic in Australia and other parts of the world. It appears to me that those adults who do best raising and teaching boys have a significant understanding and appreciation of what makes boys tick.

"My child did what?"
I had a friend contact me recently shocked and distressed by the poor behaviour of her five year-old child.

Sewing seeds for success
A recent telephone conversation with my son who is living on the other side of the world in Canada reinforced how the seeds that parents sew in children’s minds can have a mighty, unforeseen impact.

5 ways to discipline children without smacking
From my perspective those parents who rely on smacking usually lack the skills and tools to deal with children when their behaviour is less than perfect. The good part is that skills can easily be learned. Adults, like children, can learn new behaviours and skills to help them become better, more effective parents.

Understanding Tantrums
Tantrums are common in us all. They vary in nature and intensity. Adults often sulk when they don’t get their own way. Sulking is a silent temper tantrum. Kids’ tantrums are usually more noisy than the adult version and can be more disturbing as they can involve objects being moved or thrown and even people being hit.

Do you have conversations or interrogations with your kids?
Lately, I have been challenged at home trying to converse with a young person who is consumed by the usual fare for kids in the last year of schooling - study, boy/girlfriends, peer relationships and parties (not in that order necessarily!). My attempts at conversation have been more like interrogations as I try to find out what is happening in her life. In many ways I need to stop grilling her and start chatting with her.

Building high self-esteem in your child
Children's self-esteem influences their social behaviour and learning. Children with low self esteem are less likely to step out of their comfort zones to extend themselves and try new experiences. They tend to take fewer risks than those with healthy level of self-esteem.

More...
    The eight self-confidence secrets of Bindi Irwin
    Toddlers and teens have plenty in common
    Secrets to superior language development in children
    Young children and biting
    Raising a high maintenance child
    Establishing good sleep patterns

Click on Parenting Ideas for more articles by Michael Grose featured here at Planet Preschool or visit his website at  www.parentingideas.com.au.