It was a little difficult for me to compose a blogpost mainly about happiness because I don’t believe in chasing it. This might seem ironic coming from the publisher of a website called happychild. But happiness is just one of many rich feelings that give me, and I think most people, a feeling of humanity and a sense of living a full and meaningful life. When happiness is absent in our daily lives or is fleeting, that’s a sign that something is more seriously wrong – and it’s the time to get support from experts, not the time to chase happiness. Because if you run after happiness you may never catch it. Read full article
Parenthood can be very funny. These little people we are helping to become big people can come out with some funny things, especially when they are learning to talk. My personal favourites from my kids are:
“where are my gubbles (GOGGLES)?”
“look at that man’s mooshraka (MOUSTACHE)"
“I love wearing chiuauas (TIARAS) on my head"
Then there’s the toilet humour. Read full article
Anyone helped through hard times by a close friend knows how much that support meant to them, but do close childhood friendships play an important role in long-term emotional development? Dr William Bukowski, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Concordia University, Canada, has researched how experiences with close peers affect a child’s social competence and wellbeing. His research indicates that friendships have a protective impact on our children’s emotional wellbeing by affecting how a child’s brain deals with stress immediately after a negative event. Read full article
Opinion: Many would agree that Australia is, in so many ways, a great place to be a child. Many children have positive experiences and opportunities. Why then, does Australia need a National Children's Commissioner? Why should we welcome the announcement of the establishment of a commissioner as a major step forward in ensuring the best interests, needs and rights of all Australian children? Read full article
Yesterday when I picked up the little travelers from school, Henry Hotdog's kindergarten teacher had something to tell me. "You have to tell your Mummy about the poem you wrote today Henry - can you tell her?" The hotdog considered the proposal for a moment and then proceeded to pull my head down towards his. In my ear he whispered ... Read full article
This week we will commemorate Anzac Day and remember those thousands of young soldiers whose bravery defined a nation. Young boys who left their shores, many never to return, forever remembered as heroes. I asked my children (9 and 7 years) about their heroes. I cringed at the anticipation of hearing names more notorious than heroic, more infamous than illustrious, more TV show than book cover. Pleasantly, I heard back – “Mum and Dad,” “my family,” “my teacher “, “zoo keeper,” and “J.K. Rowling”. Not a mention of One Direction! Happy with that! Read full article
There are some moments with my kids that are so precious I just want the moment to be permanently recorded forever and stored somewhere safe. I want this so I can re-live the moment and tap into the wonderful feelings that swam over me at the time. For five minutes today I had one of these moments. I was simply sitting on the floor brushing my five year old daughter’s hair while we both listened to Alvin and the Chipmunks soundtrack (of all things!). And I haven’t felt so peaceful and content in a very long time. Read full article
At no other time in history have so many great minds turned their attention to the emotional, intellectual and spiritual development of our children and teens? Which is a very good thing. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, builders and creative thinkers. Our investment now in helping them realise their full potential in order to thrive and rise up to life’s many challenges is also an investment in the future. Which is why we’re so delighted to help spread the word about Young Minds, a wonderful new initiative from the producers of the hugely popular Happiness & Its Causes and Mind & Its Potential conference series. Win a Gold Pass worth over $1500! Read full article
Scanning the news this morning I came across a very sad article about a 36 year old single mum who suddenly died during an epileptic seizure in Wagga Wagga, leaving her two year old daughter alone in the house. Miraculously, the two year old survived for about five days until a church pastor decided to check on the small family and found the daughter near to death herself. ...Sometimes life throws you a clue to make a change. Read full article
Best Start by Lynn Jenkins, clinical psychologist, is for parents who want to understand their baby's or toddler's emotional needs. This book explains the importance of the quality of your baby's early experiences and interactions and how these influence how your child develops. Read full article
