parenting

Six Rules To Raise Your Children By

Written by Familytastic Staff on Thursday 22 October 2009

What are the core values that we should be raising our children to? Psychologist Kevin Leman, there are six simple rules that should be at the heart of each family.

The rules, which may seem a little harsh on first read, center mostly around respect for the parents as heads of the house, and some basic life lessons. Here are Leman's six rules:

Should children call parents by their first name?

Written by Gerard on Thursday 22 October 2009

Do you call your parents Mum and Dad, or do you use their first name? Or, more importantly, do you allow your children to call you by your first name?

I've been meaning to ask this question on Familytastic for a while now, because our daughter - quite of her own free will - has been calling me "Gerard" and "Dad" intermittently for almost as long as she could talk. And to be honest, a little part of me likes the idea of being on first-name terms with my children.

How to stop your child's friendship deteriorating?

Written by Gerard on Thursday 30 April 2009

What do you do when you notice your child's friendships breaking down?

Do you intervene, do you try to get them to talk it out? Do you try to get them to spend time apart? Do you mind your own business and be there to pick up the pieces?

Rachel (who's only 7 years old, remember) is having quite a bit of friction with her best friend of the last 3 or so years. The other little girl is quite introverted and likes to keep Rachel to herself. She's not keen on the two of them mixing with other kids, although we try to make sure Rachel has other options.

If you knew... would you?

Written by lynnconnolly on Wednesday 10 December 2008

Someone asked me recently, “If you knew then what you know now, would you still have had kids?”

It’s a question that I couldn’t answer but it’s bugged me ever since. Would I?

7 Habits and our family

Written by Gerard on Thursday 9 October 2008

I stumbled across this post over on Ririan Project today about the 7 habits of highly successful fathers.

Funnily enough, when we first started a family, I picked up that book by Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Families. While it was an interesting read, I never got to the end of it. It's on my to-do list for when I start working from home.

Ririan's post borrows heavily from the Covey formula, and it's an inspiring read. However, I do disagree with his first point, keeping stress to yourself. OK, it's one thing to not let your mood impact your family, but I try to talk to our children about what's going on in my life.

I came home quite tired from work the other day and explained that I'd had a hard day at work. We briefly chatted about why my day had been so difficult. While it's important to let the children get on with the business of being kids, part of being in a family is sharing your emotions, and I'd like to think the kids can come back to me and talk about their lives too.

More On iPods And Singing

Written by Gerard on Monday 9 July 2007

Rachel's fascination with the iPod continues.

New Words Every Day

Written by Lisa on Tuesday 8 May 2007

I just love the stage that our baby boy is at right now. Actually I should probably stop calling him a baby, he is more of a toddler at this point. But he is our youngest and last and I want to have a baby for just a bit longer! Anyway back to the point, Daniel is 21 months old and chattering like a monkey! I love watching the joy on his face when I understand what he is saying, and more often than not what he wants to eat. Many of Daniels first words have been food or drink related. Unsurprising, considering thats all he ever wants to do.

The Run Up To Christmas Begins!

Written by Lisa on Thursday 14 September 2006

Normally by this time of year I am at least half organised for christmas. I know how boring that sounds but the thought of buying all my presents in December terrifies me and I could never afford to do it all in one month anyway.

This year however I seem to be lagging behind. I have a few things in for Jake and a few dress up costumes for Rachel, but other than that the attic is bare.

Hitting, Smacking and Physical Violence...How Do I Discourage It In My Children?

Written by Lisa on Wednesday 19 July 2006

Over the last few weeks I have felt as though I am banging my head off a brick wall. Jake has always been more free with his hands than Rachel, but over the last six months or so, I have noticed that he rarely hits, kicks or pushes anymore.

When Gender Becomes An Issue

Written by Lisa on Sunday 9 July 2006

Up until recently there was very little differentiation in our home between the toys Rachel played with, and the toys that Jake chose.

If Rachel wanted to play with Barbies or My Little Ponies, then Jake was happy to join in. But in the last few weeks our wee boy has started to emerge. It all started with a Batman figure that my sister bought for him last month, and from then we have seen his interest in boys toys grow and grow.