What really happens when you listen to your kids?
Child and adolescent therapist Dr Anna Martin shares her successful methods for conflict-free child discipline. There’s a …
Behaviour and Values
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How to handle sibling rivalry
Sibling rivalry is common and completely normal, but how do we stop it going too far? Dr Melanie Woodfield shares how calm consistency can be the key. Ah, the soundtrack of family life. At times, it’s easy listening and we quietly congratulate …
Understanding your family temperament
Is your child easily distracted? Highly sensitive to noise, perhaps? Happy-go-lucky or prone to sulk? Research suggests temperament is innate and, as Miriam McCaleb explains, a wise parent observes their children’s differences and duly meets their …
Toddler tantrums
It's like a nightmare - you wake up one morning to discover that your beautiful, angelic little baby has overnight become a terrible, tantrum-throwing toddler. Whilst some toddlers are more difficult than others, they all go through this stage to a …
Taming toddler tantrums
Kicking and screaming, wailing and whining, foot stamping, floor pounding, arm flapping... No, it's not performance art, it's a toddler tantrum. Here's how to cope with your little one's amateur dramatics - and keep your sanity. Simply saying the …
Family Mission Statements - Why You Should Make One
Former OHbaby! Editor Ellie Gwilliam looks at how a family mission statement can encourage the team and motivate even the youngest players. I have little quote books filled with the wisdom and wit of my three daughters. From the mouths of babes …
Two words to calm the storm
Crush disappointment and stress with these two words! "It's Okay!" Do you ever feel like your head is going to explode? Between work and cleaning house and meals and laundry and the car that needs to be fixed and the bills that need to be paid, …
How To Create An Attitude of Gratitude In Children
Psychologist Dr Melanie Woodfield on how to foster an attitude of gratitude and encourage contentment in our children Gratitude. It’s a concept I was first introduced to as a teenager while watching Oprah. That influential woman suggested we all …
Creative discipline when kids are messy
Try these creative discipline ideas when your children are messy. by Lisa Whelchel If you're looking for ways to get your kids to clean up after themselves, try these ideas: Here's a solution for a perpetually messy bedroom: Explain to your …
Chore reward cards
Want a fun and easy way to get your little ones earning pocket money? Download and print this free chore card system. They get a tick or hole punch for each chore that you ask them to do. Once the chore card is full they earn $2. You can make it …
five ways to teach kids kindness
We all want to raise our kids to be caring people who think of others. We can start this from an early age by showing them how to do little things that can grow into bigger things. This might be volunteering at the City Mission or at a local rest …
Set The Scene For Good Behaviour
Children aren’t always the pliable, amendable creatures we’d like them to be, but as Miriam McCaleb writes, with love and clear limits, life can run more smoothly. It all started in my local library. It’s open-plan so sound travels. On this …
Discipline strategies
If your little cherub is more tearaway than treasure, fear not! Help is at hand in the form of simple but effective discipline strategies, writes psychologist Dr Melanie Woodfield. Many psychologists believe that behaviour, whether it's "good" or …
What do I do when my child says "no" to dinner?
OHbaby! sleep expert Dorothy Waide, who is also a baby and toddler consultant, comes up with solutions for those troublesome behavioural problems that are so common among preschoolers. Question: You've just served dinner so you say to your child, …
How can I stop my child throwing things at me from the backseat?
OHbaby! sleep expert Dorothy Waide, who is also a baby and toddler consultant, comes up with solutions for those troublesome behavioural problems that are so common among preschoolers. And some are not just annoying, they're downright …
Is yelling the new smacking?
What's the alternative to yelling at the kids when you want them to do as they're told? Parenting children at any stage can be a real challenge. From the toddler who throws a lay-flat-on-the-floor-and-cry tantrum to the brother and sister who won’t …
Avoiding mealtime problems
Family/whanau gathering around the dinner table remains an important part of our social fabric. It is an opportunity for family members to share their day's experiences, enjoy each other's company and join in the planning of family activities. For …
Reward chart
Download and print a reward chart: simply click on the chart below to open it as a PDF. How to use your reward chart Step one: What behaviour do you want to change? You may already have a few behaviours in mind that you want to help …