Articles

Should smart teens have smartphones?

Should smart teens have smartphones?

Smart phones are here to stay. Actually, that is not entirely true, for they will gradually be replaced by more sophisticated tools. But it is true that smart phones are commonly used these days…

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5 keys for a happy marriage

5 keys for a happy marriage

Sometimes, in places which are known for the inane, you discover a gem. Memes on Facebook are a great example. Neither I nor my husband are prolific “Facebookers”, but we both know what memes are…

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Loving the difficult child

Loving the difficult child

Once in a while, one of my kids fall into a funk, a period of negativity and difficult behavior which makes parenting a real challenge. When this happens, not only do I feel sorrow for my child, but I also feel…

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“Just” a stay-at-home mum

“Just” a stay-at-home mum

There are so many times when the word ‘just’ is appropriately used, but describing motherhood is not one of them. Before being at home with my baby, I knew in theory that the work of the home is demanding.

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A tribute to A.A. Milne

A tribute to A.A. Milne

Of the many books that were read and re-read to me in early childhood before I could read, my favourites were A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Especially appealing were the difficulties facing Pooh that he didn’t know how to resolve, like getting down from a tree…

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To strengthen schools, start with the family

To strengthen schools, start with the family

Successful Schools New research shows family structure is strongly linked to educational success. If your country is anything like mine, you will hear teacher organizations constantly complaining about the government’s miserliness towards schools and smallness of teachers’ pay packets.

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Chaste – and happier – Millennials

Chaste – and happier – Millennials

The idea that you can enjoy life without having sex is catching on. The News Story: Less Sex Please, We’re Millennials—Study The British Guardian reported recently on an American study revealing—to the surprise of everyone involved—that millennials are having…

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Getting Teens to Obey (the right people)

Getting Teens to Obey (the right people)

As children approach their adolescent years, they sometimes revert to their terrible twos as they exert their independence and question our authority. This becomes an important time to work on the third degree of obedience: full submission of one’s judgement, for this is when obedience really becomes virtuous.

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Build good habits if you want your child to be happy

Build good habits if you want your child to be happy

Character equals good habits. If you are systematic and persevering in sculpting good habits of thinking and acting in your child, you will have a happy child and a happy adult. You must carve these habits from the living rock of a deep and loving respect for others.

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Teach detachment from material things

Teach detachment from material things

Graffiti along my favourite jogging route reads, ‘I shop therefore I am’. Descartes would squirm! How enthusiastically did you take possession of your new car? What glossy magazines and mobiles catch your eye? Which advertisements? How therapeutic do you find shopping for clothes?

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Find new ways to keep communicating

Find new ways to keep communicating

Respect your child’s right to self-determination. Don’t just tell them what their goals should be. Don’t try to manipulate your child into a career path, a subject choice, musical tuition or your favourite sport. No matter how much energy it takes, engage with that young person…

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Delegate, even if it takes more time to get the job done

Delegate, even if it takes more time to get the job done

Children take so long to do things. No wonder parents end up doing so much for their children – cleaning up after them, picking up after them, making their beds. It can seem more efficient not to delegate, and it is certainly a lot less trouble. But this is short-term thinking.

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