To strengthen schools, start with the family

To strengthen schools, start with the family

 Articles Photo: IFS Report, Strong Families, 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...
Chaste – and happier – Millennials

Chaste – and happier – Millennials

 Articles 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...
After 140 years, Tom Sawyer is still a beloved character

After 140 years, Tom Sawyer is still a beloved character

 Articles “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain follows Tom’s very unique personality through a range of adventures including getting stuck in a cave and cleverly arranging the chore of white-washing a fence by allocating it to other...
For the Richer, Not the Poorer: Marriage as a Class Affair

For the Richer, Not the Poorer: Marriage as a Class Affair

 Articles A constant theme in today’s news and comment is inequality – the increasing gap between rich and poor. You will hear or read about it practically every day. But how often do you hear about another yawning gap that has opened up in the richer countries:...
Why good values alone aren’t good enough in parenting

Why good values alone aren’t good enough in parenting

 Articles My husband and I went to a really great parenting talk last week by educator Andrew Mullins from Australia… I liked it a lot, and not just because of his charming accent, which made everything sound so friendly and hopeful! It was very positive and...
Getting Teens to Obey (the right people)

Getting Teens to Obey (the right people)

 Articles Accepting authority is virtuous, but not all authorities are equal. 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...
Build good habits if you want your child to be happy

Build good habits if you want your child to be happy

 Articles 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...
Teach detachment from material things

Teach detachment from material things

 Articles ‘Beyond a certain minimum standard of living all the studies show that happiness does not further increase as wealth increases.’ ~ John Menadue, former Head of the Prime Minister’s Department and CEO of QANTAS Graffiti along my favourite jogging...
Find new ways to keep communicating

Find new ways to keep communicating

 Articles “Most adolescent problems can be alleviated or rectified by correcting tensions in the parent-child relationship.” ~ Dr Ross Campbell, How to Really Love Your Teenager Respect your child’s right to self-determination. Don’t just tell them...
Delegate, even if it takes more time to get the job done

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

 Articles ‘Mum shouldn’t do anything anyone else can do, and if no-one else can do it, then teach ’em how.’ ~ First Corollary to the Law of Domestic Expectations Children take so long to do things. No wonder parents end up doing so much for their children –...