Failing Forward One of my favourite parenting stories is about a famous research scientist who made several important medical breakthroughs. He was asked by a journalist why he was so successful and he told the story of a very early lesson he learnt from his Mum when he dropped a carton of milk in the […]
I have been working with parents who were beside themselves to discover that their teenage daughter has been consistently lying to them, to her friends and to her teachers. There are are two aspects to this article as it’s not just about lying – as it’s also about a […]
We’ve just come back from our hols in Spain and we all had brilliant time so here are some of my top tips for enjoying not surviving your Summer Hols with your teenage kids. 1. Daydream and visualise it going well. Spend just 5 minutes a day, last thing at night, focusing on the […]
I was interviewed on LBC Radio http://www.lbc.co.uk/ discussing the latest survey by the charity Relate revealing that mental health issues are bringing increasingly more young people into the counselling room. 64% of those counsellors surveyed said mental health/depression was the most common new issue affecting young people. Relate, one of the largest provider of counselling […]
Birthdays are a time of excitement, reflection and change. None more so than big birthdays, like turning 18, 30, 40, 50 or 60 – the list goes on! Handling change is one of life’s greatest challenges and is a major part of being a parent. Change is inevitable and although it’s perfectly natural to […]
When my son was 19 and went to Brunel University to study journalism. I used to feel exasperated about his morning routine! But if you, like me, have had arguments about getting your teenager out of bed before midday you are not alone ! It’s a familiar battle against biology and habit, after a […]
As regularly readers know I was a Deputy Head and Class Teacher for 25 years and have brought up 2 kids so I know about the ups and downs of having children. But this is a time of unprecedented challenge and change. Children have been sent home indefinitely from school. The first piece of […]
I’ve been writing some new articles for an online magazine in the States this week and one simple idea to engage, connect and stay bonded with your kids is to……. Talk With Them, Not At Them. Many parents I work with make the mistake of talking at their kids instead of with them – one […]
I’d like your help. I’m thinking of creating some videos to help you cope with the ‘new normal’ So what sort of things are really worrying you at the moment ? Are you worried about your kids going back to school? Are you worried about your kids going out and about? Are you […]
As a former Deputy Head and class teacher for 22 years I’ve heard my fair share of ‘porky pies’ ranging from ‘My homework fell into the blender as I was making my breakfast smoothie’ to ‘I thought you gave me 20 stickers this morning’ to ‘Mrs Brown said I could help myself to all this […]
Here’s something to ponder as you plan your well deserved night out! “It seems only natural for older siblings to be given the position of built-in babysitter. After all, they know the family rules and expectations better than any hired babysitter would. However, even though this may seem the ideal situation, it might not necessarily […]
The Medical Chief launches five-point guide for parents on how to stop children abusing alcohol As all my friends know, I like a glass of wine or two, but teenage drinking is a very big problem here in the UK and it needs your support, your confidence and your belief in your own opinions and […]
I was recently on holiday in Dubai but managed to squeeze in a 2 hour phone in special on Teens, Studying & Exam Stress. Dubai Eye is a Dubai-based talk radio station that is owned by Arabian Radio Network and provides business, news, current affairs, sports, entertainment and special interest programming for a cross-cultural audience […]
SHORT of hearing your child say they want to grow up to be the next Katie Price or a professional drug-runner there can be fewer dread statements than: “Can I go on a sleepover?” As a parent of two teenagers I’ve been through this experience of being asked to stay over. It needn’t be a […]
Research carried out for CBBC Newsround by CHILDWISE was used in a Newsround Special programme, entitled Living With Alcohol. (July 2010) CHILDWISE spoke to more than a 1000 children aged between 10 and 14, to better understand how children perceive adults around them drinking. It is all about how young people are affected by their […]
A Practical Guide
A calm, practical starter guide from Sue Atkins to help you handle smartphones, social media, gaming, sleep and online pressure — without rows or panic.
Download the free scripts and tips here.
