My wonderful teenage daughter is 19 and has recently settled really easily into University life in Manchester. She’s got a boyfriend and seems to have a brilliant social life getting in when I am just about getting up ! 🙂 We have always got on extremely well and I miss her more than I like to tell her […]
I was asked to go on BBC Breakfast News to comment on society and its changing use of technology. I was specifically asked to discuss Rod Stewart and his imposed mobile phone ban when the family are dining together – join the conversation! How do you handle your kids use of mobile phones ?
Today we don’t have to wait for the envelope gently landing on the doormat with more of a flutter than a heavy thud, but the contents have the potential to help your child’s dreams come true… or shatter them into a million tiny pieces …… for now. Today my daughter looked up her results on […]
I was recently talking on LBC Radio about young people’s expectations and their hopes for owning their own property as today’s young face, including my own two kids, high unemployment, expensive education, and a lifetime of renting, whereas when I was in my twenties we had rising wages, low house prices & plenty of job opportunities. […]
Young teenagers are becoming increasingly unhappy, with growing concerns about school, their appearance and the amount of choice and freedom they have, a report has warned. The study, published by the Children’s Society following interviews with 42,000 children aged between eight and 17, found that after a long period of gradual increase, children’s happiness began […]
I’ve just been interviewed by http://www.piratefm.co.uk/ about a 12 year old who was hospitalised and in a coma as he had a serious reaction to “Thumb Blowing” the “fainting game”. It all seems rather dangerous and foolish as teenagers squat with their hands down and blow until they hyperventilate & then stand up and take a big breath and […]
One in three teenagers have felt so depressed that they needed help, a Daybreak survey has revealed. More than one in six of the 11 to 18-year-olds who admitted to feeling this kind of depression said it lasted a few months, with 15% of young people having to take time off school as a result. […]
Victoria’s Secret is known for its risque fashions, but some parents think the brand has crossed the line with items in their “Bright Young Things” campaign. A father wrote an open letter, parents started a petition and a Facebook page was created alleging that the provocative underwear was targeted at teen and tween girls. Items […]
As a former Deputy Head and Class Teacher I’ve taught kids like this story in The Daily Mail that have been over scheduled – doing far too many after school activities – one little girl Isobel who was 8 and in my class many years ago springs to mind. Here’s an interesting article in the […]
Today I was on BBC Three Counties Radio and The Vanessa Feltz Show on BBC Radio London discussing the NetMums Survey suggesting that kids are all grown up at 12 these days instead of at 16 in previous generations. Click on the link to read more in The Daily Mirror I want you to do something […]
For many parents bedtime can be a daily battle, with children finding any excuse not to go to sleep. Today on the excellent “Sleep Workshop” in Bournemouth I heard stories of kids of 10 still creeping into their parents’ bed in the middle of the night, thrashing about, hogging all the duvet and giving their parents […]
Parents should snoop on their child’s texts and social media messages, David Cameron’s new advisor on childhood has claimed – but what do YOU think ? How do you monitor your child’s social media activity and keep an eye on what they’re saying, and who they are saying it to, and what they are posting […]
Here’s my latest podcast to download http://parentingexpert.podbean.com/2013/01/19/raising-teenage-boys-positively-and-easily/
I picked up a copy of the excellent “Digital Parenting” Magazine from Vodafone yesterday – you can read really helpful articles and “How To” Guides on all things technical from Parental Controls on XBox 360, to setting up Blackberry Parental Controls, to teaching you how to put YouTube on Safety Mode.
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.
