On the Blog
The Raising Teens Podcast is here!
I’d like to introduce you to my new podcast, ‘Raising Teens’. I am really excited to add something for those who prefer listening to reading. Or perhaps you like to do both?
I will be uploading a new episode each week, along with a related article.
Season 1 – Episode 1 is about Teens and Sleep.
Stay tuned…
Developing Relationship Intelligence in Teens
One thing that continually strikes me about the young people I work with is that they really do want to become good men and women who have rich, meaningful relationships. They are just sometimes unsure how to go about it. They need our support and guidance.
Why TikTok is Not a Place for Tweens
TikTok previously known as lip-syncing app musical.ly is a short-form 15sec video creating/sharing social media app rated 13+ for use. It is a free mobile app available on both Apple and Android mobile devices. Users of TikTok can make videos by creating an account and using the creator tools to film their video and add special effects. So what’s the issue?
An Open Letter to Secondary Students
An open letter to Secondary Students, from Author, Teacher and Speaker, Sharon Witt.
This letter is addressed to students in Melbourne, Victoria. However, so much of this is true for Secondary Students and Final Year students anywhere in Australia this term.
What a year they have come through. We are so proud of them!
Why Our Year 12s Need Creative Rites of Passage
I have written before, on how different this Year looks for our Year 12 students.Yet, in the last few weeks our kids heard that they will be losing more ‘lasts’. They’re really struggling with the news. So how can we point them to Hope?
What the Final Class of 2020 Needs from You Right Now
When you are at school everything builds up to the final year. Some major Rites of Passage events happen then. It is normal for teenagers to look forward to more independence. Yet March 2020 saw this cancelled – almost overnight.
Study stress has been an issue for young people for a number of years already. What is our role…
9 Practical Ways to Support Anxious Kids Return to School
The relaxing and lifting of restrictions in schools makes it sound like we’re on our way back to normal, yet ‘normal’ is a long way off. And our kids know it. The response of schools and parents can make all the difference in maintaining our children’s mental wellbeing going forward.
Supporting Your QuaranTeen
In today’s Wellbeing with Collett video we chat about what you can do to help your teen through self isolation, staying at home and the changes to their ‘normal’ routine.
When Schooling Comes Home – Mental Fitness Part 2
When schooling comes home, it will look quite different for each household and even each child at your dining table.
I don’t want any of this to become a guilt trip or something burdensome. I don’t want parents to look at this post and think about what they are not doing. Things will happen according to…
Housebound Families & Staying Sane – Mental Fitness Part 1
Many around the world have been housebound for some time now. We’re not even sure when this way of living will come to an end. How might we navigate everyone being at home, in a confined space, for most of the day, for an unknown period of time… and still maintain mental fitness?
Working at Home is Difficult for Students with ADHD – 5 ways we can help
Working at home is even more difficult for students with ADHD and many parents have asked for ideas on how to support their tweens and teens. So I approached Tim Connell, a special education consultant, for his best tips. Here is his expert advice:
Ideas to Manage T(w)een Anxiety About COVID-19
Like many reading this, I am a parent (I have 3 children, one already an adult) – and the talk of COVID-19 has been part of our daily conversation in the last few weeks. A study about empowering families during a healthcare crisis recommends the C-A-R-E approach. Engaging the CARE principles helps young people and families feel empowered. It reduces, and may even improve the risk of anxiety and trauma responses.
My Son Has Proven Me Wrong: Championing a Young Adult with Bold Ideas
12 months ago my son came to my husband and I with an “idea”. Year 12 was finished. The safety of school was over. Schoolies was done. He was faced with the big decision of what to do with 8 hours, five days a week. It was time to adult.
‘Bad News’ Media & Talking with our Children.
VIDEO – Today, for ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ I chat with Fiona about media consumption and talking with our children.
When Should Kids Start Dating?
Romantic interests are a completely normal part of growing up. However, it’s what teens do with that interest and how you handle your teen’s emerging feelings that matters.
We’re Teaching Them Sex Education — But What About Love Education?
If you’re a parent, a teacher, a youth worker, or simply have teenagers in your world, please do a young person a favour: talk to them about healthy relationships, and what it means to love.
Research shows that teens are hungry for this kind of advice