Trapped with no escape: the hidden problem of sibling bullying
When brothers and sisters victimise each other, the harms can be serious. But it’s never too late to heal old wounds
by Kristen Cvancara
Parenting and families
How to survive and thrive through divorce
Take heart: there are ways to protect yourself and any children involved, and prepare for more joyful chapters ahead
by Lisa Herrick
How to know if you want to be a parent
Set aside everyone else’s preconceptions. Then try doing these counterintuitive exercises to understand your own desires
by Ann Davidman
How to raise a resilient child
Put that helicopter back in the hangar and let your children find their own way. Their independence will likely surprise you
by Judith Locke
Childhood shyness can be advantageous – don’t pathologise it
Given their cautious vigilance, shy children are more likely to detect social threats and anticipate how events will unfold
by Raha Hassan & Kristie Poole
How to repair a family rift
Healing an estrangement can be deeply rewarding. Acknowledge your role in what happened, then look ahead to brighter days
by Pam Weintraub
How to nurture an orchid child
Some kids, like orchids, are highly sensitive to their environment. Provide oodles of love and routine, then watch them bloom
by Tom Boyce
Victorian hidden mothers and the continued erasure of mothering
Why do Victorian ‘hidden mother’ photographs shock us? We’re still expected to hide the work of mothering from public view
by Andrea Kaston Tange
Talk of toxic masculinity puts the blame in all the wrong places
Toxic masculinity discourse harms vulnerable boys and men and distracts society from the true sources of gender inequity
by Heidi Matthews
How to stop yelling at your kids
You can’t control your child’s emotions, but by questioning your assumptions and expectations you can become a calmer parent
by Bonnie Harris
How to support kids to be brave
The desire to protect kids from uncomfortable situations is natural. But they need your help to grow into the unknown
by Sarah Rose Cavanagh
How Chinese philosophy can help you parent
Confucianism and Daoism suggest ways to guide your children toward meaning and fulfilment rather than wealth and prestige
by Erin Cline
DNA testing is easy. It can also turn your family upside down
DNA testing is bringing the era of family secrets to a close. When a surprise is uncovered, lives can change forever
by Libby Copeland
It should be OK for parents to express regret about having children
Regret is common to all humans. So it’s no surprise that some parents regret having children: it shouldn’t be a taboo topic
by Jenna Abetz & Julia Moore
Philosophy can explain what kind of achievement it is to give birth
Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are physical achievements, like marathon running: give them the same respect, and no more
by Fiona Woollard
How to do philosophy with kids
Embrace their questions, no matter how daft or daunting – kids are natural philosophers and you can learn from each other
by Scott Hershovitz