Does your child get upset and then lash out or shut down? Parenting Smart experts explain how understanding the escalation cycle can help you help them.

De-escalation techniques with children

Lots of children wet themselves. Wetting the bed is even more common. Read Parenting Smart's tips to manage the situation and know when to seek help.

My child still wets themself

What do you do when your child says "no" all the time?  Parenting Smart's tips help you understand what's going on and give you things to try. 

My child just says no to everything 

It’s normal for children to argue with their parents. These arguments can turn bad when strong emotions take over. Find out how to respond with Parenting Smart.

My child and I keep getting into arguments 

What to do when someone says your child has bullied someone? Parenting Smart have tips on how to cope with how you feel and advice on how to talk to your child.

My child might have bullied someone 

Separation and divorce can be hard on children. But it's often better for them than an unhappy marriage. Read Parenting Smart advice on how to help them cope. 

I’m going through a break up and want to support my child

Reading with your child often helps them and you. You only need to find a few minutes at a time. Try Parenting Smart tips to make reading together fun.

Reading with your child 

It's important to set limits with children. It can help your child feel safe as they know what is expected of them. Read Parenting Smart's tips for more. 

The importance of limits and consequences for children

Praise is a great way to encourage and motivate your child. Help your child gain self-confidence. Use Parenting Smart's tips to find different rewards to try.

Using praise and reward with children

Is your child having a meltdown? Stay calm and try these 5 steps from Parenting Smart. 

My child has meltdowns  

5 steps to take if your child is being bullied. Suggestions and tips on what to do to support your child, from Place2be's mental health experts. 

My child is being bullied. What can I do?  

It's normal for children to feel anxious about saying goodbye. Read about why it is often hard for parents too. Then try our tips to help make things calmer. 

Help your child manage separations and goodbyes

Lying is a normal part of child development. Our job is to help our children learn that honesty is the bravest choice. Try these steps when your child is lying.

My child is lying, what does it mean, what should I do?  

Place2Be mental health experts explain how to talk to your child about death and grief. Practical steps for parents to take.

Supporting your child when someone dies

How can you help your child when they have problems with friends? It's normal to worry. Parenting Smart tips help you and your child.

My child has friendship issues   

What should you do when your child is stealing? Parenting Smart helps you understand their reasons. Use our tips on how to talk about it and set consequences.

My child is stealing

Are you ready to talk to your child about sex and sexuality? It doesn't have to be scary for you or them. Parenting Smart  experts explain what you need to know

Understanding sexual development to support your child

In this difficult world we want our children to feel safe. Parenting Smart helps you understand how secure relationships help and how to create them. 

Building secure relationships with children

Is your child feeling anxious? It's normal for children to worry or feel nervous sometimes. Try Parenting Smart's tips to help your child manage their feelings 

My child is anxious

Do you want your child to feel safe, secure and strong? Place2be's mental health experts share their tips on raising resilient children.

Raising a resilient child  

A predictable routine can help children feel safe. When a child knows what to expect it can make them more cooperative. Find out with Parenting Smart's tips. 

Creating routines and rituals to help your child

 It's normal for siblings to fight, but how should you deal with arguments? Place2be mental health experts have steps you can try.

Understanding sibling rivalry  

Starting a new primary school can be stressful for you and your child. Try Parenting Smart's 5 tips to make the change easier. 

Helping your child when they start or change primary school

Young children can worry about how they look. Learn how to help them develop self-esteem and focus on a positive body image instead.

Helping your child develop a positive body image 

It's ok for children to feel sad. But when they are sad often parents need to help. Parenting Smart's tips help you talk to your child about their feelings.

My child is feeling sad or low  

Understand what gender identity is and how to help your child feel safe and secure. It's ok to be confused as a parent. Place2be's reassuring advice can help. 

Helping children develop positive gender identity

It's important to help children connect with their culture. It can help your child feel loved and valued for who they are. Find out why from Parenting Smart. 

Helping your child understand cultural identity

Do you play with your child? Small amounts of time playing together can be really important. Parenting Smart's tips give you ideas for how to have fun together.

Playing with my child 

When should you talk to your children about racism? Very young children can understand fairness. Parenting Smart's tips help you plan what to say.  

Talking to my child about race and discrimination

Making time for yourself is hard. But great parents need to create healthy habits. Place2Be's mental health experts have tips for fitting self-care.

Healthy habits for parenting 

Are you finding your child winds you up? Feel like you're always annoyed?  Parenting Smart mental health experts help you work out what to do and how to cope.

My child pushes my buttons

Children often misbehave because they want attention - try a selective ignoring approach to get them to stop.

How to ignore irritating behaviours effectively

Want to make videogaming a positive experience for your child? Try Parenting Smart's guide on what is too much and ways to make gaming safer.

Supporting healthy gaming habits for children

Lots of children swear, shout or throw things when they get angry.  Learn to support them to understand and cope with how they feel more calmly.

My child keeps getting angry and lashing out

Children can learn and grow talents and interests. You can support your child to develop their abilities. Try our experts' list of healthy ways to help.

Helping your child develop talents

When do children start using social media? Young children need to know about internet safety. Use Parenting Smart tips to keep your child safer online.

Safe social media for primary aged children

5 tips for what to do when your child won't eat. Understand children's appetite, their worries and needs. Parenting Smart's steps make mealtimes less stressful.

Family mealtimes are turning into a battleground

Children often find homework hard.  They struggle and sometimes refuse to do it. Use Parenting Smart top tips to support your child and get homework done.

Supporting children with their homework

We all have days when we feel like we're a bad parent. We try to listen, but don't understand our children. Try our tips to become a better listener.

Building listening skills for parents

What do you do when your child won't stay in bed. Explore reasons why children don't sleep. Try Parenting Smart's step-by-step routine to make bedtime easier.

My child has trouble going to sleep

It’s easy to feel hurt when your child says “I hate you”. What your child really means is that they can't cope. Find out how to respond with Parenting Smart.

My child says "I hate you!"

Getting frustrated because your child won't do what you tell them? Learn to give clear, effective instructions and directions from Place2Be experts.

How do I get my child to listen?

Is your child trying too hard to succeed? Do they hate failing? Help them see that it's ok not to be perfect. Use Parenting Smart tips to avoid perfectionism.

My child thinks they need to be perfect

Most children feel shy sometimes. But for some children it can cause problems. Use our tips to understand what shyness is and how to help a child overcome it. 

Understanding shyness in children

Co-parenting with your ex can be difficult. Parenting Smart can help you plan ahead to makes things easier for your children. 

Co-parenting after a separation or divorce

Does your child struggle to cope with change in their lives? Learn how to help them prepare for endings and manage their feelings about change.

My child struggles with changes and endings

Is your child struggling to go to school? Parenting Smart experts have some tips to help them and avoid long term school avoidance.

My child doesn’t want to go to school

It can be difficult to know how to support your child after a traumatic event. Parenting Smart offers some tips based on best practice in response to trauma.

How can I support my child after a traumatic event? 

Are you finding your teenager's behaviour challenging? Get expert tips on what's going on for them, how to strengthen your connection and communicate better.

Connecting with my teenager

Children need to learn to problem solve. Then they need to practice. Place2be experts take you through the steps to problem solving that can help your child.

Problem solving with children

How to prepare your child for secondary or high school. Follow Parenting Smart's tips on how to make sure you and your child are ready emotionally.

Helping your child prepare for Secondary or High School

Are family rules important? Do they work? Get tips on how to create them with your family and how to keep using them to help everyone get along better.

Using family rules

Children can experience peer pressure even in primary school. Try Place2Be expert's 5 steps to help your child stand up for themselves.

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