Love without conditions
After nearly a quarter of a century of sage advice on the sometimes fraught business of parenting Ian Munro, the wise old owl of The Weekend Mix is retiring his byline, with a few final thoughts.
parenting
Keeping tabs on your teen
Keeping tabs on your teen
How to keep teenagers safe while allowing for growing independence is one of the biggest angsts most parents face, writes Ian Munro.
Hitting the brakes
Hitting the brakes
There’s one aspect of Christmas that saddens me each year. The memory of the death of the son of a very dear friend, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Dealing with their grief
Dealing with their grief
I recently attended a presentation by a local GP about our Covid future. It made 2022 look somewhat rough, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Imagining anywhere
Imagining anywhere
As parents it’s essential that we give our youngsters time and space to develop that creative imagination free from our "inside the box" thinking, writes Ian Munro.
Improving male attitudes, depends on how we raise our sons
Improving male attitudes, depends on how we raise our sons
Sons, and daughters, see and absorb how their father treats their mother and how they talk about women in general, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
The many joys of laughter
The many joys of laughter
Some of the most satisfying sounds are, reputedly, a fire crackling, rain on the roof, waves breaking and children’s laughter, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Say their names, talk about stillbirth, mum says after loss
Say their names, talk about stillbirth, mum says after loss
At a loss about how to talk about child loss? Speak their names, says Emily-Jean Hill, whose daughter was stillborn.
Put stress in perspective
Put stress in perspective
If we shelter children completely from life’s disappointments or fight all their battles for them, we’ll be doing them a great disservice, writes Ian Munro.
Picking the right moment
Picking the right moment
Kids who fuss over food can be a right pain and often turn into food-faddy teenagers who would have the family cook prepare several different meals of an evening. It’s a problem best not tackled head-on, writes Ian Munro.
Imagination, lots of love all that’s needed
Imagination, lots of love all that’s needed
The best Father’s Days cost next to nothing - just some time, energy, a little imagination and lots of love.
Maintain perspective during lockdown
Maintain perspective during lockdown
This lockdown, you may have a project or two that the kids can be involved with. Skills are learnt and variety added to the day, writes Ian Munro.
Put children front of mind
Put children front of mind
Given the Delta outbreak, there’s only one thing we can responsibly do to protect our youngsters and others unable to be vaccinated - vaccinate ourselves, then our youngsters when eligible, writes Ian Munro.
Negotiating hormones
Negotiating hormones
It probably starts most obviously with increasingly persistent requests to have a phone, writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.
Consequences both positive and otherwise
Consequences both positive and otherwise
Some parents find it hard to let their children learn from consequences but it’s the only way we learn that everything we do does have a consequence of some sort, writes Ian Munro.
Much in play when it comes to toys
Much in play when it comes to toys
A gift to a child should always be made without strings attached, in other words to show our love, appreciation or because it’s a gift-giving occasion, writes Ian Munro.
Loving our children just because they exist
Loving our children just because they exist
Unconditional love allows children to flourish, feel good about themselves, feel that they are worthwhile people and, when times are tough, to keep going, writes Ian Munro.
Keeping them safe around cars
Keeping them safe around cars
Parenting columnist Ian Munro says children need clear, easy rules when using learning road safety.
Overcoming teen barriers
Overcoming teen barriers
Oh, the frustration of trying to get Teen to listen to something we want them to do!
Choose a school wisely
Choose a school wisely
Ian Munro shares some thoughts on how to pick the right school for your child.