Blog
The team's articles on parenting, emotions and children's mental health, and news from the project.
Setting limits
This is a summary of the talk we give at schools. If you would like us to give it at yours, get in touch. When we talk about setting limits for children, words like forbidding, punishing or saying no often come to mind. But setting limits goes far beyond that. Setting limits is really about setting…
How can we help our child welcome a new brother or sister into the family?
A new baby changes everyone's place at home. With preparation and time of their own, the older sibling can experience it as something they gain.
How should we respond when our child asks us for things?
Between always saying yes and always saying no there are many possible answers. The key is to be clear, consistent and not to change our minds because of insistence.
What is time-out?
Time-out is a short, calm pause to interrupt a behaviour. Used well, it is not a humiliating punishment but a chance to calm down.
How does differential reinforcement work?
Instead of focusing on the behaviour we want to get rid of, differential reinforcement puts the attention on the behaviour we want to see more often.
Why is socialising important for my child?
Playing with other children teaches them to share, to negotiate and to see things from someone else's point of view. These skills are not taught by explaining, but by practising.
Why is it important to raise children with equality?
Raising children with equality means giving girls and boys the same opportunities to discover what they enjoy and what they are capable of.
How can I talk to my children about inclusion?
Children notice differences and ask questions. Answering naturally teaches them that everyone has a place in the group.
How can I use humour in raising my children?
Laughing together lowers tension, strengthens the bond and makes cooperation easier. The condition is to laugh with the child, never at them.
How can I help my child build study habits?
A good study habit is built with routine, a suitable space and growing independence, more than with hours in front of books.
How can I get my child ready on time in the morning?
Mornings go better when much of the work is done the night before and the routine is so clear that there is no need to keep repeating instructions.
What can we do if our child tells lies?
Almost all children tell lies at some point. Understanding why they do it helps more than punishing the lie.
How can we help our children manage their anger?
Getting angry is normal and healthy. What needs to be learned is what to do with anger without hurting anyone.
How can I make homework time calm and productive?
With a clear routine, a good space and just the right amount of help, homework time can stop being the worst moment of the afternoon.
Do our children get too many presents? The four-gift rule
When there are too many parcels, no present is fully enjoyed. The four-gift rule suggests choosing fewer and better ones.
How can I support my son or daughter through grief?
Children grieve too, even if they show it differently. They need the truth, the chance to take part and adults who do not hide their own sadness.
What is the best parenting style I can adopt in raising my son or daughter?
Parenting styles are the way we act towards our children in everyday life, when solving problems and when making decisions. In other words, they are the set of techniques we use in bringing them up. Our different ways of acting give rise to expectations and limits that…
How can I raise my son or daughter with a democratic parenting style?
Plenty of affection and clear rules at the same time. The democratic style is the one research links with the best outcomes, and it can be learned.
How can I prevent bullying?
Preventing bullying starts at home: self-esteem, social skills, empathy and communication that lets children say what is happening.
What can I do to help my son or daughter with school?
Rather than playing teacher at home, children need us to show interest, to value learning and to support them when things get hard.