Dear @mum_of_four, sounds like a you are a mum of 7! Credit where it's due! I really admire you for raising your own kids PLUS your sisters children's for many years. It must be very hard to see your sisters youngest go back to his birth father. It is also heartening to hear that he is connected to a job and is working out that some things are not good for him- all your values work is paying off. He is so lucky to know you care for him. I like the sound of your relaxation tips. Coastal walks and the sound of waves is magic! Thanks for joining the Reachout parents forum! @AmyJay ... View more

Hello @Hellatired I am extremely ticklish as well! I also have a 16 year old daughter. She is in the middle of mr18 and mr9. Looking forward to getting to know you more over the course of the Reachout parents. What feature of the website or info have you found most valuable so far? @AmyJay ... View more

Hello Sadie! Welcome. What are you studying? It is wonderful to see you here. What strategies has your daughter used to help with her depression? AmyJay ... View more

Hi @Sadie I thought you may like to hear some of Reachouts Soundcloud tracks. AmyJay ... View more

Good afternoon @Mitzi thanks for sharing your reflections. It is wonderful that you have shared your feelings and concern with your son. It is also advantageous that you are well read, connected and alert to possible signs. I guess the school and those in close contact with him are also aware? Keeping the communication alive is so important and it does sound like you are doing that quite well. How wonderful that he has a caring and supporting adult in his life. Research informs us this is a MAJOR protective factor. It is also important to drop/confirm messages that finding someone to talk to that HE trusts and feels comfortable with should never be forgotten. Like this Reachout article mentions, it may not be a parent, close friend or school counsellor - keep searching for that professional help/or someone that help turn things around at that given time. I love how caring you are @Mitzi. AmyJay. ... View more

Mr18 seems ok at the moment. Going through trials. He has two exams and a break today. He studied all day (with a half an hour nap) and then made chocolate brownies, studied another block. Now having a cup of tea with his brownie (I couldn't resist and had one! MMM!) before he does another block before sleep. He seems to balancing sleep and study well. Diet...that's another story :) ... View more

I am reading Big Little lies by Australian author Liane Moriarty. The mums will love it! It's hilarious.   "Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive". http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19486412-big-little-lies      ... View more

Hi @Kiwiinoz How old is your daughter? It is good to hear she is out and about and social. A good start, even though you mention she is lonely. It is also great to hear you are both taknig baby steps and she is talking to you! YAH! Another massive step in the right direction. Is your daughter comfortable with inviting her new firends over? Perhaps encourage the friends she is closest to come over for a BBQ- invite the parents so you get to know them too. Is she invovled in any sports, musical groups etc to assist with that sense of belonging and open up friendships outside of school? I think this is so important incase things get rocky at school we have another set of friends to rely on outside of school. It sounds like you are both making an effort to keep the communication lines open. How is it all going this week? AmyJay ... View more

My kids are enjoying it! I came across this article on twitter last week. Players say Pokemon Go helps their mental health.  Even the WA police are getting in on the action!    Like any online, players need to be aware of risk such as in app purchases. In Pokemon Go you can buy a "lure" and one needs to be aware of who may be providing that lure for kids potentially hunting on their own.    I love how kids are getting toghether to geo hunt! A terrific blend of using technology to enhance connectedness, provide fun goals and venture out in nature to get people moving.  ... View more

Welcome to new members @Beekeeper @Hopefulmum @Ameelai @Maree and @Mmmmm ! Thanks for joining us here! How did you hear about Reachout Parents? What topics would you like to see here? What are your troops up to these holidays? Mr9 has been a sports day camp for 3 days, Mr16 has been to the movies, out shopping with my Mum, to the beach with girlfriends and working at her casual job, Mr18 is studying for the HSC so bit of prep, workshops at school, Palm beach with girlfriend, movies with mates and party tonight. I am taking Ms16 for a drive next week to get her hours up= L's (taking one day annual leave to spend some time with her one on one) and having lunch up the coast somewhere. I would also like to take Mr9 and Ms16 to the IMAX at Darling Harbour to see a 3D movie. What about you @readthemanual? My husband is home most days as he is on holidays and I worked from home one day this week to mind Mr9 while he went into work. ... View more

My daughter is happy to be a passenger and get a lift and enjoy the independence with her friend. But as we know, teens often don't think through potential senarios that well. I understand the P's are not that easy to pass and also am aware that not every child complies with the 120 hours of driving practice while on their L's. When a family has triplets -that is a lot of hours of extra driving to work through! I am happy for her to drive with friends ONCE they gain more local experience driving SOLO. Very different from driving on your L's with a mentor/coach/guide on the side. Having a friend die in this sitation when I was my daughters age probably affects my views..... ... View more

Thanks @twentyfive I agree with the shorter trips to begin with! ... View more

Any thoughts @Bellolpop @Melbeedee @twentyfive and @Stephs_Mum By the way, welcome to RO parents! Thanks for stopping by :) ... View more

HI @Stephs_Mum, I heart your response to number 4! Welcome to RO Parents. AmyJay ... View more

Thanks @Tessisme @Sophie-RO @Maggiemay for joinng in tonight! Great to chat with you all. Looking forward to new topics on Wednesday Wrap and meeting new parents. #allinthistogether  ... View more

Or it can be a Wednesday wrap chat? I am sure other parents would be interested too! ... View more

Lol! before the boys (mr18) went out I asked how parents can nurture independence. Mr18s mate said "by giving independence, just do it- with guidance of course!". He said his parents found it hard when he got his P's and wouldn't let him go out as much but now he has built up their trust and he is happy is can gain the experience. ... View more

Part time work is wonderful for their development! Not only financial success but also great for confidence and building those "soft" or character skills. ... View more

Will check it out ta. ... View more

When eldest two were younger we used sticker charts- sticker for positive behaviours and when reach say 50 they could buy the toy they had nominated (in consultation with us for budget reasons). ... View more

We actually haven't gone down the pocket $ route. We ask them to do basic chores to help out the family. If they want extra they wait for birthdays, Christmas etc or -get a job! :) ... View more

Oh yes!  Good point @Sophie-RO Mr16 has a job and has saved enough for a second hand car next year when she starts driving. Mr18 did have a job for two years but is concentraing on his HSC (and gaming :)- a balance Mum, he keeps reminding us.  ... View more

Also, if they break or lose an item not to replace it. Mr18s first nintendo was bought with his own savings and he still has it to this day! My sister lives a few streets away and the local shops are about 1km away, so we started allowing the older two to walk up with the youngest to buy odds and ends. He loves the independence. He is given a little money to buy a drink himself. He has been ordering items across the counter for awhile and that has also increased his confidence (now mr9) ... View more

I think @Tessisme alluded to this before by allowing kids pocket money to budget for their own shopping with friends or movies etc We ask the kids to help us plan holidays and consider finances when planing birthday parties for them. ... View more

Let's more onto Question 4 @Maggiemay @Sophie-RO As teenagers want to exercise their independence and go out more, money takes a greater role in their lives. What are some ways you can support their financial independance? ... View more

I am glad you enjoyed your first chat @Tessisme https://parents.au.reachout.com/Skills-to-build/Wellbeing/Things-to-try-self-confidence/Teach-your-teenager-to-be-independent here is RO fact sheet about Teen Independence. Please share the Parent site and forum with your friends. If you have any topics you would like us to cover on Wednesday Wrap please let us know! Cheers AmyJay ... View more

When I was young we were allowed to bring our pets for show and tell! What were they thinking! My parents were not so keen on the idea (for obvious reasons) but I was so excited to show everyone my guinea pig. I bought in my guinea pig but another dog jumped up on me and I received a fright. I dropped the box I was carrying my prized Guinea Pig in and the dog grabbed it and ran off with it :( Not the time to exercise independence... ... View more

Hi @Maggiemay Hearing you with the fairness card! We TRY to be fair while keeping communications channels open is important. Sometimes explanations are the best we can offer at the time. When they are not so upset about "being treated unfairly" then it's a good time to tell a story from your past or an example of when fairness suits the individual not the context. ... View more