Not really new but didn't do this yet 1. How did you find out about ReachOut? A friend told me about it 2. What are you most proud of your kids for? Hard to say, every day I'm proud of the little things and seeing the people they are growing up to be 3. What's your number one way to relax? Music! 4. What was the worst andthen the best parenting adivce you've got? Hmm.. not sure... some of the others have covered it! ... View more

Wow, I'm humbled that's great @tenacious_dad ... View more

Dads need to be positive male role models! Very important ... View more

Hey @tenacious_dad - I'm so impressed about the communication level between you and your son... I can understand that you are worried but from the outside it does sound like you've given him good support and the idea of proceeding with caution seems like a good one. Now the important part will be keeping those lines of communication open now that he is "proceeding with caution" - keep checking in with him in a way that supports his autonomy and accountability... Could you talk to him and encourage him to name what might be a 'warning sign' that he's falling into old habits/behaviours with this new GF? Then from there you could also ask him what he will do about it if he notices it in himself? Talking to Dad could be a good idea, for example! ... View more

Hi @Murgatroyd, I bet you are not alone in this!   What does your son think about his sleeping? When you talk to him about it, what's his take on it?   I was wondering about an approach where instead of focusing on the behaviour of sleeping to midday, focus on sleep & wellbeing more broadly.. Chatting to him letting him know that his sleep patterns are worrying your, what does he think about it? Can he explain what's going on behind it? There are so many reasons why he sleeps to midday - it could be something simple about routine through to something a bit more complicated to do with his mental health & wellbeing....   Have a read of this wellbeing info and If he's up for it, he could use an app like recharge to help regulate his sleep... You could ask him to have a read of this info from the ReachOut site for young people... ... View more

What a great journey you've been on @Poppa_bear - it's wonderful to hear about where your family are at now. You really have done the hard yards and have some awesome outcomes to show for it! ... View more

Sounds like you should keep on with the things that are working @Ollie-Finches.... Like waking him up at 9am, and speaking calmly yet sternly. Good luck challenging your parenting style to give him more responsibility and do less for him! I can relate, it's hard ... View more

I also grew up with only sisters, and almost all girl cousins - now the next generation in our family are almost all boys. My sister and all the girl cousins had/are having boys. I love the very practical list at the end for helping with teenage boys.   Also I love the great insight into why gaming is so appealing to teenage boys, "If you are struggling with your son's gaming passion, knowing that it ticks all his passions – fun, risk taking, winning, making dopamine, playing with others and having people who like him share the experience – maybe you could try my 10 Agreements for Healthy Balance".   This is a good find, thanks for sharing @Mitzi ... View more

Like you said @Maggiemay - "binge-watching" together, socially with the family might counteract some of the negative effects? It's helping start conversations and and you bond over the love of the show, develop in-jokes etc. Sometimes, if you binge-watch in this social way, it could bring the family closer together I would argue! ... View more

Cool @Ben-RO! ... View more

Awesome to hear that he's got a great approach to dealing with his anxiety. Loved reading this. Thanks ... View more

I love mindfulness, I'd show this to my kids ... View more

Nice one! ... View more

Has anyone got any parenting books or books about teens they recommend? ... View more

Loved reading this thanks ... View more

How have things been going @Poppa_bear? ... View more

You could be right Xena that she doesn't notice. I like that idea of being on stand-by. thanks ... View more

Hi @Sbaussie - any progress on this tough one? ... View more

Must be hard to hear carebear, about the I love you. Sounds like you have really been through it with your partner. Does this help? ... View more

You know you're a single parent when... ... View more

Great to see @Ollie_Finches... You mentioned panic attacks, what do you do while your son is having a panic attack? Have you found anything you say or do can help him in that moment? Would love to hear your ideas, thanks. ... View more

good ideas. I'll try a calm, open chat with her and see if we get anywhere... ... View more