Tips and ideas to make the next few weeks work… First and foremost, if your children are home from school you are not expected to be the Teacher. You are the Parent. It is important to ensure you are clear on your role. If Teachers have set work, encourage your child to complete it. If […]

If your teen is in their exam years it can be a very stressful time – for both of you. Exams are not the be all and end all for your teen and these years are a great way to help prepare them for the world of employment in the years ahead. Life can at […]

Let’s face it – none of us are perfect and there are times when we make mistakes, screw up and hurt the feelings of others. We all have our limits – and when we overstep the mark, an apology is required. As a parent, teacher, leader, friend and wife I have given many apologies – […]

I was recently challenged to give a twelve minute talk at the African International Schools’ Conference in Nairobi, Kenya on the topic of ‘The lesson I want my students to learn.’ There were so many options I simply had to pluralise my offering. What follows is a summary of my talk. “It’s not fair!” “She […]

School holidays are upon us yet again and as a parent you may either dread or love the thought of having your children at home for 2 weeks. Holidays are a chance for children to relax, kick back, families to connect and make memories. Over the years I have created a special family tradition in the […]

Whilst on holiday, tragedy struck the young girl next door… her mother died. It was unexpected. She had been unwell and the hospital wanted to do an urgent scan and had scheduled it for the following week. She died before that day. The young girl, I’ll call her Claire, is 10 years old and an only […]

As a parent I feel so fortunate to stand on the shoulders of so many. Over the years I have met many incredible people who have shared parenting tips and they have had an enormous impact on my parenting style. Some of these people I still know and others have been forgotten – my sincere […]

A few weeks ago I was privileged to hear Travis Bell speak at a dinner in Auckland. Travis is known as the Bucket List Guy http://www.thebucketlistguy.com/ . He inspired me to take his message home and share it with my family – little did I know that it would be a wonderful heart filled activity that lasted two […]