Welcome to parenting hints and tips

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Choose a topic for great tips, answers to tough questions and helpful links.

Health and wellbeing
Coping with change or loss
Dealing with depression
Exam stress
Preventing poisoning
- What do I do in an emergency?
Self-esteem
Illegal drugs
Smoking
Sexuality
A responsible approach to alcohol
Disability support services
Eating well and getting advice
Appropriate television use
Relationships
Sibling rivalry
Welcoming new people to the whānau
When families split-up
Staying happy as partners

Keeping your family safe
Family violence
- What are the effects of family violence on parents?
- How does it hurt children long-term?
Teenagers and safe driving
- What are common causes of teenage road crashes/injury/death?
- What's the law with learner licences?
- What's the law with restricted licences?
- What's the law with full licences?
- Is drinking any alcohol okay?
Bullying
- How do I know if my child is being bullied?
- What should I do to stop bullying?
- Why do young people bully?
- What if my child is the one doing the bullying?
- What should I do about bullying at school?
- How can I tackle text or email bullying?
Child abuse
- What should I do if I suspect child abuse?
- Where can I get personal advice?
- How can I tell when a child is being harmed?
Appropriate Internet use
Safety matters
Road safety
Daily challenges
Pocket money
- How much money should I give?
- Is it better to give a teenager an allowance?
Finances and budgeting
- Where can I find advice on managing money, finances and budgeting?
- Who can help me plan?
- Where can I get emergency support?
Are you just too busy?
Life Stages
Getting started
Getting a babysitter
- How should I get ready?
- What should I tell the babysitter beforehand?
- What instructions should I leave?
Key facts on NCEA
Surviving teenage parties
- What if my teenager is going to a party?
Tackling difficult teenage behaviour
Positive discipline
Parent types
Children-parent-grandparent families
Congratulations – you're a Dad
Being a grandparent

Being a parent takes being able to multi-task to a whole new level! Raising children is incredibly rewarding and probably the most important thing you'll ever do.

Doing it well takes patience, creativity and teamwork, but you'll never have all the answers. The Families Commission is well aware of the vital and valuable role that parents have. We, and our partners on this project, are backing everyone who raises kids by making it easier to find information that could help when you've run out of ideas. more...

Watch some helpful tips

These great tips are from What Now and Families Commission's Family Day Out episodes.

Getting involved