Family

Your parenting style could affect your child’s risk of obesity.

The newshound loves her busy life with Hugo and Freddie.

When Stephanie van Heuven got a phone call to say her name had been put forward to meet Kate, William and George, she thought she was being pranked. The mum-of-one from Wellington hung up the phone after the call from Plunket and thought, “Hang on a minute – was that real?” “I was a bit […]

Research shows even small tiffs can adversely affect kids’ brain development.

Show your partner how much you care with these simple, romantic gestures from Sabrina Rogers-Anderson, author of A Fantastic Sex Life… and How to Get it!

Fluff the sofa cushions and pop the popcorn – we have some serious laughs coming your way!

Now's the time to stop taking these small wins for granted, and start being grateful instead.

A little boy with the same IQ as Albert Einstein is the youngest member of a group of the world's most brilliant people.

For many families, the beginning of the new school year means a return to morning mayhem. Getting the kids ready and out of the house can leave you extremely stressed – but it doesn’t have to be that way. A few simple changes can make a big difference. And if they become part of a […]

Tradition rules when it comes to giving monikers.

Avoid pregnancy-related faux pas with this helpful guide.

The Sydney dad whose day care survey answers became a viral hit speaks exclusively to Woman’s Day about how his humorous, light-hearted joke turned into a worldwide debate.

The masterchef judge and his wife Katrina share their heartbreaking journey of courage and determination to have their first baby.

The “risk zone” for women who delay having children until their thirties could be much earlier than previously thought

Keep feeling in check during your teen's special time.

Getting kids to sleep isn't an easy feat, but there are a range of benefits to making consistent bedtimes a daily habit.

A modern-day christening can take many forms.

Being the enforcer may not feel great, but here are seven ways your discipline is beneficial.

What to do when grown-up offspring come home to roost

A second marriage can be hard on the kids, so it's important to strike a balance

Woman who drink a glass of milk a day while pregnant are more likely to have tall teens

If you think the toilet seat is the most germ-ridden place in your house, think again

If your'e planning on getting pregnant, you may want to get the man in your life to start eating raspberries

Avoid arguments over the kids by following a few simple rules

Suffering a tween takeover? It's time to change tack

Dealing with your child's peers isn't always easy

Your teenager’s sleeping patterns may drive you mad, but there is a likely reason for those bleary eyes.

Help active minds grow, with a space to call their own.

Create your own baby wipes for a soft touch.

After the royal arrival, Kerre reflects on her own daughter's birth.

Puberty is much more than a process of physical change.

Imagination is all you need to keep the kids entertained.

Research shows there are common traits shared by people,depending on the sequence they are born in their family.

Up to six months, a mother’s milk is all the food a growing child needs.

Find out about water births and hypnobirthing.

All Black Richard Kahui opens up about the role of a life time.

When you have completely opposite approaches to child-rearing, you and your partner can find yourselves constantly at loggerheads.

As a full-time working mum, how do you ensure you have quality time with your children?

With no official rule book, there’s more than one way to be a parent.

How can you compete when a friend wins Lotto?

Latest findings on how we can help our children's health.

Diane Levy offers advice about how to deal with a nose picker.

The rules in NZ around car seats and seatbelts.

His teachers complain that he is disruptive and rude, but they don’t see what his mother sees.

A teenager is squirrelling away snacks.

Kids today often eat more food than they can burn off.

When it comes to health, it’s often in the genes.

How young is too young to date?

Why it’s not all bad being an older mother.

How to deal with a child who continues to suck their t-shirts when they should have outgrown this behaviour.

It’s still possible to have a baby when you’re 40.

Diane Levy provides expert answers to your parenting queries.

Timing is key when it comes to introducing babies to new food.

Dear Diane, Recently I’ve noticed lots of news stories in which coroners advise parents not to share a bed with their baby. I can understand this in terms of drinking, smoking or drugs, and the possibility of rolling on the child and smothering it. But I don’t indulge in any of those vices and my […]

Get your children’s grey matter into gear with these simple and fun ideas

Dear Diane, What age do you think children should get their first cellphone? My eight-yearold reckons everyone else in her class has them, but I feel she’s just too young. I worry about all that weird stuff like “sexting” and the whole thing just feels wrong – as well as being expensive. How do I […]

BOOK EXTRACT: An excerpt from bestselling author Steve Biddulph’s latest book.

Dear Diane, My 15-year-old son has no interest in his physical appearance and has to be nagged every day to do things like take a shower and clean his teeth. Luckily he wears a school uniform, but on weekends he simply grabs whichever clothes he sees first in his cupboard. At that age I was […]

What to do – and not to do – when you’re expecting

Dear Diane, My daughter, who is 11, has an unusual name and hates it. She always has to spell it out for people and no-one can pronounce it correctly. I feel this is all my fault because I was very young when I had her, and felt it was “cool” to give her a first […]

Encouraging your children requires more than just mindless praise

I read in the paper about a café where staff asked a mother not to breastfeed in public and I noticed it whipped up quite a controversy...

Sometimes it's best to take a step back and give your child their own space.

Dear Diane, My daughter has made a new friend and while this girl is great on her own, as soon as she sees her two sisters they argue non-stop.

Tips to get your young ones talking.

I still have to ask – how do you stop a toddler from saying “no” to everything?

Children can be cruel – and it’s never to be kind. Put a stop to bad behaviour.

Dear Diane, We think our six-year-old girl is very pretty and other people have said so too. I’d like to sign her up for modelling or acting...

Age may be subjective, but when it comes to kids and teens, here are some rules to consider.

Dear Diane, I’m a solo mother living in the city with little family support, and I feel as if I never get to go out because there’s no-one to look after my son and daughter...

Breaking up is hard to do – and it’s even harder when children are involved.

Dear Diane, Why is it every time I pick up the phone to call a friend or have a catch-up with my mother or stepmother, my children go berserk?

Put an end to all the tantrums and screaming fights.

Dear Diane, How do you help a four-year-old with poor impulse control? My son Lewis does the same thing over and over again.

Toilet training can be a trying time for parents and children alike.

Dear Diane, My child got a bad concussion playing a game at school and I’ve been really overprotective ever since.

Don’t be afraid to speak up – your unborn baby is listening.

Dear Diane, Has anyone ever worked out how much pocket money is appropriate for each age?

How to manage your kids’ extra-curricular activities without extra stress.

Dear Diane, My 17-year-old daughter is very similar in size to me, so I tend to let her have my hand-me-down clothes.

Don't be out of your depth when it comes to being safe in the water this summer.

Dear Diane, My daughter (4), has a large birthmark on her face and the skin surgeons have said that we should wait a few years before operating to remove or reduce it.

Forget the high-tech devices and try some old-fashioned fun on the road.

Diane Levy offers parenting advice about teenagers and sleep.

Find out where to get healthy food ideas to feed toddlers and kids in New Zealand.

Dear Diane, Do you have a list of essential points for parents dealing with divorce to follow? My husband and I are both really sad...

If your New Year's resolution for 2013 is to be a better parent, here are some suggestions taht might help.

Dear Diane, I bet you get asked this a lot, but how do I control my kids when I’m out shopping? I can remember getting a swift smack on the leg from my own mother when I misbehaved at the supermarket but I know that’s not acceptable any more. Before I had children I’d be […]

Take the silliness out of festive celebrations and de-stress with these helpful tips.

Dear Diane, My eight-year-old daughter is friendly with a girl who has done some rather destructive things while visiting our house...

How to get through the festive season in a fun but frugal way.

Dear Diane, My 11-year-old son is quite independent and it can be a bit of a worry as he’s happy to jump on a bus and go into town to the library or to spend his pocket money...

Why your kids can’t help but behave childishly.

Dear Diane, Our 12-year-old daughter argues back all the time and it’s getting harder and harder to keep my frustration under control.

The internet is a wonderful tool for children, but care must be taken.

The first few years of parenting are crucial to raising a happy and healthy child.

Dear Diane, My son is seven and still sucks his thumb. I was a thumb sucker myself until around that age but you don’t seem to see it as often as you used to.

The schooling system isn’t for everyone – here’s an alternative.

Making the right diet choices early in life will provide food for thought.