Family

Spending time with family is an important part of the festive season.  Here we have parenting tips for making the season special and meaningful. Single parenting through the festive season Many New Zealand families consist of one parent with dependent children – and that parent is usually a woman. Family Christmas Christmas tips for blended […]

Help your children learn that giving is just as rewarding as receiving and to look beyond the marketing messages that tell them otherwise. Here are some tips for curbing materialism and highlighting the real reason for celebrations: Talk to your children about the advertising messages they are receiving. When an ad comes on TV for […]

Forming your own traditions at Christmas helps bring your family unit closer together. Here are six ideas for creating new family traditions this Christmas. Talk to your kids about creating new family traditions or reviving old ones you remember from your childhood, such as lighting a candle for each person in the family at the […]

People will value their presents for their thought and children will learn how to make something out of very little.

They’re known as the “gimmes”, those grating demands from your children to “gimme” that toy or game they just have to have. Children who constantly want you to buy them gifts can be frustrating at the best of times, but when they step things up a notch in the weeks leading up to Christmas it […]

Dear Diane, I think I might just be paranoid but I’m convinced my little girl loves her carers at the daycare centre more than she loves me.

Being a mother is always hard – but do mums today have it the hardest?

Dear Diane, My three children seem to bicker constantly and it’s driving my husband and me crazy.

Dear Diane, A child at my twins’ birthday party last week became utterly terrified when the clown I’d booked turned up.

Far more than just a cough, this disease can be very dangerous.

Dear Diane, My teenage son was caught cheating in an exam last year. Although the school was really good about it and seemed well aware...

When is it okay to let teens look after themselves and others?

Dear Diane, There’s a little girl in our daughter’s class whose parents have both lost their jobs and every time I see her she seems thinner and more shabby than the last.

Sick of over-processed food? Wendyl Nissen shares some healthy recipes the kids will love.

Dear Diane, Is it true that it is weight and not age that will kick-start puberty in girls? My niece is developing very rapidly at the age of 10...

Of all the illnesses that can strike, meningococcal is one of the most serious.

Diane Levy provides advice for a new mum worrying about her child.

Being a stay-at-home mum has its ups and its downs. Here are some tips on surviving life's toughest job.

Advice about what to do when the birth mother of your adopted daughter decides to come back into your daughter's life.

The most valuable thing you can give adolescents can’t be bought.

Dear Diane, My parents-in-law recently came to stay. One night I ran the bath for my children who are five and seven – a girl and a boy.

Leaving your little one is never easy – for you or for them. Here’s how to ease the way.

Dear Diane, A few months ago my husband and I and our children came upon the scene of a terrible car crash. There were badly injured bodies on the road...

Jaquie Brown discusses weight gain during pregnancy and losing weight and breastfeeding.

It's worth putting in the effort when your kids are keen on making the team.

Dear Diane, My 12-year-old daughter has got very matey with a girl who I can only describe as rough, and I’m worried she’s being led astray.

It’s not just mums who change when a baby is born – it’s a different world for dads too.

Dear Diane, My son seems to be obsessed – perhaps unhealthily – with his bottom. He’s seven years old, and I know that it’s quite normal for boys of that age to be all about finding bums and bodily functions amusing. But every chance he gets, he strips off and runs around naked. Most of […]

Jaquie Brown talks about motherhood.

Influence your kids positively by giving them someone to look up to.

Dear Wendyl, My daughter recently gave birth to my two beautiful twin granddaughters. We all love them so much and I see them most days...

Dear Diane, My 10-year-old daughter has been stealing from my wallet and my wife’s purse for some time.

The good oil on why seafood is so helpful for our bodies and brains.

Newborns – and their parents – often struggle to settle. Here’s how to get them into good habits.

Dear Diane, My daughter is nine years old and so far has been a happy and healthy child. But lately she’s been showing very worrying behaviour, in that she’s refusing to eat meat.

What is your favourite thing to do on a child-free night out?

Dear Diane, My six-year-old is generally quite sweet-natured, but recently he’s been using swear words a lot – bad ones, too.

It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to drinking while pregnant.

Did you experience nesting when you were pregnant? Share your stories and be in to win a prize pack from Aveeno.

Do you think there’s too much pressure on women to be skinny during pregnancy and following childbirth?

If kids succumb to the expectations of their friends, here’s how to help.

Diane Levy gives advice for healthy food and meals for children who are fussy eaters.

While some children are naturally resilient, it’s a trait that can be taught.

Diane Levy gives advice about a boy who plays with dolls and sibling bullying.

Tell us the best time of day to bathe your baby and be in to win a Johnson's baby prize pack.

Tell us what you think is important to look for in a preschool and be in to win a gorgeous Skip Hop Zoo backpack.

Dear Diane, My daughter is 13 and lost her natural father, who she was close to, last January.

Dear Diane, My nine-yearold son has had the same best friend since the first year of primary school and they are pretty much inseparable...

Cuddly Magic Moments is a new premium fabric conditioner range that comes in two great floral fragrances; Rosy Love and Tender Hug. The boosted fragrance leaves clothes and fabrics feeling fresher, making special moments, magic. The enhanced fragrance and rich, creamy formula not only softens your whole wash, it delivers an incredible 21 days of […]

Check out our Cuddly Magic Moments gallery!

Share with us your proud parent moment and be in the draw to win a Pantene prize pack.

There are many different reasons why children lie. When does it become a problem and how can you persuade your children to tell the truth?

Getting kids to sleep can be a nightmare – here’s how to ensure sweet dreams.

Dear Diane, My 12-year-old seems to be permanently sulky about one thing or another – especially if I ask him to do something simple such as emptying the dishwasher or setting the table. You’d think I’d asked him to do a week’s work in the mines, rather than a five-minute job. The thing that annoys […]

Children should be getting around an hour’s exercise every day, but that’s easier said than done. Here's a guide to help get your kids moving no matter the weather.

Dear Diane, I am an artist, so my surroundings are really important to me. I believe that beautiful things enhance our lives...

Five in every 100 Kiwi children are gifted. How do you know if your child is talented and how can you hep them excel?

Dear Diane, How much is it okay to discipline someone else’s child? We occasionally look after a friend’s child in return for them looking after ours...

The most popular baby name lists are always interesting, whether trying to find inspiration or to simply see what’s trending each year - here are the top baby names for twins.

Dear Diane, Last week, when I was out on my nightly walk, I sprang my daughter and her friend at the local park – smoking. I don’t know who was more horrified – me, or her. The crazy thing about it is that this generation knows the dangers of cigarettes. When my daughter was younger […]

Make the transition to leaving your tot easier with these tips.

Take note of these snippets of advice from mums who don’t sugarcoat the truth.

Dear Diane, This might seem trivial but it bothers me and I’m sure I’m not the only parent who has come up against it, so here goes!

Dear Diane, My daughter is 19 and expecting her first baby. I’ve been going to some of her appointments with a midwife and at Winz, as she is on her own and on a benefit.

Research shows a teenage brain is only 80% developed. Here's how to help your teen understand your point of view.

Dear Diane, My three kids are 15, 12 and 9. This year my partner and I decided that our days of making school lunches...

Dear Diane, How do you know if a child is “gifted” – and if they are, what should you do?

How to teach your toddler that sharing is caring – while minimising the drama.

Dear Diane, I had a baby girl when I was 18 and although the relationship didn’t work out, her father has mostly stayed involved in her life.

What’s the best advice your mum has given you about being a parent? Share her words of wisdom with us and we’ll publish a selection in the magazine.

Dear Diane, When I was a kid we had lovely birthday parties at home with cake, a few saveloys and a crate of mixed soft drinks.

Primary schools are once again going to be given free milk in an attempt to improve nutrition with Fonterra's Milk for Schools programme.

Dear Wendyl, I have always been very close to my son, who’s now 12. He used to talk to me about everything and I thought when he hit puberty...

Dear Diane, I’m sure you get this question all the time, but it’s something I didn’t really think about until recently. Basically, my daughter is only 11 but wants to start shaving her legs and armpits.

It seems utterly unthinkable - accidentally leaving your baby at home or in the car and forgetting them for hours. But hundreds of busy parents do it . . . with devastating consequences

Dear Diane, I’m concerned about a situation with my grandchildren. It’s a bit difficult because it involves a mixed-race marriage and I know I need to accept that some things are simply different...

Dear Diane, Three months ago, my husband’s mother died and it’s had a devastating effect on our daughter, who is eight and was especially close to “Mama”.

Telling your children you’re unwell can be very tricky, here's a guide to make it easier.

In this age of social media, our children have never been more exposed to the lives of celebrities. But do they make good role models? If it's a sports star your child adores, then maybe, but Lindsay Lohan? Probably not.

Dear Wendyl, My 18-year-old daughter is planning to get a tattoo and I’m desperately trying to change her mind. She wants to get a dragon, of all things, but I think it will look terrible.

It can seem like a never-ending battle trying to keep your child's head free of lice during the school year.

Dear Diane, I’m not too old to remember my own teenage crushes – there are a few boys who still spring to mind now, not to mention the odd 1970s rock star...

Dear Diane, I remember a few months ago you gave advice about children who were stealing things at school, but my problem is a bit closer to home.

A reading list for every age.

Dear Diane, My children are nagging us to get some pets, but I’m not an animal lover and find the whole thought revolting. I can handle our family cat, and if I didn’t work full time I’d like to have a dog, but my kids are talking about rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs.

One of life’s greatest joys is reading a good book, and if you can get your children to enjoy reading, you’ll be giving them a wonderful gift that will have a huge impact on their life. Reading is not only crucial for coping with everyday life, but it also plays an important part in helping […]

My husband and I split a few years ago and the kids go to their father’s most holidays. I’ve always felt they’re in safe hands there. However...

Dear Wendyl, my husband and my teenage daughter used to be best friends, she was a real “Daddy’s girl” as they say. Then she turned 16 and now the two of them are at it tooth and nail!

Dear Diane, I’m a single mum – I fell pregnant at the age of 16 and was in a very abusive relationship which had me hospitalised six times, two of which were very serious.

What you need to know about child depression, and how to address your situation.

Dear Wendyl, I’m the single mother of a 15-year-old girl and we have always got along fine, until recently when we went camping. Some friends invited us and I thought “why not?”. Well, we got there and it was an awful experience. My daughter turned her nose up at everything and refused to make friends […]

It's never too early to start talking to your kids about career options: here's our guide to helping your children end up with a job they really want.

My husband and I separated more than a year ago and he now has a new girlfriend I have to contend with.

Three girls at my daughter’s school have committed suicide this year and I’m desperately worried about the way my girl and her friends are mourning.

Clutter can affect a child's energy levels and sleeping patterns. Here's how to help your kids beat the clutter.

You’ve probably been asked this lots of times, but I can’t help worrying about my six-year old son, who doesn’t seem very “masculine”.

This could be one of the most helpful things you can show your kids

Dear Diane, our kids go to a decile-nine primary school, with limited government funding, so they're always fundraising. Every week there's a raffle or cards or calendars to buy and the annual school

With only days until Christmas, one of my friends is panicking about the video game console she’s bought for her two sons. The six and eight-year-olds have been nagging her for it nonstop. But now it’s under the tree, she’s having doubts. “I’m worried because I’ve heard horror stories about kids becoming antisocial and grotty,” […]

When we were kids, being green meant feeling sick or jealous and we didn’t give a second thought to what happened to plastic bottles or bags when we threw them out. How times have changed! We’re in the midst of an environmental revolution and it seems to be our children who are leading the way, […]