Parenting Archives

Calling All Tiny Trainspotters: Thomas Is Coming to the NSW Rail Museum

19/08/2026

All aboard! If you have a little train lover in the family, clear some space in the calendar because Thomas the Tank Engine is rolling into the NSW Rail Museum this August for two extended weekends of family fun. Taking place at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere, this year’s music-inspired Day Out With Thomas gives young train fans the chance to get up close to some much-loved characters while enjoying plenty of hands-on activities. Kids can climb into Thomas’ driver’s cab, hop aboard Toby the Railmotor, take on a fun scavenger hunt and enjoy face painting. There’s plenty to…

by jay

For Mums, Parenting

Australia Traveling With Teenagers – Everything You Need To Know

02/08/2026

From learning about Aboriginal culture to exploring the oldest rainforest worldwide, Australia is the ideal destination for people of all ages, especially for families with teenagers. There are so many things young adults can do on a trip to Australia that would provide them with exciting experiences and new skills. However, suppose you plan to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery around Australia with your teens. In that case, you should allow them to pick some of the tour’s destinations and activities. A family vacation can take a temperamental turn when you travel with teenagers and have no…

by Oscar va

Free, Toddlers

Rhymetime at Surry Hills Library: Free Weekly Fun for Babies and Toddlers

28/07/2026

Looking for a free activity to enjoy with your baby or toddler? Rhymetime at Surry Hills Library is a wonderful weekly session where little ones can sing, clap, learn and play while developing important early literacy skills. Designed especially for children aged 0 to 2 years, this engaging 20-minute program combines songs, nursery rhymes and fingerplay to create a fun and interactive experience for both children and their parents or carers. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to meet other local families and introduce your little one to the joy of books and language from an early age. Why Rhymetime is…

by jay

Parenting

What Nobody Tells You About the Year Your Child Turns 17

26/07/2026

Everyone prepares you for the toddler years. The sleep deprivation, the tantrums, the endless mess. People warn you about primary school transitions and the social complexity of the tween years. Nobody really prepares you for Year 11. There is something about having a teenager in the second-to-last year of school that catches parents off guard. The stakes suddenly feel real. University applications are no longer an abstract future event. Subject choices have consequences. And your child, who not long ago needed you for everything, now mostly needs you to stay calm and not make things worse. Here is what that…

by Oscar va

Parenting

Hot Weather Tips for Families with Multiple Kids Under 5

24/07/2026

When summer arrives, it usually lands at our door pretty fast, and without the right planning and prep in place, it can pass us by pretty fast. It’s the perfect excuse to head outdoors, enjoy family picnics, splash around in the backyard and make the most of the longer days. However, if you’re one of the lucky ones with multiple children under the age of five, hot weather can also present a unique set of challenges. Between keeping everyone hydrated, managing nap schedules and preventing little ones from overheating, it can sometimes feel like a full-time job just getting…

by Oscar va

Parenting, Schools

Discover St Brigid’s Preschool & Long Day Care at Their Family Open Day

22/07/2026

Choosing the right early learning centre is one of the biggest decisions parents make. If you’re exploring preschool or long day care options for your little one, here’s a wonderful opportunity to experience one of Coogee’s local early learning centres firsthand. St Brigid’s Preschool & Long Day Care is opening its doors on Saturday 25 July, inviting families to enjoy an afternoon of fun, meet the educators and discover the welcoming learning environments that have made the centre a popular choice for local families. A Fun Afternoon for the Whole Family This isn’t your typical information session. The Open Day…

by jay

Kids, Parenting

For children with nighttime fears, help is at hand

13/07/2026

In short: Nighttime fears affect up to 85% of children aged 7–12. 79% of children with persistent symptoms meet the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. While nighttime fears are common, support for families is limited. A new pilot study from Black Dog Institute is Australia’s first evidence-based intervention to help families overcome nighttime fears. Nighttime fears are a normal part of childhood development. Fear of the dark, of monsters, of burglars, and of separation from loved ones are among the more common fears that impact up to 85% of children aged 7-12. But according to a new study from Black Dog Institute, for some…

by jay

Education, Parenting

Raising Bilingual Kids in Sydney: How to Support English Development at Home and Beyond

12/07/2026

Sydney ranks among the most linguistically rich cities on the planet. Hundreds of thousands of households speak Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Greek, or one of dozens of other languages around the dinner table each evening. For children growing up in these families, two (or more) languages shape their world from day one. That multilingual reality brings genuine advantages: sharper cognitive flexibility, stronger problem-solving skills, and a deeper connection to cultural roots. Yet many parents quietly wonder whether their child’s English is keeping pace with monolingual classmates. The tension between nurturing a heritage language and building rock-solid English proficiency feels familiar to…

by Oscar va

Babies, Free, Playgroups, Toddlers

Spark in the Park: Free Outdoor Fun for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers in Randwick

25/06/2026

Looking for a fun and free activity for your little ones? Spark in the Park is the perfect way for families with young children to enjoy a morning of stories, songs, play and fresh air. Designed for children aged 0 to 5 years, this popular monthly program brings local families together for interactive storytelling, music, and outdoor play in a relaxed and welcoming environment. It’s a wonderful opportunity for little ones to learn, explore and socialise while parents and carers connect with other local families. Pack a picnic blanket and settle in for an enjoyable morning of fun at the…

by jay

Babies

Lactation consultant and Nurse, Courtney Hawkins, answers the breastfeeding questions new mums are too embarrassed to ask

23/06/2026

When a mother is thinking about breastfeeding or learning for the first time, a lot of questions come up, so let me answer the most common ones. As a lactation consultant, NICU nurse and mother of four, I have sat with so many new mums who quietly ask the same questions once they feel safe enough. So, let’s get into them! Is breastfeeding meant to hurt? The short answer is no BUT in the early days and weeks it can feel tender and awkward. Trying get baby to latch properly and holding them in the right position takes time and…

by jay