Written by Miguel Christian, First Class Education. The university application process is one of the most significant milestones in your teen’s life and as a parent, it can feel like one of yours too. You want them to succeed, but knowing how to help without overstepping can be a delicate balance. Should you help them with picking their university choices? Should you help them write their personal statement? When does parental support turn into pressure? This guide will walk you through how to be an effective partner in your teen’s university application process, helping them build a strong application while maintaining their authenticity, independence, and confidence. 

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. At its core, bickering is when children argue over seemingly minor things – who gets the blue cup, whose turn it is to feed the dog, or whether someone “looked at me in a funny way!” It might feel endless at times, but in many cases, it’s part of normal development. Bickering won’t disappear overnight, but with some small changes you can make a difference!

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. Very often I am contacted by parents, panicked by a sudden change in their child’s sleep – whether it’s nighttime sleep or naps. It’s usually when things have been going really well: sleep routines are established, bedtimes are smooth, and then suddenly – it all seems to go off track. The worry creeps in because no one wants to go back to broken nights, early starts, or an overtired little one who’s refusing to nap.

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath. It’s more common than you think – and the good news is, in most cases, it’s just a temporary blip.

Written by Claire Burgess. Managing social media and technology use with teenagers is a well known challenge for many parents and in recent months, there’s been growing concern in the media about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Heartbreaking stories have reminded us all just how powerful, and potentially harmful, these platforms can be when young users aren’t supported in navigating them safely. As parents and carers, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or anxious about how to protect our tweens and teens online, especially as they begin to explore more of the digital world independently. But with the right strategies and open conversations, it is possible to create a supportive framework that helps them build confidence, make safe choices, and feel able to come to us if something feels wrong.  

Here are some tips to help guide you through. 

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. Potty training. It’s one of those milestones that we all know is coming, and we hope with all our heart that it will be a smooth, quick process with minimal mess. But… let’s be honest, that’s rarely the reality! Instead, potty training can turn into a battle of wills, with you trying everything to encourage your little one to try and them just digging their heels in!

So, why does this happen? And more importantly, how can you avoid turning toilet training into a daily power struggle?

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. If you’ve noticed your child talking to an invisible friend or referring to someone who isn’t physically present, you might be wondering if it’s something to be concerned about. The good news is that imaginary friends are a perfectly normal and common part of childhood development.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. If you know, you know! When a child hits this stage of development, they find all types of ‘toilet talk’ or ‘bathroom humour’ absolutely hilarious! Poo this, bum that, and then watching the reaction they get! It’s all fun and games at first, but for some parents, it quickly becomes tiresome, and working out how to manage it can be a real challenge.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. Running off is a natural part of early childhood development. It’s often about the sense of freedom and excitement that children get from moving independently and they may not yet have a full grasp of the dangers involved, like cars or busy streets. Running feels like a game, and they may find it fun to get ahead of you or explore areas you haven't yet reached. Sometimes, it’s simply about testing boundaries, pushing limits to see how far they can go before you stop them.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. Teaching children about money from a young age equips them with essential skills for financial independence. Here are ten effective strategies to help your child become money-savvy (with a bit of help from GoHenry!).

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. This is a question we get asked regularly! Do you feel like you're talking, asking, requesting, or even pleading with your little one, only to get no response or action? It can be exhausting, draining, and incredibly frustrating when all you hear is your own voice All. Day. Long!!