Connection is critical for healthy relationships with our kids. But how do you maintain a strong relationship with your child when you’re physically apart? Dr Justin Coulson discusses some communication strategies, including: Watch Justin’s video to learn more.
Blog – Parenting
What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a boarding school?
Deciding if boarding school is right for your child
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, discusses the all-important questions parents ask themselves when considering boarding school for their child—”is boarding school right for my child?” and “is a boarding school right for my child?”. There are many reasons you might consider boarding school for your child, including access to resources, peers, opportunities, and a certain type of…
When your teen is having problems with friends at boarding school
During the teen years our children’s friendships become increasingly complicated, volatile and important. Suddenly friends and friendships begin to mean everything to our teens, and when there are problems with those friendships it can feel utterly devastating. Before the age of about 12, friendships are typically and loosely based on convenience, a shared interest, or…
Connecting With Teens: 5 Ways to Stay Connected to Your Teen at Boarding School
Connecting with teens can be challenging. The stereotype tells us that our sweet, loving child has turned into an argumentative, rebellious young person. More likely, however, is that your connection has shifted. Your child is more inclined to stare at a phone, hide in their bedroom, or connect with friends on social media. You miss…
How to make the transition to boarding school easier
It’s normal for children to feel scared, homesick, lonely, or unsure. Here’s how to make the transition to boarding school easier. Every January boarding schools welcome new students into their doors. These students come from different backgrounds, situations and walks of life, and range from year 5 to year 12. And each year a good…
Teens’ Mental Health and Distance: What to Expect
Our teens’ mental health can be impacted by distance from family and loved ones. Here’s what to expect if you are sending your children to boarding school. A surprisingly large number of Australian teens are struggling when it comes to mental health issues. The Young Minds Matter Survey for 2013-2014 showed that almost one in…
10 Questions To Ask Boarding Schools Before Attending
Encouraging independence in your teen boarder
Your teen is getting ready to venture out into the boarding school world. Encouraging independence in your teen will help them be prepared for their new responsibilities. Here’s how to do just that. Research shows that independence, or agency, is one of the most important contributors to success and happiness. It is a predictor for almost…
Boarding school vs day school
Boarding school vs day school. When it comes to motivation, engagement and psychological wellbeing, which is the better choice? Boarding schools have been a feature of the educational landscape here in Australia for a long time. But unlike in the UK, Australian parents aren’t choosing boarding schools because of the advantage they provide their children…
8 Ways to Help Your Daughter Love Her Body (When You’re Not There to Remind Her)
The big issues of education equity in NSW
UPDATE: 25 MarchGood news for those with students at home and working online. Skymuster Plus will have education webpages unmetered and those on standard Skymuster will receive increased data. ICPA NSW sees this as welcome relief for those concerned about data, with thanks to ICPA Australia and Better Internet for Rural, Regional & Remote Australia (BIRRR) for…
Do what you need to do
One chance, one choice
Katie and Shona Donald You know that finding the right education opportunities are a high priority when a family travels well over a thousand kilometres return to spend two days talking with staff of the schools at the 2019 Dubbo Boarding Schools Expo. Meet the Donald family – Katie, Lochie, and their four children travelled…
Will & Emma Benham
Sibling support when living away from home Brother and sister, Will and Emma Benham are both boarders at The Armidale School (TAS), where they’re enjoying a range of opportunities at the same time as carving out their own interests and identities. Will and Emma, along with mum, Pip, share what it means to be able…
Taking time to decide
Myfi and Grace Kellahan When nine year-old Grace Kellahan (Year 4) turned up at the 2019 Dubbo Boarding Schools Expo from West Wyalong with her mum, Myfi, she had with her a carefully handwritten list of questions for the schools they wanted to speak with. Like many families, the Kellahans put their children at the…