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Parenting

Portrait of a naughty and messy little boy. The boy looks angrily at the camera.

Kids who can’t stop saying no: does defiance need a doctor?

Parents of children with a controversial mental health condition say a diagnosis liberated them, but a psychologist warns going down the medical route isn’t ideal.

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OpinionParenting

What about our rights? ‘Pregnant people’ is an insult to mums like me

A BBC presenter was sanctioned for replacing the term “pregnant people” with “women” live on air. Inclusive language is important but woke warriors have gone too far, argues Susie O’Brien.

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Students: Michaela, 14 Ivy, 15 Gabrielle, 15 With Matt Landmark Is this Australia's best school canteen/tuckshop with Former Masterchef contestant Matt Landmark at the Albert Park College canteen. Picture: Jason Edwards

From MasterChef to school canteen – is this Australia’s best tuck shop?

A MasterChef contestant and social media star runs this school’s canteen, but students are the real operators, keeping costs low, passions high and school community strong.

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November 6, 2025: Karen Pattullo at home with her son Johnny. 'kid rotting' trend - which encourages parents to let their kids be bored rather than overschedule their weekends and school holidays. Picture: Kelly Barnes

‘Why I’m letting my kids rot these school holidays’

Could doing nothing be the key to surviving six weeks of school holidays? See what’s behind the new ‘kid rotting’ parenting trend.

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More Stories

muck up day art work

‘Went too far’: Private girls’ school muck-up leads to clean-up

Muck-up madness continues in Victoria, with one event at a leading private girls’ school lasting just 30 minutes. It comes as another school petitions for the right to celebrate.

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posh child care centre aus

$240-a-day childcare centre offers white-glove service for parents

Australia’s poshest new childcare centre charges $240 a day but cares for parents as well as kids, with mums and dads picking up a coffee, breakfast and even their online shopping.

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Geelong's lunchbox king George Georgievski and his two kids, Kiara and Anela. Picture: Supplied

Aussie dad steps up as parents push back on lunchbox demands

Australian parents are fighting back against complex school lunch box rules that force them to juggle nutrition, allergies and eco-friendly packaging requirements.

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Bully intimidates a skinny kid.

Bullies – stop blaming your upbringing and own your bad choices

Bullying is a choice and perpetrators should take responsibility for their actions instead of blaming their parents, say two professors with some tough love for bullies.

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Halloween jack o lantern pumpkin generic istock

‘Joyless’: The scariest thing about a green Halloween are the eco worriers

Some have declared war on traditional Halloween activities, and there are risks lurking in every pumpkin, fake cobwebs and single-use plastic corpse, Susie O’Brien writes.

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Angela Mollard on her biggest parenting regret

Party pressure sparks parenting regret, Angela Mollard says

Influencer Bec Judd has banned lolly bags in her house, now Angela Mollard reveals her biggest parenting regret about kids’ birthday parties.

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Technology & Digital Safety

Pediatrician makes vaccination to a small boy. Prevention and health care concept.

Sick tricks revealed: Sneaky new way anti-vax parents risk your kids

Facebook is teaching parents how to dodge vaccination laws and treat serious illnesses with honey and onions – see how much childhood immunisation rates have fallen.

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Personal trainer Theo Fedele warns TikTok influencers are promoting the use of dangerous animal steroids.

16yo Aussie boys injecting cattle steroids to ‘feel like a man’

A TikTok video shows a shirtless 16-year-old in a gym, needle in hand as he injects cattle steroids into his arm. Personal trainers and medical experts warn it’s alarmingly common.

Parenting expert Gavin McCormack reveals 10 things parents need to tell their kids

Your child doesn’t need you to nag – tell them these 10 things instead

Education and parenting guru Gavin McCormack has seen the pattern again and again. These are the 10 crucial things too many parents never tell their kids.

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Preschool little girl in sleeping bag camping. Outdoors activity with children in summer. Fun and adventure camp, family and friends vacations or weekend trip. Portrait of child with flashlight

Susie O’Brien: Watch out for this item on school camp lists

My son’s camp list contained an item that made me nostalgic for the era of dictionaries, street directories and cameras with film. How do we explain these items to our offspring?

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/education/support/parenting/page/6