Search Results

Parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio Australia is about to introduce one of the most significant changes to child online safety in years. In just a couple of days, young people under sixteen will no longer be permitted to have social media accounts. The federal government calls it a world first move aimed at reducing exposure to harmful content, cyber bullying and grooming. Many parents welcome the decision, yet it also raises real questions for families. How will the ban work in practice. What does it mean for children who rely on digital spaces to connect. How can parents navigate the shift without conflict at home. Dr Rosina McAlpine joined the program to unpack these issues with clarity and warmth, offering research grounded insight and practical advice. In the conversation, Dr McAlpine explains why the evidence supports stronger protections for young people and why social media poses real risks to the developing brain. She walks listeners through the challenges of age verification, the emotional impact on teens who feel something has been taken away, and the essential role parents still play in keeping their children safe online. Just as importantly, she highlights how families can foster genuine connection through supervised online spaces, in person activities and open communication that helps young people feel heard rather than punished. This episode is an invaluable guide for parents, carers and educators who want to support young people through a rapidly changing digital landscape. It balances evidence with compassion and offers practical steps you can use right now. If you want a clearer understanding of what the ban means and how to make this transition easier for your family, this is a conversation well worth listening to.

Understanding the Challenges of Parenting Teens In this interview, I share insights into why sibling rivalry and friendship drama are common challenges for teens. Parents often wonder how to help without making things worse. Understanding when to step in and when to step back is crucial. I explain the three main ways young people resolve conflict: coercion, negotiation, and disengagement. These methods can differ significantly between home and social settings. The Impact of Birth Order on Relationships Birth order can shape relationships in profound ways. The dynamics between siblings often depend on who is the oldest, middle, or youngest. Each position comes with its own set of expectations and behaviors. For instance, the oldest sibling may feel pressure to lead, while the youngest might seek attention. Recognizing these patterns can help parents understand their children's interactions better. Recognizing Bullying vs. Rivalry It's essential to watch for signs when rivalry turns into bullying. While some conflict is normal, parents should be alert to behaviors that may indicate a more serious issue. Bullying can have lasting effects on a child's emotional well-being. Parents can help by fostering open communication and encouraging empathy among siblings. Values-Based Strategies for Building Empathy Parents can use values-based strategies to build empathy and respect within the family. Teaching children the importance of understanding others' feelings can lead to healthier relationships. Encouraging discussions about values can help teens navigate their social circles more effectively. If you’ve ever felt drained by constant bickering or unsure how to guide your teen through social tension, you’ll find practical tools and reassurance in this conversation. Practical Tools for Parents Encourage Open Dialogue : Create an environment where your teens feel comfortable expressing their feelings. This can help them articulate their emotions and resolve conflicts more effectively. Model Conflict Resolution : Demonstrate healthy conflict resolution strategies in your own interactions. Show your teens how to negotiate and compromise. Set Clear Boundaries : Establish rules for acceptable behavior among siblings. This can help prevent conflicts from escalating. Promote Teamwork : Encourage siblings to work together on projects or activities. This can strengthen their bond and reduce rivalry. Teach Empathy : Use real-life situations to discuss feelings and perspectives. This can help your teens develop a deeper understanding of others. Conclusion: Navigating the Journey of Parenting Parenting teens can be challenging, especially when it comes to sibling rivalry and peer drama. However, with the right tools and strategies, parents can help their children navigate these turbulent waters. By fostering open communication, modeling positive behavior, and encouraging empathy, parents can create a supportive environment that promotes healthy relationships. For more insights, listen to the full interview with Dr. Rosina McAlpine on Helping Your Teen Navigate Sibling Rivalry and Peer Drama .

Every parent carries a story from their own childhood that quietly shapes how they show up with their children. Sometimes it is a warm and affirming story. Other times it is painful, confusing, or unfinished. In a recent podcast conversation, I had the opportunity to share some of my own story and how it has shaped my work in parenting, education and family wellbeing. We spoke about tough love, inherited patterns, the pressure of modern working life, and how we can all start to write a kinder script for the next generation. Listen to the full interview:

Frequently asked questions.

We can’t find the page you’re looking for This page doesn’t exist. Go to Home and keep exploring. Go to Home

Dr Rosina McAlpine Parenting Expert Empowering parents with research-based strategies to help children develop essential life skills and thrive. About Dr. Rosina We all know that to be successful, children need to have a range of life skills like strong self esteem, a positive attitude, be motivated to learn, good communication skills, an understanding of how to eat well and exercise, to develop a love learning and be inspired to achieve great things. My passion is to empower all parents with the skills and parenting resources to be able to support their children’s development across all areas of life. My heartfelt best wishes to you in your parenting journey! Learn More Dr Rosina in the Media Throw Selfish in the Rubbish”: Why Self-Care Isn’t a Luxury for Working Parents — It’s Essential Sibling rivalry and the introduction of a new sibling Sibling rivalry Parenting strategies 1 2 3 4 5 Media Enquiries Pressures faced by parents and children... Today's kids have so many pressures and challenges to overcome, and so parents need the parenting skills to help their kids navigate life safely and successfully. Some of the many difficulties children face are: Bullying Self Esteem issues Peer pressure around alcohol, drugs and sex Anxiety and depression Uncontrollable emotions Health problems like obesity and many more... You're here because you care about your children and want the best for them. If you're like me, then you're looking for reliable, research-based parenting advice, parenting tips and a positive parenting program that will help your children develop all the life skills they need to succeed in the world. Learning these skills and being able to pass them onto your children allows parents to feel more in control and your children to be empowered to manage difficult situations as they arise. Children aged 0–11 made up 6% of all people receiving mental health-specific services 33% of Children are clinically Overweight or Obese Explore Dr Rosina's Programs and Resources Evidence-based practical parenting resources to enable parents to reduce the stresses of managing family life and acheive the balance we are all looking for. The one thing that all parenting and child development experts agree upon is that good parenting is about teaching kids life skills. Life Skills Parenting Program Essential life skills for children… We all know that to be successful, children need to have a range of life skills like strong self esteem, a positive attitude, be motivated to learn, good communication skills, an understanding of how to eat well and exercise, to develop a love learning and be inspired to achieve great things. My passion is to help our son and to empower all parents with the skills and parenting resources to be able to support their children’s development across all areas of life. I have done all of the research to develop an affordable, practical and easy to follow parenting program. Designed with the busy parent in mind, this step by step program is filled with parenting advice, resources and parenting tips on raising kids so you can help your child gain valuable skills and succeed in life, no matter how busy you are! Learn More Parenting Blog Parenting resources and articles… Keep up to date with Dr Rosina's Blog to receive her latest posts with lots of information and resources to help you on your parenting journey. There is no question that parenting can be difficult at times. Information is how we can help prepare ourselves to manage these challenges. Learn More Life Skills eBooks Series 7 Key life skills for children… Developed for the busy parent who wants to give their child the best chance in life, this Life Skills Based Positive Parenting eBook series gives parents a step-by-step guide on how to empower their child with key life skills in just 15 minutes at a time... every parent can find 15 minutes once or twice a week right? Each of the seven eBooks is filled with practical positive parenting advice, good parenting tips, information about child development so parents can develop good parenting skills for raising kids and teaching them life skills. Each life skills eBook has been developed to EMPOWER you, to HELP your children. Easy-to-follow structured 15 minute activities that you can do to make a difference in your child’s life. Aimed at Children 4-14, it’s never too early or too late to start! Learn More Inspired Children Book How the leading minds of today raise their children... The experts in this books share the most important parenting advice for raising kids who are capable, happy and well-adjusted, and show you how you can help your kids learn to regulate their emotions and manage their behaviours as well as parenting tips on how to help your children develop good self esteem and resilience to overcome life's many challenges. Learn More If you’d like more information about our programs, get in touch today. Contact Us Testimonial When I was watching one of your videos I was enjoying it so much that I didn’t want to stop , I feel so close to you because when you are talking, you gave me the feeling that you want to help people and share your experience with us. Thanks for that feeling. Thanks for everything and I wish you success with your program.” — Rona from Belgium "Your vision for children and their future is fantastic. You have brought together so many people from different fields of life all with the idea of enhancing the future of our planet through children, intertwined their ideas and placed us all into a ‘melting pot’. The message is simple, you are putting it out there, communicating to and reaching far more than we can alone. Well done!!! — Dr. Brett Grant B.Sc., M.Chiro. Chiropractor "I have noticed many different improvements in Charlotte’s behaviour and attitude. Without the guidance from your program, I would have never thought of each individual life skill to teach her. Thank you so much for your wonderful program." — Angela and Charlotte Burgess - Castle Hill