Overcoming school refusal: A step-by-step guide for families Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on the Today Extra Is your child refusing to go to school? Please know - you’re not alone. Managing all the demands of family, work and just life in general is never easy, and it becomes even more stressful and more challenging when your child refuses to go to school. Download the Guide As seen on Channel 9 TODAY EXTRA

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio How can we help children feel hopeful when the world feels frightening? In this interview, Dr Rosina McAlpine, family and wellbeing expert from Win Win Parenting, explores children’s worries about climate change, war, AI and the future. She explains why listening calmly, acknowledging feelings and asking what children already know can open meaningful conversations. Discover how exploring questions together, taking practical action and sharing grandparents’ experiences can build reassurance and hope. Rosina also discusses changes in behaviour that may signal unspoken worries. Listen to the full interview for practical ways to support your child through life’s big questions with confidence.

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on 2SM Radio Work-family conflict and working parent burnout are putting families under pressure. In this engaging 2SM Breakfast Radio interview, Tim Webster speaks with Dr Rosina McAlpine, Parenting and Wellbeing expert from Win Win Parenting, about the challenges of managing work and family life. From rising living costs and mismatched school and work hours to everyday parenting demands, Dr Rosina explains why better time management alone cannot solve the problem. She explores how practical, research-based support can help parents feel more confident and less overwhelmed. Listen to the full interview to discover how families and employers can better support working parents today.

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio School holidays are meant to be fun for the kids, but for parents juggling work, household responsibilities and the rising cost of living, those weeks can quickly feel overwhelming. So how can families make the holidays enjoyable without relying on screens from morning until night? In this practical and relatable interview, Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert from Win Win Parenting shares simple strategies to help parents bring a little more calm and structure to the school holiday juggle. Her first suggestion is refreshingly straightforward: make a plan. Grab a calendar, map out work commitments, holiday activities and available support, then identify the gaps that still need filling. Dr Rosina also introduces the “boredom buster”, a list of screen-free activities children can turn to when the inevitable “there’s nothing to do” arrives. Think board games, books, craft, outdoor activities and other forgotten favourites already sitting around the house. The conversation also tackles one of the biggest holiday challenges: screen time. Rather than banning devices altogether, Dr Rosina explains how families can agree on clear boundaries, create predictable routines and even find more educational ways to use technology. There’s also advice for involving grandparents without overloading them, managing teenagers through negotiation rather than confrontation, and giving parents permission to accept that holidays won’t always run perfectly. And perhaps the most important reminder of all? Be kind to yourself. Listen to the full interview for practical ideas to make your next school holiday a little less chaotic and a lot more enjoyable.

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio Are today’s kids really lacking a strong work ethic, or do they simply need help developing the skills that underpin it? In this insightful ABC Illawarra interview, Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert explores how parents can help children develop persistence, responsibility, motivation and the ability to follow through, without pushing them towards an unhealthy “all work and no play” mentality. Dr Rosina explains that work ethic isn’t something children simply absorb as they grow. Just like reading, writing and other important life skills, qualities such as persistence and problem solving need to be taught, encouraged and modelled. One powerful starting point is helping children connect what they do today with what they want for their future. Whether their dream involves a great career, travel, financial freedom or something completely different, understanding the steps needed to get there can help build internal motivation. The conversation also tackles chores, pocket money, parental role modelling and why mistakes should be seen as a normal part of learning rather than a reason to give up. Most importantly, Dr Rosina reminds parents that a strong work ethic needs balance. Children need opportunities to work hard, contribute and persevere, alongside plenty of time for rest, play and family connection. Listen to the full interview for practical ideas you can start using at home.

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio Friendships play a vital role in childhood, but making and keeping friends does not always come naturally. Some children are outgoing, while others may feel shy, excluded or overwhelmed by social situations. In this insightful ABC Illawarra interview, Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert explains how parents and grandparents can help children develop the skills needed to form healthy, lasting relationships. Dr Rosina explores why friendship skills should be taught and practised, just like reading or maths. Listening, empathy, turn-taking, apologising and resolving conflict peacefully can all help children become better friends and more confident social citizens. She also discusses the impact of online communication, where children may miss opportunities to read facial expressions, practise conversation and focus fully on another person. Adults can support them by modelling respectful communication and creating opportunities for face-to-face connection. The conversation also covers shyness, friendship groups, exclusion, bullying and destructive relationships. Rather than labelling a child as “shy” or solving every social problem for them, Dr Rosina encourages adults to listen, guide and help children build resilience. Tune in to hear practical, reassuring advice on helping children navigate friendships with confidence, kindness and strong family values.

Parenting expert Dr Rosina interviews Vivien Sabel about her groundbreaking research into infant communication. "Babies communicate from day 1" Vivien's research has revealed. She helps parents understand their baby's body language and shows them how to communicate and bond with their baby. Vivien was raised by a deaf mother so she developed a heightened sense of awareness of non verbal communication which has supported her work in this very important new field of infant communication. The key thing is that when parents consistently recognise and respond to their baby's needs, strong brain connections that lead to healthy emotional development and optimal learning take place. This early childhood development provides the foundation for a happy and healthy life into adulthood. Vivien's book is called The Blossum Method and is available on Amazon

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio Gift giving is one of life’s great joys, but when it comes to children, could our generosity sometimes send the wrong message? In this thought-provoking radio conversation, Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert explores how parents and grandparents can make gift giving more meaningful, while helping children develop gratitude, healthy self-worth and an appreciation for what really matters. From Christmas wish lists and pocket money to rewards for good grades and paying children to complete chores, Dr Rosina considers when a well-intentioned gift can become transactional. She also shares a clever strategy for handling those familiar shopping trips when children suddenly decide they want everything they see. The conversation also tackles a sensitive issue for separated families: what happens when gift giving becomes a competition between parents? And how can families keep the focus on what children truly need rather than who can buy the biggest present? Perhaps the most touching insight comes from memories of grandparents who had little money to spend, but gave something far more valuable: their time. Baking together, gardening, sharing meals and simply listening can become treasured memories that last a lifetime. As Dr Rosina beautifully reminds us, sometimes the greatest gift isn’t the present. It’s being present. Listen to the full interview for practical ideas that could change the way your family thinks about giving.

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio “Good girl” and “brave boy” might sound harmless, but what if those everyday phrases are shaping our children in ways we never intended? In this thought provoking radio conversation, Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert challenges how we think about praise and what it really teaches our kids. Rather than easing pressure, constant praise can quietly create a dependence on external validation. As Dr Rosina explains, children may begin to act not because it is the right thing to do, but because they are chasing approval. Over time, that can impact confidence, decision making and even relationships. The discussion goes deeper, unpacking how labels like “smart” or “brave” can lock children into a fixed mindset, leaving little room for mistakes or growth. Instead, the focus shifts to recognising behaviour, encouraging self reflection and helping children build an internal compass. There are also practical, relatable examples parents can use straight away. From asking reflective questions to reinforcing family values, the approach is simple yet powerful. Even grandparents are part of the conversation, highlighting how consistent language across the family matters. If you have ever wondered whether you are praising your child the right way, this interview offers a fresh perspective that may just change how you speak to your kids forever.

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio If you have ever found yourself repeating the same instruction to your kids over and over, you are not alone. In this insightful radio conversation , Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert unpacks why nagging becomes the default for many parents and, more importantly, how to move beyond it. Nagging often creeps in when families are busy, routines slip, and it feels quicker to just do things yourself. But as Dr Rosina explains, this approach does little to build responsibility. Instead, she encourages parents to shift the focus away from rewards and punishment and towards developing a child’s internal compass. When children understand that contributing at home is about caring for each other, not avoiding consequences, their mindset begins to change. One practical strategy is reframing “chores” as “family contributions”. By involving children in regular family conversations, such as a weekly check-in, everyone can agree on responsibilities and feel part of a team. This also helps address the classic “that’s not fair” complaint, giving children a chance to be heard while guiding them towards logical solutions. The takeaway is simple but powerful. Building a strong family culture, grounded in teamwork and shared responsibility, reduces the need for nagging and creates more cooperative, capable kids.

In this episode of the Parenting Collective Podcast, Donna Moala speaks with workplace and family wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine about the growing pressures facing working parents today. Together, they unpack the reality behind burnout, stress, mental load, and the expectation to somehow “do it all”. With more households relying on two working parents than ever before, many mums and dads are feeling overwhelmed. Juggling career demands alongside school commitments, childcare, extracurricular activities, technology, and the emotional demands of parenting can feel relentless. In this episode, you will discover: ✔ Why parenting in today’s world feels more challenging than ever ✔ The underlying drivers of parental stress and burnout ✔ Why achieving work-life balance can feel out of reach ✔ The impact workplace culture has on family wellbeing ✔ Practical ways to reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day life ✔ How employers can better support working parents ✔ Strategies for setting healthier boundaries between work and home ✔ Why supporting parents creates better outcomes for businesses and society Dr Rosina McAlpine is an internationally recognised researcher, speaker, and founder of Win Win Parenting. She works with organisations to build family-friendly workplaces that support both employee wellbeing and business performance. Whether you are a working parent, business owner, HR professional or leader, this conversation offers valuable insights, reassurance, and practical ideas to help navigate modern family life.

Parenting and Family Wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Radio Melbourne Parenting has always been demanding, but today’s families are facing a whole new level of pressure. In a recent radio interview, Dr Rosina McAlpine family and wellbeing expert, shed light on the growing issue of parenting and grandparenting burnout and why it is becoming so common. With rising cost of living pressures, demanding workplaces and the ever present influence of social media on children, many parents feel like they are being pulled in two directions at once. As Dr Rosina explains, we are expecting parents to work like they do not have a family, and raise a family like they do not have a job. It is no wonder stress levels are soaring. But the solution is not always a long holiday or drastic lifestyle change. Instead, Dr Rosina encourages small, consistent moments of recovery. Taking just five to ten minutes to reset after a hectic morning or building simple family routines can make a powerful difference. The conversation also highlights the often overlooked strain on grandparents, who are increasingly stepping in to help while still managing their own commitments. Honest conversations and clear boundaries are essential to avoid silent burnout. If you have ever felt stretched too thin, this insightful discussion offers practical, achievable ways to restore balance and reconnect with what matters most.