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Dr Rosina McAlpine, Parenting Expert interviewd on ABC Radio Most parents have heard it. “I don’t want to go to school.” Sometimes it is just a tired morning or nerves after the holidays. But when it becomes a daily struggle, tears at the gate, mystery stomach aches, or a child who simply will not let go, it may be something more. In this insightful radio conversation, Dr Rosina McAlpine Parenting expert explains the difference between a normal reluctance and genuine school refusal. What Is School Refusal? School refusal is not a one off complaint. It is not truancy or sneaking off. It is when a child repeatedly struggles to attend school over an extended period. Signs can include: Ongoing headaches or stomach aches Crying or panic in the morning Tantrums around school time Clinging at drop off Research suggests around one to five percent of children experience school refusal, with higher rates among neurodiverse children. That means many families are quietly dealing with this challenge. What Might Be Causing It? One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is the reminder that school refusal is rarely about a child being difficult. The causes can vary widely: Anxiety or depression Social challenges or bullying Academic stress or perfectionism Conflict with teachers Major changes at home such as separation or grief As Dr Rosina explains, once you understand the reason, you are in a much stronger position to respond effectively. Different causes require different solutions. What Can Parents Do? The guidance is calm and practical. First, reassure your child. Let them know you love them and that you are listening. Avoid dismissing their feelings or escalating the situation. Next, gently explore what might be going on. Speak with teachers or school counsellors early. If you are a working parent, consider discussing temporary flexibility with your manager. In some cases, small incremental steps can help. For example, starting with attending a favourite subject before building up to full days. There is also thoughtful discussion about when changing schools may be appropriate and when building resilience within the current environment is the better option. Why Listen? School refusal is stressful for children and exhausting for parents. This audio offers reassurance, clarity and practical next steps. If your mornings feel like a battlefield, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear.

Parenting expert Dr Rosina was recently interviewed on the ABC Radio podcast "Life Matters" with Hilary Harper. Are only children disadvantaged. What are the myths, why do they linger, and what are the outcomes for "only children"

You've probably heard it said that only children are more likely to be lonely, selfish, antisocial and many other negative comments and that parents of only children are "selfish" for not giving their child a sibling.   Is it true?   In this podcast, Dr Rosina McAlpine, parenting expert and family wellbeing educator dispels the myths on ABC Radio Brisbane - Afternoons with Kat Feeney

Parenting isn’t easy and many parents turn to rewards, discipline and punishment to manage the many day-to-day challenges like getting homework done, "inspiring" the kids to help around the house with the dishes, garbage or to keep their room clean. What about talking back and reducing screen time squabbles...what strategies do you use? If you'd like to learn more about: the potential downsides of using disciple, rewards and punishment to raise your kids The benefits of relying on natural consequences and  Learning the three step Win Win Parenting approach to managing any parenting challenge without the use of discipline, rewards or punishments Then listen in to this short and informative podcast with Nick Rheinberger and parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine on ABC Illawarra.

I'm sure everyone knows an adult or two who struggle to manage their emotions and behaviours right? So how do people learn self-regulation? As your children grow under your guidance and loving care, you help them to learn how to eat well, exercise, get enough rest, manage their emotions and gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the world safely and happily. Overtime, the aim is for us parents and carers to “do ourselves out of a job” as our children learn to take care of their own physical, emotional, social and psychological wellbeing so they’re ready to leave home and lead their own lives.   Supporting children to learn to self-regulate is key to life success. If you'd like to learn more about:   ● What self-regulation is ● The benefits of this important skill for children ● Examples of self-regulation in relation to: Managing emotions Navigating the world of "thoughts" for psychological wellbeing and controlling behaviours ● Strategies to support children to develop ability to self-regulate Then listen in to this short and informative podcast with Nick Rheinberger and parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine on ABC Illawarra  By listening in, parents and carers have a better understanding of the many benefits of self-regulation with practical ways to support their children to learn this important skill for life success.

Are you worried about protecting your child from being bullied online or in-person? If your child was being bullied, would you know what to do? If you’ve experienced bullying as a child or an adult, then you know how frightening and life-destroying it can be. As a parent, you want to bullyproof your child so they never have to experience that horrible feeling of being picked on, laughed at, excluded or physically harmed.

Parenting expert Dr Rosina is interviewed by Nick Rheinberger on ABC Illawarra about the challenges for parents and the guidelines for screen time.

Stepping In: When should you Step in when you see a child in distress or danger or another child or parent acting inappropriately.

Parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Illawarra. As Christmas approaches, managing children's expectations becomes crucial. Parenting expert Dr Rosina advises focusing on holiday rituals like decorating, baking, and watching movies rather than just gifts. She suggests acknowledging children's desires and explaining that not all wishes can be fulfilled immediately, encouraging delayed gratification. For sibling comparisons, she recommends empathy and redirecting attention to shared blessings. Dr Rosina emphasizes the importance of small disappointments in teaching resilience. She also highlights the value of gratitude and slowing down present-opening to savor each gift. Delayed gratification is linked to success in various life aspects, reinforcing the importance of these lessons.

Parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Illawarra. In Australia, Data from the 2021 Census showed that 456,500 people aged 25 to 34 lived with their parents - an increase of nearly 17% since the 2016 survey. This trend is similar in the UK, US and Europe. Statistics from the European union revealed in 2021 - males left the parental household at an average age of 27.4 years, while females did so at 25.5 years.  It seems that young women getting out a few years earlier!

Parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine interviewed on ABC Illawarra. Parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine from Win Win Parenting discusses strategies for thriving during school holidays rather than just surviving. She introduces the "Go Ape" program, which stands for Attitude, Planning, and Enjoy. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care for adults to maintain well-being during the holidays. Listen in to find out more..

While every parent or carer wants the best for their children, parents and carers may not always agree on the best way to parent. Some parents prefer to take a firmer or more authoritarian approach to raising their children, others may prefer a more gentle and collaborative parenting approach. These differences can result in conflict between parents and confuse children. If you’d like to know how to manage different approaches to parenting with your parenting partner then this interview is for you. The discussion is relevant for parents of children aged toddler to teen. This ABC radio interview is with parenting expert Dr Rosina McAlpine, parenting and family wellbeing expert.   We explore strategies to support families to successfully manage different approaches to parenting by: understanding the impact of various approaches on a child’s development,  the challenges for children,  and practical strategies to overcome the conflict to achieve a win for parents and a win for kids.  The communication strategies are transferable skills for managing differences conflict in all contexts. Enjoy this podcast with parenting and family wellbeing expert Dr Rosina McAlpine, creator of the Win Win Parenting program!