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.

CURRENT TRENDS IN PARENTING ADVICE The Festival of Dangerous Ideas held recently at the Sydney Opera House included many interesting local and international speakers discussing a range of controversial topics including: “what can we learn from suicide bombers”; “free-range kids” and “are children worth it?” Having a particular interest in parenting, I attended both parenting talks. I left quite concerned about the current thinking on parenting today. “America’s worst mom” I first attended a talk by Lenore Skenazy, dubbed “America’s worst mom” because she let her 9 year old son travel home on the subway on his own with $20, a subway map and change for a pay phone. Lenore shared her “free-range kids” parenting philosophy. While she was very entertaining, her talk centred on sharing exaggerated comical stories about children and parenting as well as ridiculing over-protective ‘helicopter parents’. She did provide some insights into why parents fear for the safety of their children; but unfortunately, I didn’t walk away with many practical parenting ideas. Speaking with Lenore as she signed my copy of her latest book titled Free-Range Kids she didn’t seem at all like a “bad mom” and her book offers some practical suggestions for parents to help their children become more independent. Nevertheless, I was left with a cartoon image in my mind of children roaming free with chickens on a farm, and feeling quite sure that I need advice on raising a boy not a chicken! “Are children worth it?”Anne Manne spoke eloquently on the controversial topic “are children worth it?” and asked the audience to consider where we are as a society to even entertain such questions. She discussed research studies which have found that individuals without children generally report they have happier lives than people with children. She went on to talk about inadequate and expensive childcare facilities and how much pressure there is on today’s mothers who need to work, take care of their children as well as their home. No wonder they report they’re unhappy! In conclusion, Anne pointed out that today’s parents can’t win. Working parents are criticised for not spending enough time with their children and “helicopter parents” are criticised for spending time too much time with their children. I left the talks with two questions. Firstly, how did we end up parenting at the extremes? Secondly, what does it mean to be a parent?

Article Published on News.com.au by Lisa Mayoh. Contribution by Dr Rosina McAlpine IT WAS the closest I’ve come to having a panic attack. I still remember the feeling, sitting on that plane, buckled in, seatbelt sign on. Trapped. My heart pounding, my breath short and fast, my eyes wide and threatening to cry. What was I thinking, leaving our beloved children for the first time while we had six days in Bali? It’s something you dream of when you’re in the thick of dinner, bath and bed. You let yourself drift away, buoyed by the prospect of sleeping in, reading a book, or laying by the adult’s pool, not a splashing, squealing child in sight. Read Article

BUSINESS TURNS TO EDUCATING PARENTS-TO-BE AT WORK IN THE HOPE OF KEEPING WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE LISA MAYOH AND DANIEL MEERS, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, MARCH 07, 2015 12:00AM BUSINESS giants such as Westpac and Qantas have begun offering mums and dads free parenting courses as they recognise a $25 billion opportunity to keep women in the workplace. The major corporations are turning to a Sydney University academic’s education program for employees before they go on maternity leave, and when they return. The new trend means that instead of the scenario in which women relied on their own mother, aunts or siblings for parental advice, they can now go to work to learn everything from how to juggle demanding children with a career as well as how to manage toddler tantrums. Parenting author, and speaker Rosina McAlpine described the phenomenon as “win-win parenting”. Read the full article here PARENTING TIPS Bust the myth we ‘magically’ know how to be a good parent. We aren’t born with the skills — we need practical knowledge, skills and experience for everyday parenting, especially challenging moments. Use simple framework SEE — which stands for Stop, Empathy Education. Instead of reacting to challenging moments, use those three steps to respond to children for a more positive experience. This applies from baby to teenagers in any situation for getting ready for school, managing emotions, dealing with bullying, getting kids to share, listening at home, tantrums etc. Move away from discipline, rewards and punishment. Instead, use empathy and education to develop life skills in kids and deepen the deep bond with parents and children. Become your ‘personal best parent’ by taking care of yourself, role modelling for your children, learning about good parenting and using the SEE approach. Be in a place to respond, empathise and help children learn how to be in the world. As parents learn, they feel more confident, they drop guilt and stress and their children have better outcomes.