Parenting

When Sunshine Coast mum Nicole Baillie started having contractions, her sister Renee came over to mind her daughter — then Renee's waters broke too.

Cilla Pershouse admits she "lost her sense of self" after the birth of her third child, but help came in the unexpected form of a new colleague at her farm - a border collie puppy named Ash Barky.

A South Australian woman says she has been on a waiting list for occupational therapy for her autistic daughter since 2022 — and that living in a regional town makes accessing services all the more difficult.   

Cases of whooping cough are surging across Australia, with an infectious disease expert warning that the respiratory disease is "back with a vengeance".

New research shows more than half of young children who play online games wish their parents would game with them — and that joining in can help keep kids safe online.

Lucy Walton is among many Australian women investigating fertility testing in the so-called panic years. But experts warn against cheap, at-home testing kits.

Some women who desperately want to breastfeed their babies are giving up because of a lack of support in regional and rural Australia. 

My son, along with tens of thousands of other Australian kids, is about to formally leave the land of childhood and go to secondary school next week, and a clean-out of many of his kindergarten things felt long overdue, writes Virginia Trioli.

The popularity of homeschooling is surging to unprecedented heights in Queensland, with official registrations increasing from 3,411 in 2019 to 10,048 in 2023, and thousands more believed to be flying under the radar.

The Pope's recent pronouncement against surrogacy has sparked heated global debate about the controversial issue. In Australia, surrogacy is complex: deplored by some but embraced by others whose lives have been transformed by remarkable acts of generosity and love.

Stephen and Mitch Page say they wouldn't know the joy of fatherhood without it, but this week, Pope Francis called for a worldwide ban on surrogacy, saying the practice violates the dignity of women. So what do surrogacy experts say?

At a time when most toddlers are just getting the hang of walking, 18-month-olf Lucy Brown has staked her claim as the youngest person to reach the Mount Everest base camp.

The start of a new school year can be a costly time for families, especially as cost-of-living pressures continue, but there are some ways families can save on essentials.

From a DIY pizza garden to making the ultimate dinosaur paradise, check out these affordable, at-home activities to get the kids into the garden these school holidays.

Boredom is mildly unpleasant, but it's OK for kids to feel bored. In fact, boredom provides the context for children to develop a number of important skills that are central to developing a sense of control over their own happiness and wellbeing.

The kids who were part of the ABC's Life At documentary series are now adults — and researchers say they've provided valuable insight into the challenges of growing up.

Would you hold a gender reveal party for your unborn child? Diversity advocates are urging expectant parents not to place undue emphasis on the sex of their infants.

Gender reveal parties like this one are becoming more popular in Australia.

Paramedic Dominique Daye felt confident she would take being a mum in her stride, but it wasn't what she expected. She's encouraging others to use new support tools when things get tough.

Long COVID is not just destroying people's health. Behind closed doors, in homes across Australia and abroad, it is irreversibly changing relationships — sometimes for the better, too often for worse.

While new fertility technologies have allowed for more solo mothers, rising costs and sperm donor shortages remain major barriers.

Over the past decade the number of people accessing donor sperms to start a family solo has risen 50 per cent at Australia's largest fertility clinic, despite a national sperm shortage, waitlists and major financial costs.

Father Christmas is writing back to dozens of children in a Queensland country town and surrounds thanks to a local paramedic, parents and the post office.

Elle was born with a severe immune system disorder that makes her highly susceptible to infections, but doctors believe she'll eventually be able to live a normal life.

Parents with violent children can face a heartbreaking decision: give them up or continue to live in danger. Experts say more needs to be done to help families facing complex situations.