The Parent Squad

Around 96.8% of children in New Zealand attend some sort of Early Childhood Education at some point before entering school.  Some begin right from a few months old, while some are only enrolled at 2 or 3 for kindergarten.  But why is ECE so important?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parenting in the modern world comes with a slew of challenges - not just in terms of technology and social media, but the people who have influence over your children.  The majority of those born into Generation Z or earlier looked up to sports tars, actors, and the like. But today, it's whoever the public finds interesting enough to follow online.  Whether it's a good or a bad thing, ra...

Literacy and numeracy rates in New Zealand are still shameful compared to other countries in the OECD.  23% of year 8 students are at the curriculum benchmark for maths following recent curriculum changes from the Government, up from 22% in 2023.  Teachers in recent years have put the blame on parents, saying kids are starting school without the basics.  Harpreet Singh is the founde...

The first 1,000 days are the most important in any child's life - to set the foundation for a well-rounded and stable adulthood.  A key part of those first 1,000 days is early attachment, the importance of forming healthy attachments, and what that means for children as they grow up.  Nathan Wallis is a neuroscience educator and he joins to discuss early attachment. LISTEN ABOVE See omny...

Principal psychologist at Umbrella Wellbeing Dougal Sutherland joins Tim Beveridge to discuss whether it's ever okay to discipline a child that isn't yours.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the past week there have been multiple incidents at youth and school sports games, all involving bad sideline behaviour from parents.  John Cowan joins Tim Beveridge for the Parent Squad.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There comes a time in every parent's life when your sweet child comes home one day and announces they're in a relationship.  What boundaries and conversations should parents have when this time comes?  Psychologist at MindWorks, Sara Chatwin, joins Tim Beveridge for Parent Squad.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kids these days are far more tech savvy than previous generations, but does that really help them stay safer online?  Tim Beveridge is joined by Principal Psychologist at Umbrella Wellbeing, Dougal Sutherland, for Parent Squad.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kids can eventually turn a corner where they get a bit more stubborn when it comes to listening to us. Sometimes it's just them being cheeky, sometimes it's a bit rude, sometimes it's just a miscommunication. But how do you stay boss in the relationship? Should you even do it or is it something to worry about? Tim Beveridge is joined by Family and Parent Coach Jenny Hale for Parent Squad... LISTEN...

With the school holidays and dreary weather - kids are likely to be glued to their rooms and screens. How can we change that? What can we do to keep them busy while we're at work? Additionally, with recent floods across the country - how can we help our children dealing with the experience? Psychologist Sara Chatwin joins Andrew Dickens for the Parent Squad... LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.co...

How can you teach accountability to your children? What ways can a lesson go too far? Parent teacher interviews - what questions should we be asking our teachers? Tim Beveridge is joined by Education Expert Sandy Pasley... LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens inside a child's brain when they're having a meltdown? How should we approach their struggles? Tim Beveridge is joined by Neuroscience Educator Nathan Wallis.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Beveridge is joined by Parenting Expert John Cowan to talk about in-laws problems, and side-line behaviour. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Beveridge is joined by Principal Psychologist at Umbrella Wellbeing, Dougal Sutherland.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We trust schools with the bulk of what our children are taught - and it makes sense, since they spend the majority of their time there.  But are we delegating the raising of our children too much to schools? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much is social media affecting children's mental health? When does a child need counselling services, and how do you approach a discussion about getting over a relationship? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nine year old boy was told he's too fat to play rugby this week, sparking a major debate.  But really, kids do tend to grow out before up - so when is it an issue, and how do you discuss it with them? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Party have proposed a bill to ban social media for under 16 year olds - following Australia's lead.  But do parents really need legislative support with things like this? And how much help is really needed?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All teenagers have their moments - but what are the signs there's something seriously wrong? And how much of the teenage angst can be blamed on parents expecting to have a horrible teen? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It takes a village - parents, caregivers, family, and community. It takes a bit from everyone to raise successful adults.  Parents will do their best to instil particular values into their children - but as we slowly let go as they progress through their schooling, it's unavoidable that others will begin to have a say.  So in terms of values, what is the role of parents and schools as ch...

This week on The Parent Squad, neuroscience educator Kathryn Berkett revealed how much - if at all - you should get involved with your children's friendships. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Parent Coach Jenny Hale discusses the importance of resilience in parents.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Combining two families under one roof can be hard at the best of times.  Whether a couple are both bringing kids from a previous marriage together, or someone is becoming a step parent having never had kids before.  But what happens when there are disagreements between the couple? What if a step parents thinks their stepchild should move out when he turns 18?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnys...

Midwife Grace Strange joins the show to discuss birth plans vs reality. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All parents send their children to school with the hopes of high results and great values, but which are they prioritising?  Special character schools are significantly different from the public school system - and state schools may have a few things to learn. Rockley Montgomery is the principal of Vanguard Military School and he joins to discuss the place that character schools hold in the e...