A significant number of parents come to me with children who regularly swear at them, hit them when frustrated, or see nothing wrong with skipping school whenever they feel like it. These aren't rare or extreme situations. They're everyday problems that show up in households across the country, and they all share the same root cause: the absence of clear, non-negotiable household rules. When you ask these parents what the consequences are for hitting or swearing, the answer is often vague or...

When it comes to parenting, 'time-out' is one of the most commonly recommended behaviour management strategies. It is also one of the most commonly misused. For children with ADHD, getting it right matters even more. If done well, it can be a genuinely effective tool. However, when done poorly, it tends to make things even worse. This article covers what time-out actually is, how to set it up. I will also explain ‘why’ it only works as part of a broader approach that prioritises positive...

This is a question I ask almost every parent I work with: " when was the last time you spent ten minutes alone with your child, doing something they chose, with no agenda, no teaching, and no phone?"   This article is about that time. I'm going to call it ‘special time’ - a short, daily, one-to-one window where your child chooses the activity and you follow their lead. It sounds almost too simple to matter. But the research suggests it may be one of the most powerful things a parent can do,...