My Mirror Makes Me Fat

‘I hate my new mirror that makes me look fat. But I’ve realised my other mirror that makes me look skinny also isn’t helpful.’ Val Mullally discusses what this has to do with our children’s behaviour

Last edited June 10th 2014

‘My child’s become so unreasonable. He used to be placid and easy going. Now he explodes for no reason.’ Perhaps you are like this parent, trying to figure out …

Last edited February 26th 2013

The young dad, standing on the street corner is greeted with loud “How ya doin?” and friendly jostling by a group of his peers, all holding the pose of “Single Man” except this man who is toting a toddler in a push chair. The little one seems overwhelmed by the sudden flurry and begins to whimper.
“Whatʼs up with ya then?” and Dad lifts him out of the pushchair and onto the ground. The toddler takes takes a few hesitant steps then starts to cry. Dadʼs caught between wanting to chat with his friends and his responsibility for the little one.
ʻAll right then.ʼ He picks him up and puts him back in the pushchair. The child struggles and wails. ʻAll right, ya want your mam!ʼ says Dad. He takes his mobile phone out of his pocket and gives it to the child. The child stops crying and puts the phone to his ear. Heʼs hoping to hear his motherʼs voice but – nothing.
The child roars and flings the phone. ʻLook what ya did! Ya broke my phone!ʼ
The child is now wailing, nothing is stopping his tears. ʻYa wonʼt get the best of me!ʼ exclaims the Dad. Whatʼs needed for Dadʼs to step into effective parenting and meet the toddlerʼs needs?

Last edited June 07th 2012

Receiving Gifts

Happy Valentine’s Day! Welcome to DAY FIVE of the Koemba Valentine’s ‘Loving Your Child’ series by Val Mullally.

Last edited February 14th 2012

Hard to Forgive at Christmas

How to move past unforgiveness – practical tips from Santa about choosing to be peace-makers during the festive season ‘ Santa shares his thoughts on what to do when you can’t forgive your ex – or other people in your iife.

Last edited December 07th 2018

A Happy Christmas is destroyed when families (or ex’s) don’t get along, when tensions rise and family conflict threatens to erupt. Today Santa shares some helpful tips for a peace-full Christmas.

Last edited December 07th 2018

‘I don’ t want to go to school’ / ‘I hate school’ or whatever version you’re hearing, can fill a parent with dread.
Val Mullally shares 6 unhelpful tactics parents use – and shares alternatives that focus on creating long-term communication and building children’s self esteem.

Last edited September 03rd 2012

We watch the news and wonder how an educated country like England can erupt into such chaos.
What’s it all about?
They might have captured images on CCTV that will lead to arrests – and then what?
It’s like a doctor who treats only the symptoms without dealing with the root cause of the dis-ease.
It’s no good treating dysentery without creating clean water supplies and proper sanitation.
So what’s needed to clean up the current conflict in Britain?

Last edited July 14th 2012

How much is too much?

At this festive time of year ‘spoiling’ is often on our minds. Parents query, ‘I always want to give my children what I never had. But how do I balance that so they don’t end up being spoiled brats?’
So what is a ‘spoilt’ child? We talk about fruit being spoilt when …

Last edited December 17th 2010

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