Best of the Web: The inevitability of watching your children grow up, and more

(Shona Hendley, ABC Everyday)

Do you have a dedicated play area in your home? From where you hear the sound of laughter, gameplay happening, or toys being tossed about? For this author, she writes that the playroom in their home was the most used room by her daughters.

But, as her husband declared he was turning the now little-used room into his home office, she realised just how quickly the move from one stage of childhood to another — the tween years — had occurred.

‘Not only had they stopped “playing” but now their time is spent doing other activities instead. From spending more time with friends to extracurricular activities of their own choosing and the type of music they listen to.’

This change came as a stark realisation for this mother, ‘… realising that they are growing up and doing it incredibly fast … well, that’s challenging too’.

(Diana Opong, Life Kit: NPR)

We’ve all been there — you take your child to the grocery store with you, and you find yourself reluctantly giving in to their demands for a treat.

Lauren Silvers, a child psychologist based in Washington state, says this is what overindulgent parenting can look like.

‘Giving in to such demands can be harmful to a child’s development if it becomes routine’, says Silvers. ‘There are lots of negative outcomes associated with overindulgence, anything from over-dependence on others and being unable to learn necessary life lessons.’

Ming Cui, a professor at the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Florida State University, says ‘children who have experienced less overindulgence are likelier to exhibit higher levels of emotional regulation, better problem-solving skills and coping abilities’.

But how do you know if you’re overindulging your child or just spoiling them? Silvers and Cui share their four-question test to help parents determine if they are overindulging their children and share advice on how they can start setting up new boundaries at home.

The National Office for Child Safety has released a new campaign, One Talk at a Time. The campaign aims to help prevent child sexual abuse by encouraging adults to learn about the issue and have ongoing, proactive, preventative conversations with children, young people and other adults.

Because no one knows the kids in your life better than you do, the campaign has a toolkit to help parents and carers have conversations with their children and young people about child sexual abuse.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.