![It's okay for mums to have a rest.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/l/q/3/2/image.related.landscape.380x253.gtlpu1.png/1483496150592.jpg)
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Friendships and social skills
Making friends can be harder for some kids than others but there are ways you can help develop your child's social skills to ensure they can build healthy friendships now and in the future.
![How do you explain dementia to kids?](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/6/8/k/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.11kyjs.gjzqgv.png/1444366350150.jpg)
How to talk to children about grandparents with dementia
Helping children understand why their grandparent can no longer remember their name is a hard conversation to have, but here are ten practical tips to help guide you.
![Julia Roberts in the 1998 film, <i>Stepmum</i>.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/u/d/h/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.2udde.gjzqgv.png/1444345197633.jpg)
![Finding time to nurture your marriage after kids.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/3/d/x/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.33dua.gjzqgv.png/1444345197633.jpg)
![Kids made us stronger.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/n/t/n/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.12l09w.gjzqgv.png/1444654020791.jpg)
![Kimberley O'Brien](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/v/h/0/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.254el.gjzqgv.png/1444345197633.jpg)
Kimberley O'Brien
How to tell the kids you're separating
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![Remember that the goal is to have fun and be together.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/j/q/1/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtjpy2.png/1483428775204.jpg)
Six new year's resolutions for your family
Whatever you decide to choose as your family's new year's resolution, remember that the goal is to have fun and be together.
![Parody by MYLF](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/e/m/s/f/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtetm7.png/1482879223813.jpg)
Awesome parents we adored in 2016
There is absolutely nothing more heart-warming than witnessing a parent doing those things that make a childhood - and a life - joyful.
![Starting afresh in a relationship means starting afresh at Christmas.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/1/z/w/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtgov0.png/1482699239966.jpg)
My favourite thing about Christmas in a blended family? Making new traditions
My ex-husband didn't like the way I wrapped Christmas presents. When we divorced, I began my own tradition: no wrapping paper, only gift bags.
![What does it mean for a child when his mother's best present was the destruction of her marriage to his father?](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/g/v/8/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtgyac.png/1483387378405.jpg)
One of the best Christmas gifts I received was divorce papers
On Christmas Eve my family takes to the highway. We know there are other families on the road who are also hauling the baggage of failed marriages.
![Her life is going to be turned upside down. Is it worth it?](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/w/g/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtdw60.png/1482105057097.jpg)
My daughter's birth father has returned out of the blue. What should I do?
Whenever adults are getting ready to reveal truths to children, they must meet among themselves to clarify their goals.
![NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION, Anthony Michael Hall, Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Dana Barron, 1983](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/f/4/p/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtavr9.png/1482092924281.jpg)
Help, we are all going on a family hell-iday
We dream of sun, sea and sand but get sulks, stress and shouting instead. Lola Borg tells how to survive two weeks with your nearest and dearest.
![A new study reveals some viruses do hit men harder than women.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/a/t/0/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gtasw4.png/1481679770000.jpg)
Proof that 'man flu' really does exist
Men are frequently mocked for their inability to handle even mild viruses, but a new study suggests men might have a point.
![Public debate about the difficulties and costs of managing work and family is still solely centred on women.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/7/f/e/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt7ewc.png/1481850618667.jpg)
We need to start talking about working dads
Public debate about the difficulties and costs of managing work and family is still solely centred on women, writes Jane Gilmore.
![We all know what motherhood's really like.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/f/u/m/f/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt6jqq.png/1481574248389.jpg)
Why it's time we stopped trying to be the perfect mother
Trying to be Sheryl Sandberg at work, Martha Stewart at home? No wonder you sometimes feel as if your life is about to reel right out of control, says Lauren Sams.
![Current Block contestants Whitney and Andrew have felt the strain of their mammoth task.](/web/20170107055413im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/1/9/b/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt47kj.png/1480910111440.jpg)
Can relationships survive renovations?
Any renovator or fan of The Block can tell you that renovations can force love lives to crumble quicker than drywall, but there are some simple ways to avoid a complete breakdown.
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The HONY photo striking a chord with grandparent carers
A Humans of New York post about a couple who are raising their granddaughter unexpectedly, is striking a chord with thousands - particularly those who are raising their own grandkids, too.
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