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Students in public schools twice as likely to be bullied as private school pupils
Here are the reasons why up to 14 per cent of parents continue to choose private education over public schools across the country.
![Runaway](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/j/1/v/r/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.11cfes.gjzq0v.png/1444626523678.jpg)
When your child threatens to run away from home
While this case of Bondi run-away Michelle Levy ended happily, it has highlighted an issue that many parents find themselves facing: how do you respond when your child threatens to run away from home?
![Is your child tuning you out?](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/d/h/g/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.3ddm1.gjzq0v.png/1444626592656.jpg)
![Changing spoilt behaviour: Reward your child with shared activities rather than material gifts.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/0/6/m/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.306mp.gjzq0v.png/1444626722355.jpg)
![Naughty girls ... how to handle nasty tempers.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/k/b/5/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.1kb42.gjzq0v.png/1444626657605.jpg)
Kimberley O'Brien
Dealing with angry children
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![Tired of being interrupted.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/k/6/j/n/image.related.landscape.300x200.gmk6di.png/1488428788037.jpg)
Teaching kids not to interrupt
Many of us feel frustrated at a lack of completed conversations – or, let's be honest, even thoughts – as our kids interrupt us constantly.
![Helping out in the neighbourhood can help children gain a sense of "we".](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/m/6/3/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.gum4zf.png/1488170885387.jpg)
Helping to raise ‘we’ children, not just ‘me’ children
In an age of selfies and a fascination with image, fame and being 'seen', how do we ensure that we nurture the growth of character in our children?
![Should parents be rewarded for their kids' good behaviour?](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/f/k/y/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.gufhv7.png/1487308661252.jpg)
A restaurant is offering discounts to patrons with well-behaved children
A restaurant owner in Italy fed-up with unruly children has come up with a novel idea to help curb bad behaviour - he's giving patrons with well-behaved kids a discount on their bill.
!["This notion that boys can never hurt, that they can never feel, is so damaging to them long term," writes mum Jamie](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/8/1/2/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.gu7yot.png/1486944973690.jpg)
This mum's post about the way we raise our boys is a must-read
When a US mum was accused of "babying" her eight-year-old son when he was injured playing basketball, it made her realise that there's still a fundamental problem with the way we're raising our little boys.
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Life lesson: even if you're really good, you still can't get everything you want
It's important to ask nicely, because we should all try to be good people, but asking nicely won't guarantee a good outcome.
![Disciplining children of differing ages can be tricky.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/7/o/5/n/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt7k1f.png/1481251347675.jpg)
With four kids, one-size-fits-all approach to discipline won't work
Q: We have four kids (8, 6, 4 and almost 1). The older kids are close and tend to do things together.
![Christmas shopping requires some strategies to defeat ''pester power''.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/p/3/j/5/image.related.landscape.300x200.gt4nrp.png/1482459356833.jpg)
How to handle pester power
You might give older children some tasks - finding some of the items on your shopping list or helping put the groceries into bags - so they don't become bored and start to look for a quick-fix treat to overcome their discomfort.
![Jaime Primak Sullivan with her husband and kids.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/o/m/t/7/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsomi2.png/1479083035725.jpg)
The kind words from a stranger that helped an overwhelmed mum in the supermarket
As parents, many of us are used to receiving disapproving stares and judgmental comments from strangers when our kids are being kids – and just how shaming it can feel.
![How to trick kids into behaving.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/o/k/t/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsoknt.png/1479079354263.jpg)
Seven parenting 'tricks' to get your child to do what you want
Kids will often be stubborn, argumentative and destructive - and getting them to calm down, listen and behave with consideration can be an uphill struggle.
![Meditation timeout instead of detention could have a more positive result on children's behaviour in schools.](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/b/o/o/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gsbomv.png/1477520280915.jpg)
The school that replaced detention with meditation
In schools, the response to kids who misbehave has remained much the same for generations: punish them.
![When meltdowns push you to your limit, should you let a stranger step in?](/web/20170408062220im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/3/t/y/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.gs3suk.png/1476664547845.jpg)
Would you let a stranger discipline your child?
There's nothing quite like the feeling of being centre-stage in a public place when your child has an epic meltdown. Would harnessing the power of the village – even if it's made up of strangers – help in these situations?
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