![Marc Fennell and his daughter Sophie.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/4/n/p/f/image.related.landscape.380x253.p500fg.png/1536041351826.jpg)
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![Choosing the right outside school activities for your kids.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/j/n/o/f/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.1jngm.gjzpwi.png/1463456936588.jpg)
Choosing extra-curricular activities for your children
Extra-curricular activities give children the opportunity to develop their skills in various areas so children develop a number of interests and talents - but be care ful not to over-schedule.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/j/j/4/o/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.giir54.gjzpwi.png/1465192107427.jpg)
10 signs you're over parenting your child
Over parenting is a new normal for today's mums and dads who, as dedicated as they may be, still succumb to overindulging, overprotecting and overscheduling their children.
![bath time](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/j/k/a/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.11gk3d.gjzpwi.png/1444362893058.jpg)
![Leaders and followers are not always polar opposites.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/2/x/7/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.32x3f.gjzpwi.png/1444623667063.jpg)
![When do kids get their first kiss?](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/g/a/c/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.10k5zh.gjzpwi.png/1444341457792.jpg)
![Inherited fears: face your fears so your kids don't have to.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/u/n/0/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.1mr9wi.gjzpwi.png/1444090616720.jpg)
Latest
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/3/x/p/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.h13xju.png/1534464947362.jpg)
Five easy ways to boost children's spatial skills
It's never to early to help your kids develop these important life skills.
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/2/r/t/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.h12rt8.png/1531904055523.jpg)
Want to raise empathetic kids? Try spending time in nature
Experts share advice on how observing wildlife can help create more compassionate kids.
![Being unwell can change the smell of our sweat.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/0/y/m/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.p4zi6s.png/1528419065932.jpg)
We need a massive rethink on the way we raise our boys
It's not enough to tell them it's OK for boys to cry.
![To swim, travel and make mistakes: so many things to teach a son.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/a/l/k/0/image.related.landscape.300x200.p4zirq.png/1528418787989.jpg)
What I really want to teach my son - and what he is teaching me
He’s only nine, but he delights in life and it's contagious.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/0/6/4/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1064h.png/1526534634081.jpg)
Spend time together and build confident kids
The benefits of 'family time' are priceless. Here are five reasons why family connection builds confidence in kids.
![Surgeon Fiona Wood didn\'t let naysayers stop her achieving her goals.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/z/s/e/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.p4zd6g.png/1526533315063.jpg)
Life lessons for your kids from Australia's most successful people
Ten highly successful Australians share the secrets that drove them to achieve greatness.
![“Young
people nowadays don’t earn much. If
we can make it a bit easier, why not?”](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/x/o/g/image.related.landscape.300x200.p4zabq.png/1524541412479.jpg)
'I still make my adult son's packed lunch'
With more 20-somethings moving back home and the bank of Mum and Dad on standby, are we helping our children to navigate a tough world – or holding them back?
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/7/g/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0wp3l.png/1520483030211.jpg)
Four reasons I can't wait for my kid to turn four
Better communication means fewer temper tantrums, right?
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/w/t/k/z/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0wpa4.png/1520323883580.jpg)
Why we need to stop relentlessly criticising teens
Balance what you say.
![Amy Chua is the author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/m/5/w/8/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0wndg.png/1519689049450.jpg)
Jenna Price
Happiness is overrated – the secret life of a tiger mother
We can't allow ourselves to bring up a nation of boofheads because boofheads can't build our future.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906070949im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/w/5/e/g/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0w5dy.png/1519276225189.jpg)
Sorry, but 13 is way too young to be a babysitter
They're too young, too naive, and too inexperienced.
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