Talking Sense with Dr Martha

When your child says to another "I don't want to play with you" how does it leave you feeling? Do you want to help them be kinder to others and/or be more inclusive of children in play? If you do, th…

When a child says "I don't want to go to school!" and this happens regularly, what's the best way to respond? How can you support your child while letting them know their feelings are important? Dr M…

When you are expecting a new baby it can be a time full of excitement. You may also worry about how to share the news with your child(ren), how to prepare them (and you) for the changes that are comi…

Do family members ever feel the need to give you an opinion or advice on your parenting that makes you feel criticised or judged? If it's happened, you're not alone. And if you respond by trying to c…

There are many stereotypes and stories about 'only children' - but are these valid and true? And what (if anything...) can we do about it? Dr Martha explores the main stereotypes around 'only childre…

Technology is part of our life and our children get to use it. But how do we ensure as parents that we keep our children safe when they are online? How do you set boundaries around screen time that g…

Does your child appear to speak loudly all day whether it's during play or talking at you? If this is the case - don't worry, it's very normal. Children need time and practice to learn how to modulat…

If you have more than one child you cannot split yourself in half to care for their needs. So how do you manage your children's competing demands? What can you do when you feel like you are constantl…

We know that self-esteem (self-love, self-worth) is important, but how can we ensure we take steps to grow this in our children in ways that are long-lasting? And what can we do when our child reject…

When something scary happens, what can you do to bring back safety? In today's episode of Talking Sense, a mother asks about how to support her child after a choking episode. Dr Martha talks about wh…

When children interrupt adult conversations it can feel frustrating and rude. How do we support our children to learn social cues? What is the best way to teach them not to interrupt? And what can we…

Screens are everywhere! When little ones want to watch screens what is the best way of setting limits? Is there such a thing as ‘healthy screentime’? And how do you find the right balance for you and…

How do you know whether you are showing care to your child or spoiling them? Where is the line between nurturing and bringing up an entitled child? Dr Martha shares the difference and the reasons beh…

Do you know how to answer your child’s questions about ‘where babies come from’? And what do you do when your answer isn’t enough and they want ‘more’ understanding about how babies are made? Dr Mart…

We all want to discourage lies in our children… but what is the true purpose of a ‘lie’? And if we understand this, can it help us respond to our children’s lie’s differently? Dr Martha explores the …

When it’s time to leave some children shut down and struggle to say goodbye. This might seem rude and frustrating, but there is a lot more going on for your little one! Dr Martha discusses what is go…

Does your child ask for toys? Does it feel like they can never get ‘enough’ and a new thing is always on the horizon? Dr Martha discusses how to respond to children’s requests for more ‘things’ with …

If your child has ever said “I hate you!” or “you are the worst mummy/daddy ever!” it might have shaken you to the core and made you wonder if there was something wrong with your child (or you as the…

Have you ever organized a day out with all the things your child enjoys only to find them grumpy and telling you they want to go home? Yep… it’s happened to me too! As adults, you might see this as u…

As parents there will be times when you feel judged by others for the choices you make for your child. How can you respond towards your child at these times? What can you do or say that role models t…