Sarah McIntosh, Author at MOPS Australia

Talking to children so they actually listen

‘Listen to me!’ A familiar cry that we overhear from a frustrated parent in a busy shopping centre. We want our children to listen to us when we speak to them. We don’t want to have to repeat ourselves. Ideally, we want our kids to get what we ask them to do right – the first time. We want our kids to hear our instructions so they don’t get hurt.

So, how can we help our kids listen to us? Here are a few suggestions to help your children to listen: Continue reading “Talking to children so they actually listen”

What to do with advice

When I was a new mum, there was a lot of ‘free advice’ going around. I didn’t mind – I listened to it all and tried to make some sense of it for me. Continue reading “What to do with advice”

What to do with grief

For many mums, the road to motherhood isn’t a straightforward one. There are twists and turns along the way. For some (myself included) the loss of a pregnancy and the grief that comes along are part of that journey. Continue reading “What to do with grief”

Raising children with different temperaments

Is your firstborn an easy-going, compliant, eager-to-please child? Yet your second born is strong-willed, fussy and defiant? Raising children with different temperaments? I hear you! Continue reading “Raising children with different temperaments”

Marriage Week

It’s Marriage Week here in Australia from 13 – 19 September. Marriage week is a coalition of the Christian Church and other organisations across Australia who are working together to offer positive resources, to help couples re-affirm the value of and commitment to their marriage. Continue reading “Marriage Week”

Keeping our children safe in the modern world

This week is National Child Protection Week. As the General Manager of children’s harm prevention charity ChildSafe, I want to talk to you about a really important topic of keeping our children safe in the modern world. Continue reading “Keeping our children safe in the modern world”

Father’s Day

Being a Dad to 3 kids (aged 10, 7 and 5) is the most exhausting yet rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I once heard it said that ‘as a parent, the days are long but the years are short.’ I’d have to agree. I am viewing my parenting and Father’s Day through this lens. Continue reading “Father’s Day”

I don’t like to bake and that’s okay-truth from a homemaker

Hands up if you pictured what your life as a homemaker would look like once you got married and started having children… Continue reading “I don’t like to bake and that’s okay-truth from a homemaker”

Fostering Hope – Stand Sunday

Our news, airways and social media feeds are filled with coronavirus and restrictions. The world collectively is experiencing a year like never before. Behind the coronavirus news are stories of both hope and sadness. Unfortunately, social isolation, economic hardship, and job loss have led to an increase of domestic violence, abuse and neglect of children. This has lead to an increasing number of children entering out of home care. This is why we are fostering hope through Stand Sunday. Continue reading “Fostering Hope – Stand Sunday”

Choosing the slow lane

I’m sure that we would all agree that 2020 has not turned out the way we expected. It has been challenging for many, with disruption and change seeming to come from every side at times. We have all in some way experienced social isolation and lockdown this year, and for me the time at home brought with it some interesting reflection and changes. We are choosing the slow lane. Continue reading “Choosing the slow lane”