Deirdre Brandner Apr 62 minCreepy Creatures and Challenges Frightening Our ChildrenFrom Huggy Wuggy to Momo to Slenderman, there is always going to be content that is a hoax, aiming to simply scare the viewer. It is...
Deirdre Brandner Mar 232 min“But if they had stayed home, they would be safe” - Children with medical conditions and school campIt can be very hard for those who don’t have a child with a serious medical condition to understand the gut-wrenching panic and fear we...
Deirdre Brandner Mar 33 minHow To Talk About Ukraine and Russia With Your Child:The last week has been extremely challenging for so many reasons; floods, ongoing COVID disruptions and global concern for the situation...
Deirdre Brandner Aug 19, 20212 minWhen News Is Confronting - What Should I Be Telling My Children?Some images can be very confronting, and your child may not be at the level of psychological development to deal with what they are...
Deirdre Brandner Aug 12, 20212 minWhy Kids’ Fears About Lockdown Feel Like A RealityMy work with anxious children and teens is about providing strategies and tools to navigate difficult situations. I help them identify...
Deirdre Brandner Mar 9, 20212 minTantrum or Meltdown: What makes them different and what am I meant to do ?Tantrums are very common in young children, and also those who struggle to manage their anger and frustration. They can be in response to...
Deirdre Brandner Mar 6, 20212 minHow To Manage Perfectionism What is Perfectionism? Perfectionism is often mistaken for ‘being perfect’ or ‘doing something perfectly’. Many people assume that it...
Deirdre Brandner Jan 27, 20212 minStarting school in 2021: 3 Simple TipsThere is a mix of excitement and apprehension for both parents and children when we think of the year ahead at our new school. Whether it...
Deirdre Brandner Jan 25, 20212 minDo’s and Don’ts for back to school?Don’t keep talking about school all the time. Overloading your child and reminding them of school will only make them stressed. Do have...
Deirdre Brandner Dec 22, 20202 minCoping With A COVID Christmas Christmas is looking very different this year, with the last-minute cancellation of plans and not everyone being at our table. Here are...
Deirdre Brandner Nov 4, 20203 min5 Foods to Fuel your Brain with Pat Tyrrell, NaturopathWe know that the Brain takes up 2 % of our body, but uses 20% of our energy. Without the necessary fuel for our brains, the impact of...
Deirdre Brandner Oct 5, 20202 minReturning to School In Stage 4Some parents leapt with joy that remote learning was coming to an end and that their child is now allowed to return to school next term....
Deirdre Brandner Aug 20, 20203 min4 Stress Resets for Parents in COVID Stage 4Our mental health is taking quite a battering at the moment. We really are experiencing the emotional equivalent to an ultra-marathon. It...
Deirdre Brandner Aug 13, 20203 minCOVID Stage 4: Survival of the Parent Child RelationshipThe Power Struggle There is no doubt that Stage 4 restrictions has the opportunity to bring out the very worst in all of us. We are...
Deirdre Brandner Aug 4, 20201 minParents be kind to yourselves: COVID Stage 4We enter yet another incredibly difficult period. You are the anchors for your family but it is more important than ever that you are...
Deirdre Brandner Aug 3, 20202 minStage 4 restrictions with a child in year 12. To every VCE student, teacher and family my support and thoughts are with you. These are the most extraordinary times but that doesn’t...
Deirdre Brandner Jul 29, 20201 minInternational Day of Friendship As we celebrate International Friendship Day during COVID-19 we can begin to reflect on the importance of relationships and the impact...
Deirdre Brandner Jul 28, 20201 minWhy nagging doesn’t work1) No one likes to feel controlled Being nagged feels like you’re being manipulated 2) Pressuring someone can lead to defiance When you...
Deirdre Brandner Jul 22, 20202 minMy child is scared of face masksMany children’s experience with adults wearing masks is connected to medical procedures which can elicit fears in your child. Even the...
Deirdre Brandner Jul 21, 20202 minHomeschooling when your child can't read. Let face it there is zero possibility of independent remote learning when you’re child is only developing literacy skills. As Prep...