New Zealand still sits below the OECD average for Paid Parental Leave. Francesca Jones knows what it’s like to live in a place with better entitlements for parents – she asks if we are making the right choices here. Having a newborn baby is one of those life events you can never really prepare for, … Read more
Disney’s Moana has had sold-out screenings across New Zealand since its Boxing Day release. Emmaline Matagi writes about what it was like to watch the film as the mother of a child of the Pacific. I am a woman born in the Pacific Islands, raised in the Pacific Islands, a migrant to Aotearoa and a … Read more
Thalia Kehoe Rowden, a former Baptist minister, and a mother of two writes about why God is part of her Christmas. Last Christmas we were in Thailand, where it’s not a public holiday. Santa is in every mall, but Jesus? Not so much. It didn’t make too much difference to us. The meaningful parts of … Read more
One good reason for keeping the belief in Santa alive as long as possible? The awesome power of The Threat of Santa. Simon Sweetman explains how, when it comes to kids at Christmas, a little psychological manipulation can go a long way. A Facebook friend posts that she’s angry and upset – some punk-ass little … Read more
Christmas is a time for togetherness and giving, with one golden rule: don’t be a dickhead. Emily Writes shares her guide to not being a dickhead, making Christmas Day fun for kids, and being kind at Christmas time. Whether you have wee ones or not, Christmas can be a stressful time. Or a magical time. … Read more
We’ve all been there – just replace glitter with flour or eggs or dirt or cursed nappy cream. There are days that you just want to forget, but they are also days that will always make you laugh…or at least make others laugh. Eliza Jane tells us about her day. Once upon a time there … Read more
A special message for Spinoff Parents readers from editor Emily Writes. The Spinoff Parents is an almost three-month-old bundle of joy and so it’s time to remind you that this precious baby only exists because of Flick Electric. They’re the parents of Spinoff Parents. Without them we wouldn’t exist. I truly believe we need this … Read more
We are always comparing ourselves to other parents, but comparing yourself to animals probably isn’t always a good idea. Thom Adams explains why. Mother hens, tiger mums, pangolin dads… as parents, we do have a habit of comparing ourselves with animals. Granted, that last one is fake, but the other two get thrown about far … Read more
Have you heard? If you lie about Santa you’re a monster and your children are going to need therapy forever. Nonsense, says Angela Cuming – maintaining the Santa myth will be the best gift you give your kids this Christmas. When my father died in May 1990, Christmas died with it. A wonderful, kind and … Read more
Being a parent means a never-ending series of problems, big and small, and often it can feel like a struggle just to make it through the day without collapsing in an exhausted heap. Until one day, it doesn’t. Holly Walker writes about the small joys, and the days that make it all worthwhile. On the … Read more
We have a word for children who have lost their parents, but no equivalent for parents who have faced the agony of losing a child. Tessa Prebble writes about the limbo of being a mother with no child to parent, 18 months after the death of her daughter Eva. What does it mean to be … Read more
The decision to use medication to treat depression is an individual one – what’s best for one person may not be so for another. Julia Kerr explains why antidepressants are the right choice for her, in a special post to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. It takes guts to talk about the things people don’t … Read more
This weekend we’re launching The Spinoff Parents, our new parenting blog edited by the brilliant Emily Writes and made possible by Flick Electric Co. All this week we’ll be introducing you to some Spinoff Parents contributors – like writer, scientist and mother of two, Dr Jessica Berentson-Shaw. As soon as The Spinoff Parents came into … Read more
Today we launch The Spinoff Parents, our new parenting blog made possible by Flick Electric Co. Our first post is by editor Emily Writes, and it’s a celebration – of her son Eddie’s birthday, and the amazing things people (even four year olds) can do. A wee while ago my three year old son told … Read more
In October we launch The Spinoff Parents, edited by the incomparable Emily Writes and made possible by Flick Electric Co. Here Emily explains her vision for the section as a place for parents on the internet that won’t make you feel like a miserable failure. Parenting. It’s beautiful and incredible and joyous, glorious and so rewarding. It’s such … Read more
Were you a baby once? If so, you’re perfectly equipped to tackle the second quiz from Figure.NZ for the Spinoff, all about babies and parenting in New Zealand. [qzzr quiz=’258055′ width=’100%’ height=’auto’ redirect=’true’ offset=’0′]
Our new weekly advice column, in which practising psychotherapist Ms. X answers readers’ questions on manners, morals and mental health. Dear Ms. X, I am a divorced dad of three. The split was about five years ago now and I thought we had worked out a reasonable co-parenting arrangement. But now my ex has a … Read more
Intimate, informative and idiosyncratic, podcasts are the media format that everyone seems to love. But beware, says Holly Walker: podcast puppy love can quickly spiral into aural obsession. I was having a rough time. My partner was sick and we had a small child. I was working full time, and doing most of the domestic … Read more