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Children 8-12 years

On this page you can read some of our info sheets and parent stories.  In this section on parenting 8-12 year old children, there is also an overview of child development , information about the kinds of calls we get at Parent Line, links to other services and websites, and suggestions for how we can help you. 

Use the links on the left hand side to find your way around.  You can also use the search tool which is in the upper right hand corner of each page. 


Info Sheets

Parent Line has developed a range of info sheets for parents on important aspects of being a parent and emerging parenting issues that can impact on family life. Below you will find links to download info sheets that may assist with parenting 8-12 year old children. To view a complete listing of our info sheets and parent stories, click here.

This information is intended as a starting point for parents or a reminder of key strategies for a particular topic. These info sheets do not replace professional advice or consultation. We recommend that you call us for parenting advice and support tailored to your situation.

Simply click on the link and a new window will open with the information sheet. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. 

Anxiety - tips on helping children to cope with anxiety. 

Bedwetting - strategies to tackle the issue of bedwetting. 

Boundaries - tips for parents on setting boundaries with children and within families. 

Bullying - information on how to cope if your child is bullied. 

Consequences - pointers on how to effectively use natural and logical consequences for children's behaviour.

Cyberbullying - information for parents on a relatively new phenomenon.

Family Meetings - a comprehensive information sheet on how to start and manage family meetings, to help improve communication in your family.

Global Recession - information on how to talk about the global recession to children.

Grief - some ways to help children work through grief and loss.

Home Alone - tips for parents on what to consider when leaving your children at home alone.

Homework -  strategies to manage children's homework and help them to study.

Online Gaming - an information sheet on online gaming cultures and how parents can respond (a DoCS information sheet developed in collaboration with Parent Line).

Protective Behaviours - ways to teach your children behaviours to help protect them from inappropriate adult interactions. 

Rules - ideas for establishing family rules and how to make them work.

Sharing Busy Mornings - some ideas on how to manage busy mornings and get your children involved 

Sleep – School Age - information for parents on managing sleep issues with school-aged children. 

Time Management - tips for parents on how to manage your time when you have competing demands. 

Time Out - information on how to correctly use the strategy of Time Out to manage children's behaviour. 


Parent Stories 

Being a parent is a universal experience for many people. While each child (and their family) is unique, there are many common themes. Hearing other parents’ stories can be source of comfort and can help us to feel less alone. It can also be a great way to get new ideas, strategies and hope that things can be different in our own families.

All of our counsellors are professionally qualified and experienced in working with families. In addition to this, many of our counsellors are also parents themselves. Below are some of their stories - stories that share the challenges and joys that they have experienced in their parenting journeys.

Please be aware that some of these stories may potentially be distressing to some readers, particularly if the story is similar to an experience you may have had. If this happens, we would encourage you to seek support and talk about your experience with someone you trust, or talk to one of our counsellors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. Clicking on a link will open a new window. To return to this page, simply close the window when you have finished reading.

Riding the Storm  A mother shares her experience of parenting a child with food intolerances, and provides some great tips for other parents facing this challenge. 

Supporting Shyness  A story about responding to one child's unique personality and helping her to develop skills for being with other people. 

What Love Means  A gentle reflection on how saying 'sorry' can strengthen and bring hope to family relationships.