It’s total isolation, and it breaks my heart to know she walks around alone and sits in the toilet on her phone

"Starting primary school is a significant transition, but keep in mind that your son is part of a group of children all making that transition together."

"Your grandson is at a tricky age developmentally. It is normal and healthy for him to seek out his mother and even demand her full attention and focus."

"Don’t force your baby into anyone’s arms  - leave space for him to feel comfortable enough to move past this phase."

"Your daughter is not an adult. She is at a stage of development that leaves her more oriented to thrill-seeking, reward-driven, impulsive decision-making that provides instant gratification. College life is a world away as far as she is concerned."

"Perhaps you are more worried about what your daughter’s grown-up way of dressing signifies: That she is growing up and stretching her independence beyond you."

"Friendship is a developmental curve and it evolves significantly throughout childhood. Children will be in sync, out of sync and back in sync (or perhaps not) with each other and this will repeat."

"...listen with an open and empathic ear, provide nurture and support, and get her engaged in activities beyond her typical school peer group this summer so she has experiences of entering new groups and developing new connections..."

"You have an understandable desire to have some time for yourself - but it is possible to breastfeed and have time to meet your friends if you want to explore this option."

"There might be a pattern to this behaviour. For example, a time of day; something that happens before he starts doing it; or a particular behaviour associated with it, such as tiredness, distress or feeling unwell."