I would urge you not to dismiss or minimise your daughter’s emotional response, writes child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune 

I’ve tried every trick in the book to encourage him, but nothing seems to be working.

There is no ideal way to navigate this transition — remember that good enough really is good enough

I’ve told her she’s smart almost since the day she was born, but nothing I say seems to make a difference

Child psychotherapist Dr Joanna Fortune gives advice about an evolving relationship between two brothers

Don’t just focus on what you will say to your children, focus on listening to them and allowing them to share and express their thoughts, worries, or excitement

Because this is not a shared interest for you, be careful you are not projecting your opinions about women who dress up or wear makeup onto her. She sounds like a happy, healthy, typically developing teenager

The older one seems to take particular pleasure in annoying the younger one

My husband is a big sports fan but my son couldn't care less so they miss out on the bonding opportunity of watching a game or going to matches

Her decision to go on holiday with another family instead of her own is not just hers to make

She clams up if I try to speak to her about it and it's difficult to see her struggle

You feel overwhelmed because this is an overwhelming time but putting a plan in place to get help from your husband or friends could make a big difference

Your children are still adjusting to a significant cultural upheaval, which may make the transition to their new group care environment even more challenging

Many of her friends are dating, and she has started saying she’s ugly and boring

Your child may not have the words to explain what is upsetting them, but learning to meet them on their level can help bridge the divide

Initiating repair communicates that your relationship matters more to you than being right, and it’s stronger than this row

My nine-year-old daughter says I’m busy all the time. I want to be a good parent, but I also need to think of my future career

It is essential to keep the doors of communication open on this so she can come to you to talk through aspects of her relationships with you in a safe and supportive way.

Do not rush her through this process, nor should you quickly replace the dog with a new one

Your to-do list is getting longer by the day, and though you have the best of intentions, it's proving difficult to get through.  The latest productivity hack may help you scale the work mountain and even help your children build resilience