Andrea & Nik

Today’s announcement about a social media ban for under-16s has sparked a lot of conversation.

And whatever your view on it, one thing feels clear to us as teachers and parents:

Children don’t just need rules for the digital world. They need relationships.

A ban might change access to social media.

But it won’t replace the skills children need to navigate an online world that isn’t going away.

Things like:
• critical thinking
• digital literacy
• emotional regulation
• healthy boundaries
• knowing when to ask for help

Research consistently shows that one of the strongest protective factors for children online is having a trusted adult they can talk to without fear of judgement.

Because the goal isn’t to raise children who simply avoid risk. It’s to raise children who can think critically, make wise choices and come to us when things go wrong.

This reel isn’t about taking sides. It’s about helping families navigate a rapidly changing digital world together.

How do you feel about the proposed social media ban for under-16s?

👇 We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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Tell me yours in the comments!

If there’s one thing we’ve learned as teachers, it’s that children are capable of thinking far more deeply than we often give them credit for.

The questions they ask about fairness, truth, happiness and the world around them can be surprisingly profound.

That’s one of the reasons we love the Big Ideas for Little Philosophers series.

In this part of the series, we’re reading:

📚 Truth with Socrates — helping children think about honesty, questioning ideas and seeking evidence.

📚 Imagination with René Descartes — encouraging creativity, curiosity and the confidence to think differently.

📚 Happiness with Aristotle — exploring what it means to live a good life and find joy beyond simply getting what we want.

These aren’t books that tell children what to think.

They’re books that teach children HOW to think.

And in a world where answers are available in seconds, that might be one of the most important skills we can help them develop.

Because raising resilient children isn’t just about preparing them for school.

It’s about helping them become thoughtful, curious and compassionate human beings.

📖 Which of these would your child enjoy most?

❤️ Double tap if you’d like more children’s book recommendations.

And follow for practical parenting ideas, children’s book recommendations and evidence-based ways to raise resilient kids.

My husband knows a lot of parenting research. We’ve taught behaviour strategies in schools. We’ve spent years learning about child development.

But sometimes the things that work best aren’t complicated at all.

Over the years, I’ve noticed he has a knack for turning potential battles into play.

Not by bribing. Not by threatening. Not by negotiating. Just by making connection come first.

Here are 6 things he does that somehow get our daughter cooperating almost every time 👇

1️⃣ When getting dressed feels impossible, he’ll deliberately put a sock on his hand and act completely confused.

“Wait… is this where socks go?”

She laughs and rushes over to show him how it’s done.

2️⃣ If she doesn’t want to leave the park, he suddenly becomes a tour guide.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the final train to Home Station is now boarding…”

And somehow she’s walking alongside him before she realises.

3️⃣ At dinner he’ll become a waiter taking orders in the fanciest accent imaginable.

“And what will the young lady be having this evening?”

Instant engagement.

4️⃣ If toys are everywhere, he’ll challenge her:

“I bet I can tidy up more than you in 30 seconds.”

Game on.

5️⃣ If she isn’t listening, he doesn’t get louder.

He gets quieter.

The whisper always seems more interesting than the shouting.

6️⃣ And my favourite…

When she’s stuck in a power struggle, he changes the energy instead of trying to win it.

Because children are far more likely to cooperate when they feel connected than controlled.

The funny thing is, every one of these “silly” moments is actually doing something powerful.

They’re reducing resistance. Building connection.
And making cooperation feel good.

No battles required.

👇 Which one are you stealing first?

Also, if you want to know what to say in hard moments, comment CALM and we’ll send you the link to our free guide. Don’t forget to follow us so we can DM you ☺️

Follow for practical parenting strategies that actually work in real family life. 💜