Category: Family

Who Are You Disciplining?

     -written by Leigh Johnson The word ‘Discipline’ is an interesting one. We all think we know what it means but when it comes down to defining it, it is actually far more elusive. An internet search too can prove just as inconclusive, with quite a variety of meanings and interpretations filling the screen. So what exactly is discipline? I’m not going to answer that question as such – partly because I suspect a large number of you have got heart palpitations right now, or glazed eyes; and partly because the official definition is not important. The word ‘discipline’ is such a heavily loaded word that its …

    Mother/Son Relationships

      What is unique about mother/son relationships is the general expected high regard they hold for each other.  Typical issues like the “Mommy’s Boy” , the overprotective  mom or interfering mother and even the mom that replaces existing or potential spouses are well known publicly. We see sitcoms and comedy using these classic scenarios as materials for entertainment. What however is really behind them. Mothering a child is a full time job and instinct takes on a path of protecting the offspring and equipping the young ones with necessary life skills. On a side note – research shows that it does …

      ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Aggression etc.

        Does any of this sound familiar to you? Your child is unable to sit still, he does not follow instructions, she is so manipulative, punishment does not seem to work, her teacher thinks she might be depressed, very low concentration span, struggling with sequencing etc. Terms like ADHD/ADD, Autism Spectrum, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia seem to be brandied about quite easily and it seems like, if the child has a label or a diagnosis it might be easier to send him/her off to be treated or medicated. What if I were to tell you that there are so many otherfactors that could be …

        Are you living with a special needs/disabled child?

          Then this is for you! One of our passions at The Family Counselling Centre is disability awareness. I, Andrea Nettel, have a special heart for families living with disabilities because my son was diagnosed with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy at age 2 . He is severely disabled and needs an electric wheelchair and a service dog to function semi-independently. He is now 16, goes to Wynberg Boys High School and aside from his disability he is a normal teenager. My journey with him has made me acutely aware of the unique situations families with disabilities find themselves in. Disability, special needs, differently-abled… …

          Introducing Your Partenr to Your Kids

            Andrea answers some questions about how to go about introducing a new love intrest to your children. The basis of a healthy relationship with your children is to implement – The 4 -Ls of healthy parenting LISTEN to your children, LEARN about your children, LAUGH with your children and LOVE  your children in action Age-approproiate honesty is of utmost importance when communication with your children especially when talking  to them about so-called touchy subjects. Click on the logo or on the link below to listen to the podcast. https://omny.fm/shows/capetalk/introducing-your-partner-to-your-kids

            How to deal with post-divorce festive season

              Sarah J King talks to Andrea Nettel Andrea Nettel, the founder and director of The Family Counselling Centre specialises working with individuals, couples and families who have experienced trauma. She joined Sarah J. King from Cape Talk to give some advice on how to approach the festive season after having gone through the trauma of divorce. Please click on the  Photo or the link below to  listen to the conversation. https://omny.fm/shows/weekend-breakfast-with-africa-melane/how-to-deal-with-a-post-divorce-festive-season

              Supporting Your Children Through Exams

                When did you last write an exam or test? Many parents will tell you that their last time was as recently as the last exam written by their child or teenager! Truly the stress, planning and focus that are required to assist your children to get through their exams is often equivalent to that which you would experience were you to sit the exam yourself – and sometimes even higher. Crucial to assisting families to weather the exam storm and come out smiling at the other end, are some practices that parents can put into place at exam time, and …

                Preparing for the High Seas of Life

                  A major  part of being a parent is to teach our children to navigate through life and to learn basic essential values such as honesty, empathy, integrity, purity and many more. In order to do so we take opportunities to  teach lessons,  instil rules, talk about consequences and more often then we want to, we find ourselves having to execute those consequences.  I applaud every parent who spends the time and energy  getting their kids “sea-worthy”, because it is really hard work. I have some more thoughts though. What happens if they blatantly lie? What happens when they succumb to teenage peer …