Parenting

New research shows that children who bully others share striking similarities with their peers who are bullied. Both groups face higher risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and challenges later in life. In Thailand, bullying happens in classrooms, online gaming communities, and even at home, highlighting its deep ties to education and mental health systems.

A Clemson University psychologist notes that traditional bullying and cyberbullying often overlap. The result is worse outcomes for all involved. Both bullies and victims can see lower academic performance, more absences, and increased thoughts of self-harm. The researcher describes this as bidirectional: mental health problems can fuel bullying, and involvement in bullying can worsen those problems, regardless of who initiates it.

The formative years from age 5 to 12—often referred to as “middle childhood”—are gaining critical attention in new research, pushing back against long-standing misconceptions that these years are merely a pause between the milestones of early childhood and adolescence. Recent analyses, highlighted by scholars and major health organizations, are reframing this period as a dynamic stage that lays the foundation for lifelong mental, academic, and social well-being [Psychology Today].

Long viewed as a “waiting room” in both scientific literature and public perception, the years between 5 and 12 have not received the same focus as the “first 1,000 days” or the dramatic changes of adolescence. Yet, experts now warn this oversight could be costing societies dearly, especially as recent studies have detailed how brain development, emotional regulation, cognitive skills, and social habits solidify during these so-called “quiet years”. For families and educators in Thailand—where cultural values emphasize respectful quietude and conformity in young students—such findings are especially significant.

A new wave of scientific research is shining light on morning routines, emphasizing how specific habits can help children become not only healthier but also cognitively sharper. Parents and educators in Thailand are paying close attention to this trend, as recent global discussions—sparked by features such as “10 morning habits that make kids smarter,” highlighted by international platforms like the Times of India—reveal practical strategies that could be easily integrated into daily family life to foster intelligence and academic success.

A recent feature on Yahoo News has sparked a widespread discussion on the impact of family habits, highlighting new research into how routines adopted from parents can significantly enhance quality of life in adulthood. The roundup, “People Are Sharing The Habits They Adopted From Their Parents That Actually Make Their Lives So Much Better,” collates candid testimonials and scientific insights, underscoring the profound, lasting influence of childhood habits on health, productivity, and overall happiness. This renewed focus on intergenerational well-being carries deep significance in Thai households, where family traditions remain at the heart of daily life.

A surge of interest in family routines is reshaping how Thai readers think about health, education, and everyday life. New research and personal stories show that habits learned from parents can boost well-being, resilience, and happiness well into adulthood. This shift matters in Thailand, where strong family ties and daily rituals sit at the heart of community life.

Across Thai households, routines—from mealtimes to morning practices—offer more than comfort. They provide practical tools to navigate modern pressures, improve mental health, and foster social connection. Experts note that consistent routines support budgeting, regular physical activity, mindful eating, and orderly home life, all of which contribute to long-term health and productivity. In Thailand’s close-knit communities, these findings reinforce the value of family guidance in shaping healthy behavior.

A growing wave of psychological research is spotlighting reparenting — a compassionate approach to healing childhood wounds that linger into adulthood. In recent coverage from a major news outlet, mental health professionals describe reparenting as identifying and nurturing the parts of oneself that suffered unmet emotional needs as a child. The goal is to respond with warmth and healthy boundaries, like an attentive caregiver. This trend is spreading globally, including in Thailand, as people recognize how early emotional experiences shape long-term wellbeing.

A growing body of psychological research is shining a spotlight on “reparenting”—a compassionate approach to healing childhood wounds that continue to influence our adult lives. According to a recent feature by CNN, mental health professionals describe reparenting as the process of identifying and nurturing the parts of oneself that suffered unmet emotional needs as a child, learning to respond with the warmth and boundaries of an attentive caregiver. This therapeutic trend is gaining traction worldwide, including in Thailand, as more people recognize the long-term impact of early emotional experiences on their mental wellbeing.

A recent advice column published in Slate has ignited a nationwide conversation on adolescent privacy, focusing on the contentious issue of whether children and teens should be permitted to lock their bedroom doors at home. The column, titled “My Husband Doesn’t Want to Allow Our Daughter to Lock Her Door. But I Think She Might Have a Good Reason,” depicts a family conflict where parental attitudes about privacy and safety clash, raising complex questions about child development and family dynamics.

Ambitions for elite college admissions are casting long shadows over the aspirations of both Thai students and their parents, reigniting questions about competitiveness, parental expectations, and the emotional well-being of accomplished teens. Recent commentary published by The Washington Post highlights a growing anxiety among parents whose children excel academically yet may not reach the pinnacle of admissions success, raising concerns about the psychological impact on families navigating today’s rapidly shifting educational landscape [Washington Post].

A growing wave of research and personal accounts highlights a striking contrast: many European countries embed children and families across daily life, while the United States often treats family needs as secondary. The gap affects childhood development, public health, and social cohesion, beyond mere parental convenience.

This discussion intensified after a viral Salon essay by a Philadelphia mother who traveled through Berlin, London, and Dublin, illustrating how European daily life supports families compared with the U.S. Her reflections align with social science findings and long-standing policy comparisons.

A new wave of research and expert advice has highlighted 16 crucial life lessons that parents and grandparents should instill in children, reflecting the latest insights from child psychologists and educators. The findings, recently featured by Parade magazine, underscore the pivotal role families play in shaping the emotional, cognitive, and social resilience of young people in an increasingly complex world Parade article.

For Thai families navigating fast-changing social norms and educational pressures, these expert-driven lessons offer both timeless wisdom and practical strategies to raise well-rounded, happy children. As society grapples with issues from digital overload to persistent academic stress, research shows that intergenerational guidance can provide children with the inner strength and values needed to thrive.

Recent coverage highlights how several boomer-era parenting practices—once considered normal—are now viewed as outdated, strange, or potentially harmful by today’s families. As Thai society rapidly integrates global ideas, these reflections prompt Thai parents to nurture healthier, happier children in a markedly changed world.

Historically, Thai parenting guidance often featured strict discipline and rigid gender roles, sometimes downplaying mental health concerns. The recent HuffPost piece, drawing on expert opinions and parental experiences, lists 18 practices from the boomer era that many modern Thai parents reject. Practices such as corporal punishment, shaming children for emotions, and demanding unconditional obedience are now linked in contemporary research to negative outcomes, underscoring a shift toward more compassionate approaches.

A powerful new wave of research and personal accounts is shining a spotlight on a persistent and striking divide: while European countries embrace children and families in nearly every sphere of life, American society remains hobbled by policies and attitudes that seem, at best, indifferent—and at worst, openly hostile—to children’s needs. The consequences reach far beyond inconvenience for parents, rippling through childhood development, public health, and even social cohesion.

This conversation about child-friendliness erupted once again following a viral first-person essay in Salon by a Philadelphia-based mother who described her travels through Berlin, London, and Dublin, highlighting the profound differences between Europe and the United States in daily life with children. Her observations draw attention to issues confirmed by social science research, expert commentary, and decades of comparative policy analysis.

A recent spotlight by the HuffPost has reignited debate about parenting practices passed down from the boomer generation, highlighting that several trends once deemed normal are now considered outdated, strange, or even potentially harmful by today’s parents. As Thai society transitions swiftly with global influences, these findings raise urgent questions for families seeking to nurture healthy, happy children in a dramatically changed world.

Traditional parenting guidance, from the belief in strict physical discipline to outdated gender roles and a dismissive attitude toward mental health, has long shaped parenting in Thailand and abroad. The HuffPost article, based on expert opinions and parental feedback, lists 18 specific practices from the boomer era that today’s parents often reject. These include using corporal punishment, shaming children for expressing emotions, and insisting on unconditional obedience, practices that were once seen as keys to success but are now tied to negative outcomes in modern research (HuffPost).

When parents undermine each other in front of their children, it is the young ones who bear the brunt of the damage, according to a growing body of research and fresh public discussion on the issue. The topic has attracted renewed attention following a widely shared advice column published by MLive in April 2025, highlighting how conflicting parental strategies lead to confusion, emotional stress, and behavioral issues among children. The column drew on real-life examples and practical advice, sparking conversation among Thai families and educators who observe similar dynamics in local contexts.

A growing body of evidence has prompted leading child development and neuroscience experts to urgently warn lawmakers that parental shouting and verbal abuse can alter a child’s developing brain, with potentially lifelong mental health consequences. Experts delivered this message in a briefing to UK MPs, sparking renewed calls for policy action and broader public awareness of verbal maltreatment, which is now being recognized as a significant—and prevalent—form of child abuse.

A recent advice column in Slate has sparked a nationwide discussion about adolescent privacy and whether children should be allowed to lock their bedroom doors. Titled “My Husband Doesn’t Want to Allow Our Daughter to Lock Her Door. But I Think She Might Have a Good Reason,” the piece depicts a family conflict over privacy, safety, and growing independence. It raises questions about child development and how families navigate evolving dynamics.

Ambitions for elite college admissions are shaping how Thai families view education, driving questions about competitiveness, parental expectations, and teen well-being. A recent Washington Post commentary highlights growing anxiety among parents whose high-achieving children may not secure coveted admissions, underscoring the emotional toll on families navigating today’s evolving education landscape.

For many Thai families, admission to top universities at home and abroad is seen as a doorway to prosperity and social standing. This belief guides hopes and investments in children, even as elite admissions become increasingly competitive worldwide. The perceived prestige of prestigious universities remains a powerful driver in Thai society, where graduation from renowned institutions can open doors to desirable careers and influential networks. When outcomes fall short of perfect admissions trophies, both parents and students can internalize disappointment, a dynamic discussed by educational experts and echoed in local commentary.

A viral video by an American kindergarten teacher has reignited debate on early childhood discipline, with a focus on one simple word: “No.” The teacher, who recently spoke out on social media, expressed frustration that many children enter school without understanding or respecting boundaries, blaming shifts in modern parenting for difficulty in classroom management. The video, which swiftly gathered more than 326,000 views on TikTok, has triggered global discussion on the best ways to prepare children for the structure of school—an issue with important implications for Thai parents and educators.

A new wave of research spotlights the impact of simple but powerful words on children’s motivation, with psychologists and educators emphasizing that a few well-chosen phrases can cultivate resilience, self-esteem, and positive behavior in young minds. The concept recently drew wide attention following a widely shared article in The Times of India titled “10 golden phrases that can motivate children instantly,” sparking discussion across parenting communities in Thailand and beyond.

A viral video from an American kindergarten teacher has sparked a global conversation about early discipline, focusing on a single word: no. The clip, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok, highlights a growing debate about how to prepare children for school—an issue closely watched by Thai parents and educators.

In the teacher’s widely shared message, she urges parents to teach children to accept “No” as a complete answer before they start kindergarten. She argues that lacking this basic lesson can leave children unprepared for the structured routines of school. The teacher, who resides in Kentucky and is a mother herself, emphasizes that saying “No” is not about harsh authority. Instead, it is about establishing boundaries that foster respect, cooperation, and effective learning in group settings. Her remarks have sparked discussion about “gentle parenting,” a philosophy that emphasizes empathy and collaborative problem-solving.

New research highlights how a few carefully chosen words can boost children’s motivation, resilience, and self-esteem. Psychologists and educators say simple phrases can cultivate a growth mindset and positive behavior. The idea gained wide attention after a widely shared article in The Times of India titled “10 golden phrases that can motivate children instantly,” prompting discussion among Thai parents and teachers.

In Thailand, where traditional discipline and encouragement play strong roles at home and in schools, strategic, supportive language could alter parent-child dynamics. Experts blend global psychology with Thai educational practices, suggesting affirmations such as “I believe in you,” “You are capable,” and “It’s okay to make mistakes” foster intrinsic motivation rather than mere compliance or empty praise.

A new wave of expert guidance emphasizes 16 essential life lessons for children, drawn from child psychologists and educators. The guidance highlights how families shape emotional, cognitive, and social resilience in today’s complex world. The advice was featured by Parade magazine, underscoring the pivotal role families play in a child’s development.

For Thai households navigating fast-changing social norms and academic pressures, these lessons offer both time-tested wisdom and practical steps. In a society balancing digital overload with rising educational expectations, intergenerational guidance can help children cultivate inner strength and core values.

When parents disagree in front of their children, the impact falls mainly on the kids. A growing amount of research and public discussion highlights how conflicting parenting approaches can create confusion, stress, and behavioral challenges for children. The issue gained renewed attention after a widely circulated advice column in April 2025 that described how mixed messages from caregivers can confuse and unsettle young minds, prompting dialogue among Thai families and educators who see similar patterns at home and in classrooms.