#Parentingtips

A recent wave of parenting guidance is spotlighting six simple phrases that a child psychologist says can calm a child’s nervous system and promote cooperation without power struggles. Drawing on observations from hundreds of parent–child relationships, the expert emphasizes that listening, validation, and consistent boundaries often work better than shouting or threats. For Thai families juggling busy schedules, family networks, and cultural expectations around respect and obedience, these ideas arrive at a moment when many are seeking kinder, more effective ways to nurture both behavior and bonds at home.

A new survey found that 64% of young people feel anxious about the future.
This anxiety links to online safety fears, the rising cost of living, and job insecurity (Samsung UK).

This finding matters for Thai families.
Thai adolescents already show high rates of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in recent studies (Bangkok high school study; Thai adolescent depression study).

The Samsung survey interviewed 1,000 UK children aged 11–15.
It found 64% felt anxious about the future and 61% worried about the cost of living (Samsung UK press release).

Sixteen-year-old Natthaya sits at her bedroom desk, university brochures in view, while her parents discuss rising education costs downstairs. Her worry isn’t unique. A global survey by Samsung UK found that 64% of teenagers experience anxiety about their future, with concerns ranging from economic stability to digital safety and job prospects.

For Thai families, these findings carry urgent implications. Local studies from Bangkok hospitals and national mental health surveys show that Thai adolescents already experience high levels of psychological distress, with nearly four in ten teenagers screening positive for risk factors associated with depression.

Sixteen-year-old Natthaya sits at her bedroom desk, staring at university brochures while her parents discuss rising education costs downstairs. She’s not alone in her worry. A groundbreaking survey by Samsung UK reveals that 64% of teenagers experience debilitating anxiety about their future, with concerns ranging from economic instability to digital safety fears and uncertain job prospects.

For Thai families, this global trend carries particularly devastating implications. Recent medical research from Bangkok hospitals and national mental health studies paint an alarming picture: Thai adolescents already demonstrate some of Southeast Asia’s highest rates of psychological distress, with nearly four in ten teenagers screening positive for clinical depression risk factors.

A new wave of research and expert insight is putting the spotlight on parental influence as a key factor in raising confident, resilient children in today’s climate of cultural confusion over gender and identity. Recent commentary by an educational psychologist and child development expert, featured in a July 2025 WORLD Radio podcast, underscores that parents play a far greater role than often believed in helping their children navigate questions about identity, belonging, and self-worth, even as external voices grow louder and more complex (wng.org).

Recent research and expert insights place parents at the heart of raising confident, resilient children amid evolving conversations about gender and identity. A July 2025 World Radio podcast features an educational psychologist and child development expert who argues that parental guidance remains a stronger influence than many realize, helping kids navigate identity, belonging, and self-worth as external voices grow louder. In Thai families, navigating discussions of gender and self-concept can be challenging. Traditional family roles meet global pop culture, and young people spend more time online than ever. Experts offer practical frameworks to foster inner confidence and emotional health for Thai children.

Parents in Thailand and around the globe often worry about the amount of sugar their children consume, with many left questioning whether fruit – a staple of the traditional Thai diet – should be limited due to its sugar content. Concerns have been amplified by the “sugar-free” movement and trending advice from diet influencers, who group bananas and berries with sugary snacks as foods to avoid. However, the latest research published by an academic in The Conversation makes it clear: whole fruit remains a healthy, recommended choice for kids, and restricting it in fear of sugar is both misguided and contrary to the evidence (The Conversation).

Thai family travel is booming, and parents increasingly turn to social media for quick ideas to keep children calm on the road. The Times recently examined the most-watched Instagram “travel hacks” for kids, separating useful tips from fads. The result underscores a blended approach in Thailand, where traditional parenting wisdom meets global online ideas to ease journeys with young children.

A search for travel hacks for kids on Instagram yields thousands of ideas, from DIY airplane activity boxes to snack organizers and seat-pocket organizers made from shoe organizers. These hacks promise smoother trips and happier children, with fewer tantrums. The Times tested several hacks on real family trips, ranking them by usefulness and ease. Simple ideas like a small surprise toy or labeled snack bags proved helpful, while bulky activity boards or heavy gadget attachments added stress.

As family travel continues to surge in popularity across Thailand, many parents are turning to social media for creative solutions to keep children happy and calm on the road. A recent feature by The Times explored the most-watched Instagram “travel hacks” for kids, testing which actually work and which are simply digital fads. This experiment, which has sparked online debate, highlights a growing trend: Modern families are blending traditional Thai parenting wisdom with global online tips to ease travel with young children.

Frequent childhood illnesses concern Thai families juggling school, daycare, and busy city life. A recent piece from The Times of India highlights common parenting missteps that leave children more prone to infections. Supported by global studies and echoed by Thai health professionals, the findings point to practical steps families can adopt to protect kids—grounded in science and everyday sense.

In Thailand, urban living, academic pressures, and packed schedules amplify this concern. Preventable illnesses disrupt families, strain schools, and add pressure to public health resources. By understanding everyday behaviors that contribute to frequent illness, Thai families can take targeted action and inform policymakers on stronger child health strategies nationwide.

Frequent childhood illnesses are a common concern for Thai parents, especially those navigating the demands of school, day care, and modern city living. A recent article from The Times of India (“10 mistakes that cause children to fall ill frequently” timesofindia.indiatimes.com) summarizes research-backed parenting missteps that leave children vulnerable to infections. These findings, supported by international studies and echoed by health experts in Thailand, highlight crucial yet manageable steps for local families to safeguard children’s health—steps rooted in both science and everyday common sense.

Across the world and in Thailand, the adolescent years can often feel like a season of distance between parents and their teens, as young people gravitate toward independence and peer circles. Yet, a recently viral parenting story has captured thousands of hearts online—and offers important food for thought for families everywhere. Stemming from a simple, daily challenge shared by a mother on TikTok, the experience of intentionally spending time with her teenage sons each day is sparking fresh conversations about the power of shared routines in nurturing family bonds during turbulent teen years.

A simple daily ritual has captured attention worldwide, including in Thailand: a mother documents 30 days of doing at least one activity with her teenage sons. The activities range from learning a trending dance to lighthearted challenges. While the boys often groan or roll their eyes, they participate, creating moments of humor and connection that resonate with many parents online.

The story aligns with growing research on adolescent development, family routines, and attachment. Consistent, small amounts of shared time can improve mental health, communication, and trust. Across cultures, daily rituals help reduce depressive symptoms and build resilience. Activities as simple as cooking together, playing a quick game, or dancing together signal care and stability for teens.

After a school day, many Thai children shift from calm to distress at home. Crying, shouting, or tantrums can erupt with surprising intensity, leaving parents puzzled. New international findings, supported by Thai health experts, explain why these moments—often called after-school restraint collapse—happen and how families can respond more effectively.

Parents, teachers, and researchers are increasingly discussing this pattern. It reflects how children regulate emotions in a demanding world. In Thailand, where academic pressures and busy schedules are common, understanding this pattern can strengthen family bonds and resilience.

Parents across Thailand may be all too familiar with this daily scene: You pick up your child from school. Maybe they were praised by their teacher for their good behaviour, but the moment they get home, a sudden emotional meltdown explodes. Crying, shouting, or even tantrums erupt with surprising intensity, often leaving parents exhausted and confused. Recent international research—and insights provided by Thai health experts—shed new light on why these after-school meltdowns, now widely recognised as “after-school restraint collapse”, are so dramatic for children and what parents can do to help.

A viral essay praising lazy summer days has sparked renewed discussion about how Thai families manage rest, screens, and downtime during long holidays. While the piece highlights the appeal of unstructured days, Thai readers seek practical guidance on health, social skills, and readiness for the new term.

In Thailand, many families already fill breaks with camps and tutoring. Yet concerns about burnout and mental well-being prompt a closer look at three key elements: sleep, screen time, and unstructured time. Credible research suggests that healthy routines during holidays can support mood, focus, and immune health as students return to school.

As the annual debate over how children should spend their lengthy school holidays reignites, a recent viral essay by an American mother has sparked conversation about the virtue—and potential pitfalls—of letting kids sleep late, use screens, and simply do nothing all summer. The article, published on July 13, 2025, by Business Insider, describes a parent intentionally allowing her children the freedom to enjoy “lazy days” reminiscent of 1980s summers: sleeping in, relaxing at home, and engaging in unstructured leisure, often involving digital devices. This parenting decision, while resonant for many, raises important questions about the effects of unrestricted sleep, screen use, and downtime on children’s health, social development, and academic readiness—concerns that resonate with Thai families as school and community routines transform during the long summer break.

A growing number of families in Thailand are exploring birdnesting — a co-parenting arrangement where children stay in the family home while parents rotate living there. Experts say this model can reduce disruption for children during separation, offering a stable environment in a time of change.

In Thai communities, preserving routines, schools, and social networks matters deeply. Birdnesting aligns with family-centered values by keeping children in familiar spaces, neighborhoods, and support systems even after parents part ways. As urban life in Bangkok evolves, practical custody arrangements like this gain traction among parents seeking to shield children from conflict.

As divorce rates in Thailand and across the globe continue to rise, families are searching for innovative ways to support children through parental separation. One approach gaining international attention, and now prompting discussion among Thai experts, is “birdnesting”—an arrangement where children remain in the family home while separated parents alternate living there. According to a recent report by ABC News Australia, this “modern collaborative” form of co-parenting is increasingly being considered by parents hoping to minimize disruption in their children’s lives during emotionally turbulent times (abc.net.au).

Recent insights from leading experts are shaking up long-held assumptions about the roots of youth delinquency, emphasizing that parental influence—while crucial—is not the sole factor determining whether children turn to crime. At a parent support meeting hosted by the Ammar Empowerment Network, a management professor from the University of the West Indies argued that society is too quick to blame parents for their children’s misdeeds, overlooking the complex interplay of environment, peer influence, and broader social context (“Parents ‘not always at fault’”, Nation News, July 2025).

New global insights challenge the notion that parents alone determine whether children turn to crime. While family support remains vital, researchers emphasize that peers, school culture, and community context also shape youth behavior. The takeaway comes after a parent-support event hosted by the Ammar Empowerment Network, where a management professor stressed that blaming parents oversimplifies the issue.

In Thailand, rapid urbanization and intense academic pressures are tightening family strains. Current research and Thai data suggest that a parent-centered approach to preventing juvenile crime is insufficient. Youth behavior develops within a web of influences, with peers and school environments often carrying more weight as adolescence begins.

A growing number of Thai families are exploring plant-based eating, driven by health, ethics, and environmental concerns. New international research highlights both potential advantages and nutritional risks of vegan diets for children. Careful planning and ongoing monitoring are essential to support healthy growth.

Vegan and plant-based eating is spreading globally, though prevalence varies by country. In Thailand, traditional Je vegetarian practices during the Vegetarian Festival remain culturally important, while lifelong veganism remains uncommon. With rising environmental awareness and health focus, more households are considering plant-based nutrition for both adults and children.

A new wave of scientific studies is challenging long-standing assumptions about veganism in childhood, revealing both its potential benefits and crucial nutritional risks. As more Thai families consider plant-based diets for health, ethical, or environmental reasons, health experts urge informed, careful planning—especially for growing children—based on emerging international research (BBC Future).

The world is seeing a steady rise in plant-based eating. While global data remain limited, veganism is making incremental gains: in the US, about 1% of the population follows a vegan diet, while UK estimates are closer to 3%, or two million people. In Thailand, the tradition of “je” vegetarianism has deep cultural roots, particularly during the annual Vegetarian Festival, although strict lifetime veganism remains rare. However, with growing awareness of environmental and animal welfare concerns, as well as the health impacts of diet, an increasing number of Thai parents are exploring plant-based nutrition for themselves and their children.

As parents in Thailand and around the world grapple with how much “screen time” is too much for their children, new research and expert opinions are challenging our traditional understanding of what counts as screen time, especially in the era of podcasts, audiobooks, and smart speakers. With children now exposed to a wide range of digital media from an early age—not just tablets and televisions, but also audio-only content—educators, health professionals, and parents are wrestling with an urgent question: Is listening to a podcast the same as watching YouTube, and should it count towards children’s daily screen time limits?