
Dear Mary-anne. My toddler misses his father, the man who left us for another woman.
Remember that two-year-olds act up – it’s what they do – so try not to put an adult perspective on his behaviour.

Dear Mary-anne. My children are too frightened to sleep after our neighbours got burgled.
There are quite a few things you can do to help them, but nothing is a quick fix.

Dear Mary-anne: How do we know if kids are ready for a sleepover?
Once the lights are out and the strange house wraps around them, some children are desperate to go home.

Dear Mary-anne. How do I know when my family is complete?
Disagreements on how big your family should be can cut to the core of a relationship.

Dear Mary-anne. How can I prevent my recurring restaurant nightmare?
Try not to be anxious about your children’s behaviour, because they’ll pick up on your vibe and use it to their advantage.

Dear Mary-anne. How can I prepare my children to help look after a disabled baby?
Children are naturally non-judgmental, highly intuitive little creatures who are geared to love.

Dear Mary-anne: How will screen time now, affect my 9-year-old as he gets older?
I can’t bear how grumpy he gets when his screen time is over.

Dear Mary-anne: How do I teach my sons to respect women?
If my boys want to needle me, they call me fat.

Dear Mary-anne. I'm constantly being messaged by my friend's nine-year-old.
This child is sending me lots of annoying messages. I’m too busy for this.

Dear Mary-anne: I'm concerned about how my grandson is being spoken to.
He's allowed to make decisions way beyond his capacity and my heart breaks for him.

Dear Mary-anne: How can I help my niece and nephew through their parents' divorce?
A reader is wondering how she can help her niece and nephew come to terms with their parents' divorce

Dear Mary-anne: My son was traumatised after watching me choke on food
Witnessing a parent in distress can leave a child frightened, confused and worried that it will happen again.

Dear Mary-anne: Our children have bad manners and I blame my wife
I want to raise polite, respectful kids but my wife doesn't seem to care.

Dear Mary-anne: I am worried about my relative's home-schooled children
Electronic devices have their place in learning, at school and at home

Dear Mary-anne: I can't cope with my son-in-law's shouting
A son-in-law's shouting is ruining a grandmother's visits to her grandchildren.

Dear Mary-anne: I'm worried about my neighbour's baby - it cries all the time
A reader is worried about a baby who lives near her, because it sounds like they are always crying

Dear Mary-anne: How can I prevent my recurring restaurant nightmare?
Try not to be anxious about your children’s behaviour, because they’ll pick up on your vibe and use it to their advantage, advises Mary-anne Scott.

Dear Mary-anne: My son is cruel to animals
Don't muck around with a child's cruelty to animals, says Mary-anne. Seek professional help.

Dear Mary-anne: My depressed ex spends too much time with our daughter
She's torn between her loyalty to her dad and needing to be in a stable environment