The Supermarket Tantrum
It happened in the middle of the supermarket.
My child wanted the blue lollipop, not the red one. Then — the tears, the screams, the looks from strangers. 😔
For a moment, I felt my own body tense — embarrassed, frustrated, helpless.
Then I took a deep breath. 🌬️
I knelt down and whispered, “You’re safe. I can see you’re really upset.”
He kept crying… but softer. His little body started to melt in my arms.
In that moment, I realised: he wasn’t trying to make a scene — he was overwhelmed.
And what he needed most wasn’t control or correction — it was connection. 🤍
Later, we talked about it. We named the feelings, and he told me, “I was mad because I really wanted that blue one.” Simple words, but powerful honesty.
Parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about staying calm enough to show our children what safety feels like — even when the world is watching. 🌱
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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39.4% Yes
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33.3% Maybe?
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27.3% No
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.7% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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15.9% Hmm, maybe?
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11.4% Yes!
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