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. 🌱

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Auckland Harbour Bridge summer works

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA)

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is carrying out essential maintenance on the Auckland Harbour Bridge this December and January. The southbound clip-on lanes will be closed (24/7) from 26 December to 5 January for road resurfacing. Night-time lane restrictions will be in place throughout the summer for recoating work on the bridge. Traffic will still be able to travel in both directions at all times. Find out more

4 days ago

Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.

We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?

Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.