About Positive Parents - Resilient Kids with Dr Terence Sheppard and Milly Albers
Join us as we delve into the world of positive parenting and explore effective strategies for raising happy and psychologically healthy children. Our aim is to equip kids with the resilience and skills they need to lead successful lives and make choices that bring them satisfaction and fulfilment. Co-hosted by Dr Terence Sheppard, a paediatric psychologist and co-author of ‘Positive Parenting - A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children’, and Milly Albers, a parent just like you who’s only just begun to figure out the world of parenting.
When children ask for more freedom, the hardest part can be managing our own anxiety as parents.
In this focused mini episode from Part One of Milestones to Resilience, hosts Milly Albers and Dr Terence Sheppard discuss the growing independence of children aged six to eight and how parents can step back gradually while maintaining sensible safety and communication.
They explore milestones such as walking or riding familiar routes with friends, letting a parent know when plans change, asking trusted adults for help, carrying family contact details and playing independently within agreed neighbourhood boundaries.
The conversation also covers preparing a school uniform, bag and lunch, completing homework and managing bedtime. These ordinary responsibilities give children repeated opportunities to practise organisation and problem solving.
Milly and Terence discuss discreet supervision as a useful halfway point for anxious parents. A child can experience genuine independence while a parent remains nearby until everyone feels more confident.
The message is not to give children freedom without preparation. It is to teach road awareness, communication and problem-solving skills, then give children opportunities to use them.
This discussion draws on the principles in Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow.
Explore Milestones to Maturity at https://www.positiveparenting.au/milestones-to-maturity.
Visit https://www.positiveparenting.au and follow @positiveparenting.au for more practical positive parenting guidance.
Subscribe, share and join the growing movement of positive parenting.
1 Oct 2026
Ages 4 to 6: Pathways to Resilience
How much can a child between four and six really do for themselves?
In this focused mini episode from Part One of Milestones to Resilience, hosts Milly Albers and Dr Terence Sheppard explore why age-appropriate independence, autonomy and personal responsibility are important building blocks of resilience.
Milly shares the story of her four-year-old son George starting kindergarten with confidence, making a new friend and adapting when his best friend was not there. From this real-life example, Milly and Terence discuss everyday milestones including greeting adults, managing basic self-care, helping with household chores, ordering for themselves, beginning to understand money and safely completing familiar tasks with trusted older children.
They also explain why milestones should be treated as a guide rather than a test. Children develop at different rates, but parents can support their progress by practising skills together, recognising what they are ready for and stepping back when the moment is right.
When children receive safe opportunities to try, solve problems and take responsibility, they can begin developing the confidence and character they need to thrive.
This discussion draws on the principles in Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow.
Explore Milestones to Maturity at https://www.positiveparenting.au/milestones-to-maturity.
Visit https://www.positiveparenting.au and follow @positiveparenting.au for more practical positive parenting guidance.
Subscribe, share and join the growing movement of positive parenting.
17 Sept 2026
Why Children Need Freedom to Grow: Milestones to Resilience, Part Two
In Part Two of Milestones to Resilience, hosts Milly Albers and Dr Terence Sheppard ask whether modern parenting has become so focused on safety that children are losing important opportunities to practise independence.
They explore the role of free, child-led play in helping children develop confidence, problem-solving skills, emotional control and resilience. They also consider why it can be so difficult for parents to let children explore beyond the front gate, even when they understand the benefits of outdoor play.
Drawing on examples of child-friendly communities around the world, Milly and Terence discuss:
Why free play is different from adult-directed activity
How parental anxiety can unintentionally restrict independence
Ways neighbours, schools and councils can create more welcoming spaces for children
How to establish reasonable boundaries and trusted places where children can seek help
Practical skills children need before exploring further from home
These skills include road awareness, practising familiar routes, learning important phone numbers and addresses, speaking confidently to shop staff and knowing which adults to approach when help is needed.
This is not about freedom without preparation. It is about teaching the skills, setting sensible boundaries and giving children the opportunity to show what they can do.
This discussion draws on the principles in Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow.
Explore Milestones to Maturity: A Guide to Raising Future Adults at:
https://www.positiveparenting.au/milestones-to-maturity
Visit https://www.positiveparenting.au for more positive parenting resources.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiveparenting.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepositiveparentingbook
Subscribe, share and join the growing movement of positive parenting.
3 Sept 2026
Raising Capable Kids from Ages 4 to 18: Milestones to Resilience, Part One
In Part One, hosts Milly Albers and Dr Terence Sheppard introduce Milestones to Resilience, an age-by-age framework for helping children grow into confident, capable and independent adults.
Beginning at age four and moving through to eighteen, they explore how responsibility, autonomy and everyday practical skills can build resilience over time. From getting dressed, preparing lunch and making simple purchases to travelling independently, cooking family meals, finding a part-time job and managing medical appointments, this episode asks an important question: are we giving children enough opportunities to discover what they can do for themselves?
Milly and Terence discuss:
Why children may be more capable than parents realise
How free play and responsibility support confidence
What increasing independence can look like at different ages
How helping too quickly may unintentionally hold children back
Why it is never too late to begin
These milestones are intended as a flexible guide, not a pass-or-fail test. Every child develops differently, and parents should consider their child's individual needs, abilities and environment when introducing greater independence.
This discussion draws on the principles in Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow.
Explore Milestones to Maturity: A Guide to Raising Future Adults at:
https://www.positiveparenting.au/milestones-to-maturity
Visit https://www.positiveparenting.au for more positive parenting resources.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiveparenting.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepositiveparentingbook
Subscribe, share and join the growing movement of positive parenting.
22 May 2025
7. How to Raise a Resilient Child: 10 Accomplishments of Character - Part Two
In Part Two, hosts Milly Albers and Dr Terence Sheppard continue their deep dive into the Ten Accomplishments of Character as outlined in Positive Parenting: How to Raise Happy and Resilient Kids. This episode explores the next five essential qualities every child needs to thrive:
• Emotional Control• Positive Identity• Competence• Empathy• Resilience
With practical tips, real life stories and honest reflections, Milly and Terence unpack how to nurture these traits at home, starting from early childhood. Whether you're navigating tantrums or raising independent teens, this conversation offers clear, relatable guidance to help your kids grow into emotionally strong, self aware and socially conscious adults.
Subscribe, share and join the growing movement of positive parenting.
Based on the book Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow.
Visit www.positiveparenting.au (http://www.positiveparenting.au) to purchase the book or audiobook.
Follow us @positiveparents.podcast for more insights and updates.
16 Apr 2025
7. The Ten Accomplishments of Character - Part One
The First Five Accomplishments of Character
Join hosts Milly Albers and Dr Terence Sheppard, co-author of Positive Parenting: How to Raise Happy and Resilient Kids, as they explore the first five of the Ten Accomplishments of Character — the essential traits every child needs to grow into a capable, compassionate adult:
Self-Confidence
Persistence
Maturity
Grace
Respect
Through personal stories and expert strategies, Milly and Terence share how to encourage these qualities in your own family — starting from the toddler years. Whether you're a new parent or raising teens, this conversation offers down-to-earth, practical advice you can start using today.
Subscribe, share, and help spread the message of positive parenting.
10 Nov 2024
6. Raising Resilient and Mentally Healthy Kids: Insights from 12-Year-Old Artist and Podcaster Isabella Taylor
In this episode of Positive Parents, Resilient Kids, host Milly Albers welcomes Dr. Terence Sheppard and a remarkable young guest, 12-year-old artist and interviewer Isabella Taylor. Together, they discuss the balance of parenting in a world where kids are exposed to complex issues at increasingly young ages.
Isabella, wise beyond her years, shares her thoughts on how young people perceive social media, failure, identity, and other big topics they encounter daily. Dr. Sheppard offers insights on fostering open communication, questioning whether kids need more space to process things on their own or if parents should step in more actively. Are we overloading children with information, or are we underestimating their ability to handle it? Join us for this discussion on guiding our kids through a challenging world with resilience and understanding.
For more about Isabella Taylor visit: https://isabellataylor.com.au/ (https://isabellataylor.com.au/)
These are discussions based on topics from "Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children", written by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow. Visit www.positiveparenting.au (http://www.positiveparenting.au/) for details on where to purchase the book.Follow us on socials for more! @positiveparents.podcast
16 Jul 2024
5. Strategies and Tips for Parents with Toddlers: Q&A with Dr Terence Sheppard
Thank you parents for sending in your questions for Dr Sheppard! In this episode Milly (a toddler parent herself) asks Dr Terence Sheppard the following questions:
How do you approach conflict between siblings, especially siblings where their personalities just clash?
How can I avoid yelling at my children when they won’t listen to get their attention?
How can I communicate with my defiant toddler?
Why do toddlers fight bedtime and how do we support that?
My toddler only wants “mummy to do it” - how can I help him understand that dad can help too?
My toddler is super clingy… how can I encourage more free play?
Join us as Terence shares practical advice and a compassionate understanding of common parenting dilemmas. From why toddlers say "no" frequently to strategies for getting their attention without yelling.
Have another question? Send us a message on Instagram @positiveparents.podcast
***
These are discussions based on topics from "Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children", written by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow. Visit www.positiveparenting.au (http://www.positiveparenting.au/) for details on where to purchase the book.
Follow us on socials for more! @positiveparents.podcast
18 Apr 2024
4. Building Resilience: Nurturing Children in Early Education with Carene Shimmied
We're joined by Carene Shimmield, an Early Childhood Teacher with a wealth of experience and passion for nurturing young minds. Join us for passionate conversations on how children can be raised and supported in school environments, as well as exploring strategies educators can implement to bolster resilience in their students. We'll explore the pivotal role of schools, especially in the formative 0-5 age range, where crucial foundations for future personality development are laid.
Carene brings a unique perspective, having studied early childhood education at Flinders University in 2012 and gained experience across various educational settings, from early childhood centres to primary schools, both public and private.
We discuss boundaries, anxiety, social skills and more. Tune in as we unravel the interplay between neurodevelopment, psychology, and cultural influences in shaping the individuals our children become.
***
These are discussions based on topics from "Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children", written by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow. Visit www.positiveparenting.au (http://www.positiveparenting.au/) for details.
Follow us on socials for more! @positiveparents.podcast
19 Feb 2024
3. All Children are Different, but Some Are More Different Than Others: Nurturing Resilience in Children with Disabilities with Karina McDonald
In this episode, we are joined by mother of two (and stepmother of one) Karina McDonald who addresses the important topic of parenting a child with a disability. Karina shares her personal story of raising a child with a complex disability and explores the journey of embracing differences and nurturing growth and resilience in our children. We'll discuss practical strategies and offer guidance on advocating for our children's unique needs.
You can read more about this topic in Chapter 12 in our book "Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children" www.positiveparenting.au
Read more about SACARE's Carers Lounge at https://www.sacare.com.au/carers-lounge
Follow us on socials for more parenting tips! @positiveparents.podcast
29 Dec 2023
2. Passing the Parenting Torch: Dr Terence Sheppard Interviews His Daughter Dr Megan Sheppard
Welcome to a heartwarming and insightful episode of "Passing the Parenting Torch"! Dr. Terence Sheppard sits down to interview his daughter, Megan. With the impending arrival of Megan's first child, they delve into the world of parenting. Together, they explore the timeless principles of positive parenting, share heartfelt anecdotes, and offer invaluable advice for nurturing a happy and healthy family. Join us for this touching conversation as a father passes on his parenting wisdom to his daughter, lighting the way for future generations. Get ready to be inspired and uplifted as we witness the beautiful bond between a parent and child, and the joy of embracing positive parenting principles in this precious journey of life.
For more information on the Positive Parenting book, visit www.positiveparenting.au (http://www.positiveparenting.au/) for details.
Follow us on our social media for more parenting tips!
@positiveparents.podcast
11 Nov 2023
1. Introduction: What is Positive Parenting?
Welcome to the ‘Positive Parents - Resilient Kids’ podcast. In this episode, we discuss the topic of Positive Parenting. Co-hosted by Dr Terence Sheppard a Paediatric Psychologist and Milly Albers a parent who’s just begun her parenting journey. Join us as we delve into the principles and practices of positive parenting, including the 10 Accomplishments of Character and their profound impact on nurturing the wellbeing and resilience of our children.
Visit the website www.positiveparenting.au/ (http://www.positiveparenting.au/) to download the 10 Accomplishments of Character and details on how to purchase The Positive Parenting book. For more tips on Positive Parenting
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Apple Podcasts (US)
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
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YouTube
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Engagement
71
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