Press Releases

Following the release of Parenting Tough Kids there were a number of press releases about it, and about Mark's work.
Here is a selection of these:

Setting up kids for Success

By Eileen Wood - The Senior Journalist

Top of the class: Mark Le Mesurier sets kids up for success

PARENTING and educating through "soft eyes and warm hearts" is the ethos of 2022 South Australian Senior Australian of the Year, Mark Le Messurier.

The 67-year-old Adelaide educator, child mentor and parent coach has devoted his life to improving the self-worth, wellbeing, mental health and life outcomes of young people.

He focuses on who he calls the "tough kids" - those who are struggling in some capacity. This includes children with disabilities, global developmental delays, disadvantage, disorders, neglect, or a combination of issues.

And it would seem that Mark's work and understanding is more important than ever with today's children and young people facing challenges never before encountered.

A radio interview

Mark was interviewed by Debra Tribe on ABC Radio 891, breakfast (Wednesday 15th January, 2014 - 9.30am to 10am), about the new book 'Raising Beaut Kids'. The interview can be played online.

WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT GRATEFUL

LIZ WALSH - Sunday Mail journalist email liz.walsh@news.com.au
31 Waymouth Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Sunday Mail, Sunday 15th December 2013

It's Christmas morning - that delicious morning that happens only once a year when children open their eyes before the sun rises and scream in delight: "It's Christmas Day!"

Then ... it's time to find out exactly who's been naughty or nice. Who is ripping open the coloured paper to find exactly what they wanted? Who's in tears after receiving what they didn't? Who's elated? Who's disappointed? Who prefers the giving of gifts to the getting?
And there's the dilemma faced by parents: how do we make our children thankful - grateful - for their gifts, no matter what they are and no matter their number?

Teaching tough kids

Posted on September 5th, 2013
SA Kids PARENTING MAGAZINE

Not too long ago, there was a perception that 'tough kids' were the kids who were a bit like the character Fonzie on the TV series Happy Days. The series ran between 1974 and 1984 and celebrated the relationship between teenager Richie and his family: his father Howard, a hardware store owner; Richie's mother Marion, a homemaker; Joanie, his younger sister; and tough man Arthur Fonzarelli - The Fonz, the Cunningham's tenant, high school dropout, biker and suave ladies' man.

I prefer to see 'tough kids' slightly differently. I think 'tough kids' form part of a challenging and growing group of children who find life tougher than most. They may have been diagnosed as being gifted or battling with specific learning difficulties, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Language Disorder, Auditory Processing Disorder and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Mum's in the dock - guilty as charged

Parenting is a minefield of guilt, but it comes from a place of love and can be turned into a powerful teaching tool according to parenting expert Mark Le Messurier

Parenting writer, Liz Walsh
The Advertiser, Saturday June 8, 2013, p17-18

I did nothing more than shut a door. But it set her off. My 18 month old daughter threw herself backwards and started banging her head on the floor; tears pouring from her eyes, tortured screams echoing down the hallway.

I stood above her, undeterred. "Florence, my darling," I said sternly, "you can tantrum all you want, but mummy will not open the door." This went on for half an hour - it was torture; for the both of us. But eventually, I calmed her down. We read books and cuddled. Hours later, I opened the door and there it was: her favourite teddy bear. Oh, God. I'm a horrible mother. I dissolved into a puddle of guilt: "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry, I didn't know."

Every parent says the same thing: the moment your child is born, life changes forever.

Simmer down the anger

Excerpt from Australian Family Magazine, September 2012
www.australianfamily.com.au
Writer and Editor; Emma Reeves

When 13 year old Anton gets angry, he wants to punch holes in the walls. When two year old Jackson is angry he wants to smack or hit. Seven year old Jessica and her mum shout at each other when they lose control.

We can all get angry at times. It's just part of living alongside each other. But there are ways to manage anger so that it does not become an ongoing problem.

Both children and adults can feel anger sparked by irritation or frustration. The anger becomes a problem if it is happening continuously or if it sparks irrational behaviour or inappropriate actions.

When boys play with Barbie

Excerpt from essentialbaby.com.au
Reported by John Bastick. Retrieved July, 2009

My son's taken to wearing his mother's high-heels. And, to give the boy his dues, for a 20-month-year-old he totters about the place better than I could if I pulled on a pair of four-inch heels. Thankfully, however, he's not yet accessorising, so we've not moved to the handbag, lipstick or the frock stage!

So far Luca's cross-dressing has bought mild amusement to his father and total aggravation to his mother as once he's done he tends to hide one of said shoes down the back of the couch.

Tough Love

Excerpt from Australian Men's Health Magazine, June 2009

Having trouble getting through to your kids? Listen up...

They're the apple of your eye, your little angel, your baby love. So how can they turn into disobedient, petulant, inconsiderate or uninterested brats without warning?

"There's this view of letting children be free spirits, but there's also a growing need for advice on how to respond when they're having a tough time," advises Le Messurier, a teacher, counsellor and author of 'Parenting Tough Kids - Simple Proven Strategies for Success' (marklemessurier.com.au, $34.95). "If kids are doing it tough, then mum and dad are also doing it tough."

How to Deal With Tough Kids

The Woman's Day, September 24th 2007

Parenting isn't always easy, but some children are harder to look after than others. If you are struggling to cope with your child's behaviour, don't think you have to do it all on your own. Mark Le Messurier, family therapist, educationalist and author has come up with effective strategies that work for all children, and which are particularly helpful for families in crisis.

BULLYING: 'Can't turn a blind eye'

Mike Dewer, THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WEEKLY, July 17th, 2007

Author, speaker and educator Mark Le Messurier believes we have to come at bullying from all sides to combat its effects. He says, "Over the last few years researchers have collected vast amounts of information about bullying in schools...

How to answer the hard questions

Noel Shaw, THE EXAMINER, Saturday, June 2, 2007

Life can be distressing for young people who feel that they are not understood or appreciated. And when a child has learning difficulties, emotional problems or developmental delay, life becomes tough for parents too. This book, Parenting Tough Kids, is aimed at removing difficulties for all.

It's time for parents to go back to school

Zara Dawtrey, THE SUNDAY EXAMINER, Sunday May 27, 2007

Although ALL parents want their children to succeed, most have at some time struggled with issues surrounding homework. For this reason, the Tasmanian State School Parents and Friends Association arranged for Adelaide Author, presenter and award winning teacher Mark Le Messurier to present two workshops for parents yesterday at Summerdale Primary School.

Making butterflies

Louise Russell, Eastern Courier (South Australia), May, 2007. OUTLOOK FEATURE

Mark Le Messurier's enthusiasm is as infectious as the giggles in Mary Poppins. Indeed it can leave his clients, and their parents, feeling as if they were floating near Uncle Albert's ceiling.