Elmien Britz

Positive peer relationships are far more than a “nice to have” in childhood — they are a cornerstone of healthy emotional development. When children feel connected, included, and valued by their peers, they experience a powerful sense of belonging that supports resilience, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, routine offers children something incredibly valuable: a sense of safety. While adults often crave novelty, kids thrive on knowing what comes next. From a mental‑health perspective, routine isn’t just about structure — it’s about emotional stability, confidence, and connection.

January in Australia carries its own emotional texture. The heat settles over everything, cicadas drone like a restless soundtrack, and families begin to feel the slow shift from holiday freedom to the structure of the school year. Even when the calendar insists there are days left, the transition begins quietly. Parents feel it first as a tightening in the chest, a subtle awareness that routines, expectations and early mornings are returning.