From pro-tech to authoritative: Meet the families of Parental Guidance 2025 and learn what their parenting styles are
Parenting is personal and every family in Australia does it differently.
But no matter what your background or your views it's likely that every parent has the same goal – to raise happy, capable kids.
Parental Guidance is making a TV return in a special event series to put the spotlight on the world's toughest job – parenting.
Parental Guidance premieres Monday June 30 on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Eight diverse sets of parents will join host Ally Langdon and parenting expert Dr. Justin Coulson to unpack four major issues facing our kids including screentime, peer pressure, body image and mental health.
In the past we've had outback, gentle and road school parents. Scroll through to meet the families that will lay their methods bare...
Hassan and Amanda | The Hard Way Parents
Parents: Hassan (36) and Amanda (34)
Children: Lamis (10), Mohannad (8), Jazelle (6), Youssef (4) and Zaynab (1)
Hometown: Sydney, New South Wales
Both born in Australia to Lebanese parents, Amanda and Hassan have been together for 14 years.
They embrace their Lebanese culture and traditions. Amanda is a high school teacher and uses her experience to inform their parenting.
Parenting "The Hard Way" means to be hands-on parents, heavily involved with their children with a lot of rules and a lot of love. They never use a screen as a babysitter and pride themselves on not taking the easy way out with any of their parenting.
Their key values are routine and mutual respect. Family comes first and they do everything together. They use a chart system to reward their children for doing chores and everyone in the family must contribute.
They believe if you aren't parenting the hard way then you aren't doing it the right way.
Hassan and Amanda | The Hard Way Parents
In this house there is no fast food or soft drink and the kids only eat healthy and fresh foods cooked from scratch. Amanda and Hassan lead by example when it comes to being active.
The kids take swimming lessons and play basketball on Saturdays and the family love walking together.
Hassan and Amanda | The Hard Way Parents
As a teacher, Amanda is very aware of mental health and it's one of the reasons they limit screens, making outdoor activities the priority.
The kids have limited access to phones and are only allowed to spend a short time after school talking to their friends. Amanda and Hassan believe a family focused relationship will help their mental health.
Nathan and Joanne | Traditional Parents
Parents: Nathan (45) and Joanne (46)
Children: Emma (14) and Rose (12)
Hometown: Gold Coast, Queensland
Nathan is a pilot and Joanne is a proud stay-at-home mum. The family follows traditional gender roles in the home.
They are a Christian family and their girls, Emma and Rose, are very active in the community, volunteering to feed the homeless on a weekly basis.
Their Traditional parenting style reflects their faith and Nathan and Joanne lead by example, focusing on family time, trust, respect and giving back to others.
The girls are going into the Air Force cadets and enjoy target shooting at the indoor pistol range. Nathan and Joanne believe it has helped teach the girls discipline and coordination.
Nathan and Joanne | Traditional Parents
Nathan and Joanne are strict around screen time, the girls don't have their own smartphones and minimal access to social media.
They are actively trying to shield the girls from the dangers of being on the internet.
Nathan and Joanne | Traditional Parents
They believe their traditional family-first approach to parenting is ensuring the girls grow up to be confident, kind and honest and avoid the negative sides of peer pressure.
Emma, 14, was nominated for Young Woman of the Year in 2023 on the Gold Coast for her charity work.
John and Courtney | Pro-Tech Parents
Parents: John (38) and Courtney (36)
Children: Kyan (12), Landon (10), Kingsley (2)
Hometown: Newcastle, New South Wales
John and Courtney met online a few years ago. Courtney is a TikTok content creator with 90,000 followers and John works in IT.
As Pro-Tech Parents, they believe in educating their children around using technology, believing it is an important part of equipping them to thrive in the modern world. Courtney includes her children in the content she posts online, and they often scroll social media together.
The family doesn't have strict rules around screen time and the boys are encouraged to socialise and meet people online.
Both boys are gamers with extensive tech set ups. Kyan earns money from live streaming his gaming, with 20,000 followers on Twitch and TikTok. The family also plays together on PlayStation. Late night gaming is used as a reward for good behaviour.
John and Courtney | Pro-Tech Parents
Courtney and John are comfortable with their levels of screen use and still have high expectations of their kids when it comes to academic effort and participation in sport.
John and Courtney | Pro-Tech Parents
Courtney and John believe online exposure has made the boys resilient when it comes to bullying and peer pressure, and they won't be easily influenced.
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