Summer holidays is just around the corner and kids will be rushing out the door to spend as much time as they can with their friends. 

But this time of year is often the longest period that parents will be able to spend time at home with the family. 

We don't want to pull our children away from their friends, but we also want to instil the value of family time. 

So where do we draw the line between family time and friend time for our children this summer?

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We live in a near cashless world these days. Hardly anyone has anything further than a couple cards, or even just Apple Pay. 

We all remember a time we'd get a gold coin for washing mum's car, or a couple notes for chopping wood, but those days seem to be gone. 

How are parents going about pocket money without cash? Are we really giving our kids bank cards, and how young is too young? 

And if money's not the right reward, are things a better deal for our children? Is it acceptable to fill up their gas tank in return for chores? 

And going a bit deeper into this - what counts as a chore that should be compensated for, and what are the jobs they should be doing simply for being a part of the household? 

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We're on the brink of exam season and a lot of families are feeling the pressure. 

As parents we can prepare our kids to study as much as we want, but there are other areas they will need support in. 

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We all know the dangers of tech these days, but it's unavoidable. 

Our kids need a laptop for school, an iPad to pass the time, and a phone for parents to reach them on. 

There are positives to technology, we just need to teach our children to take advantage of the good things their devices have to offer. 

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Should you stay together for the kids? 

A lot of the time it does more harm than good - and countless adults will tell you they wished their parent had split when they were children. 

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Many parents wrestle with the balance of keeping their kids involved with extracurriculars, while also teaching them the value of rest in a world that prioritises the daily hustle. 

We're signing them up to every opportunity possible to help them develop as people, but are our kids just too busy? 

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We hear lots of horror stories about parenting - from the accidents that cost us a hefty bill, the arguments and bickering we bump into as they get older, the worries about our what they're doing when we're away, and the concerns of how social media's affecting their mental health.

But we do it because we love them - unconditionally. And part of that is having to embrace the numerous versions of people they grow up to be. So what are the moments and things that make all the stress melt away for you, and reminds why being a parent's all worth it?

Parenting Expert, and host of The Real Life, John Cowan joins Tim Beveridge for the Parent Squad...

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Our kids are growing up, and with that comes the parental obligation to allow them to start making decisions for themselves. 

This come after we saw the story of the Gaza Flotilla and an interview with the father of Sam Leason, an 18 year old who was a part of the recent flotilla to Gaza. 

I think regardless of your views, most parents would be pretty hesitant to allow their teenager to head off into a warzone. But truly, at 18, what can we really do? 

How much guidance should parents be giving their kids once they reach those older years?

Psychologist at MindWorks Sara Chatwin joined Tim Beveridge on The Parent Squad. 

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It's that time of the year when many high school kids are having to make choices when it comes to subject options, perhaps some of which will determine what choices they have in future careers. 

So how can parents support their children through the choice process? 

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Students are dropping out of high school at the highest rate since 2007. 

It's become fairly accepted in recent years that you don't need a diploma or a degree to be successful in life, but many parents will still be concerned if their child comes to them wanting to leave early. 

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