Ms Suzanne Connolly:

I know the research the Senator referenced. Children need love, care and attention and safety and understanding but they also need boundaries. They need to know all feelings are acceptable but some behaviour is not acceptable. If they are growing up in an environment where they are not given those types of boundaries, they are not challenged when their behaviour is acceptable and there are no consequences for negative behaviour, then one is doing one's child no favours. A variety of parents can provide that approach but certainly children do need both.