Every parent wants their child to grow into a kind, caring, empathetic human being. And so, it comes as no surprise that we can be overly focused on seeking evidence of this developing trait in our youngsters. As part of this, we can often demand that they apologize and might even be overheard in more […]
I am thrilled to have Nicole Schwarz, parenting coach and writer of Imperfect Families.com, as a guest poster on my blog today. I often share Nicole’s articles on my social media channels, as so much of what she writes truly resonates with me. In today’s post, she explores reasons behind challenging behaviour, and appropriate ways to […]
Oh, the Elf on the Shelf. When I first heard about this little creature, I will admit I immediately declared myself a non-elfer. The Elf on the Shelf official website describes the elves as “…magical helpers that help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists by reporting back to him at the North Pole […]
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending Dr. Shefali Tsabary’s EVOLVE parent conference in New York city. It was a conference full of wonderful insight in deeply meaningful and personal ways. There is such power in understanding the connection of our own selves in the growing up of our children. It was at […]
It is around this time of year that the phone at our clinic rings off the hook. I hear from parents everywhere that their kids are struggling. Teachers and principals know this struggle well too. Everywhere you turn people are starting to look bedraggled. And everywhere you listen you can hear the exhaustion starting to […]
Ann Douglas is the parenting and mental health expert behind the “The Mother of All” series of books. You may have had her “The Mother of All Pregnancy Books” sitting on your bedside table at one time. Ann has just released her latest work, “Parenting Through The Storm” – a book that guides parents through […]
If morning drop-off is an overwhelming time for your child, you may be dealing with separation anxiety. And not only is separation anxiety difficult for your child, it can be really hard for you as a parent too. Tears and outstretched arms can conjure stressful emotions in your body; especially as guilt and empathy come into […]
Sometimes the human brain outsmarts itself. And this is exactly what is happening for children struggling with separation anxiety. It often goes like this. You get them all pumped up for being brave at school drop-off. You remind them that they will get to do all sorts of fun things during the school day like […]
I’m often asked about where the line is drawn between “balance” and “overscheduling” a child. We talk a great deal about how children these days are enrolled in more activities than ever, but how do we know when enough is enough? First, start with this quiz. Answer yes or no honestly: 1. Do you find […]
This post is the first in a series focusing on getting ready for Back To School. From routines, to anxiety, to bedtime struggles, heading back to school can bring a unique set of challenges. Don’t miss any of these upcoming posts by subscribing to my newsletter here. We are creatures of habit – whether we […]