As parents and those who support kids, we all want to see them thrive—not just in school, but in life. Sure, teaching curriculum and life skills is important, but what really helps kids thrive is connection and awareness.
Connection builds trust, and awareness helps you see the world through a child’s eyes—their interests, emotions, and the way they learn. When you pay attention to what excites them, what challenges them, and what makes learning click for them, you not only unlock their potential, but you also create a space where they feel truly valued.
Take my son, for example. He struggled with math until he started working with a tutor who really ‘gets him.’ The tutor connects through my son’s love for sports, using hockey and baseball to explain math, which makes it a lot more engaging. The result? A huge boost in his confidence and grades.
This is what I know: When we take the time to recognize and nurture what makes each child unique, we’re not just supporting their education—we’re helping kids thrive by creating a space where they feel valued.
Until next time,
5 Feb 2025
The Truth About Parenting: What Every Parent Needs to Hear
When I speak with parents, I notice a common thread—a strong desire to support their children and help them thrive. They’re not chasing perfection – parenting through imperfections is something every parent experiences. They just want reassurance that they’re on the right path. And when they discover new strategies, they’re eager to learn and grow alongside their kids.
Parenting comes with highs and lows, and some days, it can feel overwhelming, but here’s the truth—you’re doing better than you think.
In the midst of the busyness and uncertainty, here’s what matters:
Trust Yourself: There’s no perfect way to parent, but your love, effort, and presence matter more than any mistake you might make. Trust that you are enough.
Progress Over Perfection: Parenting isn’t about getting everything right; it’s about showing up, learning, and enjoying the journey. Celebrate the small wins—whether it’s a shared laugh, a moment of patience, or overcoming a challenge together. Parenting through imperfections allows room for these moments of connection.
Embrace the Imperfections: Parenting can be messy, and that’s okay. It’s the mistakes and moments of vulnerability that teach your child resilience and understanding. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to grow and learn from the experience.
This is what I know:
✔️ Kids don’t need perfect parents.
✔️ You are not alone—every parent faces struggles.
✔️ Mistakes are part of learning, for both you and your child.
✔️ Love and consistency matter more than perfection.
You got this!
Until next time…
22 Jan 2025
Are We Truly Connecting with Kids About Mental Health?
When we talk about kids’ mental health, we often focus on behaviours, challenges or strategies, but we rarely talk about one of the most important aspects—emotions. Emotions are at the heart of mental well-being, yet they’re often ignored, even though they impact our thoughts, health, mood and the choices we make.
Kids often tell me that adults rarely ask them what they’re feeling. Instead, the focus is usually on behaviour:
Why did you do that?
Stop acting that way.
You should know better.
These responses focus on the actions rather than the emotional state behind them.
Do you ever take a pause and ask kids, “How were you feeling when you did that or acted/reacted that way?” We tend to skip that question, assuming behavior is the most important subject to discuss. Without understanding the feelings driving those actions, we miss a huge part of the picture.
It makes me wonder: Are we truly addressing kids’ mental health, or are we focusing on what feels easier to discuss?
Talking about emotions can feel uncomfortable. Whether we like it or not, emotions are part of all of us, every second of every day. Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away; it just makes them harder to handle.
If we don’t ask kids about their emotions, how will they ever learn to recognize them? And if we do ask, we often hear, “I don’t know” which is, in most cases, an honest answer. They may not know because we haven’t taught them to name and acknowledge their emotions. (download poster)
This is what I know: We need to be the Emotional Leaders in their lives. We need to start being curious about their emotions. This curiosity builds trust and encourages your child/student to reach out when they need guidance, knowing their emotions are valid and worthy of attention.
Until next time…
18 Dec 2024
The Power of Showing Up for Your Kids
Ah, the joy of showing up for my child’s Christmas concert—an annual tradition filled with festive tunes, awkward choreography and priceless memories.
When my son was little, he’d spot me in the crowd and wave like I was his VIP guest, sometimes mid-song.
Now that he’s 12, the roles have reversed; I’m the one enthusiastically waving when he comes on stage with his class and he pretends not to notice.
I sit in my seat, hoping for even a flicker of acknowledgment, but all I get is the slightest nod that seems to say, “I see you.”
It’s bittersweet and hilarious—watching him grow into his independence while I cling to the glory days of toddler waves from the stage. Still, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Showing up, even when they act like they don’t need us, sends a powerful message: “I see you, I’m proud of you, and I’ll always show up.”
And isn’t that the heart of the holiday season? Showing up for the people we care about, creating memories and celebrating together.
This is what I know: Whether you’re in the audience at a concert, hanging out with family or just sharing a quiet moment, may your holidays be filled with love, laughter and the magic of this holiday season!
Until next time…
4 Dec 2024
Is Your Stress Effecting Your Child’s Performance?
Have you ever watched your child face a big moment—whether it’s playing in a game, performing on stage, or preparing to speak in front of their class— and found yourself more nervous than they are? The ‘parent stress effect’ can create added pressure for children, making their own nerves harder to manage.”
After one of my presentations, a student shared, “I get so nervous singing in front of people, but it’s even harder because my parents get nervous too. They’re scared I’ll make a mistake.”
I asked her, “Do you think their nerves make you doubt yourself ?” She nodded quickly. “Yeah,” she said. “I just want to enjoy singing, but I feel like I have to make sure they’re okay too.”
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t even the thing you’re doing—it’s managing the expectations caused by the ‘parent stress effect’.
I asked, “What do you love about singing?” Her face lit up. “It makes me feel alive.”
I told her, “Your parents are nervous because they care about you and don’t want you to feel hurt if something goes wrong. You can let them know that even if you make a mistake, you will be OK.”
We talked about how focusing on the joy of what you love can shift your mindset.
I shared this: “You don’t have to sing perfectly; you just have to sing with heart. When you let others feel the love you have for what you’re doing, that’s what they’ll remember.”
This is what I know: The next time someone you care about steps into the spotlight, whether it’s on stage, in sports, or in life, let your ‘cheer’ be the loudest thing they hear. When you cheer for courage over outcome, you create a space for growth, confidence and beautiful, human imperfection.
Until next time,
25 Sep 2024
Teaching Kids the Emotional Impact of Their Actions
My son was getting ready for school, but not at the pace he needed to in order to catch the bus. I started noticing a pattern – every time I reminded him to do something, he responded with, ‘I’ll do it. Just give me a minute.’
The minutes kept passing and nothing was getting done. He had tasks to complete to be ready on time, but they weren’t being done. I felt my irritation building, realizing that my frustration stemmed not only from his inaction, but also from his lack of awareness of the emotional impact of his actions.
Finally, I looked at him and said, ‘I’m feeling really irritated. You keep asking for a minute but then you don’t actually get the task done .’ He gave me a surprised look and said,’ Mom, I didn’t know that you felt irritated.’
And I thought, ‘Seriously? You didn’t realize that me asking over and over again would be irritating?’
Lightbulb moment
He’s right. I’ve been experiencing emotions and understanding how people’s actions affect others’ emotional states for much longer than he has. It’s easy to assume that our kids should know how their actions (or lack of action) affect others, but in his words, ‘I didn’t know that. I’m still learning.’
And I realized—yes—he is still learning. While our kids might be more aware of their own emotions, understanding the emotional impact of actions on others is a very different challenge. It takes time, practice, and open communication.
This is what I know:
As frustrating as these moments can be, they are opportunities for growth – for both of us. It’s a reminder to be patient, not just with our kids but with ourselves, as we guide them through the complex world of emotions. Just as learning how to read or ride a bike takes practice and patience, so does learning how to interpret and respond to the emotions of others.
Until next time…
18 Apr 2024
How Powerful is Self-Talk in Shaping a Child’s Resilience?
Recently, I had a conversation with my 11-year-old son about his self-talk during challenging moments—whether on the ice or in everyday life.
I asked him, “What do you tell yourself when things don’t go as planned? How do you bounce back?”
His response was simple yet powerful: “I tell myself, ‘I got this.’ And I keep repeating it.”
When his self talk is, “I got this,” it not only impacts his confidence and determination but also influences the path he will choose to take.
Whenever your child is facing a challenging time, the words they repeat matters. It’s the difference between perseverance and belief in themselves or self-doubt and defeat.
I encourage you to ask your child what they could tell themselves that would give them the power and confidence to bounce back from mistakes, misplays and challenging circumstances.
Here’s What I Know: In teaching them the power of self-talk, you will equip them with a valuable tool for navigating life’s inevitable challenges with courage and resilience.
Until next time…
7 Mar 2024
From Chaos to Calm: How to Nurture Self-Regulation
In my role as a speaker in schools, I have the privilege of connecting with many parents and educators. From their insights and my personal experiences as a mother, I’ve come to understand that one of the most daunting challenges lies in effectively nurturing self-regulation in not only children/students but also ourselves.
Have you ever experienced a moment when you’re feeling perfectly composed and then, out of nowhere, something happens that triggers your emotions to go into overdrive? In an instant, you react in a manner that leaves you feeling guilty. You may be preoccupied by a sense of remorse as you replay the situation in your mind, pondering how you could have handled it differently.
When my eleven-year-old son is not listening or is agitated, it triggers frustration within me which can easily lead to anger. Responding from one of those emotions can result in giving unreasonable consequences or regrettable responses.
We often hear about the importance of teaching children self-regulation. However, the challenge becomes practicing self-regulation ourselves in order to effectively instill this skill in them. You can’t help a child regulate until you have self-regulated first. ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ doesn’t work anymore.
Consider giving these simple, yet impactful strategies to take you from chaos to calm.
Notice physical signs of emotions such as rapid heartbeat, clenched hands or muscle tension.
Pause and take deep breaths. This helps you manage your own emotions and demonstrates self-regulation to the children/students. When you’re feeling calm, you’re better able to assist others in regulating their emotions.
While nurturing self-regulation can be challenging, the benefits are worth the effort. Not only does it cultivate stronger relationships, it also reduces anxiety, lowers stress, builds resilience and fosters empathy.
Until next time…
23 Nov 2023
Helping Kids Get Excited about their Unique Beauty
We talk a lot about the issue of ‘bullying others’, even dedicating an entire week to it. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that kids also ‘bully themselves’, creating negative self-talk that can have a lasting impact on their mental and emotional well-being, as well as their confidence.
I’d like to share a personal experience when I found myself going down a self-defeating, self-bullying path.
In grade 8 I represented my school in the running relay at the annual track and field day. After I had competed, a classmate came up to me and blurted, ‘You have big, fat legs.’ I was shocked and hurt.
What my classmate didn’t know was that I was already struggling to like my legs. I used to compare them to my friend’s legs – wishing mine were more like hers. Since my legs were bigger and shorter, I made it mean that mine were not beautiful. Comparing myself to her legs was ridiculous – it wasn’t going to change anything – it certainly wasn’t going to make my legs longer and thinner. Knowing this didn’t stop me from complaining about my legs to my mum.
One day she turned to me and said, ‘Let’s go to the doctor and see if she can cut them off.’ That was a wake-up call for me. Gradually I began to realize that I was wasting so much time and energy bullying myself. I was missing out on the beauty around me, including my own.
If a child you know is struggling with body image challenges, here are a few suggestions on what I did to help me be more appreciative of my body:
1. I found a photo of an Olympic athlete who had big, muscular legs standing proudly on the podium after winning a gold medal. She was happy and proud, not concerned about the size of her legs. That photo, pinned on my wall, inspired me to always remember to have an ‘attitude of gratitude’.
2. I wrote uplifting, encouraging, supportive thoughts and words. I placed them everywhere that I would see them. I repeated them over and over, knowing that the voice I heard the most throughout my day was my own, so I needed my words to be powerful and positive. Two of my favorites: ‘I choose to love and respect myself’ and the word ‘gratitude’.
3. I took the parts of my body that I resented and wrote down all the reasons why I needed to be grateful. For instance, recognizing that my legs allow me to run and walk, wear my favourite boots and take me wherever I want. This exercise played a pivotal role in helping me appreciate and be thankful for my body.
4. I posted photos of myself as a little girl around my room, choosing photos from ages 3 – 8. In these photos I saw a young girl who loved life, who smiled just because she could. She didn’t worry about how much she weighed or how big her legs were. These photos reminded me to treat myself with kindness and compassion
This is what I know: It’s crucial to teach and model to kids the importance of kindness, acceptance and compassion, not only towards others, but also towards themselves.
Until next time…
9 Nov 2023
Empowering Youth in the Digital Age: Important Insights
Since technology is a dominant force in most young people’s lives, it’s important to make sure they learn to navigate this digital environment responsibly because they don’t yet see the impact technology has on their life.
Here’s 4 tips to support your efforts to help kids navigate technology responsibly:
1. Enhanced Emotional Well-being
Reducing exposure to online content, particularly social media, can lessen the negative impact on self-esteem, body image and anxiety. Spending more time interacting face-to-face with peers and adults can foster stronger relationships and help develop essential social skills, such as communication and empathy. Your child will most likely push back and not agree and that’s OK. You can still create and hold your boundary even if they don’t agree. Remember …’their disappointment is not your guilt.’
2. Revealing the Reality
They need to know that what people post online isn’t the whole picture. People often embellish their lives, making their life seem more magnificent than it truly is. It’s crucial to remind kids that nobody’s life is perfect, that everyone experiences challenging circumstances and tough emotions. They also need to understand that their online footprint is permanent, that even deleted content can have lasting consequences. What is cool or funny now, may have negative implications in their future.
3.Keep technology out of the bedroom.
Removing electronic devices from bedrooms, ensures that everyone sleeps better, waking up well rested and ready to focus on the day ahead. Having them in the bedroom, especially phones, is too tempting to check one last message. By ensuring phones are not within reach in the morning, children have the chance to engage with their own thoughts about the day ahead.
4. Set rules for the whole family
Part of good boundary setting is leading by example and being consistent with your own use of technology. Everyone should follow the same rules which include:
Amount of use that is acceptable.
Times when electronics can and can’t be used.
Which programs and apps can be accessed or installed on computers and devices.
Safety and security guidelines.
Behaviours that are and are not appropriate when interacting with others online.
After a recent presentation a grade 11 student shared that she decided to delete her social media accounts because she realized she was basing her self-worth on the number of likes and comments she received on her posts. After only one week of being offline she said she noticed a major increase in her confidence because she was no longer basing her worth on social media and the opinions of others.
Without rules and regulations for digital and online use it’s too easy for kids to get sucked into the online world. Moderation and boundaries are key! In the end it will help safeguard their self-worth and confidence.
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