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Category: Resilience

24 Jun 2026

The Benefits of Boredom for Kids

Summer break is here. Routines disappear, structure shifts, and for many families, technology becomes the easiest way to fill the day.

When it isn’t an option, that’s when you might hear those familiar words: “I’m bored.”

Without it, our instinct is often to make suggestions or figure out something for our kids to do. Truth be told I did suggest vacuuming 🙂

Sometimes the hardest part of our child’s boredom isn’t their discomfort. It’s our discomfort.

I realized recently that when my son lost his technology privileges for two weeks, his first response was, “What am I going to do now?”

If I’m being honest, his boredom was uncomfortable for me. It was distracting and annoying. It would have been much easier to solve the problem for him. Then I would have gotten some much-needed peace and quiet.

But I didn’t step in.

After a few days, something shifted.

He started finding things to do. He got creative. He even began playing with the younger kids on our street and teaching them how to play baseball. None of that would have happened if I had rushed in to solve his boredom.

That experience reminded me that boredom isn’t something we always need to solve.

If we can sit with our own discomfort long enough to step back, our children often discover they never needed us to fix it. They just needed space to figure it out themselves.

This is what I know: Sometimes the greatest gift we can give our kids isn’t another solution. It’s the chance to discover what they’re capable of.

Until next time…

22 Apr 2026

Are you proud of yourself?

We often say to kids ‘good job’ or ‘I’m proud of you.’

Those words matter, but they can train kids to look outward for validation instead of inward for recognition.

A simple question shifts that focus: ‘Are you proud of yourself?’

It sounds small, but it changes where the reflection happens.

Instead of waiting for approval, kids begin to pause and consider their own effort and choices.

I notice this with my son Kai. His instinct is often to look up and check my reaction. It’s a natural response as kids learn quickly that adult feedback signals how they’re doing.

When I pause and ask, ‘Are you proud of yourself?’, it shifts the focus back to him, rather than the response from me.

At first, many kids won’t know how to answer. Some will shrug, some will look unsure, and some will repeat what they think they’re supposed to say…that’s okay.

This isn’t about getting the “right” answer.

It’s about building a habit of reflecting on themselves. It’s about learning to recognize their own effort, not just having it recognized by others.

This is what I know: Kids will move from needing to be told they did well… to knowing it for themselves.

Until next time…

27 Mar 2026

When a Child Replays Mistakes

If your child replays mistakes or challenges and is hard on themselves, you’re not alone.

They might walk away and start tearing themselves apart in their own thoughts:

“Everyone must think I’m silly.”
“I can’t believe I messed up.”
“I don’t get why I did that.”

They can keep going over and over it, turning one small moment into something bigger than it needs to be.

Help your child reflect on mistakes, stop overthinking, and build confidence without being hard on themselves.

Here’s a simple way to help them:

Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Those 5 minutes help stop a child from replaying mistakes and keep their focus on learning.

Ask them:
• What went well?
• What could I try differently next time?
• What did I learn?

When the timer goes off… reflection ends.

No more replaying it. No more picking it apart.

From that point on, it’s about kindness to themselves and moving forward.

This is what I know: The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is growth – without tearing themselves down in the process.

Until next time…

4 Mar 2026

The Year I Forgot the Words…

At 15, I entered the Rotary Music Festival again, determined to finally win gold after placing second two years in a row.

I had practiced for months. Memorized every note. Imagined the applause when I nailed my performance.

And then, in the second verse, I forgot the words.

Panic set in.

Embarrassed? Absolutely.

But I didn’t let that emotion take over.

My piano player quietly mouthed the lyrics.

I took a breath…gave that verse everything I had…and I won GOLD.

The judge later told me she was impressed that I didn’t give up.

That moment stayed with me – a reminder that mistakes don’t define you. Your response does.

You won’t always perform the way you want and that’s okay. You’re still worthy.

This is what I know: What matters most is what you choose to learn… and the choices you make next. And yes, being determined to win gold doesn’t mean you’ll never stumble – it’s how you respond that counts.

Until next time…

4 Feb 2026

Resilience Isn’t What You Think

Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from what happened.

It’s about bouncing back from how it made your child feel.

When kids face challenges – a friend is unkind, a game is lost, or a mistake is made – the hardest part to manage is often their emotional reaction, not the event itself.

If a setback doesn’t trigger strong feelings, a child may move on quickly. But if it sparks anger, sadness, embarrassment, or frustration, they’re now navigating not only the circumstance, but also the intense emotions inside their body and brain.

That’s why kids emotional resilience isn’t about ignoring feelings or pushing them away. It’s about noticing emotions, understanding them, and learning how to respond in a way that helps them move forward.

I’ve created 3 kid-friendly resources you can download to help them:

  • Reflect on what they’re feeling (elephant poster)
  • Notice the emotional impact of challenges (body poster)
  • Practice moving forward with confidence, compassion, and clarity instead of getting stuck in the emotion (find your calm poster)

This is what I know: Each time a child pays attention to their feelings and responds calmly and clearly, they’re building skills that will help them handle the next challenge with more ease and confidence – a key part of kids emotional resilience in everyday life.

Until next time…

1 Oct 2025

Power of Small Wins – Why You’re Winning Without Realizing It

You most likely notice the big wins, but are you seeing the small ones?

The big wins are easy to spot…finishing a challenging project, hitting a professional goal, or successfully navigating a tough situation. Exciting, yes. But it’s the small wins – the everyday choices to stay patient, focused, and calm under pressure that shapes who you are. This is the true power of small wins.

These choices contribute to your personal growth and build your resilience over time.

Try This: End your day by reflecting on one small win. It’s a simple step toward self-improvement and noticing everyday victories.

It could be something as simple as:

  • Taking a deep breath instead of reacting in frustration
  • Following through on a task even when motivation is low
  • Listening fully, even when you’re tired
  • Encouraging a child or student who’s struggling

Celebrating these small wins is about honouring your everyday efforts and noticing the moments that matter – a practice that strengthens your mindset and shows why mindset matters.

Sometimes a quiet acknowledgment to yourself, like ‘I handled that well,’ can be more powerful than any applause.

This is what I know: These small, often unnoticed moments may seem ordinary, but every effort, every patient response, every deliberate choice, all add up. That’s the power of small wins in action – helping you keep going and growing.

Until next time…

1 May 2025

Confidence vs Self Worth: Know the Difference

It’s easy to confuse confidence and self-worth—but they’re not the same. Understanding the difference makes it easier to stand strong in who you are. Confidence changes, self worth never.

Confidence is about your abilities—how you feel about what you can do, your skills, and how prepared you are. It shifts and grows as you face new experiences and challenges. 

Self-worth? That’s something deeper. It’s about how you value yourself as a person, regardless of what you do or how you feel at any given moment.

There was a time when I believed my worth depended on my achievements, the praise I received, and how many likes I got on social media. I’ve learned that when you define your value by outcomes, you give your power to things outside your control.

Confidence changes, self worth never. It’s constant—no matter the situation

This what I know: You won’t always perform the way you want—and that’s okay. You’re still worthy.

You’ll make mistakes along the way—and that’s part of it. You’re still worthy.

Until next time…

20 Mar 2025

When Kids Want to Give Up

For two years, fear held me back from trying out for Canadian Idol. The third year, I finally said yes. I made it through two rounds, but when I stood in front of the celebrity judges and sang, they said, “You can’t sing! Do something else!”

I was embarrassed, devastated, and angry. I went home thinking, Maybe they’re right. Maybe I should give up. I started to doubt myself.

After a day of feeling sorry for myself, I made a choice: No. I love to sing. I’m going to work harder and improve.

Today, I’m a singer and speaker. If I had let their words define me, I would have quit on something I love.

But how many kids do give up on something they love because someone tells them they’re not good enough?

When I ask students, “How many of you have given up on something you love because of someone’s opinion?” hands shoot up—including the hands of educators.

Two ways to help kids overcome doubt:

1. Support your child in completing this worksheet

2. Encourage them to ask, “Do I love this?” instead of “Am I good at this?”

Too often, kids measure their worth by others’ opinions. Help them focus on what brings them joy, and remind them that skills improve with effort.

This is what I know: Encouraging kids to keep going, even when they face criticism, helps them build resilience that lasts a lifetime. What matters most is believing in themselves!

Until next time…

26 Feb 2025

The #1 Mindset that Helps Kids Win in Life

Winning brings success—so does learning. When kids embrace a win-or-learn mindset, they recognize that every experience has value. Whether they achieve their goal or gain new insight, both outcomes help them grow stronger, wiser and more confident.

This perspective teaches them that success isn’t just about crossing the finish line—it’s also about the skills, knowledge and resilience they develop along the way. When kids understand this, they become more willing to take on challenges, push through difficulties and trust in their ability to improve.

Encourage them to reflect on these questions:

✔️ What worked well for me?

✔️ What new skill or understanding did I gain?

✔️ How can I use this experience to keep improving?

A win-or-lose way of thinking can create fear and self-doubt, making kids hesitant to try. But a win-or-learn mindset develops courage, motivation and perseverance.

This is what I know: Whether in school, sports or friendships, remind your kids that every challenge, setback or loss is progress on the path to success.

Until next time…

19 Feb 2025

How Connection and Awareness Help Kids Thrive

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,