My son has recently skipped a grade so he has been hearing a lot of kids (and adults) comment about how smart he is. Every time I overhear it, I cringe. I picture each of these comments setting him an inch higher on a pedestal so that when he is challenged next time (and can’t get some… {read more}
Positive Parenting
15 Ways to Teach Kids Character through Actions Instead of Words
“Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.” – W.E.B. Dubois I love this quote and it is an important reminder for me as I can tend to talk a bit too much sometimes. When it really comes down to it, my kids are learning from how I act every day… not… {read more}
When my daughter grows up…
When my daughter grows up, she won’t remember how many toys she had. But she will remember if I played with her. When my daughter grows up, she won’t remember if the kitchen was clean. But she will remember if I ate meals with her. When my daughter grows up, she won’t remember if I did… {read more}
How to Play with a Baby – Tips for Teaching New Big Siblings
Note to parents: Feel free to read this post aloud to your child. This article has been written especially for kids who have recently become a big brother or big sister! So if you have a baby sister or brother who is between 3 and 8 months, here are some ideas and thoughts about how… {read more}
Favourite Daily Phrases that are Little Life Lessons for Parents and Kids
Over the past few years, I’ve read a lot of great parenting advice. But it’s not always easy to put it all into practice! These are some of my favourite phrases to use on an everyday basis that promote some of the parenting techniques I aim to embody. They are little summaries of important messages I want my… {read more}
Phrases we need to STOP saying to our girls
This morning during school drop off I overheard a short conversation between two parents about the younger sister of a girl in my son’s school, who was probably about four years old. She had fallen off her scooter and scraped her face, and someone was kindly inquiring about what had happened. After explaining the event, the parent of the… {read more}
How to Help Kids Explore the World
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert Some of the most meaningful memories of my life have been made while traveling. I studied abroad for a semester in Ghana during university, spent two summers doing research in Singapore, undertook my honours thesis research in Papua… {read more}
How to Create Family Rules that Work
In my ebook How to Build Character at Home I discuss creating family rules that reflect your values. Creating our family rules (kindly tongue, gentle hands, and respect the environment) has probably been one of the best parenting decisions we ever made. Why? Because each family member knows what is expected of them, and these… {read more}
