During back-to-school season, the air crackles with excitement. New belongings are purchased, labelled, and worn with pride. Lunches are freshly packed, backpacks are eagerly zipped, and photos are happily taken. Kids are greeted by teachers and reunited with friends. Everywhere you turn, there’s a sense of optimism and new beginnings.
The conversation I have with my kids after school usually goes something like this:
Me: How was school today?
Child 1: Fine.
Finding out your child is being bullied is completely heart-breaking for parents. It’s hard to understand how it could happen and even more confusing to understand what to do next to support your child. So often, the mama-bear comes out, and we have the urge to find the bully and confront the bully head-on, even though the logical adult in us knows that’s not the right thing to do. Here are signs your child is being bullied and what to do next. Firstly, parents should remember that disagreements are a part of life, and we don’t want to jump to conclusions over every peer conflict. It’s healthy and typical for kids to deal with peer conflict, and they must learn to manage the situations. Here are a few essential differences that parents should be aware of between bullying and peer conflict: Peer conflict is a MUTUAL disagreement between two kids…
Updated June 2023, as many school districts have canceled all outdoor activities due to poor air quality, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of the importance and impact climate change can have on our daily lives. One day your children will ask what is climate change? It’s important and imperative for us to teach our children to understand climate change’s impact on our planet. Our kids and teens must understand the reality of what is going on. Or you may have a child or teen growing into a climate warrior, which can sometimes be tricky for parents to navigate. There are ways to help our kids understand climate change. To encourage them, and work with them to ensure that we’re doing the right thing for our planet, not only for ourselves, but for all plants, animals, and interesting creatures who live on it. They have a right to know. …
It’s my last first day of school. My four-year-old daughter, my baby, is heading to kindergarten. For the first time in over a decade, I will come home to an empty house.
Whether your children will be in class, at home, or a mix of both this new school year, it’s likely you will be more involved in their learning than ever before; and those of us parenting kids with learning disabilities (LDs) might be feeling an extra level of concern.
June is Pride Month! We plan on celebrating, supporting, and learning. We have attended the Pride Parade for many years and are excited to participate again in 2025. My daughter will be 6 this year, and I’m excited to have her attend. But we’ve put a lot of thought into attending and ensuring that we’re doing it respectfully. Pride is a big deal for the community and not one to take lightly or use simply as a costume party. Here is a guide to some things to consider about attending Pride; why I bring my kid, and you should too! Firstly, it’s important to understand why you’re going. So many people have fought for the right to be at the Pride Parade. It’s not just a day for glitter and rainbows. So make sure that your reason for taking your child is genuine and not to play dress-up. Make sure…
IE… What!? Understanding your child’s IEP Any parent knows that there is no official parenting handbook. We’re all just winging it, googling it, and trial and error. For parents of kids with additional needs, this couldn’t be truer. From navigating complex medical issues, behavioral anomalies, etc., the paperwork and processes are tiresome and arduous before they’ve even started school. Then, just when you think you may have it all figured out, school starts, and a new process begins. The problem with these systems is that the industry leaders have years of knowledge; it’s what they do for a living. But it’s up to the parents to navigate this unfamiliar system with no prior training, no handbook, and often little to no support. It can feel like representing yourself at a trial you have no previous knowledge of. Many expressed how concerning, anxiety-inducing, and fear-provoking the initial special education evaluation and IEP…
Congratulations on your toddler crossing another significant milestone! While transitioning your little one from a crib to a toddler bed can be overwhelming and scary for many parents, there are ways to help make it smoother. Generally, toddlers are ready to transition to a big bed between the ages of 18 months to four years. However, parents and caregivers of the kids know best when they are ready for this big move. If you are wondering whether your child is ready for this transition, it would help if you asked yourself: Is my child consistently trying to climb out of the crib? Is the crib getting too small or tight for my child? Is my child showing interest in a big kid bed? Do I need the crib for a new sibling? If you answered yes to these, it may be time to transition to a big bed! Check out…
Now that your child has settled in to a school routine, it’s a good time to talk about setting goals and working toward them. This is a life skill, as there will always be things your child wants to achieve or areas where she needs to improve.
Does your child have a goal for this school year? It may be to get a higher grade in math, read a popular book series independently, or participate more frequently in class discussions. To help get the ball rolling, we’ve got tips and strategies to guide your child through goal setting.