I recently spoke with a recruiter for a local university who shared a common (and alarming) trend that many young people are applying without the ability to advocate for themselves as they are used to their parents advocating for them. Without the life skill of self-advocacy,...
Here's 6 steps you can take to bounce back from challenges, setbacks, mistakes and failures:⠀ 1. Accept that challenging circumstances/mistakes will happen. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from you will face challenges and make mistakes.⠀ 2. Acknowledge that each day you will...
Communities thrive when people work together for the greater good of the whole. Children learn skills such as responsibility, teamwork and collaboration through the opportunities they have to interact within their community. While it takes a community to educate a child, the role the parent plays...
I recently received this comment from a student: “I look around at others and they seem to have it all. Things would be easier if I could be them. I just want to fit in.” It’s OK to admire someone. The danger occurs when you believe your...
I often share stories with young people about two big dreams I had. The first was my dream of singing the national anthem at a Blue Jays game. Despite being told no multiple times, my persistence helped turn that dream into a reality. The second was my...
It's ok to say no. You don't always have to explain your decisions to friends. ⠀ Sometimes when we try to say no, people try talk us out of our decision. The more you try to explain, the less confidence you might feel sticking to it. ⠀ ⠀ Creating...
Q: Summer is coming and I don’t like being bored. Any suggestions to keep me busy over the summer? A: The summer can be a time filled with lots of laughter, fun, outdoor activities, getting together with family and friends, playing sports, attending festivals etc. However, for some,...
Recently I witnessed an adult reprimanding a child for bad behaviour. The child’s body language was hunched over, closed and defensive - not ideal for getting a message across. As parents and educators we want to teach valuable lessons that develop character and appropriate behaviour and...
Q: My Grandma died over three years ago but this is the year that her death has really hit me. Lately I've been realizing how little time I took to actually get to know her and I regret not knowing her better. Also my family...
As the end of May approaches parents and their children may become stressed as they anticipate the mandatory standardized testing called EQAO for all students in Ontario public funded schools. When we think of tests we think ‘study’. The EQAO is not that kind of...
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