Parenting/teaching is one of the hardest jobs and also one of the most rewarding! For this article let's talk about the 'hard part'. My career as a speaker allows me to speak with many parents and educators. Through listening to them and learning from my own...
Believe it’s possible. Beyond the doubt. Beyond the “what if’s”. Beyond your ‘imposter’ feeling.Beyond trying to ‘figure it ALL out in advance.’ Beyond trying to be perfect. Beyond that voice in your head that sometimes says ‘you’re not enough.’You are Enough! Make your UPower voice Prouder, LOUDER than...
The new school year is full of excitement and challenges. Young people may worry about fitting in, liking their teachers and not being in the same class as their friends. As parents/guardians we have lots to consider – making lunches, homework, extra-curricular activities, after school care...
I believe people can tell when we are experiencing emotions - they can feel it - especially our children. During my ‘3 Habits of Resilient Families’ presentation I ask parents: Have you ever had your child sense something is wrong and ask you, ‘how you...
As the last two weeks of May approach parents and their children may become stressed as they anticipate the mandatory standardized testing called EQAO. When we think of tests we think ‘study’. The EQAO is not that kind of ‘test’. It’s based on what students have...
Are you dreaming about warmer spring days and pretty flowers? I'm in the mood for sunshine as I'm sure most of us are. Even though sun would be nice I have learned not to let my mood or happiness be determined by something that is not...
As parents and educators we encourage children to keep going, put in the effort, stay determined - all great words of advice. We feel happy and proud when children want to try new activities, new skills and new ways of doing things. However,...
What are you feeling? A question guaranteed to make a room full of adults squirm. When you think about sharing your emotions right now, would you prefer to leave the conversation or conveniently find something else to do? Maybe it’s because you don’t know how you are...
Sometimes children’s behaviour is a mystery. They know what they are doing isn’t ok and they do it anyway. As parents/educators, we often judge the behaviour as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Those judgments dictate our response - when they are ‘good’ the child receives praise when they...
In each of my student presentations, I always ask the question ‘Who prefers alone time when they are experiencing tough emotions?’ The majority of hands in the room shoot up. I then ask if anyone has ever had someone they care about say, ‘I don’t want...
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