Welcome to my blog!
This is where I share my thoughts, ideas, and activities to support the emotional growth of children.
Frustrating Play: what it is and how it supports development
Play is engaging, but not necessarily ‘fun.’ Often when we think of play, we think of young children and toys. Images of children laughing, squealing and running around may also come to mind. Or perhaps, on hearing the word ‘play’ we think of children dressing-up,...
When drop offs are hard: helping kids feel safe
Yesterday I visited my mom in the hospital. She has advanced dementia and holding onto time is challenging for her. Each time we leave the hospital, she is teary as it is frightening for her to be in an unknown place without her people and not clearly understanding...
The magic of one-on-one time
As you may know, I am the youngest of nine and also had many foster brothers and sisters growing up. Needless to say, one-on-one time with my mother was very rare. However, my mother planned an intentional one-on-one date for us once a year. This was always at the end...
Bridging and matchmaking: keeping connection alive in times of transition
Emotional safety is essential to learning. And the essence of emotional safety is the connection that the student feels with the teacher. Once the student is attached to a teacher, that teacher has the capacity to pass on the ‘attachment baton’. If we can...
Paralyzed by Perfection: The power of emotional safety
This week I decided to paint a mural on my wall. Automatically, without even thinking, I put on my highschool MIME sweatshirt. (YES, I was a mime in highschool. No judgement please ;). Being in a mime and clowning troupe was AWESOME.) Why was it awesome? Not...
My mum’s hairy legs
One of the ways we can support children and youth on their journey to discovering themselves and becoming comfortable being their unique selves, is by being comfortable with who we are. So, I thought I would share a little story about me in grade 8 and how my mum's...
Why keeping kids’ attachments on the same side matters: dedicated to my childrens’ stepmom, Sherry
I’d like to start by sharing my personal experience with this. I am separated from my first two children’s father. Separation is hard. There are usually many feelings involved. Hurt. Blame. Pain. Loss. Anger. Sadness. The list goes on. Their father and I separated...
The Arts: Moving us towards one another
This weekend I went to the Handel's Messiah sing-a-long and I sang my heart out for two and half hours. As I sat there, surrounded by so many voices in harmony, I was reminded of how good it feels to sing in community. I realized how long it has been since I sang with...
Behaviour — what we see is often what we get: Seeing our way to new possibilities
School is back this week and for many kids (and us) this comes with lots of feelings. There may be nerves, hope, dread, happiness, alarm, relief, excitement and more. I watched my youngest son get ready for his first day of high school this week. He chose his...
When Kids Clamor for Your Attention: The power of getting there first
Kids clinging to our legs. Incessant questions and interruptions. Constant over-the-top silly, disruptive or challenging behaviour. Needy. Needy. Needy. Attention-seeking is just what it sounds like: seeking attention. What we often forget is that we seek attention to...