Parenting

“How is a peeled banana the thing we’re crying about?” It’s a question I have heard countless times from parents. Sometimes it is a banana. Sometimes it is the wrong cup, the toast cut the “wrong” way, or a shirt that suddenly feels impossible to wear. The details change, but the question is always the same. How could something so small lead to such a big reaction? The answer is that most of the time, it isn’t actually about the banana. By the time a child reaches that moment

Every August, parents prepare their children for a new school year. They buy backpacks, replace shoes that no longer fit, label school supplies, and gradually settle back into routines after a summer that often looks very different from the months ahead. These are all important parts of preparing for school. As a Canadian Certified Counsellor and Certified Child Life Specialist, I've learned that children are preparing too. Their preparation just looks a little different. By

Between homework, extracurricular activities, dinner, bath time, and the inevitable request for “just five more minutes,” getting children to bed at a reasonable time can be one of the biggest challenges of the school year. But sleep isn't simply downtime. Getting enough quality sleep supports a child's learning, memory, mood, behaviour, physical development, and overall well-being. As families settle back into school routines, establishing a healthy bedtime can be just as im

The alarm buzzes, breakfast is half-eaten, someone can't find their shoes, and a backpack is sitting by the front door, still unpacked from yesterday. Sound familiar? For many families, the school year begins with the best intentions, but busy mornings and hectic afternoons can quickly become overwhelming. The good news is that small, consistent routines can transform stressful days into smoother ones. Children thrive on predictability and establishing healthy morning and aft