Tip of the Week: May 3-May 9
Accept teenagers as they are and help them to develop the courage to be imperfect. Let teenagers do things for themselves and develop a sense of interdependence.
Tip of the Week: Apr 26-May 2
It is never too early or too late to start thinking about how you would like your family to be and start planning and setting goals for this. Close your eyes and think about your family in five years.
Tip of the Week: Apr 19-25
While working in a shared space, ensure your children know to respect your workspace. This could be done by setting boundaries during work hours.
Tip of the Week: Apr 12-18
Outdoor play is a powerful way to keep your kids stimulated. As long as no one in your house has COVID-19 and has been quarantined, consider spending more time outside with your children during the spring break. Anytime we can be around trees, birds or water is wonderful thing.
Tip of the Week: Apr 5-11
Comparing your children to their siblings or others can invite competition and ignite sibling rivalry. It can also be hurtful, uncomfortable and even damaging. Instead of comparing one child unfavourably to another, “why can’t you clean up like your brother?”, speak to the child only about the behaviour that concerns you.
Tip of the Week: Mar 29-Apr 4
If a child hears the word NO 10 times a day, s/he hears it 3,650 times a year. By the time the child is 5, they will have heard the word NO over 18,000 times. Create a positive and encouraging frame of mind for your child and offer alternatives to saying “no.”
Tip of the Week: Mar 22- 28
Children find ways to deal with stress. Some of their strategies are productive and healthy and some are not. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the child is stressed. Help them identify the cause of stress by listening without judgement and work with them to use healthier ways of coping and reducing stress.
Tip of the Week: Mar 15- 21
Discipline is about guiding, teaching and helping children make wise decisions about their behaviour and allowing them to gradually accept responsibility for their choices and actions.
Tip of the Week: Mar 8 – 14
At the Family Education Centre we encourage parents to put into practice an expression from Alfred Adler, and to “Have the courage to be imperfect.” Similarly, Rudolf Dreikurs said “Dwelling on mistakes saps your courage. Remember one cannot build on weaknesses – only strength.”
Tip of the Week: Mar 1 – 7
During the Covid-19 pandemic, parents and children are spending a lot more time at home with one another. Together with your children’s input, write out and post in the kitchen a daily schedule so that everyone is aware of what each day will look like.