by Amelia | Apr 1, 2019 | #newtools, #youarehere
Stop to savour this heroic moment. Maybe you got clocked in the ear with a flying shoe, and you took a deep breath instead of saying the choice word that came to mind. Maybe you smiled and muttered some reassuring words as you mopped a full glass of water off your...
by Amelia | Mar 22, 2019 | #newtools, #youarehere
Don’t blame yourself when you start losing your temper. Do this instead. An extra-hard kick to the back of your chair. Your child’s voice shouting: “I don’t care!” Your great-grandmother’s favourite teacup smashed on the floor. One moment, you’re just annoyed, and...
by Amelia | Mar 5, 2019 | Cooperation and compliance
The lesson of the ice cream cone: how it started What do you do when you bring your A-game as a mom, and it all blows up in your face? What do you do when you do your absolute best, with patience, creativity and support, and your child’s behaviour just gets...
by Amelia | Feb 11, 2019 | Cooperation and compliance
I’m stuck. I can’t persuade him. She won’t listen. She just doesn’t care. As parents, we want to do our absolute best to help our kids. We want them to learn how to get along with others, and make the most of their opportunities. Unfortunately, that can be...
by Amelia | Feb 3, 2019 | #youarehere
Overheard in a discussion group for parents: “I’ve taken away his XBox for the whole weekend, but he just smiles.” “I can’t motivate her. Her bedroom is basically empty at this point.” When we want our kids to learn a hard lesson or make an important change in their...
by Amelia | Jan 25, 2019 | #newtools
So there I was, standing outside my car, as the rain poured down… My two children were huddled up on one side of the car, arguing loudly about which of them was allowed to sit in one of two identical booster seats. Honestly, I can’t even tell you which...
by Amelia | Jan 19, 2019 | #youarehere
Why do children do such unexpected and frankly baffling things when it would be SO MUCH EASIER to just listen to a grown-up? If you have stood at the door, shaking your head while your child rushes around to collect a suddenly VERY IMPORTANT object, or waited at the...
by Amelia | Dec 21, 2018 | #makelifesweeter
My dear child, I read your message yesterday when you asked me if you were on the naughty list. It sounds like you’ve been very worried. First of all, I want to say: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for the naughty list to worry you. I know you’re...
by Amelia | Dec 20, 2018 | #makelifesweeter
Art and Inspiration for your walls Custom watercolour portrait $125.00 Sale! Custom word art $75.00 $40.00 High quality art prints Baby black bear – Woodland theme $29.99 Baby Rhino – Wild theme $29.99 Hedgehog- Woodland theme...
by Amelia | Dec 13, 2018 | #celebrateprogress, #newtools
“Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere, clean up, clean up, everybody do your share.” Wouldn’t it be nice if that song just worked? Why is it so hard to convince kids to clean up? This week, I talked to a mom who described a problem that’s...