by Amelia | Jun 3, 2019 | #newtools
It was one of those proud mama moments. I was watching my little son standing at the sink with a group of adult volunteers, wiping dishes with a tea towel and chattering away (probably inviting them to play science trivia with him or explaining the merits of his...
by Amelia | May 17, 2019 | #newtools
Here’s a ridiculous question: would you rather be treated for a bear trap injury, or learn how to avoid one in the first place? It’s a gruesome image, but when I think about some of the most upsetting behavioural problems parents face, it seems pretty apt. When a big...
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 | 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 | 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...
