Positive Parenting

Fail FridayMy parenting fail this week is getting out of our regular routine. It's that time of year again - family day and a week off of school for the kiddos.And we have fallen slightly out of routine this week.As a busy mom, with a full-time job and a private practice on the side, in addition to studying for exams and taking on some self-development ventures, life is hectic!I like to take advantage of every waking hour I can, and while I had a few days off of my regular job, I spent some much needed time catching up on all of the other things going on in my life, with a few days of awesome quality time with the kids...But, lack of structure to the day equals a lack of routine. And I've sadly fallen behind in this area this week.Mornings have been a bit lazier. Screen time has been a bit more. And all day free-play time has the kids annoyed at having to leave for an hour here or there to run errands or do activities or get to appointments. But... I'm okay with it. Sometimes, it's nice to get a little out of routine and take time to just slow down, and to wake up, get out of our pjs, and have dinner on our own schedule. So, while getting out of routine can be problematic if it becomes a regular habit, I've fully embraced this little vacation from our regularly scheduled routines.And I'm pretty sure the kids have, too!After all, we need time to rejuvenate, kids need time to be kids, and the regular daily routine is just around the corner.So this week, if you've gotten a bit off track with your routines, don't sweat!Sit back, relax, and enjoy this time to slow down and just be, with nowhere to be.Don't worry - your regular routine will be there waiting for you next week.

Thankful Thursday 

Wellness Wednesday 

Tantrum Tuesday 

Motivation Monday ☕️ ⠀⠀The quote of the week is brought to you by Albert Einstein, who said “you never fail until you stop trying”.⠀⠀So often, when parents experience challenging behaviours or other problems with their children, they see themselves as failing in their parenting role.⠀⠀This could not be further from the truth, especially for those parents who continue trying to help their children and themselves, even when they feel like they have lost all hope.⠀⠀When you buy parenting books, reach out to family and friends for guidance, take parenting courses, or seek out therapy, it is not because you are failing as a parent. It is because you have chosen to never give up.⠀⠀So instead of shrinking down and feeling like a failure, hold your head up high and buy that book, be vulnerable with those you can trust, eagerly take those parenting classes, and if you need to, seek out professional support. ⠀⠀Whatever you do, do it knowing that you’re not failing. ⠀⠀You’re seeking knowledge, guidance, and support to become the best parent you possibly can be for your little ones.⠀⠀And that, in itself, makes you a success. 

Fail Friday ⚠️ ⠀⠀This week, my parenting fails have been at a relative minimum, but I have totally failed at mornings.⠀⠀Okay, so maybe not TOTALLY... ⠀⠀I’ve still managed to follow my own wellness Wednesday advice and get up before I absolutely needed to. I’ve gotten myself and the kids ready and out the door on time, with everything we need for the day.⠀⠀Yet I’m still starting my day kicking myself for not getting in my full morning workout (or any of it, some days!) and feeling rushed.⠀⠀I know to take care of my kids, I have to take care of myself first, but as a busy mom, it’s super tough to make self-care a priority!⠀⠀So what’s a mom to do? I could just say, “Hey I failed. I don’t have time for this. I’m not a morning person. Guess the gym life’s not for me.” ⠀⠀But that wouldn’t do me or my kids any good. So now what? ⠀⠀Be honest with myself and reprioritize. ⠀⠀If I’m not taking care of myself first, I can’t be the best mom for my kiddos.⠀⠀And for me, taking care of myself means making sure I’m up early enough for my full morning workout (and maybe even a little reading time in the sauna!).⠀⠀What’s keeping me from getting up earlier? Well, the snooze button, for one thing... but also not getting to bed early enough.⠀⠀So, to be the best mom I can be for my kids, it’s time to recommit to an earlier bedtime. And not hitting snooze...⠀⠀Next week, it’s time to win my mornings, and crush the gym 

Thankful Thursday 

Wellness Wednesday 

Tantrum Tuesday 

Motivation Monday ☕️⠀⠀"The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice" by Peggy O'MaraThis quote is so true! The way you talk to your child, is the way they will talk to and about themselves.⠀⠀Send the message - with your words, tone of voice, and body language - that your child is worthy of unconditional love and respect.⠀⠀That they are strong, courageous, and competent.⠀⠀That they need not be perfect, that they will make mistakes, they will fail, and they can find a way to pick themselves back up again.⠀⠀That you will be there to listen, to nurture, and to support.⠀⠀And when you can’t be there to guide them, your child’s inner voice will remind them: “you are worthy of love and respect”, “you are safe”, “you don’t have to be perfect”, “you can and will get through this”, and “you always have someone to lean on and help you”. 

This is the first episode in what I hope will be a successful and valuable parenting podcast. You can expect daily (Monday to Friday) content that will provide inspiration, tips, and lessons on all things parenting.Motivation Mondays will be all about inspiring you to be the best parent you can be! Look forward to inspirational quotes and an energetic start to your week!⠀⠀Tantrum Tuesdays will be all about how to deal with those tough behaviours. Listen for quick and simple tools and strategies to help you through the more chaotic parenting moments.⠀⠀Wellness Wednesdays will bring you simple ideas for ways of taking care of your own or your family’s physical and mental health needs - right smack dab in the middle of the week, when you need them the most!⠀⠀Thankful Thursdays will be all about - you guessed it - the little things you have to be thankful for! No matter how tough your day or week or year or - well - LIFE can be, there’s always something to be grateful for. ⠀⠀Fail Fridays will be all about my own parenting fail of the week (because even though I live and breathe this stuff, I’m still human and I still have some pretty big parenting fails from time to time). I’ll share how I turn my own parenting fails into useful lessons, and show you that parenting “experts” still make parenting mistakes. (So stop beating yourself up, already!)⠀⠀Looking forward to this new adventure! Please like and share the stuff you love, and let me know the stuff you don’t. ⠀⠀The only way I can continue to increase the value I add is by getting feedback from awesome parents like you, about what’s helpful, what’s not, and what you want to see that might be missing! Don't forget to leave a rating and share with others who you think may also find value in this content.