Five simple but practical ideas for parents to find a balance between a busy life and dealing with school matters. →

February 19, 2025 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Education, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, Learning, Listening, Parenting, relationship, Responsibility, school, School involvement, Starting School, Starting Term, Support, Technology, Work life balance

Balancing work, life, and your child’s school commitments can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Gail Smith shares five simple yet practical tips to help busy parents stay engaged with their child’s education while managing their own demanding schedules. While perfection may be out of reach, these strategies can help you find a better, more manageable balance.

Five sound reasons why parents should stay in touch with their child’s school throughout the year. →

February 12, 2025 by Gail Smith in Activity, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confidence, Education, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, Learning, Problem Solving, school, School involvement, Starting School, Starting Term, Support

Building relationships with your child’s school, especially their teachers creates a strong foundation for a successful year. Gail Smith shares five key reasons why staying engaged throughout the year benefits both students and parents.

Talk to your child regularly. It’s important for their mental health →

November 07, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Appreciation, Children, Communication, Education, Family, Finding Help, Mental Support, Problem Solving, Support, Well being

Keep talking with your child. Show them that conversations help solve problems and make them feel better. In this blog, Gail Smith shares why regular conversations are so important for your child’s well-being.

Teach your child to set goals. It is a great life skill. →

September 26, 2024 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, Independence, Learning, Listening, Parenting, Problem Solving, Responsibility, Role Model, Self Confidence, Self-Esteem, Support, Well being

The more your child develops their independence by relying less on others and more on themselves, the more they become inclined to set their own personal goals with confidence and determination. In her insightful discussion, Gail Smith shares some practical and effective suggestions to help your child in this important area of growth and self-discovery.

What lifelong lessons do you want your child to adopt? →

September 26, 2024 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Authenticity, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confidence, Decision Making, Education, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, Gratitude, Kindness, Independence, Learning, Listening, Parenting, Problem Solving, Support, Values, Well being

While we teach our children many valuable lessons throughout their formative years, some hold a special, lasting significance that will undoubtedly benefit them well into adulthood. Gail Smith wisely compiled a list of important beliefs and practical strategies on how to effectively impart them to your children.

Good principles of parenting →

August 29, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Behaviour, Boundaries, Children, Communication, Decision Making, education, Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, Listening, Mental Support, Mindfulness, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Problem Solving, Responsibility, Role model, Safety, Well being

The idea of being a perfect parent is a myth. Instead, Gail Smith shares some fundamental principles that can guide us through the ups and downs of parenting. These practices will help you navigate challenges and changes with greater confidence throughout your parenting journey.

Let’s look at some ways in which life can be easier for our working mums. →

August 29, 2024 by Gail Smith in Anxiety, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, meditation, Mental Support, Mindfulness, Mother, Parenting, Problem Solving, Relax, Sleep, Stress, tasks, Well being, Personal Time, Work life balance, Delegate, Good Enough, Meal Planning, Meal Prep, Boundaries, Break

Mothers, it's important not to underestimate the value of personal time. Balancing family responsibilities while staying calm and rested is no small feat. Though there's no one-size-fits-all solution, it's worth considering ways to make life a bit easier. Parenting shouldn't feel like an overwhelming burden on top of managing home and work. Gail Smith offers practical steps to help you navigate those hectic school weeks with a little more ease.

Be Present for your child. It supports their mental Health →

August 29, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Finding Help, Learning, Mental Support, Mindfulness, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Role Model, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, Support, Well being

Being present for your child is one of the most impactful things you can do as a parent. It’s not about grand gestures or extravagant outings; it’s the simple, healthy, and regular engagement that truly nourishes your child's spirit and sense of well-being. Gail Smith emphasizes that these consistent interactions are crucial for your child's mental health. Read on to find out why.

Encouraging your child to write well →

August 14, 2024 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Activity, Children, Communication, Education, Family, Finding Help, Independence, Language development, Language skills, Learning, Library, Listening, Parenting, Potential, Problem Solving, School involvement, Screen time, Self Esteem, spelling, Starting School, Support, Technology, Writing

Some children struggle with writing, finding it difficult to start and continue their stories. Parents can help by providing engaging activities that spark motivation. Gail Smith offers suggestions to show children the power of the written word. Read on to discover more on how to encourage your child's writing journey!

Keep yourself well and healthy as a parent →

July 31, 2024 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Decision Making, Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Family, Finding Help, Happiness, Kindness, Learning, Mindfulness, Mental Support, Memories, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Problem Solving, relationship, Resilience, Sleep, Support, Stress, Well being

As parents, it's easy to focus solely on our children's well-being and overlook our own. However, maintaining our own mental and physical health is crucial for effective parenting. Gail Smith explains how prioritizing self-care enhances our ability to be the best parents we can be. Keep your well-being at the forefront to savor the joys of parenting.

Keep A Look Out For Signs Of Stress In Your Child →

July 17, 2024 by Julie Merrett in Authenticity, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confidence, Councelling Techniques, Counselling Tips, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, Mental Support, Parenting, Problem Solving, Safety, Responsibility, Self Esteem, Sleep, Stress, Support, Trauma, Well being

In today's world, we often check in on our children's mental health. Social media and other challenges faced by youth remind us to stay vigilant. Gail Smith points out some common triggers that may indicate your child is under too much stress. By recognizing these signs, you can better gauge your child's well-being and offer support when needed. It's important to keep an eye out for these cues to ensure your child feels safe and supported.

Let’s remind ourselves that as parents we are doing a great job →

June 12, 2024 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Experiences, Family, Finding Help, Happiness, Mindfulness, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Role model, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, Well being, Values, Authenticity, Self-Esteem

Your words, deeds, and actions are powerful examples for your child, shaping their understanding of life. Never underestimate the impact you're having on your child. Parenting in an imperfect world comes with its ups and downs, and it can sometimes feel like your efforts aren't making a difference. Gail Smith shares some reflections to remind us that our efforts are making a difference, even if the impact isn't always visible.

Encourage your child to write well →

March 28, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Family, Finding Help, Language development, Learning, Parenting, Writing

Writing is like giving your child a superpower—a way to express themselves, explore their thoughts, and tap into a world of creativity. It's not just about words on paper; it's about unlocking a whole new level of intellectual, physiological, and emotional growth. Dive into these exciting ideas by Gail Smith to cultivate your child's passion for writing, a skill that lies at the core of education!

Let’s find ways to help improve our children’s language skills →

March 12, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Communication, education, Family, Finding Help, Learning, Media, Parenting, school, Support, Technology, Screen time, Language, Language skills, Language development

Did you know that the more time children spend in front of screens, the less they hear and practice language? This can impact their speaking, listening, writing, and comprehension skills. Explore these suggestions by Gill Smith to ensure your child gets plenty of exposure to develop good language skills.

Understanding difficult behaviour

February 14, 2024 by Gail Smith in Anxiety, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Decision Making, Education, Emotions, Family, Finding Help, Learning, Parenting, Problem Solving, Stress

Parenting can get tricky, especially when dealing with difficult behaviour. Check out Gail Smith’s suggestions on handling those challenging moments with your child.

Managing children’s behaviour →

January 31, 2024 by Gail Smith in Children, Finding Help, Personality, Parenting, Self Esteem

Children will, from time to time, challenge your authority and demand that their needs be met. Gail Smith shares some positive cues that give you a greater capacity to manage the situation and reduce the impact on both the parent and the child.

Teach your child to have a go and to be a risk taker

December 06, 2023 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Anxiety, Activity, Achievement, Children, Communication, creative, Decision Making, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Finding Help, Friendship, Gratitude, Happiness, Independence, Learning, Positive Behaviour, Problem Solving, Potential, Raising Boys, Raising girls, Stress, tasks, Worry, Values

I know it’s hard if there are risks, but, teach your child to have a go and to be a risk-taker. Read on for some advantages of this.

Do you ever feel like you have hit rock bottom as a parent?

April 03, 2023 by Gail Smith in Anxiety, Behaviour, Children, Emotions, Finding Help, Learning, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Problems, Relax, Stress, Worry

Everyone experiences moments like these as a parent. Here are a few tips to keep positive and that making mistakes is all part of parenting.

How to help your child with reading

October 01, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, education, Finding Help, Learning, Parenting, Reading, teacher

Read on for 9 ways to help your child learn to read.

How to deal with trauma such as the recent school shooting in the USA.

June 03, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Finding Help, Parenting, Trauma

We are confronted by what recently happened in Texas with the mass killing of young children in a school. It is almost impossible to get our heads around this atrocity and as parents, we shudder with the reminder that a parent’s grief for their lost child would be immeasurable. Here's some pointers for parents to help your children understand tragedies like this.