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.

A child's mind is a garden—nurture it with love, or weeds of doubt will grow. →

October 17, 2024 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Confidence, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Empowerment, Family, Gratitude, Laughter, Learning, Mental Support, Positive Behaviour, relationship, Resilience, Respect, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, Support, Well being

As caring parents, we play a vital role in shaping our children’s mental well-being. In this blog, we are exploring the thoughts that reflect the difference we can make to building good mental health in our children.

Let’s look at conversations to have with your child →

September 12, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confidence, Education, Emotions, Family, Empowerment, Gratitude, Happiness, Listening, Mental Support, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Problem Solving, Resilience, relationship, Self Confidence, Self-Esteem, Support, Stress, teenager, Well being, Values

By having regular, open conversations, parents can nurture a positive outlook in their child’s life. Here are five meaningful topics parents can frequently discuss to support mental health, instill confidence, and remind children that they are always loved. Read on to learn how these conversations can help your child grow with confidence and emotional security.

What you say to your child sticks. →

August 29, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Behaviour, Children, Confidence, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Emotions, Family, Language, Language skills, Learning, Mental Support, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Self Esteem, Well being, Communication, Empowerment

Here are some of the most powerful phrases you can say to your children, no matter their age. Repeating these words often shows your unwavering love and support as they grow. Whether your child is a toddler or a teen, these statements can help build their confidence and emotional strength. Make them a regular part of your conversations to reinforce your commitment to their well-being.

Six reasons why giving your child quality time works →

August 07, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Behaviour, Children, Communication, creative, Education, Experiences, Family, Happiness, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Personality, Positive Behaviour, Problem Solving, relationship, Self Confidence, Stress, Well being

The time you spend with your child is invaluable and leaves a lasting impact on their sense of being loved and secure. As they grow into teenagers and become more independent, those shared moments become even more precious. Gail Smith shares six surprising benefits of dedicating time to your child in this insightful blog post.

It is important to speak well to your children →

July 31, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confidence, Decision Making, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Family, Emotions, Gratitude, Kindness, Language, Language development, Language skills, Learning, Listening, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, relationship, Role model, Self Confidence, Self Esteem

Children quickly pick up on what you say and how you say it, understanding the value you place on them. Gail Smith highlights six compelling reasons why speaking positively to children is crucial and the potential harm caused when we don’t. This insightful blog post sheds light on the importance of nurturing communication.

How To Keep Your Anger Under Control Around Children →

July 24, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confrontation, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Family, Learning, Mental Support, Parenting, relationship, Well being

Feeling angry from time to time is natural, especially when tired or overwhelmed, but frequent displays of anger can significantly impact children. Intermittent anger can confuse and distress them, often causing them to withdraw. Gail Smith shares useful strategies to help you manage your anger.

Be Authentic With Your Child - It Builds Strong And Trusting Relationships →

July 17, 2024 by Gail Smith in Authenticity, Communication, Confidence, Children, Independence, Parenting

When you're true to yourself, parenting becomes more natural and fulfilling, devoid of the pressure to pretend or conform to unrealistic expectations. Gail Smith highlights the profound benefits of authenticity in nurturing your child's growth and fostering a deeper connection based on honesty and mutual understanding.

Information every parent should know about their child's school →

June 19, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Children, Communication, Education, Family, Learning, Parenting, Responsibility, school, School involvement, Support

Schools can be complex environments, but staying connected can make navigating them much easier. Gail Smith offers valuable tips to help parents gain a deeper understanding and more rewarding experience of school life.

It really matters to listen to your child →

June 12, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Appreciation, Communication, Confidence, Experiences, Family, Emotions, Gratitude, Learning, Listening, Parenting, Problem Solving, relationship, Self Confidence, Self-Esteem

Listening to your child is crucial for building and strengthening your relationship with them. Gail Smith explains five compelling reasons why attentive listening truly matters.

Listening to your child is important for many reasons →

May 29, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Behaviour, Communication, Family, Happiness, Learning, Mental Support, Memories, Role model, Screen time, Support, Technology, Well being

In today's digital age, social media often pulls children away from family connections. Being an effective listener can help bridge this gap. When parents truly listen, children feel valued and their self-worth grows. This creates a healthy pattern where children naturally turn to their parents when they need to talk. Discover strong reasons to stay well-tuned with your child.

Developing good mental health in your child →

May 22, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Confidence, Communication, Emotions, Family, Happiness, meditation, Mental Support, Mindfulness, Parenting, Role model, Self Confidence, Support, Well being

Building a strong foundation for your child's mental health starts with ensuring they feel safe and happy. Discover practical tips to nurture their well-being during those crucial early years. Gail Smith shares some suggestions to help your child thrive emotionally and mentally.

Ten Steps to more effective parenting →

May 21, 2024 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Confidence, Education, Family, Happiness, Learning, Listening, Parenting, Self Confidence, Support, Values, Role model

Parenting isn’t about being perfect; it’s about doing your best, even when life throws challenges your way. Changing circumstances can sometimes make it feel like we’re falling short, but often, we’re doing better than we think. Gail Smith’s checklist is here to help you reflect on your parenting habits and recognize the great job you’re doing.

What do we as parents expect from our children?

May 15, 2024 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Family, Independence, Responsibility, Resilience

Becoming a parent means transitioning into a consultant role for your child as they grow and become more responsible for their own lives. Your steady support and guidance will shape their future significantly. Gail Smith shares some essential considerations for parents as we navigate the challenges that concern us or cause discontent.

Let’s reflect on how we are going in our parenting →

May 15, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Communication, Children, Confidence, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Independence, Listening, Parenting, relationship, Well being, Values

Parenting is like a river, always moving and changing with our children's needs. As they grow, we should grow too. Take a moment now and then to see how you're doing as a parent. Gail Smiths shares some great ideas to help you build an even better bond with your child.

We need to regulate our angry responses around children

May 08, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Gratitude, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Problem Solving

It's important for parents to stay calm and not get too angry too quickly. This helps in handling issues at home effectively. When parents get angry, children might not understand why and it can harm the parent-child relationship. It's best to manage anger by taking a break before addressing the problem, as this shows emotional control and helps maintain a positive relationship with your child.

Valuable resources for mastering effective communication with your child →

April 30, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Family, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, relationship, Support, Listening, active listening

In the hustle of a busy day, we might find ourselves talking quickly and sharply to our children. This can be frustrating for both parents and kids, as everyone wants to be heard and understood. It's normal to feel irritated when we don't get a response or feel like no one is listening. Gail Smith has some great tips to help us support our children and improve our conversations. Learning these skills can make a huge difference in how we communicate.

Using 'I' statements to get your message across to your child →

April 30, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Family, Learning, relationship, Well being

"I" statements are about expressing your needs and feelings directly, fostering genuine communication. They help your child understand your perspective better, whether you're addressing a concern or praising their actions. Together with Gail Smith, let’s explore the impact of "I" statements in family communication.

Beware the roadblocks to good communication with your child

April 17, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Counselling Tips, Education, Emotions, Mental Support, Mindfulness, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Well being

Have you ever noticed that sometimes our kids seem to tune us out or react in unexpected ways? It might be because we unintentionally create barriers to good communication with them. Discover with Gail Smith some common roadblocks we might unknowingly set up, thinking we're doing what's best for them.

Learning to be tolerant around your child →

February 07, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Family, Learning, Parenting, Personality, Positive Behaviour, school, Self Esteem, Values

Gail Smith sheds light on the power of tolerance in shaping how our children perceive and treat us, as well as others. The Primary Years.