It’s all in the effort with Parenting →

February 26, 2025 by Gail Smith in Authenticity, Children, Confidence, Education, Experiences, Family, Parenting, Perseverance, Positive Behaviour, Resilience, school, Support, Well being, Work life balance

Your child doesn’t need a perfect parent. They need an authentic one. The love, dedication, and effort you pour into each day mean far more than striving to get everything right.

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 simple but powerful tips for parents to help their child start school on a positive note →

January 15, 2025 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Education, Family, school, School involvement, Starting School, Starting Term, Support

With school reopening soon, take a moment to chat with your child about their holiday highlights and what they'll miss. This helps them transition from break to school. Ask them what they're excited about, whether it’s seeing friends or new activities. These simple conversations can set a positive tone for the new school year.

Finishing the school year well →

November 28, 2024 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Activity, Appreciation, Children, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Family, Friendship, Learning, Parenting, Responsibility, school, School Holidays, School involvement

As the school year draws to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity for parents to reflect on how to wrap up the year meaningfully and start planning for the holidays and the exciting possibilities beyond. Gail Smith shares her ideas on how to approach this thoughtfully and effectively.

Have a positive outlook with your child. It's great for strengthening mental health. →

November 14, 2024 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Activity, Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Confidence, Emotional Intelligence, Family, Happiness, Mental Support, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Problem Solving, Role Model

A positive mindset can help your child build essential life skills and create a happier, more harmonious family environment. Gail Smith shows you how you can nurture optimism and resilience at home.

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.

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.

Parents can teach their children to make wiser choices. →

September 26, 2024 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Confidence, Decision Making, Empowerment, Family, Independence, Kindness, Learning, Parenting, Problem Solving, Responsibility, Role model, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, Selfcare, Support, Well being

As parents, you can teach your children to make wiser decisions. Follow these steps to guide them in learning how to pause, think, and consider the consequences of their actions, which will lead to wiser decision-making over time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Let's get our kids involved in sport and fitness →

May 29, 2024 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Activity, Children, Confidence, Education, Experiences, Family, Parenting, School Sports, Sporting Club, Sports

Creating a love for physical activities and sports in your child starts at home. Gail Smith shares her insights on encouraging kids to get involved in sports and fitness, helping them build a lifelong love for being active.

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.

The best way to influence your child is through modelling →

April 30, 2024 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Education, Family, Parenting, Personality, Positive Behaviour, relationship, Support, Role Model

When you have a strong bond with your child, you can teach them important values in a positive way. Kids often copy adults they look up to. You have a big influence on your child's life, so it's important to lead by example. Gail Smith explains why being a good role model is the best way to guide your child.

Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Your Child →

April 10, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confidence, Decision Making, Education, Family, Happiness, Independence, Parenting, Problem Solving, Positive Behaviour, Personality, Self Confidence, Support, Well being

How do you encourage positivity and a belief in your child’s ability to be an achiever? Dive into the world of positivity and belief in your child's potential with Gail Smith, as she unveils the secrets to fostering a growth mindset in your child.