Are you prepared to change your opinions?

January 11, 2023 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Family, Parenting

An open-minded parent is so liberating for a child, especially when the world is always changing. This article explains the importance of opinions and how changing them can be for good reason.

The use of good language around our children

January 04, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Children, Communication, creative, Family, Parenting

The use of great language is so important. Here are a few parenting suggestions to help expand your child’s vocabulary.

Getting back on track after a damage to the relationship with your child

January 04, 2023 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Family, Parenting

Here are some parenting tips for getting back on track after damage to the relationship with your child.

Choose your battles. That’s the best win.

November 10, 2022 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Confrontation, Councelling Techniques, Counselling Tips, Education, Emotions, Family, Father, Learning, Mother, Parenting, Problem Solving, Raising Boys, Raising girls

When raising a child, it is important you pick your battles wisely. Read some parenting tips you may find helpful in these situations.

Tiredness can be a killer at times

November 10, 2022 by Gail Smith in childcare, Children, Communication, Councelling Techniques, Counselling Tips, Decision Making, Emotions, Education, Father, Learning, Parenting, teacher, Mother

This blog provides helpful parenting tips when tiredness is affecting parent and child communication, read more.

A few tips to get you started in term four

October 27, 2022 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Behaviour, Communication, education, Family, Father, Learning

The school year is quickly coming to a close. Here are a few parental tips that can assist your child with their final term of the year. Read here for more information.

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.

Respecting different values

September 08, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Parenting, Values

We all cling to our values and beliefs. This is what makes us so definable. We are without realising it passing on many values to our children all the time. Here are some tips to help your child hold on to your and their values, and respect the values of others.

How to get the best from your child’s teacher

August 20, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Father, Learning, Mother, Negotiation, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, school, teacher

It makes sense that as a parent you feel confident and that you are in a solid relationship with your child’s teacher. It is important to your teacher, and child also. There are many factors that go into running a school and teaching. Parents are naturally emotional when it comes to their children, so if you have any concerns, you’ll have a better chance of being heard when you are calm and responsibly talk about concerns with your child’s teacher.

How useful are questions when talking to children?

August 18, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Parenting, Communication

Do you ever get frustrated when asking questions to your child? Do you get the yes, no answers? If you are seeking information from your child, consider the question you ask. Here are some tips to get some communication started with your child.

The importance of the child feeling safe

August 04, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Family, Parenting, Stress, Safety, Anxiety

Children have a right to feel safe. The importance of feeling safe is critical to a healthy society and mental health. Small steps can be used to help your child feel safe and secure and small things can make them feel unsafe, even in their own home. Read here for some parenting tips and considerations.

The importance of simply reflecting on what a child has to say

July 30, 2022 by Gail Smith in Communication, Parenting, Children

Children can come out with all sorts of negative comments, but tt is all about really listening to the child and picking up what is the real bottom line of the problem, especially the feelings. It's important to reflect on what a child has to say and really listen.

Learn to complete things - an important lesson for our children

July 12, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Negotiation, Parenting

Not completing things is a form of self sabotage where you may get bored easily and literally stop short of being successful. It can be very habit forming and a way of dealing with things that just seem too hard. Sound familiar? We are all guilty of it, but we can play a role in teaching children how to follow through and make decisions to commit and see something through.

Children who find school a struggle

July 03, 2022 by Gail Smith in Anxiety, Children, Communication, Education, Experiences, Mother, Parenting, Problem Solving, Stress, teacher, Worry, Father, Family

Many children have times when they feel they are struggling not just with school but also with friends, home issues, siblings, etc. Children can and do have down times. If your child is struggling, read here for some tips.

The words we choose to use.

June 19, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Confrontation, Emotions, Father, Mother, Parenting, Positive Behaviour

How we speak to our children is long-lasting. Read here for some thoughts on how to manage ourselves in using effective communication with children.

Being a mum - something to think about

May 10, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Family, Happiness, Independence, Mother, Memories

I have learnt some precious realities in watching mums raise a family, live with it and through it, suffer all the hardships, carry the weak moments and rise above the troubled spots. Now that’s being a mum!

Keeping track of the media for children

March 30, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Parenting, Media

There is so much news at the moment about the distressing situation in Ukraine, the ongoing battle with Covid and other local issues. The recent floods were very disturbing in Australia. It doesn’t take long for children to pick up that there is much anxiety and stress in our world.

Keep the conversations alive and frequent with your child

February 14, 2022 by Gail Smith in Anxiety, Children, Communication, Emotions, Parenting, Worry

Read here for pointers to consider wayst to help your child process through the days, weeks, months and terms ahead at school. Children will always want to do the right thing and will be anxious if rules are broken or the messages unclear. They will then begin to feel vulnerable and anxious about what to believe. Gail Smith, The Primary Years.

The last breath of our summer holidays - let it linger longer.

January 17, 2022 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Family, Memories, Parenting

As we enter the last phase of our summer holidays, I imagine there are many thoughts going through our minds about starting up again in 2022. What will this look like we wonder? How can I give hope and joy to my children when there is still so much around that is a cause of anxiety? Read on for some tips to consider. Gail Smith, Author, The Primary Years.

When to simply ignore the problem

December 18, 2021 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Communication, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Problems

This cannot always be easy and yet it can be a troublesome area for parents who struggle to let go of issues or behaviours that are poor. We all have our buttons that can be pushed easily. We need to know our measures and what triggers our reaction to different situations. Sometimes, simply tiredness and fatigue can shorten our tolerance level. Also, there are some situations that make parents more reactive or anxious when a child behaves inappropriately. This article is to invite reflection on the whole area of when it is better to simply ignore certain behaviours. Why you ask, when the behaviour is inappropriate? Well, consider:

The stronger reactions we have to our child’s behaviour, the more they grow to expect that response. Therefore, are we sometimes feeding the problem as they will repeat the pattern with no change.
Is the unacceptable behaviour on a scale of one to ten that important to correct? Sometimes it is best to simply accept that their childish ways can be live around.
Reflect on why you want the behaviour corrected or changed. Are the reasons valid or are you reacting to what others may think etc?
The more you have a day labelled with corrections and chastisement, the more debilitating it becomes for all. Keep in mind that in this case, the effectiveness of your reactions is very low. This of course makes us further frustrated. Do you know the point where it’s best to stop reacting?
Be selective. If you notice some behaviour that is unacceptable, choose the best time to talk to your child and deal with the matter. Often quick responses in busy settings like shopping centres are ineffective. You want your child listening and available in conversation to get the best results.
If your child is having an off day or simply not well, be sensitive to dealing with the problems. Try to be proactive and provide a climate that gives you and the child a softer landing.
When is a problem really a problem? Keep this in mind when you see behaviour in which you have an immediate reaction. Sometimes the problem can resolve itself without your intervention. Keep this in mind.
Try to not react straightway, because after a small reflection you may see the situation differently or with less intensity. This makes for a softer resolution for all. Timing is everything.
Keep in mind that they are childhood behaviours, sometimes driven with intent, sometimes carelessly done and sometimes without thinking. Try to ascertain the intent and this may help you to see that the problem is actually less important to manage.

Your journey as a parent on many levels seems very long, but upon later reflection, you will wonder where the years went. The overall impression for the child as an adult is that you were fair and loving, a great listener, negotiator and a sympathetic parent. Best to work on developing that impression than one of being focussed on suppressing behaviour.

‘Sometimes the best reaction is no reaction at all.’
-PinArt