Helping our children to love reading →

June 05, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Education, Family, Experiences, Happiness, Language, Learning, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Reading, Role Model, school, Screen time, Technology, Well being, Library

Just as we need a balanced diet for our health, our children need a balance between books and other forms of entertainment. Explore these strategies to help your child develop a love for reading amidst the digital distractions.

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.

As a parent be involved in your child's school. →

May 29, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Appreciation, Children, Communication, Education, Experiences, Family, Learning, Responsibility, school, Support, School involvement

Your child spends many hours per week at school, making it a significant part of their life. By engaging in their school journey, you reinforce the value of formal learning and support their emotional and intellectual growth. It's crucial to be part of that experience. Gail Smith shares several effective ways for parents to ensure excellent communication and involvement in their child's school life. Read on to discover how you can make a positive impact!

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.

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.

Happy Mother’s Day

May 11, 2024 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Children, Gratitude, Happiness, Mother, Parenting, Mother's Day, Mother's Love, Mum

We all doubt ourselves as mothers. Are we good enough? Here are ten ways a mother shows love for her children. You are a fantastic mum.

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.

Helping children cope with distressing media →

May 08, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Children, Communication, Education, Family, Learning, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Responsibility, Safety, Screen time, Well being

Help your kids understand that the internet is like a tool. It can be used for good or not so good things. Teach them to be in control of what they see and how they use it. With your guidance, they can learn to use social media wisely and understand the digital world better. Gail Smith has some great tips on how to do this.

Building resilience in girls around today's Social Challenges →

May 08, 2024 by Gail Smith in active listening, Appreciation, Children, Communication, Confidence, Education, Family, Parenting, Problem Solving, Raising girls, relationship, Self Confidence, Resilience

By instilling positive thinking and self-support skills, we can help our girls grow into strong, confident individuals capable of making informed decisions for their safety and well-being. Gail Smith shares her insights on what we, as parents, can do to help our developing girls feel stronger and safer.

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.

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.

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.

Let take a good look at why boredom can be a good thing →

April 24, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Christmas, Education, Happiness, Independence, Raising Boys, Raising girls, School Holidays, Relax, Starting Term, Starting School, Technology

Discover the benefits of embracing boredom! Gail Smiths explains how encouraging children to slow down and enjoy moments of stillness can lead to new ideas and creativity. Let's create space for quiet reflection and see the magic it brings to their lives!

School is a magical place and children learn through many and varied mystical ways →

April 24, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Children, Education, Experiences, Friendship, Reading, school, teacher, Starting Term, Starting School, Technology, Values

Discover the magic of school beyond academics and schedules. It's a realm of enchantment, surprising lessons, and delightful moments. Explore with Gail Smith how to engage with your child's school experiences, encourage their passions, and embrace the wonder of everyday learning.

The difference values make when dealing with your child →

April 24, 2024 by Gail Smith

Navigating values and conflicts with your child? Here are some insightful tips to help you understand and manage those moments of clash. Parenting is a journey of growth and understanding, and being open to dialogue can strengthen your bond with your child.

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.

A Few Tips on keeping a Calm Household

April 17, 2024 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Learning, Memories, Mindfulness, Parenting, Problem Solving, relationship, Responsibility, Well being

Navigating the hustle and bustle of family life can sometimes leave us feeling worn out and frazzled. Staying calm during the busy week can be hard. Here are some simple tips from Gail Smith to help reduce tension at home with your child.