Articles

A grade seven student arrives home looking sad. Her mother asks what’s wrong, but is told “nothing’s the matter”. Later, the child refuses supper, saying that she has a stomach ache. After her daughter has gone to bed, the mom receives a phone call from…

"Make your bed!"

April 1, 2012

Articles

You wonder why something that requires as little physical effort as lifting, shaking and smoothing out a duvet cover would warrant as much nagging effort on your part every morning. Yet each day you play out the same tired old scenario. You walk past your…

"You're Not the Boss of Me!"

March 2, 2012

Articles

A five year old stands, arms folded across her chest, in the centre of the living room. Its 8:30pm and she’s been told that it’s time to turn the television off and get ready for bed. “You’re not the boss of me,” she responds indignantly.…

Confessions from a bubble wrapping mother

February 1, 2012

Articles

Ok. I admit to bubble wrapping my kids. But in my defense, I also work really hard at considering how much of me saying “no” is fuelled by separation anxiety versus what makes logical sense. When I was conducting research for my first book, “Am…

A fresh start - letting go of some mothering responsibilities

January 8, 2012

Articles

A new year is a great excuse for starting fresh. My fresh start one new year was to begin the process of letting go of some of my mothering responsibilities. Then, since my children were older (12 and twenty) and fully capable of making their…

Helping your child develop healthy self esteem

December 16, 2011

Articles

When Chloe, my then twelve year old daughter was about four, she stood in front of her full length mirror admiring her reflection. When she saw me standing in the doorway, she smiled and said, “I love myself.” My heart was filled to overflowing as…