Colleen 
Shame is one of the most painful human feelings, and it tends to be passed from generation to generation. As a parent, the last thing you want is for your child experience the same shame pain you’ve experienced, so you want to know how to break the cycle of shame with your child. Your child’s …
Myth: When your child acts aggressively towards another child at a playdate and then runs back to you for comfort, comforting them rewards their behavior and encourages it. Truth: Your comfort and empathy help your child calm down and access the parts of their brain that can have empathy for others, and can think rationally …
In this post, I’ll share 3 reasons why teenagers rebel, and what you can do about it. The teen years. Some parents start dreading this phase early on, when their kids are still toddlers and they experience the first inkling of their child resisting their guidance. For me, the worry that I may not always …
It’s heartbreaking to watch kids who are too hard on themselves. Maybe your child compares themselves to others and feels they’re not good enough in some way (e.g., “I hate my curly hair!”, “I’m stupid”, “I’m terrible at math” or “nobody likes me”). Or perhaps they’re so anxious about performing poorly that they won’t try …
“I feel guilty after yelling at my child” is a common experience. Every parent has felt this way at some time or another. And it’s normal to feel bad, because you have a conscience and want to do right by your kids. But it’s also normal to lose patience and yell sometimes–because you’re human! Your …
When your rebellious teen won’t listen and you know they’re going to do what they want anyways, use these tips to help keep them safe.
When you’re feeling guilty after yelling at your child, here’s some tips to help you let go of the guilt and shame. It’s “normal” to feel bad after you’ve yelled or lost your patience with your child. That’s because you have a conscience and want to do right by your kids. But it’s also normal …
When your child has a tantrum or you’re at your wits end because of their behaviour, it’s tempting to focus on their behaviour. But it’s important to do your best to stay calm and connect first (unless safety is an issue). (It’s not always possible when you’re triggered, but that’s another post. The point here …
It may come as a surprise when suddenly–your teen gets irritated when you approve of their decision. You thought they’d feel supported. Here’s why. I was listening to a parent tell a story about their teen recently, and their story reminded me that when your teen is going through a phase of separating from you, …
How do you stop getting triggered by your kids? Or at least learn to get triggered less often, and become more of the calm, grounded parent you want to be? In this video I share the 3 main approaches to use if you want to learn how to be less reactive, stay calmer, and have …
I gratefully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people.
