If parenting feels tough right now, you’ve come to the right place. If your child’s behavior leaves you frustrated and feeling out of control, you’ve come to the right place. If you are stuck with how to stop your child hitting or acting aggressively, continually whining or wanting to cling to you all day, you’ve
This morning I led a workshop about helping children heal from separation anxiety. It felt a little ironic to me since lately I’ve been the one experiencing separation anxiety. After using the Hand In Hand tools many times to help my now 8-year-old daughter heal from her own separation fears, she hardly ever experiences it
We leave the children happily playing while we go stir a pot on the stove, and two minutes later they are busting into the kitchen, screaming and pointing fingers! We’ve all been there. Sibling rivalry comes with the territory when you have more than one child, and even the most harmonious siblings grate on one another
Welcome to your back to school support pack. Cycle through all the information and activities included here and get all you need for your child to start the school year with confidence. 1. Guide to Separation Anxiety: Your step-by-step guide shows you what happens for your child when they are scared to go to daycare or school.
What motivates your child to stick with a task and master new skills, even when it feels hard? These science-backed strategies help you to support your child through tough moments.
Many children fear getting vaccines, blood tests and other minor procedures. Use these ideas help them offload the fear and find confidence.
Parent coaching gives you new ideas and strategies, plus support as you practice integrating them into your family.
Is your child preparing for surgery? Have they undergone treatment or medical procedures early in their lives? Are they living with an on-going condition that requires medical attention or care? And are you in a position where you need to support them through these challenges? Watch as Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor Johanna
Another day at home? Clock-ticking slowly? Children not able to play well? Whether you have kids of multiple ages yourself, or you’ve gathered with family and friends, these games are a great way to turn around restlessness and enjoy your time together. All of these games will win the children’s hearts if and when the
“People always say ‘choose your battles in parenting’. Let’s choose peace instead. After all, children are not our enemies, and childhood should not be a battleground.’ This wise thinking from L.R. Knost is a wonderful aim—and something that most parents strive for. None of us begin parenting hoping to spend hours locked in battle. But
Do you ever feel unsure about how to respond to your child? Whether it’s a request they make of you or, like instructor Michelle Hartop shares in this post, an idea they have for play, something about your child’s behavior just leaves you unsure or uneasy. Should you set a limit, or let things play
It was 7am. I could barely keep my eyes open and my son was already surly. I was trying to make myself some tea and him some breakfast. After a few minor complaints about my not being able to do Special Time with him, he finally found a paper and crayons to occupy himself. But
On any given week our family can have anywhere from 0, 1, 2, or 3 children in our home. As a blended family we are constantly in flux as schedules change and children move back and forth between different homes. Sometimes we’re all together, sometimes we’re not. It’s a challenge we all roll with week
It took months to organise, but today you escaped for lunch with two old friends and left your kids with your partner. Secretly, you couldn’t be happier. Your youngest is going through a phase that is really demanding. He says “no,” whenever you ask him to do something, he is constantly asking for things he
If you’ve been parenting with connection, you might find a stark contrast between your approach to discipline and what those around you expect. It’s tough when well-meaning family, friends or members of your community intervene around discipline issues and bring harsh limits to behaviour they feel is disrespectful. If this is your experience you are
Parenting tweens is no easy task. Moods, eye-rolls and sudden outbursts can seem to appear overnight and long before we expect them. Each new change is a reminder our beloved babies are growing fast. There can be a sense of worry, that this is a last chance to cling to our younger kids and set
A few year’s back when my daughter was about four years old, a new family moved into our neighbourhood and their two children started to play in our back garden. One child was the same age as my daughter and her big brother was about four years older. The trampoline in our garden was a
Like most, I parent differently than my parents did. I knew that seeing me do things differently than they did could stir up feelings for them, especially about their most challenging parenting times. (Hello, teenage years!) Still, I wanted them to have a strong relationship with my daughter and I didn’t want my way of
I just wanted her to nap. My energy was spent and getting her to sleep was my sole agenda. Unfortunately, my cheerful, “Time for nap” was met with her “No” as she continued playing on the floor. My fatigue and stress gave me little patience or understanding. I felt myself tighten and become more insistent about her