When we feel seen, heard, validated, SAFE... We find the courage and bravery to grow. 🌱🌻🌳🌿🍄 . . . #yyc #yyckids #yycparents #positivediscipline #childhood #behaviormanagement #canadianparents #canadiancaregivers #peacefulparenting #consciousparenting #normalizegentleparenting #connection #parentwithoutfear #mentalhealth #childhoodmentalhealth #teacherspayteachers #teacherlife #educate #connectionbeforecorrection #kidsconnect #cybermonday #parentsupport #smallbusiness #childpsychologist #resourcekits #toolkits #quotes #quoteoftheday

After a long day, we can find ourselves feeling tired, stressed, burnt out or just generally dysregulated. It can be tough to find ways to connect with our kids without depleting the last of our reserves. There are a lot of great ways that combine connection with regulation strategies so that everyone gets a little bit of what they are needing. Hopefully some of these ideas can help you and your child to reconnect and regulate tonight 🥰 ☆ 💧: water is soothing to the senses. To listen to, drink and splash around in. Try some water play with your child. Fill up the kitchen sink with some warm water and bubbles, throw in some cups or sponges, and you have a fun soothing activity. ☆ 🎨: this could be some ooey gooey messy play with finger paint, or if that's not your favorite you could break out a clearner option like crayons and colored pencils. Add some stickers and stamps to make this activity regulating and engaging. ☆ 🌳: vitamin d and fresh air can do wonders for regulating our bodies. If you don't have much time just go for a quick walk around the block! ☆ 🍫: sometimes nothing is more regulating than a nice crunchy snack. Enjoy some crackers and cheese or crunchy carrots and hummus (we fully support sneaking in a square of chocolate before dinner 😉) ☆ 🎶: when our bodies are a bit dysregulated we seek rhythm to bring us back in balance. Do you find a fast or slow tempo to be more regulating? Combine music with any of the other activities for extra regulation points. ☆ 📚 : books and words have a rhythm that can calm us too. Sometimes a good audiobook can also be just what we need. Find a good audiobook you and your kids will enjoy and you can all lay back for a little storytime . . . #yycparents #yyckids #yyc #positiveparenting #momsofinsta #childpsychology #psychologistsrock #morethanmom #positivesolutions #momssupportingmoms #playful #playwithpurpose #emotionalregulation #coregulation #behaviormanagement #teacherlife #connection #regulation

Mom. Three simple letters that are packed with meaning, memories, support, love and relationship. Today, and every day, we celebrate women who support, sacrifice, love, worry and care for others in their lives. And we know you are so many things behind that simple title of "mom". We see you, and all the things you are. 💐 . . . #yycparents #yyckids #yyc #positiveparenting #momsofinsta #childpsychology #psychologistsrock #morethanmom #positivesolutions #momssupportingmoms #childhoodmentalhealth #playful #playwithpurpose #emotionalregulation #coregulation #behaviormanagement #teacherlife #ieducate #kidsconnect #mothersday #mothersday2023 #allwomenarebeautiful #alltypesofmothers #iam

When someone shares their thoughts or struggles with us, it feels like second nature to jump into problem solving mode. And sometimes, that's what the person needs! But sometimes, when we share our thoughts or struggles with others, we are looking for.. ☆validation ☆empathy ☆understanding ☆compassion ☆non-judgmental listening It is the same for our kids. When they share with us they aren't always looking for solutions. They are looking for connection. Our challenge for you today is to not jump right into problem solving (don't worry, you will probably have an opportunity to problem solve later). Instead we encourage you to respond with openness, curiosity and empathy. It can change the dialogue in some unexpected ways. . . . #parentingsupport #gentleparenting #positiveparenting #teacherlife #iteach #parenting101 #calgarymoms #momsofinsta #momssupportingmoms #toddlerlife #yycparents #socialcommunication #kidsconnect #ieducate #childrenarethefuture #raisegoodhumans #motherhoodunplugged #parentinglife #compassion #connection #listening #connectionseeking

A little chocolate... a couple jelly beans... some new rain boots... and a whole lot of self-love, validation and heartfelt compliments. This spring, fill your basket with a little bit of what you need... and then fill your friend's baskets with the rest 💜🌻🌱🌈 Happy Self-care Sunday. . . . #yycparents #yyckids #yyc #positiveparenting #momsofinsta #childpsychology #psychologistsrock #morethanmom #positivesolutions #momssupportingmoms #childhoodmentalhealth #playful #playwithpurpose #emotionalregulation #coregulation #behaviormanagement #teacherlife #ieducate #kidsconnect #valentinesday #selflove #selfcare #selfcaresunday #takewhatyouneed #selfcareisntselfish #whatdoyouneed #calgarysmallbusiness #easter2022 #familylove

Holding space for someone means that you are providing that person with a safe space that is free of judgment, where they can express how they feel. As the person holding space you are just "being" with that person... allowing what is, and not expecting anything in return. We have difficulty doing that sometimes. We want to rush to problem solving or rationalizing because we think everything will feel better if the emotions are "fixed". However, having the space to feel is a powerful place for someone to sit. Including children. It can be hard not to say to an emotional child "oh I told you that would happen" or "why are you sad again?" or "just calm down" (believe me, all those things have slipped out of my mouth before). What's more meaningful (and often times a bit harder) is to hold space for that child to feel their feelings. Show them how you hold space for them, so they can learn to hold space for others. . . . #yycparents #parenting #positiveparenting #kidsconnect #childdevelopment #dailymom #survivingmotherhood #caregiver #positivesolutions #attachmentparenting #momssupportingmoms #morethanmom #teacherspayteachers #educatorsrock #iteach #teachersofinstagram #yyc #yyckids #yycparents #calgarysmallbusiness #holdingspace #empathy #holdingspaceforchildren #emotionalregulation #feeltoheal

In the storm of big feelings and big reactions, responding with compassion and connection will always be the right choice. A calm voice, a few simple words "I am here to help you". 💙 . . . #yyc #yyckids #yycparents #positivediscipline #childhood #behaviormanagement #canadianparents #canadiancaregivers #peacefulparenting #consciousparenting #normalizegentleparenting #connection #parentwithoutfear #mentalhealth #childhoodmentalhealth #teacherspayteachers #teacherlife #educate #connectionbeforecorrection #kidsconnect #cybermonday #parentsupport #smallbusiness #childpsychologist #resourcekits #toolkits #connectionmatters #respectfulparenting

💚💜💙💕 . . . #yycparents #yyckids #yyc #positiveparenting #momsofinsta #childpsychology #psychologistsrock #morethanmom #positivesolutions #momssupportingmoms #childhoodmentalhealth #playful #playwithpurpose #emotionalregulation #coregulation #behaviormanagement #teacherlife #ieducate #kidsconnect #parentingquotes #quoteoftheday #quotes

When you want someone to talk to you or pay attention to you, what do you do? Maybe send a text? Come over and sit next to them and start talking? Catch their attention with your gaze across a room? As adults we have all learned how to gain attention from the people we want to spend time with. Kids are still learning how to do this. Having our time and our attention is something they really value, but maybe they don't have the best tools or ways of getting it. Instead of thinking of them as 'attention seeking', maybe it's a gentle reminder to ourselves that they are looking to spend time with us. Time is valuable. Time is fulfilling. Time is regulating. Time is connection. . . . #parenting101 #attachmentparenting #positiveparenting #momsofinsta #childpsychology #consciousparenting #parentguide #yycfamily #specialeducation #specialneeds #coregulation #teacherlife #mentalhealth #calgary #childdevelopment #teacherspayteachers #kidsconnect #yyc #timeisvaluable #connectionseeking #skillbuilding

How will you fill yourself and replenish your spirit today?🩵💕 . . . #parentingsupport #gentleparenting #positiveparenting #teacherlife #iteach #parenting101 #calgarymoms #momsofinsta #momssupportingmoms #toddlerlife #yycparents #socialcommunication #kidsconnect #ieducate #childrenarethefuture #raisegoodhumans #motherhoodunplugged #parentinglife #selfcaresunday #sundayquotes #selfcarequotes