A few tips on dealing with the business of raising happy and healthy children
Feeling overwhelmed by digital parenting? You're not alone. Gail Smith cuts through the noise with clear, actionable suggestions to help you support your child in a connected world. Read on to find the strategies that resonate with your family.
There is a lot of talk and concern such as the negative impact of digital exposure to our children. We live in a digitalized world and we need to support our children as their knowledge into its use and abuse grows overtime. The following thoughts are suggestions to help understand how best to be a support on a range of current issues that impact our children’s growing years. Some concepts may resonate with you.
“The New ‘Silent Stress’: Digital Overload Affects Young Children
Parents are increasingly concerned about screens but unsure what to do. There is a subtle emotional cost of constant digital noise— As a family plan times that are just purely for family with no digital interference. Make this a ritual in your family.
“Raising Emotionally Steady Kids in an Unsteady World: Tiny Habits That Make a Big Difference”
Anxiety is high in families. Our worlds are cluttered with far too many interferences. Consider simple, doable habits (like naming feelings, micro-routines, ‘emotion anchors’) that stabilize young minds. Feel confident in speaking out about how you feel and give names to feelings that are really present such as, ‘frightened, lonely, scared’. Legitimize those feelings.
“The Magic of the 10-Minute Parent Check-In: The Ritual That Strengthens Behaviour, Confidence and Connection”
A highly practical idea.
Parents feel busy - you show them how 10 minutes a day can transform a child’s sense of security and cooperation.
“Why Your Child’s Boredom Is Good for Their Brain: The New Science of ‘Unstructured Time’”
Boredom is a superpower. Let’s use it well.
Parents love this because it reduces guilt and gives them a new tool.
Provide examples of what children naturally learn when adults don’t rush to entertain them. Consider how being out in the fresh air is in itself a learning environment.
“What Teachers Wish Parents Knew in 2025: The Skills That Matter Most Now”
Learn about what is emerging in classrooms:
– self-regulation
– executive function
– resilience
– early problem-solving
– curiosity
Parents adore insider knowledge. The more you know about what your child is learning, the greater capacity you have to share that knowledge.
How to Help Your Child Handle Friendship Ups and Downs (Without Taking Over)”
Friendships are the number one parent worry in early school years. Listen well to your child but let them work through the problem and yes it may come with loss, grief and some pain. However, they grow stronger from the experience.
“The After-School Hour: Why This Time of Day Is Emotionally Explosive and How to Make It Peaceful”
Extremely relatable.
Explain “after-school restraint collapse” and give easy, calming routines. Don’t be too hard on yourself as you are probably getting tired as well at that time of day.
Emotionally Smart Homes: Tiny Changes in Your Home Environment That Calm Children Instantly”
Parents love practical, home-based strategies. You can involve your child in setting up warm comforting spaces.
Ideas: a calm corner, slow mornings, sensory-friendly spaces.
The Power of Predictability: Why Routines Are the New Security Blanket”
Not boring—re framed as emotional security.
Micro-routines reduce meltdowns and increase confidence. Children feel secure with routines and ritual in their life. They need and value knowing their boundaries. It gives them a sense of security.
“Raising Problem-Solvers, Not Problem-Avoiders”
Parents love skills-based content.
Encourage children to stick with challenges, ask better questions, and manage frustration. Remember failure is a part of learning new stronger skills.
“The Hidden Language of Behaviour: What Your Child Is Really Telling You”
Teaches parents to read behaviour as communication rather than misbehaviour. Having a warm, compassionate tone is important. Behaviour that is unacceptable is a message that something is wrong. Listen and observe rather that overtalk and ask probing questions.
“The Rise of the Sensitive Child: Why More Children Are Highly Tuned-In—and How to Support Them”
High sensitivity is a current topic.
Offer strategies for overwhelm, transitions, noise, and big emotions. Never understate a sensitive child.
“Why the First Five Minutes After School Matter More Than You Think”
A short, tight, very clickable post.
Covers connection rituals, emotional decompression, and avoiding interrogation. Just lsiten well to your child at this critical time. You can learn much from silence.
“Raising Gritty Kids Without Being a Tough Parent”
Mixes resilience with warmth.
Show how to encourage persistence without pressure.
Why Boredom Is a Superpower
In a world of constant stimulation, boredom is the surprising gateway to creativity, resilience, and self-discovery. It's not an empty space to fill, but a fertile ground for imagination to grow.
If you ever hear the words “I’m bored” echoing through your house, you might feel as if you should instantly fix it. Maybe reach for a device, a craft kit, or a quick idea to keep your child busy.
But what if boredom isn’t the enemy? What if it’s actually one of childhood’s greatest teachers? Our children today are overstimulated with technology and social media. These are not the only tools in which to learn.
Boredom is the doorway to creativity
When children have nothing to do, their minds start to wander and that’s when the magic happens. They build forts out of blankets, invent games with no rules, draw whole worlds from imagination. They feel exhilarated by their creations.
Boredom teaches children to think for themselves, to experiment, to imagine. It’s in those quiet, unstructured moments that creativity wakes up. So try not to fill every space for your child.
Boredom builds emotional strength
When a child sits in that uncomfortable space of nothing to do, they’re learning patience and self-regulation. They’re learning that feelings of restlessness won’t last forever, that they can tolerate emptiness and turn it into something new.
In a world of instant entertainment, that’s an emotional muscle worth building. Building self-discipline is a powerful skill to learn.
Boredom sparks curiosity
Without constant stimulation, children begin to notice things they might have missed, the shape of clouds, the hum of bees, the sound of rain on the roof.
They start asking questions, exploring, wondering.
Curiosity is the seed of learning. Boredom waters it. This allows their imaginations to grow.
Boredom teaches self-direction
When children always have adults telling them what to do, they can lose the ability to direct their own play or thinking. Boredom puts the responsibility back in their hands and says, “You choose.” That’s a powerful message for growing independence.
So how do we nurture healthy boredom?
Don’t rush to fill the gap. Let a child’s mind wander before you step in.
Limit screens sometimes. Digital distraction numbs imagination before it can start.
Create spaces for open play. Blank paper, blocks, sand, sticks are simple tools for big ideas.
Model it. Sit quietly yourself. Let your child see you daydream or rest without a device.
The takeaway
Boredom isn’t a problem to solve, it’s a gift to protect. When we let our children sit in those slow, quiet moments, we’re giving them something rare and powerful: time to think, to imagine, to grow.
So next time your child says, “I’m bored,” smile and say,
“Wonderful. That means your imagination is about to start working. Let it fly.”
Why Your Child’s Mental Health Matters
What's the one thing that influences your child's ability to learn, build friendships, and navigate challenges? It's not the latest educational toy or a packed extracurricular calendar. It's their mental health. Discover why creating a foundation of emotional safety is the greatest gift you can give your child.
As parents, we naturally think about homework, routines and many more. But beneath all of this lies something more important, that is our children’s developing mental health. When children feel safe, supported, and understood, everything else in life becomes easier.
Consider:
A calm mind learns better
When children feel secure, they can focus and enjoy learning. Worry, on the other hand, can cloud their thinking. A little reassurance can make all the difference.
Feelings are part of growing
Big emotions like tears, frustration, and excitement are not problems to be “fixed.” They are chances to teach children how to understand themselves. Saying, “I see you’re upset. Let’s take a moment together,” helps them feel safe.
Friendships blossom with support
Children who know how to share their feelings are more likely to build strong friendships. A child who feels heard at home will find it easier to listen and connect with others outside. They are developing empathy.
Mental health is resilience
Life will always bring challenges. Children who have learned coping skills like talking, breathing, or problem-solving can bounce back more quickly when things go wrong. Give them slow and steady independence.
Small daily habits matter most
Just like brushing teeth protects physical health, small daily moments protect mental health. Reading together, sharing a meal, or even a bedtime chat can make a child feel valued and loved. Keep on with the rituals at home.
Early care lasts a lifetime
The ways children learn to handle stress now will shape their teen years and adulthood. A calm walk, a story before bed, or a hug in tough moments builds lifelong strength. It is OK to live in an imperfect world.
You don’t need all the answers
Often, your presence is more powerful than any solution. A child who knows, “Mum or Dad will sit with me when I’m worried,” already feels less alone.
Try a simple daily check-in, ask, “What was something that made you smile today?” and “Was there anything tricky?”
“Your mind is like a garden. With care it will bloom beautifully.”