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.
FEEL SAFE AND BE SAFE IS GOOD MENTAL HEALTH FOR YOUR CHILD
Emotional safety is the foundation of good mental health. When children feel safe with you, their confidence and resilience grow. In this blog, Gail Smith shares simple, practical habits you can build into everyday life to help your child feel secure, supported, and strong.
Keeping your child feeling safe can happen through sound basic habits.
Consider:
Be their safe place
Let your child know they can talk to you about anything—no judgement, no overreaction. Just calm, caring presence. This also means keeping the volume of your voice down.
Help them name their feelings
Use gentle words to label emotions: “You look frustrated” or “Are you feeling nervous?” Naming feelings helps kids manage them better. It also takes the sting out of the words.
Create calming routines
Predictable routines give kids a sense of control and comfort, especially during transitions like bedtime or coming home from school. Talk about the routines and have them visual around the house.
Stay calm yourself
Your mood sets the tone at home. When you stay grounded, you help your child feel steady, too. A child’s radar goes up quickly when they detect frustration from you. After that they shutdown.
Focus on connection, not just correction
When your child makes a mistake, connect first—then guide. Try “Help me understand what happened,” instead of punishment right away. If upset create space before dealing with the issue. This helps you calm down.
Celebrate little wins
Praise effort, kindness, courage, things that build inner strength. It tells your child, you are more than just your results. The effort is what we are rewarding.
Model self-care
Show them what it looks like to rest, breathe, talk things out, and ask for help. Kids copy what they see. A calm parent tells their child they are approachable.
These small choices add up. Every time your child feels emotionally safe with you, their confidence and resilience grow.
Holidays are a great time to reinvigorate relationships with your child
Year-end holidays are a special time for families to reconnect, break from routine, and enjoy quality moments together. In this blog, Gail Smith shares why these holidays are essential for strengthening family bonds and creating lasting happiness.
School is over soon for everyone and it is the one time in the year when families can find time together, be different, escape routine and veg out together. This is a time to remind ourselves that as a family we are strong and happy. It is a time to simply play and have fun and to forget about any burdens that have weighed you down this year.
Consider these thoughts that remind us why holiday are such an important time to reunite as a family.
Strengthens Bonds: Holidays provide uninterrupted time to connect, share laughs, and create cherished memories that strengthen family relationships.
Builds Traditions: Creating rituals like baking together or game nights fosters a sense of belonging and gives children something to look forward to every year.
Boosts Emotional Health: Spending quality time as a family reduces stress, enhances happiness, and helps everyone feel supported.
Teaches Values: Engaging in activities like volunteering or storytelling allows parents to pass on values and lessons in a fun, relaxed environment.
Recharges and Reconnects: Stepping away from daily routines allows everyone to reset, appreciate one another, and start fresh with stronger connections.
When everyone is starting to relax it is amazing how humour and laughter increases in a
house. May the jolly HO Ho of Santa permeate in all families over the next few weeks.
‘Tis the season to be jolly.’