Patience is a vital virtue for parents with children in school, this blog states the reasons why.

This blog contains several important considerations that you should keep in mind to support your child's education and overall wellbeing.

Activities are a great way to spend time together, showing you are keen to build a strong relationship with your child. Read this blog for some fun activity suggestions.

Teaching children about learning beyond the classroom is essential for their overall development. Here are 8 simple steps for parents to assist their children in learning outside of school.

Here are six great ideas that parents can use to build their child's interest in learning.

For some children, school can be challenging on many different levels. This blog aims to provide emotional support and practical strategies for parents to navigate the ups and downs of their children's school lives.

A reminder to cherish the wonders of being a parent.

Here I have compiled a list of easy-to-apply strategies that can make parenting a little easier and make your child feel more connected to you. We could call them the simple language of parenting.

As a parent, it is crucial to be involved in your child’s schooling and learning. Here are some outcomes when you show interest in your child’s schooling.

Impostor syndrome is commonly seen in adults and children. Here are a few parenting tips that can assist you to reduce your child’s feelings of insecurity.

Sibling arguments can be challenging, here are some parenting strategies to ensure that navigation is as accurate and smooth as possible.

Learning is a crucial part of life and the development of a child. Here are nine simple parenting tips which may encourage learning for your child.

A happy child is one that feels secure and has strong supports around them that intelligently allow the child to grow in an environment that is open, engaging and inclusive. As parents we try our best and the human side of us sometimes fails to hit the right mark. Here’s some tips to help bring happiness to your child - sometimes, in these stressful days, it’s important to help build a child’s level of happiness.

It can be a fine line between pushing the child to read and gently setting the scene to help them. Reading is vital in a child’s development and learning. Here’s some tips to encourage reading at home.

Read here for tips to help develop both sides of your child’s brain.

Many children have times when they feel they are struggling not just with school but also with friends, home issues, siblings, etc. Children can and do have down times. If your child is struggling, read here for some tips.

There is a silent, steady power present in being courteous. You are stronger by nature of your courteous style. By treating someone with dignity no matter how different your thoughts are, there is little with which to argue. After all, they see how you accept them as legitimate. You accept their right to have a voice, which gives you a voice.

What do our children really think about us? Are they aware of all our efforts? Do they remember the little details and the extra efforts we make over the years? What is their level of appreciation of us the parents?

Family situations change through separation and divorce and children will feel this. The key point is to provide ongoing love, understanding, reassurance and stability in difficult times. Try to remember that whilst you are going through a personal crisis, there is no avoiding that your child will be experiencing emotionally charged times. Accept that you will need support and so to your child. Rely on family support and networks that will minimise some of the impacts.

This is a time of giving and there is so much advertising around the shops, television etc. that can cloud one’s thinking and destroy the balance of giving and receiving.

This is also a time to be teaching our children about the gift of generosity and the spirit of Christmas which is about giving of oneself generously.

Schools will be getting ready to close for the school year and will be farewelling their children, putting closure on their times together and reflecting on how this year has presented its challenges and opportunities. Certainly, a time for our own children to reflect on what they have learnt from yet another strange cycle of school life, lockdowns etc.

Despite all the ups and downs when we come around to Christmas it is an opportunity to demonstrate the value of giving, sharing and being inclusive in so many ways. In a strange way, having had such challenges personally this year, should teach our children the exceptional value of Christmas as it is all about simply coming together and connecting.

Consider the following thoughts that may help as we get closer to school closure and reflect on the message of Christmas.

Tap in with your child and ask how they are farewelling their class. Talk about being inclusive with parties and acknowledging everyone as Christmas is not “bah humbug” but about everyone.
Talk about Scrooge in the story of The Christmas Story. This character by nature of his mean attitude suffered loneliness as he was so self-centred and ended up lonely and isolated. This story just invites thoughts about those children in the class who are less included. The more we use opportunities to talk about inclusivity and wellbeing for all, the better we disperse the Christmas spirit. This year, particularly is a reminder about isolation and loneliness. Our children can now easily identify with that feeling after so much isolation in their own life.
Some families choose to connect to a well-recognised charity at Christmas time. This is a wonderful opportunity to talk about the charities that do such good work at Christmas time.
Check in with your child’s teacher to see if there are any unresolved issues that need discussion or follow up. Given the unusually short school term, some children may need special closure on different aspects of school. Never underestimate it is the same for all children.
In talking with your child about the school year, tap in to any anxiety that may be there about starting a new grade in 2022. Less school contact hours in the previous year can make some children anxious about being successful. They may feel concerned about beginning again after such an interrupted year. This particularly applies to those children who worry about being correct all the time. Think about how change effects your child.
As news evolves about shifting patterns with the Covid pandemic, ensure that you inform your children well about the status quo. They need frequent, accurate information that is age appropriate and always tempered with a sense of hope. You are their best source of being well informed and feeling safe.

Let’s see the approach of school closure and Christmas as an opportunity for families to plan, rest, recovery and renew a sense of hope and faith in our world that needs stability, reassurance and joy for our children. Families are a key factor in giving our children hope for their future. Christmas is a perfect time for families to take stock and renew that gift of hope.

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

St Francis of Assisi

Your child needs your patience as they progress through school

What parents need to think about when our children go to school

The fun of joint projects with your child

Teach your child about life from outside the classroom

Six great ideas that parents can use to build their child's interest in learning:

Navigating the Emotional Roller coaster: Supporting Parents with Children at School

Time to remind yourself that being a parent is a wonderful experience

14 easy parenting strategies

Parent involvement reaps all the benefits

Watch out for the impostor syndrome that can creep up slowly

Sibling matters really matter!

9 Tips about how to help your child love learning

The art of bringing happiness to your child

Strengthening a child’s interest and endurance with reading

Developing the two halves of our brain.

Children who find school a struggle

Teach our children to be courteous →

What will your child remember about you?

When home life changes

Giving children a real sense of Christmas