Blog

As summer comes to an end and we start to feel that crispness return to the morning air, many of us can feel that something is shifting in our families. Maybe your child is starting kindergarten. Maybe you're dropping a child off at university. Perhaps they're starting middle school or high school, or your family is beginning to navigate school between two homes for the first time. Or maybe, somehow, while we weren't looking, they just got another year older. These moments ca

September can be an exciting time for teenagers, but it can also be a lot. After a summer with a little more freedom and flexibility, suddenly there are classes, assignments, sports practices, games, friendships, part-time jobs, family expectations, and all the usual teenage social dynamics to navigate. For some teens, the shift back into a busy routine can happen almost overnight. Over the past 20 years, I've worked with teenagers as a teacher, school counsellor, youth coach

One of the most powerful tools in your parenting toolbox is also one of the simplest: dedicated one-on-one time with your child. This is time where you set everything else aside, your phone, your to-do list, the laundry, and focus completely on your child. No teaching, no correcting, no multitasking. Just being present. This kind of focused attention is often called special quality time, and it’s one of the most effective ways to build connection, foster cooperation, and supp

For many people with ADHD, eating well is not simply about knowing what foods are healthy. The harder part is following through consistently when the brain is wired to prioritize speed, stimulation, convenience, and immediate reward. Many teens, university students, and adults with ADHD struggle with meal planning, grocery shopping, and maintaining consistent eating habits. Knowing what to eat is often not the problem. The challenge is finding foods that are easy enough to pr

This past weekend, I had the privilege of returning to Rise Family Cancer Camp at Camp Latona on Gambier Island for my second year as one of the camp counsellors. Rise brings together families who are navigating cancer and gives them an opportunity to spend time with other people who understand, in a way that can be difficult for friends and family outside of that experience to fully grasp. It was lovely to be back. Over the weekend, families had time to connect, play, laugh,

When your child is upset, melting down, or caught in big emotions, it can be tempting to jump straight into correcting the behaviour, offering solutions, or trying to stop the outburst. We want the screaming to stop. We want the disrespect to end. We want peace restored. But before a child can listen, learn, or calm down, they need one thing first: connection. In those stormy emotional moments, your child isn’t being difficult on purpose, they are dysregulated. Their nervous

As Thanksgiving approaches, many families are preparing for gatherings, travel, and shifts to regular routines, moments that can bring both excitement and stress. For children, these changes can feel especially unpredictable, and for parents, managing it all can sometimes feel just as overwhelming. This is why forecasting, helping children know what’s coming next and involving them in the plan, can make such a positive difference. It gives kids a sense of security and helps e

Register today for FREE at Risetoday.com Advance Counselling is volunteering at the Rise Today Family Cancer Camp on Gambier Island, BC. If you know a family who is battling cancer would benifit from a fun family day at camp, please share this with them. Advance Counselling offers in-person counselling and walk-and-talk counselling in North Vancouver, as well as secure online counselling across British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Th

The holiday season, often depicted as the most wonderful time of the year, can bring unexpected stress and anxiety. Between shopping, hosting responsibilities, endless parties, and revisiting childhood homes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If the holidays leave you feeling more frazzled than festive, you’re not alone. Let’s explore why this time of year can be particularly challenging and how you can navigate it with greater ease. Why the Holidays Can Be Stressful 1. T

I once heard someone say, "Prepare your child for the road, and not the road for your child." As a parent, this is often easier said than done. We have an innate desire to protect our children from the bumps, detours, and pitfalls we see ahead. We believe we know what’s best for them, whether it’s anticipating conflicts with a particular teacher, avoiding difficult peer relationships, or sheltering them from the disappointment of not making a team or acing a project. Our inst

Have you ever wonder why siblings can be so different, even though they grew up in the same family? Birth order has always intrigued people, especially parents, since it seems to shape personalities and family dynamics in unique ways. Alfred Adler (1870–1937), a psychologist, was one of the first to dive into this idea with what we now call Adlerian Theory. His theory suggests that our place in the family—whether we’re the oldest, middle, youngest, or an only child—plays a bi

Parenting a willful child can feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster. While it may be tempting to think that parenting is easier when we have a compliant, agreeable child, there's a deeper truth that often goes unnoticed: the most challenging children to raise can grow into the most interesting, capable, and resilient adults. We’ve all experienced the validation that comes from hearing how well-behaved our child is. It’s like a reassuring pat on the back. “You must be do

The attachment bond that you form with your child is like the foundation of a house; it provides the stability and support that your child needs to grow, learn, and thrive. Through loving interactions and responsive caregiving, you help build this strong foundation, which is crucial for their emotional regulation and ability to form healthy relationships throughout their lifespan. However, there are many reasons why attachment can become interrupted or disrupted. Every effor