Readers’ Favourites
The most popular posts on positive parenting strategies, play-based learning ideas, life with toddlers, developmental psychology, budget-friendly ideas and more!
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How Social Stories Help Children Who Are Struggling
Find out why social stories are an incredible tool for parenting young children. Find examples and a formula. Perfect for positive discipline. In the space of a couple of weeks, my five-year-old’s behaviour went from thoughtful and kind to unmanageably difficult. I’m used to a girl who, when I ask for help, leaps up to […] Continue reading
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How to get kids to listen: 6 sure-fire tips that will make your life easier
It can be maddening when kids don’t listen. These are research-based strategies that will teach you how to get kids to listen calmly and effectively. The number one question I get from parents joining our facebook group or when emailing me is: How do I get my kids to listen better? Though we have struggled with […] Continue reading
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This is why positive parenting is essential now
Find out why authoritative parenting is essential today even though it wasn’t in the past, including the pros and cons of this style of parenting and more. There seem to be two big misconceptions when it comes to positive or authoritative parenting. First, many fear that it raises children who have an over-inflated concept of […] Continue reading
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Parenting a Strong-Willed Child: 10 surefire tips for effective discipline
Parenting a strong-willed child is full of ups and downs. These children are outspoken, prone to power struggles, sensitive and even more likely to have meltdowns. At the same time, they’re born leaders, dynamic, and a tremendous source of pride for their parents. Here you will find the key to raising strong-willed children successfully without breaking their […] Continue reading
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How to find peace in the heat of the moment and stop yelling at your kids
Yelling at your kids can become a hard habit to break but it can also be quite damaging. This one simple strategy stops me from yelling at my kids and it can work for you too. It was one of those hot summer’s days that had blurred into scorching hot summer’s days before it. Seeking […] Continue reading
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Research says this is how to raise children who want to do the right thing
As parents, we know our children will face peer pressure and other temptations. Find out what research says is the best way to raise children who want to do right. A 70 something-year-old man with jet black hair wearing a black cotton t-shirt took the stage at a TED conference. While his attire was casual, his […] Continue reading
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This is how to get rid of toy clutter and have happier kids
Our home has been consumed by toy clutter. Find out how minimizing and rotating toys creates happier more creative children. In the midnight hours, when we are deep asleep, I am convinced our toy clutter multiplies. LEGO people and pastel coloured doll accessories are what glitter is after doing a craft. Little pieces seem to show […] Continue reading
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10+ Powerful Strategies That Will Calm Your Angry Child
Find effective strategies to calm your angry child during time-in. With countless techniques to calm strong-willed, sensitive children, there is something for every difficult or challenging emotion. We were on week two of our three-week stay at my parents’ house and tensions were running high. Because we live across the country, when we fly back […] Continue reading
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How to Stop Your Toddler From Hitting Without the use of Punishment
When your toddler hits for the first time, it is shocking. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to stop toddler hitting without using punishment. Yesterday, in my parenting group, a parent shared her story: I have the sweetest, kindest two-year-old. He is attentive and fun-loving. Lately, out of the blue, my toddler started hitting his baby […] Continue reading
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How to Empower and Celebrate Your Sensitive Son
Society may not favour sensitive boys. But they are a true gift. Find out how can you encourage your sensitive son to be strong without changing who he is. We were at my kids’ favourite Tex-Mex restaurant. My husband, who arrived before me, had the foresight to get the kids tortilla chips to munch on […] Continue reading
About Me
Hi, I’m Alana. When I’m not nursing cold, stale coffee, I usually can be found with the baby on my hip, barefoot, and racing after my two older kids.
Thanks to a degree in psychology and a free-range childhood backing onto an expansive evergreen forest, positive parenting and play-based learning are my passions.