In today’s hyper-connected world, more and more children are struggling with anxiety. As parents, educators, and community members, we may not always realize the role we play in shaping this reality. But the good news is—we can help change the tide.

From Growth to Performance

Think back to your own childhood. Much of our focus was on learning, growing, and becoming better versions of ourselves. But somewhere along the way, we began to measure success by external achievements—grades, awards, likes, followers, wealth.

And unknowingly, we’ve passed those benchmarks on to our kids.

The Pressure to Keep Up

Today’s children are navigating a world full of moving goalposts. They're expected to excel academically, shine in extracurriculars, maintain a perfect online presence, and prepare for a future that feels increasingly uncertain.

It’s no wonder they feel overwhelmed.

But here’s the question: Are these expectations truly meaningful—or are we chasing satisfaction in all th

Have you ever marveled at how pilots manage to fly complex aircraft safely? The secret lies in a deceptively simple tool: checklists! ✈️

In the world of aviation, checklists are more than just a mundane list of tasks. They are a critical lifeline that pilots rely on to ensure they don’t miss any crucial steps and that all systems function flawlessly. By following a systematic order, checklists make the process logical and prevent any steps from slipping through the cracks or being incorrectly set. But here’s the exciting part: this methodical approach isn’t exclusive to flying airplanes—it’s a strategy we can seamlessly integrate into our daily lives, especially as parents.

Checklists for Parents: A Low-Cost, High-Reward Solution

Just like pilots, we parents have an intricate and vital job to perform. Our responsibilities range from managing household chores to nurturing our children’s growth and well-being. Amidst the chaos of parenting, we can take a cue from the aviation in

Navigating the Silent Treatment: A Parent’s Guide

Parenting is a journey, one that is filled with unique challenges. One such challenge that we often encounter is dealing with the silent treatment from our children. This can be a frustrating situation, but it’s important to remember that it’s not about us, even if it feels personal. It’s about their emotions—they might be overwhelmed, frustrated, or misunderstood, possibly lacking the words to articulate their feelings.

A Simple Framework

Before we delve into the silent treatment specifically, let’s talk about a simple framework that can guide us in reacting to confounding behaviors in a helpful way. This framework is based on giving our children the benefit of the doubt and asking two questions:

1. What’s going on in the environment?
2. What skills does my child need to deal with the environment?

This framework won’t guarantee perfect solutions, but it will keep you in reasonably good stead when confronted with confusing beh

As parents, we embark on a journey—a rollercoaster ride filled with love, laughter, and the occasional perplexity. Our goal? To forge meaningful connections with our children, to be their guiding stars in this vast universe.

Yet, there are moments when our efforts seem to yield minimal results, leaving us questioning our parenting prowess. We wonder, “Am I doing enough? Am I failing them somehow?” Fear not, my friends. Today, we address the elephant in the room—the legendary dad jokes (or mum jokes, if you prefer). Those quirky, eye-roll-inducing quips that somehow find their way into our conversations like mischievous elves.

The Absurd Magic of Dad Jokes

Let’s debunk a myth right away: Your dad joke repertoire isn’t the culprit behind any perceived communication gaps. In fact, I propose that dad jokes are the pinnacle of absurdist humor—a secret superpower, if you will. Picture this: You’re at the dinner table, and your child gives you the silent treatment or the cold shou