After reading the same questions over and over again in a slew of online parenting forums about disciplining children for one form of unacceptable behaviour or another, I’ve decided to come forward with my own take on the subject. Let’s start with a basic definition of the words punishment and consequences, as I’ve found that [...]

For many Canadian parents, mornings can be a source of enormous frustration. Does this sound familiar? Tuesday, 7:15 a.m. (if you’re lucky!) Parent: What do you want for breakfast? Child: (Sound of crickets) Parent: Hurry up! You have to pick something. A bowl of cereal? A piece of toast? Oatmeal? Toaster waffles? Child: Cereal. Once the [...]

Do you recall how you reacted when you were first told what your child’s diagnosis was? Can you think back to that flash of panic you had about the burden it would be on your life or the major changes you would have to make to deal with their condition over the long term? Not [...]

As a new school year gets underway, excitement is running high for children at every grade level. Many of them may have already received something in the mail letting them know who their new teacher and classmates will be. Teachers spend the first few weeks getting to know their new group and trying to identify [...]

As parents of children with special needs, many of you ask me whether the federal Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is something your family should be looking into. Given how often I hear this question, I thought I’d write about it in my blog to give you a clear grasp of the relevant facts. Feel [...]