Tag: parenting

After you give birth to your beautiful new baby, this advice will help you through the challenging first few weeks of new motherhood.

Bringing a new baby home is exciting but can also be tough. Baby blues, or a feeling of sadness after your baby arrives, are extremely common. Here are some ways to manage these feelings.

One key indicator is showing confidence while attempting new activities

Parents can insist sports clubs train and screen all coaches

Early results from groundbreaking research hoping to understand the effects of screen time on kids’ brains are now available. The verdict? Children’s brains are growing older, faster. Basically, MRI scans of kids “who use smartphones, tablets, and video games more than seven hours a day” (Cooper, 2018)  show premature thinning of the brain’s cortex, according … Continued

  “In Happy Parents Happy Kids, Ann Douglas has written the quintessential handbook for parenting in the digital age. She’s covered every conceivable angle and topic, and gives practical, compassionate, non-judgmental, and research-based advice. Buy a copy (or two) for every expecting, new, or veteran parent you know.” —Richard Monette and the Active for Life … Continued

The problem is that making things too safe can starve children of the very experiences that best help them learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. As rising numbers of children and teenagers struggle with emotional and social problems, it is all the more important to get this balance right. In the end, the … Continued

I’ve been thinking a lot about a thought-provoking question that I recently received from one of the parents in our tiny-but-mighty #ProjectActiveFamily community. “What suggestions do you have for families who have little spare time for adventures that involve coming together as a complete family?” that parent asked. Her question got me thinking about how … Continued

As a parent or child caregiver, you probably know the ages when children are expected to crawl or walk. But do you know when children should be socially ready to share? Emotionally ready to express feelings? Or cognitively ready to follow simple instructions? When children are not developmentally ready, there are many things they won’t … Continued

Following a pregnancy, taking time for your mental health and wellbeing is vital as it may be suffering due to lack of sleep. Gentle exercise helps you feel better, provides energy, and eases anxiety, and it is also an excellent way to connect with your baby. In a recent Toronto Star article entitled “Tips for … Continued

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Welcome to Active for Life, Ann Douglas!

How do you manage screen time?

Toys to keep everyone moving this holiday season

4 key elements to being a healthy sport parent

How to navigate the world of competitive youth hockey

What makes a quality physical education program?

The expert on youth sport talks about the important role of parents

Let kids play is simple but powerful advice

AfL Role Model Amy Walsh shares her message of the importance of movement

Creating space opens us up to more activity

Being active doesn’t have to slow down once September rolls around. It may just take some planning to fit activity into the structure of the school year.

A change in perspective makes a difference

The long days and warm nights of summer make playing outside a breeze, and there are so many ways families can have fun outdoors together. But playing in the summer sun doesn’t come without risks. It’s important for kids to have fun while: Sun safety is for everyone, and teaching your child to be “sun … Continued