Baby's First Year · Parenting

Benefits of taking your child on a discovery walk

As a Public Health Nurse working in the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program, I am asked every day: Is it safe to take my baby outside? My answer is YES, I recommend you go outside for a discovery walk (everyday if you can). Here’s my top 5 benefits of a discovery walk:  Opportunity for new learningBabies… Continue reading Benefits of taking your child on a discovery walk

Baby's First Year · Parenting

A recipe for praise

As a parenting group facilitator, many parents/caregivers have asked me "will praising my child spoil them or feed their ego?" Actually, praising children nurtures their growing brain with positive attention, love and reinforces that you believe in them while fostering self-motivation in your child. There are key ingredients to praising effectively which apply to both… Continue reading A recipe for praise

Baby's First Year · Parenting

Parenting can be stressful: 4 tips to cope with stress

A common theme or topic that parents in my parenting groups talk about is how life as they know it has changed.  I spent a good amount of my career providing health teaching, guidance and support to parents with newborns up to early school aged children.  Parents would share their joys but also their "difficulties"… Continue reading Parenting can be stressful: 4 tips to cope with stress