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self care

Self-Care: Moving beyond the buzzword to really take care of yourself

When we hear the term “self-care,” we often think of activities like taking a warm shower or sneaking away for a quick coffee break. But self-care goes far beyond these fleeting moments. Truly embracing self-care (or whatever you’d prefer to call it) is a profound understanding that you and your needs matter — not merely because taking care of yourself allows you to continue caring for others, but because you inherently, unequivocally, and ultimately have value as a human being. Your needs and care are important because you are important.

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freedom from social norms

Freedom from Social Norms

Originally published in mom and caregiver magazine, March 2020

One of my favourite subjects in my undergrad was Social Psychology: the study of how our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by others and, ultimately, our desire to be like others. I was fascinated by the concepts of belonging and fitting in, and the incredible power these concepts seem to have over us. Think about something as simple as getting on an elevator and how much social norms dictate your behaviour. You leave as much personal space as possible and maybe say hello, but don’t talk too much and always (ALWAYS!) face the door. Fail to do any of these things, and it can feel quite uncomfortable for all involved.

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the value of play

The Value of Play

Originally published in mom and caregiver magazine, December 2019

It’s been said that play is the work of childhood. (The quote is so prolific, it’s hard to even trace its origins online – Was it Jean Piaget? Maria Montessori? Fred Rogers?) Children throughout time and across cultures engage in play. Play is the primary way that children learn, engage with those around them and come to understand their world.

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screen time

The Screen Time Dilemma

Originally published in mom and caregiver magazine, October 2019

In June 2019, the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) updated its guidelines for screen time use in school-aged children and youth, noting that three-quarters of Canadians are concerned about their children’s media use.i  While the CPS continues to recommend limiting screen time for children under the age of fiveii , its updated guidelines for older children present a shift from looking strictly at the amount, to a more qualitative, individual approach to setting limits. This is an important shift, as technology, screens and media use become more and more ingrained into our daily way of life.

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