Tara's Take - Parenting, Education & Life With Kids

Tara's Take - Parenting, Education & Life With Kids

An experienced educator, former preschool owner and parent, I've spent the last two decades working with children and families in a variety of different roles and responsibilities from preschool to high school. My passion is making emotional regulation & social emotional well-being understandable, relatable and easy to implement. I'm a big fan of picture books and wrote one with a playful take on brain science called The Adventures of Team Brain! ----- This podcast is created for educational purposes only. Any references links, resources or content are not intended as a substitute for medical or professional mental health advice.

Episodes

March 28, 2024 16 mins

Children are becoming risk-averse and overly focused on perfection. If they can't do it right the first time, or if it requires some perserverance they are quick to give up. 

Join me in discussion that uncovers how well-meaning intentions might be robbing our kids of their natural tenacity and problem-solving abilities.  As a host deeply invested in fostering resilience, I recount stories from my preschool that champi...

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This episode delves into the exhaustion that 'on-call parenting' can induce and how we might be reinforcing disrespect without realizing it. We'll be digging into the subject of teaching everyday respect to our children—a task that requires more than just stern talks about expectations. I underscore the power of leading by example and how everyday dialogues shape the foundations of respect in our kids. It's abou...

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Discover the invaluable insights of Amy, a high school guidance counsellor and special education specialist, as she joins me to unravel the complexities of school behaviour, mental health, and parenting in today's fast-paced society. Our discussion sheds light on the heightened challenges educators and students face as the as the year comes to a close.  

We delve into the emotional turmoil flooding our classrooms, the silent ba...

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Are you navigating the tricky path of parenting through the transition years? As your kids edge towards their preteens, there's an opportunity to do some intentional skill-building that will support developing independence and autonomy in an effective way.

With insight from Alison Strang, the founder of Soothing Spaces, the episode begins with a discussion on how to create spaces that truly reflect your children'...

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Are you giving all your time and energy to your children but still feel like you're missing something? This episode will shed light on what you might be missing: intentional connection. We delve into this concept in parenting, unraveling how just 5-10 minutes of daily engagement can positively impact your relationship with your children. We also tackle the high expectations kids have for parental presence and why being permane...

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Is parenthood overwhelming you, especially in these trying times? What if you could gain insights to better manage emotions, set boundaries, and foster a parenting style that doesn't lead to dissatisfaction, irritation, or self-doubt? This episode delves deep into these issues, emphasizing the importance of creating fresh memories rather than living with the guilt of lost time. We dig into the amplified mental load of parentho...

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Ever felt puzzled by the term Individual Education Plans (IEPs)? Wondered what it truly means for your child's education? Well, we're pulling back the curtain on this concept with a deep dive into Ontario's IEP system, guided by standing guest expert Amy Yeung, a seasoned high school guidance counsellor and special education specialist. Her two decades of experience promise to shine a light on the real purpose of IEP...

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So, your child is having an emotional meltdown and it feels like all eyes are on you. How should you respond? In today's episode, we'll deconstruct the concept of emotional regulation in children and the critical role we as parents play in this process. It's a conversation that debunks the myth that children should be perfect regulators of their emotions and how to set realistic expectations. We'll review the im...

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Connecting with your child can feel like a daunting task and it can be tempting to engage in lengthy 'sit-down' conversations with them. The ticket to connection is those 'in-between' moments, such as walks or car rides. These are the situations that can make a world of difference in your parenting journey. 

To support this, I chat about where  eye contact and physical touch play a part in fostering a r...

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To transform your parenting approach and boost your child's emotional intelligence, picture books are your secret weapon. 

As parents, it's easy to overestimate our emotional vocabulary, as well as your child's. This can pose challenges when you aspire to parent differently from how you were raised. Conversations alone fall short in teaching your children about their feelings, but picture books can change th...

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The back-to-school season is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Whether it's the unknowns of starting KG, the big jump  to grade one, or the tumultuous leap into high school, each transition carries its own set of expectations, anxieties, and adjustments.

Together with my insightful guest Amy Yeung, we peel back the layers of these transitions, offering you a fresh perspective to better understand and navigate thes...

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What if your sharing about your child online could negatively impact their mental health later in life? In this episode we'll look at some of the possible implications of sharing your child's photos and personal information online.

We'll discuss the complexities of parents sharing childhood memories on the digital stage while acknowledging why it happens. Parenthood can be a lonely journey, and social media...

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Ever wondered how the simple task of unloading a dishwasher could equip your children with essential life skills? We'll unveil how transforming chores into responsibilities can empower your little ones and pave their way to becoming competent adults. 

We'll explore the power of language in molding mindsets, shifting from 'chore' to 'responsibility', and creating a sense of accomplishment in ch...

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Are  kids starting extracurricular activities too early? As a society, are we over-prioritizing structured activities in place of downtown and other essential life skills? 

I'm Tara, and in today's episode, I'll be turning these questions on their heads to navigate the often complicated world of extracurricular activities for children under 7. Together, we'll explore the pressures parents face and delve...

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Struggle with your child's constant complaints of boredom or felt the pressure to constantly entertain them? Feeling guilty about screen time and want to strike a better balance?

In today's episode, I discuss how to approach boredom with intention and provide suggestions to help your children learn to manage this feeling on their own.

I also tackle the challenge of helping children navigate boredom in ou...

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Tired of having arguments over every little task that needs to be done? Do you ever find yourself struggling to validate your child's emotions without encouraging unwanted behaviours? 

This is Part 2 of my series on power struggles. In this episode I explore the balance between acknowledging feelings and taking action. I tackle the importance of empowering children to be independent thinkers while teaching them to res...

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Part One: Conflict and challenge is a part of life, it’s one of those uncomfortable truths in parenting.  It’s also something that’s worth sitting back and thinking about because how we handle conflict impacts our relationships, our ability to set boundaries and our general parenting experience.

In this episode I’m digging into one of the things that might be fuelling your power struggles and how to start rethinking your r...

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It's time to get back into having some important conversations about parenting, education and life with kids!

If you are just joining me, this podcast used to be called Raising Resilient Children with Tara Gratto and I took some off to reflect on my goals moving forward and how I want to shape the vision of this podcast and the topics covered here. It's increasingly important to me that this is a space where dive...

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Sometimes the hardest thing to do is know when to say stop, especially when the world is telling you to keep going.

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Get your quick and actionable tips, blog/podcast updates and curated children's book recommendations by joining Tara's Take the Newsletter HERE

You can also submit questions directly to me at info@taragratto.ca or by heading to our website HERE

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The music for...

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Has your child ever refused to breathe in a difficult moment? Flat out lost their cool to the next level when you mirror their feelings or try to narrate what’s happening?

In this episode I cover 3 reasons why kids might refuse to use tools for their big feelings and how The Adventures of Team Brain can support you with making important connections in skill building.

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