On Montreal's Breakfast Television this morning, Joanne Vrakas and I talk about how to make the task of choosing a high school for your tween a little less daunting.
BT Montreal: How to Choose the Right High School for Your Child
Posts categorized "TV & Radio"
Sep 29, 2015
Sep 09, 2015
On CTV's Canada AM: Is Focusing on Families Resonating with Voters?
Here is the panel discussion on CTV's Canada AM with myself, AnjumChoudhry Nayyar, and Elizabeth Booth. We discuss whether all this talk of "focusing on the family" will really pay off for Canada's political parties.
Is the focus on families resonating with voters?
Sep 04, 2015
Mom Talk on BT Montreal: Sex Education in the Classroom
Catherine Vernon-Diamond, Andrea Howick and I discuss the benefits of introducing sex education as part of a mandatory school curriculum:
Mom Talk: Mandatory Sex Ed. in Quebec?
Aug 18, 2015
My Daughter and I React to James Harrison's Trophy Return - CTV National
CTV National News reporter Vanessa Lee stopped by my home yesterday to talk to my daughter and me about James Harrison.
The NFLer returned his sons' participation trophies because he felt they hadn't really earned them; after all, real men don't get trophies for showing up; they have to beat somebody first.
In Ms. Lee's report, my daughter and I share our views. In addition to what was said on camera, here are some additional benefits/philosophies, in my opinion, regarding participation awards:
- AVOIDING SHAME: When a child sits in a group at the end of a sporting season, there are few things more shame-inducing than being left with your legs crossed watching others receive awards while you are reminded you didn't make the grade.
- PRIDE OFF THE FIELD: As those small medals and trophies accumulate, not only will it encourage a child to participate the following year. They are a badge of honour to be recognized by peers and friends and family. Though you may not have won the championship, the hardware on the book shelf still make you feel like a player, which feels good.
- DISAPPOINTMENT WILL COME, DON'T WORRY: If the kid has real potential, disappointment will be part of the learning process, don't worry. If he or she starts ascending to an elite level, at some point they will be hitting .348, but be fighting a kid hitting .350 for a spot in the line up. If a child scores 9.25, there will be one spot left on the team for someone who can manage a 9.50. Want to feel pressure? Talk to someone just missed making it out of the NFL combine because their 40-yard dash was a couple of tenths too slow. They won't need Dad to explain their failures, but they will need him for a comforting ride home.
- RETURNING THE TROPHY = DAD'S NOT REALLY PROUD: "My dad's making me give this back." Nice. If a child learns that, unless they win, they are not worthy of recognition by their parents, how will they feel the next time they drop the ball, or miss the dive, or fall during the routine? "Boy, I hope my dad wasn't watching," or, "Boy, I hope Mom doesn't find out."
Home should be a safe place; a place where, regardless of failures through childhood (or adulthood), our sons and daughters can drag their hanging chins through the front door and be welcomed and consoled. The participation trophy is a hug from a coach. Dad's should be allowed to return hugs to the league's head office.
CTV report: NFLer Harrison returns participation trophies his sons received for 'nothing'.
Aug 03, 2015
BT Montreal: Prepping for the Start of School
Don't fret! These tips for preparing for the start of the school year begin by emphasizing getting the most out of your summer...especially if you're a parent who has been putting themselves second since the end of June.
BT Montreal: Prepping for the Start of School
May 28, 2015
BT Montreal: When Will Parents Stop Labeling Themselves?
This morning, on BT Montreal, Joanne Vrakas and I talk about the endless labels parents assign themselves: Tiger Mom, Helicopter Parent, Free-Range Parent.
The discussion was instigated after the controversy surrounding a pair of "Free Range" parents in Maryland.
Enjoy:
The Problem with Parenting Labels
Feb 26, 2015
On BT Montreal: Being a Working Parent with a Sick Child
For my latest segment on City TV's Breakfast Television Montreal, Elias Makos and I talk about the challenges facing a working parent with a sick child. How do you manage deadlines? Do you have an understanding employer?
Enjoy, and thanks for watching.
Being a Working Parent with a Sick Child
Jan 06, 2015
On Breakfast Television: The Pro's and Con's of Tech Gifts for Kids
For my 7th birthday, my oldest brother bought be a five-dollar X-Wing fighter which looked exactly like Luke Skywalker's. It was about 4 inches across and I was thrilled.
Among the "toys" on my children's list for Santa was an iPad; a Wii U; and a Furby.
Some children learn that Santa says "No" to some toys, others will be enjoying a new tablet, and still others will be given one by Mom and/or Dad.
On my most recent visit to BT Montreal, I talk with Joanne Vrakas about the pro's and con's of giving your kids - and therefore the whole family - expensive tech gifts.
BT Montreal: Tech Gifts for Kids
Oct 02, 2014
On BT Montreal: Do You Compare Your Kids to Others?
On this BT Montreal segment, Wilder Weir and I discuss whether you spend too much time comparing your child's development to other kids'. When we do, we often lose sight of which comparisons are valid, and also of how happy we were with our child before we looked at another family.
BT Montreal: Are You Playing the Comparison Game?
On BT Montreal: When Your Child's Friend is a Bad Influence
During my July segment on Breakfast Television, I talk with Joanne Vrakas about how to deal with a sticky situation. How do you handle your child's friend when that friend is a baaaad influence.
BT Montreal: How to Deal with a Bad Influence:
