Blog — Modern Parenting

Common Autism Myths

Though awareness about autism has increased in recent years, there are still many common misconceptions about the disorder. Here are a few of the biggest that advocates and professionals are working to dispel.

Echo FeatherstoneNovember 27, 2018Comment

Coping with developmental disorders

Worried that your child isn't reaching all of his milestones on time? Addressing developmental delays early can help him get back on track. Identifying signs of potential developmental delays early can be key to reducing lifelong issues.

Echo FeatherstoneNovember 27, 2018Comment

Emotion Coaching

Emotion coaching is a universal strategy for supporting the behavioural and emotional well-being of children, adolescents and adults. It can be used as an ‘in the moment’ technique to connect with your loved one, redirect behaviour and avoid or de-escalate outbursts.

Echo FeatherstoneNovember 5, 2018Comment

The truth about labels

How would you complete this sentence “I am_______”?
When filling in that blank how would you describe yourself? It's not as easy as it sounds.
The truth is we are so much more than any blank, label, third word, or description. All of your nuances, complexities, contradictions of your life, self-perception, and your sense of identity, can never be filled in under a label. And that's where a lot of us are wrapped up in labels, afraid of our feelings, fearful of being perceived as one identity.

Echo FeatherstoneNovember 5, 2018Comment

Your thoughts are the boss of your feelings

This Article is for the Pre-Teen/ adolescent girl in your family. Or you can read the article yourself to have a conversation with your daughter! Print off the quiz, ask your daughter to do it with you and you see where her head is at!

Echo FeatherstoneJuly 28, 2018Comment

Monitoring Anxiety Triggers [PDF printable]

I suggest monitoring your child every day for at least one week. You will find a blank parent monitoring worksheet right here. You will notice that the anxiety behaviours are manifesting in certain types of situations. Then you can sit down with your child and begin to discuss what she fears explicitly about the situation.

Echo FeatherstoneJuly 26, 2018Comment

Identifying Triggers and Determining Your Child's Fears – Anxiety

Once triggers have been identified, the specific content or structure of the fear must be clarified.
What does your child think will happen when he is in a trigger situation? Determining the content or structure is not always as clear to parents as are the triggers.

Echo FeatherstoneJuly 26, 2018Comment

Creating a Toolbox For Your Child's Anxiety

As with any DIY adventure, the proper tools can make a project easier. The first step in helping your child conquer their anxiety are these basic tools you and your child can use.

Echo FeatherstoneJuly 26, 2018Comment

How Sleep Can Improve Mental Health

How can sleep improve my mental health? It almost seems too good to be true: the idea that taking care of your physical health could have an impact on your mental health?!?! But, if you think about it, it makes all of the sense in the world.

Adulting, behavoiur, sleep training, sleep, school aged kids, RelationshiP, Mom health, For Dads, For MomsEcho FeatherstoneJuly 26, 2018Comment

Understanding ADHD [with PDF Printable, OFFICIAL Rating Scales]

This educational article was written to help parents, caregivers and families understand ADHD. To share current research and thinking on ADHD, it’s diagnosis and treatment.

behavoiur, back to school, Children, meltdown, school, school aged kids, teens, toddlersEcho FeatherstoneJuly 24, 2018ADHD, Mental HealthComment

Educating Yourself About Anxiety In Children [PDF DOWNLOAD]

As parents there are many things that we can do to help our anxious child cope. One of the best things we can do is try to better understand our child’s anxious behaviours. Understanding your anxious child will help you to make better choices for your child, also understanding your their fears, to your child conquer them!

Echo FeatherstoneJuly 24, 2018Comment

Does My Child Suffer From Anxiety?

As parents there are many things that we can do to help our anxious child cope. One of the best things we can do is try to better understand our child’s anxious behaviours. Understanding your anxious child will help you to make better choices for your child, also understanding your their fears, to your child conquer them!

Echo FeatherstoneJuly 24, 2018Comment

ICED COFFEE - Copycat Starbucks, McDonalds, and Echo’s “Tired Parent” Cafe, SUMMER ICED DRINKS.

Are you letting that cold coffee go to waste? Who the fuck do we look like? Bill gates?!
It’s time you learned a few recipes, (copycat STARBUCKS & MCDONALDS) that you can simply make with leftover cold coffee, skipping the long lines at the local coffee shop, and the price!

Drink, recipesEcho FeatherstoneJuly 17, 2018CoffeeComment

Arguing within your partner? - Communication Help.

Communication is one of those things that we think we are born with and mastered by now, but the truth is- no one actually teaches us anything about it. Good communication is a skill, meaning that we actually need to learn and practice how to do it well. Here we look at some common challenges and mistakes couples make while arguing.

Adulting, For Dads, For Moms, RelationshiPEcho FeatherstoneJuly 17, 2018Argue, couple, communicationComment

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE (Overnight)

If you want to be all Martha Stewart and a total brown noser... or you've got a hot cable guy coming in the am to impress.. you know what to do..

breakfast, dessert, recipesEcho FeatherstoneApril 16, 2018breakfast, casserole, recipeComment

How to Calm Angry Meltdowns

Depending what you choose, maybe even all of them! These strategies can be incredibly effective if implemented properly, consistently and if the children are encouraged to try, adapt and experiment

behavoiur, Children, meltdown, printables, school aged kids, school, tantrum, teensEcho FeatherstoneApril 7, 2018meltdown, tantrum, ANGERComment

Tantrums in School aged Children.

The years from age 3 to 6 are an emotionally turbulent time. Your child may swing between extremes: He wants more independence, but he suffers from separation anxiety. Now more than ever, it's important for you..

behavoiur, Children, printables, school aged kids, school, toddlers, tantrum, meltdownEcho FeatherstoneApril 7, 2018tantrum, meltdown, school, parentingComment

Tantrums and Sensory Meltdowns

To many people “tantrum” and “meltdown” are the same thing. And they can look very similar when you see a child in the middle of having one. A sensory meltdown is not the same thing as a temper tantrum, and it can be hard to differentiate the two. Learning about the causes and symptoms of a tantrum vs. a meltdown, can help you know how to best manage them...

Echo FeatherstoneApril 6, 2018Comment

After School Meltdown Strategies + Parenting Plan

Difficult afternoons turn into tough bed times, sibling squabbles, meltdowns, homework refusal and exhausted parents, can all happen as a result of after school overwhelm. If you too wonder if your child may the real-life version of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, fear not!..

behavoiur, Children, school aged kidsEcho FeatherstoneApril 5, 2018tantrum, meltdown, afterschool, schoolComment

So, you yelled and you feel like a crappy parent. Now what?

How many of you loose your cool and then immediately after,.. or late once they are in bed, feel like ..”shit, I could have done that better?” In this article we are going to look at the situation and talk about “AFTER” the explosion. These suggestions can even prevent a blow out before it happens. But if it happens again, here's what you need to do...

Echo FeatherstoneMarch 28, 2018Comment