Tara's Take - Parenting, Education & Life With Kids Tara Gratto M.S.Ed, MA, OCT

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's personalities. We explore the unintentional guilt children may feel about not liking certain items and how to address it. Alison shares valuable advice on toy selection, the significance of decluttering, and how to involve your kids in this process. We also dive deep into the emotional process of passing down toys and how to navigate it.

We'll also share some practical approaches to toy organization, including the concept of toy rotation to enhance independent play. Our conversation extends to teaching kids about gift-giving, consumerism, and sustainability. We explore the "sunk cost" concept that comes with decluttering and wrap up with the importance of community giving and toy donation. Be ready to gain new perspectives on parenting and home organization.

Alison's contact information:

Website: https://soothingspaces.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soothingspaces/
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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 this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: 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.

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 permanently available may not always be best. Instead, we inspire you to create mutually respectful  dynamic where everyone's needs matter.

Ever felt 'over-present' yet under-connected with your kid? We've been there too, and that's why we're sharing insightful perspectives on how to authentically connect with your children. In this conversation, we navigate around effective language, turning even the most mundane tasks into opportunities for building respectful relationships. 

We encourage you to foster an environment where your children can feel heard and understood. We not only share the importance of using effective language but also how to implement it in day-to-day parenting. Tune in, and let's strengthen those parent-child bonds together.
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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 this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: 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.

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 parenthood that the pandemic has thrust upon us and the potential repercussions of not dealing with it effectively. 
We know that birthdays and celebrations can bring out the big feelings in us all, but there’s a silver lining! We take a closer look at how we can turn these events into opportunities for teaching our children healthy coping strategies. We’ll also explore the art of navigating comparison and individuality, building resilience in our children. Finally, we'll discuss the Language of Kindness towards the planet, framing our conversations around values, inclusion, and the delicate balance between equity and equality. Join us, as we journey through the challenging yet rewarding terrain of parenting as we approach the busy holiday season.
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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 this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: 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.

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 IEPs while offering invaluable insights for parents navigating these waters.

We'll be exploring the process of developing IEPs, illuminating the role of teachers in providing accommodations, and dissecting the approaches of different school boards. You'll learn about the tiered system of services and why a measured approach is key before leaping straight into an IEP. Amy's expert take will reframe your understanding of IEPs, focusing less on extra enrichment and more on providing tailored support to students with diverse learning needs.

We'll also delve into the significance of psychological evaluations, their role in identifying learning disabilities and ADHD, the costs, and wait times associated with these evaluations. Our conversation will stretch to curriculum modifications, how they impact a student's ability to earn high school credits and why these changes are often need to be monitored in elementary school. 

Prepare to be enlightened, reassured, and armed with practical advice for your child's educational journey. With Amy by our side, we're making sense of IEPs, one step at a time.
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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 this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: 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.

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 importance of understanding that all feelings are valid, but the key is in teaching our little ones how to express these emotions in ways that aren't harmful to themselves, or to others.

An important part of our discussion will be about creating a safe, judgment-free zone for our kids where all feelings, big and small, are welcome. We will also delve into the real-world challenges of dealing with unwanted behaviors like kicking, screaming, and self-harm. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is emotional regulation. It takes time, patience, and consistent practice. The tools we need to develop emotional regulation skills are best modelled in calm and connected moments, not just when the storm hits. And if you're struggling to navigate these waters alone, don't worry - personal one-on-one sessions are now available to provide more personal guidance. Tune in, and let's navigate these emotional waters together.


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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 this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: 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.

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 relationship of listening, as well as the art of positive, meaningful interactions without 'buts' or 'ands'.

As an added bonus I chat about how books aren't just for bedtime.  Incorporating books into other parts of your day can facilitate open conversations with your children, helping them express their worries and thoughts. I reveal my strategies to balance the use of books for creating a dialogue with your children and ways to foster genuine relationships that don't rely on costly activities or outings. 

Let's confront some  uncomfortable truths about parenting, from the importance of when and how we communicate with our kids, to the critical role of positive reinforcement. In this episode we'll tackle some tricky conversations while unravelling the complexities of parenting together.
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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

------
The music for this podcast is written and produced by Jazlyn B with the guidance of Sabine Ndalamba

Note: 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.