Parenting Foundations Blog

Welcome to the Parenting Foundations Blog Page. It is here that I, Brenda McSween, and a few guest bloggers post about tips and tricks to add to your parenting toolbox. I am a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Parent Advisor with extensive experience working with children, youth and their families. I have a Bachelor of Child Studies Degree. Even with my experience and education there are days and times that I have to remind myself that parenting is a tough gig and I need to cut myself some slack.

The goal of this blog is for you to walk away feeling like you have a new tip to try or thing to consider as your child grows.

Have fun parenting!!

Routines and Schedules

Nov 21, 2023 | Baby Sleep, Child Sleep, Infant, Parenting, Parenting Tools, School Age, Toddlers and Preschoolers

It is times like this that I want to go back to my past self and give myself a high five!! The routines we put in place when our son was 3 years old or younger are still in place with some minor changes through the years and they are still working well 9 years later!!...

Why am I so tired??

Sep 22, 2023 | Parenting

If you are a parent who is tired and wondering why, you are reading the right post! September is a month that marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall, and for many people, it is the most exhausting time of the year. There are a variety of reasons why this is...

Be the Person You Want Your Child to Be

Aug 14, 2023 | Parenting

As parents, we all want our children to grow up to be compassionate, kind, and responsible individuals. But have you ever stopped to think about the role you play in shaping their behaviour? The Power of Mirror Neurons: Did you know that...

How Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Jul 5, 2023 | Parenting

(At first, he was saying he wanted to try the water but never went in, turns out he did not want to get wet and have to go back in the car. That makes sense.) The way your child is acting is a very large indicator of how things are going in their world. They...

Navigating Tantrums and Meltdowns: What is the Difference?

Apr 21, 2023 | Child Behaviour, Child Development, Parenting, Toddlers and Preschoolers

As children grow and develop, they often experience strong emotions that they struggle to control. In these moments, it's not uncommon for a child to have a "tantrum" or "meltdown". While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to two different...

Pacifier: The Real Deal

Mar 16, 2023 | Baby Sleep, Child Sleep, Infant, Parenting, Toddlers and Preschoolers

A pacifier (aka soother, dummy, sucky, etc) can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. The sucking reflex is a very calming for many children. It is a very natural thing. Children come out of the womb with the ability to suck and they love it!! Many of you may...

Best Laid Plan

Mar 8, 2023 | Parenting

As a parent, there are going to be many times that you have a plan in place, and it bombs! When plans bomb we will often think it is something we are doing wrong. The fact is that not all plans will work out and not all ways of dealing with a behaviour respond...

Communication through the years

Jan 11, 2023 | Parenting

Children's communication styles can vary significantly based on their age, developmental level, personality, and individual experiences. Children do communication with you using more than just words or sounds. Some general characteristics of children's communication...

What do you need today??

Nov 26, 2022 | Parenting

Parenting is not an easy gig. There are going to be many days where you feel like you are a rockstar parent and other days where you feel depleted and/or defeated as a parent. In order for you to be the parent you want to be, it is important that you are able to focus...

Readiness: Is your child ready?

Oct 26, 2022 | Member only, Parenting

Readiness. This is an important topic that can often get overlooked. I have talked to a number of parents that are concerned about their child's development after their child has spent some time with some same-aged peers. Our children are constantly growing and...

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