Tag: parenting

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How Summer Routines Help Manage Children’s Emotions

For many families, summer is a welcome break from the busy pace of the school year. There are fewer early mornings, less rushing out the door, and more opportunities for fun, relaxation and family time. 

As exciting as summer can be, many parents also notice changes in their child’s mood and behaviour once school is out. You may see more meltdowns, sibling arguments, irritability, boredom, or difficulty managing emotions. While it may seem surprising, these behaviours are often linked to one simple factor: a lack of routine.

Why Do Routines Matter?

During the school year, children follow a fairly predictable schedule. They know when to wake up, eat meals, attend school, play, and go to bed. This consistency provides a sense of safety and security.

When summer arrives, many of those routines disappear overnight. Days become less structured, bedtimes shift, screen time increases, and activities vary from day to day. While flexibility is one of the joys of summer, too much unpredictability can sometimes leave children feeling overwhelmed without realizing why.

Routine helps children understand what to expect, which reduces stress and allows their brains to focus on learning, socializing, and managing emotions.

The Link Between Routine and Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation is a child’s ability to recognize, manage, and respond appropriately to their emotions. Like many skills, emotional regulation continues to develop throughout childhood.

When children are tired, hungry, overstimulated, or unsure of what to expect, it can be harder for them to manage their emotions. As a result, parents may see:

  • More frequent meltdowns
  • Increased frustration and irritability
  • Difficulty managing disappointment
  • Increased anxiety or worry
  • More conflict with siblings and peers

Simple, predictable routines can help meeting children’s basic needs and create a sense of stability, making it easier for them to cope with big feelings when they arise.

Why Behaviour May Change During the Summer

Behaviour is often a child’s way of communicating that something isn’t quite working for them. Without the structure of school, children may experience:

Boredom – While boredom can sometimes spark creativity, long periods without activities or direction can lead to frustration, conflict, and attention-seeking behaviours.

Increased Screen Time – Screens can be a valuable tool, but excessive use may contribute to difficulties with emotional regulation, transitions, sleep, and frustration tolerance.

Changes in Sleep – Later bedtimes and sleeping in can be fun occasionally, but inconsistent sleep can affect a child’s mood, energy, and ability to manage emotions. 

Less Predictability – When daily expectations vary from one day to the next, children may struggle to understand boundaries and responsibilities, leading to increased conflict and power struggles.

A Few Ideas to Consider

Every family is different and there is no perfect summer schedule. The goal isn’t to create a rigid routine but rather to provide enough structure to help children feel secure while still enjoying the freedom that summer offers.

You might consider: 

  • Keeping sleep and wake times relatively consistent.
  • Having regular meal and snack times throughout the day. 
  • Making time for outdoor play or physical activity.
  • Setting clear expectations around screen time.
  • Including simple household responsibilities. 
  • Creating opportunities for family connection, whether through meals, games, walks or other shared activities. 

Even a few predictable parts of the day can make a meaningful difference. 

In Summary

Summer doesn’t need to be perfectly planned to be successful. In fact, some of the best summer memories come from spontaneous adventures, relaxed afternoons and unstructured play. 

At the same time, children often benefit from having a few consistent routines they can count on. These routines help them feel safe, supported and better able to manage their emotions throughout the day. 

By finding a balance between flexibility and structure, families can create a summer that feels both enjoyable and manageable. A summer where children can grow, connect and thrive while making the most of the season.

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The Graduating Class: Navigating Transitions and Changing Purpose in Parenthood

Written by Christianne MacNeil

Our roles as parents are ever-changing. Being a parent can feel like a slow, complex, letting go. The effort, awareness, and selflessness that this requires is something we tend not to discuss while we are celebrating graduations and preparing ourselves and our children for what comes next.

Graduation is a time filled with excitement, uncertainty, and a wide range of mixed emotions. As children graduate high school and get ready to move on to the next phases in their lives, as parents, we are also moving on to the next phase of our own. We are sending them out into the adult world, hoping we’ve equipped them with sound decision-making skills and the ability to choose amidst all the temptations and pressures. We want reassurance that we’ve prepared them. It is normal to feel excitement, pride, and joy as well as a deep sense of loss, sadness, anxiety, or even regret.

Parenting is this amazing gift that keeps on giving

The eighteen years spent raising children are profoundly significant, full of discovery, disappointments, and triumphs. Children grow and change and as parents and caregivers we grow right alongside them. Every time we think we’ve got this parenting thing figured out and find our groove, a new phase begins, forcing us to grow and adapt. We’re training on the job and just when we level up to being an expert that part of the job is over. The experience can feel remarkably similar to being unexpectedly let go from the most rewarding position you’ve ever held.

Purpose is a journey, not a destination

Parenting is a journey and our purpose is ever-evolving. You used to remind your child to put on a jacket before going out to play, but now your teenager is rolling their eyes at you. It’s hard to let go of the habits of parenting; it really does fly by. You may be asking yourself: how can I comfortably change with the times? What is my purpose now that I’m no longer needed in the same way as a parent? And how can I show up meaningfully in our relationship? When you’ve been working so hard toward one thing for so many years and it appears you have reached the goal, what do you do next?

You still have a mentoring role to play

From an attachment lens, even adult children still need supportive others in their lives for growth and continued adaptation. The parenting relationship changes in some ways and stays the same in others. Your role as a parent is changing but not done. Older children still need help fine tuning their problem solving skills and need parents as guides that can lead them to find the right answers for them, while embracing the inevitable mistakes that they make. Parenting is about providing the best space possible and then moving out of the way and letting them be their authentic selves. Work toward creating a dynamic in which your child feels supported and heard with room to feel independent.

As you settle into this new mentoring role, consider these steps to help you navigate your own well-being during this transition.

Allow yourself to feel – Sitting with our emotions provides the space we may need to grieve the end of one life chapter and move on and get excited for the next. Preparing and allowing yourself to feel the emotions actually reduces the likelihood of experiencing an emotional crisis.

Take small steps – Big changes are less overwhelming when we break them into small manageable short-term goals. Set small steps while you navigate this new phase of your life.

Stay connected – Make an effort to keep in touch with people in your social circle. We all need a good community around us. Stay connected to friends, family and your child as you navigate this transition. Some ways to stay involved in your child’s life during this transition are to establish regular times for phone calls and visits.

Practice self-compassion – Treat yourself with gentleness and care as you move through this period of change. Self-compassion is most effective when we meet ourselves with kindness during our most challenging times.

Seek support when needed – If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with the transition, therapy can help you find clarity, process your feelings, and build resilience for the future. A therapist can provide you with a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your thoughts and feelings as you navigate this phase in your life. Contact us and we will get you set up with a clinician that is the right fit for you.

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Between Two Worlds

Helping Immigrant Children Feel Seen, Heard and Supported

Written by Melanie Naguib

Immigrant children are becoming a big part of today’s population, and their experiences are uniquely complex. As they juggle learning their family’s culture while fitting into mainstream society — a process called enculturation — they often face mental health challenges that their Western-born friends might never encounter.

What are some Differences Immigrant Children Experience?

Language plays a powerful role in shaping the mental health journeys of immigrant children. It’s more than just a way to communicate — it’s the key to belonging, identity, and inclusion (or, at times, exclusion). As these children move between cultures, the way they speak and understand language influences how they connect with friends, succeed in school, and fit within their families and communities.

One vivid example is language brokering — when children act as translators for their parents, bridging gaps between home and the wider world. While it might seem like this builds maturity and confidence, research shows it can also bring emotional strain, stress, and even tension within families, especially when it becomes a constant responsibility.

Social connections at school also play a major role in shaping the emotional well-being and cultural growth of immigrant children. These relationships help determine not only how children adjust socially but also how they navigate the process of blending their cultural identities. Language skills are central to this experience — when communication barriers arise, forming bonds with classmates and teachers can become especially challenging. Such obstacles can lead to feelings of isolation, misunderstanding, or exclusion, which may heighten anxiety, depression, and identity struggles during the ongoing process of enculturation.

Enculturation itself often supports positive mental health, building confidence, self-esteem, and resilience. Yet, its impact isn’t always straightforward. For instance, a strong sense of ethnic identity can boost self-worth while also intensifying anxiety — particularly for younger children still figuring out who they are and where they belong.

How can Mental Health Supports Help?

Mental health support and clinical interventions can make a powerful difference in the lives of immigrant children. Through culturally sensitive therapy and community-based programs, clinicians can help young people process the unique pressures that come with balancing multiple identities. Approaches that recognize the importance of language, family dynamics, and cultural values allow children to feel seen and understood — key ingredients for healing and growth. Beyond addressing symptoms of anxiety or depression, effective mental health care helps foster resilience, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of identity. By building trust and creating safe spaces for self-expression, clinical work can empower immigrant youth to navigate both their inner worlds and the diverse communities they’re part of with confidence and hope.

At One Tree Psychological and Therapeutic Services, our team of clinicians brings a rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences to their work — with some having personally navigated the journey of enculturation themselves. This lived understanding helps bridge the gap between clients and practitioners, creating a more authentic and empathetic space for healing. By drawing on both professional expertise and cultural self-awareness, our clinicians are better equipped to provide care that feels genuinely inclusive and culturally responsive. For many families, this makes all the difference in overcoming barriers to treatment and finding the right therapeutic fit.

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Psychological Assessments at One Tree

At One Tree Psychological, we are committed to helping individuals and families gain valuable insights into their mental health and cognitive and/or academic functioning. One of the key services we are excited to now be able to offer is psychological assessments.

Psychological assessments provide a deeper understanding of an individual’s strengths, challenges, and unique needs. But what exactly is a psychological assessment, and how can it benefit you or your loved ones?

What is a Psychological Assessment? 

A psychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation process that examines various aspects of an individual’s mental, emotional, and cognitive functioning. These assessments are conducted by Andrew Burke, our Registered Provisional Psychologist, using a combination of standardized tests, interviews, observations, and questionnaires. With the goal of providing a clear and well-rounded picture of an individual’s abilities, challenges, and areas for support.

Types of Psychological Assessments We Offer

 At One Tree Psychological, we offer a range of assessments tailored to different needs for children and adults. The assessments we provide include:

  • Psychoeducational Assessments: These assessments help identify learning difficulties, giftedness, and academic challenges such as dyslexia or other learning disabilities.
  • ADHD Evaluations: Designed to assess attention difficulties and executive functioning skills, these evaluations provide clarity for individuals who may struggle with focus, organization, or impulsivity.
  • Mental Health Assessments: These comprehensive evaluations help diagnose anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other mental health concerns, offering recommendations for effective treatment and support.
  • Behavioral and Emotional Assessments: These assessments explore emotional regulation, social skills, and behavioral challenges to support children, youth, and adults in managing daily life more effectively.

Why Might Someone Need a Psychological Assessment? 

A psychological assessment can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Understanding learning or attention difficulties
  • Gaining clarity on emotional or behavioural challenges
  • Informing treatment plans for mental health conditions
  • Providing guidance for academic and workplace accommodations
  • Identifying strengths and areas for growth to foster personal development

What to Expect During an Assessment

The assessment process typically involves an initial consultation, testing sessions, and a feedback meeting. Our team ensures that the experience is supportive and informative, providing clients with detailed results and practical recommendations tailored to their specific needs.

What Makes Our Assessments Different?

Traditionally psychological assessments primarily identify concerns, at One Tree Psychological we utilize a different approach to take the information gathered a step further by offering actionable steps for improvement.

These assessments provide clear, personalized strategies for managing challenges, whether in academic settings, workplace environments, or daily life.

Our goal is not just to diagnose but to equip individuals with practical tools to foster personal growth and well-being.

Take the Next Step

If you or a loved one could benefit from a psychological assessment, our team at One Tree Psychological is here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about our assessment services and how they can support your personal and professional growth.

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Playful Parenting

Written by Melanie Naguib

The Wonder of Playful Parenting

Have you ever wondered to yourself “what do I do about my child’s rumbunctious behaviour?” Or how about “why is she so withdrawn and unwilling to talk?” Well, many parents have shared similar thoughts. Playful Parenting by Dr. Lawrence J. Cohen answers these questions, and what you can do about it!

What is Playful Parenting?

It is an approach where fun is used to parent your children. Children use play to communicate, and they indeed say a lot! Playful parenting joins children at their level and nurtures close connections between child(ren) and parent(s). Playful parenting joins children in their world through play as they navigate life through discovering new accomplishments, recovering from being hurt, or are simply bursting with youthful energy!

How Can it be Used at Home?

 Playful parenting can be implemented during any time of the day, and particularly when the child needs a reconnection. If a child is not listening to you asking him to share a toy with a sibling who also wants a turn, we can easily get frustrated and our instinct is to yell, scold, and get angry. Instead, try playing with your child! Take the toy and exaggerate how much you want to play with it! Run out of the room and have them chase you! Keep it fun without making the child feel bad and get down on their level! Chances are high that the child will laugh and share their toy with you and their sibling. But there is also a deeper purpose to this method of changing the behaviour; you have reestablished a connection with them, and with each other, in a way that the child can understand.

Parental Stress

Raise your hand if you have ever thought “parenting is hard!” You are also not alone. Parenting is challenging, but also rewarding. We feel stressed when our kids aren’t listening. Or is it that we are not listening to them? Taking the time to play and communicate with them lessens this stress. Now I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t have time for that!!” But think about it, do we not already use up much of our time lecturing or scolding our children? What if we used that time to play instead?

Stress also comes upon us when we don’t give ourselves a chance to unwind and recharge our own batteries. Talking with a friend for five minutes or doing a short self-care activity for yourself can be highly beneficial. Even if we think we don’t have time for that, doing so will save yourself a lot more time in the future! Don’t neglect your own feelings.

Using Play Therapy to Process Medical Trauma

Many children do not yet understand what “surgery” or other medical terminology is, and this can be frightening. Children communicate this theme of fear through play. Play therapy helps children process the fear by meeting their needs, letting the theme be present in a safe space, and reassuring that things will be okay! There are explicit ways this trauma can be met such as having a mock surgery performed in therapy, or implicit, where the theme is played our through characters.