If you haven’t already and would like to read about my experiences trying new things in January & February, you can find that post here - https://www.growingheartsandminds.com/post/honouring-60-trying-60-new-things-this-year-the-first-two-months When I started this challenge to honour turning 60 this, I wasn’t just looking to try 60 new things. I was looking to shake things up, step outside my comfort zone, and see what might happen if I said yes a little more often. Some of the things I’ve tried have been fun. Some have been uncomfortable. A few I would happily do again. And a few I absolutely would not. But each one has given me something, whether it’s a new experience, a good story, or a deeper understanding of myself. This is me riding a fat bike in the woods near me. Here are the new things I tried in March and April: I learned to play bid euchre. I have played euchre since I was a teenager and am learning to play bridge. I find euchre quite easy and bridge quite challenging so bid euchre feels like a great in-between. I have played several times at a local community centre and also play online quite regularly with my husband. I’ve always loved playing cards but didn’t often have the opportunity or people to play with. Now I’ve found a way to create those opportunities. I attended a sound journey retreat. This took place at a local community centre. We started the morning with a sound meditation, followed by a lovely lunch and then went forest bathing on snowshoes. It was a beautiful day and I left feeling both relaxed and energized. I would definitely do it again. I rode a fat bike in the snow. This was my husband’s bike and he had mentioned several times how much fun it was to ride. We have a small forest near us with hiking trails and because of all the snow, the path was quite narrow with soft, deep snow on either side. I found it really difficult to get started, there was barely any room to place my foot to push of, and almost as difficult to stay on the trail. I have no desire to do this again. I attended a women’s weekend wellness retreat. This is something I had always wanted to do but never invested the time or money into doing - something just for me. I loved everything about it… except the ice. The accommodations were rustic but charming, the food was vegan and delicious, the instructor was calm and inspiring, and the group was small (only five of us plus the instructor). We bonded very quickly. We meditated, journalled, did yoga, made bracelets, talked (so much), were vulnerable, laughed and cried. Our area had record snowfall this year and during the retreat the weather began to warm up. The melting and freezing created very icy conditions. The cabins didn’t have washrooms so we had to walk to the main building a short distance away. On the second night around 1:00 am I slipped and fell on my way back. A light mist was falling and every time I tried to stand my hands and feet slipped out from under me. After several attempts, I could feel myself begin to panic. So I stopped. I sat there on the cold, wet ice and looked around at the beautiful surroundings and the night sky. I felt the first signs of spring in the air and thought about how inspiring the women and the weekend had been. After sitting and breathing for several minutes, I shone my flashlight around and noticed a small patch of grass sticking up through the ice. I shuffled on my butt over to it and used the grass to keep my footing and stand up. I have thought about this moment many times since. Whenever I feel myself getting stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, I picture myself sitting there, in my pajamas, soaked through to my underwear and somehow still grateful. It reminds me to just breathe. I went to a spa. I had no real desire to go to a spa but thought I should at least try it, so I added it to my list. I ended up spending a morning at a local spa and had lunch there, all for free (thanks Mel). I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, and can definitely see myself going back. I drank Gatorwine. A friend shared an Instagram reel of a women named Nicole trying Gatorwine (Gatorade mixed with wine) for the first time. She was so funny and inspired me to try it for myself. She described it as “a life hack”, “you’re hydrating and dehydrating at the same time”, “it’s essentially health and wellness”. (You can google instagram reel nicoleleeanne6 trying gatorwine to see the video.) She said it tasted like sangria meets Koolaid, and honestly, that’s pretty accurate. It was better than I expected, but I think I’ll stick to plain wine or sangria. I saw an ABBA cover band at the local college theatre. I had been invited to a few different performances at this theatre and had been meaning to see something there. I finally did… along with a group of women. We made a night out of it by going out for dinner first. We had so much fun. The theatre is close to home and a good size, so I’ve been keeping an eye on upcoming events. I interviewed for a podcast. I shared my previous blog about starting this challenge in a Facebook group for retired teachers and was so surprised when someone reached out asking if I’d be a guest on her podcast, 85 After School. My first reaction was no. Honestly, it probably would have stayed a no if I wasn’t doing this challenge. I love listening to podcasts but being on one? That brought up all kinds of imposter syndrome… I hate the sound of my voice. Who cares what I have to say? What if I say the wrong thing? Before responding, I paused, took a breath and said yes to a discovery call. Nicole was warm, welcoming and helped ease my fears. So I said yes to an interview. (You can find the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.) What struck me afterward was realizing how often fear disguises itself as self-protection. I almost said no simply because being seen and heard felt uncomfortable. Somewhere along the way, I started believing that my stories, experiences, and perspectives aren’t important enough to share. Or maybe I had simply spent so many years protecting myself from judgment, criticism, rejection, or failure that I forgot I don’t always need that protection anymore. This experience reminded me that growth often begins the moment we stop waiting to feel confident and do the thing anyway. Am I still nervous? Absolutely. But I’m starting to realize that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s deciding that fear doesn’t get to make every decision for me anymore. I followed a specific food plan. I recently listened to a Mel Robbins podcast featuring Dr. Amy Shah. Dr. Shah is an MD and nutrition expert, specializing in women’s health, gut health and evidence based research. During the conversation, she shared her 30/30/3 framework for healthy eating: 30 grams of protein at each meal (especially breakfast) 30 grams of fibre throughout the day 3 probiotic foods each day What caught my attention was the list of benefits she said people could start to notice in as little as one week: improved energy and less fatigue improved mood and decreased anxiety improved sleep better digestion increased libido sharper thinking reduced hot flashes and night sweats a fitter figure, especially around waist feeling fuller with fewer cravings I decided to give it a try for one week, creating a meal plan that followed the framework as closely as possible. I even experimented with foods I didn’t like, such as cottage cheese (it’s the texture). Turns out, blended into different dishes, I didn’t even notice it was there. I also discovered I enjoyed fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented pickles and kombucha. I’m not sure I noticed dramatic changes overall, but I did notice significantly fewer nighttime cravings. Moving forward, I won’t follow this plan strictly, but I will include more probiotics and make sure I have protein at breakfast. Feel free to message me if you would like more information about the meal plan I followed and the recipes in it. I started a 7 day decluttering challenge. Full honesty, I’ve only completed 4 days of this challenge so far. We committed to spending at least 30 minutes a day for 7 days. We started with a few smaller spaces; a back hallway used for storage, our offices, the front hall closet and the bedroom closets. We also tackled some some outdoor areas. We donated quite a bit and took a couple of loads to the dump. We definitely exceeded our 30 minute goal over those first 4 days. While I wanted to move on to the garage next, my husband insisted on relocating a shed first, which turned into it’s own project. He’s almost done and I am determined to get to the garage for our final 3 days, hopefully by Mother’s Day. I attended a reiki healing session. This is something I’ve been curious about for years. While I’m open to various spiritual and mystical possibilities, believing that there are things beyond our current understanding, I can also be skeptical of individual practices. I decided to make the time to give reiki a try. I won’t go into too much detail, but I will say I felt better when I left. And I’ve continued to feel better, both physically and emotionally, in the weeks since. I joined an online women’s circle. I came across an open invitation from the wellness retreat instructor and immediately signed up. We meet virtually for six sessions. Each one follows a theme and includes whole group discussions, break out conversations, a few minutes of journaling and a short meditation. So far we’ve explored how we’re feeling, what we need to feel better, the “shoulds” and expectations holding us back and how to use our authentic voice. It’s encouraged me to slow down, reflect and go deeper each week. I got a tattoo. I’ve often said I would never get a tattoo. Then I was visiting a friend, chatting with her son, and he mentioned that he had done several tattoos on himself and his friends. I jokingly said I would think about it and maybe next time I visited he could do one for me. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it. One of the reasons I had never wanted a tattoo is because I didn’t know what I would choose. I wanted something simple, maybe a word or something from nature. I thought back to to that moment I fell on the ice and the idea of breathe. As my friend was getting some things ready for dinner I started scrolling on my phone and came across several different images of a dandelion wish. This felt perfect, a reminder to pause and just breathe. So, I asked my friend’s son if he could give me a tattoo right then and there. We agreed on a design, size and placement. Half an hour later, I had a new tattoo, done at my friend’s dining table. I love the tattoo. But I think I love my spontaneity even more. Overall, this challenge has been the push I needed to try some things I‘ve been putting off for a long time and to say yes to some things I otherwise would have avoided. Stepping out of my comfort zone has reminded me that I am stronger and braver than I sometimes think. I have some interesting, fun and challenging things planned for the next couple of months and I’m genuinely excited to continue this journey. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like some support on your life journey. Or check out my Facebook group, Busy Women Finding Balance, where we talk about boundaries, burnout, asking for help, and everything in between. As a bonus for joining, you’ll get free access to my 18-page goal-setting workbook, Beyond the To-Do List! It’s designed to help you reflect, prioritize, and take action—one step at a time. You can find the workbook in the Files section.

Last year, I retired. I expected to feel free. Instead, I felt a little lost. There were quiet days I hadn’t planned for. Less structure. Less built-in purpose. Fewer automatic social connections. And if I’m honest, moments of boredom and loneliness. This year, I turn 60. Rather than shrinking into that milestone, I decided to honour it. So I set a challenge:  Try 60 new things before the end of the year. That’s about five new things a month. Some are big. Some are small. Some are slightly uncomfortable. Some are just playful. But every single one is intentional. This is me doing my polar plunge... just trying to breathe. January: Starting Before I Felt Ready In January, I didn’t wait until I felt confident. I just started. In fact, I posted my intentions on my Facebook page so I could be held accountable. These are the 5 new things I tried in January: I tried durian.  If you don’t know, durian is a large, spiky Asian fruit… and very, very stinky — often compared to rotten feet. I had no intention of ever trying it. We were out for a family dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and it was available. My husband asked if I was going to try it. I laughed and said, “Not!” He suggested it might be a good way to kick off my 60-new-things challenge. So I agreed. And because I was brave, everyone else at the table decided to try it too. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected. A little slimy. Mostly sweet, like a cross between pineapple and banana, with a hint of savouriness, almost like egg custard. I don’t need to try it again, but I’m glad I did. I did a polar plunge with my friend, Fiona.  Again, something I had always said I would never do. My husband and I used to laugh at people who did it and say, “Never in a million years.” But after trying durian and realizing discomfort didn’t kill me, I decided to go for it. Her husband cut a hole in the ice, which was several inches thick. It was freezing and windy. Wearing a bathing suit, hat, water shoes, and gloves, I climbed down a metal ladder from the concrete wharf into that dark hole. I stayed in up to my neck for about 30 seconds, just trying to breathe. The hardest part was climbing back up. One rung was coated in ice and too slippery to stand on, and my gloves kept sticking to the freezing metal. When I finally stood back on the wharf, I felt exhilarated. Completely alive. This one I may actually repeat, maybe as a New Year’s Day tradition. I joined a 55+ Community Centre with my husband, Tony.  So far, we’ve played euchre, table tennis and billiards. I learned to play bid euchre and have played that several times. There are always activities happening so whenever I am looking for something to do I know I can go there. I took a bridge class with my friend, Alison.  It was a couple of hours away from me so continuing in person isn’t practical. But we found a website where we can play together online, complete with video chat, so we can learn and catch up at the same time. It’s become connection and brain exercise rolled into one. And I can play bridge at my local community centre when I am ready. I attended a Buddhist centre.  This has been the biggest surprise… and the most impactful. I enrolled in a weekly class called Think Better, Feel Better  and one quote in particular resonated deeply with me, “When things go wrong in our life and we encounter difficult situations, we tend to regard the situation itself as the problem, but in reality whatever problems we experience come from the mind. If we respond to difficult situations with a positive or peaceful mind they would not be problems for us; indeed we may even come to regard them as challenges or opportunities for growth and development. Problems only arise if we respond to them with a negative state of mind.” That idea stopped me. As I continue attending, I’m learning to reframe my thoughts, manage my emotions, practice more compassion for others and myself and become more curious and less judgmental. And I feel more peaceful. Less reactive. Less stressed. Some of these experiences stretched me physically. Some stretched me socially. All of them stretched me mentally. February: Expanding My Circle In February, I kept going. Here are the 5 new things I tried this month: I started pickleball lessons with my husband. (It’s really fun!) I enjoyed Coldplay by Candlelight with my husband on Valentine’s Day. (We never do anything special for Valentine’s.) I visited 4 local places I have never tried while following the Hot Cocoa Trail in Barrie. (With two of my friends that I really like but don’t spend enough time with.) I took a qigong and tai chi class. (It was good, but I prefer to do it at home on my own for free.) I took a line dancing class at a country bar. (I've never been in a country bar, let alone done line dancing. I went with a group of local ladies and although it was quite challenging, we had a blast!) None of these changed my life dramatically. But collectively? They changed my rhythm. I was getting out of the house more.  Using my body.  Learning new skills.  Meeting new people.  Connecting in different spaces. What This Challenge Is Really About At the beginning of the year, this idea crossed my Facebook feed, and I decided to try it simply to pull myself out of a rut. I wasn’t expecting much. But after just two months, the benefits have surprised me. This challenge has: Encouraged me to try things I might have talked myself out of. Pushed me outside my comfort zone. Stopped me from waiting for the “perfect” timing. Helped me do things on my own instead of waiting for everyone’s schedules to align. Sparked creativity. Added some structure and purpose to retirement. Improved my physical, mental, and social health. Connected me more deeply to my local community. Reminded me that I can do hard or scary things. Created more joy than I expected. What started as a simple experiment has become something much bigger: a commitment to living this season of my life with intention instead of hesitation. The Ripple Effect When I shared this on Facebook at the beginning of the year, people reached out with ideas. Some suggested activities.  Some offered to join me. Some admitted they’ve been feeling stuck too. And some decided to create a similar challenge of their own. I learned that putting myself out there created space for others to do the same. There are still so many ideas I’m excited to try. I’ve never had such an energizing start to a new year and I’m genuinely curious to see where this journey leads. Why I’m Sharing This Turning 60 isn’t about proving anything. It’s about honouring this season of my life with curiosity instead of comfort. It’s about being intentional and staying open to new possibilities. It’s about building social health on purpose. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about reminding myself (and anyone else who needs to hear it): You are not done growing. Not at 60. Not after retirement. Not after a hard year. There is still room for new experiences, new friendships, new confidence and new joy.  Maybe this is your nudge to try something new. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like some support on your life journey. Or check out my Facebook group, Busy Women Finding Balance , where we talk about boundaries, burnout, asking for help, and everything in between. As a bonus for joining, you’ll get free access to my 18-page goal-setting workbook, Beyond the To-Do List!  It’s designed to help you reflect, prioritize, and take action—one step at a time. You can find the workbook in the Files section.

Somewhere along the way, we were taught to be helpful. To hold everything together. To smile while we do it. And if we ever dared to want more—more rest, more space, more truth, more time for ourselves—we were told we were selfish, dramatic, or ungrateful. This blog series was born from that quiet ache so many women carry—the feeling that something's off, even if they can’t name it. It’s for the women who check every box, show up for everyone, and still go to bed wondering, “Is this all there is?” Last week, we explored what it means to listen to your inner voice—to get quiet enough to hear your own wisdom beneath the noise. We talked about tuning into your body, your breath, your needs, and your values. When you start doing that, something powerful happens: you begin to come home to yourself. And from that place, something else becomes possible—not a perfect life, but a life with room for joy. This week, we’re talking about finding joy in a life that’s still messy. Not the Instagram version of joy, but real joy—the kind that can sit right alongside grief, stress, uncertainty, and overwhelm. It doesn’t require you to clean up your life first or become someone new. It just asks that you pay attention. Finding joy in the everyday In Untamed , Glennon Doyle writes:   “Being fully human is not about feeling happy, it’s about feeling everything. Sad and confused and scared and angry and grateful and happy. And that’s the most beautiful thing of all. Joy is not made of ease. It’s made of full presence.” Joy is not the end goal. It’s not something we earn once we’ve fixed everything or gotten it all right. It’s something we practice —something we notice —even in the middle of the mess. And maybe, especially in the middle of the mess. How to Practice Joy in the Middle of the Mess You don’t need a perfect life to feel joy—you just need to be here  for your real one. These small practices can help you notice and nurture joy, even when life feels overwhelming or chaotic. 1. Create small rituals of joy Joy often lives in the little things. A quiet morning coffee, a favorite song on repeat, five minutes of sunlight on your face. Pick one tiny ritual and do it daily this week—something that feels good just for you. Let it be sacred. Here are a few more ideas of some daily habits that can help incorporate more joy into everyday life: Dance While You Clean  – Put on your favorite upbeat playlist while doing chores and let loose with a few spontaneous dance moves. The Daily High-Five  – Start or end the day with a high-five to yourself in the mirror or with your partner/kids—cheesy? Maybe. Mood-lifting? Definitely. Mini Celebration Moment  – Celebrate something small each day (you folded the laundry? showed up for yourself?)—clap, cheer, or do a happy dance. Family Giggle Break  – Set a timer once a day for a 2-minute silly session: make funny faces, tell the worst joke you can think of, or have a laugh-off. Dress Up for No Reason  – Wear something that makes you feel joyful, playful, or cozy—even if you’re staying home. Dinner Table “Would You Rather”  – Keep a little jar of fun “Would You Rather?” questions for family meals to spark connection and laughter. Backyard (or Living Room) Picnic  – Change the scenery of an ordinary meal or snack—grab a blanket and make it a moment. Joy Jar  – With your family, write down one happy or funny moment each day, drop it in a jar, and read them together at the end of the week. Themed Walks or Challenges  – Go for a “silly walk,” a color hunt, or a scavenger-style stroll around the block with your kids (or on your own!). One Song Dance Party  – Make it a tradition: one song, full volume, full body movement, no matter what kind of day you had. What are some other ideas of fun and playful rituals you can add into your daily routine? 2. Keep a joy journal Each day, jot down one or two things that made you smile, laugh, or feel grateful. They don’t need to be big. In fact, the smaller and more ordinary, the better. You’re training your brain to notice joy—on purpose. 3. Make space for play and creativity Joy shows up when we stop trying to be productive every second. Dance in your kitchen, doodle with your kids, bake something messy, or play a silly game. Don’t aim for perfect—aim for fun. 4. Practice presence, not perfection Joy lives in the now . Try taking a few deep breaths when you notice yourself spiraling into what’s next or what’s wrong. Use your senses to ground you: What do you see, hear, smell, or feel? Let yourself come back to the moment. 5. Let go of “should” and choose “want” Joy often gets buried under obligation. This week, notice how many times you say “should” to yourself. What if you chose something you want  to do instead—something that fills your cup, even just a little? 6. Follow the spark – seek joy in the moment Joy isn’t always something you plan—it often shows up when you stay open to the little sparks around you. Let yourself be spontaneous. If something feels light, silly, or satisfying… follow it. It could be: Cranking up your favourite song in the car and singing like no one’s listening Saying yes to an impromptu dance party in the kitchen Smelling a flower, skipping a step, or making a snow angel just because Buying yourself a fancy latte or fresh flowers on an ordinary Tuesday Laughing out loud at a meme and sharing it with a friend who needs it too These tiny acts are reminders that joy doesn’t have to be big or planned—it just needs to be noticed and welcomed. 7. Be okay with joy and pain coexisting You don’t need to wait until the hard stuff is over to feel joy. It’s okay to cry and  laugh in the same hour. To feel stressed and  deeply grateful. Let it all belong. You’re allowed to hold both. 8. Begin with joy on purpose Before your day begins, take a moment to visualize a joyful moment you'd love to experience—today or in the future. Picture it clearly, feel it in your body, imagine the different sensations and let it set the tone for your day. Consider recording your vision in a journal or creating a vision board filled with moments, places, and feelings that spark joy and purpose. 9. Build toward something beautiful Joy often grows when you’re working toward something meaningful. Start a new hobby, plan a trip, or dream up a solo weekend away. Let yourself enjoy the process—the imagining, the researching, the anticipation. There’s joy in the journey too. Reflection Corner What are some small things that bring you joy—even in hard seasons? When was the last time you felt fully present in a joyful moment? What helped you get there? What “shoulds” can you let go of to make space for joy? How might you give yourself permission to feel joy, even when everything isn’t perfect? What is something meaningful or exciting you could start planning or working toward that would bring you joy—not just in the outcome, but in the process? As We Wrap Up… This is the final post in the Reclaiming You  series, but it’s not the end of your journey. You’ve taken courageous steps to question old stories, tune into your needs, set boundaries, release comparison, and listen to your inner voice. That is powerful. And you are just getting started. Joy isn’t a destination—it’s a breadcrumb trail leading you back to yourself, again and again. Check out the Free Resources section for a free printable reflection guide  and weekly challenge checklist  so you can revisit each theme whenever you need a boost or a reminder. Come Grow with Us If this series has resonated with you, I’d love for you to stay connected. Join my Facebook group, Busy Women Finding Balance , where we talk about boundaries, burnout, asking for help, and everything in between. As a bonus for joining, you’ll get free access to my 18-page goal-setting workbook, Beyond the To-Do List!  It’s designed to help you reflect, prioritize, and take action—one step at a time. You can find the workbook in the Files section. Find more tools and free resources by exploring other sections of my website or contact me if you have any questions or want to explore 1:1 coaching if you're ready to be supported while you re-center yourself. You deserve a life that feels like yours. And you’re already on your way to reclaiming it.

As a recently retired OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) teacher and lifelong learner, I am excited to bring my passion for helping others into a new role that aligns with my skills and experience. About Me Hi, my name is Barb. I’m a certified life coach, recently retired OCT teacher, and lifelong learner passionate about helping others reach their goals and navigate life’s challenges. Over the course of my teaching career, I mentored countless educators, supported individuals through difficult situations, and developed a deep understanding of how to foster growth and resilience. I'm always a work in progress, learning and growing as I strive to create my best life—just like the people I love to help. With 30 years of marriage and raising two wonderful children, I’ve gained invaluable insights into balancing personal and professional commitments, overcoming obstacles, and creating meaningful connections. I know firsthand how essential it is to have a strong support system — and how difficult it can be when that support isn’t readily available. Now, as a certified life coach, I’m excited to bring my experience and empathy into this new chapter. Whether you’re looking to achieve personal growth, build healthier habits, strengthen your family dynamic, or need practical support tailored to your unique situation, I’m here to help. I provide personalized guidance and create resources to empower you to move forward with confidence. Learn more about me by checking out some of my personal blog posts . Ready to take the next step? Click here to connect and discuss how I can support your goals! “I am incredibly grateful for the support and guidance Barb has provided. Her encouragement and insightful strategies have truly helped me boost my self-esteem and gain a more positive outlook on life. Barb has an amazing ability to listen, understand, and provide the right tools to help me navigate challenges with confidence. Thanks to her support, I feel more empowered and capable of achieving my goals. I highly recommend Barb to anyone looking to build self-confidence and achieve personal growth. ” ~ Nada A, Oakville, ON

Here are some things you can try to help your child develop and improve their social skills, learning skills, social play, role-model through play, social relationships, family, kids, children, parents, social problem, aggression, social rejection, setting boundaries, validate feelings, Promoting Learning Skills Development Here are some things you can try to help your child develop and improve their social skills: Provide opportunities for social play, such as at the park, library, playdates or organized activities. Play with your child in a positive and peer-like manner. Try to laugh and smile, avoid criticism, respond to your child’s play ideas, and take direction as well as give direction during play. Talk about the importance of social relationships. Share things about your relationships with friends, family, colleagues or community members, including positive solutions to conflict. Ask casual questions before and after their social activities. Take a problem-solving approach to social difficulties. Listen with empathy when your child describes a social problem and help brainstorm a variety of solutions. Endorse positive social strategies that increase the probability of play or friendships, rather than aggression or rejecting the other child. Reflect a positive and resilient attitude toward social rejections. Explain rejections by peers as temporary or as situations that they can improve by changing their own behavior; such as setting boundaries, validating feelings and maintaining a respectful tone and attitude. Avoid defeatist comments, such as, "Those kids are just mean." Intervene when necessary, but generally permit children to work out their social problems on their own. Allow children to practice social skills in real life situations with other children and then discuss what went well and what was challenging afterwards. Check out these games and activities for various ages from Parenting Science .

managing meltdowns, self-regulation, managing emotions, kids, children, parents, teachers, overstimulation, validate feelings, calming strategies, de-escalation, triggers Managing Meltdowns As both a parent and a teacher, I’ve applied many of these strategies with success. However, every child is unique, and what works for one may not be effective for another. If your child experiences frequent meltdowns, it’s helpful to identify specific triggers, such as transitions, hunger, fatigue, or overstimulation. Keeping a journal to track these patterns—as well as the strategies that succeed or fail—can provide valuable insights. During a meltdown, it’s important to remember that the child is not in a rational state, making it an unproductive time for reasoning or lengthy discussions. A simple and supportive phrase like, “How can I help?” can sometimes diffuse the situation. Once the child has calmed down, revisiting the event can be beneficial. Hours later or even the next day, approach the conversation with a calm, neutral tone. Ask open-ended questions, validate their feelings, and collaboratively identify triggers and potential coping strategies. Focus on solutions to help them navigate similar situations in the future. Let them know you’re proud of their effort to reflect and grow, and take this opportunity to strengthen your connection with them. Graphic courtesy of Youth Mental Health Canada