CA Coaching

Hi Denise,

The Positive Parenting Skills course covers tips and techniques for all ages. The focus is on exploring how you can improve communication and consistency, deal with conflict and set realistic boundaries. We currently have a 10% discount for Mams.ie members and the course can be done in your own time. We also provide a free monthly…[Read more]

What an absolutely brilliant idea!! Fair play to him! If we actually look a bit deeper, he’s actually handing you a contract that he will “abide” with…potentially! You’re now in a strong position as he probably doesn’t expect you to sign it, but maybe you can “agree to sign it” but you need to really examine the small print as it will be a…[Read more]

This can be a time of elation or despair for many parents and children. The teens who get all A’s will be plastered all over the news and social media and heralded for their achievement.

For many parents, you just want your child to be content with what they got. For others they will be disappointed or may feel like telling their children "I…[Read more]

Hi Munstermolly, this is a tough situation to be in. I would think the best thing you could do is to keep good lines of communication open with your daughter and check in re how she is feeling about the friend. It would be easy to bring up all the negative things her friend does but maybe approaching it from the opposite direction might help. Talk…[Read more]

For some parents, using the internet can be as scary as walking a tightrope across the Grand Canyon on a windy day. Some people get a complete mental block about using sites and either feel like they need to do a course or find someone to help them navigate sites…just incase they cause the computer to explode! It is very much based around a fear o…[Read more]

We are in a completely new era and, as parents, need to take this really seriously for a wide range of reasons. Obviously the most serious is our child sending/receiving inappropriate photos online. Obviously the most serious element of this is someone actually being charged with possessing/distributing child pornography (although the chances of…[Read more]

Communication:
Communication is the most important element in any relationship. Participants will focus on the importance of understanding body language, how to stop the argument before it starts, using positive language and how to listen effectively. We will also look at how parents can talk to their children and how creating a culture of…[Read more]

Thank you so much for the kind words. The participants really make the programme and everyone learns so much from each other.

If anyone is interested I will be starting my next online course (you don’t even have to leave your home!!) next Wednesday evening at 8.30pm. The course runs for 6 sessions and will be appox 2 hours.

If you are interested…[Read more]

This can be such an upsetting time for a parent, especially when there is not anything obviously causing your child’s upset. I definitely think a trip to the GP is in order. It is possible that your daughter may be experiencing Precocious Puberty (early onset of puberty), which not only has physical implications but also emotional also.

With most…[Read more]

Sabbi’s suggestion is really good, I’d definitely give those a go!

We actually run a programme called Pass Literacy On, which works specifically with children who are visual learners. This programme works immediately, is easy to do and increases ability and confidence in your child. We have had phenomenal success working with large group sizes…[Read more]

Hi Denise,

Yes I agree there are tons of conflicting reports on whether walkers are dangerous for children or can actually progress a child’s development.

Personally I would go with your gut and do what feels right for you. Maybe look into one that is stationary but adjustable so that your child can place their feet flat on the surface and go…[Read more]

You’ve all made some really good points here around safety, I think we are all learning that online social media is just as much a regular part of life as meeting friends for a coffee.

Here are a couple of articles I wrote on my site cacoaching.ie on the topic, I hope they help (I’ve also put some video links at the bottom that might me…[Read more]

Sorry to hear of the frustration Haileysmum, it can get too much sometimes. I think the best advice has already been given…I know you have been trying for 7 months but it seems like your daughter just isn’t ready, so I would stop putting yourselves and your daughter through the frustration and take a break for a while. I know this might seem…[Read more]

It’s probably no harm starting the conversation with your daughter at this stage. There are some really good books aimed at this age group out there that can help to direct the conversation and it doesn’t have to be every single gory detail but it could happen sooner than you think so forewarned is forearmed as they say!

Allen

This can be such a difficult issue for parents, especially when it is in public.

First things first, I would look at dealing with the hitting and breaking issues. This type of behaviour is just not acceptable and should not be tolerated at all. There needs to be stern and clear consequences to this type of behaviour. Violence, even from a 3 year…[Read more]

Yes this is not nice to hear. The first thing I would say is that she absolutely knows that you love her…so try (as hard as it is) not to take it to heart.

There are a variety of reasons why she might be saying it. One, like many children, when there are a number of children in the family, they might see it as a way to get attention. This is…[Read more]

This can be very difficult and upsetting to discuss as you said. I would suggest just having a general chat with your kids about keeping themselves safe. Just asking them, "What should you do if a stranger asks you a question?" What you are actually doing is checking that they know what to do and you are also putting it back in the front of their…[Read more]

Yes you are right to make sure there is as little sugar as possible and this can be difficult given that there is so much sugar (and salt!!) in the food that we eat.

Really, if they haven’t had a lot of sugar through the day, a small bowl of rice crispies won’t be as bad, but cereals with high sugar really should be avoided. The other issue with…[Read more]

Adults and children invest a lot of emotion in music and popular acts and when splits happen, it can seem like they are losing a member of the family!

The first thing I would say is that it is important for you to let your child know that its okay to be upset about this. Some people might turn around and say to a child that there is nothing to be…[Read more]