Raising a teenager can be hard, but being a teenager can be hard, too. Youth are beginning to explore who they are as individuals and find their voices. Sometimes these voices can be loud, harsh, and full of anger. This anger makes it difficult for the…
The new school year can bring mixed emotions to caregivers and children. Some may feel excited, but many may be stressed or anxious. This is normal. In this blog post, we will answer some common back-to-school questions and give you tips to help calm…
The course of life is rarely smooth. Each of us will have various challenges and struggles to overcome on our journey. For many families, this is likely to include mental health difficulties. Indeed, as 1 in 5 Canadians experience mental illness each…
Children learn many habits early on in life. Many of those habits are what form their abilities, patterns, and behaviours as adults. Mental health habits are also formed early in life, and there are things you can do to encourage healthy mental habits…
The teenage years can be challenging for most parents and guardians. Your teenager is figuring out how to be an adult and enjoying childhood at the same time. They can be moody, unpredictable, and adventurous. It is a lot to take in for your youth and…
Rahwa is a single parent and an immigrant. She always said to herself, “I can handle everything on my own.” At one point, things became uncontrollable and she felt like collapsing. This is when Rahwa decided to seek professional help. Rahwa connected…
How can I make my child feel heard? What can I do to listen more proactively to my teen? Parent life can be tough and busy. You want to give your full attention to your children and listen to their stories, but there is a long list of chores you have…
While children love nothing more than playing outside on a bright and sunny day, this always isn’t possible. Something like a boatload of snow or rain can ruin the plans of your children and force them to stay inside where it is warm and dry. However,…
An encouraged child has the courage to try, learn from mistakes, and be comfortable with others and themselves. This sense of hope and confidence will be with the child as they approach life and its frustrations. Misbehaviour decreases because the child…
One day, Chad and Tracy received an unexpected call from The Family Centre. They learned that their daughter’s two children were in foster care due to abuse and neglect. Their grandchildren had been in care for six months. Alyssa, a Kinship Support…
The strong rapport between Blake, Nick, and David is so obvious from the moment you meet them, that it is surprising to learn that they recently celebrated only their one-year anniversary as a family. Blake’s dream of having two dads will soon be official…
“It’s all about love,” believes Aminata. Love and culture - the driving forces that put Aminata’s two grandchildren into her care. “We have a parable that we say in our language, "There is no bad bush to put your kid away because of their bad…
With the start of a new school year, many children will be heading back to in-person classes. Likewise, many of us will be asked to return to the office after working remotely over the past year. While some of us are excited about returning to school…
Back-to-school season can be stressful and hectic—key parts of your child’s day such as eating a nutritious lunch can be easy to overlook. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips to help your transition to the new school year be as smooth…
Are you looking for fun, inexpensive things to do with your family this summer? There are now more places open and more activities to choose from. Here are some activities in our city that won’t break your bank: The City of Edmonton outdoor pools are…
Are you looking for fun and free things to do this summer? Meet other parents and learn about structure, routine, child development, emotional support, community resources, and more at The Family Centre’s free summer camp for parents! This is your…
Who said we can’t have fun at home during Father’s Day?! We can still celebrate Father’s Day even with COVID-19 restrictions. There are many creative and cool crafts we can make at home. There are also fun and easy games we could do in our backyard…
If you’re a parent of school-aged children and work from home, you’re probably wondering how everyone else seems to find the time to bake or binge watch Netflix. There’s a lot on your plate right now! Sure, the commute is gone, but now you’re…
During the pandemic, many of us have stocked up on arts and crafts supplies. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to put your creative skills to the test! There are many funky and fun crafts that you can make with the resources you…
As a parent, you’ve given great thought to your child’s health, education, and the kind of values that you want to instill in them, but how much thought have you given to your approachability as a parent? How would you feel if your child made a terrible…
The Family Centre acknowledges that we are on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and traveling route for the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.