As we wrap up National Family Week, it makes me stop to appreciate my wonderful and sometimes crazy family life. Even though I work with parenting every day and have many accreditations, I am far from being the perfect mother or knowing everything. No one is perfect in real life; striving for this can actually set you up for big disappointments.

Parents are not perfect. Kids are not perfect. Don’t despair…

I take comfort in knowing that it’s the small things in my everyday life that mean so much to the positive development of my kids. It’s so important to live, experience, learn from and enjoy all our moments.

The Our Kids Network is celebrating National Family Week with new videos to promote family assets. These videos show parents and other caregivers how to focus on little everyday things that can help build healthy, supportive families.

My favourite segment is the one below; there is a teen who says “Ask us to teach you something new”. This is the one I try to live by. My kids have taught me all sorts of new things. For example, my son recently taught me about Instagram. It’s a great way to stay connected with something they are doing online and as a bonus I’m better able to monitor him.

Another one of my must dos is to ask their opinion, often and on anything… It’s amazing how much this gets them talking! And I usually end up with some new perspectives.

Simple acts make a big difference! 

What works in your family? Share with us your experiences and tips.

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• Email us at haltonparents@halton.ca
• Call  HaltonParents by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000 for parenting information or to speak directly to a Public Health Nurse (every Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

All families need assets! The Search Institute’s Family Assets® study shows that the more Family Assets families experience, the better off they are. Kids from families with more assets are also more likely to participate and learn at school, develop close relationships, and are less likely to take part in riskier behaviours like drugs, alcohol and violence.