Author Archives: Karen Hay, RN

About Karen Hay, RN

Parenting and supporting families to be as healthy as possible is my passion. I love opportunities to connect with Halton families on social media and look forward to chatting with you online. Halton Region is where my family lives and plays.

10 reflections on the first 20 years of being a parent

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Karen Hay, RN

I suddenly find myself in this strange phase of life where I am an empty-nester. It feels like I just blinked. One day I was changing diapers and wiping noses and the next I was moving my children out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Play, Growth & Development for Babies, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged growing up, leaving home, Lessons, moving out, parenting advice, preschoolers, Reflections, tweens, young adults | 7 Comments

How to teach your child to problem-solve in 5 easy steps!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Karen Hay, RN

Problem-solving is an essential skill that helps children become more independent, get along with others, succeed in school and be more resilient. And these are just a few of the benefits of being a good problem-solver! As adults we problem-solve … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Preparing for Kindergarten, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged Executive function, preschoolers, problem solving, problem-solve, problem-solving steps, school | 3 Comments

The Still Face Experiment: Never doubt how important you are as a parent

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Karen Hay, RN

Have you heard of the Still Face Experiment? It’s a must watch if you haven’t seen it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzXGEbZht0 I have viewed this powerful video dozens of times in my career and it still impacts me every single time I see it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Depression & Anxiety After Birth, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Play, Growth & Development for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged attachment parenting, brain development, Children's Mental Health, emotional health, me time, Parent self care, parent self love, parent stress, play builds brains, school, serve and return, Still Face Experiment | Leave a comment

Tether straps and forward-facing car seats: what you need to know!

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Karen Hay, RN

As a mom, a nurse and a certified car seat safety technician, I am super-aware of the importance of having a correctly installed car seat. Simply put, a correctly installed car seat prevents injuries and saves lives. So imagine my … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged baby car seat, car seat, car seat safety, car seat tips, child safety, child safety seats, Forward-facing car seats, preschoolers, Safety, Tether Anchors, Tether Straps | Leave a comment

What you need to know before you switch to a booster seat!

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Karen Hay, RN

We all want our children to be safe when traveling in the car. And rightly so – motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury in young children. But let’s face it, navigating the world … Continue reading →