Author Archives: Nicole O'Donnell, RN

About Nicole O'Donnell, RN

Hi! I have been working as a nurse supporting children and their families in acute care, clinic settings and now in public health for over 20 years. As a mother of 4 girls I am walking the walk and talking the talk – from elementary school to post-secondary; life is never dull! I am so thrilled to be connecting with all of you and look forward to sharing this parenting journey together!

My baby went to university! This is what we learned.

Posted on July 24, 2019

One year ago we prepared to send my oldest daughter off to university. The final year of high school had kept us busy: driver’s license √, university acceptance √, prom √. We made it; but we had a new mountain … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Teen, Teen Brain, Teens | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What you need to know for school zone safety

Posted on August 30, 2018

I am a rule follower. Ask anyone who knows me. Rules bring order to life. When everyone follows the rules then things run more smoothly. Simple, right? This is probably why my attempts to drop my children off in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The benefits of a healthy smile are more than you think!

Posted on April 11, 2018

On an elementary school ski trip my bestie had her front tooth broken off by a wayward t-bar chair lift. Three things were learned that day and the days that followed; finding a broken tooth in the snow is impossible; … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Healthy Eating for Toddlers & Preschoolers, Healthy Eating for Your Child/Tween, Healthy Eating for your Teen, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Preparing for Kindergarten, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is it hormones or mental health? What every parent needs to know.

Posted on March 5, 2018

I heard shouting down the hall… then crying. My daughter entered the room with an empty mug in her hand and she’s sobbing. “She spilled my hot chocolate.” So we are crying over…. spilled hot chocolate? Understandable behaviour if she … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teen Brain, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who’s the boss? You or your phone?

Posted on February 5, 2018

The dinner is on the table, the milk has been poured, and everyone dives in. Well, everyone except one. There is one person at the table checking their phone. No. No. Not my daughters. Like many households, we have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to help your teen make big decisions

Posted on December 5, 2017

“I need to decide what to do after high school!” This is the big topic of conversation in my house these days. It seems to be a cruel joke of nature that as teenagers approach one of the first big … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Teen, Teen Brain, Teens, Transition to High School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Baby you can drive my car… I think

Posted on October 17, 2017

Handing the car keys over to my 16 year-old is one of the most difficult parenting moments I have yet to encounter. Putting her on a 10 hour flight as an unaccompanied minor had caused me angst and kept me … Continue reading →

Posted in Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Teen, Teen Brain, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments