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It's been so amazing creating The Joyful Parenting podcast. Please enjoy the final episode for recommendations on children's books that help embrace change and give kids the confidence to see it as a way to grow and learn. Also, listen to the end for the bonus final episode where I ramble on to describe a gift idea that is fun to make and builds empathy!

Laura Shiels, from Calgary's Centre for Sexuality (centreforsexuality.ca), shares practical ways to promote accepting, loving and open communication with children about gender and sexual diversity. If you're a teacher or school leader, there are some great resources in this episode for you too! Topics include gender, sexual orientation, LGBTQ2 perspectives, and unwrapping the mystery around GSAs. She shares insights into how and why these conversations can benefit any child! This is followed by easily accessible resources that any parent can access to begin conversations to promote valuing diversity!

No matter what your reading preferences are, Andrea has a book recommendation for you! Andrea has gathered friends and family to make a variety of suggestions for you and your kids! Keep your children's reading progress up over the summer by following a few very simple evidence-based tips. The episode ends with some great summer car ride songs.

After a not so encouraging e-mail from her son's teacher, Andrea searches for a way to encourage her child to be more self-motivated to apologize and make things right.

Andrea revels in the joy of 5-minute dungeon. A totally fun family game. Wondering about a cell phone for your kids? Andrea decides NO for her kiddo. Looking for free things to do in Calgary this March? Look no further, there is curling in the park, jump rope competition and First Thursday at the Glenbow. 

Andrea reflects on the joys of 2018, cell phone use in teens and new year goals (exercise and money). For anyone watching their spending, she goes on (and on) about the public library. For a night out check out The High Performance Rodeo!

Andrea shares the joys of getting ready to ski in Alberta and some good deals you can find on ski passes for school-aged children. She takes a look at a Harvard University longitudinal study on health and happiness and what it means in everyday life. Listen to the end for cool upcoming events in Calgary including a feminist art and music festival. 

Andrea shares the joys of traveling in Southern Alberta including visiting Blackfoot Crossing and Writing On Stone Provincial Park. She highlights some fun family activities that are coming up this fall. Reflecting on the recent gun shooting in Toronto, Andrea shares her views on the importance of being active on gun control issues through engagement with elected representatives.

Andrea talks about the joys of travelling in the summer and visiting family. She checks out the Montreal Jazz Festival with he kids and reflects on how to have a great flight with kids. Listen for a top 10 list on how to get to sleep on a plane. As well, Andrea discusses her plan to help keep her kids safe on the internet.  Some great festivals are happening this summer in Calgary. Listen for Andrea's top picks!

Camping, traveling, and birthdays, Andrea takes a look at the joys of summer! She takes a look at the dark side too. Ever had to deal with a cranky soccer parent? Andrea did, and she realized she was one too. You can't talk about parenting without talking about dealing with attitude. Andrea shares a helpful clip that might make you feel more confident to deal with pre-teen attitude. The show ends with some fun, family-friendly arts and culture activities you can do in Calgary this summer.

Get summer ready! In this episode, Andrea talks about making going swimming manageable and fun instead of stressful and chaotic. Her parents are special guests to recommend good books for your summer reading. Check out littlefreelibrary.org for information on how to make your own miniature library/book exchange box.

Your host Andrea discusses what she is excited about working on with her family for Earth Day. Inspired by the Ted talk by Bea Johnson she looks at ways to reduce waste.  Her boys are excited to make cakes from scratch after getting inspired by the show "Nailed It"

Andrea has lots on her mind. She discusses The Yellow Wallpaper - and other short stories by feminist writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman - Oh how times haven't changed! As well, the bachelor Arie incident and the following meanness. Finally, a look a Mcclean's article on women who regret parenthood. Lot's to think about.

In this episode, Andrea talks about how she wants to make homework time more joyful parenting. In a homage to her children's teachers, she recites Taylor Mali's, What Teacher's Make and shares a TED talk clip from inspirational educator Rita Pierson.

In this episode, Andrea looks at how to talk to kids about death. She shares a great resource that anyone can use, even in a pinch! Lifetimes (The beautiful way to explain death to children) by Brian Melloni https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwwGBVa1j9A