Supporting Your Parenting Journey

Our parent resources provide practical and research informed solutions about healthy family life and parenting. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering parents and caregivers, we have curated a collection of informative talks that aim to offer practical solutions informed by expert knowledge and research. These talks aim to help parents and caregivers establish nurturing environments for children and youth.

Covering a range of themes and addressing various ages and developmental stages, these topics were carefully selected in collaboration with our Parent Learning Event steering committees. Additionally, they were shaped by insights gathered through formal and informal surveys conducted during numerous BFL parenting programs and events.

We hope you will find these resources helpful on your parenting journey!

Downloadable Resources

This reflective journal is inspired by the thoughts and insights shared with us by youth from Burnaby High Schools. Their perspectives offer valuable insights into what they wish their parents understood about their lives in a digital/social media world, as well as their understanding of meaningful parent-child connections.

 We hope that the students’ quotes, and reflective questions will be helpful in defining and envisioning the essence of meaningful connection within the context of your individual parent-child relationship and your child's specific needs and interests.

Download PDF

Video Collection

Self Compassion

  • The importance of parent/caregiver self-compassion

  • Georgianna Lee - counsellor and coach working with individuals and families in Canada and internationally for over 16 years. She works as a Parent Support Counsellor at Cameray Child & Family Services, has a private coaching practice and teaches for Rising Woman. 

Adjusting to a New Routine

  • Stressful times can generate anxiety and trigger new behaviours. Learn coping tips, strategies, and ideas for your family.

  • Anita Olson ECE, BA, Med

Home Learning, What to Know (part 2)

  • Supporting your kids’ learning while keeping your sanity and preserving your relationship.

  • Gayle Beavil, B. Ed, MA Community School Coordinator

Well-being for Teens

  • Learn how to support the mental and physical well-being of your teen.

  • Emile López, MSW, RCC

Shifting Screen Habits

  • The need for parent flexibility in a rapidly changing world with the increased use of screens

  • Michele Maurer - Faculty with the Neufeld Institute and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist

Managing Stress

  • Tools that can help cope with personal stress and support children who are feeling stress, as well as finding ways to manage how other people's stress impacts us.

  • Taraneh Erfan King MA, RCC, writer, educator and registered counsellor

Caregivers

  • Learn about coping ideas and strategies for caregivers.

  • Diana Jeffries, specialist working with refugees and other multi-barrier newcomers in community-based programs.

Money Management

  • Learn about money management during difficult times.

  • Billie Sinclair, Workshop Facilitator/Coach Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Returning to Nature

  • The long-lasting benefits of play and the outdoors for the physical and mental wellbeing of children and parents

  • Jarrett Krentzel - Founder/Director of Hand-In-Hand Nature Education Inc. (HIH), an outdoor educational program located in the Comox Valley and Campbell River

Practical Advice for Fostering Well-being

  • Helping families nurture resilience in times of uncertainty.

  • Dr. Tanya Broesch Associate Professor of Psychology, SFU

Career Support for Teens

  • Learn about providing career support to your teen in changing times: Flexible mindsets, dynamic forms of planning, and the need to engage in activities outside of the classroom are increasingly necessary in today’s ever-changing world.

  • Tony Botelho Director of SFU Career & Volunteer Services

Affordable Childcare Benefit

  • A conversation to learn more about the benefit and how the YMCA Childcare Resource and Referral can support you.

  • Connie Booth, Consultant - YMCA Childcare Resource and Referral

Belonging to the Village

  • We need connections to thrive and grow

  • panel participants

Home Learning, What to Know: (part 1)

  • Supporting your kids’ learning while keeping your sanity and preserving your relationship.

  • Gayle Beavil, B. Ed, MA Community School Coordinator

Nurturing Calm & Compassion in Times of Uncertainty

  • Heart-Mind Well-Being

  • Cathryn McPhee, B. Sc. Nursing, RCC