Reframing Self-Care

Lately, I’ve been holding so much appreciation for the ways in which we talk about self-care at TREE.  In the third week of our Grade Six curriculum, we discuss stressors in students’ lives that might cause messy emotions and impact how we can approach peace and conflict in healthy ways. Once we unpack our individual […]

Finding Balance Through Yoga: Small Gestures Can Make Big Waves

“Finding balance” is an expression we hear all the time. The phrase is only two words, and sounds simple enough, but it can be easier said than done, particularly when applied to ourselves. For myself, finding balance has meant being mindful of my needs and cultivating self-care practices that help to reduce anxiety and stress. […]

Peace Comes from Within: A Self-Care Reminder

Over the years, I’ve learned self-care is a broad spectrum of methods and ways to support yourself, and thanks to being with TREE, I’ve had the chance to really improve my self-care strategies. One grade 6 lesson in particular has stuck with me, and that is our lesson on living a balanced lifestyle. The lesson […]

How Praising Productivity Influences our Relationship with Self-Care

To begin, I want to challenge you to think about what productivity means to you?   You may even go as far as to ask yourself, what it means to be successful in what you “produce” or can accomplish on a daily or weekly basis?   How has productivity been viewed in your life? Maybe in school, […]

When Failure Leads to Growth

Failure can bring up a mix of disappointing emotions. If we didn’t get first place or when we aren’t “the best,” we might struggle to come to terms with our shortcomings. It can be an especially hard life lesson to learn because often our fear of failure keeps us from trying in the first place. […]

Four Steps to Interrupting Conflict Patterns with Youth

Can you recall an experience when you gave your child a request, like starting chores or meeting curfew, and you were met with the same predictable reaction? It may have been a groan, an elaborate resistance speech, or withdrawal from the conversation. I can remember certain reactions I gave as an adolescent that didn’t always […]