Today, Lara sits down with one of Canada’s most trusted parenting voices to tackle a topic that hits close to home for almost every family: sibling rivalry.

Alyson Schafer is an Adlerian family counsellor, internationally acclaimed parenting expert, best-selling author, and familiar face on national media outlets like The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV News Channel, and HuffPost Parents. With a Master’s in Counselling, decades of hands-on experience, and her signature “firm but friendly” approach, Alyson has helped thousands of families navigate conflict with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

In this conversation, Alyson unpacks what sibling rivalry really is—why it happens, what your children are truly trying to communicate through their clashes, and how birth order may be shaping the dynamics in your home. She also reveals why parents should resist the urge to constantly play referee, and instead focus on fostering skills that will help siblings work things out on their own. One of her favourite tools? Family meetings—simple, structured gatherings that build mutual respect, improve communication, and transform household harmony.

Whether your kids’ arguments are an occasional annoyance or a constant source of stress, Alyson’s insights offer both immediate strategies and a refreshing mindset shift. You’ll walk away feeling equipped to handle sibling tension in a way that strengthens, not strains, your family bonds.

-----

Follow Alyson’s work:⁠https://alysonschafer.com/⁠

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@parentingedventurespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Learn more about Tutor Teach:⁠⁠https://tutorteach.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
Sting Music: Purple Planet Music - Timelapse

This week, Lara welcomes back one of our most trusted voices on child development and mental health: Dr. Zia Lakdawalla. A seasoned clinical psychologist and founder of Foundations for Emotional Wellness, Dr. Lakdawalla brings over a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and families through anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and relationship struggles.

In this episode, we dive deep into a question that keeps many parents up at night: Is my child’s anxiety just a phase—or something more? Drawing from her years of clinical work in hospitals, schools, and private practice, Dr. Lakdawalla shares what signs to watch for, what behaviours may signal deeper emotional struggles, and—perhaps most importantly—how to respond in ways that foster emotional safety and connection.

We unpack some of the most common misconceptions about childhood anxiety and explore its impact not only on the child, but on the entire family system. Dr. Lakdawalla also offers powerful tools to help parents regulate their own emotional reactions in the moment—so they can show up with calm, compassion, and confidence.

Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you’ve simply noticed more worry, sensitivity, or emotional overwhelm than usual, this episode offers reassurance, practical strategies, and a reminder that you don’t have to walk this road alone.

-----

Learn more about Dr. Lakdawalla’s work

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram

-----

Learn more about Tutor Teach

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎵Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
🎵Sting Music: Purple Planet Music - Timelapse

Lara sits down with an expert who’s dedicated her career to empowering parents, educators, and future teachers to understand the true impact of second language learning in childhood.

Dr. Katherine Mueller is an Assistant Professor at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary, where she’s been shaping future language educators since 2013. With a background in teaching everything from high school Core French to university-level courses, she brings a deep understanding of what it means to learn—and teach—a second language. As Vice President of the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers and a national leader in language education, Dr. Mueller is a passionate advocate for bilingualism, cultural connection, and accessible language learning for all families.

In today’s episode, we explore the myths, benefits, and realities of second language learning in childhood. Dr. Mueller breaks down what the research says about bilingual development, addresses common concerns parents have—like whether learning a second language might confuse their child—and shares her perspective on why so many more kids belong in language programs than we might think.

She also offers practical advice for families who don’t speak a second language themselves, including simple ways to support your child’s learning journey from home. Whether your child is already in a French immersion program or you’re simply curious about the possibilities, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and encouragement.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “too late” to start, whether your child is “cut out” for bilingual learning, or how you can help them thrive without being fluent yourself—this conversation is for you.

-----

Learn more about the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers

-----

Learn more about and connect with Dr. Katherine Mueller

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram

-----

Learn more about Tutor Teach

------

🎵 Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios

🎵 Sting Music: Purple Planet Music – Timelapse

Have you ever found yourself unsure how to handle your child’s emotional outbursts or wondering if their impulsive behaviour is something more serious? In this episode of Parenting Ed-Ventures, host Lara Courtepatte sits down with award-winning author and emotional health expert Maureen Healy to unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface of those big behaviours.

Maureen is an internationally respected educator, speaker, and author of The Emotionally Healthy Child—a book that blends cutting-edge psychology with practical strategies for raising emotionally resilient kids. With over 15 years of experience working with families, schools, and children around the world, Maureen brings a powerful mix of research, lived experience, and compassionate wisdom to this conversation.

In this episode, we explore the developmental roots of impulsive behaviour, what emotional regulation looks like at different ages, and how to support kids who may struggle with self-control. Maureen shares real-life examples, simple tools like calm-down kits, and empowering strategies that help parents move from a place of guilt or overwhelm to one of confidence and connection.

If your child has ever melted down at the worst possible moment—or if you’ve ever wondered whether your response is “right”—this episode offers grounded, gentle guidance to help you and your child grow together.

------

Learn more about Maureen’s work:
https://growinghappykids.com/

Follow Maureen on Instagram:

@maureenhealy

Check out Maureen's books:⁠

Amazon Canada - Maureen Healy

------

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:

@parentingedventurespod

Learn more about Tutor Teach:
https://tutorteach.ca/

------

🎵 Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
🎵 Sting Music: Purple Planet Music – Timelapse

Lara sits down with Dr. Michele Morningstar, a clinical psychologist and leading researcher on how children and teens learn to understand and express emotions—especially through nonverbal communication like facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language.

Dr. Morningstar is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University and leads the Development of Social & Emotional Communication (DSEC) Lab. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill University and postdoctoral training at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, she brings both deep academic insight and real-world relevance to the emotional development of young people.

In this episode, we explore what it really means when a child seems to “miss” social cues or struggles to read a room—and why these skills are so crucial for healthy relationships. Dr. Morningstar explains how nonverbal communication develops across childhood and adolescence, how neurodevelopmental differences can impact these abilities, and how parents can play an active role in supporting their child’s emotional growth.

From science-backed explanations to practical strategies, this conversation will empower you to better understand the nonverbal world your child is navigating—and offer the support they need to thrive in it.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is picking up on the emotional signals around them—or what to do if they’re not—this episode is for you.

-----

Learn more about Dr. Morningstar’s research:

Website: DSEC Lab at Queen's University
Instagram: @DSECLAB

X: @DSECLab

YouTube: @DSECLab

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@parentingedventurespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about Tutor Teach:⁠⁠https://tutorteach.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
Sting Music: Purple Planet Music – Timelapse

Today, Lara sits down with a truly remarkable guest whose mission is to put joy and emotional growth at the centre of childhood.

Shalini Samtani is the founder of Open the Joy, a toy company backed by therapists and science that helps children develop emotional intelligence through play. She’s also the force behind the Spread the Joy Foundation, a non-profit that delivers therapeutic activity kits to hospitalized children across North America. After her own child faced a long hospital stay, Shalini made it her life’s work to bring healing, confidence, and resilience to kids everywhere—one joyful moment at a time.

In this episode, Shalini shares the powerful story behind her ventures and why she believes play is one of the most effective tools for building emotional intelligence in children. We explore how her initiatives—Open the Joy, Inner JoyEd, and Spread the Joy Foundation—work together to support children’s mental and emotional well-being, both at home and in clinical settings.

You’ll hear about:

• Why emotional intelligence is just as critical as academic achievement

• How play helps kids navigate fear, anger, sadness, and uncertainty

• Ways parents can support emotional growth in the everyday moments

• The science behind therapeutic toys and curriculum

• The importance of accessible mental health resources for children facing medical trauma

  
  

If you’re a parent looking for practical, compassionate ways to nurture your child’s emotional development, this episode will leave you inspired, equipped, and reminded of the transformative power of joy.

-----

Learn more about Shalini’s work:
https://www.openthejoy.com/
https://spreadthejoy.org/

https://innerjoyed.com/

Check out their Instagram Pages:

@openthejoy

@spreadthejoyfoundation

@innerjoy.ed

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:⁠@parentingedventurespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Tutor Teach:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tutorteach.ca/

-----

Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
Sting Music: Timelapse by Purple Planet Music

Today, we flip the script as host Lara Courtepatte steps into the guest seat for a special episode all about summer learning loss—what educators call the “Summer Slide”—and what parents can do to keep their child’s mind active, engaged, and thriving all summer long.

Guest host Jacqueline Ivanc sits down with Lara, the co-founder of Tutor Teach and a passionate advocate for equitable, joy-filled education. With years of experience as a tutor, educator, and mom of four, Lara brings both professional insight and personal wisdom to the conversation, sharing how small shifts in the summer can lead to big gains come fall.

In this episode, we unpack the real impact of summer break on students—from which subjects tend to slide the most, to how learning loss affects a child’s confidence, attention span, and motivation when school starts back up. Lara also tackles the age-old question: How do we balance summer fun with learning without turning the season into a second semester?

If you’ve ever wondered whether summer tutoring is worth it—or if you’re just looking for simple ways to keep your child’s brain active without taking the magic out of summer—this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and easy-to-apply takeaways.

-----

✨ Special Bonus: Send an email to [email protected] and inquire about the Summer Ed-Venture Special. Tell them Parenting Ed-Ventures sent you to unlock this exciting offer!

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠@parentingedventurespod⁠

Follow Tutor Teach on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠@tutorteachofficial⁠

-----⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Tutor Teach and get started today:

⁠https://tutorteach.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios

Sting Music: Purple Planet Music – Timelapse

-----

Do you ever wonder how to raise a child who genuinely loves reading—and keeps loving it, even as screens and distractions pull for their attention?

In this inspiring episode of Parenting Ed-Ventures, host Lara Courtepatte sits down with award-winning Canadian author Tanya Lloyd Kyi, whose body of work includes more than thirty-five fiction and non-fiction books for children and teens. Tanya’s curiosity has led her to explore everything from penguins to popcorn, and her stories continue to spark wonder and critical thinking in young readers across the country. In addition to her writing, Tanya teaches at the University of British Columbia’s School of Creative Writing, where she helps nurture the next generation of storytellers.

Together, Tanya and Lara explore how stories shape a child’s emotional world, build empathy, and strengthen critical thinking skills. Tanya shares her own path into reading and writing, and unpacks why some kids fall out of love with books—and more importantly, how to help them fall back in love again. Whether it’s by following a child’s unique interests, embracing graphic novels, or turning reading into a shared family experience, Tanya offers practical, compassionate advice for creating a home where books are not just read but relished.

If you’re a parent looking to build a deeper connection with your child through books—or wondering how to inspire a lifelong love of reading in an age of screens—this episode is full of wisdom, encouragement, and actionable ideas to bring the joy of stories into your everyday life.

-----

Explore Tanya's Books and Website:
https://www.tanyalloydkyi.com/

Follow Tanya on Instagram:
@tanyalloydkyi

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:
@parentingedventurespod

Learn more about Tutor Teach:
https://tutorteach.ca/

-----

🎵 Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios
🎵 Sting Music: Purple Planet Music - Timelapse

Today, Lara sits down with a truly insightful guest who has dedicated her career to helping families nurture emotional wellness through trust, connection, and expert guidance.

Dr. Zia Lakdawalla is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Foundations for Emotional Wellness, where she empowers children, teens, and parents to navigate emotional challenges with confidence and compassion. After earning her B.A. in Psychology from McGill University and completing her Masters and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois-Chicago, Dr. Lakdawalla gained extensive experience across community mental health centres, private practice, hospitals, and day treatment programs. She is passionate about equipping families with the tools they need to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and foster lasting emotional health.

In today’s episode, Lara and Dr. Lakdawalla dive into the essential—but often tricky—topic of boundaries and emotional regulation in children. Dr. Lakdawalla explains why clear, loving boundaries are not just helpful but critical for a child’s emotional security and development. Together, they explore the impacts of shifting parenting styles, why kids actually crave structure (even if they resist it at times!), and how setting limits can be one of the most compassionate things a parent can do.

Dr. Lakdawalla also shares practical, research-backed strategies for setting healthy expectations without damaging the parent-child bond—and how doing so lays the foundation for greater self-esteem, confidence, and emotional resilience in kids.

If you’ve ever second-guessed your approach to discipline or struggled to find that perfect balance between kindness and firmness, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with actionable tools and a renewed sense of confidence in your parenting journey.

Because when children feel both loved and securely guided, they are free to grow into their best selves.

-----Find more of Dr. Lakdawalla work:Foundations for Emotional Wellness-----Follow on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠@ffew_mental_health

-----

Follow on LinkedIn:

LinkedIn

-----Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:@Parentingedventurespod

Learn more about Tutor Teach ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tutorteach.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick PatrikiosSting Music: Purple Planet Music - Timelapse

Today, Lara welcomes a passionate advocate for transforming how our children learn—not through rigid systems, but through imagination, emotion, and connection.

Dr. Gillian Judson is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University and the visionary behind imaginED. Her research spans imaginative and ecological education, educational leadership, and the role of wonder in learning. As the author and editor of numerous books on the power of imagination in education, Dr. Judson has dedicated her career to helping educators and parents see learning not just as information transfer, but as a deeply emotional and creative experience.

In today’s episode, Dr. Judson shares how imagination isn’t just a "nice to have"—it’s the cornerstone of meaningful learning. Together, we explore why imagination is essential for kids in today’s fast-paced, screen-saturated world, and how it can re-engage learners who feel disconnected or uninspired. Whether it’s in a classroom, at home, or out in nature, Dr. Judson offers practical strategies that parents can use to ignite curiosity, creativity, and joy in their children’s learning journeys.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover how you can nurture imagination at home—and why doing so just might change everything.

-----

Follow Dr. Judson’s work:

New Book: Cultivating Imagination in Leadership: Transforming Schools and Communities

Twitter: @perfinker

Blog: imaginED education that inspires all learners

-----

Follow Parenting Ed-Ventures on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@parentingedventurespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Learn more about Tutor Teach:

⁠⁠https://tutorteach.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Intro Music: Good Times by Patrick Patrikios

Sting Music: Purple Planet Music – Timelapse