Before New Years, Ask Your Teen These 5 Questions to Deepen Your Connection
Make the most of the holidays by deepening your connection with your teen through meaningful conversations. Ask questions like, "What are you proud of this year?" and "What’s something you’re looking forward to next year?" These moments create space for reflection, trust, and understanding. This season isn’t just about gifts—it’s about showing up, listening, and strengthening your bond.
Maddie's Beautiful Message of Love this Christmas
Christmas is full of moments that remind us of love, connection, and giving—but sometimes, one act of kindness can redefine what the season truly means.
For my daughter Maddie, that moment came when she was just 10 years old. What she did that day still inspires me, especially during the holidays.
It’s a story of compassion, joy, and the true spirit of giving. Click to discover Maddie’s Christmas lesson—one I’ll never forget. 🌟
The Life Lessons Schools Aren’t Teaching Kids—But Should Be
Outside the Guardrails: The Life Lessons Schools Aren’t Teaching Kids—But Should Be" explores the critical lessons students need to thrive in life, which extend far beyond traditional classroom boundaries. It challenges the status quo, urging educators to prioritize real-world skills and emotional resilience.
The Empty Seat at the Table: How to Support Someone Grieving During the Holidays
I’ve received so many messages lately asking, ‘How do I support a friend or family member who’s grieving during the holidays?’ Honestly, I get it. The holidays are emotional, overwhelming, and often unbearable when you’ve lost someone you love. For years, I’ve dreaded Christmas—I’ve even wanted to skip it entirely. Grief does that. Everything feels amplified.
If you’re wondering how to show up for someone grieving this season, I hope what I share here helps. It’s not about fixing their pain—it’s about easing the burden, making space, and offering compassion when they need it most. Because for someone grieving, the holidays aren’t joyful—they’re just hard.
🎄 Here are a few simple but powerful ways you can truly support someone who’s grieving this year. (Spoiler: It’s the little things that mean the most.)
What No One Understands About Losing a Child
Losing a child is an unimaginable grief, filled with misconceptions that can deepen the loneliness. Grief doesn’t expire; you don’t “move on,” you carry it forward. Talking about a lost child doesn’t worsen the pain, it keeps their memory alive. Other children don’t fill the void, and strength includes falling apart. Life changes forever, but it can still hold meaning as you honour their memory.
The Stories You Connected With in 2024
As 2024 ends, I’m deeply grateful for this LinkedIn community. Sharing Maddie’s story and seeing her legacy touch so many hearts has been humbling. In 2025, we’re moving from connection to action, amplifying mental health initiatives to create real change. This year, we touched hearts—next year, we aim to save lives. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable. #MentalHealthMatters #Gratitude
We Can’t Promise Zero Suicide, but These 4 Actions Will Save Lives
We can’t promise zero suicide, but we can take meaningful steps to save lives. By teaching emotional intelligence, addressing mental health care gaps, tackling environmental stressors, and supporting those in crisis, we can create a safer, more compassionate world. These four actions won’t solve everything, but they could make the difference between life and loss.
Forever Fourteen: Maddie’s Photo on My Fridge and the Journey of Life
A simple photo on my fridge tells a profound story. While pictures of my sons change with each milestone—graduations, travels, and new adventures—Maddie’s Grade 8 photo remains frozen in time. Nearly 10 years after her passing, her legacy continues to grow through her brothers’ advocacy for mental health. Life moves on, but Maddie’s radiant smile reminds us of love, loss, and the power of memory.
The 8 Life Lessons That Transformed Who I Am Today
Over the last 15 years, life’s trials have reshaped me into someone more empathetic, resilient, and reflective. Loss, growth, and gratitude have taught me to value kindness, embrace vulnerability, and find joy in simplicity. Life’s hardest lessons hold the greatest gifts—and I’m grateful for the person I’ve become.
Why the System Failed My Teen and What I’m Doing to Fix It?
The mental health system failed my child, and I’ve seen it fail countless others. Support is strained, schools are unprepared, and politicians make empty promises while kids are left struggling. I’m fighting for real change—better programs, accountability, and solutions that put kids first. Our children deserve more, and I won’t stop until they get it. Join me in making a difference.
Why Mental Health Could Be the Missing Piece to Better Grades
Stress is at an all-time high for students, but mental health is the invisible factor often overlooked in academic success. Depression, anxiety, and stress affect focus, motivation, and memory. Teaching emotional intelligence, addressing mental health in schools, and seeking support can make all the difference. Your men
What Would You Do If Your Teen Texted You, ‘I Don’t Want to Live’?
What would you do if your teen sent you a text saying they didn’t want to live anymore? Would you know how to respond?
Most parents think, ‘That could never happen to my child.’ But trust me, no one is immune. I’ve heard too many heartbreaking stories from parents who thought they’d see the signs but didn’t.
Are you prepared for that moment? Because waiting until it happens could be the biggest mistake of your life.
What I Learned From A Lonely Man in a Pub Before Christmas
At an English pub, an elderly man sits alone, his weathered face reflecting a life of hardship. As the world around him celebrates, his solitude is a stark reminder: check in on your friends and family. Don’t just ask how they’re doing. Listen. Really listen. Sometimes, the words left unsaid speak the loudest.
Parenting on Empty: When Your Child’s Pain Becomes Your Own
Parenting a child with mental health struggles is an invisible weight many parents carry in silence. Sleepless nights, endless worry, and guilt take a toll, leaving you feeling like you’re parenting on empty. Life doesn’t pause, but neither should your self-care. This is a reminder: you’re not alone, and even small steps forward can create light in the darkness, for you and your child.
For Maddie: Breaking the Silence Around Teen Depression
This takes you through the hidden battles of mental health that often go unnoticed, even by loved ones. This story explores the emotional journey of losing a child to depression and the powerful push for change to prevent similar tragedies. It's a call to look beyond appearances and advocate for better mental health support in our schools and communities.
The Anatomy of Your Teen’s Suicide Attempt
A parent's worst fear comes to life when they find their teenager unresponsive after a silent struggle with mental health. Pills and alcohol on the floor reveal the painful reality of a crisis that could have been prevented. This story urges parents to act before it's too late—because the next knock on the door might change everything.
Are We Listening? What Students Really Think About School Mental Health Programs
High schools are facing a growing mental health crisis among students, but are we truly listening to their needs? Despite some progress, many school programs remain surface-level, missing the real issues. Students want practical tools and a safe space to talk. It’s time for schools, parents, and communities to stop ignoring the problem and start working together to support students’ mental well-being.
Unpacking the Mental Health Epidemic in Schools: Who’s at Fault?
The mental health crisis in schools is a complex issue, with many factors contributing to its rise. This article explores the different forces at play, questioning who is truly responsible for the epidemic. By examining systemic causes and holding various entities accountable, the piece seeks to unpack the challenges schools face in supporting student well-being.
How To Handle It When Your Teen Rejects Therapy?
"When teens reject therapy, it can feel like hitting a wall. They may resist for reasons like past experiences, fear of stigma, or discomfort with vulnerability. But don't lose hope—there are many ways to support them beyond traditional therapy. From mentoring and coaching to conversations with trusted friends, athletes, or LGBTQ+ leaders, finding the right connection can make all the difference. Sometimes, a trusted guide is the first step toward healing.
#TeenMentalHealth #MentorshipMatters #SupportOurTeens #AlternativeSupport #MentalHealthJourney"