Happy mothers Day to all Precious Mothers in the world 🌎 Grace for Africa child care wishes you a great day 🥰

I’ve been thinking about something I saw recently on instagram that really made me appreciate good positive coaching. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVjaJF8FASR/?igsh=dHlvejhuNXBpM3ly When proper coaching is in place, organized sports can teach lessons that go way beyond the game. Not just skills… but sportsmanship—and that can shape how kids show up in the world, in fact it’s one is the outcomes we want out of sport. To shape good societal citizens. Quick disclaimer: I know I’ve got a bias here and I will share them within you. There are parts of organized competitive sports that I struggle with—especially early specialization and when kids don’t get much room for individual expression or skill expansion. I’m not anti-sports… I’m pro healthy development. And I also want to say this clearly: I have a lot to be grateful for in the organized sports world, especially jiujitsu and judo for me personally. Those communities and coaches played a huge role in getting me to where I am today—and they’ve given me opportunities I’ll never forget, including traveling across Canada, the USA, and parts of Western Europe. So this isn’t a “sports are bad” post at all. What great coaching can teach kids (things that transfer to real life): Respect (teammates, opponents, refs, rules) Accountability (effort matters; own your choices) Emotional control (frustration happens—what do you do with it?) Humility + grace (win without being a jerk, lose without falling apart) Team mindset (you’re part of something bigger than you) That’s not “sports stuff.” That’s society stuff. At the same time, I don’t want us to lose what unstructured outdoor free play gives kids—because nature teaches a different set of life skills: self-direction (“what should we do now?”) problem-solving (real problems, real consequences) risk assessment (smart brave, not reckless) creativity + independence So for our families, I see it like this:

Ok so the topic of brain plasticity is interesting to many of you. I’ve received more PMs asking about it since there seems to be some level of anxiety about posting directly in this community. So I will try to fix that so that everyone is comfortable. This is the whole point of Skool. Community building. But back to brain plasticity. Which I am more than happy to talk about. So here goes …. Let’s start with a reference text book I used when teaching at Ottawa U. The Brain that Changes itself by Norm Doidge. In a nutshell we used to think that once at “maturity”… approximate age mid 20s, our brains were “hard wired”. We now know that our kid’s brain is not “fixed” — it’s *trainable* (brain plasticity, in plain language). And so is a the adult brain, but we need to created the right conditions. One of the most hopeful ideas I’ve ever learned as a parent (and outdoor educator) is this: The brain can change. Not just in little ways… in real, measurable ways. This is called neuroplasticity (or brain plasticity). So what is “brain plasticity”? It means your brain is constantly adapting based on what you do repeatedly. What you practice, you strengthen What you avoid, you weaken What you experience (especially emotionally) gets wired in deeper And yes — new pathways can form at any age The old adage; if you don’t use it you lose it very much applies. But you can also create an environment where you can do the opposite and optimize brain function. This matters a lot for kids… because childhood is basically a “high-growth” season for the nervous system and also applies to adults. Why this matters for parents (especially when you’re worried). Sometimes we look at our kids and think: “They’re anxious.” “They’re not confident.” “They melt down fast.” “They quit when it gets hard.” “They can’t focus.” “They’re behind.” Brain plasticity doesn’t magically erase challenges — but it gives us a better frame: Instead of “this is who my kid is,” we can think “this is what their brain has practiced so far.”

This week I had the privilege of bringing a friend out to my local gun club and exploring what it feels like to learn a new skill as an adult. It reminded me of something I think we all forget: our brains are built to learn—not just when we are a kid… but right now as adults too. 1) Adulthood is not “too late” If you’ve ever thought: “I’m too old to start.” “I’ll look dumb.” “I don’t have time.” …that’s normal. But it’s also often just a story our brain tells us to avoid discomfort. Starting late still counts. And honestly, starting late often means you bring patience, focus, and intention you didn’t have at 16. 2) Brain plasticity is real (and it’s earned) Your brain rewires through repetition, attention, and sleep. That’s neuroplasticity in the most plain language. I used to teach this at university (I ran a course called Motor Control Concepts at uOttawa while I was working on my Master’s). If you’re ever curious, send me a PM—I can talk about this stuff for hours. But brain plasticity is stoked by new learning. The cool part here is: Skill like confidence isn’t something you “HAVE” — it’s something you build by doing: learn → mess up → adjust → repeat That’s the whole game. It’s an open loop systems that requires on going fine tuning. Guns are also a scary topic for many. So let’s address that part in case it’s an “elephant in the room” for some. 3) Tools are only as safe as the habits around them A firearm is a simple tool. It’s not magic. It’s not mysterious. It’s a tool that demands clear rules and consistent safety habits. And the truth is: the tool can’t hurt anyone without a user. Same applies to a car when you think about it. In Canada, we also have layers of safety built into the system—background checks, licensing, and training, plus some of the stricter firearm laws in the world. So if guns make you nervous simply because you don’t know much about them, that’s fair… but it’s also something you can learn about safely. Finally, learning this type of skill is a lesson in responsibility and discipline:

I’m generally a perennial garden person — native flowers, evergreens, the kind of plants that come back every year and support the local ecosystem. But I’ve always loved with having a small herb + veggie patch. Having moved to the suburbs last year, I lucked out with the previous owners having had built a deck with raised garden beds. I find it gets me outside for 2 minutes a day (and somehow that matters more than I realize). It gets me to include the kids in the gardening tasks. It turns meals into something personal (fresh herbs = instant upgrade). It’s hands-on learning for kids — patience, care, and “we grew this!” pride It keeps you connected to the season in a way nothing else does. My ideal setup is still: mostly perennials + native flowers + evergreens…and then a small spot for food. A little patch of “we can grow things here.” 🌱 Because it’s not just about food — it’s about rhythm: step outside check what’s growing water if needed pick a little something feel like a human again Even a few plants can change the vibe of a home. And for kids? It’s one of the easiest ways to build confidence and curiosity and maybe even try a veggie if you have picky eaters. This year, I have basil, rosemary, lavender, parsley tomatoes and cucumbers.