It’s the start of a new year, and for so many of us, that means back to early mornings at the pool, afternoon activities next to the rugby field, training weekends on the sidelines, or long hours in the auditorium. Competitions, rankings, and performance scores are rolling in, and as parents, we feel the intensity as much as our kids do. We want them to succeed. We want to see them give it their best, standing on that podium, receiving that recognition. After all, isn’t that what we’ve been told matters? But as I sit with these thoughts, watching our child push himself/herself to be better, I can’t help but ask: What really matters most?

Navigating social dynamics is one of the most challenging aspects of the tween years. As children transition from the simplicity of early childhood to the more complex social structures of adolescence, they often face issues related to peer pressure, exclusion, and the desire to fit in. As parents, guiding your tween through these challenges by promoting kindness and inclusion is essential for their emotional and social development.