Popular Parenting and Mental Health Presentations by Ann Douglas
“Each of us has the power to change the world. That change is sparked when we dare to share the contents of our hearts with other people. Sharing your story can be life changing — for you and for everyone else whose lives you touch.”
For over a decade, Ann Douglas, Canada's bestselling pregnancy and parenting book author, has been sharing her passion for parenting in intimate small-group workshops and thought-provoking keynote addresses. What follows is a list of some of her most-requested parenting topics.
Photo: Laurie Downey
Planning a parenting or mental health conference for 2016-17? Looking for a speaker who will provoke discussion and inspire your audience? Why not consider inviting Ann Douglas to be part of your day? Whether you ask her to deliver a high-energy keynote address or to work with attendees in an intimate workshop setting, attendees will be both informed and entertained. What follows is a list of Ann's most requested speaking topics.
“Ann Douglas is Canada’s most-trusted parenting writer.”
BIG-PICTURE PARENTING: In this thought-provoking keynote address, parenting author Ann Douglas discusses the advantages of taking a big-picture approach to parenting (parenting with your hopes and dreams for your children and your family in mind). She discusses the importance of tuning into your child’s needs, being mindful of your parenting decisions, building relationships with other parents, and practicing proactive self-care. Expect a compelling mix of practical advice and lively anecdotes from this popular and engaging speaker.
HAPPY, HEALTHY PARENTS -- HAPPY, HEALTHY KIDS: Parents can make a difference when it comes to children’s mental health. That's a powerful and reassuring message if you're the parent of a young child and you're alarmed by recent newspaper headlines about anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems in children and adolescents. In this practical and idea-filled workshop, parenting author Ann Douglas will share some highlights from her recent book Parenting Through the Storm: How to Handle the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between.
““With her new book Parenting Through the Storm,
Douglas becomes an important voice in
the national conversation on youth mental health.””
PARENTING THROUGH THE STORM: Coping strategies for parents who have a child who is struggling with a mental, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural challenge. Topics to be discussed include self-care, self-compassion, creating your own support network, and lifestyle matters (nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress management, and making time for fun). This presentation is based on interviews with more than 50 parents who have walked this walk and who are eager to share their best advice with other parents. These interviews formed the basis for Ann’s latest book, Parenting Through the Storm: How to Handle The Highs, The Lows, and Everything In-Between -- a book for parents who have a child who is struggling with a mental health, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural challenge (published by HarperCollins Canada).
FEARLESS PARENTING: Imagine how amazing it would be to live your life feeling calm and confident as a parent, knowing that you have the ability to handle whatever parenting challenges come your way. As you begin to review your own life experiences, explore the hopes and dreams you bring to parenting, and learn how to tap into your own resilience and resources, you can become that calm and confident parent. In this powerful and inspiring workshop, Ann Douglas will guide you through a series of exercises designed to help you to confront your deepest parenting fears and to help you to emerge a calmer, more confident parent.
THE COURAGE TO CHANGE: Are you living your dream life or have you convinced yourself to settle for second-best? In this thought-provoking presentation, author Ann Douglas will encourage you to embrace rather than fear the possibility of change. You will learn about the power of self-compassion (how treating yourself with kindness and gentleness as opposed to bullying yourself opens the door to possibility), the magic of connection (the importance of finding allies who will truly support you on your journey of change and growth), and the secrets to setting yourself up for success (how to set goals that are realistic, measurable, and achievable—and to maintain your commitment to achieving those goals). Expect to be inspired and moved by the wisdom and stories shared by this thought-provoking speaker—a bestselling author and mother of four who has experienced a transformative health journey.
THE POWER OF STORIES: You can allow a difficult experience to destroy you or you can allow it to strengthen you. And one of the ways to find strength in the wake of a difficult experience is by helping other people. This is the approach that has defined Ann Douglas’ career as a writer—one that has allowed her to find purpose and passion in daily living. In this practical and yet highly personal presentation, she will talk about how learning to embrace her own imperfection gave her the courage to share her story with others. “A painful or difficult experience doesn’t have to limit or define you, she notes. “It simply becomes a thread in the fabric of your life story.”
- Upcoming workshops and presentations
- Recent workshops and presentations
- Planning an event? Ann would love to be part of your event. Please get in touch so we can brainstorm the possibilities.