Ann Douglas
Author, Magazine Writer, On-Air Parenting Columnist, Speaker | Independent
Peterborough, ON, CANADA
A bestselling author and the weekend parenting columnist for CBC Radio, Ann has been called "Canada's most trusted parenting writer."
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Biography
I am the author of a number of bestselling books about pregnancy and parenting (including The Mother of All Pregnancy Books and The Mother of All Baby Books) and a magazine writer and content creator who specializes in writing about parenting and health. My most recent book is Parenting Through the Storm: Handling the Highs, the Lows, and Everything In-Between, a guide to parenting a child who is struggling with a mental, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural challenge. I am frequently invited to speak at health, education, and parenting conferences about the issues raised in my books and at conferences for writers.
I live and work in Peterborough, Ontario, where I volunteer my time with a variety of projects and causes. I am currently serving on the national editorial board for the Centre for Mental Health and Addiction Health's Portico website and the social media team for The Canadian Red Cross. And I recently collaborated with Partners for Mental Health on a child and youth mental health advocacy letter and video.
In June 2013, I became the second person ever to be awarded a Lifetime Membership by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (in recognition of my contributions to the freelance writing profession).
In April 2012, I was one of 16 Canadians invited to Rideau Hall to discuss family policy with Canadian Governor-General David Johnston and his wife Sharon Johnston.
Industry Expertise (4)
Childcare
Mental Health Care
Health and Wellness
Writing and Editing
Areas of Expertise (10)
Parenting
Pregnancy
Children
Babies
Mental Health
Special Needs Parenting
Child and Adolescent Development
Children with Mental Neurological and Behavioural Challenges
Mindfulness
Health and Wellness
Accomplishments (8)
Finalist, National Magazine Awards (professional)
Service: Health and Family, 2014. "I Will Survive." Canadian Living.
Lifetime Membership : Professional Writers Association of Canada
June 2013
Invited to Discussion with Governor General David Johnston
April 2012
Silver Award Winner, National Magazine Awards (professional)
Editorial package (part of a winning team), 2010. "Captain Cottager." Cottage Life.
Peterborough Business Excellence Award (professional)
Micro-business category, 2005.
Finalist, Red Cedar Awards (BC) (professional)
2004-05. "Body Talk"
Canadian Children's Book Centre "Our Choice" Selection (professional)
2003. "Body Talk"
Resource Links, Best of the Year (professional)
2003. "Body Talk"
Education (1)
University of Toronto: Honors Degree, Major in History, Minor in Women's Studies 1985
Graduated with Distinction
Affiliations (6)
- CBC Radio: Weekend Parenting Columnist
- Kinstantly: Contributing Editor
- Centre for Mental Health and Addiction Health Portico Website : Editorial Board
- The Canadian Red Cross : Social Media Team Member
- Partners for Mental Health : Collaborator
- CHEX TV Peterborough Ontario: Parenting Columnist
Links (4)
Media Appearances (11)
End of School Year Stress
CBC Radio radio
2016-06-12
The countdown to summer is officially on, which may lead to feelings of panic, if you're a parent! Yes, it's that time of year when budgets take a beating and to do lists take on a life of their own. Parenting columnist Ann Douglas joins us to offer some advice. Note: I contribute an on-air parenting column to up to 11 weekend morning shows across the country each month.
Ann Douglas: Balancing Motherhood And Mental Health Advocacy
Bell Let's Talk online
2016-01-21
Ann Douglas is a passionate writer, talented speaker and parenting expert. She is also the mother of four children who have each struggled with different mental health challenges. Inspired by her role as a parent and the journey of being a mental health patient herself, Ann has made it her mission to motivate others in need....We spent some time with Ann to find out more about her experiences and expertise.
#BlackLivesMatter: How to talk to your kids about racism
Global News
2016-07-12
“Kids are aware and the media is everywhere so even if we feel uncomfortable having these discussions, we have to have them,” Ann Douglas, a parenting expert and author of Parenting Through the Storm, told Global News...
How to Keep Kids Safe Around Water Without Instilling Fear
Canadian Red Cross online
2016-06-06
My happiest childhood memories are of times spent at the family cottage, floating on an inner tube, lounging in a lakeside hammock, and learning how to paddle a canoe. I grew up loving water and feeling safe and confident around water. That’s because my parents did a great job of balancing out two important messages. They taught me that being around water can be incredibly fun, but that you have to be alert to the dangers at the same time.
Is the ‘2-minute’ countdown bad parenting? Here’s why kids have a meltdown
Global News
2015-05-14
Ann Douglas, a parenting expert and author of Parenting Through the Storm, and Amitay offer their tips to help parents strategize when it comes to screen time. Set boundaries at the onset: If your child is getting 30 minutes of screen time on their device, agree to these terms at the beginning before they start. Toddlers and younger children won’t have a good grasp of time management, so it’s your job to explain to them at the 15-minute mark, for example, that half of their time is gone, and then again when they have about five minutes left...
Fort McMurray wildfire: How to talk to your kids about evacuations, uncertainty
Global News
2016-05-09
“They could be feeling everything from being sad about losing their favourite things, being worried about a family pet or scared of what they could be going home to. It’s like a series of losses and a feeling of trying to make sense,” Ann Douglas, a parenting expert and author of Parenting Through the Storm, told Global News...
When kids aren’t ‘just being kids’
Macleans.ca
2015-02-21
In 2003, author Ann Douglas found herself in a devastating position for which her own bestselling series of parenting books had not prepared her. Her son Erik, then 12, had been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, a condition Douglas describes as “extreme stubbornness”; now his grade-school principal was asking Douglas to school him at home...
Parenting expert Ann Douglas writes about raising 4 struggling kids in new book
Toronto Star
2015-01-25
In 2003, life was falling apart for popular parenting author Ann Douglas. Her four children were struggling with a slew of serious mental health and behavioural challenges...
Parenting Through the Storm
Canada AM tv
2015-01-28
On Bell Let's Talk Day 2015, Ann Douglas appeared on Canada AM to discuss her brand new book, Parenting Through the Storm -- a guide to parenting a child who is struggling.
How do I become a more patient parent? (video)
Today's Parent online
When it comes to parenting, patience really is a virtue. But as every mom or dad knows, it’s not always easy. In this helpful video, parenting expert Ann Douglas tells you why taking a little time for yourself goes a long way to becoming a more patient parent for your kids. One in a series of videos created in collaboration with Today's Parent.
Bullying Prevention Tips for At-Risk Children
Canadian Red Cross online
2015-04-01
It’s not your imagination: children who are struggling with mental health, neurodevelopmental, and behavioural challenges are more likely to be bullied—and/or to bully—other children.
Event Appearances (8)
Bell Let's Talk Event
Bell Let's Talk Campaign 2016: Bell Employee Workshop Bell Headquarters, Mississauga
2016-01-26
Parenting Through the Storm
Mom's for Mental Health Fundraising Breakfast sponsored by Bell Let's Talk Youth Services Bureau, Ottawa
2016-01-22
CAMH Portico Launch
Presentation at special event in conjunction with Bell Let's Talk -- to announce the launch of the CAMH Portico Network. CAMH, Toronto
2016-01-21
A Gateway to FamilySmart™ Evidence: No one person, no one service – all together for child and youth mental health.
Children's Mental Health Ontario Conference Children's Mental Health Ontario, Toronto
2015-11-23
Big-Picture Parenting
Mindful Parenting Conference Whitby, Ontario
2015-11-07
Parenting Through the Storm
Community education workshop and webcast Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta
2015-10-27
Parenting Through the Storm
Workshop for family support workers who work with families who have a child who is struggling with a mental health, neurodevelopmental, and/or behavioural challenge. Early Childhood Development Support Services, Edmonton, Alberta
2015-10-26
Keynote presentation and workshop
Edmonton Literacy and Learning Day Edmonton, Alberta
2015-10-24
Articles (4)
Why trusting your gut makes you a better parent
Kinstantly2016-06-21
Gut instinct is a hard-wired early warning system that alerts us to the possibility that there could be some sort of problem with our child—and subconsciously urges us to take a closer look or spring into action.
Keeping it real is as good for our kids as it is for us -- this researchers says
Kinstantly2016-03-30
We all want kids who are confident and happy, whether it’s with a hockey stick or a recorder or whatever they choose. We don’t want them to feel like they have to fake who they are. That authenticity starts with us.
Precarious employment is a parenting issue
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives2015-09-01
Remember what it was like back when your child was a newborn—how you used to gaze into his eyes and dream of the day when he’d be old enough to juggle multiple part-time, temporary jobs in the hope of someday, maybe, being able to afford his own place? Okay, you didn’t actually have that dream. And neither did I.
Why our economic future depends on a national childcare programme
Canadian Family2012-03-01
With a lack of spaces, inconsistent quality control and a reduction of subsidies, Canada’s child-care system is severely under-developed. This puts the economic future of our country in jeopardy and leaves our kids severely disadvantaged.
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