Upcoming Events

A calendar of upcoming events featuring Ann Douglas, author of Happy Parents, Happy Kids — a guide to thriving alongside your child — and Parenting Through the Storm — a guide to parenting a child with a mental health, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural challenge.

For book talks and workshops related to Ann’s brand new book, Navigating the Messy Middle: A Fiercely Honest and Wildly Encouraging Guide for Midlife Women, please visit the events page of Ann’s other website.

Interested in having Ann speak to your group? Please get in touch. She'd love to brainstorm the possibilities and provide you with information about purchasing copies of her books at a significant discount. 

Looking for ideas and inspiration?
     Descriptions of Ann's most popular parenting presentations 
     List of recent speaking engagements focused on parenting (2015-2023)


Sep
25
12:00 PM12:00

GOLD Learning - Early Years Online Symposium

Ann Douglas will be delivering the keynote address at the GOLD Learning Early Years Online Symposium: "Strategies for Helping Families to Weather Life's Storms Together."

Get ready to learn: 

🌟 Why parents face anxiety, guilt & overwhelm 

🌟 What struggling parents need to hear from early years professionals 

🌟 Proven strategies to connect with parents 

🌟 8 ideas to help parents feel calmer & more confident 

🌟 And more! 

This info-packed symposium brings you nine hours of accredited education from international experts. Starting on September 25, you'll enjoy on-demand access to recordings as you update your knowledge when it comes to key topics in early childhood development and mental wellbeing.  

Find all the details and to register, visit www.GOLDLearning.com.

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U of T Family Care Office, Toronto, Ontario
Nov
23
12:00 PM12:00

U of T Family Care Office, Toronto, Ontario

Registration required. Current University of Toronto students, staff, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and their partners are welcome.

Ann Douglas will be speaking on “The Truth About Teens.”

This informative and encouraging presentation focuses on adolescent development (how understanding adolescent development can make you a better parent), parenting strategies (the three things teenagers need most from their parents), and the job description for the job of teenager (the four “key developmental tasks” of adolescence). It explains why the teen years can be such a challenging time for both parents and teens alike — and how parents can respond that challenge in a way that strengthens, not weakens, their connection to their teen. It also discusses the important role that parents can play in supporting adolescent mental health throughout the teen years and beyond—and what that means in practical terms (how parents can apply this information to their everyday lives, starting right now).

Facilitator: Ann Douglas sparks conversations that matter about parenting and mental health. She is a frequent contributor to CBC Radio and a bestselling parenting book author. Ann is the creator of The Mother of All Book series and the author, most recently, of Happy Parents, Happy Kids and Parenting Through the Storm. A passionate and inspiring speaker, Ann delivers keynote addresses and leads small-group workshops at health, parenting, and education conferences across the country.

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Kaleidoscope 2021 hosted by the Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society, New Westminster, BC
Nov
19
1:30 PM13:30

Kaleidoscope 2021 hosted by the Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society, New Westminster, BC

Ann Douglas will be speaking at Kaleidoscope 2021: a virtual grief convention for families and professionals. You can register via the Lumara Grief and Bereavement Care Society website.

Presentation description: The Umbrella Workshop: Helping Families to Weather the Storm

Wondering what you can do to make a difference for a child or a family who is struggling? Eager to learn how you can communicate your caring and support in a way that recognizes and builds upon the strengths of that family? In this practical and inspiring presentation, Ann Douglas will connect the dots between the growing body of research about family support and engagement and the real-world needs of children and families. After all, if it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to support that child’s parent. Here’s how to be that village….

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Erin Mills Connects, Mississauga, Ontario
Nov
3
4:00 PM16:00

Erin Mills Connects, Mississauga, Ontario

Ann Douglas will be speaking at this virtual event hosted by Erin Mills Connects.

It’s Not Just You: A Conversation About Pandemic-Related Exhaustion and Burnout

Over the course of the pandemic, Ann Douglas has been hard at work on a brand-new book for and about women. Her research has given her the opportunity to have heart-to-heart conversations with well over 100 women: women who have been grappling with all kinds of different pandemic-related challenges. Ann will share some of what she learned from these conversations: how the pandemic has added to the heavy workload that women were already shouldering back in pre-pandemic times (and that has been even heavier for some women); and what this has meant in terms of the overall health and well-being of women. She’ll be encouraging you to reflect on your own experiences — both the challenges you’ve faced and what you’ve learned about yourself as you’ve lived through this strange and uncertain time.

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Erin Mills Connects
Nov
1
11:00 AM11:00

Erin Mills Connects

Ann Douglas will be hosting a conversation with members of the Erin Mills Connects community.

It’s Not Just You: A Conversation About Pandemic-Related Exhaustion and Burnout

Over the course of the pandemic, Ann Douglas has been hard at work on a brand-new book for and about women. Her research has given her the opportunity to have heart-to-heart conversations with well over 100 women: women who have been grappling with all kinds of different pandemic-related challenges. Ann will share some of what she learned from these conversations: how the pandemic has added to the heavy workload that women were already shouldering back in pre-pandemic times (and that has been even heavier for some women); and what this has meant in terms of the overall health and well-being of women. She’ll be encouraging you to reflect on your own experiences — both the challenges you’ve faced and what you’ve learned about yourself as you’ve lived through this strange and uncertain time.

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Aug
27
7:00 PM19:00

Canadian Mental Health Association and Parents for Children's Mental Health - Webinar

Ann Douglas will be the keynote speaker at this special back-to-school webinar for families in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. (All parents are welcome to register for and participate in this event.)

Event description:
”Join us on August 27th from 7-8:30pm to explore tools and tips on supporting your children as they return to school. Register here! Returning to school in the fall is an anxious time for both parents and students. These feelings are only magnified when your child suffers from mental health challenges. “Supporting our Children’s Mental Health as they Return to School” is a web-based discussion, aimed to help parents use the tools and skills they have to support their children this fall. Parenting author and mental health advocate, Ann Douglas, will be the keynote speaker for the discussion, followed by a panel of educators and parents, to share their knowledge about supporting children and youth exhibiting mental health struggles as they get ready to return to school.”

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Aug
18
8:00 PM20:00

Twitter Chat: Children's Mental Health Ontario

Ann Douglas will be co-hosting a special back-to-school Twitter chat for members of the #kidscantwait community (a group of youth, parents, professionals, and others who care about the wellbeing of parents and kids and who are advocating for increased investment in child and youth mental health). To join the chat, just follow the #kidscantwait hashtag on Twitter.

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Toronto District School Board, Toronto, Ontario
Jun
22
6:30 PM18:30

Toronto District School Board, Toronto, Ontario

Ann Douglas will be presenting at the first of three events for parents and caregivers hosted by the TDSB's Parent and Community Engagement Office and Parent Involvement Advisory Committee.

Mental Health, Well-Being & Routines in the Early Years
Speakers: Ann Douglas, Author, Happy Parents, Happy Kids and Parenting Through the Storm
Afroze Anjum, Psychologist, TDSB
Moderator: Heather Johnson, Social Work, TDSB Monday, June 22, 2020 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Registration details.

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May
20
7:30 PM19:30

Erin Mills Connects: Online Event (Part II of II)

A free online event for parents in the Erin Mills community and beyond. (Yes, this event is open to parents in other communities, but pre-registration is required.)

SESSION TWO
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 @ 7:30 pm
The Virtual Village Part II: Caring for Your Kids

We started out by talking about caring for you. Now let’s talk about caring for your kids: what you can do to make life easier and better for them during this extraordinarily challenging time.
You’ll learn
• why so many children are struggling right now—and what parents can do to make things better
• why routines matter and why prioritizing the health fundamentals (sleep, activity, good nutrition) is more important than ever
• how to tell when a child is feeling anxious or stressed
• how to respond to a child who is feeling really anxious—and in ways that help to make the anxiety better, not worse
• how to help children to acknowledge and accept all their emotions (and why it’s important for you to accept their emotions, too)
• how to encourage children to turn to other people for support in managing emotions that feel too big to handle on their own
• some strategies for encouraging children to open up about their feelings—and some social-emotional learning activities you might want to try together
• what children need most from their parents in this moment—and what other things can be placed on the back burner for now.

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May
14
7:30 PM19:30

Erin Mills Connects: Online Event (Part I of II)

A free online event for parents in the Erin Mills community and beyond. (Yes, this event is open to parents in other communities, but pre-registration is required.)

SESSION ONE
Thursday, May 14, 2020 @ 7:30 pm
The Virtual Village Part I: It Starts With You

This session is all about taking care of you: acknowledging the many challenges you are facing in this moment and reminding you that you have what it takes to tackle those challenges head on.

You’ll learn
• how to manage your own feelings of anxiety
• how to feel less guilty and less out of control during a strange and uncertain time
• how to recognize and celebrate your many strengths as a parent
• how to parent in a way you can feel good about and that will actually strengthen your relationship with your child
• how to give yourself permission to be a gloriously imperfect parent and to give your kid permission to be a gloriously imperfect kid
• how to practice the art of relationship repair and otherwise keep your relationship with your child on track
• how to set healthy boundaries in your key relationships—at work, at home, and elsewhere • how to focus on what matters most and let go of all the rest.

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Positive Parenting Waterloo Region and Parenting Now: Online Event
May
12
8:00 PM20:00

Positive Parenting Waterloo Region and Parenting Now: Online Event

Celebrated Canadian author and parenting expert Ann Douglas shares strategies for helping parents navigate the difficult challenges of parenting through a pandemic.

Presented by Positive Parenting Waterloo Region, Parenting Now, and the Early Learning Alliance of Waterloo Region.

This event is free, but pre-registration is required.

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Children's Mental Health Ontario - Twitter Chat
May
5
8:00 PM20:00

Children's Mental Health Ontario - Twitter Chat

You told us that you wanted to keep talking, so we're going to keep talking. Join us tonight for another Twitter chat hosted by Children's Mental Health Ontario. Just search for the #kidscantwait hashtag to join in the conversation, which will be starting at 8 pm ET. We'll be speaking from the heart about the challenges we're facing as parents and sharing strategies for taking the best possible care of ourselves and our kids during this strange and uncertain time.

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Early Literacy Alliance of Waterloo Region: Online Event
May
5
2:00 PM14:00

Early Literacy Alliance of Waterloo Region: Online Event

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Supporting the Professionals
Who Are Supporting the Parents
During the Pandemic and Beyond

These are challenging times for everyone—times that require us to think about new ways to communicate, work, and support one another. This webinar will provide an opportunity for organizations and individuals to reflect on how professionals might best support families during these extraordinary times:

  • How can we share resources and offer support in a way that reduces (as opposed to adds to) the stress that parents and children are experiencing?

  • What can we do to make a difference for a child or a family who is struggling?

  • How can we communicate our caring and support in a way that recognizes and builds upon the strengths of that family?

  • How might we maintain and connect the programs and services we create during this time with the work we will be doing post-pandemic?

  • How can we be ready to support parents in whatever comes next, given we aren’t exactly sure what that may be?

In this practical and inspiring presentation, Ann Douglas will connect the dots between the growing body of research about family support and engagement and the real-world needs of children and families during this difficult time. After all, if it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to support that child’s parent. Here’s how to be that village….

You can expect to

  • Learn strategies for helping parents navigate difficult parenting challenges that can directly impact mental health outcomes in parent and child.

  • Discover best practices for building trust with families who are struggling—and in a way that is validating and empowering.

Be sure to register. Seats are limited. A 40 minute live presentation by Ann Douglas will be followed by an interactive opportunity to share our own experiences, issues and advice during Q & A.

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Children's Mental Health Ontario - Twitter Chat
Apr
7
8:00 PM20:00

Children's Mental Health Ontario - Twitter Chat

You told us that you wanted to keep talking, so we're going to keep talking. Join us tonight for another Twitter chat hosted by Children's Mental Health Ontario. Just search for the #kidscantwait hashtag to join in the conversation, which will be starting at 8 pm ET. We'll be speaking from the heart about the challenges we're facing as parents and sharing strategies for taking the best possible care of ourselves and our kids during this strange and uncertain time.

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Children First Canada: Facebook Live Event
Mar
29
9:00 PM21:00

Children First Canada: Facebook Live Event

Join Children First Canada for a Facebook Live Stream with Canadian Parenting Author and Speaker Ann Douglas - Author of The Mother of All on Sunday, March 29 at 7PM MT/9PM ET. Tune-in to ask Ann questions around caring for our children and parenting during an unprecedented time. Ann is a bestselling parenting book author who sparks conversations that matter. She is also the weekend parenting columnist for CBC Radio.

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Facebook Live Event: Life With A Baby
Mar
23
1:00 PM13:00

Facebook Live Event: Life With A Baby

Ann will be hosting a Facebook Live conversation on the Life with a Baby Facebook Page. She will be talking about parenting during this very challenging time. IMPORTANT: You don't have to be a parent of a baby to join in the conversation. We're expecting parents with kids of all ages.

Here's what we'll be talking about (from the official description for the event).

"Parenting doesn’t happen in a bubble. As parents, we can’t help but be affected by what’s happening in the wider world. Is it any wonder then that so many of us are feeling anxious and overwhelmed right now? In this thought-provoking conversation, parenting author Ann Douglas will acknowledge the challenges that we are facing in this moment and suggest strategies and solutions for weathering this particular storm. Her takeaway message is clear, powerful, and potentially life changing: you can tame the anxiety, embrace the joy, and thrive alongside your kids during this challenging time. Expect a conversation that is kind, encouraging, and real and that leaves you feeling anything but alone. 💗

Ann Douglas is the weekend parenting columnist for CBC Radio and the author of a number of bestselling books about parenting, including THE MOTHER OF ALL PREGNANCY BOOKS. Her most recent books are HAPPY PARENTS, HAPPY KIDS and PARENTING THROUGH THE STORM."

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Moms Gone Wild, Maple Ridge, BC
Feb
24
7:00 PM19:00

Moms Gone Wild, Maple Ridge, BC

Ann Douglas will be speaking about Happy Parents, Happy Kids at this event for members of Moms Gone Wild.

Presentation description: Parenting doesn’t happen in a bubble. As parents, we can’t help but be affected by what’s happening in the wider world. Is it any wonder then that so many of us are feeling anxious, guilty, and overwhelmed? In this thought-provoking presentation, Ann Douglas highlights the broader cultural forces that have made everything about parenting feel incredibly high stakes. Then she pivots to solutions, explaining how parents have the unique opportunity to serve as agents of change in their families and their communities. Her takeaway message is clear, powerful, and potentially life changing: you can tame the anxiety, embrace the joy, and thrive alongside your kids while building a better world. You’ll learn…. • how to boost your enjoyment of parenting while maximizing the health and happiness of your entire family at the same time • how to minimize stress, boost your mood, increase your energy level, and safeguard your physical and mental health — and how to encourage your kids to do the same • how to zero in on the most effective parenting strategies (parenting strategies that work for parents and kids as opposed to parents or kids) • why it’s so important to tap into support from “the village” — and why friendships are a necessity, not a luxury, for moms at each and every stage of parenting.

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