How can parents support their child’s learning and emotional wellbeing during an unexpected school closure — and could this disruption actually be an opportunity for growth?
In this timely episode of Parenting Like a Mother, recorded on October 6, 2025, as Alberta’s 51,000 teachers began the province’s first strike since 2002, host Lindsay talks with Julie Diamond, founder of Diamond Teachers Group and a certified teacher with over 15 years of experience.
Together, they explore how parents can help children stay grounded, confident, and connected during this period of uncertainty — drawing lessons from Ontario’s previous strikes and the COVID-19 school shutdowns. This conversation focuses on what families can control: emotional support, maintaining structure, and creating meaningful learning moments at home.
You’ll learn why emotional validation must come before academics, how to support learning without pressure, and ways to reframe this disruption as a time to build confidence, independence, and curiosity.
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In This Episode, We Discuss:
• The 2025 Alberta teachers’ strike and its impact on 730,000 students province-wide
• The emotional ripple effects for kids — from confusion to anxiety to empathy for their teachers
• Why checking in with your child’s feelings is the best first step
• How to keep routines predictable to provide a sense of safety
• Creative learning alternatives that make learning fun: Minecraft math, baking chemistry, nature walks, and board games
• How to close learning gaps and boost confidence through small wins
• Building executive functioning and a sense of accomplishment outside traditional schoolwork
• Setting realistic goals for the strike period — whether it lasts a week or a month
• Protecting social connection to prevent isolation and loneliness
• Talking with kids about advocacy and fairness in age-appropriate ways
• Balancing screen time with both educational and creative content
• Supporting your own wellbeing as a parent and focusing on what’s within your control
• When and how to reach out for extra support through tutors or community resources
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Guest Expert
Julie Diamond is the founder of Diamond Teachers Group (formerly Teachers to Go), an online tutoring company established in 2011. She’s a certified teacher in BC and Ontario and has served on the Toronto District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee, representing students on the autism spectrum.
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Resources:
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Green Door Clinic🟣
Parenting Like a Mother on Instagram🔵
Diamond Teachers Group________________________________________
