Ann Douglas is a passionate and inspiring speaker who sparks conversations that matter. She is a bestselling parenting author, CBC Radio parenting columnist, and mental health advocate and speaker. “Ann Douglas is Canada’s most trusted parenting writer,” says Brandie Weikle, former editor-in-chief of Canadian Family and creator of The New Family podcast. Ann Douglas has created and delivered parenting courses for high-profile websites such as WebMD and AOL as well as on behalf of government clients and Fortune-500 companies. She also hosts online conversations about parenting and mental health and develops and hosts webinars on behalf of organizations such as Morneau Shepell Children’s Support Solutions, the International Bipolar Foundation, and Partners for Mental Health. (See list of recent speaking engagements, below.)
ANN’S MOST-REQUESTED PRESENTATIONS
PARENTING THROUGH THE STORM
- Keynote address for parents (elementary, middle school, or high school)
- 60 minutes
- Focus: Mental health
Parents can make a difference when it comes to children’s mental health. That’s a powerful and reassuring message if you’re a parent and you’ve been alarmed by recent newspaper headlines about anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties in children and adolescents. In this practical and idea-packed workshop, parenting author Ann Douglas will share some highlights from her 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. The workshop focuses on parenting strategies, advocacy skills, and stress management and coping skills. Topics to be discussed include self-care, self-compassion, creating your own support network, and lifestyle matters (nutrition, fitness, sleep, 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. Note: Read Ann’s recent interview with Bell Let’s Talk to learn more about her approach to parenting and mental health. KEYNOTE ADDRESS: BIG-PICTURE PARENTING
- Keynote address for parents (elementary, middle school, or high school)
- 60 minutes
- Focus: Parenting strategies and mindful parenting
In this thought-provoking presentation, 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 will discuss the importance of tuning into your child’s needs, being mindful of your parenting decisions, building relationships with other parents, and practicing self-care. Expect a compelling mix of practical advice and lively anecdotes from this popular and engaging speaker. This eye-catching graphic recording captures some of the key ideas in this one-of-a-kind presentation. INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP: THE COURAGE TO CHANGE
- Workshop for high school students
- 60 minutes
- Focus: Finding purpose; embracing change and growth
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. INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP: THE POWER OF STORIES
- Workshop for high school students
- 60 minutes
- Focus: Making sense of the evolving story that is your life
“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.” – Ann Douglas 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.”
ANN’S RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS (2015-2016)
Schools and School Boards and other education organizations A couple of appearances each month at schools and/or board-wide parenting conferences Parenting organizations (non-profits and for profits) Hincks Dellcrest Centre Parent Education Network, Toronto Mindful Parenting Conference, Durham Region Life with a Baby (postpartum support non-profit) The Baby Show, Ottawa The Baby Show, Toronto VOICE For Hearing Impaired Children, Family Camp Presentation, Haliburton, Ontario Autism Ontario Peel Mental health organizations Bell Let’s Talk (Mississauga headquarters) Centre for Mental Health and Addiction (CAMH) Partners for Mental Health (national mental health advocacy organization) (webinars and videos) Children’s Mental Health Ontario Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa Morneau Shepell Children’s Support Solutions (webinars) International Bipolar Foundation (webinars) Families Advocating for Better Mental Health Everywhere Bartimaeus Family Services, Toronto Social service organizations Early Childhood Development Support Services, Edmonton, Alberta Child Development Resource Connection Peel, Mississauga, Ontario North Hastings Children’s Services, Bancroft, Ontario Supportive Housing In Peel, Mississauga, Ontario Health care institutions Peterborough Health Services Foundation fundraiser, Peterborough, Ontario Alberta Children’s Hospital: Community Education Service, Child And Adolescent Mental Health Rare Disease Foundation Parent Support Group At SickKids Toronto Parents Of Multiple Births Association Literacy Festivals Spur Festival, Toronto Ottawa Writers’ Festival Edmonton Literacy and Learning Day
FEES
- Typically honorarium paid by an individual school (2015-2016): $750 + HST
- Typical honorarium paid by a school board for a keynote address at a school-wide conference (2015-2016): $2000 + HST.
Ann is willing to travel to towns and cities across Ontario and beyond. Want her to travel to your school or your community? Let’s talk! Note: Ann welcomes the opportunity to partner with schools and community groups who have applied for funding under the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Parents Reaching Out Grant program. (progrant) If you’re working on your application for the 2016-17 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants program and you’re looking for ideas, inspiration, or tips on what has worked well for other schools that have partnered with Ann, please get in touch. She would be happy to share what she’s learned.
progrant
