{"id":729,"date":"2025-08-06T14:43:40","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T14:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/?p=729"},"modified":"2026-03-31T19:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:48:14","slug":"bgc-clubs-are-a-modern-solution-to-help-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/bgc-clubs-are-a-modern-solution-to-help-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"BGC Clubs are a modern solution to help parents"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Owen Charters<\/a>, President & CEO, BGC Canada<\/p>\n

October 25, 2024<\/p>\n

Raising kids is difficult and it takes a village\u2014that\u2019s just the way modern society is built. But we live in an era where the village doesn\u2019t live with us, and we need modern solutions to help parents. BGC Clubs are that modern solution.<\/em><\/p>\n

Parenting is hard<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Recently, parents have been told that their job is so stressful that the\u202fUS surgeon-general issued a health advisory<\/a>\u202ffor the impact of parenting on mental health. They\u2019re given advice on how to discipline and guide their kids in the best possible way\u2014but the advice is never-ending and always changing.<\/p>\n

The media has focused recently on \u2018gentle parenting\u2019, including the backlash on how hard it is on parents \u2013 and for bystanders to observe.\u202fIt\u2019s not easy to watch a toddler have a screaming tantrum in a restaurant and hear parents say things like, \u201cI know that the whip cream falling off your cake makes you sad and angry.\u202fIt\u2019s okay to be sad and angry.\u202fLet it out and then we can talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new approach is\u202flighthouse parenting<\/a>\u202f\u2013 being a stable, firm guide, and recognizing that parents can\u2019t always acknowledge every emotion before their kid gets their snowsuit and boots on and out the door before being late for school and work.\u202f It\u2019s an improvement, but still just one more evolution of how-to parent.<\/p>\n

One of the more extreme examples of gentle parenting that I saw recently was someone writing a parenting column with a problem of their lessons coming back to bite them.\u202fThey had taught their kid that they should follow the \u201cMy Body, My Choice\u201d principle, which helps keep kids safe and autonomous.\u202f However, their kid now had decided they would not take baths, nor wear the appropriate clothes for the weather.\u202f\u201cMy body, my choice! \u2013 they insisted on any parental request.\u202fThe columnist was quick to point out that a parent has responsibilities they need to enforce, including that every principle has limits and variables and even exceptions.\u202fAnd sometimes a kid just has to do something because a parent says so.\u202fTime for more lighthouse parenting.<\/p>\n

Raising kids is difficult and it takes a village\u2014but we live in an era where the village doesn\u2019t live with us. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and family that could often chip in frequently live far away.\u202fSo, we require institutional help.\u202fThat\u2019s just the way modern society is built.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[vc_single_image image=”781″ img_size=”large” css=””]

BGC Clubs are the modern solution to help parents<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Even though Clubs have been around for 125 years, we are that modern solution.\u202fWe help parents by taking the load off, giving them security that their child is in a safe, supportive place.\u202fNo grandma or uncle is needed.<\/p>\n

We go further\u2014we have created three programs focused on parenting<\/a>: Parenting Without Power Struggles, Parents in the Know, and Parents Together!\u202fThirteen Clubs across the country have received grants to continue or implement parenting programs.\u202fOur role in supporting parents only continues to grow.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Helping parents is central to who Clubs are and what we do<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Fewer people are having kids\u202f<\/a>citing the cost of raising kids and the challenges of being a parent.\u202fThe choice to become a parent is a deeply personal one, but it should not be constrained because we can\u2019t help parents do a good job.\u202fUltimately, the more resources we can provide parents, the easier that choice becomes.\u202fAnd most importantly, the easier we can make it for parents today.\u202fThat\u2019s our job, and we are rising to the challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1774536098543{background-color: #D9F2BF !important;}”][vc_column_inner]

Interested in supporting BGC Canada?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Donate today<\/a> or partner with BGC.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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