Kelly McQuillan

Kelly McQuillan

Kelly McQuillan lives on Vancouver Island, juggling writing with teaching music and simultaneously parenting a preschooler and a teenager. She runs on caffeine and chocolate. Read more of her work at kellymcquillanwriter.weebly.com.

Recent Articles

A young boy plays a harmonica for his dog a benefit of having a pet

Parent Stories

What Your Kid Can Learn From Having a Family Pet

It’s chaos, headaches and hair (everywhere!), but I’m grateful my son has a furry sibling

By: Kelly McQuillan | Jan 01, 2024
mom holding her shirt over her mouth looking worried

Parent Stories

When Your Kids Use Your Words Against You

One mom lists the parenting phrases that came back to haunt her

By: Kelly McQuillan | Feb 21, 2020
stubborn siblings

Behavior + Discipline

What To Do When Your Kid Just WON’T

Solutions for parenting strong-willed kids

By: Kelly McQuillan | Jan 17, 2020
mother talking to son

Parent Stories

Why It’s Okay to Not Have All the Answers to Your Kids’ Questions

It’s okay to say, “I don’t know”

By: Kelly McQuillan | Oct 24, 2019
figurines awkwardly sitting on a bench

Mindfulness

7 Ways to Manage Awkward Conversations With Other Parents

What to do when small talk gets ... uncomfortable

By: Kelly McQuillan | Oct 03, 2019
nail-biting

Parent Stories

Breaking a Finger-Biting Habit, One Cuticle at a Time

One mom’s quest to cure her son’s nail-biting — and her own

By: Kelly McQuillan | Jul 29, 2019
Mother enjoying a cup of coffee

Parent Stories

How to Foster Moments of Mindful Relaxation (When Mere Moments Are All You Get)

Easy tips for grabbing little moments of “mindfulness” throughout each day

By: Kelly McQuillan | Apr 05, 2019
strong willed boy

Parent Stories

6 Reasons I’m Grateful My Son Is a Strong-Willed Child (Really!)

And why you should be grateful, too

By: Kelly McQuillan | Mar 22, 2019
Hungry boy wants dinner

Parent Stories

Meeting your Family's Dietary Needs Without Becoming a Short Order Cook

What if several members of your family insist on (or require) drastically different diets?

By: Kelly McQuillan | Feb 21, 2019
Father tossing his son into the air

Parent Stories

I Have Never Been the Fun Parent

...but a family crisis changed that

By: Kelly McQuillan | Jan 12, 2019