2025: The courage to be a parent differently to let them grow

As we enter 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of Les Belles Combines, I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come. A decade of growth, both personally and professionally, where I’ve had to learn on the job about business management, marketing and product development – ​​even though I only had a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. All this while raising a family that now includes 8 children!

For ten years, I have been advocating the importance of organization and autonomy in children. While the reactions are generally positive, I often hear: "You, with so many children, you have no choice but to make them autonomous!" This remark, although innocent, deeply pains me. Because autonomy is not just a question of parental relief - it is an invaluable gift that we offer our children for their future.

Recent articles in La Presse are sounding the alarm, and rightly so. The picture is worrying: children unable to peel a banana in first grade, hold a pencil properly, tie their shoes in fourth grade. Schools that have to hire staff to change the diapers of kindergarten children without special needs. As Carl Ouellet, president of the Association québécoise du personnel de direction des écoles, points out: "We are noticing certain gaps in language, behaviour and lifestyle habits."

At the same time, our schoolyards are turning into ultra-secure zones where everything is forbidden: climbing, running, bickering, playing in the snow... This overprotection, although well-intentioned, deprives our children of essential learning. As Daniel Paquette, professor at the University of Montreal, says so well: "We are in a society where risk-taking is zero tolerance, a society of overprotection."

The result? A generation of anxious, less resilient children who struggle to cope with adversity. The Canadian Paediatric Society itself now recommends encouraging risky play to improve children's physical and mental health.

As we approach 2025, I challenge you: make your children's autonomy your priority. At Les Belles Combines, we have developed several tools and approaches to support you in this process. Start by giving them concrete responsibilities: daily tasks, obligations towards their siblings, routines to follow. Don't wait until they are "ready" - they become ready by doing.

Actively involve them in the family organization. Let them look at the family schedule, plan meals, participate in decisions that affect them. Do things in front of them rather than waiting until they are in bed - they need to see the real work behind running a household. This is how they will develop a deep understanding of their role in the family ecosystem.

Resist the urge to constantly entertain them. Allow room for creative boredom, allow your home to become a playground where they can exercise their imagination. Yes, this sometimes means more mess, but that’s the price of authentic learning. And most importantly, let them do things for themselves, even if it’s imperfect, even if they fail. Your role is not to find solutions for them, but to support them in their learning.

After 10 years at the helm of Belles Combines, I can say that each challenge has shaped who I am today. The sleepless nights doubting my decisions, the failures that made me grow, the fears that pushed me to surpass myself, the sometimes painful confrontation of my opinions and preconceived ideas - all of this has built me. I have gone through difficult times, both as a mother and as an entrepreneur, but each obstacle overcome has made me stronger, more confident, more able to assume my responsibilities.

It’s fascinating how we admire life’s journeys that are fraught with challenges, how we value those who have built themselves through difficulties, and yet… we hesitate to let our children experience their own challenges. I built myself exactly as our children must build themselves: through effort, failure, doubt, and yes, sometimes difficulty. Let’s not take away these precious opportunities to grow, these moments that, although sometimes uncomfortable, build their character and resilience.

Octave's arrival marks an exciting new chapter in our history, and I feel more motivated than ever to continue this mission that is so close to my heart. Because beyond the organizational tools, practical advice and our community of committed parents, Les Belles Combines is above all a big family that grows together. Your trust and your successes are my greatest professional happiness, and I look forward to continuing to accompany you, one family at a time, towards more autonomy and joy in everyday life. Together, let's give our children what life has given me: the chance to build themselves through challenges.