CA McLean Consulting

CA McLean Consulting I hold a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education.

A Relationship and Behavior Specialist, Certified Leadership Coach, and seasoned educator with over 25 years of experience supporting families, adolescents, and neurodivergent learners.

08/30/2026

What if healing isn’t about feeling better? What if it’s about giving ourselves permission to feel it all?

I’ve read Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett, and one of the ideas that has stayed with me is that there aren’t “good” emotions and “bad” emotions. Our emotions are information—and we need to recognize, understand and make space for them rather than judging ourselves for having them.

That hit differently when I thought about grief.

For a long time, I think part of me believed that being happy after losing Ava meant I was somehow leaving her behind.

Almost ten years later, I understand it differently.

I can miss her desperately and have a beautiful day.

I can cry about the life she didn’t get to live and feel excited about the life I’m building.

I can feel grief, love, sadness, gratitude and joy—sometimes all in the same day.

One emotion doesn’t invalidate another.

Maybe that’s part of what healing has looked like for me: giving myself permission to feel all of it without guilt.

I don’t have to stop grieving Ava to start loving my life again.

And loving my life will never mean I love or miss her any less.

I carry both. And I’m finally giving myself permission to do that. 💜

Turns out, starting over might be kind of chic. I used to think by this age I’d have everything figured out.Instead, I’m...
08/28/2026

Turns out, starting over might be kind of chic.

I used to think by this age I’d have everything figured out.

Instead, I’m starting a new chapter in my career, rebuilding after divorce, watching my son grow up, learning how to live with a calmer nervous system, and figuring out what makes me happy again.

And somewhere along the way, I realized…

I’m not behind.

I’m not starting from nothing.

I’m starting again with everything I’ve learned.

And the life I’m building now?

It looks a lot like the one I used to dream about. 🤍

Starting over at 50? Kind of chic.

Every August, I ask myself the same question: Can I actually do this again?By the end of summer, I finally feel rested.M...
08/23/2026

Every August, I ask myself the same question: Can I actually do this again?

By the end of summer, I finally feel rested.

My nervous system feels calmer. My days aren’t dictated by bells, schedules, behaviours, meetings and a hundred decisions that need to be made before lunch.

And then back-to-school season arrives.

I love teaching. I love my students. And returning to the classroom helped me find my spark again.

But I also think we need to make space for educators to say:

This job is hard.

Class sizes are growing. Needs are complex. Resources don’t always match those needs. Parents are worried. Educators are stretched. And somehow we’re expected to hold all of it while creating classrooms where every child feels safe, included and successful.

I know that after school, my nervous system often needs quiet before I’m ready to be a human again.

And I’m fortunate when I can give myself that.

Many educators can’t.

So if you’re heading back to school and part of you is excited while another part is wondering how you’re going to do this for another year…

Both can exist.

You can love teaching and still be tired.

You can be grateful for your career and still want things to change.

You can adore your students and still protect your own capacity.

And maybe the question isn’t really, “Can I do this again?”

Maybe it’s:

“How can I do this again without losing myself in the process?”

That’s the question I’m taking with me this year.

Teachers, what do you need this year to help you stay well?

Grief doesn’t disappear. It changes—and somehow, so do we. Almost ten years later, I’m still learning what it means to l...
08/20/2026

Grief doesn’t disappear. It changes—and somehow, so do we.

Almost ten years later, I’m still learning what it means to live a full life while missing Ava every single day.

This summer reminded me that grief and joy don’t have to compete.

I can miss her terribly and love my life deeply.

I can grieve the life she didn’t get to live while celebrating the life my son is beginning to create for himself.

And I can finally allow myself to be happy without feeling like I’m leaving her behind.

Because I don’t leave her behind.

I bring her with me. Always.

If you’re learning how to carry grief while still allowing yourself to feel joy, I hope this reminds you that both can exist.

You don’t have to choose between missing them and living.

If this speaks to your heart, leave a 🤍 below—or share it with someone who may need this reminder today.

08/17/2026

I will always be Ava’s mom. Grief doesn’t change that.

There is no finish line for a grieving mother. There is simply learning how to carry love and loss in the same heart.

Ava was pretty.

Pretty smart.
Pretty kind.
Pretty adventurous.
Pretty courageous.
Pretty unforgettable.

Losing her changed me forever.

But grief has taught me that healing doesn’t mean leaving the people we love behind. It means learning how to carry them with us as we keep living.

And I carry her with me every single day.

In the mother I am.
In the educator I am.
In the way I support other families.
In the way I choose to live and love.

Forever my daughter. Forever part of my story. Forever Ava’s mom.

Most parents don’t need more information. They need someone to help them make sense of it all. Over the years, I’ve met ...
08/03/2026

Most parents don’t need more information. They need someone to help them make sense of it all.

Over the years, I’ve met so many families who are carrying binders full of assessments, recommendations, report cards, and school paperwork.

They’ve done the reading.

They’ve attended the appointments.

They’ve met with specialists.

But they’re still asking:

“Now what?”

That’s where I come in.

I help families bridge the gap between professional recommendations and everyday life.

Together, we:
- Make sense of reports and assessments.
- Create strategies that actually work in your home.
- Implement recommendations in ways that feel realistic.
- Prepare for school meetings with confidence.
- Build plans that support your child’s growth.
- Coach students to develop confidence, regulation, executive functioning, and independence.
- Connect parents through supportive groups where they can learn from one another and realize they aren’t alone.

No two families are the same, which is why every plan is personalized to your child, your goals, and your journey.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own.

If you’re looking for someone to walk beside you—not just tell you what to do—I’d love to help.

💜 Send me a DM with the word “SUPPORT,” and let’s talk about which service is the best fit for your family.

07/26/2026

Not every season feels calm—and that’s part of being human.

Lately, I’ve noticed my emotions have been a little up and down.

Some days I feel motivated and clear.

Other days, I feel like I’m navigating life without a paddle, just trying to keep up with everything that’s on my plate.

I’ve learned not to judge myself for those days.

Instead, I try to ask:

What does my nervous system need right now?

Sometimes it’s rest.

Sometimes it’s movement.

Sometimes it’s a walk, a yoga class, a good conversation, or simply giving myself permission to not have it all together.

If you’re in a season where life feels a little heavier than usual, I hope you know you’re not alone.

You don’t have to be perfectly regulated every day.

You don’t have to have everything figured out.

Just keep showing up, one day at a time.

The waves won’t stay this big forever.

✨ If this resonates with you, leave a 💜 in the comments. Sometimes it’s enough just to know someone else understands.

07/15/2026

One kind sentence could change someone’s entire day.

We spend so much time thinking the good things we notice about people…

But how often do we actually say them out loud?

If a teacher made your child feel safe…
Tell them.

If your waitress made you feel cared for…
Tell her.

If another small business owner inspired you…
Send the message.

If another mom is doing an incredible job…
Don’t assume she already knows.

Tell her.

As parents, educators, and business owners, we all carry things that no one else can see.

A few genuine words of encouragement won’t solve everything—but they might remind someone that what they’re do matters.

I’ve learned that kindness has a ripple effect.

When we feel seen, we’re more likely to help someone else feel seen.

So here’s my challenge for you today:

💜 Text one person.
💜 Leave one comment.
💜 Send one message.
💜 Tell someone exactly what you appreciate about them.

You never know how much they needed to hear it.

Who can you encourage today? Tag them below or send them this reel. Let’s start a ripple of kindness.

Your child’s success in September doesn’t begin on the first day of school—it begins with what you do this summer. 🤍Whil...
07/13/2026

Your child’s success in September doesn’t begin on the first day of school—it begins with what you do this summer. 🤍

While everyone else is shopping for backpacks and lunch kits, this is the perfect time to prepare in a different way.

To reflect.

To ask questions.

To make sense of everything that happened this year.

To create a plan before the first bell rings.

In my Summer Parent Support Groups, we’ll spend six weeks doing exactly that.

We’ll talk about:
🤍 What worked this year.
🤍 What didn’t.
🤍 Your concerns for next year.
🤍 How to advocate with confidence.
🤍 What supports your child may need.

And one of my favorite parts?

Listening to parents support one another.

Sometimes another family’s story gives you the answer you’ve been searching for—or reminds you that you’re not the only one carrying these worries.

You don’t have to walk into another school year feeling uncertain.

Let’s use this summer to build confidence, clarity, and a plan that supports both you and your child.

Comment “READY” or send me a DM, and I’ll send you all the details.

07/08/2026

Your child doesn’t just need a supported parent… they need a parent who feels supported too. ❤️

Parenting a child who needs extra support can feel incredibly lonely.

You spend your days advocating, researching, worrying, attending appointments, answering phone calls, and trying to hold everything together.

Somewhere along the way, you get pushed to the bottom of the list.

But here’s what I’ve learned—both as a mom and after 25 years working with families:

✨ When you feel supported, your child benefits.
✨ When your nervous system is calmer, you parent differently.
✨ When you have a plan, the whole family feels it.

That’s exactly why I created my 6-week Summer Parent Support Groups.

Together we’ll:
💜 Reflect on what worked (and what didn’t) this past school year.
💜 Talk through your biggest concerns for the fall.
💜 Build a plan you can actually use.
💜 Connect with parents who truly understand what you’re carrying.

You don’t have to figure this out alone anymore.

Because sometimes the most important thing you can do for your child… is finally let someone support you.

👇 Comment SUPPORT or send me a DM, and I’ll send you all the details about the summer groups.

Address

4676 Marigold Drive
Regina, SK
S4X4S5

Telephone

+16393822183

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