Before we get to it, I want to make sure something is very clear: gifts for teachers, at any time of year, are NEVER required or expected. Practices differ from area to area and school to school, and it’s always a parent decision. Because I’m a teacher, readers from all over the place often ask me for […] Read more…
Are we there yet? Between delayed flights, lost luggage, public tantrums and that one thing you forgot to pack, travelling with your family can get complicated, fast. In fact, 1 in 5 Canadian parents say one of their main concerns when travelling is keeping their kids entertained. With the holidays just around the corner, parents can look […] Read more…
Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Canada, Carlos Bustamante has leapt at every opportunity to entertain his audience, literally dangling off the CN Tower, bobsledding down an Olympic track, and nervously hopping into a cage with a 700 pound tiger. As former host of Canada’s favourite after-school program The Zone on YTV, Carlos was no stranger to the […] Read more…
It seems like there are a ton of fun subscription boxes out there, whether you’re a fitness lover, foodie or fashionista. Now there’s also an amazing monthly subscription box available in Canada for book lovers like myself, the Sweet Reads Box – delivering a bestselling novel (and more) right to your door! (Boxes are shipped […] Read more…
I love interviewing TV personalities, and recently had the opportunity to shoot a few questions at Danielle Graham, anchor of CTV’s eTalk and mom of one-year-old Beatrix, for Parents Canada magazine. The Q & A, ranging from light (her favourite morning and evening drinks) to heavy (her difficulty with breastfeeding) can be found in the […] Read more…
The older I get, the more I want to simplify my life. Less “stuff”, fewer commitments, a focus on close relationships…it all helps make me a happier person. It’s not always easy at Christmastime though, when it seems like we’re encouraged (or pressured) to go over-the-top for gifts, food, decorating, partying and more. Here are […] Read more…
Christmas has arrived at the Winn house! Last year when I put my decorations away (right after breakfast on Boxing Day; yes I have issues) I made an extra effort to organize them by room, to make this year’s decorating even easier. First, I pulled out my “downstairs” bin. I put a few “rustic snowman” […] Read more…
You’ve heard of absenteeism, right? We all know there are people out there (not us, of course!) who miss work for reasons that are less than legit. However, apparently there is a new epidemic out there being referred to as “presenteeism”: employees who insist on showing up for work when they shouldn’t, especially when bearing […] Read more…
BOOKS The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld Three years ago, Madison Culver disappeared when her family was choosing a Christmas tree in Oregon’s Skookum National Forest. She would be eight-years-old now—if she has survived. Desperate to find their beloved daughter, certain someone took her, the Culvers turn to Naomi, a private investigator with an uncanny […] Read more…
This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label. ***** With daylight savings time coming to an end, we’re blessed with an extra hour of sleep. While many of us look forward to “falling back”, it’s important to remember that with any change […] Read more…