We know kids love Lego, and The Brick Bible For Kids series by Brendan Powell Smith (fully illustrated with Lego scenes) is a fantastic way to introduce them to powerful Bible stories. When I was sent Joseph and the Colorful Coat for review, I decided to read it to my students (few were familiar with […] Read more…
You probably wouldn’t believe how many tweens and teens are harming themselves to deal with the emotions they’re facing. My latest article for Parents Canada magazine talks about who’s doing it, why, warning signs, and what to do if your child is engaging in self-harm (or if you have suspicions). You’re not alone, and help […] Read more…
I teach at a Catholic school, and this year I have Grade 2s for the first time (in a 2/3 split) which means I get to help prepare the students for two sacraments, First Reconciliation (which was in the fall) and First Eucharist (also known as First Communion), which will be taking place next weekend. […] Read more…
For those who are able, going on a class trip with your child can (and should) be a wonderful experience. You get to spend the day in a different setting with your little (or not so little) one, and you also get great insights about how he or she fits in with her peers and […] Read more…
I adored Barbie as a child, and my daughters certainly take after me. Maggie’s Barbies are by far her favourite toys at the moment, and she and her sister love to play a game called “Barbie Ever After”, where the Barbies join Frannie’s beloved Ever After High dolls. I was intrigued when I learned that […] Read more…
Of course I think teachers are pretty wonderful, but the time may come when you have a concern about something that has happened at your child’s school, or in the classroom. What do you do? In my latest CHEX Daily segment, I tackle this touchy subject with hosts Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson. This is […] Read more…
It’s 10 a.m. on Easter Monday, and I’m working away at my treadmill desk. Oh yeah, and I’ve already been to Toronto, appeared on national television, and driven home again. What a morning! I was thrilled to be asked to join a parenting panel on Canada AM this morning to chat about babysitters, along with […] Read more…
When I did my very first blog interview with Canada AM’s Marci Ien five years ago, I asked the “work/life balance” question, to which she gave this brilliant reply: “My family, my friends and my job make me happy, and I want all of it. I’m not going to be as hard on myself as […] Read more…
With a huge range of film (Any Given Sunday, Dumb and Dumber) and television (Picket Fences, NCIS) roles to her credit, actress Lauren Holly has enjoyed an extremely successful and varied career to date. A busy single mom who has made Toronto home with her three boys Azer (13, short for Alexander), Henry (12) and […] Read more…
I’m excited to share that I was recently asked to become a blogger for Oxford Learning, where I’ll be writing monthly education-related posts for parents. My first article discusses ways that you can help, at home, to motivate your child academically. Some of them might surprise you! You can find the full post here: http://www.oxfordlearning.com/2015/03/24/how-to-motivate-kids-in-school/ As […] Read more…