Yeah, so I went to a Book Launch a couple of weeks ago. No biggie. Okay, fine, it was the first time I’ve been to one and I thought it was totally cool! I follow parenting author and humorist Kathy Buckworth on Twitter, and I find her both entertaining and truly funny. (She has even made it […] Read more…
Nia Vardalos: The “Instant Mom”-terview
Nia Vardalos’ new book, “Instant Mom”, is about adoption. But let me be clear: it is not just about adoption. It’s more of a hybrid parenting/humour/autobiography-she-didn’t-want-to-write type of book. And you should read it. I mean first of all, the woman is fun-ny. While I sobbed at several parts (when her daughter first calls her “Mommy”, for example), Nia’s trademark self-deprecating humour […] Read more…
Like Mother, Like Daughter
On the March Break, I came across my seven year old working busily in front of the Barbie house: When I asked her what she was doing, she said she would show me when the work was done. My patience was rewarded when she proudly held up: And then she enlisted her little sister to help […] Read more…
Dr. Karyn Gordon, Relationship and Parenting Expert: The Momterview
So, what would you say if you received an invitation to have your own private appointment with a relationship and parenting expert who’s making her mark on both sides of our friendly border? Yeah, me too! I first became acquainted with Dr. Karyn Gordon’s work when she was a guest expert on The Mom Show, which I basically inhaled daily […] Read more…
Family Fun at the Royal Ontario Museum
March Break at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) is popular. Very popular. In fact, when we arrived an hour after opening, the ticket line outside stretched well past the “30 minutes to admission” sign posted on the sidewalk. Once inside, however, there’s more than enough room for everyone. This was the first time we’ve taken […] Read more…
The Great Swaddle Debate
I came across an article in the February issue of Today’s Parent that caught my eye, as it was all about swaddling (“The Right Way To Swaddle” by Lisa Van De Geyn). When our girls were infants, we were all over the swaddle. With Frannie, my husband mastered the blanket burrito, and then with Maggie, […] Read more…
The Things Kids Write…
At what age should I insist that my daughter remove this sign from her bedroom door (a thoughtful replacement to the “Girls only” sign that her father pretended to be offended by): Read more…
Immunizations as Gifts – And My Kids Were Excited!
Little children do not fully get the concept of “a donation has been made in your name”. Nor would I really expect them to. But when they actually know what has been donated, it’s a bit different. When they get to choose their donation…well, that’s an authentic introduction to philanthropy. Every Christmas my parents give our family a gift from the […] Read more…
Easy Sight Words Game
As most of you know, I’m a teacher. And I’m well aware that when it comes to early learning, flashcards are taboo. But you know what? I still think they have their time and place within a balanced approach to literacy (or numeracy, or whatever the case may be). When it comes to sight words, we’ve used cards […] Read more…
Gifts For Girls: My Kids’ Best-Loved Toys
Let me begin by saying this post is not sponsored in any way, shape or form. The goodies I’m going to mention were gifts for our girls, either purchased by us or family members (or perhaps created in Santa’s workshop). What they all have in common: their incredible value, in terms of time the girls […] Read more…