Adoption and Family
Parenting by adoption is bigger, louder, and often harder to start with. From the assessment and waiting process to the adoption probation period, it can seem endless and like it will never happen. Then you get the call and your life changes forever in a miraculous way. But what next? Sure there is often a honeymoon and parenting is a blessing no matter how you get there. It is a new adventure every single day. AND also adoption comes with numerous other ups and downs.
Find Your Supports Early and Stick With Them
Very often there's minimal support for adoptive parents and families after they leave the courthouse finalizing their adoptions. Consider this your supportive honest space where we share what's worked, what doesn't work, and all the challenges in between. Share your stories, learn and grow together.-
Time is a Slippery Thing – Watching Your Teen Grow Up
“Time is a slippery thing: lose hold of it once and its string might sail out of your hands forever.” – Anthony Doerr This June was a rapid-fire month of change that I am still trying hard to process, or deny, or maybe a bit of both, actually. Watching Your Teen Grow Up In June, my younger daughter and I left for Missouri and we had a fun-filled week of helicopter rides, fishing charters, cycling, exploring and learning to golf. See 24 Hours in Fulton Missouri for a little taste of that. We returned home to the end of the year and all the projects, exams and studying necessary to…
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Famous July Events and Birthdays
What do Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Arnold Schwarzenegger and J.K. Rowling have in common? Hint: it’s all about the month of July. A Little July Trivia July is the seventh month of the year in the internationally-accepted Gregorian Calendar. At one time, July was known as “Augustus” in honor of Julius Caesar who was born in July. Around here it’s my favourite month. Why? Because it’s my birthday month too and my older daughter has a birthday July 2. Of course, Canada Day is always July 1st and that’s one that I love as a Canadian. Canada Day launches the summer for me. School is done and so are…
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The Ultimate Book Lover’s Subscription Box
Gifts for men can be difficult to find sometimes. I mean what exactly do they want? Clothes? Doubtful. Tools? Sometimes, but not every Dad, friend, brother or partner is a Tim, the Tool Man, Taylor. So what’s the answer to your gift-giving needs? Well, if you have a partner, friend or relative who loves to read, the men’s edition of Sweet Reads subscription box is just perfect. Gifts for Readers For all those Dads, friends, brothers, partners and husbands who love to read, we give thanks. Why? Well, because for you gift giving is a little bit simpler. You can always find something great for readers. Books, or book themed…
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Happy Canada Day!
Happy Canada Day from my family to yours! This is one of my favourite Canada Day photos from years gone by. We love Canada Day here because, of course we are Canadian, and also my older daughter has a birthday the day right after Canada Day. So it is always a Happy Canada Day here! Wishing You the Happiest of Canada Days! Happy Canada Day and where did June go? June is such a crazy chaotic and fast month. To be truthful, it is not my favourite. While I genuinely adore the warmer weather, I do find that MANY kids don’t do well with the less structured days that…
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A Child’s Separation Anxiety Story
By Ainsley Schuck My daughter wrote this recently for a school project. I asked for her permission to share it here. This was her reflection for art about separation anxiety and how starting school felt when she was 6. That girl right there is trapped. She’s trapped in her own feelings. She’s stuck inside that bottle and can’t break free. That bottle is so full and it is ready to explode. This is how most kids feel. Did you know 12% of kids experience separation anxiety once, or many times, before reaching the age of 18? This is what the girl in the picture was going through when she started…
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Capture Time Now – Easy to Use Nixplay Smart Photo Frame
This post was sponsored by Nixplay. I received product for consideration here. My opinion is my own. Years ago I bought my Mom a digital photo frame. I still remember the novelty of the product and how fun it was having our family photos on display digitally in her condominium. That was at least a decade ago now when digital photo frames were really not what I’d call smart photo frames. Smart Photo Frames are the Smart Way to Display Your Photos But times change and electronics are getting smarter every day. When I had the chance to check out the new Nixplay Seed smart photo frame this week I…
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Cruise Etiquette No-No’s to Avoid
Cruise etiquette is crucial to an enjoyable cruising experience. When everyone on the ship is on their best behaviour, all of the cruise guests have the best time. However, there are always a few cruisers who either disregard some major cruise etiquette infractions, or just don’t know them. Don’t be that girl, or that guy. There are some things on a cruise that you just shouldn’t ever do. I’ve seen many of these play out and honestly you are not making any friends by hogging all the loungers on the deck and then disappearing for the day to eat or drink at the bar. Also, it’s great to relax and…
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16 Easy, Fun, Dinosaur Crafts for Kids
WE are huge dinosaur nuts here. We can’t get enough of them actually. Ever since we watched the first Jurassic Park movie the kids have been mesmerized. Well, to be honest they were both super into dinosaurs when they were small. But then they kind of lost interest for a bit. In between all of our Marvel movie marathons and the Harry Potter phase too (which frankly is still ongoing), we rediscovered a love of dinosaurs. My youngest daughter’s latest obsession with dinosaurs is drawing them and she’s getting pretty good. Of course dinosaur crafts are a huge hit too. Dinosaur books? Um yes please. Cannot get enough. My kids…
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Evolve at This Canadian Summer Skateboarding Camp
I have partnered with Evolve Camps, a Canadian action sports and skateboarding camp, to bring you information about these exciting summer camps. I received compensation for this post. My opinion is all my own. Hard to believe there’s only a month left of school. Then comes the chaos at home all summer, unless you have some tricks in the form of summer camps up your sleeve! Evolve Camps summer action sports day camp is a great way to keep kids active and busy! Picture your child dropping into a halfpipe confidently at skateboarding camp or discovering new tricks at scooter camp in London. Is There a Skateboarding Camp in London?…
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Practicing Gratitude – 85 Things I am Grateful for Today
Lately I’ve been having a hard time with a few things. It’s been a challenging year so far and there are a lot of moments when it’s easy to slide into a funk. A BIG ONE. The kind you can’t slip out of easily. When everything black and white that was pink, or red or blue yesterday is now grey and grossly misshapen. Parenting teenagers is NO fun some days. Sometimes they suck the air out of a room with borrowed drama, angst and mood swings. Occasionally you look at them and wonder where the cute kid went. There are days when you struggle to see the baby that slept…