• suede slippers
    family

    Why Dream Pairs Boots Are My New Obsession

    December 31, 2025 - By 

    Is there anything more “Canadian” than the eternal struggle of finding shoes or boots that actually look cute but won’t leave you sliding across a frozen Tim Horton’s parking lot? I’ve spent years cycling through boots that are either “industrial-tundra-chic” or “fashionable-but-frozen.” Product was provided for consideration and affiliate links are included as a service to readers. I make a small commission via qualifying purchases. The last pair I had were great and a well known brand, don’t get me wrong, but sexy they were not. Fashionable, NO. Functional only and I feel like there’s space for both function and…

  • last_year
    family

    So Where’ve I Been for the Last Year?

    March 14, 2022 - By 

    So Where’ve I Been this last year? Two years ago this week we were practically standing at the door ready to roll on our trip to Vermont I was writing here 3-4 times a week, a regular contributor to CBC Parents and Content Coordinator at Neighbours of Sunningdale. But the pandemic upended a lot of that. Travel ground to a standstill two years ago this week and that was that. What is a travel writer without the ability to travel? I pivoted fast to writing about pandemic parenting and that worked for several months. Frankly, that first year just being…

  • pandemic_school_year
    Parenting

    Why I am Celebrating Finishing the Pandemic School Year

    July 25, 2021 - By 

    Kudos to all the university, college and high school kids who finished this challenging pandemic school year. Here’s why I am celebrating that achievement.  Pandemic learning was a huge challenge this year as was school in general. Socially, I feel like we haven’t given our kids enough credit for getting through the volatile and discombobulating pandemic school year they just had. Imagine being a teen or even an elementary child adapting to all of the stress and change that’s been thrown at them this year. If anything, I am surprised so many kept going to the very end of June.…

  • gratitude jar
    family - Parenting

    Eight Ways to Teach Gratitude and a Gratitude Jar Craft

    June 7, 2021 - By 

    Gratitude is a funny thing. It’s hard to teach at times, but such an important value to hold close for life. Without gratitude life can ring hollow. For me, gratitude ties in closely with mindfulness. That’s why I like this gratitude jar kids’ craft idea for families. I’ve talked about self esteem before and self esteem crafts that help kids to grow more self esteem, but what about gratitude? How do you build a sense of gratitude from a young age that permeates a lifespan? Eight Ways to Show Gratitude Here are several ways to help build gratitude in kids…

  • earth_friendly_cleaning_bottle_on_dresser_surrounded_by_plants
    Parenting

    Getting Kids Inspired to Help with Earth Friendly Cleaning Products

    June 3, 2021 - By 

    This Earth Friendly Cleaning products post has been sponsored by Earth Brand which means I have been compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. My kids are inspired to clean again. That’s a rare thing typically, but during the pandemic, cleaning has taken on even greater importance first of all because everyone has been trying to up their sanitation game. Second of all cleaning is actually fulfilling because we have found a fun and effective new lineup of earth friendly cleaning products. Cleaning with Good Conscience Obviously, during this past 15 months, and the many many…

  • siblings_piled_on_top_of_each_other
    Parenting

    Take the 30-Day Sibling Challenge Now!

    May 31, 2021 - By 

    You’ve heard of drawing challenges and summer lego challenges and even affirmation cards for teens. But now I am sharing a 30-day sibling challenge for kids, and while it is mostly for kids to use, this is a little gift to you too as a parent if it helps to bring peace to your home. Isn’t that part of the goal daily? Celebrating Siblings Is there any relationship that is longer throughout the lifespan than siblings? Not usually. We grow up with them, they are our first playmates and then we learn to rely on them often throughout life. There…

  • Parenting

    Time for Mom Camp With Summer Weekly Themed Activities for Kids

    May 26, 2021 - By 

    So, if this year is anything like last year then we might all be working on creative ways to keep kids busy. Why not set up your own version of day camp? Mom camp with summer weekly themed activities for kids. I mean when kids are little this totally makes sense. Here are a few ideas for summer weekly themed activities. If there are nine weeks of summer, there can be a lot of down days or a lot of “Mom, I’m bored” days. Don’t let that happen. Instead check the attitude and keep them off screens with nine weeks…

  • summer_things_for_kids
    Parenting

    25 Summer Things For Kids to Do Now

    May 11, 2021 - By 

    This year we are all about local activities again. If you are also still playing it smart and cautious then you know that you need to get kids motivated to get outdoors and exercise while doing so safely. Don’t sweat it. I have a great list of summer things for kids to do. Refer to it when you are stuck and pin it for later. Right now that might be a bit trickier than usual, but there are many summer activities for kids to do now safely as we wait for the pandemic to subside and vaccines to roll out…

  • airline_attendant_demonstrating_oxygen_mask
    family

    My Oxygen Mask and Life During a Pandemic

    March 9, 2021 - By 

    Huddle up real close. I have something to say regarding life this past year. But wait just a moment, my oxygen mask is askew. Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First You know on airplanes before takeoff when the flight attendants give you that safety demonstration? Oh, I know you are supposed to be listening, but honestly a lot of us have zero interest in the safety demo when we just want to get to where we are going. Right? Lately, I have been reflecting on that simple statement – please put your own oxygen mask on before securing others.…

  • sensory_play
    family

    Easy Fun Five Senses Sensory Scavenger Hunt + Printable

    February 18, 2021 - By 

    A sensory scavenger hunt is perfect for so many kids. Whether they are sensory seekers or avoiders, there’s a little something for any child here. Some of you by now are aware that my kids have a fair number of sensory issues. So sensory stuff here is second nature. And I am sure that you know that we love scavenger hunts. My oldest would literally still do this actually. She is the crafty kind of kid who lives to get outside exploring and then brings what she has found indoors to build something crafty or creative with it. I am…