Dear mannerless Mommy who butted in front of me in line this morning as I was dropping my child off for her first morning of day camp. Yes, that’s right I am talking to you! You know who you are, you are the one who shows up always hurried – and that’s okay I get it I do really. I am often also very hurried too. However, I generally do not cut in line in front of everyone else as if I am in fact the centre of the universe and must be first everywhere. I would really like you…
I recently read in an article by the excellent old colleague of mine Randy Richmond of the London Free Press of the city of London’s new day camp policy. So I was not surprised when a London YMCA day camp counsellor called to advise me I would need photo ID to pick my daughter up from camp next week. The policy has recently been changed as a direct result of the tragic abduction and murder of Tori Stafford from Woodstock. Stafford, 8, was taken from her school before Easter weekend. A massive search and media outpouring went on for months as parents held their children…
I wholeheartedly, unabashedly love Canada Day. The first of July every year heralds summer here and we typically go out of our way to make this celebration of our country a fun family experience. Maybe it’s the fireworks. Or maybe it’s because it is the day before my eldest daughter’s birthday. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a time when we moaned at length through high school and university about the lack of a true Canadian culture. The lack of a Canadian identity. Entire careers and courses were made or taught on the topic. But somewhere in the last 10 years I…
There’s something about a Garage sale that gets kids excited. Unless of course they are being dragged to one for shopping purposes. My kids ask for a garage sale most years actually. I think they figure it is a get rich quick idea. In reality it’s often a lot of hard work. But here is what happened when my guys held a garage sale. I have never been a fan of garage sales. From the time we had our first sale back in the 80s I developed an extreme distaste for these seasonal events which we, as a family who…
This is the story of Mommy’s school board adventures. If you know me, you know I am an advocate and I use my voice for good whenever possible. So I have been gathering ideas on how best to use that locally to help adoptive families and those struggling with demands of special needs adoption. I mean it’s not always enough just to have a loving family. You have to also have a family of champions willing to stand up for you. Anyways enough serious stuff – this is the story of Mommy’s school board adventures. Ever have one of those…
Happy Birthday to my husband, the wonderful father of our two kids. Because he just phoned and left his wallet at home and his gas tank is so low he’ll be pushing the car home on his rainy birthday. Because I will now drive the wallet out to you at work. Because you are the world’s biggest procrastinator, but I love you anyways. Because I recall our fourth or fifth date when the Trans-Am – yes, that’s right – Trans Am actually did run out of gas and foolish me I didn’t run for the hills at that point. Because…