• handling_disappointment
    family

    Handling Disappointment – Seven Ways to Help Children Feel Okay About Losing

    April 26, 2017 - By 

    No trophies today? That’s okay. This past weekend our kids were in a massive martial arts tournament. They came away with a good attitude, great memories and no trophies. Why am I talking about that then? Well, I was super proud at how grownup the girls were after losing. Handling disappointment is a part of growing up and it’s a skill I feel like they are finally doing well. So, I am celebrating losing. Past Examples of Not Handling Disappointment Well Trust me, this has not always been the case. In the past, my youngest would have cried or had a full…

  • teen_travel
    active family travel - Travel

    Teen Travel – When Are They Ready To Go Solo?

    March 26, 2017 - By 

    Solo Teen travel is something that most parents will have to deal with at some point. In this day and age of spread out families, international job opportunities, and easy long distance travel, solo teen travel is becoming more common. The question becomes this: How do you know when they’re ready to travel on their own? Maybe your teen has taken the bus around town or the train to an Aunt or Uncle’s Home a few cities away. They have most definitely done a bit of family travel with you their parents. But as for flying on their own, well that’s…

  • play_away
    Parenting

    Play Away – Discover London’s Newest Indoor Play Space

    March 24, 2017 - By 

    Play Away is London’s newest indoor play space for families. Imagine a huge, safe, indoor Canadian-made play structure with numerous slides. Now add a toddler area and a giant jumping pillow that’s one of only three in the country. Plus wifi and a cafe. Play Away is hours of fun for all and it’s the solution to Rainy Day, or PA Day Blues.   Fun is the Name of the Game at Play Away Play Away is exciting to me because it focuses on everything that I’ve been instilling in my kids since they were little. It’s an indoor gym devoted to…

  • consignment_shop
    family

    A Consignment Shop That Makes Perfect Sense and a Chance to Win $100 #KidCentsFashion

    March 5, 2017 - By 

    If you haven’t discovered the beauty of buying and selling at a consignment shop yet, then you are in for a treat. Kid Cents consignment shop in the Lambeth area of London is a hidden resource for thrifty shoppers. It’s also a beautiful little opportunity to make income from your gently used clothing and household items. Kid Cents – A Consignment Shop that Brings Its A Game I have aways been an avid deal seeker. My Mom was a resourceful shopper out of necessity, and I grew up knowing the power of a sale. We shopped consignment shops when I was a…

  • breaking_barriers
    family

    Breaking Barriers for Girls – Playtex Sport Play On Canada Grant Program #PlayOnCA #ad

    February 23, 2017 - By 

    I am a spokesperson for Playtex Sport and as such I have been compensated. This is my opinion and my story and it is truthful.  Raising fierce girls is a privilege and a duty. One I am grateful for, most days. Girls are change agents. They are keepers of the future, dreamers, teachers, doctors, explorers, scientists and athletes. When we raise girls we change the world together. Unfortunately for girl athletes, barriers often stand in the way of success. That’s why I love that Playtex Sport is working hard at breaking barriers for girls with their Playtex Play On Canada Grant Program. Did you know 72% of…

  • star_wars_valentines
    family

    20 Printable Star Wars Valentines

    February 6, 2017 - By 

    Is there anything cuter than Star Wars Valentines? I can’t think of much, unless it’s a newborn baby with all of their precious newborn smells. This is the year my kids are all grown up and no longer showing interest in giving out Valentine’s cards. That makes me a little bit sad. But, I know many of you have younger children than I do so I thought you could use this printable Star Wars Valentine’s guide. Yoda best Valentine! Some of these adorable printable Star Wars Valentines have me laughing out loud. There’s really no end to the puns you can…

  • family - parenting

    Empower Kids with These Two Great Books

    January 23, 2017 - By 

    It’s important to empower kids. As parents and adults in general, it’s our job to help today’s youth grow up to be confident, well-adjusted members of society. One of the ways we do that is to empower kids by nurturing creativity and self esteem. I’m a big believer in this, and recently a couple of books that do just that caught my eye. Empower Kids with Learning and Creativity Although these books are quite different, their outcome is the same. They empower kids to use their minds and teach them that any goal that they set for themselves is achievable.…

  • adaptive ski
    active family travel - family - family travel - FASD - parenting - special needs - Travel

    Adaptive Ski Programs for People with Disabilities

    January 10, 2017 - By 

    Children with special needs face challenges that other kids don’t. Whether their disability is physical, mental or neurological, children and adults with special needs require extra support with certain activities. Many ski resorts are getting excellent at meeting this need. I have seen some adaptive ski programs at family friendly resorts like Smugglers’ Notch in action. Some are super impressive so I thought I would share a list for families like ours. Adaptive Skiing Shines at These Ski Resorts Children and adults with special needs face barriers too many places still. So when I find a resource with adaptive or inclusive programs sometimes…

  • Emerging_cooking_solutions
    Health

    Hope and Progress in Zambia – Emerging Cooking Solutions

    January 6, 2017 - By 

    We are sitting inside a small business with potential to change the landscape dramatically for Zambia. Emerging Cooking Solutions started in 2012 with a goal to make cooking safer. With a loan from the UN Foundation, Marion Peterson and Mattias Ohlson are changing lives for the better in Zambia. This is our first site visit in a five day tour of Zambia. We are here to see the impact of vaccines on the lives of children. I am traveling with a group of journalists who have each received a Shot @ Life fellowship to write about what’s happening in Zambia. The journey…

  • fasd
    family - Health - Parenting - parenting - special needs

    What Does FASD Look Like?

    December 22, 2016 - By 

    What does FASD look like? This is one of the most searched phrases that lands people here on my site. So, I figured it was time to share a few facts. Some of you know that we adopted both of our daughters when they were small. Both of my kids have unique needs. My youngest girl has sensory processing disorder and Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. My oldest has anxiety disorder. I have a lot of experience as a parent of a child on the spectrum. Over the years I have also attended numerous conferences to gather information about how to parent…