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How to Build in Digital Breaks – Spring Brain Breaks Game
When my kids were younger, we incorporated a lot of brain breaks into the day. Physical activity was and still is a huge priority. But, these days, as we all know, the world is a wildly different place than it was just in 2019, a couple of years ago. Still, I am working on taking spring brain breaks often. Here’s Why Brain Breaks Matter Right Now Our Brains and Bodies are Taxed. Our brains are on all the time these days and they are often overwhelmed and at the tipping point with stress, anxiety and virtual life. Brain breaks are still vital, in fact, even more than they ever have…
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Take the 30-day Decluttering Challenge Now + Free Printable
Never have I ever needed a decluttering challenge more than I do right now. After months and months of pandemic life, spending more time at home and less leaving the house for school, work and life in general, the piles of clutter have become overwhelming. Holiday Clutter At this time of year, at Christmas, I also find myself frequently overwhelmed but the extra decorations and details that make the home festive but also visually cluttered. I feel like it’s impossible to do a minimalist Christmas. That’s okay, I think, but at the same time I live and work in my home and cannot really handle much more stuff. Why I…
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10 Ways You Can Cherish Your Children While They Are Still Growing Up
The relationship between a child and parent is priceless. Children mean the world to their parents and time is short when they are small. I don’t know any parents who don’t worry about about their child, at every age and stage. Parents worry endlessly about the day to day activities and whether kids are getting enough attention, nutrition and stimulation. There are so many things that you want to teach your children while they are growing up. Sometimes it feels like a race against the clock. But often you need to remind yourself that there are numerous chances to teach and reteach lessons and you have a minimum of 18…
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Six Netflix Series to Watch with Your Teen Now
These days we are spending so much more time in our homes that it’s inevitable at some points we resort to curling up on a sofa to watch Netflix. I have teens, so over the last seven months we have often looked at each other and said Netflix? So, we thought we’d share some recommendations for Netflix Series to Watch with Your Teen Now. Sometimes we all feel like binge watching something…and off we go often to the family room in the basement to queue up the next in a series. It’s actually something I enjoy on cold days when the weather is rainy or dreary or just not nice…
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What It’s Really Like Getting a Coronavirus Test
This is our story of what it feels like getting a Coronavirus test. Here’s my disclaimer. We live in London, Ontario and we went for Covid tests the week before Labour Day when one of us showed 1-2 symptoms. Waits for testing and actual local case numbers were low then. Now, they have changed. This was our experience getting a Coronavirus test. Why Were We Getting A Coronavirus Test? Three weeks ago, my older daughter, who was just about to start university went to sleep with extreme stomach upset. After a night spent running to the bathroom, we were a little concerned. Sure, it could have been nerves at starting…
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Kindness Game – Teaching Kids How to Be Kind
“Be Kind Whenever Possible. It is Always Possible,” – Dalai Lama Kindness is my life philosophy and one of the highest aspirations for me as a parent. International Kindness Day is right around the corner. That’s why I thought it would be a great time to share this Kindness game with you. Make Kindness Fun I am not one to believe that kindness should ever be confined to a single day. Kindness, especially these days, is like sunshine, sprinkle that stuff everywhere. Now, more than ever, the world needs kindness. Sharing that philosophy with my kids and hoping they evolve into caring, kind adults, is a life’s work and a…
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U Pick Farms Near London Ontario for Fresh Local Fruit
Why not take a quick local morning adventure or day trip to one of these U Pick Farms near London, Ontario? One of the things I miss the most this year, during this particular season is the abundance of local markets that are usually open. I often have enjoyed gathering all of the shades of the rainbow from Masonville Farmer’s Market, open from May through October in the Masonville Mall parking lot near my neighbourhood. But, this year with Coronavirus still in the driver’s seat we have all learned to proceed without a lot of our favourite conveniences. However, even with local Farmer’s Markets closed, I don’t want to sacrifice…
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Cute Pink Mother’s Day Writing Worksheet
It’s getting close to Mother’s Day and I know a few of your kids will be looking for amazing and sweet gifts for you. This Mother’s Day Writing Worksheet is a fun little way for them to pay tribute to you. Of course, this year what could be cute is if you send this to a child that you know. You could email it, print it out and mail it out to your niece or nephew. The beauty of this one is that kids can personalize it and also they can practice their writing or printing. If you are a Mom, an Aunt or a special caregiver, guardian, foster care…
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Inspirational TED Talks for Teens
Inspirational TED Talks can be great for anyone, but teenagers, in particular can really benefit from these 18-minute or less talks that can cover almost any topic. Teen years are hard slogging and watching them struggle sometimes as parents is so challenging. If you can remember your teen years, you’ll probably easily recall the angst and fear and general uncertainty. Right now, that angst and anxiety is running even higher for most because of the pandemic. That’s where inspirational TED Talks come in. Inspirational TED Talks to Ease the Teen Years From zits and breakups to proms and makeups, the teen years are arguably some of the hardest anyone will…
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So How Are We Doing Easter During a Pandemic?
But are we even doing Easter this year? We’ve gone back and forth on this actually, a few times this year. I mean honestly no judgement at all if you are taking it easy and simply getting through. But this week, I did a fair bit of reading and a whole lot of thinking. What would Easter look like in the middle of a pandemic? Would we be doing Easter? Our original plan was to drive to my brother’s home in Toronto. But that was back in February before we’d even heard the term Covid-19. Before spring vacations were cancelled and people started dying of a virus that was travelling…
