• instagram bullying
    family - parenting

    After The Instagram Bullying Incident

    December 20, 2015 - By 

    For weeks after the Instagram bullying incident people kept asking me: How is your daughter doing? I have answered the question often in person, but I haven’t had time to share news here. So today is the day I finally got around to writing about what happened  – AFTER. Here’s the thing. Immediately after the Instagram bullying incident my teen, who struggles with anxiety,  had a kneejerk reaction. She wanted to quit school, leave grade nine and stop entirely. That lasted about one to two days. Then came this. .. We talked her through it and we took our time…

  • small-business-for-teens
    family

    Small Business Ideas For Teens

    December 18, 2015 - By 

    Just a few short months ago my kids discovered the beauty of starting a very small business. I couldn’t have been happier. Oh one of my daughters has been babysitting for years. But this summer the kids stumbled upon a petsitting business they didn’t even really set out to build. A friend of ours needed some cats watched for three days. So we volunteered. Then another friends needed petsitting and we said we could do it and then a couple more friends were heading away for a week and both of my girls decided they’d help out there too. So…

  • gifts for tweens
    family - parenting

    PERFECT Teen or Tween Gifts – Fashion Angels Charm Mashup and Work In Progress Natural Facial Care – #TMMGG2015

    November 15, 2015 - By 

    Fashion Angels Charm Mashup is a toy I would have gone nuts for as a tween or teen girl. I loved to craft and make things just like my girls do. So, I figured this would be a lot of fun but I was surprised it made me feel like a kid again too. Usually bead kits drive me a bit batty as a parent because the beads can wind up tracked all over the house, but we have learned a few tricks from the kid’s crafting experiments here over the years and I quickly just made sure ALL the…

  • family - parenting

    “I Want Them To Know They Are Loved” – On Holiday Gifts That Matter #MeaningfulGifts

    November 4, 2015 - By 

    Boys play with a wooden gun used in re-enactment dramas, which can be part of rehabilitation therapy sessions. Many are familiar with how to handle the weapon. – Photographs from World Vision’s Children of War Rehabilitation Center in Gulu: daily life under World Vision’s care and reunions with their families; portraits to accompany Nigel Marsh interviews. This is a Guest Post by my Daughter Payton Schuck, she’s in grade nine this year and has been involved with helping us choose which World Vision Canada gift catalogue holiday gifts that we give as a family. This family tradition started last year.…

  • origami_crafts
    family

    15 Creative DIY Origami Crafts for Kids

    October 26, 2015 - By 

    Origami is the ancient Japanese art of folding paper. I happen to know this because I have a teenager who loves origami and Japanese culture in general. Traditional Japanese origami – paper folding began during the EDO period. The most commonly known form of Japanese origami is the paper crane. My teen folds these all the time and can also make origami bowls, plates and cups which is a party trick she tends to use when other kids are over. [tweetthis]Which of these origami crafts for kids will you try first? [/tweetthis] These ideas are totally appealing to the crafty…

  • family - Technology

    Social Media Bullying – What Do I Do If My Child is Being Bullied on Social Media?

    October 23, 2015 - By 

    Social media is here to stay and unfortunately that means social media bullying is also a threat, so you better get savvy about monitoring your child on their social channels. I wish more than anything that I didn’t have to write this post. I make my living off social media and I love it for many reasons. I use it mostly for social good to help build messaging on line for brands like World Vision Canada, and patient groups seeking help, or raising awareness, for issues like infertility, adoption, child poverty. I love what I do and it is the…

  • hexcalator_robotics_set
    family

    Vex Robotics Hexcalator Construction Set Review: Perfect Gifts for the Science Girl or Boy on Your List #TMMGG2015

    October 12, 2015 - By 

    I am thrilled to share this first entry in my 2015 Thrifty Momma’s Tips Holiday Gift Guide. The Vex Robotics Hexcalator Construction Kit is the perfect toy for the science guy or gal on your list this year. But be warned this toy/ science and robotics kit is challenging, in a good way, so stick to the recommendations around age limits so your little one is not frustrated. This science, technology, engineering and math construction set will eventually become a series of ramps, pullies, planes, inclines and rotating wheels that lift and move the eight balls that come with the…

  • cucumber-lunch-ideas
    Food - parenting

    8 Cool Cucumber Lunch Ideas #BTS

    September 20, 2015 - By 

    Cucumber lunch ideas are simple and healthy. Cucumbers can be so refreshing and easy to snack on. Plus they are affordable. That’s one reason I never mind adding these to my grocery list. In water, salads or on their own cucumbers are a great snack. But what about for lunch? Cucumber lunch ideas are fun and simple, just as you might expect. Here are a few of my favourites. Are you back in the swing of things at school? Is the house quieter? Has everyone adjusted to the new routine? That’s all great, and I hope that it went smoothly…

  • teen-beach-cookies
    Food - parenting

    Teen Beach Movie Cookies

    August 24, 2015 - By 

    Well it’s finally time for me to hit the beach this summer!! I have waited forever this year. Well, don’t feel too bad for me. I managed a trip to Arizona for a conference back in May and then I also managed one to New York City in July and also I have a pool so my pool is my beach. Or it will be tomorrow because I feel like swimming tomorrow. Anyways, you might have heard about the cutest little Disney Movie called Teen Beach Movie. Well, I have a great recipe for you if you are still throwing…

  • parenting

    It’s Back to School – Why I Think I Might Switch My Daughter to Catholic High School #BTS

    August 21, 2015 - By 

    So here’s the thing. I’ve been agonizing all summer over a big change for my older daughter. She graduated from grade eight in June. Her year was not great. But let’s face it I’ve been feeling like public school has been letting me and my children down for years now. When my husband and I adopted our kids, we agreed on a lot of things. We agreed on French immersion and we agreed on names and RESPs for saving and he clearly, a Catholic kid, said NO to Catholic education. Interesting, right? He had some considerable strong feelings about that.…