Barbie can be anything and so can you
By Christine Davis For 60 years, Barbie has been breaking barriers, taking on more than 200 different careers since her inception in 1959. The latest addition to that vast collection is Canadian figure skating sweetheart Tessa Virtue. “It’s crazy!” Virtue says of seeing
Teach kids to become money masters
By Sandra Gordon Lee’s passion for teaching her boys about money through a system of reminders, routines and rewards grew from her own experience with poverty. Growing up in Suncheon, a scenic agricultural and industrial city in South Korea, Lee saw
Get It All Off Your Chest
I met an old friend in the grocery store today. We don’t see each other that often, and when we do it’s mostly about getting our kids together, but we have lots in common as parents. We both have three
Getting creative
I think everyone needs to be creative. Now, I can almost hear a whole portion of readers collectively shaking their heads, eyebrows raised, muttering to themselves, “Well, he’s certainly never seen me with a paint brush,” but that isn’t really what
Don’t miss Thomas & Friends at the Toronto Zoo
There’s two, there’s four, there’s six, there’s eight and tomorrow is your last day to meet Thomas and Friends, including Sir Tophamm Hatt at the Toronto Zoo. Head to the Tidmouth Shed, AKA the Special Events Centre where plenty of Thomas
To be what they want to be
You know how often kids change their minds about what profession they might want to pursue as adults. In fact there are plenty of people who are still changing their minds as adults. So I don’t read anything too specific
Passing the torch: Olympians’ stories aim to inspire kids
By Marylene Vestergom By sharing stories of Canadian athletes, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) hopes its new multimedia series “Pursue” provides inspiration and, most importantly, life lessons that kids Grade 2- 12 can connect with and apply in their own lives. Since
Childhood food allergies linked to skin
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says four out of every 100 children has a food allergy, and such numbers are on the rise. While the mechanisms by which a person develops an allergy to specific foods
Confident thinking
I’m not exactly an advocate of what people call “positive thinking” philosophies. I think they mostly encourage people to adopt wishful or imaginary thinking that prevents them from dealing practically with the very real problems of their lives. I am, however,
Giving Them Something to Run With
I wrote a few weeks back about how kids will often surprise us with their initiative, dedication, and passion if we actually give them opportunities to take leadership and ownership of what they do. I’ve since had that conversation with
Plan for some Family Day fun
Whether you prefer to stay indoors or get outside, Family Day, and the weekend leading up to Monday, Feb. 18, offers us the opportunity to spend some extra time together. It’s also a great time to explore Toronto and the
This is our day to do our way
By Jane Muller Even on days when we’re not feeling it, there is love. And even though our loved ones know they are loved, it’s reassuring to them when we express those feelings. We’re not an “I love you” out loud kind
The Right Time Question
There’s a kind of question that comes up constantly when you’re talking about parenting. I call it the “right time” question, and it starts way before there are even kids around to worry about. You know the kind of question
Mom Stuff
By Christine Davis Lip Scrub Gently exfoliate and condition your dry lips this winter with this Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub featuring honey crystals. It will help create a smooth base for lipstick application and leave your lips kissably soft for your
The Principles of the Thing
Setting clear but reasonable boundaries for children is an essential part of parenting. We’ve all seen situations where kids have been given either too little or too much structure and end up unable to regulate themselves. Kids need boundaries. It’s easy
Soulpepper presents Rose, a new original musical for all ages
By Sarah Wilson Imagine a story that begins with the words ‘Once upon a time’ and then goes places you never expected. Or a classic hero’s journey that’s unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Or imagine a musical in which a trio
Roll out the movies on Family Day
There are so many ways to enjoy Family Day on Monday, Feb. 18. If watching a family-friendly movie is on the agenda, here’s a list of some of the best movies both old and new. • Hugo – This 2011
Cool Stuff
By Christine Davis Fraction pouch Wear your heart on your pouch this Valentine’s Day and beyond with this versatile option from Parkland. It’s made of recycled water bottles, making it a socially responsible and cute option. Available at parklandmfg.ca. $17.99 Appaman Mod Suit Thoughtfully
Solid points for when to introduce solids
By Teresa Pitman By the early to mid-1940s, doctors were recommending that formula-feeding parents should be adding solid foods earlier and earlier. (In time, they began to recommend this to breastfeeding parents as well, though there was no evidence to support
Making a nest
This week has been a great week, because we finally (knock on wood) discovered a solution to our bedtime woes. My youngest son has real difficulties going to sleep at night. It isn’t for lack of trying, but some combination of
