How to safeguard children with special needs from bullying
By Malia Jacobson When young Cody joined the peer inclusion preschool at his neighborhood public school, he fit in from the start. His class was a mix of neurotypical “peer mentors” and children with disabilities, including students like Cody with apraxia
Holidays beyond belief: Celebrating winter holidays without religion
By Malia Jacobson Geroge Juillerat is an atheist who loves Christmas — and he’s hardly alone. During the dark month of December, you might see him shuttling his 8-year-old son to Christmas parties, carrying a hot dish into a holiday potluck
Not your last day
Live each day as if it is your last. You’ve likely heard this advice and maybe given it some thought. It’s one of those inspirational sayings that sound good if you don’t think about it too deeply. It’s factual, in that
The Game Master
I think I’ve already mentioned role playing games a few times in passing, but I don’t think I’ve ever written about them seriously, probably because I haven’t been very much involved in them myself. They were mostly my eldest son’s
Bullying then and now
I was rarely bullied as a kid. It wasn’t because I was cool. Just the opposite. I was a huge geek, but I was also just plain huge. So I’m sure that other kids made fun of my behind my
Simple tortillas for Hispanic home cooking
Tortillas come to mind when many people think of Hispanic cuisine. Tortillas come in many varieties and flavours. Hispanic cuisine lovers accustomed to store-bought tortillas may be surprised to learn that they can make their own tortillas at home. Simple and
Practical Learning
It’s part of human nature to think that others should find our own passions and interests and occupations as important as we do. I understand that. I publish poetry, and I sincerely think that everyone should love poetry as much
Upfront: What do we really need
We all have too much stuff. We have so much stuff in fact that there’s an industry built around organizing that stuff for us and another that provides plastic bins of all sizes in which to store it. In this issue
Chipotle sausage and potato hash recipe
Add a little heat to cool autumn breakfasts with this easy-to-make recipe courtesy of Tabasco. It’s filling and hearty enough to even add to your weeknight dinner rotation. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 min Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil 3
Feeding the family
Between my own children and the homestay students that our family is hosting, the dinner table at our house currently seats myself, my wife, my mother-in-law, and also five boys – aged 18, 17, 14, 12, and 8. Now, if you’ve
Room for everyone and so much more
By Christine Davis The hunt for the ideal family vehicle is different for each family and at each stage. Ours has been content with a sedan and a small SUV since becoming a family of four, but as the kids grow
Deciding the Future
In less than a month my eldest will start high school, and I’m having some trouble wrapping my head around that. It’s not that I’m terribly worried about him. He’s a level-headed kid, with good friends, and lots of family support.
Take in Toronto
By Christine Davis Playing tourist close to home is a fun take on a staycation that actually lets you leave your house. Toronto has plenty of family fun to offer – enough to keep you more than busy for at least a
Vacation Like A Kid
Remember those childhood summers, when you didn’t get up until noon, or when you got up before dawn to go fish down at the dock; when you spent the whole day just reading on the porch, or when you did
Real reading
As a writer and a publisher, I’ll admit that I can be a bit picky about books, but when it comes to the kids books I’ve seen recently, I think I’m justified in being a little disappointed. It’s not all books
Something They’ll Never Forget
I took my two younger kids to see the Toronto Raptors’ championship parade and rally in Nathan Phillips Square. We had to get up at 5 a.m. to catch the train to Toronto, then walk from Union Station to the square,
Taking on turkey
By Christine Davis When Chef Shahir Massoud was tasked by Butterball to produce a show that would take him across the country, preparing traditional dishes from eight different families of various backgrounds, little did he know he’d learn a thing or
Intergenerational family travel blossoms in Ottawa
Story & Images by: Jacquie D. Durand When the warm weather arrives, everyone is a little ‘antsy’ to get outside again. My family’s solution was a road trip to Ottawa to see the annual Tulip Festival. Representing three generations: a mother
Other people’s kids
It seems I’ve hit a new stage as a work-from-home parent, one where my kids are old enough not to be around the house during the day so other parents see me as an ideal target to hit up for
