Device addiction
If you’ve read this column at all over the past six years, you’ll know that I’m not an alarmist. I tend to approach parenting (and pretty much everything else for that matter) with a healthy dose of skepticism. When I
Math for Moms and Dads
By Christine Davis If you struggle helping your children with math homework, Humber College’s Continuing Education department has developed a workshop that can help. Math for Moms and Dads: How to Tutor Your Children was developed by Humber’s director of Professional and
Crafting Your Roadmap to Success
It’s challenging for anyone – especially young people – to know where you’re going if you don’t have a roadmap to get there. Goal mapping is a critical strategy to give your tween or teen focus and help them visualize
When a Bad Husband is Still a Good Father
By Tammy Letherer I had been divorced for a couple years when my former husband called with a surprise. Thankfully, it wasn’t the type of surprise he delivered the night he sat me at the table and told me he had
Helping Kids in Need See the Front of the Class
Good eyesight is at the foundation of a good education. When kids can see the front of the classroom, they are better equipped to learn the lessons being taught. Eyestrain can lead to headaches, blurred vision and fatigue, which can make
Back into routine
I can’t tell you how glad I am to be back into a routine. I’m not saying I’m glad that school has started and that I’m working full hours again. Not exactly. I’m not saying I’m glad that the holidays are
The Terrible Twos vs. The Terrible Teens
By Pam Molnar While picking up my prescription at Walgreens last week, the woman in front of me had two small children. I guessed their ages to be 4 and 2. It was around dinner time and everyone was in meltdown
Not your mother’s baby toolbox
By Jane Muller Figuring out how to buckle a baby into a car seat or overcoming the mechanics of unfolding a stroller are reminders that baby equipment continues to evolve. Not only has baby paraphernalia changed since today’s moms were babies, some
When dog ownership doesn’t add up
By Jane Muller If there isn’t a dog in your life, it’s likely that the possibility of having one has been discussed. A family pet completes the picture. In some families a furry child was the first. Couples may not realize
Hair Products
Goat’s Wool Wooden Baby Hairbrush Introduce even the youngest children to hair care with this super soft goat’s wool hair brush. It’s ideal for delicate infant hair and promotes such benefits as: stimulating the scalp, preventing cradle cap, generating blood flow
Baby’s first haircut
By Christine Davis There’s something about cutting your baby’s hair for the first time that’s rather emotional. Whether you’re worried about changing the way he or she looks, or don’t want to lose those beautiful baby curls forever, like I did
Parental Paparazzi
The most popular people on Facebook and Instagram aren’t celebrities and athletes—they’re kids. Photos and videos of children dominate social media feeds as proud parents show the world their cute babies with just a few clicks. Mac & Mia surveyed 2,000 new
How to handle your child’s first crush
By Sandra Gordon “Oh, how cute.” That’s what crossed my mind when a boy from summer camp asked my oldest daughter, who was in Grade 4 at the time, to go to the movies. (She said “No!” then ran from the
What Not To Say
As an adoptive parent, I some times hear some pretty insensitive things. It’s not that people are intending to be rude (not usually, anyway). It’s just that they haven’t really thought through what it might be like to be in
I was scared to tell you
Almost two months ago, a friend came over to play and lost his phone. We searched everywhere for it, but couldn’t find a trace. The kid was sure he’d brought it. My kids were sure they’d seen it. Even I
Parenting differently
I love all my kids just as much. I don’t love them all the same, because different people need to be loved differently, but I love them all just as much. It’s not something that I need to work particularly
Finding birth parents
We just yesterday got in contact with my youngest son’s birth parents, a process that has taken us something like six years. We started looking almost immediately, using the official channels of Family and Children’s Services. In theory they’ve had the
Bad Parents Anonymous
There’s something that needs to be said about parenting that too few people are willing to say – “It’s normal to feel bad at this.” It’s normal to be unsure about how to deal with a particular situation. It’s normal to
Rewriting the Christmas list
By Kinjal Dagli-Shah Lee-Ann Satari and her husband Ali made a meaningful change to their Christmas tradition last year. The family decided to quit buying gifts for each other and told their children that Santa isn’t real but his spirit is.
How to Talk to Girls
As a father of three sons, one of the things I worry about is teaching them to treat women with respect. Now, when I say this to people (especially to men), I often get a sort of wide-eyed, all-too-naive response. “Don’t