Getting a grip on the internet of things
It’s no secret that things are getting smarter. Devices let parents check in on sleeping babies and keep track of children when they are away from home.
Parenting styles for the future
Between helicopter parents afraid to relinquish control and permissive parents afraid to exert authority, there is a respectful middle ground, which is not fear-based.
Gertie the Goose lands on teething toy shelf
Say hello to Gertie. She is about seven inches tall, roughly shaped like a bowling pin with eyes and sports a bright orange beak and feet.
Spring
Thank heavens for spring. I know we’re not yet past the possibility of a late snow storm. I know there will be lots of frosty nights yet before the warm weather really gets here.
Modeling failure
You’ve probably been there. After you’ve told your children that they shouldn’t do something countless times, they catch you doing it.
The Meet: A Lesson in Making a Loss a Win
I sat on the hard bleacher at the gymnastics meet, inhaling the smell of sweat and chalk. Clasping my hands together, I tried to keep from biting my nails.
Lessons learned
I’ve been told often enough that kids need to learn from experience, and I’ve often found this to be true myself, but there are times when I seriously wonder at the lessons they seem to learn.
A Night in Emergency
I want to tell the story of the horrible night I spent waiting in emergency last night.
Inspire the hearts and minds of Canada’s next generation of engineers
Dream Big IMAX film to play at the Ontario Science Centre through the end of June 2017.
Bad Behaviour: Taking the sting out of someone else’s response
As the parent of a child who has special needs, I have been in many situations where people have meant well in their response to something but rather, left me feeling like a mess.
Back to the building bricks
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto encourages children to turn off their screens and get back to the art of play
What’s your favourite
I’ve discovered over the years that one of the best ways to learn about someone is to ask after their influences.
All dolled up: playing in a doll universe
Nine-year-old Trinity Ann was an only child until last year, when her baby sister Tesla was born. It was Darcy and Audrey who kept her busy – she would bathe and feed them, sing and read to them.
Sleepover madness
It also just so happened that this year we had fewer family functions, so we’ve had a long, fairly relaxed, mostly uneventful vacation time. Until the sleepovers. The idea was a good one in theory.
Goals worth achieving
I want my children to know how to weigh the cost of a goal, to consider the sacrifice that it will require, and then to do the things that are really important to them.
First day of snow
I’m not sure why the first day of true snow is a disaster every year, but it is.
Believing the lie
One of my frustrations as a parent is when children convince themselves of an untruth so throughly that they act as though it’s true.
Taking responsibility
I got every parent’s favourite call yesterday – the one from the principal where you get asked to come by the office for a little chat about your kid – that call.
Don’t Do Your Homework
So I don’t make my kids do their homework. I confess that it causes ongoing, low-grade conflict with their teachers, but I have my reasons.
