Teaching the Art of Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and feel what other people are feeling, seeing things from their perspective and imagining yourself in their shoes. It is a skill that can help us connect with others, build trust, and foster compassion. Empathy is also important for our own well-being, as it can reduce stress, improve happiness, and enhance social relationships.
But can empathy be taught? Or is it something that we are born with? The answer is both.
How to Teach Your Children to Be a Critical Thinker
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and create information in order to form opinions and ideas. It is an essential skill for academic success, as well as for personal and professional development. Critical thinking helps kids to solve problems, make decisions, and set goals. It also helps them to develop their own beliefs and values, and to respect the perspectives of others.
How to Motivate Your Kids to Learn After the Holidays
The holidays are a wonderful time to relax, have fun, and spend quality time with family and friends. But they can also disrupt the normal routines and habits that support learning and academic success. When the holidays are over, it can be hard for kids to get back into the groove of schoolwork and studying. They may feel unmotivated, bored, or overwhelmed by the tasks ahead.
Fortunately, there are some strategies that parents and teachers can use to help kids regain their motivation and enthusiasm for learning after the holidays.
Here are some tips to try.
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How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Home with Little Kids
New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. But if you have little kids, you might not be able to go out and party like you used to. Don’t worry, you can still have a fun and memorable night at home with your family.
Here are some ideas for parents to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home with little kids.
Should You Get Your Child’s Ears Pierced?
It’s very common for children to get their ears pierced. It’s mostly girls that have their ears pierced, but a growing number of young boys are getting their ears pierced too. Is a piercing right for your child? And if so when and where should they get their ears pierced? This post offers all the information you need to help you make the right decision.
What Are The Most Common Reasons Kids Struggle At School?
Are you worried that your child is struggling in school? There are numerous reasons why this can be an issue. By understanding the problems that your child can face, you can find the right solution to help them continue to progress the way that they should.
What to Look for When Choosing a Preschool
A large body of research highlights the correlation between attending preschool and success in later life. Yet, new research has uncovered that poor quality preschool education does more harm than good.
This is nothing new for parents who’ve always sought to do the best for their children, but how do you know you’re making the right choice when looking at schooling options for your child?
Keep reading for tips on choosing the best preschool for giving your child a great start in life.
Buying Your Teenager A Car: Four Things You Need To Know
One of the most terrifying adventures for any parents is when the teenager learns to drive. This is a child that you have taught to walk, talk, eat, play – but that doesn’t mean you want them putting their bodies into a car that they’re in control of. Of course, you swallow down your anxiety and you encourage them to be as independent as possible because that’s your job.
Are Drones A Good Gift For Kids?
Drones are becoming more and more popular these days, and it’s easy to understand why. After all, they are a fascinating piece of technology, and one which people of all ages find enjoyable and fun to use. If you are wondering about getting a gift for your child, perhaps for a birthday or Christmas, then you might well wonder, like many parents elsewhere, whether a drone could work for this.
Helping Your Children Become Interested In History
It’s a mistake to see history as a simple ‘topic at school’ that they have to focus on and complete in order to get their diploma or graduate. History is for all of us, it explains where we’ve been, and by consequence, where we’re going. Understanding it can help us focus on what’s important in life, give us context to the present, and moreover, have a great deal of fun learning.
Home Ownership After Divorce: 3 Things to Keep in Mind
Homeownership following a divorce isn’t necessarily an easy task for everyone. In the agreement, only one party gets the marital home, or the court directs the couple to sell it and split the proceeds. Since the couple is now living separate lives, they cannot rely on each other to share the expenses. The mortgage and insurance premiums are on their shoulders alone.
It’s Important To Ensure Your Parents Are Happy In Their Nursing Home; Here’s Why
The conversation and decision to move your loved ones to a nursing home is an important one. But, it can be difficult too. And assisted living isn’t for everyone. Adjusting to their new life in an assisted living facility can be a challenge.
But nursing home facilities are a lifeline for many families. And can provide numerous benefits from having a safe living environment to 24/7 personalized care. You can help your loved ones make the transition much smoother. And ensuring that they’re happy has benefits beyond the obvious.
Your Guide to the Trending Winter Baby Clothes
Snuggly days are the best!
However, the winter season can be tough on little ones. The coldness and snow tend to put a damper on their playtime. Struggling to get their arms through thick cumbersome coats, and layers of clothes can be a hassle.
Thankfully, there is an alternative to hot stuffy clothes. Instead, you can rework your babies’ wardrobe so they can have easy-to-use winter looks! If you do it right, they can stay warm, feel great, and look cute at the same time.
Behind Every Healthy Child Is a Mentally Healthy Mother: How to be a Healthy Mom and Take Care Of Yourself
Motherhood, especially the early stages of it, can be incredibly daunting for mothers. And first-time mothers are also met with uncertainty, lack of experience, and often isolation. All of that can have a negative impact on mental health, and when you add exhausting childbearing to the equation, you can get a pretty unfavorable situation. Therefore, if you’re a mother who is also battling difficult emotions, then here are some mental health tips that will help you take care of yourself.
Help Your Child Cope with Divorce
Divorce is a tough life decision. It can affect you mentally and physically. As a result, some individuals may sink into depression, while others find solace in substance abuse.
But have you ever thought about how divorce can affect kids? Some children react in an understanding and natural way, but some struggle with the transition. Some of the expected effects of separation for children include:
5 Tips to Help Your Child Improve Reading Skills
Reading is an important skill for children to grasp and for some this skill may come quickly. While others may require a bit more practice. Whether your child is a star reader or struggling, it is important to foster a love for reading in the home to help all types of readers.
As parents we want the best for our children and sometimes we are unsure how we can help them. There are no set tips on how to have every child reading at a star level as every child learns differently. But we can help them the best way we can.
Here are five tips that have helped us on our love to reading journey.
5 Health and Safety Tips for Raising Children Every Homeowner Should Know
If you are a parent, you are fully aware of the responsibilities when you’re responsible for taking care of a small child. It is extremely important to keep a close eye on them at all times. Otherwise, they could end up hurting themselves in a manner that they may never recover from. It is crucial to protect this child from things such as falling, burning themselves, getting into poison, suffocating, or even being strangled. Of course, accidents happen, and some things are difficult to prevent. However, if a parent is knowledgeable, they will prevent most accidents.
Top 3 Reasons To Relocate Your Family!
More and more people are thinking about relocating their family. It could be for work reasons, safety, or maybe you just want a fresh start. Regardless of your reasoning, it could be an excellent move for your family. You may enjoy a much better life than you currently do, so it’s worth taking the plunge.
Tips for Dealing with Baby Blues Naturally
A woman goes through a lot of physical and mental trauma when giving birth. Baby blues is a term used for postpartum depression. Women tend to feel guilty if they tell people why they feel depressed. Our society expects women to quickly adapt to a child and take care of all their needs. However, the sudden personality shift is hard to handle for women. Childbirth is difficult in itself, but it also has many other hardships, such as social withdrawal. However, many women tend to cope with baby blues quickly, while others take time.
Five Fun Ways To Keep The Kids Occupied At Home
We’re in the middle of a pandemic and one of the hardest things that you can do is keep your children entertained. Between trying to keep them focused on school work to focusing on your own job from home, you need to think about how you can keep your children from being sucked into boredom. Extra time as a family may feel like a blessing, but the best thing that you can do is to ensure that you have put together everything possible to get the kids laughing and feeling happy.
What Dog Breed Fits Your Lifestyle?
You’re thinking about welcoming a dog into your home and chief on your mind is the question of which breed you should be choosing. There are all sorts of factors that should go into what breed is best suited for you. However, here, we’re going to look at what kind of lifestyle you might be living, first, and recommending breeds based on that. Remember, all dogs have their own personalities regardless of breed, so you have to make it a perfect fit, not just expect it!
3 Valentine’s Day At-Home Party Ideas for Kids
For some, Valentine’s Day was strictly an adult holiday. The parents went out for dinner, leaving the kids at home with a babysitter. Maybe you had a card exchange at school, but not much beyond that.
For others, Valentine’s Day was another special occasion that now floods the holiday with special memories.
Life is too short; why not do both?
Have your romantic evening, but throw a party for the kids, too. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a memorable occasion.
5 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Health
For any parent, your children are the most important part of your life. You no doubt want to protect them from harm and ensure they lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible.
Children are increasingly leading unhealthy lifestyles, consuming junk food, indulging in sedentary habits, and spending too much time on their smartphones. The effects of these behaviors are being seen in rising levels of obesity, illness, and mental health problems in young people.
5 Rules for Helping Your Child Deal With Divorce
Every year, thousands of marriages end in divorce, and while the experience is painful for partners, the emotional pain can also be incredibly damaging to those who don’t have a say in this life-changing decision – the children.
It is the role of the parents, both of them, to try to minimize the damage that’s often a part of the process, and help their children cope with divorce more effectively. Below, a couple of steps you can take to help your children through this difficult period in life.
Key Tips To Move With Kids
Moving can be a difficult challenge for anyone, add kids to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for an even bigger challenge. Thankfully, there are many great ways that you can incorporate kids into the move without too much difficulty. These tips are sure to help you, regardless of the age of your kids. We’ll start with specific age brackets and go from there for our tips. Remember, the sooner you can begin packing, the easier your move is going to be.
Celebrating Halloween with Indoor Trick-or-Treating
This year Halloween may look really different for some as many may choose not to go out trick-or-treating. However, this does not mean you can’t celebrate Halloween at all this year.
2020 has been a year of changing traditions to make it as normal as possible for our little ones. I remember changing around Easter to make sure the magic of the Easter bunny was still much alive in our home, even if our family couldn’t be together to celebrate. Now with Halloween just around the corner, I will be bringing the fun of trick-or-treating with a little twist to my daughter.
The Ultimate Guide to Helping your Kids Succeed in the 21 st Century – Top Tip: Take a look at Institut Montana
You want your kids to leave school with the skills, qualifications and mindset that mean they will do well and be happy. But we are in the 21st century…
Technology is transforming the world of work, who knows what a career will look like in ten years’ time!
Higher education options are global, your teenagers might be looking to study at top universities the world over, how do you guide them?
Information is everywhere and yet sorting the real from the fake is harder than ever. As is learning how to take eager eyes off that glowing screen.
There is so much pressure on your kids to get those grades, how do you motivate them to study without crushing their enthusiasm?
Pro-Development Play That Every Child Should Experience
While play for play’s sake is undoubtedly important, we also want to make sure that our children are getting the kind of development that helps foster them and makes them more likely to grow up happy, competent, and successful. As such, you might be wondering which toys are most likely to help them as they grow up. The answer isn’t as simple as picking out one single best toy, however. Here, we’re going to look at a range of options, each of which might be able to help your child develop in the direction that you’re aiming.
Improving Your Parental Prowess: Incorporating Self-Improvement Into Your Life
There are things that we wish would make motherhood easier. Perhaps we need certain hacks to help us get by during a difficult week. But arguably, one of the best gifts we can receive as a parent is the one that we give ourselves. Self-improvement is one of those things that some view with a raised eyebrow. Some feel it doesn’t benefit them, whereas others wholeheartedly embrace it. But there is a case to be said for having aspects of self-improvement in your life as a parent. But how can you incorporate aspects of self-improvement into your life, and how can they benefit you?
7 Signs Your Child is Athletically Gifted
If all the news herald today about athletes enjoying multi-million-dollar yearly contracts has done anything, it’s made parents acutely aware of any athletic prowess of their children. Whether a son or daughter is in high school or diapers, parents’ schedules are full chock of practices and sports training classes.
Many parents ponder their children’s success when it comes to raising athletic children. Is it best to raise a child in one sport or multiple sports? At what age should we start them? How do we find an athletic program? What follows are seven signs you better start looking into athletic shoes.
Getting Your Family Involved with Being Better Members of Your Community
To improve our local communities and where we live, we have to be part of the change. We can all do things that will help to improve or maintain good health and wellbeing of the area around us. You may think that what you do and your family’s actions don’t add up to much, but they do make a difference in the grand scheme of things. Making changes, and being part of that, helps because compassion and change are contagious. Doing these things matter because when one person uses their voice, it helps more and more people to use theirs too, and then change happens.
How to be Social While Social Distancing
Social distancing isn’t too hard for me to do personally as I don’t mind being in the comfort of my own home but as a parent of a social five-year-old, I know the difficult time will arrive depending on how long we need to stay indoors. This got me thinking on how people interact socially. Prior to this pandemic, I would notice people constantly using their technology devices and not interact with people right in front of them. Now here we are in a state of emergency and people are craving the need to interact in person. Irony at its finest if you ask me.
A Bundle Of Duties Before The Bundle Of Joy: Preparing Your Home For A Baby
As if you don’t have enough to do already! Of all the work that comes along in preparing yourself for the impending birth of your child, you’ve also got to look at the environment that your baby is going to inhabit. Put simply, your home is the most important environment, not just to nurture and raise your child, but also to ensure that you have everything in place so after you come home from the hospital, you can hit the ground running. But as with every parent that goes on the journey of having a child, they seldom feel prepared. So, let’s give you a couple of hints to ensure that the home is prepared in every single way.
What Do You Do If Your Baby Just Won’t Sleep?!
It’s one of the most painful parts of parenting, when your baby won’t sleep. Sometimes the issue is straightforward, such as if they’re teething, in which case, we can prepare ourselves for a rough night on occasion. But what happens when your baby just won’t sleep, and you think you’ve tried everything?
Great Ways To Help Your Kids With Their Homework
Many things in life have become more demanding and complex than when we were kids. With higher expectations, both for students and teachers, as well as additional challenges, like new curriculums and smartphones, homework is one of the many examples. Despite your already busy schedule, you have to teach your kids after school, while also making sure that you don’t interfere with their learning. This can be tricky, which is why these six great tips can be helpful.
3 Ways to Save on Family Spends
We all know that having children can be expensive! The thing is, these kids, they just keep on growing so they need new clothes, they switch their interests, they move onto different toys and books and they like to get out and about. This is without even factoring in the roof over their heads and food in their tummies. This being the case, we are often looking at ways to reduce costs, so we thought that today we would share 3 ways to save on family spends.
Keep The House Tidier By Making A Garden Play Area
Okay, you’ve gotten sick of looking around your house and seeing how untidy it is. The children’s toys are everywhere, you can’t take one step without hitting a racing car or princess doll with your foot. You’ve probably already designated one particular room where the kids can play but still it’s not enough. Maybe you don’t have such a room and the living room is always looking like a bomb site. It’s time to make an area for the kids where they can play and not make you so worried over the mess they create. The garden comes to the rescue in many situations and this time is no different. We so often don’t think of the garden as useful space in our home. We tend to just keep it tidy and maybe sit outside every once in a while. All that space and nobody’s is really using it. It could be where there kids have their own play area, keeping the inside of the house tidier.
The Baggage Of Mom Life
Being a mom carries a lot of baggage, and you don’t have to have a big family to realise that. Being a mom is no doubt one of the best feelings in the world. To know that a little human loves you as much as you love them, and that love is most likely going to be unconditional for life, is just a feeling that can’t be matched. But sometimes it can get to the point where you feel like you’ve got so much baggage that you’re carrying around with you, and life can just get a little stressful with it all weighing you down. So what is a mom to do when so much baggage keeps piling up, but the family needs to keep on running as it has always done. Well, it’s where articles like this come in to help you out. We’ve got some excellent tips that should help you reduce your mommy baggage, leading to a more stress free lifestyle. So if this is something you’re desperate for, keep on reading, and we’ll show you how to do just that!
Fun Things To Do With Your Kids On A Budget
When the summer holidays roll around, chances are you’re going to feel the strain on the purse strings when it comes to trying to keep the kids entertained. We all know how it goes, left unoccupied they’ll constantly be telling you they’re bored, or sit wasting the summer away on their phone or computer screens. However, there are plenty of things to do that are fun for both parent and child, giving you the chance to make fun memories without breaking the bank. As the saying goes, ‘the best things in life are free’, and when you’re watching the pennies, this can be especially true. With the following activities, you will spend more time together and as a parent, you will be glimpsing into that wonderful world of childhood.
Fundraising Made Easy Through Mabel’s Labels
Not many of my readers or fans know that before becoming a blogger, I was a fundraiser. Never did I think I had the skills to be a fundraiser but it came naturally to me. What helps me in my fundraising adventures is remembering what I am raising money for. It could be for a charity, school or community group. That love and passion that I have for that organization or group is what motivates me to fundraise my heart out.
When Should You Be Thinking About Retirement?
For a lot of people, thinking about something like retirement will always feel a little silly. Even after working for a couple of decades, it will still feel as though you have plenty of time to think about your escape from work. Of course, though, there is more to retirement than simply finishing your job. You have to prepare your life for this event, and the earlier you get started, the better. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the key areas which you’ll need to consider when you’re thinking about the future.
What To Do When Your Infant’s Teeth Start Coming Through
As a new mum, you want to get all areas covered with your little one. When your baby is still in infancy, it’s just as important to get into a good dental routine and know the best ways to care for your little one’s gums and teeth.
This article will discuss some great things you can do and be prepared for when your baby’s teeth start to come in. It’s crucial as their dental health early on in their life will set the strong foundation for their permanent teeth in the future. So practical tips for best care are great to know as a parent.
Things Every Child Should Learn
When it comes to teaching our children the skills they need to be the best in life, there are a lot to things to teach and many directions which we can go in this year. If you are looking to teach your child the best skills for their lives this year, here are just some of the ones to consider.
The Best Ways For Parents To Earn Some Extra Money Online
As a parent, you’re probably always worrying about your money and whether or not you have enough of it. Raising a family is expensive and no one can deny that. However, there are ways to earn extra money on the side if you want to achieve a better financial balance and feel more financially comfortable each month. Here are the very best ways to earn money on the side online today.
Genuine Side Hustles You Can Start From Your Living Room
If you’re a stay at home mom, you may be looking at ways to start an online business from home so that you can continue to earn money and direct your creative talent and energy towards something without having to leave your kids.
Unfortunately with so many scams and non-legitimate business opportunities flooding the internet, it can be difficult, overwhelming and downright scary to try and find something that will actually help you achieve your goals of working from home and making money doing something you love that you can organize around your existing commitments.
How to Throw a Superhero Themed Birthday Party?
Written By: Claire Adams
Some things never change and one of them is the fact that almost every child has a favourite superhero. There are many reasons why having a superhero in life is important and beneficial. Kids look up to characters who are always ready to stand up and fight for what they believe in, even in situations when odds are definitely not in their favour, which is an important life lesson.
While still young, children simply love the fun and excitement brought about by their favourite character and their superpowers. So, why wouldn’t you throw your child a superhero-themed birthday party and make that day truly memorable? Here are some tips you can use if you want everyone to rave about your kid’s party.
Family Fun On A Budget – Is It Possible?
Budgets are a necessary evil because there is never enough money to go around. A shortage of moolah is enough to set the family back half a year. Then, all the hard work you did will wash away down the toilet. Goodbye scrimping and saving; it was nice to know you!
There is one problem: it’s boring. Staying in on a Saturday night isn’t enjoyable even when you’ve got the big picture in mind. The Holy Grail is to put money aside while having the time of your life.
For those who don’t think it’s possible, take a look at the following.
Supportive Parenting: Your Child Wants to Take a Year Off College And Go Abroad
Written By: Claire Adams
Before we begin, we need to answer the age-old question – what constitutes a supportive parent?
First of all, a supportive parent is one that encourages their child in their academic pursuits as well as their hobbies. Their other task is to be there, listen without judgement and try to put themselves in their child’s shoes, particularly during those turbulent teenage years. This one is difficult, but vital, as kids tend to drift apart from their parents at this age and you need to show them that you are there unconditionally. Don’t judge their mistakes or write off their goals and dreams as unreachable – acknowledge that you may not have all the answers and don’t underestimate your child’s wisdom. Finally, if you want them to act like adults, you need to treat them as adults.
How to Turn Your Family Office Into A Homework Area
Written By: Claire Adams
All parents want their kids to do well in school. For that, you need to provide them with a bit of help, a lot of support and a practical area for schoolwork. Sure, sending your child to their room to do homework is the traditional way to handle the situation, but is that really the best? Well, just as you have a designated room for your “homework” (usually a home office), your kids will also benefit from a space like that. So, how can you design a family office to welcome your kids?
Aqua-Mazing Swimming Program Delivered By Aqua-Tots | Burlington Ontario
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools have been delivering crafted swimming programs for children in over 90 swim schools worldwide. The swimming lessons teach children of all ages and abilities how to be safe in and around the water to become water-smart from the start.
We have been with Aqua-Tots Swim School for a year now and it has been such an amazing experience for our family.
7 Great Ways to Raise and Empower Your Daughter
Written By: Claire Adams
Having a daughter is a great gift, but also a great responsibility. We live in a world that is changing, hopefully for the best, especially when it comes to the position of women in the society, their empowerment and their voice. So it is, now more important than ever that we raise generation upon generation of young women who will know there is no limit what they can do in life and who will feel empowered from day one. But it all depends on the parents and what we install in their minds from the very beginning. So here are some great tips on raising a little powerhouse of a lady.
Building Swimming Confidence And So Much More | Aqua-Tots Fast Track Program
We adore swimming in our household and it is something that our daughter, Nikki, has enjoyed even more since taking classes at Aqua-Tots Swim School. We always felt that swimming was an important life skill to learn and we found it necessary for our daughter to learn them in a comfortable and safe setting.
We recently participated in Aqua-Tots Fast Track Program and we were astonished to see the leaps she took in her swimming skills. The Fast Track Program is a program that consists of four consecutive lessons over the course of four days with the same instructor. With the flexibility of my work schedule we were able to participate in the early morning class at 8:45 AM.
How Parents Can Support Their Teens Through Last Year Of High School
Written By: Claire Adams
The end of high school usually comes faster than anybody’s expected, and that last year can be extremely stressful for students, but also for their parents. However, no matter how much stress you think you feel as a parent, know that your child is feeling it even more. They’re young, their hormones are probably running wild and they have to balance between the studying, falling in love and being good friends. And since being a teenager definitely isn’t easy, you need to be there to support them as they take on their exams. Here are a few tips on how to do it.
Top 10 Summer Water Safety Tips
With summer days ahead, we can’t help but get excited for hot days where we can dip into the water. But as a parent we also can’t help but think of water safety for our children too.
This is why we thought it would be fitting to put together a list of some tips on water safety. We have gone to the experts at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools in Mississauga to give us the low down on what all parents and guardians should keep in mind around the water.
Things To Consider When Buying Baby Hampers Online
Are you looking for the perfect gift for baby or a mum-to-be but just can’t decide what to get? Why not play it safe and get a hamper? It’s the ultimate way to spoil someone special. Here are some tips for buying the perfect baby hamper online.
How To Prepare Your Family For Interstate Moving
Moving can be quite the unforgettable adventure, especially if you know the place you’re moving to is something you know you’d like to live in. However, preparing the family for moving interstate isn’t just a matter of asking everyone to pack. Here’s how to prepare your family for interstate moving, and how you can move in without hassle.
Parent Engagement in Children’s Learning: Guidelines for Good Practice
Written By: Claire Adams
Like every caring parent, you want your child to show progress and do their best at school. So, in order to help them, you’d like to be engaged in their learning process. This can definitely be a good thing, since it will show your child they have your support and you will probably help them overcome some obstacles in the process. Here are some good ways to be involved in your child’s learning process.
Love Is Infinite
At one time or another we all experience love in our lives. We love our spouse/partner, parents, siblings, family members, friends, pets and then there is the love that we have for our own children. To me that love is the most powerful one of all. As it’s the love that we feel before even meeting our child as our love forms as they develop in our tummies. It is the love that is infinite as we do everything in our power to ensure that our children are well taken care of. I would say that is a remarkable power.
Kids Off To College – How To Cope With The Empty Nest Syndrome
Written By: Claire Adams
Sending your kids off to college should be one of the happiest moments in your life. However, for many mothers, this is also one of the hardest moments, as they will be separated from their children for the first time and for a prolonged period.
This is better known as an empty nest syndrome, and if you don’t know how to cope with it, you can create a tough situation both for you and your kids. So, let’s go over some tips that will show you what to do and what not to do when your kids finally leave for college.
The Skating Journey…Tips For The Non-Skating Parent
Living in Canada, we all have developed a thick skin to deal with the cold winters and we are well known for our love of hockey. Therefore, it isn’t uncommon to have our children learn an important skill, skating.
Now I was born and raised in Canada but this was one skill that I was not encouraged to learn so I never really tried and never felt that I was missing out. Then I met my husband and he was all about ice hockey. He played for fun and I found myself at the arenas cheering him on. I started to feel a little left out at this point so I asked my husband to teach me how to skate. We were still dating at this point so I am figuring he wanted to impress me so he sweetly accepted my request to teach me.
The “Why” Experiment
The wonderful “why” phase is a popular one in the toddler years, especially at the age of three. In our home we have entered this world of constant whys and even though it can be daunting at times…I love them!
Have I gone crazy? Not yet! 😉
Aqua-Tots Morning Weekday Classes Make It Extraordinary
Recently I shared an article about our experience with swim lessons and Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. After a great interest from many of my loyal readers, we have decided to bring more information on this great swimming school and more information on swimming in general.
Today’s piece is an introduction to their weekday morning classes which run Mondays through Thursdays every week from 9am to 12:30 pm (with the exception of Fridays). These weekday morning swim lessons are great for maternity leave moms and dads, and other caregivers who take care of babies through the mornings as well as busy preschoolers.
Supporting Personality and Confidence Growth in Children
Our children are our greatest treasure and we, as parents, need to do everything in our power to provide them with an appropriate environment where they can develop their unique personalities and self-esteem and grow into strong, confident persons. Helping them develop great self-confidence means partially paving their way for happiness, well-being and a stable future. Thus, it’s essential that we help them develop their personalities, acquire a strong sense of competence and gain a realistic image of themselves and their abilities.
How to Maintain Sanity When Getting Back to School
You may think that this year is going to be easy-peasy, especially if you have prior back-to-school experience. However, the reality has a tendency to be a bit different than what we expect. Therefore, stress and anxiety that follow school year prep can be really pressuring for both your kids and you as parents. With that in mind, you can take a new practical approach and make sure that this beginning of a school year proceeds as smoothly as possible. There are a couple of tips that can help you prepare so take a look.
3 Must Have Gifts To Get Your Kids Right Now!!!
By: Grace Cross
As I walked with my four year old down a busy city street in the sweltering heat, I stopped momentarily to grab my key out of my purse so I was prepared to unlock a building door. As I reached for the front glass door, an elderly gentleman beat me to it, opened the door for both myself and my daughter.
“Thank you!” I said with a smile. I hear my daughter’s tiny voice echo her thank yous.
Fitting in Versus Standing Out
By: Grace Cross
No parent wants their child to come home and cry that they’re being bullied. They do not want to hear how their baby, whom they loved and raised, is being teased for not having the latest style or following a trend. As ridiculous as it sounds, a child can be bullied by their peers if they are not wearing the fashion of the minute. Out of fear, some parents will overspend, even go into debt so their children are wearing expensive fashion of the moment, so they fit in with their peers. However, this sends a clear message to the child, to follow what other’s tell them is the right thing to do. We want to raise independent children who know the value of a dollar and children whose personal creativity should shine. WE want our children to be individuals and stand out verses fit in.
4 Tips to Avoid Being a Mean Mommy
By: Grace Cross
We all have met them. That mom, who is judgmental, has a problem with every other mother’s parenting practices, gossiping about family life and making overzealous assumptions. We can’t stand mean mommies but can we be that mean mother sometimes? Here are four reminders on how to avoid being that Mean Momma.
5 Tips For A Trip To The Zoo
The zoo is one of my favorite places to go! It’s an amazing feeling to see all the wild animals in person and not to mention that the zoo if full of interesting facts about these animals too. When I found out that my sister wanted to take my niece to the Toronto Zoo, I just had to tag along. However, I knew that going with a two and half year old you just can’t pick up and go, so we had to make sure we were well prepared for the trip.
The Terrible Twos…They Do Exist!
Everyone has heard of the “terrible twos” and how it’s a normal phase for toddlers. Many of us prior to having children probably giggled to ourselves and thought that this was just a myth and things would be different when they had kids.
Well, I was one of those people and now as a mom of a two year old, I can honestly say that the terrible twos exist no matter the toddler or parent.
In The Eyes Of A Godmother
I will never forget July 31st, 2014 as that was the day that my sister called me to tell me that she was on the way to the hospital. This is the day that we all have been waiting for as I knew she was going to have her baby girl soon; but yet somehow I was still surprised and taken back. All sorts of excited feelings came rushing to me and all I wanted to do was leave work and be with her at the hospital.
5 Tips To Survive A Wedding Event With A Toddler
A beautiful envelope has arrived at your home addressed to the family and as you open it, you realize it’s a wedding invitation. Now as parents of a toddler, you may have mixed feelings about the invite. Reason being is that you are not sure whether you would like to bring your toddler with you or not and that is ok to feel like that!
10 Tips to Trick or Treating with a Toddler
After much thought in choosing the perfect Halloween costume, children then look forward to getting free candy. Although we teach children not to talk to strangers and take candy from them, Halloween is the one day where it is accepted; however with limits. It is important to explain that trick or treating should always be done with a parent or an adult guardian. If you have an older child (13 +) and you give them permission to go with friends, make sure that they are in a group of at least three or more. They should also know the importance of checking candy before consuming it. The good news is toddlers don’t really show much interest in eating the candy as much as getting it.
5 Tips on Costume Shopping with a Toddler
My favorite part of Halloween is when you dress up to be anything you want to be and see others dressed up too. Every year I put a lot of thought into my costumes. Yes! I typically have more than one costume for each party that I have during this holiday. So when my niece was born, I knew that I had to play an active part in her Halloween costumes and couldn’t wait to help her pick them out.
Introducing Halloween to Your Toddler
Ah Halloween, my favorite time of the year! The one time where you can dress up as anything you want, get free candy and see all the creative pumpkins. However, we never stop to think that Halloween can be a very confusing holiday for children.
Furbaby and Baby Introduction
Our pets are more than just pets as they become a part of our family. When my husband and I moved into a place of our own, we knew that we wanted to share our lives with a furry family member. Instead of purchasing a kitten from a pet store, we decided that adopting a cat would be a better option for us. We adopted our furbaby, Lily (6), from a humane society in 2009 and she instantly brought great joy to us. Lily got lots of love and attention as she was our one and only. So as soon as we got the news of a baby entering our lives, we knew we had to start early in teaching Lily that a new family member will be joining us. With time and care we knew that they would become the best of friends really early on.
