We're always worrying about our children. Whether it's their grades, their excessive screen-time, or their general health and wellbeing—it's every parent's prerogative to fret about their kids. So when we learn about a new hazard that had probably never even occurred to us, it sends shivers down … [Read more...]
Should We Allow Our Teens To Watch ’13 Reasons Why’?
If you have teenagers, then there's a good chance you've heard of the newest show on Netflix that everyone their age is talking about. And if you haven't, you're definitely sure too soon. The show is called 13 Reasons Why. It's comprised of 13 episodes about the suicide of a teenage girl named … [Read more...]
Not An Old Person’s Disease: I Was Diagnosed With Juvenile Arthritis At 18
When most people think of arthritis, they think of it as an ‘old person’s disease’. Yet more than 24,000 Canadian children live with arthritis. Children and teenagers can be affected by arthritis in many forms, and it can cause joint inflammation, stiffness, and affect a child’s growth. Often, … [Read more...]
“You’re Not My Mom”: Handling My First Bump In The Stepmom-Road
Since day one, my relationship with my stepchildren has been pretty harmonious. Some would say, abnormally so. When my husband introduced me to his kids, when we made the decision to move in together, when we got married, and even when we had a baby of our own, we didn’t experience any of the … [Read more...]
Bra Shopping With Your Daughter: Tips For Being A ‘Supportive’ Mom
Possibly one of the most embarrassing, brave, and daunting questions a preteen girl can ask her mother is to go bra shopping. The other day, my 12-year-old daughter asked me to take her bra shopping. “I need to get fitted,” she said, all-knowingly. I was taken aback. Not because she needed bigger … [Read more...]
Should I Let My Tween Wear Makeup?
The year was 1984. I loved the movie Footloose, singer Tina Turner and the band the Culture Club. Other bands from England like Bananarama and Kajagogo had that wild hair and eyeliner that seemed so very edgy and cool. My best friend started teasing her bangs and spraying them super high, using … [Read more...]
Top Gift Ideas For the TEEN!
There is no doubt that teens are the hardest ones to buy for. Even more so if you've got boys. Sure it's easy enough to hand over a wad of cash but over the past few months my kid had a chance to check out some of the cool gear as well. Here's are some of his picks (and mine)... TuckShopCo. … [Read more...]
Twelve
When I think back to 12 years ago today, I remember being the heaviest I've ever weighed. I was swollen beyond recognition and had zero feeling in my hands due to extreme water retention - also known as edema. Ahhh pregnancy, you were very unkind to me back in 2001. I really wish I had a photo to … [Read more...]
Do you tell the parents?
When my kids were small and they had playdates with little friends there were times when things went sideways. When the other child's parent came to pick them up I had a choice to make. Do I tell Little Johnny's mom that he pinched/hit/spit/grabbed/yelled or do I smile and wave and thank heavens … [Read more...]
And So They Grow.
My kids are 9 1/2 and 13. It suddenly struck me the other day that neither of them qualify as "little" anymore. They are "big kids" now. I am now, solidly, the mother of a tween and a teen. My son is headed off to High School next year (gulp). Crazy. I have definitely entered a new phase of … [Read more...]