It's only a couple more weeks away and I am running into moms with the look of fear in their eyes. Okay, maybe a little exaggerated but you know what I mean. We've shifted into panic mode as reality has hit. Some of us (me included) haven't sorted out all the summer activities for the kids … [Read more...]
The problem, in fact, is Tweens.
I'll be the first to admit that I can be kind of an asshole. I am stubborn and right all the time and I haven't had enough sleep in ten years. But I behave myself in public and at work because it is important to be in the world even if you are having the kind of day where the whole world is an … [Read more...]
Summer Fluff Is for Kids, Too.
We all have those lightweight summer reads, right? Beach reads, we call them. They range from not so serious to downright trash, and they are brain candy for the vacation months. Why should we have all the fun? There are plenty of fluffy series for kids, too, but this one is perfect summer girly … [Read more...]
The Artist vs The Athlete. Ability or Effort?
A few years ago my son brought home a single C+ on his report card. He had never had a grade lower than B+ in his life and he was devastated. The fact that the grade was in Art didn't seem to matter to him. The C+ was a huge disappointment. I am not devaluing the importance of Art at all but I was … [Read more...]
Loss: When they grow up.
My son is 12 years/old. In a few months he will be a teenager. He is a really great kid, a good human being. I am proud of him and love him to bits. But things are changing. They are changing in a way I knew they would. But I admit, I secretly thought or hoped it might be different for us. We … [Read more...]
Sleepover Success
"Can we have a sleepover?" Those words uttered by your child can change the destiny of your next twenty-four hours. How you answer determines whether you're housebound with extra kids or footloose and fancy-free."Sure, what time should I pick you up in the morning?" means you've just saved the cost … [Read more...]
So You Think You Can Dance?
So You Think You Can Dance Canada just ended a couple of weeks ago. Is your kid up next? With all the dance shows on TV these days, more and more people - from tweens on up - are looking to learn a few moves of their own. This new book is a perfect place to start! Learn to Speak Danceby … [Read more...]
A Parenting Dilemma: Please Help!
When I was 12 years old, I remember sneaking chicken wings into my room as a midnight snack. I remember hanging out in the den watching memorizing Pretty Woman when I should have been doing math homework. I remember calling a "cute" boy and hanging up when his mom answered. … [Read more...]
There is a Beast Among Us!
Recently we were lucky enough to spend a few days at Mont Tremblant in the beautiful province of Quebec. This lovely spot nestled in amongst the spectacular Laurentians is a short drive from Montreal and a hop, skip and jump from parts of Ontario and Vermont. It was the perfect way to end our family … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Tween Teeth
My sister is a teacher, and I remember her once complaining about one of her grade three students who had horrible bad breath. She found it unbearable to sit with this child closely to help with reading. Finally she had to talk to the parents, who were completely unaware of the issue. Bad … [Read more...]