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Julie Cole

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As a mom of a whole bunch of teenagers, my home has been filled with people having periods over the last few years. I have now joined the ranks of the peri-menopausal. It’s not awesome – I live never knowing when my period may or may not turn up. I deal with a constant state of hot flashes triggered by kid hugs and face masks. Most annoying? I seem to be carrying an unexplained 10lbs extra on my body. I have done nothing differently, and yet my jeans don’t fit. Hormones are a bit rude that way. Hormones; why ya gotta be like that The critical thing to remember about hormones is that they can indeed cause us grief at any age. Girls are getting their periods a year younger than in the ’70s and remember that adrenarche begins years before that! The average age is 12 years old. However, precocious puberty is…

‘Tis the season for mom to get a bath robe. Last year we all had a good laugh at the Saturday Night Live skit about moms being neglected during the holidays. It was funny because it was so relatable. This year, I thought I’d share a few goodies that us mamas might appreciate. 1. Something beautiful AND sentimental Our kids create so much beautiful art. I know most of it ends up in the recycling bin, but sometimes they create something special that deserves to be remembered. Made With Your Art takes your child’s piece of creativity and turns it into a stunning piece of jewelry. I have several pieces and have gifted them as well. The process is simple, the prices reasonable and the outcome incredible! 2. Something celebrating our Mama status I have the sweetest “Hockey Mama” shirt from Ash and Co. Their products are simple and elegant.…

We are just a few days away from Hallowe’en, and there are a few important points I’m considering and talking to my kids about before the big day! 1.Costumes When choosing their costumes, I ask my kids always to be respectful. Have them consider if their costume is making for or offensive of a culture or religion. Does it reinforce stereotypes about certain groups? My kiddos are generally very aware of cultural appropriation, but it’s still a meaningful conversation to have. Otherwise, if their costumes are safe and not too restrictive, I don’t police unnecessarily. Let them express themselves and have fun! 2. Inclusivity I try to ensure I have non-food items for kids with allergies or food sensitivities. Having a teal pumpkin on your porch will alert trick-or-treaters that you are a safe house for them. If you notice a child carrying a blue pumpkin for their treats, they…

It was recently Teachers’ Day, and it allowed me to reflect on this incredible profession. (Sure, we can all talk about that one teacher who maybe picked the wrong career, but they are few and far between). I have had a lot of different perspectives on teachers. As a long-term student; after finishing high school, I went on and did three degrees – primarily because of the love of learning that teachers instilled in me (OK, admittedly also the student lifestyle)  As a mom of six kids, I have encountered countless inspiring teachers. I’ve learned so many ins and outs of working with them to ensure a positive experience for my kids. Most importantly, I was raised by two teachers. My Dad was a high school teacher in a rough end of town, and my mom specialized in teaching kids living with disabilities and were also often medically fragile. It was…

Well, school is over and after having WAY too much time with our kids through the pandemic so far, summer is here. And, it seems we have even MORE time with them. Yay, us! How are you planning to survive? I’ve got a few ideas – hopefully they are a wee bit helpful for you as well, in these dire times. Create a Summer Bucket List Sit the kiddos down and see if you can all agree on a few activities that everyone is invested in. Here are a few categories that we are considering in my home. Adventure: this does not have to be expensive or hard. Find a new park in your city, do a road trip, go strawberry picking, or check out a local Farmer’s Market. Do GOOD: have the kids set up a lemonade stand for a local charity, collect canned goods for the local food…