Author

Kristi York

Browsing
In Uncategorized

Laundry Tips for Staying Organized

No Comments

Laundry. It never ends. Six years ago, I wrote a Mabelhood post about the incessant burden of laundry and how I was considering giving up clothes entirely to save my time and sanity. Unfortunately, the nudist lifestyle didn’t pan out, and here I am — still constantly sorting, washing, drying, and folding clothes. I have even more washloads now, as my kids and their clothing have gotten bigger (and smellier). The laundry struggle is real, and we’re all in the same sweat-soaked, ketchup-stained boat. With this in mind, I have compiled some tips to help maximize your laundry organization and efficiency. Embrace a new laundry mindset It’s time to accept the fact that laundry is a constant in your life. As parenting author and mom of six Dawn Meehan put it: “I don’t have laundry day. I have laundry life.” The great news is: we are not living in pioneer times.…

by
Keep Reading
In Mom Moments

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your Pelvic Floor, But Were Afraid to Ask

No Comments

The term “pelvic health” refers to a growing practice within physiotherapy. For physiotherapist Erica Gambarotto, it’s a specialty that was born out of personal experience. Originally trained as an orthopedic physio, Erica became alarmed by the drastic changes in her body while pregnant with twins. “I was running to the washroom all the time, amongst other embarrassing bodily malfunctions,” she recalls. “I started taking professional courses in pelvic physiotherapy, initially with the goal of treating myself. Turns out, it is a fascinating area of study, and I haven’t looked back.”

by
Keep Reading
In Parenting

Hockey Tournament Survival Guide: How to Keep Organized on Tournament Weekends

No Comments

It’s been on the calendar for weeks: the big hockey tournament weekend. Whether local or out of town, organizing everything can feel like a Zamboni-sized task. Don’t worry, though — we’ve got team-tested tips to help you with the hockey tournament weekend: organization & survival. The tournament experience can be as smooth as freshly flooded ice with a little planning. Hockey tournament weekend survival: gear organization First and foremost, you need the team uniform. Your safest bet is to bring anything and everything that has the team logo on it: the ‘home’ jersey, ‘away’ jersey, ‘alternate’ jersey, and so on. Pack plenty of extra clothes, especially undershirts and socks. And, if your young all-star’s equipment is getting a little smelly, check out our tips on washing and disinfecting it before they hit the ice. You don’t want to arrive at an out-of-town tournament with only one elbow pad. Take a…

by
Keep Reading
In School

Homework Tips for a Smooth School Year

No Comments

Back-to-school means the return of the dreaded “h-word”: homework. Don’t worry, though — we’ve got three “s words” to help you through it (and no, it doesn’t include the one that immediately comes to mind). For Homework tips to make the process more efficient and less painful, try using the three S’s: schedule, space, and support. Schedule – How to create a homework schedule  It’s helpful to establish good habits and a regular homework routine right from the start. You know your child best, so customize the timing by asking the following questions: Are they best suited to tackle their work right after school, before they get caught up in their free time activities? For example, once they get rolling on something fun, will it be a huge battle to transition them back into a school mindset? Would they benefit from a bit of time to decompress and regroup first?…

by
Keep Reading
In Daycare

Cleaning Tips & Mold Prevention for Kids’ Silicone Sippy Cups, Bottles and Toys

No Comments

No one wants mold and bacteria around — especially not in sippy cups and water bottles that are going right into our kids’ mouths. There are endless options and styles out there, but they can sometimes be complicated and time-consuming to clean. The first step to keeping your child’s drinkware germ-free is to label it clearly, to avoid mix-ups at daycare, camp, sports and school. Once it comes home for washing and re-filling, try these tips to enhance the cleaning process. Clean mold from Sippy Cups When you invest in a new sippy cup for your toddler, you don’t want it to become damaged or unusable due to a washing blunder. So, don’t immediately throw away the outer packaging or the little insert that comes inside the cup — there is valuable information on there! Read the “wash and care” instructions and follow them carefully. You can also visit the…

by
Keep Reading
family camping
In Summer Camp

20 Tips for First-Time Camping Families

No Comments

Planning your family’s first-ever camping trip? Forgive the tent-related pun, but you might be feeling like the stakes are high, with the trip’s success resting entirely on you. However, there’s no need to (brace yourself for tent pun #2) get in a flap about it! We’re here to help with practical tips to ensure you have a tent full of happy campers from start to finish. Read on for 20 tips for first-time camping families. Before you go Limit the distance. Don’t venture too far on the first trip. If you keep your travel time reasonable, it will be easier to head home if there is bad weather or someone becomes sick or injured. Search for a nearby location with convenient amenities and family-friendly features like a beach or playground. Talk about it. Since this will be a new experience for some (or all) family members, chat about what to expect. Camping…

by
Keep Reading