Toddlers are weird. Yea, I said it. You’ll have a hard time finding a mom who hasn’t questioned their behavior at some point and in some capacity. Parents are usually prepared for tantrums, crying, hitting, and even biting. But sometimes, our toddlers throw us for a loop when they do something outrageous that we’re not prepared for. So, when you find your toddler acting in a way that seems highly unsocial, bizarre, or harmful, we can worry about why it’s happening and whether we need to seek advice or be concerned. Often, the behaviors aren’t as destructive as we think. Here are a few common worrisome toddler behaviors that are actually totally normal. Some weird toddler behaviors that make us nervous wrecks but relax, mama; these odd things are normal: Hair twirling or pulling: This behavior can be alarming or frustrating if they’re tangling their hair. But, it’s simply…

With Mother’s Day around the corner, we need to remind ourselves that while it’s a beautiful day to celebrate, everyone experiences it differently. It used to be a day when mothers were doted on by families with flowers and homemade cards. But, lately, we have begun to wake up to the complexities of Mother’s Day. Those complexities include so many different reasons people find this day hard. Perhaps you’ve lost your mother or are struggling with infertility. So many people had mothers who weren’t there for them, some are watching their moms fade away to disease, or perhaps they live far away from their mom. There are so many ways the day can be triggering and complicated and stir up trauma. We recognize all these complexities and struggles with the day. If this feels like you, then feel free to take a pass on this post. Celebrate, or don’t, in any way…

Ever since I was young, I was always interested in astrological signs. I was never one of those people that read my horoscope every day and believed every word or anything, but I thought it was fascinating. I enjoyed reading about my sign and all the personality traits that went with it to see if I could relate. Turns out, everything they said about my astrological sign was pretty spot on. So, I decided to start learning about ALL the astrological signs to see if they matched with people I knew under each sign. For the most part, they did! I was intrigued. As an adult, I still find astrological signs interesting, but I don’t believe every single person is exactly how they’re described by their sign. I do feel like it gives us a glimpse into their personality though. I’ve read the characteristics associated with each of my own…

Sure, sleep-away camp is great with its bunk beds and bonfires, but why should it get all the hype? Day camps can also provide exciting and memorable experiences for your kids this summer. Here are some tips for day camp rookies, and advice from the YMCA camp staff. The benefits Day camps offer a practical solution for working parents, as well as kids who may be prone to boredom at home. Here are a few compelling reasons to register: Close to home. While some kids crave the adventure and independence of overnight camp, others may prefer a familiar environment where they sleep in their own bed. More affordable. A Monday-to-Friday day camp typically costs less than a sleep-away camp that involves extra travel and amenities. High structure. If your child thrives in predictable routines at school, they will likely transition well to the similar format of day camp, with an…

We have no control over our birth order, whether we’re first, middle or youngest child – there is nothing we can do to change that. The Birth Order Theory shows how birth order plays a role in our personality traits. This is disconcerting when studies show where we sit in the birth order plays a profound and lasting effect on child development. However, Birth order is not a personality trait that appears at birth. Instead, it’s a theory that develops based on family structure and dynamics and how they shape personality traits during a child’s developmental years. These can also change and evolve; gender, adoption, blended families, and child death all play a role in the structure of birth order.   We all know a typical firstborn and a rebellious middle kid and a spoiled last child. We’ve probably also seen the comical depictions of birth order on TikTok. How much does our birth order impact our…

It’s Autism Awareness Month; it rolls around every year at the same time. I, and all parents and caregivers, grasp at this month with all our might in hopes that we can somehow use it to improve the world for our children. This feeling is something most people who do not love and care for a child with a profound disability, whose children grow to live independently, do not and will never understand. The Puzzle Piece We spent nearly a century fighting to identify Autism. To give it a name and identify features that could be jotted down, then studied and observed. The symbolism of the puzzle piece is now used to illustrate the growing understanding of the bigger picture that is Autism. From this picture, the identifiable diagnosis, we birthed ‘Autism Awareness.’ We now have a description, an identity that we can use to educate the greater population, and…

Summer camp is a big deal. It can alter the way your child sees the world, the friendships they have for life, and the experiences that shape them…. but no pressure. How to choose the right summer camp can feel like a balancing act. Between scheduling, finances, interests, distance, there is a lot to consider.  Here is a checklist of the things we think you need to consider when choosing the right summer camp for your kids.     1) Financial Decisions This is often the top reason to select one camp over another. Day camp varies from approximately $25 to $150 a day. Some things that influence the price are the type of camp the location, but it’s also worth inquiring about the price. The following may be included in the price, making the high price tag fit your budget after all.   -Is any food is provided   -whether a bus…

What does the word inclusion mean to us? If you ask me, a mother of a 4-year-old girl with Down Syndrome. I will say that it means that she is valued and given equal opportunities to flourish in society, as any neurotypical child would. If you ask my husband, he will say that it means the whole world looks at Reeyah through his lens and appreciates her uniqueness. If Reeyah’s older sister Aayra gets asked this question, she would only want other children at the playground to stop staring at her sister and asking her why her sister cannot walk yet. Lastly, if Reeyah gets asked about what inclusion means to her, she would just want everyone around her to stop treating her like a baby. Her petite frame often makes her look like a 2-year-old. Different things to different people The “In” in inclusion means different things to members…

March has a such great feeling about it, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s because we know Spring arrives this month. Maybe it’s the fun and festivities of St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe it’s because some of us take some time off to spend March or Spring break with the kiddos! Whatever it is, March has a great vibe. It even has some super random, but FUN, days to celebrate including National Goof Off Day, National Chip & Dip Day, National Puppy Day, and National Take a Walk in the Park Day. Sign me up for chips and dip! If you’re expecting a new addition to the family this month, you have even more to celebrate! Those born in March are known for being happy little babies and they’re also eternal optimists. Pretty awesome, right? So, if you’re counting down the days until your little one arrives, or you already have a little…

Here’s a riddle: What has two feet, carries a backpack full of documents, and cries constantly? Answer: Me, travelling during a pandemic. For the past two summers, my two kids and I have travelled from our home in Las Vegas back to Ontario, Canada, where we’re from. Each trip ended the same way: with me swearing I will never, EVER, travel during a pandemic again. From cancelled flights and pricey rental cars to the multiple covid tests, grumpy customs officers, and mandatory quarantine, pretty much every step was a nightmare. Oh, and did I mention we were travelling with a dog? Pandemic Gods willing, this will not be our reality this summer because – fingers crossed – there’s no new variant on the horizon and restrictions are easing. But that’s not to say travel will return to its pre-pandemic state anytime soon (when everything was just a major inconvenience and…