Mom Moments

The Pros and Cons of Elf on the Shelf; How I’m Choosing Self-Care Before Elf-Care

School

Keep Your Child Motivated for School All Year Long!

Pregnancy

Choosing the Right Postpartum Underwear: The Pros and Cons of Disposable vs. Period-Proof

Fundraising

Tips For a Successful PTA Experience: How to Make a Real Impact as a Parent Volunteer

In Parenting

Birth Order Theory; The Leader, the Negotiator, and the Baby

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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…

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Autism Awareness; The Reality I Wish You Were Really Aware Of

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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…

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In Summer Camp

How to Choose the Right Summer Camp

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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…

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In Mom Moments

The “In” in Inclusion; World Down Syndrome Day

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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…

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In Pregnancy

6 Things You Need to Know About March Babies

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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…

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In Parenting

8 Tips for Smooth Covid-Era Travel

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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…

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In Mom Moments

Keeping our Kids Humble

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I love that my kids are confident. I love that they’re kind and they’re successful. But it’s important through all of it to keep them humble. I saw this come across my social media feeds, and it triggered a few feelings about staying humble and teaching our kids the same—especially these days with positive parenting. Of course, we want to be gentle and positive parents, but too much telling them they’re brilliant isn’t positive, because are they? Or are they just the same as everyone else, no better- no worse, just different. Value them I don’t think we have to make our kids feel like they are the most extraordinary creatures that ever existed. Instead, we should have conversations and show that we value them for who they are and what they’re passionate about. But, again, it doesn’t have to be spectacular. They are just humans – as incredible and,…

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In Mom Moments

Thanks Tips… On Dropping the Mom Guilt

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We all have mom guilt at some point. I don’t know one mother who hasn’t felt the pressure of balancing relationships, childcare, career, etc. and feeling that we’re falling short of what’s expected of us. Guilt is a moral emotion that occurs when a person believes or realizes—accurately or not—that they have compromised their own standards of conduct or have violated universal moral standards and bear significant responsibility for that violation. Guilt is closely related to the concept of remorse, regret, as well as shame. But where do these standards come from? Why do mothers have so much guilt? Who set the bar? Our society and culture have taught us guilt. Our community has set expectations of what we’re supposed to do and accomplish, and there unrealistic. These expectations were set in the 1950s before women entered the workforce and lost our villages. Then, women entered the workforce, got paid…

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In Parenting

6 Fascinating Facts About February Babies

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We’re already into the second month of the year! Crazy, right? It always feels like these first couple months of the year go by in slow motion, but we’re already halfway through February and there is so much to look forward to! I mean, I can almost smell Spring! Almost. For those of you expecting a February baby, you have even MORE to look forward to! Not only are you bringing a beautiful baby into the family, but those born in February appear to be pretty awesome. After doing a bit of research, I’ve learned a lot about babies born in the month of love and football! They’re known for being compassionate, frank, and honest. All good things, right? They’ve also been known to have a bit of a rebellious streak so…consider this your heads up. (Sorry, I’m just the messenger!) If you have a February baby at home, or…

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In Parenting

8 Books to Help Kids Fall in Love with Reading

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Many young students struggle with reading, which is why it’s important to help instill confidence and a lifetime love of learning. Here are some suggested books to help kids love reading. I fell in love with reading upon the discovery of Anne of Green Gables, and it has been a deep friendship with books ever since. Working in education, I write extensively on this topic and have many reading tips to share. To start with one of my favorite suggestions, try making it enjoyable by tapping into interests. So where do we start? I am a huge fan of capturing the mood of the month and connecting it to great reads. We are in luck that February has rich themes of love, friendship, and family with many festivities to celebrate. This includes the Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Family Day (observed in several Canadian provinces), and President’s Day just to…

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