It’s that time of year again: activity registration. We all want our kids to be well-rounded individuals, and there is a long list of worthwhile programs available in art, science, sports, technology, music, leadership, aquatics, theatre, fitness and more. While we can agree that’s important to expose our kids to a variety of experiences, we certainly don’t want to overload them to the point where they’re tired, grumpy, unmotivated, or burnt out. It’s a fine line that can be tricky to navigate, but you’re more than qualified to steer this ship. Here are 7 tips to prevent burnout and keep a firm grip on your family’s schedule and prevent things from getting out of hand. Choose carefully. There’s no question that your child will benefit from participating in organized activities, sports teams or community groups. Even so, it’s important to remember that you don’t have unlimited resources when it comes…

The centre of attention. Ridiculously creative. Fearless. A born leader. Sound familiar? If so, you likely have a little Leo in your life. While I don’t have any first-hand experience raising a Leo, I do know quite a few. Three nephews, a niece, and my mother-in-law were all born under the Leo sign. So, it’s safe to say I have spent quite a bit of time around Leos. After doing some research about the stereotypical characteristics of Leos, I think it’s pretty accurate to say that Leos know what they want. They appear to have strong personalities and high expectations. They’re are Lions though, so they’re also warmhearted and super loyal. There’s a lot to cover when it comes to Leos, so let’s dive in and see what the experts say! First, we’ll start with the basics of the Leo sign. Birthdate – July 23 – August 22 Element –…

For a long time, we’ve been talking about the “hot mess mom” we’ve created memes about her disorganization and laughed collectively about the struggles. Unfortunately, for many Mothers, the hot mess mom is far more than a joke; the prevalence of women being diagnosed with ADHD is growing, and we’re learning that some of the “hot mess moms” are struggling to fit into an ablest, neurotypical parenting world. The largest group of people currently diagnosed with ADHD/Autism is women, primarily Mothers.     Parenting isn’t easy at the best of times. ADHD is added to the regular Motherhood struggles, becoming completely overwhelming. It can bring up feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and anger. Anything from forgetfulness, difficulty planning and following through, focusing, and decision-making becomes a massive burden as you try to cope with your struggles and manage your enormous role as a parent.  Parenting with ADHD can leave you feeling like a…

My family’s move from Canada to the United States two and a half years ago came with much anxiety and trepidation. I thought about living in Trump’s America, and about guns, school shootings, and the cost of health care. But never in my wildest, most fevered nightmares did I ever imagine I was moving my daughters to a place where they’d grow up having fewer rights than I or their grandmother did. Usually, it’s not that hard to convince ourselves we’re safe. Bad things happen everywhere but statistically, they’re unlikely to happen to us. But all that’s changed with the Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe vs. Wade. Now, the bad thing is at our doorstep. So how do I raise my daughters in a country that doesn’t respect them; a country that punishes them for having a uterus? How do we stomach living in a place that allows for the…

If you were to ask my boys, they would tell you that kids born in the summer months are the luckiest because they NEVER have to go to school on their birthday. My oldest kind of got the short end of the stick when it comes to birthdays though. He was born in early September, and his birthday has been the first day of school on more than one occasion throughout the years. In fact, he started JK on his 4th birthday. In my defense though, he was 10 days late! He was supposed to be an August baby. I blame him. Now while I don’t have any summer babies of my own, I do have three nephews and one niece who were born during the summer months. Two of them were born under the sign, Cancer. While exploring the stereotypical characteristics of Cancers, I would have to say they…

The daddy-daughter relationship is a huge and important one. Inevitably, it will change as your little girl grows up. We all know it will happen, yet so few dads are prepared. It often occurs far younger and much quicker than many dads know. So it’s time we open up the conversation with our girls and start teaching dads how to navigate this awkward time so it isn’t so uncomfortable. Dads need to learn how to support their daughters through puberty.    It hit me hard when I learned that 3 out of 10 girls experience puberty at the age of 8. That means you only spend about 8-10 years parenting your little girl. The rest of the time, you’re parenting your daughter as a woman. So, it’s about time we focus on what it means to parent a young woman.   Did you know? Studies have shown that since the covid pandemic,…

As the school year comes to an end, parents are already be worrying about how to keep their children entertained. While sending your child off to the camp seems like an exciting option to many, we understand why some parents might have some reservations about it. Many families find summer camps a little unaffordable, while others are still worried about covid19. If you’re not headed off to camp and find yourself wracking your brain over how to make your child’s holiday fun with activities, take a look at these ideas that might work for your family! You can also plan one activity per day for an entire whole week, and have something to look forward to every day! Movie Marathon On The Balcony/ Backyard Children of all ages enjoy watching movies, especially when they are snuggled up with their parents. It will also give the parents a much needed down…

With the summer months now upon us, we’ll be getting outside more, swimming, and enjoying the hot weather. However, we must never forget that anytime we’re near water, it’s important to remember the dangers that can come with it. Swim and water safety tips for kids are crucial to remember in the summer months, and so important to brush up on your swim and water safety skills.    As you spend time in the water, it is essential to remember the importance of swim safety. Being knowledgeable about swimming and water safety can spell the difference between a fun time in the water or an increased risk of drowning, whether in a pool, river, or lake. We spoke with Bear Paddle infant swim lessons, where they teach basic water safety. They reminded us that learning how to swim is a gradual process that can be improved over time. Children can start with…

Studies show that many students these days have little skills when entering the real world. We live in a world with helicopter parents and apps that do everything for us, but we need to be teaching our kids actual skills. Some students have little to no understanding of how to cook a meal, manage their money, do laundry or even how to make a phone call for themselves! They’re increasing having difficulty transitions from home to college, and that responsibility begins at home. The younger you can teach your kids these basic life skills the more confident they become overall. It’s so important that parents don’t do everything for our kids, we need to let them fail a little, we need to give them the knowledge needed to be independent. Here are some basic life skills to teach your tween or teen to set them up for success.  Transportation:   How…

Ahhhh, Geminis. As someone who lives in a house with not just one but TWO Geminis, you’d think I’d be an expert on what to expect, right? Well, full disclosure…I’m not. Not even a little bit. My husband is a Gemini, and our youngest son is a Gemini as well, and I can at least tell you one thing from personal experience – it’s never boring. Here are some tips on how to raise a Gemini.  While I was researching the stereotypical traits of Geminis, I found myself nodding along and smiling because some of them were completely spot-on for either my husband, my son or BOTH! Maybe that’s why they butt heads so much. They’re too much alike! Or perhaps it’s the mood swings Geminis are known for. Of course, they’re known for being affectionate too, so hopefully, things balance out.   Now until June 20, we’re celebrating Gemini. So, what can you…