Cyberbullying is a hot topic this week—as it should. A 2011 KidsHelpPhone survey on cyberbullying reported that 65% of the child respondents said YES to having been cyberbullied. Cyberbullying is a real and present danger for our children. How do we, as parents, prevent our kids from being cyberbullied?
These milk jug ghosts are an easy craft for kids and a great Halloween decoration. A flameless alternative to a jack-o-lantern, this easy DIY Halloween activity re-purposes a regular old milk jug into a ghoolishly good ghost.
"That was AMAZING" said my 9-year-old daughter on the ride home from her first We Day. Of course it was amazing—she had just seen Jennifer Hudson, Nelly Furtado, Hedley, K’Naan and more perform on stage. She had heard The Honourable Romeo Dallaire, Justin Trudeau and Martin Sheen speak (awesome speakers). She had been empowered by Craig and Marc Kielburger. "We are the change" was the message, the thousands of students, heard and they left ready to BE THE CHANGE.
The countdown is on and the conversations have started...What are you going to be for Halloween?! As a busy Mom of three, I am big on suggesting EASY and INEXPENSIVE Halloween costume ideas (because you know they never wear the same costume two years in a row!). Here is a little photo galley to inspire you on Halloween Costume Ideas...
All of a sudden, my kids' regular length jeans have turned into capris. It's amazing how they have grown over a season. As they are trying (and tossing) their clothes—I am putting them in piles for donation. Fall cleaning for me is donation piles of gently used clothes, toys and even books. Kids' grow out of their stuff so fast...it seems a shame not to give it another life.
Big kids back to school...I decided I should register baby in a class to get some routine back in our routine. Being an extremely active toddler (why didn't my mom-of-boys-friends warn me about little boy energy?!) I thought to register him in gymnastics to focus his stamina into good rather than evil. Little did I know the workout I would get from Mom & Tot Fitness…
It's elmo-pa-looza at our house. Elmo cds in the car. Elmo videos on the tablet. Elmo books. Taking Elmo. Singing Elmo.This little red monster has become the most beloved character to my toddler. Elmo is driving the rest of us a little crazy...but to my son...Elmo rocks.
I remember the stress I had putting my DD1 in kindergarten (I had a tougher time adjusting than she did!). Sleep routines, lunch boxes, backpacks and school buses are all new to those kindergarteners. Here are a few tips to help ease the challenges of getting your child ready for kindergarten.
Sleep Routine. Be consistent in bed times and wake up times. Not only do kids need a good night of sleep but they also need to get their bodies and minds in routine mode.
My daughter has been desparate to see The Hunger Games. I made her a deal—instead of going to a theatre to see the movie—we would buy the DVD (released Aug 18). In turn, she had to read the whole series by Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Published by Scholastic, this trilogy was all the talk in her grade 6 class. "Happy Hunger Games!
Tune out the "Mom, I'm bored" when you tune your kids into board games. Yes, ol' skool but still cool—board games engage kids through counting, decision making skills and literacy. A great alternative to electronic and screen powered kid entertainment. A board game can occupy your kids while you answer an email or provide whole family entertainment. These three board games are sure to please...
I have been lucky to be a stay-at-home Mom for 18 months, however, I need to start looking at daycare options (for my career as well as boy's socialization). In researching childcare costs, I am surprised by the waiting lists, deposit fees, and high cost of child care. If I put my son in full time care, will I be working for daycare and not bringing home much more?!
Every four years the Olympics proves to the world that it's OK to celebrate the best. It's an achievement. So why, in all other times of the year we, as parents, ensure every child gets a medal? Why does kid competition have to be so fair? Should every kid get a medal?
I am writing this as my baby takes his afternoon nap and my big kids youtube Justin Bieber (or it could be One Direction...I don't care really) and instead of folding laundry or supervising tween screen time (and don't think I don't feel guilty about neglecting either of those two jobs)...I am working. Life of the modern working mother...she's sneaks work time during nap time. Same at your house?
File this under #travel and #kids—this toddler place mat is super easy to make, and light enough to carry in your diaper bag. It will also make finger feeding a little cleaner.
I am going to appreciate MORE. I sweat the small stuff. I hurry. I expect others to hurry. And I realized I need to stop. And appreciate. Because it means something.
"C'mon let's go?!" I said in frustration.
"What's the rush?" replied my dear daughter (age 9 and wise beyond her years).
Why am I rushing? I rush to get the kids breakfast. Rush to get them to the park. Rush them from the park to home so they can eat lunch. What's the friggin' rush Caroline?!
Now that it is summer we are often out and about with our families enjoying family field trips or just running errands. Our vehicles become moving-home-base and can "house" (forgive the pun!) some really important summer items.
O Canada! Let's stand on guard for thee and fill our holiday weekend with fun Canada Day themed activities for the whole family. Ready. Set. Time to get your Canuck on!
Find Canada on a globe (or map). What country is it on top of? What water is beside it? If you were to travel from France to Canada how would you go?
This week is predicted to be ugly HOT. My baby is ok to play inside, but I kinda get cabin fever. So, I've made a little list of where to take kids on ugly hot days.
The public library. Air conditioned. Free. Great kids section of books, colouring, magazines. They even have reading time drop-ins. And your kids can be kids at the library!
Forget running to the drug store to buy a teacher gift this year. Keyword here is EASY (yes, there is easier than a drug store gift). Easy teacher gifts!
I wrote 5 Easy Teacher Gift Ideas sharing kid-made cards and the like to give personal gifts to the teacher—the note cards are my go-to.
There are many times when I wish I could freeze a moment with my baby and keep it forever. Changing his diaper is never, ever, one of these moments. I'm ready to get him to the next step in growing up—using the potty! However, having already trained my two girls, I know it's not my readiness that brings on this next milestone.
Here are some tips I learned from my older kids which will help with toilet training my little guy (and yours too!)...
Sleep Routine. Be consistent in bed times and wake up times. Not only do kids need a good night of sleep but they also need to get their bodies and minds in routine mode.
