How goes the battle of trying to connect with your teenager? Perhaps you are in a smooth stage with fairly open interactions. Or travelling a bumpier road. Maintaining this connection with our teenagers can be challenging especially if they appear to thwart our efforts. At. Every. Turn. For … [Read More...]
Parenting
Confessions About My Warped Sense of Humour
My children are used to my warped sense of humour. They should be since it is one of my favourite coping strategies for parenting all four of them. [see #10] Fun-slightly-terrifying fact: if you google "warped sense of humour," you will be … [Read More...]
Miracle Baby with Spina Bifida: One Step at a Time
Beth's face was peaceful as she rubbed her belly and shared solemn news of this pregnancy with me. Her third little one was expected to face serious obstacles including spina bifida and hydrocephalus. A wee one who had not yet taken his first breath … [Read More...]
Money Tips
Smart Money Tip #1: Pay Cash for Big Items
Once upon a time there was a Mama who wanted her children to have piano lessons. Except they didn't have a piano. And she didn't have room in the budget to buy one. The. End. C'mon - you know me better than that. My love for a challenge would … [Read More...]
4 Surprisingly Affordable Birthday Parties
Is it possible to host an affordable birthday party that is not in your home? Parents can pay hundreds of dollars for off-site venues without even blinking. That is not hard. What is more difficult is not spending a small fortune. My recent … [Read More...]
All the Latest
4 Ways Parents Can Help the X Plan Succeed
There was a recent wave of applause for the father who created the X Plan to help his teens get out of any uncomfortable situation, while still saving face in front of their peers. As a mom of two … [Read More...]
The Best Winter Tip for Not Losing Gloves…Almost
Last year I triumphantly put our snow pants in the basement, declaring winter to be finished. THREE times. My boys started noticing a pattern - every time the snowpants when into storage a … [Read More...]
Easygoing Child? Empower Them With This Phrase
Parenting an easygoing child can be, well, fairly easy. Remember the Staples Easy Button? That iconic red button that represented how easy Staples would make your life as a business owner? One push … [Read More...]
4 Reasons Your Budget Needs A Fun Category
Stop me if this sounds familiar. You have a few (ahem!) purchases and have to figure out a way to smuggle them into the house. You carefully turn the doorknob, sliding shoes off and tiptoeing like … [Read More...]