I am shocked at what I have been doing to my child. "Donne un beau bec!" "Give Grandma a hug!" "Give Uncle George a kiss goodbye!" I had no idea that by telling my child to do these things, I was doing her a tremendous disservice. I grew up in a culture where every adult relative or friend was considered family. Friends of the family were all "aunts" and … [Read more...]
Getting My Child to Eat her Food: The Truth Is…I Have No Tricks!
Several friends have asked me countless times how I get Little One to eat her school lunches every day. The truth is, I have no tricks or tips. We've just been very lucky that Little One happens to have an adventurous palate and a voracious appetite. Seriously. That is all. I was thinking about how all kids are different and have different tastes. What works for one … [Read more...]
The Day Mommy had a Meltdown
Growing up, I don't recall ever seeing my mother cry. I don't recall ever seeing a day that my mom had a meltdown. Sure, my mom would yell at us when we misbehaved or didn't listen, but I never saw her cry. I thought that surely she was the strongest person on the planet. Then I realized when I grew up that no one ever knew if Mom had a meltdown or how often she would … [Read more...]
On Being an Older Mother
This post was inspired by my friend, Shayna's post titled, Fears of an Older Mother. When I was younger, I had my life all planned out. I had a timeline, like many girls do when they're young and dream about what their lives will be like when they're older. I never thought I'd be "an older mother". I had everything mapped out and wasn't going to let anything let me … [Read more...]
Babies Bring Out the Best in All of Us #BetterForBaby
The fresh baby scent, the cooing and the noises baby makes when sleeping are all parts of having a new baby that I'm sure many parents want to bottle up if we could. I know I'm not alone when I say how much I loved just watching Little One as she slept. That wasn't meant to be creepy, but if you're a parent, I'm sure you know that feeling and have found yourself watching, … [Read more...]
You’re Being Watched!
The other day, I was rushing out the door and needed to grab something quick to eat because I was hungry but needed to get to a meeting with a local client. As I was just out the door, I reached for an apple. For a split second, I deliberated. Little One and I had been baking brownies to give to friends and I contemplated on grabbing a brownie, but went for the … [Read more...]
On Being a Parent
I lay in bed watching her drift into slumber. Her tiny hand clutching onto my fingers, she whispered, "Mama, stay with me". I lingered for a bit, not wanting to get out of bed. I was content to lay beside my little girl and just soak in the moment. You know that moment right before your child falls asleep? It's that moment when you want to be the last person they see … [Read more...]
Hot Wheels ® FUNdamentals Learning Program
It's the new year and I've been thinking of all the great activities to do with Little One to help her learn outside of school. Little One's teacher has been fabulous to work with and I love that we are in a small community where class sizes are still not as big as in the city. Little One goes to a school that isn't too large, and I love that. Little One tells me that … [Read more...]
November 17th ~ World Prematurity Day
World Prematurity Day is November 17th! Every November it hits me. Though the years have flown by and Little One is relatively healthy, this time of the year always brings back a flood of memories. There was a time when life was pretty scary for us. I honestly don't know how we survived those early days to Little One's rough start in life. Though I have tried to … [Read more...]
Mommy Guilt: I was THAT Mom
Yes, I was THAT Mom. I refused to spend any time away from my child. Even when I knew I was in dire need of some "me time", I just couldn't do it. I couldn't set time aside to just relax and do things for myself. I suppose I just grew up with the mentality that motherhood is all encompassing and all consuming, and a mother never had "me time". After all, my mother never … [Read more...]
How to Properly Load a Dishwasher
I know what you're thinking. How to properly load a dishwasher? There's a right way to load a dishwasher? Oh! Yes, my friends, there is! I haven't always been a prized pupil in the science of dish washing. Oh, no. In fact, I've been a wayward student who wanted to do things my own way because I thought my way was better, more efficient, and faster. Until I was … [Read more...]
Pssst! Exciting News! #TheStorkIsComing!
I remember as a teenager thinking that there was a specific order that life events followed. First, we went to school, finished university, started a career, met someone, fell in love, got married, had babies, and lived happily ever after. I had a plan. I would be done university at 22, get married at 23 and have my first child at 24. I learned that my idea of how life … [Read more...]
Manitoulin Island Family Holiday Package valued at more than $1700! Silent Auction #WilliamsSyndrome
Some may not see the value in social media, but for me, social media is about being "social". Connections and relationships built are so valuable. That's what Twitter is for me. Last night, @mommydoCA tweeted me and thus began our correspondence about supporting a cause I had no prior knowledge about. Williams Syndrome. Have you heard of it? @mommydoCA is holding a … [Read more...]