Have you gone off the beaten trail lately? Last weekend we met up with some friends for ice cream. We put our kids on bikes or in the bike trailer and even grabbed the odd neighbourhood kid and rode down to the local DQ. As it happens, the Dairy Queen has a nice outside table
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The idea of retro parenting, or parenting like our parents did really ain’t that bad. (Sometimes you will hear it being called slow parenting, too.) And, okay, I know, we don’t want to become our parents, right? But if you think about it, how many
A few months ago I decided I would like to try writing a newsletter for parents who would like tips, tricks, information, and play ideas delivered right to their inboxes–for free. I’ve been figuring it all out and I am pleased and proud as punch to say, “It’s here!” I am super excited and worked
Lenore Skenazy, author of “Free Range Kids” and host of the TV show “Bubble Wrapped Kids,” is spearheading the third annual “Take your kids to the park and leave them there” grassroots movement to reseed playgrounds with children. Why would she do that? Think about the playground in your neighbourhood. If this playground were always
The other day while my daughter was home sick she got bored. It was a no electronics day for her so she decided to experiment (otherwise known as free PLAY!). And experiment and play she did! Here are a few fun things she did (and learned about) with soap, food colouring, and water: Which makes
Have you ever wondered how to make your kid a reader? In this three part blog series I’ve covered how to turn your kids into readers (12 ways), how to get books into the hands of your kids (11 inexpensive and fun ways) and today we’re going to put the final touches on building a
Do you experience Mom Guilt? Maybe just a niggle here and there or maybe full-fledged what-the-heck kind of Mom Guilt. If you have ever wondered if your kids would be better just playing in the backyard than being trundled off to after-school activities that are supposed to broaden their development and skills before it is