I’ve turned invisible – which definitely has its advantages. Case in point – I wear pyjamas for almost the whole of winter – which is pretty much the next best thing to full-on hibernation. As a result of this recently acquired superpower, I’m also privy to some interesting conversations. Standing on the playground waiting for…
I love me a good story. My friends know this about me – they’ll call me up and start the conversation with: “Wait till you hear this one . . . “ or “Something happened today that I know you’ll appreciate”. The weird, the funny, the creepy – it doesn’t matter – I love them…
Maybe my expectations run too high and I’m glossing over the fleeting frivolity of youth – but somehow I don’t think so. In an age where everyone is glued to their phones; where plans are made by the tapping of fingertips as opposed to face-to-face contact; when it’s easier to text a smiley face emoji…
Negative 15 outside? No problem. Nothing a warm hat, fur-laden mittens, woolen scarf, frost-proof snowpants, puffy ski jacket and lined boots won’t cure. And if my 14-year-old refuses these accoutrements – then that’s her business. Just as it was my business 30 years ago to eschew warm winter boots for thin, fake-leather, shoes and forgo…
I’m sick and tired of the lists circulating in cyberspace chock full of parenting no-nos. You know the ones to which I’m referring. They offer up helpful tidbits of advice such as: Never tell your child ‘good job” or Never force a child to eat. These lists are vaguely threatening in the sense that they…
Growing up with dyslexia wasn’t an issue for me. I’m the fortunate one. I escaped the stigma well into my teens and finally got diagnosed just prior to applying for a place at university. For this I am eternally thankful. I escaped the ‘stupid’ tag. Fast forward 30 to 40 years, and both the…
Once upon a time, Katie Stewart had a vision for her future self. Hers would be a normal life – comprised of work and love and maybe even parenthood. Over the years – as a teenager and young adult, this vision would dim at times. Yet at others, it would snap into clear focus as…
I won’t go so far to say that I have this parenting thing figured out — but I do believe I have a handle on it for now. My three are coming along quite nicely if I do say so myself. Every time I peek into the oven, they seem to be browning up just…
They can be awkward. They can be difficult. They may even seem pointless. For these reasons alone, many parents may dismiss the parent-teacher interview as being too brief a meeting, even entirely unimportant – but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. In order to clear up these common misconceptions, listed below are five reasons…
If you are a parent reading this – then you know what it feels like to be judged by perfect strangers. You understand the public shame associated with a child’s temper tantrum. Then you, unfortunately, have fallen prey to undisguised scorn and derision for events beyond your control. If you are the parent of an…
