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I never dreamed of being a stay at home mom. That is, until it was time for me to go back to work. My daughter and I had created this great routine of outings, visits, play times and naps. (I especially loved the naps!) The last week before school started, I tried extra hard to... Read more »
Introducing The Spreadable Joy Series Toys, books, bikes, scooters, lego and other miscellaneous pieces under foot… Sounds like a scene from a horror film right? A horror film especially made for parents that is. Fiction aside, this is an all too familiar feeling and scene for many parents in the road up to and after events like... Read more »
Noodle and Pals are well loved Super Simple characters and songs that I, as a Speech Language Pathologist, frequently use in speech therapy sessions. I will pick some of my favorites to share ideas for how you can support speech and language development at home all while having fun! Why do I love Noodle and... Read more »
Going out for dinner with your toddler doesn’t have to be stressful – although I know it can be! We can’t always predict how they are going to behave in public or whether or not they will eat what we order them. Here are a few tips and tricks that may help you in making... Read more »
Gifting our friends and family during the festive season is a ritual that has nowadays somewhat become associated with pressure, expectation and waste, especially as a parent. It’s time to reclaim gifting as a joy and spread a little environmental and ethical love, and change the way we view gifting when it comes to mindset... Read more »
Family photo sessions can be a lot of fun but for many they are a stressful event that take a lot of time and effort to plan and execute. Finding the right photographer, location, clothing and keeping everyone happy while trying to stay on budget is a lot to take on and sometimes the end... Read more »
Have you just had a baby? Maybe they’re already off to college! Here are a few tips to help you get back into shape after giving birth. Exercises for postpartum moms: Learn to do proper Kegels by taking a deep inhale (imagining your ribs as an umbrella, trying to stabilize your stomach muscles and chest, trying... Read more »
Do you have a picky eater on your hands? Is it tough to get your child to eat their vegetables? As parents, we can sometimes feel like we’re failing if our children aren’t eating things that we know are good for them. They may throw the food they don’t like on the floor or refuse... Read more »
Introducing The Spreadable Joy Series The Spreadable Joy Advent Calendar Christmas. Warm coats, toasted chestnuts, fires, lights, baubles, cinnamon sticks, sugar cookies, mince pies, mulled cider, eggnog and presents. Lots and lots of presents. Children these days can easily miss the true meaning of the festive season. Whether you do the nativity or not, the season can get... Read more »
So you’re considering cloth diapering? Great news! Given that the average baby goes through 5,500 diapers from birth to potty, and that it’s estimated that one single disposable diaper takes around 500 years to decompose in landfill, there’s never been a better time to make the switch. Using cloth diapers isn’t hard, it’s just different... Read more »
What words come to mind when you think about grocery shopping with your children? Chaos? Distraction? Battles, Exhausting? If you answered “yes!” to any of these, you are not alone! Most parents would agree that any and all of these words may be applicable at times. But did you know that taking your children grocery... Read more »
I remember parts of what it was like to be a child… I remember time moving slowly, summers seemed to go on and on. I remember getting out of bed to show my mom a booboo I had, and hoping she would let me stay and watch TV with her instead of sending me back... Read more »
There is something so wonderful about seeing the world through the eyes of a child. One place I love watching my children’s faces light up with excitement is at local Farmers Markets. The fresh produce, the livestock, the homemade pastries, the fresh iced tea, the little wooden toys made and sold by the same hands,... Read more »
Whether you have a child in Mom’s Day Out only a couple of hours a week, a preschooler in daycare full-time, or a school-aged child needing packed lunches for elementary each day, the back to school season often comes with a bit of lunch packing anxiety for most parents. To help combat the concern of... Read more »
Travelling with children can be a large undertaking. Here are a few tips that I have found useful over the past 6 years of holidays with little ones. Packing Checklist Routine: Children like routine. As much as travel can be exciting, it can also be difficult for some. If your children are old enough, talk... Read more »
Visiting anything cultural with your children can be stressful at the best of times. Gone are the days when on a whim you could decide to nip into a museum to gaze upon your favorite painting or sculpture. Remember those moments of peaceful restoration in front of your favorite artwork or hotly anticipated exhibition? For... Read more »
This week on Caitie’s Classroom we’re learning all about pets! During the field trip, Caitie visited The Toronto Humane Society and learned all about the dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, rats and hamsters that are looking for loving forever homes. With the help of the Toronto Humane Society, we’re going to share our top tips everyone... Read more »
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) it is my favorite time of year because it gets people talking about speech and language development, spreads awareness of hearing and communication disorders, and helps get children much needed early intervention. Speech therapists work on many different communication skills, one... Read more »
“Children as young as three to five years of age are developing the basic skills and attitudes that lay the foundation for later financial well-being.” – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Resources for Parents and Caregivers These skills are known as “executive function” and they lay the groundwork for future decision-making by building our capacity to... Read more »
Landscapes, fashion, animals, there are many challenges in photography but the most challenging subjects to work with are children. Whether it’s a child who won’t sit still or one who’d rather be the photographer than the subject you have to think pretty creatively to get the shot you’re hoping for. Today we’ll look at three... Read more »
Have you ever stopped to think about how much plastic you use every day? From the time you wake up to the time you go to bed, there are probably dozens of plastic items that you encounter — sandwiches covered in plastic wrap, plastic bags from the errands we do over our lunch hour, straws... Read more »
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin This quote is all parents really need to know to encourage their young children to become readers. Parenting is a hands-on endeavor so involve them in the learning-to-read-process, by engaging with them, verbally and through play! When... Read more »
