big families

People often ask what it is like to feed half dozen kids. Feeding families can be a “thing” and many parents report that dinner time can be the most stressful time of the day. I decided early on that I didn’t want meal time to create anxiety for me or my kids, so here are my few tips for relaxing…

Everyday Parenting

How To Tell Kids They’re Not Getting What They Want With Positive Discipline

PTPAJuly 2, 2014

I have a busy house full of my kids, their friends, neighbourhood kids, and an assorted number of random drop-ins. I’d rather not sound like the meanest mommy on the block, so I have a few key phrases that allow me to say “NO WAY” to my kids, without using those exact words. Here are a few of my favourites:…

Everyday Parenting For the Kids Lifestyle

How to Light up your Backyard Party

PTPAJune 5, 2014

Every year, we host a big Victoria Day fireworks party. For my American friends – this means that yes, we celebrate the birthday of a long dead English Queen, but we’ll take our holidays where we can get them. This past Victoria Day we hosted one hundred of our closest friends and neighbours (an annual event at our place) and…

Everyday Parenting Just Between Us

The Communal Family Holiday – Survival Tips

PTPAFebruary 13, 2013

We just survived a holiday with my in-laws, and when I say in-laws I don’t just mean Daddy-o’s parents – I mean ALL of the in-laws. At the top of the family pecking order is the grand matriarch, Oma. She has five grown kids, one of whom is Daddy-o. The total headcount for this communal holiday was: 1 Oma, 10…

Everyday Parenting Just Between Us

Taking the Stress Out of the Holiday Season

PTPADecember 5, 2012

The holiday period is a lot of fun for families, but ‘tis also a season of stress for parents. This year, try to lower anxiety levels and enjoy all that this festive season has to offer. 1) Stressor #1 – Shopping • Be an organized shopper – know your budget, make a list, have coupons. Don’t be that frazzled mom…

Everyday Parenting Just Between Us

My Father’s Day Gift

PTPAJune 20, 2012

This Father’s Day the gift I’m giving Daddy-o is the reminder that I will try very hard not to be any of the archetypes I described a few years and a few kids ago. Any of these sound familiar? 1) The Critic: You know when dad is bathing the newborn and you think the water is the wrong temperature and…

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