Having kids is a bit of a crap-shoot. Some people are born parents, others struggle significantly…and a few (let’s face it) can barely look after themselves, let alone another human being. What I think is one of the biggest gambles of becoming a new father, however, is not knowing how becoming a mother is going to affect your partner. It’s funny because, the lyrics of Kenny Rogers’ famous song, The Gambler, really apply here. Read more…
I remember when my little boy was two…into absolutely everything.
Then, there was three. Tantrums about absolutely everything.
And…just when I thought things had settled down…FOUR!!! OMFG. Read more…
My daughter keeps asking for a little sister. At first it was cute…then it started to evolve into a daily request, which became harder and harder to address. I can relate. Growing up as the only girl (I have two younger brothers) in my family I, too, yearned for a sister. I’m pretty sure I even begged my own mother for one and I would say her answer was pretty much the same as mine…”Not a chance.” Read more…
Oh, Amber Dusick, you so speak my language. This is a parenting book that I can get on board with!
Based on the popular blog crappypictures.com, PARENTING: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures is a collection of stories, anecdotes and lessons on the many trials and tribulations of parenthood, accompanied by hysterical drawings that are, admittedly, crappy. Read more…
Most people think of Valentine’s Day as a day for lovers. However, I remember that when I was growing up my mom and dad would always get us a little something for Valentine’s Day. My mom usually presented us with cookies or stickers and my dad always got me a rose (to compliment my mother’s dozen).
When my daughter woke up this morning, she sleepily padded into our bathroom as I was getting ready for work. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mama!” she said as she rubbed her eyes. I had actually forgotten all about the holiday.
I crouched down and gave her a big hug. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” I said, “…do you know you are one of my most special Valentines?”
“No,” she said. “Why?”
“Because before I had you, I had absolutely no idea how much I could love someone.”
Here’s what I meant. Read more…
So…I’m a little nervous, because this is my first attempt at a video blog.
Recently, I had some amazing photos taken by Vancouver photographer, Bethany Schiedel (www.imagesbybethany.com). I was so impressed with the experience I had, that I thought she would be a great interview subject for my first (I hope there will be more) video for The Thirties Grind!
Please let me know your thoughts as I’m hoping to do more of this and want to make it as enjoyable and beneficial to my audience as possible!
When they moved back to Canada (after living overseas for seven years), Keeley and her husband found themselves pregnant and welcoming new opportunities in Vancouver. Mary Kay came into her life in May of 2010. Through Mary Kay, Keeley helps women to discover their inner and outer beauty. Now almost three years later she is enjoying a great career being at home with her now three year old son and five month old daughter.
I recently read an article discussing a study, which showed that 82% of surveyed new parents value sleep over sex. It then went on to tell people how to rejuvenate their sex lives post-baby. Sigh. I read this and rolled my eyes….
I can relate to new parents who have taken a bit of a “sex sabbatical.” After experiencing your body morph, expand and stretch in all different directions during pregnancy and childbirth, things just don’t feel the same. I wish I could say that I was one of those women who loved her post-baby body. But I didn’t…and I had to work hard at trying to get things back (up) to where they used to be (and let me say this was first and foremost for ME – before anyone else!). Factor in working full-time and having two little kids. It was like taking two red-eye flights back to back. Every. Single. Day. Result: there was no “mile high club” at my house! Read more…
New research from the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Riverside suggests that children who make an effort to perform acts of kindness are happier and experience greater acceptance from their peers.
From the study’s press release:
Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, a professor in UBC’s Faculty of Education, and co-author Kristin Layous, of the University of California, Riverside, say that increasing peer acceptance is key to preventing bullying.
In the study, published today by PLOS ONE, researchers examined how to boost happiness in students aged 9 to 11 years. Four hundred students from Vancouver elementary schools were asked to report on their happiness and to identify which of their classmates they would like to work with on school activities. Half of the students were asked by their teachers to perform acts of kindness – like sharing their lunch or giving their mom a hug when she felt stressed – and half were asked to keep track of pleasant places they visited – like the playground or a grandparent’s house.
After four weeks, the students again reported on their happiness and identified classmates they would like to work with. While both groups said they were happier, kids that had performed acts of kindness selected higher numbers of classmates to work with on school activities. Read more…
Red Riding Hood – depiction by Gustav Dore
The Children’s Commissioner for England just released its interim report on their “Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation In Gangs and Groups.” In this report, they explicitly identify technology as a way in which gangs and child predators solicit and recruit young people into their fold. Not really surprising – but nevertheless important to know and consider. The report states: Read more…
