|
 |
The gift of hope
A lodge owner opens his doors to abused moms and their kids — and finds the true meaning of Christmas.
READ MORE
|
 |
Connecting in the ’hood
Bringing neighbours together to grow veggies or host a swap helps shape a community. Grassy, abandoned or paved open spaces are unexplored pearls of potential to build connected neighbourhoods.
READ MORE
|
 |
EcoKids: connecting in nature
Strong family bonds instill trust and confidence in children, and family play, especially outdoors, reconnects families and creates lifelong memories. Precious family time is shrinking; likewise, where and how we play has changed. Electronics have replaced forests, and urban centres limit wilderness access, distancing families from nature.
READ MORE
|
 |
There’s always ‘cope’
“We have normality. I repeat, we have normality. Anything you still can’t cope with is therefore your own problem.”
– Douglas Adams (British comic writer, 1952-2001)
READ MORE
|
 |
MukiBaum Treatment Centres
Finding human treasures beyond disabilities
All About YOU: Revitalizing Your Life with Dr. Oz was MukiBaum Accessibility Foundations premiere fundraising event with all proceeds in support of MukiBaum Treatment Centres extraordinary therapies and services.
READ MORE |
 |
Find your inner superhero
Are you a good guy or a bad guy?” was the big question at my son’s fifth birthday party. Surrounded by Batman and a room full of superheroes, I pondered adult behaviour and how we can learn from superheroes – and not just their killer moves.
READ MORE
|
 |
The dirt pile
My parents recently delighted our children with a new play set. Although thrilled with it, the kids spent more time digging in the sand below. They played for hours, reminding me of a favourite childhood hangout, an undeveloped lot called ‘the dirt pile,’ and how the simplest things can bring the most joy.
READ MORE |
 |
Time share
Volunteering helps transform our lives and our communities.
Incredibly, we find ourselves attached to something bigger than ourselves. We become agents of change in the world. And if we find the right fit, we’ll never look back.
READ MORE |
 |
Vacation riches
Many of your fondest memories are likely connected to vacations: time spent playing, discovering new places or creating great adventures. Even the most ‘terrible’ family road trip has a way of transforming into some fond memories. Vacations give us the chance to experience new things with family, friends and as individuals, and can give rise to new family traditions. So, why aren’t they a priority?
READ MORE |
 |
Kids just want to have fun
For kids, summer break means outdoor sports, camping and water activities; for families, a time to enjoy the weather and create fun memories. Summer activities also bring the potential for injury. Whatever the activity, safety should always be a priority.
READ MORE |
 |
Alfresco family fun
fter enduring many months of sub-zero winter temperatures and damp, dreary spring showers, Canadians long to get outside and stay outside! Planning fun outdoor activities offers your family many benefits. It builds togetherness, creates shared memories and provides an opportunity to explore the wonders of nature.
READ MORE |
 |
Together mom+tot yoga
Yoga has long been popular with adults in Canada, but a new trend has mom bringing baby to class. In fact, getting toddlers into a yoga lifestyle teaches them how to control their bodies, keeps them healthy – and might help everyone better cope with stress.
READ MORE |
 |
Family rituals
The ties that bind
Every morning, after my run and getting the kids organized, I sit down with a steaming latte and a chocolate biscotti. This ritual is a foundation in my life, as it symbolizes the importance of taking time for myself and sitting in quiet reflection, even if it is for just minutes a day.
READ MORE |
 |
What happened to Grumpy?
The prelude to the ‘Slow Movement’
Every parent knows children like bedtime stories read at a gentle, meandering pace. But I used to be too fast to slow down with the Brothers Grimm. I’d zoom through the classic fairy tales, skipping lines, paragraphs, whole pages. My
version of Snow White had just three dwarves.
READ MORE |
 |
Beyond words
Music gets through to children, whatever their special challenges. And music’s effect on children in need of its transformative powers can be extraordinary. Music therapists are now helping these children access their imaginations, acquire key social skills, and express their emotions effectively.
READ MORE
|
 |
“Do as I do”
The key to raising kids with character
As a parent, you have the ability and influence that will help your children develop character. The key is being a positive role model.
READ MORE
|
 |
Pearls of wisdom…
at a very young age
“I know that what I do may not change the world, but I can certainly make a difference,” says 16-year-old Kingston student Robin Prest, who is demonstrating leadership in her community and changing life for girls who live a world away.
READ MORE
|
 |
The power of family play
We experienced her passion as she crossed the finish line to win an Olympic medal under seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Today, Silken Laumann channels her strength and determination to impact the quality of family life through physical activity. Silken shows us how play can bring your family closer.
READ MORE
|
 |
Explore, participate and give back
Experience the world of travel in a new way
Canadians love to travel, exploring the world and making new friends along the way. In 2006, 4.1 million Canadians traveled to Europe, an increase of 16% in October 2007. Join fellow Canadians choosing leading-edge ways to experience the world.
READ MORE
|
 |
Are ya’ havin’ a blast?
Lessons on lightening up
Ever had one of ‘those’ days – when you’re behind schedule before you get out of bed? Everyone needed it yesterday; your kids need to be in different places at exactly the same time and there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. You feel the stress building in your body and you can’t wait to crawl back into bed…
READ MORE
|
 |
Bringing Fun Home with Teens?
When Jeanine finally sat down with me and took a sip of her coffee, she looked exhausted. “Liam came home last night at 2:00 am,” she said. “I couldn’t sleep until I knew he was safely in the house. Yesterday Lana burst out crying when I offered to cut her hair, and this morning she bolted to the mall with her friends the minute she crawled out of her bedroom.
READ MORE
|
 |
Feeding Your Minds, How to Choose Children’s Books
Although my Aunt Betty baked the most delicious raisin-filled butter tarts ever, the treats I enjoyed most as a child were the Enid Blyton books she gave me as gifts. Hungrily, I would devour each book one after the other; savouring the characters, the language, and the stories.
READ MORE
|
 |
Keep Your Child Safe, Get Trained
All injuries have one thing in common: they are preventable
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: while eating breakfast in his highchair, your child begins to choke on a piece of food… his face turns dark purple, his lips blue. As you frantically unbuckle his safety belt, your mind races. Do you know what to do?
READ MORE
|
 |
Leave the juggling for the circus
Helpful Tips for Working moms
As a single, working mom keeping it together is a challenge. When my sister said, "There is a big difference between juggling your life and balancing your life, and you juggle." I was surprised.
READ MORE
|
 |
Under Pressure - Stress and Kids
Do you remember searching for four leaf clovers in the grass when you were a kid? Making dandelion necklaces? Building forts with old cardboard boxes? What will your kids remember? Sitting in the back of a minivan? Ordering dinner at drive-thrus? Being shuttled from activity to activity? More importantly, how will it affect their mental and physical health?
READ MORE
|
 |
Kids just want to have fun
Caring for summer’s minor cuts ad scrapes
Lifejackets – check; beach towels – check; sunscreen – check. It’s summer time and when planning a perfect outing or family vacation, there’s one very important item that needs to be added to the ‘check list’ – a First Aid kit.
READ MORE
|
 |
Kids & Their Parents
Make the relationship matter
My parenting days are numbered. It’s a matter of time before my kids no longer see me as the all-knowing Wizard of Oz, but as the cowardly lion, brainless scarecrow, heartless tin man and wicked witch of the west all in one. I’ll lose my children to best friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, MSN buddies, chat room pals and cell phone chums. My children are slipping through my fingers and there’s not a darn thing I can do about it. In fact, it’s only natural. Or is it?
READ MORE
|
 |
Thumbs Up For Family Fitness!
Our thumbs have taken over. How did it happen? Perhaps it was when we got TV remote controls and stopped getting up off the couch to change channels. Or maybe it was when we let our thumbs do the walking while we did the talking on wireless telephones and handy cell phones. Our kids have hyper-thumb-mania, too. Ever notice how their little thumbs dance across video game controllers while they play virtual football or basketball? It must be exhausting – for their thumbs!The fact is our thumbs are getting a great workout! But what about the rest of our bodies?
READ MORE
|
|
|
