In today’s world, socializing is often seen as a measure of success—even for children. Parents worry when their child prefers quiet play or spends time alone. But here’s the truth: introversion is not a problem to fix. It’s a personality trait that deserves respect. Forcing friendships can do more harm than good, leading to anxiety…
Category: Parenting
Raising Kids Who Can Actually Handle Life: Real Ways to Build a Healthy Self-Image
By Greg Moro, Contributor (Image courtesy of Pexels) Parents and caregivers shape children’s lifelong coping skills in thousands of ordinary moments—getting ready for school, losing a game, arguing with a sibling, forgetting homework. The goal isn’t a “tough” child who never struggles; it’s a child who can struggle and recover. When you focus on skills (not just outcomes), you give your…
Indoor Family Activities in GTA (Toronto Area) for Christmas Break
here are plenty of fun and festive activities to enjoy with kids in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) during the Christmas break, but most of them involve being outdoors in Christmas markets and light shows which are great. But sometimes you need some indoor ideas for fun activities to do with the kids that are…
Fun Ways to Make Gift-Giving Exciting
Gifting to children is an adventure in itself. The joy and excitement that light up their faces are priceless. Let’s dive into some creative and playful ways to make gift-giving for kids an unforgettable experience. 1. Scavenger Hunt Extravaganza Turn the act of receiving a gift into a thrilling adventure. Create a scavenger hunt with…
How to Help the Whole Family Invest in Self-Care That Sticks
By Elmer George, Contributor (Image courtesy of Freepik) Self-care is not just something you do when the kids are asleep and the house is quiet. It has to live inside the loud parts too. It has to be possible in the middle of a Tuesday, not just on a retreat, not just when someone else takes…
Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Tips and Challenges
The “sandwich generation” – a term coined to describe middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for aging parents and raising children – is a growing demographic. This unique set of circumstances presents a unique set of challenges and rewards. I am by no means a social or medical professional, but here are my thoughts based…
Why Our Tastes Evolve: Understanding Culinary Preferences
Our palates are like living organisms, constantly shifting and changing. What we craved as kids might now seem bland, and yesterday’s “guilty pleasure” could be today’s healthy obsession. This evolution is natural and exciting! But sometimes, we can be too hard on ourselves when our tastes change. Why Do Our Tastes Change? Letting Go of…
Igniting the Spark: How to Keep the Love of Learning Alive in Your Child
By Elmer George, Contributor (Image courtesy of Pexels) It’s easy to forget how much magic there is in learning when life becomes busy with routines, responsibilities, and due dates. But if you’ve ever watched a child ask a string of “why” questions or get lost in the pages of a book, you know that curiosity is…
Building Strong Sibling Relationships
Sibling relationships are unique and complex. They can be sources of lifelong love, support, and companionship, or they can be fraught with rivalry and resentment. Despite the age gap between my two little ones (almost 8 years) the sibling bond is no less important nor is it any easier to develop. But based on my…
Utilizing Your Kids’ Passion
It is always easier to humour kids, no matter how spectacular or unrealistic their ideas might be when they are younger. As they get older the expectation is that there needs to be a more grounded and realistic thought process that they take on, especially as they get closer to dedicating time to their passions. …
Candid Life Journeys 