I am a pretty open book on this blog. I tell you guys a lot about my life and the lives of my family, but a large chunk that I've left out is how one of my kids has special needs. Maybe. Kinda. Sorta. See, I haven't said anything because we don't have a diagnosis. For several years now I've suspected that my youngest daughter is something. I've thought that maybe she was on … [Read more...]
My Life as a Sandwich… #SandwichGeneration
I'm part of the Sandwich Generation. Sandwich Generation. What a quaint term. Until quite recently it's not something that I thought applied to me. But now, blam, here it is, I am part of a multigenerational sandwich. A sandwich, something tasty and quick you serve up for lunch. What I pack into my kids' school bags every Monday to Friday. Pack I think is the key word … [Read more...]
Reorganzing When Your MIL Moves In, Or Life as a Sandwich
Reorganizing your home after an elderly parent or in-law moves in can be challenging. I mean, I think I know now why they call this whole caring for elderly parents thing the Sandwich Generation. It's because you are squished flat, underneath piles of STUFF. See, a little over a year ago my mother-in-law moved in with us. For a long while, she had been focused on taking … [Read more...]
7 Life Lessons Learned While Kayaking with the Dolphins in Sebastian Inlet
I spent a morning kayaking in Sebastian Inlet Florida State Park, and it taught me a bit about motherhood, about being a caregiver, and about surviving my "sandwich generation" moments. Stick with me here guys. Life happens. It just keeps on happening. Kids. Aging parents. Health issues. STRESS. Non-stop worry and stress. I feel like my life has devolved into some sort … [Read more...]
Mom Guilt and the Magic of Childhood — Little is Enough
With Summer Break just starting I've been thinking back on how much I hated March Break this year. For about six years now, ever since my eldest first started school, I've watched on social media as other parents complained about summer break (or March break, or Christmas break, or whatever), saying how it drove them bats to have their kids home for x many days... but I just … [Read more...]
The Secret Society of Blogging, What Our Readers Never See
There is a secret underside to blogging, one that our readers never see. A secret virtual room where we all meet and sit around the water cooler and chat. From the outside, there's a lot going on that you as a reader may not notice. We make blogging friends and connections. We meet in person at conferences. We email each other back and forth. We have private Facebook … [Read more...]
That time I freaked out in the grocery store…
I had a panic attack in the grocery store. Our usual weekend routine, often sees us leaving the house Sunday morning with intention to grab groceries, and later heading home empty handed with bellies full of restaurant food, having run a handful of errands in between. This particular Sunday we ate out for breakfast, visited the local farmer's market, window shopped for a new … [Read more...]
Why We Get Groceries Twice a Month – Secret Motherhood Confession
Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom ambassador. As part of my affiliation with this group I have been compensated to test the Loblaws Click & Collect service. As always my words and opinions are my own. Grocery shopping isn't one of my favourite chores, and increasingly in the past few years it's leading to conflict with my husband. Here's how it goes. First, I don't … [Read more...]
The Mom List, and How to Put it on Pause…
I have a list in my head. The mom list. It's a constant recitation of all the things I should be doing, the things that need to get done. It never stops. It never shuts up. I can constantly hear it nagging me, "Did you swap the laundry? You need to pick up milk. We're almost out of toilet paper. What can you put in the kids lunchboxes today? What are we having for dinner? … [Read more...]
All I Want For Christmas is ME
Dear Santa, I think I've been pretty good this year. I might deserve a present or two. So let me tell you what I would like to see under the tree. N O T H I N G. All I want for Christmas is me. Me alone, all by myself, with my family nowhere to be seen. Seriously, dear husband and kids; please, forget about buying me knick knacks, earrings and other things I don't want or … [Read more...]
The One Where My Kid Admits She Lies to Me Daily…. And My Heart Explodes…
The youngest daughter has been putting me through my paces lately. Testing. Pushing boundaries. The other day I had pretty much hit the limit, my patience was gone. I was in that place where I was so happy the day was over, so happy it was finally bedtime. As I was standing there tucking her little pajama clad five year old body into bed she caught me by surprise, saying, "I … [Read more...]
The One Where I Remember All of the Things I SHOULD Have Said to Her Kindergarten Teacher….
Dear Kindergarten Teacher, When we met last week you asked me to describe my daughter in a few words and my mind went blank. What I should have said is "She's like Tigger, but with hugs." Instead I told you she's "very touchy", which you took to mean tactile orientated. I tried in stumbling words to explain how she wants to touch, and hug, every person she sees. I think you … [Read more...]
I Have Banjo Guilt – Motherhood Confession
So you can file this under strange things I have mommy guilt for -- I've yet to arrange banjo lessons for my eldest daughter. My daughter Grace wants to learn to play the banjo. She is obsessed with it, For me, this is one of the great mysteries in life -- why the heck is she fixated on the banjo? Neither myself, nor any of our close relatives, is a fan of country music, yet … [Read more...]
On Raising a Reluctant Reader…
We live in a house of books. There are books everywhere you turn. If you manage to draw your gaze past the clutter of toys, the place could easily be mistaken for a lending library. Reading with my girls is one of my favourite parts of being a mom. I sit and read with them pretty much whenever they ask throughout the day, and every night we snuggle down and read a full chapter … [Read more...]
At the Sleep Clinic, an Overnight Sleep Apnea Test
Sleep Apnea, is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep. ~ Mayo Clinic Many years ago my mother was diagnosed with sleep apnea and then about six years back my husband also was diagnosed. For several years now I've suspected that I might … [Read more...]
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