I’ve seen people writing on social media that, with current school closures, perhaps parents will value teachers more and understand the issues that teachers are striking for. For all of us who are trying to keep our children learning while they are off school, this may indeed be correct, but we are in the minority, or so my teens are …
High school theatre helps students develop practical, life skills
My daughter recently finished her run in the Superior Heights Onstage’s production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I watch these community theatre productions through a bunch of different lenses including: educator, parent, and theatre lover. As a columnist I get to share my thoughts about all three lenses. I teach at the post-secondary level, so as an educator and …
Usury appears to be alive and well
I got a piece of direct mail last week for a service that purports itself to provide “affordable loan solutions.” It said I could apply easily at the branch, online, or by telephone. I could get $5,500 loan – today. I read the conditions on the back, and nowhere did it mention the interest rate for this “affordable” solution that …
You’re wonderful just the way you are
Life has been unkind to you as of late. I see that you are suffering and it hurts me to know that you are suffering. You don’t know what to do. Your thoughts spin. You see and feel the dark, the bad, the unfairness, and the hurt. You have every right to be hurt. You didn’t deserve this, but here …
Why pull plug on Sault blood donor clinics?
Last week marked the last blood donation clinics in Sault Ste. Marie. Does this bother anyone else? The Sault Star’s Brian Kelly reported on Jan. 16 that the mobile clinics, run by Sudbury staff, would no longer be collecting whole blood in 11 Northeastern Ontario communities. This means that if Saultites want to donate blood, they are driving to Sudbury …
Board/card games sure beat being glued to screen
As opposed to the standard New Year’s resolution column, I’m going with “What I did on my vacation?” In a nutshell, I was focused on maintaining eye-contact with my kids instead of all of our eyeballs being transfixed on electronics, which is, I suppose, resolution-like. For screens, my teens now both have cellphones, then there are the video game consoles, …
Bracing for blue Christmas no piece of cake
Silent Night brought me to tears today. Why? This is the first Christmas that I will spend alone. There is no special someone in my life. My children will be with their father. Frankly, I’m dreading the quiet. I’m far from unique in this situation. This is the reality of many singles, and widows, whether they are parents or not. …
Setting the stage for meaningful memories
Once in a while there is a moment in life that gives you pause; even stops you in your tracks, as the circle of life becomes an overbearing elephant in the room. Sometimes the elephant is filled with joy, and only gives you a light mortality slap. The events surrounding my daughter’s recent birthday are one such pachyderm. I wanted …
Life 101: Joy is to be achieved, not stumbled upon
Will anyone ever feel like they’re caught up; even on top of things? Over and over, I hear people (especially mothers) saying how overwhelmed they are, how they feel like they are running a losing race. I get this. I feel this. I’ve even gone so far as to try to eliminate the word “overwhelmed” from my vocabulary, because it …
Keep door open for kids’ ‘difficult’ questions
When do you have “the” talk with your kids? What content do you include without overwhelming them? Is there a setting that makes it less awkward for everyone? Who should initiate it? It’s not like we can consult the parenting handbook/user manual we get when we have kids. Which talk is “the” talk anymore? It’s not just the birds and …