A vacation isn’t always synonymous with relaxation

Especially with the steely grip this winter has had on many of our moods, it was high time for an escape. I took the kids on a cruise to the Caribbean, to find some relaxation, sun, sand, and heat. I’ve travelled with my children before, but never for such long airport layovers, and never on a cruise. While I did …

We should celebrate Family Day weekly, not annually: bring back Sundays

Family Day is a great idea, but too bad it doesn’t occur more often. We truly need to focus on our families more and spend less time at work or thinking about work or buying stuff. Imagine one day, monthly or weekly, when we focus on the important things: when no one works, when no shopping errands have to/can be …

What motivated Toronto board to approve an all-black school?

Editorial & Opinion, Wednesday, February 6, 2008 Toronto school trustees have approved a black-focused school. What can I say to that other than “huh”? To say I am perplexed is a severe understatement. I know this may not be a popular opinion but I think we have to step back and ask some serious questions. Will this benefit the students? …

It’s important to talk about postpartum mood disorder

Editorial & Opinion, Wednesday, January 23, 2008, p. A8 Postpartum mood disorder is so much more than just “the blues.” Admitting you need help postpartum does not make you a bad mother. When I read the article on postpartum mood disorder (ppd) on Saturday, I did so with pride, joy and sorrow mixed with hope. I took pride in “my” …

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Telephone etiquette should not go the way of the rotary telephone

Editorial & Opinion, Wednesday, January 9, 2008, p. A8 The other day my telephone rang and my four-year-old daughter yelled, “I’ll get it.” She raced to the telephone with a determined look on her face. I watched her cross the room and stifled a giggle. Her arms were pumping, her legs high-stepping, and she was almost leaning backwards. She sounded …

Anticipation always beats expectation in the journey of life

Editorial & Opinion, Friday, December 28, 2007, p. A8 I am not a morning person, but last week I was wakened by my daughter yelling and I popped out of bed with a smile on my face like I’d had 12 hours sleep. She was hanging the next decoration on our advent calendar, made by her Nana last year, joyfully …

Despite the dangers in the world, we have to let our babies go

Editorial & Opinion, Wednesday, December 12, 2007, p. A10 The headlines lately have echoed a tragic loss of young life from this community. As a mother, these are painful reminders that no matter how safe the cocoon called home may be, once we let our butterflies spread their wings, they may not make it home again. From the moment we …

What would I like for Christmas? The spirit of Thanksgiving

Editorial & Opinion, Wednesday, November 28, 2007, p. A10 Christmas is coming and so are the queries from friends and family. What do you and the kids need? The short answer is: nothing. We already have too much stuff. I was looking at a toy from my childhood last week: a Fisher-Price school bus. The bulk of it was made …

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Dentists seem drawn to Sault due to our unfluoridated water

Editorial & Opinion, Wednesday, September 19, 2007, p. A10 Dentists drawn to communities without fluoride in the water? When our family began contemplating a move to Sault Ste. Marie, I busied myself with finding a job and a home, and then my attention turned to getting a doctor and a dentist. Armed with recommendations from friends, I hit the Yellow …

Better safety measures are needed to protect kids on school buses

Editorial & Opinion, Wednesday, September 5, 2007 Last week, I accompanied my daughter to the mall to take her first ride on a school bus. The event was hosted by Laidlaw to teach kids about school bus safety and for a photo opportunity for the parents (to preempt delays on the first day of school?) The bus was just as …