The Nap Sabotage: An FAQ for Parents of Babies

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Today my baby and I got invited to go swimming. It is quite a hot day here, so I readily accepted. I got my baby to take a later nap to make the invitation time work. We were packed, sunscreened and ready to go. We got into the car and stopped by a bakery to buy some scones. Then it happened. It began with the eye rubbing. Just a little at first, but it soon developed into a few huge yawns.

No, I thought, we just had a nap. But there he was, yawning away. My heart sunk, as I realized that I would have to give up our afternoon plans. I turned the car around and headed back to the house. The baby cried all the way home until I put him to bed. He was asleep in minutes.

And just like that: Bam! I got nap sabotaged.

I’m sure this has happened to you, or someone you know. Maybe you didn’t know it existed. Either way, I have prepared an FAQ about the phenomenon known as the nap sabotage. You’re welcome.  Continue reading →

Breastfeeding a newborn vs. a 10 month old

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Before I had a baby, I thought that once you got the hang of breastfeeding, it was all the same from there. Not so, my friends!

Turns out that feeding a newborn is vastly different from breastfeeding an older baby. I decided to compare the highs and lows of breastfeeding a baby at different ages. Let me show you what I mean.

Newborn

Positives: Ugh, are there any? Keeping baby alive is one. Cuddling is sometimes another. Also, you can watch TV while feeding without distracting the baby. Continue reading →

10 Things I Grew up with that My Son Won’t Recognize

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One thing about working with teenagers is that they have an amazing ability to make you feel old. Like ancient. I once spent 20 minutes trying to explain dial up internet to a group of 15 year olds, who looked at me like I was absolutely the oldest person around. I was 28.

The rapid advances in technology mean that life can change dramatically in the span of a decade. This made me think about how different my son’s life will be than mine.

So, fellow 90’s kids, I made a list. (No, not on paper. I’m not that old.)

Here are 10 things I grew up with that my son will probably not recognize:

Continue reading →

I work out now. I don’t like it.

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So, I work out now.

Everyone who has ever met me if probably laughing at that last sentence, but I really do.

I don’t like it. I am uncoordinated by nature, tripping over my feet while walking in a straight line kind of uncoordinated. I have tried lots of workout classes, but I can’t seem to get the hang of Zumba or other aerobic or dance classes. I know they are supposed to be fun, but here’s how it usually goes down for me:

  1. Watch in bewilderment as the instructor demonstrates the move.
  2. Try move. Get it backwards.
  3. Try again and run into the person next to me.
  4. Try once again and get the first half but fall down on the second half.
  5. Finally get the move!! Oh crap, everyone else is done.
  6. The instructor is demonstrating the next move. See step 1.

Continue reading →

Stuff I can do, now that I have a kid

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There is a lot written about the things you can’t do as a parent. (Mostly because those adorable children cramp our style. Yep, they are real buzzkills.) However, no one ever talks about the stuff that you can only do because you have kids.

Let me tell you about some unexpected perks of being a parent. No, not unconditional love and all that crap. You probably know about that anyway.

Here are some things I can do now that I have a kid:

Continue reading →

Parenting Phrases I Hate: Enjoy Every Moment

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Welcome to the 3rd instalment of Parenting Phrases I Hate.

Let me set the scene: your baby has been super fussy all day at home. We are talking Sir Fussy von Fussinstein, king of all fuss. In order to remind yourself that there is still happiness in the world, you take the baby outside. You have no idea where you are going, but you are out of the house, so you don’t care. On the walk you run into a lovely person who admires your baby. As they are leaving they say this week’s phrase: “Enjoy every moment”. Continue reading →

You may be looking for daycare in Toronto if…

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Daycare in Toronto is not for the faint of heart.

Between the outlandish expense, and the unfathomable politics of the daycare centre wait list, it is enough to drive anyone crazy. So, it is only natural if you find yourself exhibiting some rather bizarre behaviours in your quest for day care.

What type of behaviour, you ask? Since we have finally found daycare for my baby, I now have time to compile this list.

If at least 4 of the following statements apply to you, you may be searching for daycare in Toronto:

Continue reading →

Guest Post: Dear Son, Make Your Own Sandwich…..(Love, Mom)

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Today’s post is a guest post from the lovely and talented Sarah West, at A Life Inspired.This post was originally published at: A Life Inspired

Dear Son, Make Your Own Sandwich….. (Love, Mom)

The other day I hit my limit. I was already stressed due to work deadlines, soccer games and all the many other “priorities” pulling me in a billion different directions.

And the funny thing is, what pushed me over the proverbial mom edge was a sandwich.

It probably did not help that I was running off 12 hours of sleep in the last 48 hours. Again, certain “priorities” demanded my attention more than my bed. So let me paint my moment of total psychosis for you. Keep on Reading!

Slightly Inappropriate Life Lessons from my Dad

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As Father’s day approaches, you may be wondering what pearls of wisdom to dish out to your children this year. They have probably heard all of your old standbys a million times. And those things your parents said, that you SWORE you would never say? Ha! You’ve said those a million times too.

Well, have no fear, my amazing readers! I grew up in a house full of strange sayings, and I think these are too good not to share with the Dad in your life. Now, courtesy of Newbie Grandpa (my Dad), here are some of the gems I grew up with, along with translations for those who are not related to me. Enjoy! Continue reading →