Keeping a clean house when you have pets can be a challenge. Having a cat or dog is such an amazing part of childhood for our kids, but cleaning up after them can be a pain, especially if you entertain regularly like we do. We try to keep the house ready for unexpected guests and that means being proactive to stop messes before they start. Here are our best tips:
Get your head out of the gutter Mom. Learning how to drive a stick shift (or manual transmission for the techies) is a perfect skill to add to your bucket list. Not only does the manual shifting of gears give you more power and control, but it could be necessary in an emergency (think James Bond in Die Another Day), renting a hot European driving machine in the South of France, being a DD to a friend in a race car, or driving on icy roads (last but not least). I have owned a couple of manual cars and was fortunate to learn on my Dad’s before I ruined my own clutche(s) (thanks Dad). But I must admit, the control over the car and the jaw-dropping stares by people as I stepped into my car in stilettos and didn’t stall was worth every ounce of effort.
Ostrich. That’s what I can be when it comes to anything mechanical. Planes, trains and automobiles are amazing, as long as they work. Lately, I’ve had a boat engine not start, my Vespa not engaging into gear and the brakes on my son’s bike falling off. I need to do better. I need to understand maintenance on a much higher level – or at the very least be diligent about getting my vehicles serviced regularly.
As a daughter with only a basic understanding of the XY set, trying to find the perfect gift for the Dad who has, literally, everything can be a challenge. We scoured the malls, boutiques and the internet to come up with the top 5 items that ANY Urban Daddy would be proud to call his very own.
If you’re like my family in Ontario, we are stuck in lockdown during the April Break that was supposed to be in March. It’s raining. The kids have no schedule. Parenting wins are non-existent. Here’s one idea that could help fill a bit of time with some new skills and education. (If you can tear them away from Minecraft/COD/TikTok.) Everyone Can Create is a series of free digital books from Apple. You download them from your Books tab, and instead of the boring, monotonous courses on how to use an app, how to make a movie or mix music, you do it through doing rather than watching someone else do it.
If feels like we’ve already had 4 back to schools this year alone. Homeschooling during pandemics is tough, and trying to keep the kids on track is almost impossible. (Never thought I’d write that sentence!!) Here are some back to school (again) iPad apps for grade school kids can help get organized. Breathe…. With lessons becoming more fun and interactive, kids may find them easier and more organized than the traditional modes of learning.
The diaper bag is like the Hermes Kelly of parenthood. It’s always with you, needs to be heavy-duty, and makes one heck of a statement. The strap can’t make a shoulder dent, it needs pockets, and helps define your mom style. Here’s a roundup of the latest and greatest, coolest diaper bags of 2021 – from utilitarian backpacks to swanky silk.
Q. I’m pregnant and wanting to find some jeans that don’t look like mom jeans. What do you recommend?
You guys know how much I adore my tech. It helps streamline schedules, keeps us entertained and gives us the ability to create. This year, having to stay distanced over the holidays means a bit of a shift towards items that are 100% dependable in order to keep us seamlessly connected.
In the third instalment of our gift guide, I want to focus on local. Tech and toys will come later, but for now, here are a few ideas to support businesses on the ground in Canada!