Dads come in all shapes, sizes, colours, and even gender – so be yourself. Be yourself – your kids will love you for it. There’s enormous pressure on dads today to step up and excel as parents – in […]
Kita Szpak
In praise of slow
Columnist Kita Szpak discusses the benefits to your family – and your health – of slowing down Parents everywhere are multitasking to sustain the balance in their lives for the benefit of their children’s livelihood and their own. This issue […]
The power of parenting
Ever have a fleeting thought that you’d like to rewind to the days – if you can remember them – when kids weren’t a part of your existence? All parents and caregivers experience times when they’re at their sanity threshold […]
‘There is joy here’
There are many charitable organizations that do good work in our community. Ones you’ve heard of (United Way, Ottawa Mission, CHEO and Sens Foundation, Orkidstra, Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers, Big Sisters, to name a few) and ones […]
‘I couldn’t imagine my existence without it’
How important are the arts in a child’s upbringing? In speaking to a number of educators and arts professionals involved with kids, not surprisingly, the importance of having the arts as a part of a child’s upbringing was mentioned again […]
Look back to move forward
Small changes in your parenting approach can yield great results, says columnist Kita Szpak Flipping the calendar to a New Year can bring mixed emotions – everything from regret and wistfulness to excitement and anticipation. Where are you on […]
Back to school – without the headache
Here’s how to conquer your morning routine (with your sanity intact) A sigh of relief passes your lips as September heralds the return of your children to school. No matter how wonderful the summer weather, the vacation, the BBQs, the […]
Celebrate the bros in your network
These ‘surrogate dads’ fill roles with their time and talent No Dad has the same role: each one has emerged from a different set of life circumstances into a familial context that is unique and particular to the dad who’s […]
Hit the refresh button
Ring in 2018 with a positive change (or two). Kita Szpak shows us how to incorporate the kids into our resolutions The New Year awakens the urge in all of us to renew ourselves. Sometimes this is directly related to […]
Create a wonderful holiday experience for your family
It’s all too easy to get swept up in the consumerism of what’s supposed to be ‘the happiest time of the year.’ Kita Spzak offers three simple ways to make the season truly magical for you and your loved ones. […]