‘Close to home’ takes on a new meaning during the pandemic, Kita Szpak writes No question about it, the phrase “home for the holidays” has a feel-good vibe: the coming together of family and friends all wrapped up in […]
Kita Szpak
Listen to yourself
In these unprecedented times, look to your heart for the answers, Kita Szpak writes These are extraordinary times. Never before have all of us been affected by a singular event such as this in our generation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime […]
Education begins at home
Before COVID-19 hit (and everyone started to teach their kids at home) there were these parents. Kita Szpak speaks with four Ottawa families who homeschool their children by choice Families all have their reasons for homeschooling. Although there is […]
To my Dad with love
Columnist Kita Szpak shares a poignant portrait of her beloved father My father had been operated on to remove a cancerous tumour in his hip and was still in hospital recovering. He knew he had to gain weight to stay […]
Have a little faith
Why should parents consider faith-based education for their children? Every parent wants to make the best choices for his or her children. With economic, political, health, and educational structures in flux, parents are seeking the optimal school environment for their […]
Rules don’t apply
Roles are getting mixed up and knocked down – and that’s a good thing A generation ago, families were managed from the top-down – like a traditional corporation with the president/CEO creating and carrying out executive orders with company employees […]
It isn’t fair
Handling children and the concept of fairness is a challenge parents all tackle sooner or later, writes columnist Kita Szpak How many times have you heard that statement? I’d venture to say as soon as the vocabulary and the […]
Can your child enjoy math and science?
Innovative curriculum may be the answer, Kita Szpak writes We’ve all heard over and over, the importance of STEM curriculum. This, combined with the fact that heightened interest in a subject serves as an excellent catalyst in learning and enjoying […]
The sweetest tree
This winter, create your own family holiday tradition, says columnist Kita Szpak I write this with joy and amusement. I only learned this year that my boys – I should call them men now but being a mom, they’ll always […]
The not-so-magic school bus
Walking to school has its advantages – some of which are unexpected, Kita Szpak writes Many of us have memories of taking the bus to school (depending on where you lived and what was available in your area). In […]