A robust school extracurricular program has much to offer children and their families If kids are gloomy about being back in the classroom this fall, hopefully they find joy in the school’s extracurricular activities. We should urge our children […]
Dad’s Corner
Dear Chris
Knowing what he knows now, our Memoirs of a New Dad columnist writes a letter to his younger self I know you hate the whole “writing letters to yourself” thing. When your teacher asked you to do the same in […]
Just around the corner
Jon Willing’s most memorable family getaway? Good ol’ Gatineau Park The quality of family adventures should never be measured by distance travelled. Some of our best summer vacations with our son have been camping about 45 kilometres from our home. […]
Staycation nation
After a childhood of holidays close to home, Chris Hunt dreamed of seeing the world, only to come full circle I didn’t travel much as a boy. Vacations were usually stay-at-home affairs as my family was on a limited […]
Fitbit, or a bit fit?
Recently, I went to see my doctor for the first time in about four years or so. I normally avoid doctors like the plague, if only because people with the plague are more apt to be found at a doctor’s […]
Stolen moments
One of the best bits of fatherhood advice I received was from a friend, a more experienced father, who applauded me for taking a couple of quiet minutes to run recycling to the garage. The praise wasn’t actually framed […]
The allowance debate: Con
“Teaching a child to be a contributing member of the family is more valuable at a young age than offering lessons on financial planning” — Jon Willing I have developed a contractual relationship with my five-year-old son. The terms of […]
The allowance debate: Pro
“In order to appreciate the true value of money, you have to start with a little something instead of nothing.” — Chris Hunt Last year, my 11-year-old son Riley asked his mother and I if he could have an […]
Winter of discontent
Batten the hatches! You don’t need weather to experience a cold front—just a child in his pre-preteen years Winter is coming. In fact, it’s been festering within my walls since the summer. One of the subtle truths I’ve learned about […]
Winter chic
Outdoor family fun has Jon Willing rethinking his cold-weather wardrobe I might get a second pair of snow pants this winter. Oh, I’m sorry. Are snow pants uncool? Somewhere around middle school, snow pants became a fashion faux […]