Editor Tracey Tong and her family in Grand Manan. Read A grand adventure in the Back to School 2024 issue. Photo Courtesy Tracey Tong
I’m writing this at the halfway point of the summer holiday. There is exactly one month until Millie enters Grade 5 and Ellie, Grade 1 — the latter of whom will be away from home for the first time.
Every September promises new milestones and challenges. As every child handles them differently, their experiences — and those of their parents’ — will be unique. For that reason, putting together our annual back-to-school issue is always tricky: we want to cover our readers’ concerns, but at the same time, acknowledge the individuality of children and differences in family structures and their values.
This issue has a dual theme: back to school and health and safety, which go hand-in-hand.
Our education writer Sheryl Bennett-Wilson spoke with the folks behind Ottawa’s Ability Hive, a company which carries hard-to-find learning tools for children with special needs and local education experts about the academic, social and emotional benefits of junior and senior kindergarten.
Our three columnists — in very different stages of parenthood! — also shared their wisdom. Kita Szpak recalls the first time she really had to let go when her youngest son left for school. Readers can find the latest from dad columnists Chris Hunt and Jon Willing.
We love stories of families who are passionate about making a difference. In our occasional series, Families with a Cause, Rich Padulo tells Parenting Times how his family created the Treat Accessibly movement, which allows children of all abilities to safely experience accessible trick-or-treating with their friends and neighbours. Just in time for Halloween planning!
Guest writer Dr. Stephanie Liu of Instagram’s The Life of Dr. Mom (@thelifeofdrmom) teaches us how to keep kids healthy this fall through seasonal allergy management (p. XX). We also spoke to the incredible volunteers behind Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais – Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue about a safety program every kid should take — Hug-a-Tree and Survive, which teaches children what to do should they become lost.
Whether you’re sending a child to kindergarten for the first time (pack tissues for drop off — for you, not them) or leaving behind a third kid in a noisy university dorm, we wish your family a safe and happy back-to-school season.
Best wishes,
Tracey