But like an increasing number of millennials, some of us are also noticing that we can’t keep up like we used to be able to.
The editor (left) and her family. Photo: Courtesy T. Tong
That indoor jungle gym? Can’t get to the third storey without breaking a sweat. The 5K race? You might find that your kid is beating you to the finish line. I blamed a living room dance party as the culprit for a recent sore shoulder, but then I realized I’d probably just slept on it.
Caregivers have a big, important job to do. We’re chefs, nutritionists, tutors, housekeepers, chauffeurs, problem solvers, first aiders and therapists. For the most part, we’re knocking it out of the park. From speaking to friends and colleagues, I’ve concluded that where most of us are not doing such a great job is with ourselves.
You, dear reader, will notice something a bit different about this Winter 2026 issue. Instead of publishing before Christmas, this is slated to go out in mid-January (I’m writing this on the first day of 2026). We’ve painstakingly combed through back issues for evergreen stories, gems you may have missed the first time around. Don’t get us wrong – we have two brand-new features: a story on ice carving with Ottawa’s own world-class ice sculptor, Suguru Kanbayashi, who is offering all-ages carving classes this winter and a story by Sheryl Bennett-Wilson on what millennials need to know about aging. We also have a carefully curated list of must-do family fun events in the capital this season.
So, what did our team do in lieu of pulling together our usual offerings?
We took a much-needed, well-deserved rest. If you haven’t tried it of late, the new year is a good a time as any. Find out what – beyond doing anything kid-related – you enjoy. If you’re stumped, pretend that the children had somewhere they needed to be without you for an afternoon, and you had time to yourself to do something. Can you picture it? Now try it.
That’s not to say that you need an entirely new hobby. Nobody’s asking you to take on a fitness regime or adopt any new routines (baby steps!). We’re just casually suggesting that you dabble, commitment-free – say, once a week – in something that floats your boat, brings you joy, sparks your creativity and makes you smile.
I think that’s a resolution we can all get on board with.
Best wishes for a happy 2026,
Tracey