Ready to shake up your back-to-school routine? Kita Szpak offers suggestions that will take you to the head of the class After a carefree summer, come September, the automatic-pilot-generated schedule drops like a lead balloon. Parents and caregivers know this […]
The Happiness Formula
Make the most of your time off
This story is part of a series in the Summer 2026 issue This summer, plan a staycation A memorable summer doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Kita Szpak lists 10 ideas for an at-home holiday everyone will love It’s […]
You can do hard things: How to eat an elephant
The answer, of course, is one bite at a time. It’s an idiom that can be applied to any part of life when the going gets tough Editor’s Note: This story was a part of the series You can […]
The gift of caring: The secret ingredient
Editor’s Note: This story is a part of our series, The Gift, which appeared in the March 2026 issue. When not driven by guilt or others’ expectations to donate but by inner altruism, sharing warms your heart and fills your […]
Resolving school avoidance
Also called school aversion and school phobia, related episodes can negatively affect families’ lives. Our Happiness Formula columnist helps us sort through the whys – and possible fixes The back-to-school season is an exciting time for many families, but […]
Joy required
In building a lifelong relationship with books and reading, the desire has to come from within, writes our Happiness Formula columnist “I gotta read this book for school.” “I don’t want to. It’s boring.” “Daddy doesn’t read books so […]
The beach
Kita Szpak shares one of her favourite ways to while away an Ottawa summer’s day An early riser, I make my way to Britannia Park. Little traffic and extensive free parking this time of day are a bonus. Depending on […]
Three steps to feeling good
Caring for yourself is not a once-in-a-while endeavour We often hear the phrase: “You can’t take care of anyone else unless you first take care of yourself.” This speaks volumes as far as parents and caregivers are concerned. Today, the […]
Holiday homecoming
Having a loved one walk through the door is the most joyful part of the season The holiday season and homecomings go hand-in-hand. Whether you’re coming from school, another city or another country, who of us hasn’t experienced travelling […]
Memories of teachers past
Teachers, do you recall a student named Kita Szpak? Because she remembers you Who doesn’t remember a favourite teacher; a teacher who picked on you; one who made you laugh; or one who made you nod off in class? With […]