Parenting

How Does an RESP Work?

October 9, 2020 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

With my oldest starting high school this year, I’ve realized that his post-secondary education is just around the corner. And in Canada, that’s an expensive prospect!

The average cost of a four-year university degree in Canada is just under $80,000 in total, and like most parents, I don’t want my son crippled by student loans for decades once he graduates.

empty-classroom

Luckily, the government does provide some ways for students and their parents to minimize that debt, and one of the most popular is through RESPs. [Read more…]

Tips and Tricks For Choosing the Best Gifts for Teenage Boys

October 7, 2020 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Teenagers can be difficult; there’s no doubt about it! And when it comes to gift shopping, it can be challenging to choose something that they will like, especially as their interests can change so rapidly.

As a mom to a fourteen-year-old, I’ve had to get a little more creative when it comes to choosing the perfect gift for his birthday or Christmas. These are my tips for helping choose the best gifts for teenage boys!

[Read more…]

How Reading Aloud To Your Children Helps Build Life Skills

October 2, 2020 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

It goes without saying that reading is one of the most important skills a child will ever learn. And while reading aloud to your little ones is a great way to help develop literacy, it actually has many other benefits that you might not know about!

From developing a deeper emotional intellect to honing teamwork and social skills, children can benefit a lot from reading their favourite books out loud, or from listening to their parents do so. Here are three important ways that reading aloud builds life skills:

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Four Top Math Board Games for Kids

August 4, 2020 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

In an age when kids spend so much time in front of screens, board games are an often overlooked opportunity for learning. From basic life skills like fair play and taking turns to more complex learning concepts specific to certain games, board games are something that can benefit both parents and kids in so many ways!

And if you have a child that’s struggling with math concepts, math board games can be the perfect way to master new skills while also having fun as a family! Wondering which game might be a good choice for your children? Boardgameswizard.com recommends these top four games for helping to develop math skills: [Read more…]

Internet Safety: Six Top Tips for Parents

July 7, 2020 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

It’s 2020 and in this modern age, almost all devices are connected to the internet…that’s just the way it is. It’s inevitable that our children are going to be using the internet on their laptops, tablets, or mobile phones for something or the other. Not only are kids using the internet for their studies and for research purposes, they’re also online watching live streams from their favorite YouTuber or playing multiplayer games with their friends.

With the novel Coronavirus pandemic, connecting to the internet became more important than ever – it was how most of my boys’ schooling was done for the last three months of the year. The Internet was a new concept when I was a child; now, it’s a necessity.

But, as with everything, it’s our responsibility to keep our kids safe from all kinds of harm and the internet can be a dangerous space. It all depends on how we use it and how we communicate about it. Keep these six safety tips in mind when deciding when and how your child uses the internet.

[Read more…]