The Sketchbook Project At the start of the pandemic, when life as we knew it rapidly changed within days, we found ourselves in social isolation. We were locked-down, physically distanced from family, friends, and community. I lost my job. My son could not attend school. Extra-curricular activities were stopped. We were housebound, in shock, and in fear. But, this was…
Parenting
The challenges and joys of parenting a child; and how having and surviving cancer impacted my own journey as a mother.
With COVID-19 came many interruptions to our daily lives. As a society we have experienced job loss, school closures, and failed businesses at unprecedented levels. We have suffered the loss of loved ones. We have postponed special occasions. We are barred from attending cinemas, theatres, and concerts. We wait in line just to enter a grocery store, and we carefully…
Hmm… is home-schooling an art? Perhaps I should alter the title to read The Challenges of Home-Schooling… We are in our sixth week of home-schooling with no clear end in sight. Provinces are slowly opening up across Canada, however Ontario is still in lock-down. Our state of emergency has been extended to June 02nd. Although select non-essential businesses have been…
This week has got me thinking about what it is like parenting through a pandemic. We are halfway into week #3 of self-isolating / social distancing, and the daily challenges can often feel overwhelming, especially when there is no clear end in sight. As most of my readers who follow my parenting posts know, I have one child. He is…
Four years and ten months ago my life did a 180° flip. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In that moment, everything about my life changed. I suddenly realized how very precious life is; and I became acutely aware of my mortality. I was scared; and although I was surrounded by loved ones I felt completely isolated. I felt incredibly…
It is a frightening time. Not for 100+ years have we witnessed mass closures due to a virus circulating through society. Events across Canada have been cancelled indefinitely. Also, travel is restricted; schools are closed; daycares are closed; attractions are closed; libraries are closed; community centres are closed; sports complexes are closed; and theatres are closed – indefinitely. So, not…
It has been a difficult month of little-to-no sleep in our household. My son’s anxiety is peaked, which means his sleep is broken and disturbed, and that ultimately means mine is too. It is difficult to remain centred, grounded, and patient when exhausted and suffering from sleep deprivation. I honestly cannot remember the last time I had 4 hours of…
The Age of Six… what a fascinating time this is! A time of physical growth, emotional growth, and intellectual growth. It is remarkable! And I am witnessing these growths – these changes – within my son at a rapid rate. Just weeks before Liam turned 6 years old I witnessed a major shift within him that directly impacted our relationship….
My son has always had obsessions with movies. His first was Disney’s Cars. We watched it to the point that we could recite every single line of the movie. As annoying as it was to watch the same film almost daily, it was also kind of adorable. It made Liam SO happy – grinning from ear to ear, reciting lines,…
Yes. It is a Hot Time this summer. And by hot I am not referring to the weather, I am referring to my 5 year old’s emotions – they are running hot and wild. Senior kindergarten ended with a bang – a fantastic year-end party at a friend’s house then off to visit family. It was great! Then we came…