The holidays can feel overwhelming, with the need to buy buy buy and spend spend spend. It can be hard to know where to start, and more importantly, where to stop! I like to use a simple method for gift giving with a goal of buying less, buying right, and giving thoughtfully. With just 4 simple categories (+1 extra our family added), you can check your kids off your list quickly, and on any budget!

If you’re headed out to grab a little something for your kid’s teacher, care provider, or even for a fun holiday gift exchange, make sure to check this out. These are 4 of my absolute favourite gifts to give, and ones that have been very well received. With a price point of $20-$30 each, they’re all relatively budget friendly, and very practical. Plus these unique gifts are a nice departure from some of the typical presents teacher’s get every year.

Stockings are a whole lot of fun, but they can really add up fast, so I like to focus on giving our kid’s stuff that they need throughout the year. The best part is unwrapping what’s inside, and our kids are genuinely excited to receive these gifts.

Winter weather has arrived, so that means it’s time for a little reminder about the importance of winter car seat safety. Lucy (my 6 year old) and I joined Jennifer Valentyne at Global News to chat about what products to avoid putting on our kids in their car seats, and what some safe options are. Learn how to ensure you’re keeping your kiddo warm, but most importantly secure in their car seat this winter.

It’s already November, so that means it's time to get geared up for the holiday season. I’m so excited to have Anchor Studio Photography joining me at Movies for Mommies at the Cineplex Queensway Cinemas for 2 weeks to offer complimentary Holiday Mini Sessions to movie attendees. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day (November 20th & December 4th). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (or a package). 

It’s hard to believe that it’s already almost the end of September! That means it’s time to start planning for Halloween with your kiddos. Getting an adorable photo of my kids in their costumes is always at the top of my list, but it can be so hard, especially on the big day. That’s why I love getting a pro to do the work for me in advance. With the pic out of the way, we can just enjoy the festive celebrations.

For city families, strollers are often like an extra vehicle. They accompany us on everything from tedious weekday errands to fun family weekend adventures. They need to be able to stand up to some serious wear-and-tear, and adapt over time to suit our family’s growing needs. After 4 kids and 8 years with our initial stroller, we were in desperate need of a replacement. When searching for a new one I had a few key things I wasn’t willing to compromise on.

Shopping for a new baby, and keeping up with our little one’s ever changing needs, can be an expensive endeavour for parents. So it’s always nice to find ways to save a little money along the way, while not compromising on quality or service. One of my all time favourite local & online baby boutiques, Love Me Do Baby & Maternity, is doing just this. The owner Linda, and her amazing team, always offer the most incredible customer service experience (eg. they have the sweetest spot to rest & play, offer Complimentary Professional Car Seat Installation with car seat purchase, and host tons of In-store events), and now they’ve introduced a NEW Love Points Loyalty Program, that earns you points toward future purchases!* In the world of parenting it really doesn’t get much better than free stuff.

Mother’s day is the perfect time to commemorate your motherhood journey with a beautiful photo. That’s why I’m so excited to have Anchor Studio Photography joining me at Movies for Mommies for 2 weeks this spring to capture mother’s day photos. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day, April 29th & May 6th at the Humber Cinemas (2442 Bloor St W. at Jane Station). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (discounted packages for more photos are also vailable). **PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are reserved for Movie Attendees Only, and will be assigned as requests arrive**

Easter is coming up, so you know what that means? Time for some ridiculously cute pics of babies in bunny ears! Anchor Studio Photography will be joining me at Movies for Mommies for 2 weeks to offer complimentary Easter Mini Photo Sessions. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day, April 1st & 15th at the Humber Cinemas (2442 Bloor St W. at Jane Station). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (discounted packages for more photos are also vailable). **PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are reserved for Movie Attendees ONLY**

As a small business owner I know that accounting and taxes can be really stressful, but they should never hold you back from achieving your goals. For the first 5 years of my business I tried to do it all myself, but this year I have vowed to make some big changes. Now that my business and revenue streams are growing I desperately need some help putting larger longterm systems into place. Having a professional help me will free up my time so I can focus on what truly creates revenue in my business. I know there are so many mamas out there launching new ventures, so I thought I would share my experience. I hope it helps alleviate a little money related stress for the business mamas out there.

The polar vortex has finally left us behind and this brief warm spell of weather has me craving summer. Since I’m dreaming of summer bliss, I thought I would make one parent’s summer dreams come true. So I’ve partnered with Westside FUN Day Camp to give away a week of summer camp!! This giveaway is Valued at $390+HST! So if you have a little one 4 and up, don’t wait to ENTER! #sponsored

As a busy mom it’s so easy to get caught up in placing our children’s wellness ahead of our own, and forgetting to give ourselves the time and attention we need to thrive. That’s why I’m so excited to be taking part in The Total Mom Show this February. An incredible local event that is geared toward educating, supporting, and celebrating Moms. Sounds pretty amazing to me!

Getting the hang of a ring sling can take some practice, but they’re such great carriers once you do. I love ring slings because they’re super lightweight and fold up small making them perfect for tossing in my diaper bag or purse, so I’m always prepared while we’re out and about. Kind of essential with 4 kids ;)

As a mom of 4, I know all too well the realities of busy mom life. Especially with a newborn in the house! That’s why I love finding baby gear that gives us moms a little helping hand. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love snuggling, cuddling and babywearing my little ones, but sometimes a mama needs a break. Having a few moments with your hands and body free to get stuff done is pretty amazing, and it’s even better when your little one is cozy and content. The Fisher-Price® My Sweet Little Lamb Swing & Bouncer, created in collaboration with Babies “R” Us Canada, does just that.

The holiday season is fast approaching, so that means it's time to capture some adorable pics of your little elves. Anchor Studio Photography will be joining me at Movies for Mommies for 2 weeks to offer complimentary Holiday Mini Photo Sessions to movie attendees. Appointments will be scheduled between 12pm-1pm on each day (December 3rd & December 10th). Photo sessions are free and attendees have the option to purchase photos for $25/digital image (or a package).

Baby 4 is on the way any day now (Edited to note that baby Freddy arrived on Thursday evening, just 5 hours after these photos were taken), and surprisingly this is the first time I’ve actually prepared an official nursery. I guess you could say that I want to soak up all I can with this last baby of ours.

As I’m preparing for the arrival of baby 4 I thought I would share a New Video about Packing for Labour & Birth. As a Midwife & Childbirth Educator I am always asked about what to pack. Although not all of my clients deliver in hospital, everyone needs a bag ready, just in case. I suggest getting it out of the way early so you can feel prepared. Having your bag packed by around 36 weeks is ideal.

As a busy mom of 3 (with my 4th on the way) it’s a rare treat to be able to pack my bags and head out of the city for a little R&R. When I do, I’m always reminded just how essential it is. Life as a parent can get so overwhelming. Taking a day to disconnect, breathe in the country air, and indulge your body, mind and spirit, is always worth it. My absolute favourite place, that's not too far from home, is Ste. Anne’s Spa. Located in the beautiful farmland of Grafton Ontario, the entire estate at Ste. Anne’s is a dream. I have visited a few times and have never been disappointed. The atmosphere, food, staff, and spa services are absolutely top notch.

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week, so it feels like the perfect time to talk about car seat safety. As a Child Passenger Safety Tech I know that every parent wants to keep their child safe, but the complexity of car seats and changing laws and recommendations can be very confusing for parents.

I know it feels like we just got through the back-to-school rush, but it’s time to plan for Halloween! Getting a sweet pic of your little one in their costume is such a fun way to mark each holiday. Since it’s not always easy to snap a great pic, I let the professionals do all the hard work. If you want to get a beautiful professional photo this holiday season join me for one of my 2 sessions of Complimentary Halloween Mini Sessions with Anchor Studio at Movies for Mommies at the Humber Cinema. Photos will take place pre-show from 12-1pm on Monday October 1st and Monday October 15th. (Movies TBD, I will update this as I know what’s screening).  Sessions are complimentary for Movies Attendees (You must purchase a movie ticket to be eligible for these sessions), and high resolution digital images can be purchased for $25/file. 

Water safety is a topic I have been teaching in some capacity for decades. In my teens I was a lifeguard and swim instructor, and now I teach CPR and Safety to families. So when I saw a recent facebook post from a babywearing company (that I have always respected and recommended) depicting a very dangerous scenario of a babywearing parent on a dock at a sail boat - with a caption that implied that they were headed out on the water while babywearing - I decided a little video was in order. Please watch this to find out why babywearing on boats is never an option, and how to prepare your little ones to climb aboard and stay safe in deep water. Watch it Now!

As a mom of 3 and a Babywearing Educator I get a ton of questions from parents in my community and online about appropriate positions to babywear. So I wasn't surprised when Nikki Bergen, local mama and creator of The Belle Method, contacted me to answer some of her own questions about forward facing babywearing. I met with Nikki in her home and we went over the most important things to consider when planning to forward face your baby. We chat safety, ergonomics, carrier styles, and I even give my top babywearing tip! Watch the video to learn more. 

As a CPR & Safety Instructor I talk a lot about First Aid Kits. Plus, as a mom of 3 high energy kids (going on 4 this fall) I use my first aid skills pretty frequently. While there are lots of amazing pre-made kits in stores, most of them don't come with medications included (vs. in the US where they typically are included) so make sure you check what's inside to confirm before relying on it in an emergency.

With only 3 weeks before school is out and summer vacation officially begins, it's time to lock down your camp registrations. I know there are definitely some parents that are scrambling to find something perfect for their kid, so I thought I would share these 3 awesome West End Camps that are sure to have something that fits every kid's summer camp wish list. Plus enjoy a discount for each camp, which is sure to please mom and dad. 

I get so many questions from parents about when their child is ready to make the move to a booster and when they can ditch the booster all together. So I decided to make a little video with my son Ben’s Nuna AACE booster seat. He's almost 7 years old and moved from his forward facing 5 point harness car seat to this high back booster at 6.5 years old. He will be able to use this for many years to come, as it transitions into a no back booster for bigger kids.