By Nicholas Heather One time, me and the kids had a fish hotel. It was my idea. My original idea. For some reason we’d acquired a 20-gallon fish tank. Of course, the kids wanted to get fish. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, you guys,” I said, as we were discussing what I was […]
Remembrance Day for families
By Rod Mickleburgh It’s chilling, the thought that each workplace fatality starts with someone heading off to work on a normal day, having no idea their time on earth is about to end. Likely without a goodbye to the ones they love, or any sort of meaningful conversation at all before leaving the house. It’s […]
Sex exhibit tells too much for some parents
A BoB short: A museum sex exhibit designed to educate teenagers has proven too racy for some Ottawa parents — and it hasn’t even opened yet. “Sex: A Tell-all Exhibition” is due to open at The Canada Science and Technology Museum on Friday. In response to over 50 complaints from parents who feel that the […]
Bad jokes are good PR
by Rachel Krueger Amy Chua is terrible at jokes. She told one in early January about forcing her seven-year old daughter to practice piano “through dinner into the night” with no breaks, and no one laughed. The punchline is that the daughter got good at piano. Har. An excerpt from Chua’s memoir, The Battle Hymn […]
Kate Gosselin: Go dancing with your kids, now
By Jodi A. Shaw Dear Kate Gosselin: What a long, twisty road you have travelled! I first met you when the smiling, laughing faces of your sextuplets caught my eye as I channel-surfed one lazy afternoon. I confess, I fell in love with your children and spent many afternoons looking in on your family. But […]
PlayStation nights
By Jodi A. Shaw I cringed this past Christmas while purchasing a PlayStation 3 for my husband. It didn’t exceed my budget and the shopping experience was quick and easy, but I was disgusted with myself for finally giving in. I’ve long had a distaste for video games and have been unapologetically vocal about it. […]
In Kate’s corner
By Rachel Krueger “Yes, hello, Kettle + 8? This is the Octo-Pot calling. Stop sucking away at my 15 minutes of fame.” I’ve never been a fan of TLC’s “Jon and Kate Exploit Their Eight” (or whatever). Being party to their marital spats and exhausted parenting makes me feel uncomfortably like an 11th wheel. Most […]
What about the kids?
By Bev Schellenberg Now here’s a thought: According to the crown prosecutor in the case of Christopher Pauchay, the father of two children who froze to death while in his care, it’s important that people care for the children they have. Marylynne Beaton says the three-year sentence handed down on Friday, March 6th, sends an […]
Babies bag big bucks
What with her three adopted children, recent birthing of twins, and husband Brad’s increasingly haggard mug, the rumors that Angelina Jolie is pregnant again have compounded an already drama-riffic life. Everyone is sick of hearing about this lippy femme and her do-gooding and her cat-fighting and her award-winning and her baby-making, but no one can […]
Alberta delivers on midwives’ potential
By Jodi A. Shaw I prefer not to know the finer details of child birth. Instead, I’d rather wait my turn to experience it, and find out the good, the bad, and the ugly of pregnancy and delivery. A pregnant co-worker, however, has been spoiling some of the secrets for me . . . and […]