ParentsCanada

After her daughter was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy, Jenna Fisher spent years searching for treatments, answers and hope. An unexpected connection halfway around the world changed everything—and inspired her to help other parents find the support she once desperately needed. We all have them—those days and moments that determine the trajectory of our lives. On August 28, 2020, my life changed forever.

Parents spend years teaching their kids how to do just about everything. But asking your kids for help and giving children the chance to solve problems and share what they know can be just as valuable—and it might make life a little easier for everyone. From the moment kids are born, parents spend an extraordinary amount of time helping them figure out how the world works.

From making a grocery list and cleaning a bathroom to opening a bank account and setting up utilities, there are plenty of practical life skills kids need to learn before heading out on their own. Here’s an age-by-age checklist to help them get there. Kids learn all kinds of impressive things as they grow up. They can solve complicated math problems, navigate technology that leaves their parents scratching their heads and memorize an astonishing amount of information about their favourite subjects.

Being the destination for your family’s holiday gathering doesn’t have to mean spending the entire day stressed out in the kitchen. From clever make-ahead shortcuts to putting your guests to work, these simple tips will help you pull off a stress-free holiday dinner —and actually enjoy it, too. Hosting a holiday dinner can be a wonderful way to bring family and friends together, but let’s face it: It can also be a lot of work.

What started as a viral feud over lunchbox cookies became something a lot less funny — and a reminder that when parents behave badly, it’s often the kids who get caught in the middle. I have a confession to make: I got completely sucked into Oreogate. If your algorithm has somehow spared you, Oreogate is the increasingly bonkers saga of a group of school moms in the UK whose group chat has been chronicled online, one musical instalment at a time.

A Montreal Cook, the latest by Canadian food veteran Lesley Chesterman, is an exciting exploration of everyday meals, special, regional dishes and a lot of delicious recipes. Before a 20-year career as a food critic for the Montreal Gazette, Lesley Chesterman studied pastry at the Institut de tourisme et d’hotellerie du Québec and worked in Lyon, France (the food capital of a food-obsessed country).

Breastfeeding doesn't always come naturally—and that's okay. You and your baby are learning together. That's why we've partnered with Munchkin to bring you Finding Your Flow, a practical guide designed to help expectant and new parents feel more prepared for the early breastfeeding journey.

This creamy turkey tetrazzini is a comforting way to turn roast turkey into an easy family dinner. There’s a reason tetrazzini is a leftover-turkey classic: Tender turkey, noodles and creamy Parmesan sauce are pretty hard to argue with. If mushrooms are a tough sell with your crew, swap them for chopped zucchini or use a little of both. • In a large, heavy skillet over medium-high, heat oil and butter. When butter stops foaming, add onion and cook for 3–4 min, until soft.

This easy rice-and-sausage skillet dinner turns cooked rice, ground meat and a handful of fridge and pantry staples into a satisfying meal in about 30 minutes. Keep this one in your back pocket for nights when dinner needs to happen fast. Use whatever ground meat you have on hand, add beans, rice and a few flavour boosters, then finish the whole thing with salty feta and green onions. It’s flexible, filling and particularly handy when there’s leftover rice in the fridge.

Stuffed with classic pizza fillings and baked until golden, these easy calzones are just as good for dinner as they are tucked into tomorrow’s lunchbox. Pizza night, but make it portable. These cheesy calzones are surprisingly easy to pull together with prepared pizza dough and can be customized with whatever fillings your family loves. Better yet, they’re great for making ahead, so bake a batch for dinner and save the extras for school lunches.