Julie Cole

Backyard Party

How to Light up your Backyard Party

Every year, we host a big Victoria Day fireworks party. For my American friends – this means that yes, we celebrate the birthday of a long dead English Queen, but we’ll take our holidays where we can get them.

kids dealing with disapointment

Making the Cut: Children Dealing with Disappointment

With such a big family, I’ve always told my kids that they can’t be on travelling sports teams. When my children have asked to try out for such teams, my response has consistently been, “There are enough kids in your own city that are good enough to play with you.”

Autism Support for Parents

Finding Autism Support For Parents

It has been 10 years since my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Back in those days, you got your diagnosis and you were sent on your way to deal with it. Very little information regarding treatment, agencies, education or help of any kind was provided. It was pretty much a “Yes, your son has autism… don’t hit yourself with the

Are my kids materialistic Enough

Are My Kids Materialistic Enough?

Throughout my parenting journey, I’ve generally put value on experiences rather than stuff. I’m not fussed about having fancy furniture or cars, mostly because I’m simply not interested. Those things don’t excite me. My friends often laugh at my lack of interest over things like a new house or new car. When it was time to buy outdoor furniture, my neighbour picked it out. When

should girls get their ears pierced

Kids Ear Piercing – For or Against?

I discovered yet another parenting “hot button” topic this week. In the past, I’ve been sucked into every controversial parenting topic possible. We’ve all beaten a dead horse talking about our stance on different types of vaccinations, circumcision, breastfeeding – the list goes on and on.

Valentine's Day made simple

Valentine’s Day Made Simple

Despite the fact that Valentine’s Day can be a bit of a contrived holiday, kids love it! And with six kids in elementary school, it’s generally a very busy holiday in my household. I try to remember that it’s only a Hallmark holiday – there’s no point in letting it cause stress. So, I have a few easy tips to keep Valentine’s Day in perspective:

Facebook Betrayal

Facebook Betrayal

There seems to be a Facebook group for everyone about everything. I belong to several local mom Facebook groups, a school moms group and a few others based on my interests. For the most part, these groups are a fabulous resource – somewhere to go to get information from like-minded people, share stories and even get support.

My Santa is Better than your Santa

My Santa is better than your Santa

There is one big problem with the awesome and much adored Santa. Mainly, that he is fictional. This becomes problematic because it means every family has a different Santa, which causes consistency issues.

A Whale of a Tale

What Happens When Someone is More Worried About Your Kid Than You Are. Last week while on holidays, my family went on a whale-watching tour. The boat looked very much like a pirate ship, so the kids were fairly impressed. About half way into the adventure, a visibly stressed out older woman went over to my four-year old, took him by the hand and brought

Do You Have a Man-Boy?

Thirteen years ago, I had my first child. He arrived into this world all tiny and delicious after a fairly unpleasant delivery. Our eyes met and I fell in love. He’s always been my baby boy. Until recently.

Hunger Games - why I avoid reading

Why I Avoid Reading

I recently had the opportunity to read a book. As a busy, working mom of six, it was a rare occasion. We were at the cottage for a week and my kid had been nagging me to read her favourite novel, The Hunger Games.

Girls Building

“Boys Will Be Boys” and Other Annoying Assumptions

Last week I told my tween girls that I’d got them a subscription to a magazine. I thought they’d be excited, but instead they responded with “We don’t want it mom – we don’t want to read about lip gloss”. Interesting.

Big Family

Things I Can’t Remember

When you’ve been changing diapers for almost 11 years straight and you have been pregnant for about 250 weeks, it is fair to make claim to a bit of brain mush now and again. Sleep deprivation can make a mama foggy at times. Going to the grocery store and leaving without the item I went for is a common occurrence. Once, I was driving down

Backyard Party

How to Light up your Backyard Party

Every year, we host a big Victoria Day fireworks party. For my American friends – this means that yes, we celebrate the birthday of a long dead English Queen, but we’ll take our holidays where we can get them.

kids dealing with disapointment

Making the Cut: Children Dealing with Disappointment

With such a big family, I’ve always told my kids that they can’t be on travelling sports teams. When my children have asked to try out for such teams, my response has consistently been, “There are enough kids in your own city that are good enough to play with you.”

Autism Support for Parents

Finding Autism Support For Parents

It has been 10 years since my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Back in those days, you got your diagnosis and you were sent on your way to deal with it. Very little information regarding treatment, agencies, education or help of any kind was provided. It was pretty much a “Yes, your son has autism… don’t hit yourself with the

Are my kids materialistic Enough

Are My Kids Materialistic Enough?

Throughout my parenting journey, I’ve generally put value on experiences rather than stuff. I’m not fussed about having fancy furniture or cars, mostly because I’m simply not interested. Those things don’t excite me. My friends often laugh at my lack of interest over things like a new house or new car. When it was time to buy outdoor furniture, my neighbour picked it out. When

should girls get their ears pierced

Kids Ear Piercing – For or Against?

I discovered yet another parenting “hot button” topic this week. In the past, I’ve been sucked into every controversial parenting topic possible. We’ve all beaten a dead horse talking about our stance on different types of vaccinations, circumcision, breastfeeding – the list goes on and on.

Valentine's Day made simple

Valentine’s Day Made Simple

Despite the fact that Valentine’s Day can be a bit of a contrived holiday, kids love it! And with six kids in elementary school, it’s generally a very busy holiday in my household. I try to remember that it’s only a Hallmark holiday – there’s no point in letting it cause stress. So, I have a few easy tips to keep Valentine’s Day in perspective:

Facebook Betrayal

Facebook Betrayal

There seems to be a Facebook group for everyone about everything. I belong to several local mom Facebook groups, a school moms group and a few others based on my interests. For the most part, these groups are a fabulous resource – somewhere to go to get information from like-minded people, share stories and even get support.

My Santa is Better than your Santa

My Santa is better than your Santa

There is one big problem with the awesome and much adored Santa. Mainly, that he is fictional. This becomes problematic because it means every family has a different Santa, which causes consistency issues.

A Whale of a Tale

What Happens When Someone is More Worried About Your Kid Than You Are. Last week while on holidays, my family went on a whale-watching tour. The boat looked very much like a pirate ship, so the kids were fairly impressed. About half way into the adventure, a visibly stressed out older woman went over to my four-year old, took him by the hand and brought

Do You Have a Man-Boy?

Thirteen years ago, I had my first child. He arrived into this world all tiny and delicious after a fairly unpleasant delivery. Our eyes met and I fell in love. He’s always been my baby boy. Until recently.

Hunger Games - why I avoid reading

Why I Avoid Reading

I recently had the opportunity to read a book. As a busy, working mom of six, it was a rare occasion. We were at the cottage for a week and my kid had been nagging me to read her favourite novel, The Hunger Games.

Girls Building

“Boys Will Be Boys” and Other Annoying Assumptions

Last week I told my tween girls that I’d got them a subscription to a magazine. I thought they’d be excited, but instead they responded with “We don’t want it mom – we don’t want to read about lip gloss”. Interesting.

Big Family

Things I Can’t Remember

When you’ve been changing diapers for almost 11 years straight and you have been pregnant for about 250 weeks, it is fair to make claim to a bit of brain mush now and again. Sleep deprivation can make a mama foggy at times. Going to the grocery store and leaving without the item I went for is a common occurrence. Once, I was driving down

Kids Events and Fun Things To Do in Toronto, York Region, Peel, Durham, Halton, Simcoe County and Southern Ontario for Families.

Search

Follow us on Social

Featured Events

ROM Third Tuesday Night Free
Oct 21, 2025 
to Oct 21, 2025
TSO's Tricks, Treats ‘n’ Tunes
Oct 26, 2025 
to Oct 26, 2025
Royal Ontario Museum: Skip The Line
Oct 6, 2025 
to Nov 30, 2025
The Jury Experience
Oct 19, 2025 
to Oct 19, 2025
Family Sunday: Yawatsira’ Sunday / Dimanche Yawatsira’
Oct 19, 2025 
to Oct 19, 2025

Stuff We Love

Featured Kids Programs

ROM Saturday Club
ROM Saturday Club
Royal Ontario Museum
Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sage Sauce (1)
PA Day - Winter Warm-Up
College Street United Church
candy-canes-festive-jar-min
Saturday Cooking Workshop - Hand-Pulled Candy Canes
College Street United Church
heart-shaped-macarons-min
Saturday Cooking Workshop - Love at First Bite
College Street United Church
floral-cupcakes-min
Saturday Cooking Workshop - Bakes in Bloom
College Street United Church

Join the Family

Sign up for your FREE What's ON News!
Filled with family events, camps,
contests, discounts and more!

GTA PARENTS

SOUTH CENTRAL ONTARIO

Scroll to Top