There has been a lot of media coverage lately of the youth mental health crisis, which is particularly bad here in Calgary. And it's about damn time. I've known about this crisis for a long time now, because I've been part of it. And it's getting worse, not better.My oldest daughter has anxiety. And not just your garden-variety anxiety, either. I'm not talking about getting a nervous tummy before a big test or having rubbery knees before the big game or a dance recital. What I'm talking about is paralyzing, crippling Anxiety with a capital A. Social Anxiety Disorder. Generalized Anxiety... More »

I'm in a weird state lately.  Personally, I feel better than I ever have.  But the world around me?  It just seems like one thing after the other is destroying my faith in humanity.Sandy HookBoston BombingCleveland KidnappingsTim BosmaNews of every one of these events has made me want to run to Will's daycare, pick him up, smother him with love and move to a bunker, somewhere in the middle of Ancient Egypt (it's the only way I'd get him there) and never leave.  I did run to him after Sandy Hook but I stopped before the bunker.Each of these tragedies,... More »

"Look both ways before you cross the street." "Never accept a ride from a stranger." "If you're home alone, never open the door." These are the lessons that were passed on to us to keep us safe as children, and no doubt we're passing these same tidbits on to our kids. But growing up, we didn't have to worry about online predators, inappropriate web content, or cyber bullying. As a parent, I try really hard to keep myself educated about online dangers, but with new social media tools popping up daily and kids who have a digital footprint even before they're... More »

My wild things: Each of them so vastly different, so beautiful in their own ways, so flawed, so growing, so lovely.I am blown away by the life that fills our home and I am so thankful for these crazy, rambunctious girls we get to call ours.  ... More »

I recently had a conversation with my 7 year old son about pregnancy. It went a little something like this:7yo: "Mommy how did you feel when you were pregnant?"Me: "Pretty good. Mostly. I really loved being pregnant."7yo: "Did it hurt?"Me: "No, being pregnant didn't hurt. Except for the time when I had Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction and I couldn't walk for a few weeks."How did I come out? Did I really come out of your vagina?"Me: "Yes. You totally came out of my vagina. And they even had to use forceps to help you come out."7yo: "Ewwwwww!"He then gave me a... More »