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To Bribe Or Not To Bribe: Encouraging My Kids Best Behavior

Katherine Heigl with daughters Naleigh and Adalaide
Before I had children I would have sworn I would never bribe them to behave, to pitch in or to be respectful. Almost ten years into momming that inexperienced opinion has gone up in flames. To all the mothers and fathers out there I was secretly judging when witnessing the “I’ll buy you a lollipop if you get off the ground and stop screaming” technique…I deeply apologize. For years I tried the stern mom voice and the “look” you all know the one. Eyes squinted, lips pressed, chin titled to the side. It occasionally worked but it never really brought the best out of my kids and wasn’t really the incentive they needed to encourage positive behavior. Sure no one wants to piss off mom, or few sane people do, but is that really what I wanted my kids to be thinking when good versus bad choices arise? “Don’t piss off mom, don’t piss off mom, don’t piss off mom.” Continue Reading

Toronto Adventures: Planta Restaurant

Family food time at Planta Restaurant
Eating has been one of my favorite activities here in Toronto. We have had some truly delectable meals out and I’m loving the easy access to amazing food living in the city affords us. Where we live in Utah there’s no Postmates, Doordash or Uber Eats. We can’t even get a pizza delivered to the house so I’m forced to cook more nights than not. Usually I love the process and creativity of cooking but I have to admit that I’m really enjoying the little respite living in Toronto has brought me from grocery lists, meal plans and clean up!Continue Reading

Hideaway Place Space

The girls discovered a perfect hideaway spot in our rental in Toronto where they can sit and read, draw or journal all while feeling hidden away in their own special girl cave. I figured as long as they were truly enjoying it and using it often I’d spruce it up for them and make it a bit cozier and a little prettier. It was a super simple and inexpensive project that made me a hero for a day. If you have a little nook type space that goes virtually unused in your own home I encourage you to turn it into a hideaway for your little ones and be their hero…if only for an afternoon!Continue Reading

Toronto Adventures: Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada

Naleigh and Adalaide at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
The first weekend the kids got to Toronto Josh and I saddled everyone up and headed out to the much touted Ripley’s Aquarium. It is truly a spectacular and magical experience. The girls spent the entire time with the most beautiful looks of awe on their faces and I am so grateful I was able to experience the wonder and glory of the deep sea with them! If you’re in or around Toronto do not miss this extraordinary experience! My only suggestion is that you try to go on a weekday if possible. It seemed that Saturday every parent in Toronto had the same idea we did which made it a pretty slow going experience, but amazing nonetheless!Continue Reading