JustMOMsensations

You may have read a recent post about bullying my daughter experienced at school.   The school responded and a plan was put in place.   Change of this nature does not happen quickly or vigorously, but since we believe in ‘letting the machine work’ – we left it in their hands, with a watchful eye. My husband and I are action driven.   We could not entirely wait for the machine to work.   My husband suggested a party for kids who have been hurt- had the courage to tell and the brave kids who supported others who were hurt.   We felt that even when punished, the child who bullied another got attention for it.   Even after the punishment, many kids still thought the girl who hurt my daughter was strong and cool – resulting in more kids exhibiting negative behaviors toward my daughter for telling and causing the punishment.   My daughter didn’t cause the punishment, the child who hurt her did. We wanted to push positive focus to the truly strong and brave kids.     It takes a hu

Hurt people   - hurt people.   I feel very sorry for my daughter’s Bully.   Are you surprised to hear that?     I am not an Educator.     I am not a Psychologist.   I am not a bullying expert.   I am an empathetic human being, and a dedicated Mom.   I was bullied as a child – weren’t we all at one time or another?   I grew up in a tough neighbourhood.   I remember watching the clock, in fear of the ‘end-of-day-bell’ because the pending threat of “after school you are dead” was looming over me.   I had a great family with love and support, and yet many weeks went by where I felt isolated and in fear for my safety.   Progress is a wonderful thing. The school systems today have ‘zero tolerance’ for bullying and violence.   That doesn’t mean it has stopped, just that my kids won’t hear what I did from the school; “walk home another way; kids will be kids; just turn the other cheek”.   Teenaged suicide is on the rise – and a large motivation is the pain and humiliatio

In southern Canada, we are just beginning to experience a rapid thaw.  Rain and thunderstorms raged last night and the +2C temperature today is resulting in a quick melt of the snow and ice that has plagued us for the last two months.  Couple this thaw with the Ice Quakes we have experienced since December bringing the risk of foundation cracking – we need to be proactive and monitor our homes to minimize damage.  Taking responsibility to avoid damage is even more critical now that many insurance companies have notified policy holders that flood coverage has been significantly reduced, and in many cases – sewage back-up coverage withdrawn completely. After much research and conference with other homeowners, this list seems like great advice to follow to be as proactive as possible during this thaw: Clear snow and ice away from sewer grates on your street.   If you can’t remember where they are, use Google Earth to search for your address and pan your block for the location

I am all for Lovers showing appreciation of one another.   I even think acknowledging the positive impact someone has made is critical to the health of any relationship.   What gives me stress is the idea this show of appreciation must happen on a specific day – February 14 th each and every year.   We search for just the right gift to show our partner how much we care.   But what if we aren’t inspired at that time?   What if, like me, you have used up all your creativity on your mate’s December Birthday and Christmas, leaving the inspiration pool empty for February?   That is when the stress levels start to go up.   The self-inflicted pressure to find an inspired treasure or the perfect restaurant reservation, serve to suck all of the warm intention out of the event. Married 10 years with two kids, I would often look at the dozen red roses my husband so thoughtfully delivers on Valentine’s Day and say to myself – I would rather put the money into our next family vacation– or