first person

We can't decide if we should destroy our leftover frozen embryos

Getting pregnant

We can't decide if we should destroy our leftover frozen embryos

Surrogacy advocate Frankie Nelson struggled over what to do with leftover embryos in frozen storage after IVF. None of the choices are easy.

Frankie Nelson

What's so wrong with wanting to lose the baby weight?

What's so wrong with wanting to lose the baby weight?

Just as we shouldn’t shame postpartum moms if they choose not to focus on exercise or losing the baby weight, we shouldn't shame moms who do.

Allison McDonald Ace

Can’t I be a parent—and a politician?

Can’t I be a parent—and a politician?

I’ll be the first person ever to utilize Toronto's new parental leave program for city councillors. But for some, my decision hasn’t been well-received.

Joe Cressy

I wasn’t prepared for the first time I switched roles with my kid

I wasn’t prepared for the first time I switched roles with my kid

It’s that split second where both child and adult know things are different, and it’s a natural progression that happens to us all sooner or later.

Sue Sanders

This is the Screen-Time Contract I’m Getting my Kids to Sign

This is the Screen-Time Contract I’m Getting my Kids to Sign

I’ve always been a bit unsure about how to manage screen-time. This cell phone contract for kids helps establish mutual trust and boundaries.

Claire Gagne

Dear Mama: Thank you for seeking justice after my babysitter sexually assaulted me

Dear Mama: Thank you for seeking justice after my babysitter sexually assaulted me

You went to the police during a time when criminal charges for sexual assault were scarce. Justice did not prevail, but you did, and I love you for it.

Deidre Olsen

I had to stop obsessing over my baby's sleep schedule for my own mental health

I had to stop obsessing over my baby's sleep schedule for my own mental health

Don't stake your self-worth as a parent on obsessing over your baby's sleep schedule, because so much of it is out of your control anyhow.

Rachel Heinrichs

When did parenting a baby become so competitive?

When did parenting a baby become so competitive?

Despite my decision to be a chill parent, I’ve become a competitive one—competitive with other moms and their babies, competitive with herself.

Sarah Boesveld

I paid a dollar a minute to have a nap—and I’d do it again in a second

I paid a dollar a minute to have a nap—and I’d do it again in a second

Amy Van Es

I was addicted to peeing on a stick

Trying to conceive

I was addicted to peeing on a stick

Yes, it’s possible to be addicted to pregnancy tests. And after taking more than 600 tests over four years, it was clear that I was a pee on a stick addict.

Tania Lorena Rivera

An open letter to the mom who feels like she did nothing today

An open letter to the mom who feels like she did nothing today

You're wearing clothes you slept in and your art gallery visit turned into a coffee run, but you don't need to prove your worth to anyone—not even yourself.

Kristen Thompson

7 Life Lessons I Want My Kids To Learn From Having A Single Mom

7 Life Lessons I Want My Kids To Learn From Having A Single Mom

After filing for divorce, I realized our new life was helping my kids grow into incredible people—not in spite of having a single mom, but because they do.

Today's Parent

I'm buying my kids used toys for Christmas this year—and so should you

I'm buying my kids used toys for Christmas this year—and so should you

Giving a second-hand gift was once considered tacky, cheap or just plain weird. But to fight climate change and personal debt, those days should be over.

Caitlin McCormack

I wasn't prepared for my four-year-old's intense tantrums after his baby sister arrived

I wasn't prepared for my four-year-old's intense tantrums after his baby sister arrived

I'd read all the books and articles, and did everything they advised, to make sure my son wouldn't be jealous of his new sibling. But only one thing worked.

Keri Bertino

Why we shouldn’t assume every kid loves being tickled

Why we shouldn’t assume every kid loves being tickled

Sure, they squirm and giggle, but to some kids, tickling can feel more like an assault. Why respecting boundaries is important when you tickle kids.

Kelly Meldrum

I work at an office with no parents and it sucks

I work at an office with no parents and it sucks

Who can you commiserate with when no one else at work is a parent? This has been the hardest thing to get used to at my new job.

Amanda Larkin

The latest parenting hack is to outsource the hardest parts

The latest parenting hack is to outsource the hardest parts

If you’ve got the cash, almost every brain-breaking parental quagmire can be solved by outsourcing to an expert. And to that I say: Why not?

Leah McLaren

I love being a #boymom but there's one big worry I can't shake

I love being a #boymom but there's one big worry I can't shake

To all the members of the Boy Mom club who fret thinking about the future relationship with their little boys...you're not alone.

Allison McDonald Ace

My son is the short kid—and that’s okay

My son is the short kid—and that’s okay

With two not-so-tall parents, he’s just a short kid—tenth percentile short, last-kid-on-the-risers short, sitting-down-in-class-pictures short.

Sarah Garone

My husband is a better stay-at-home parent than I was

My husband is a better stay-at-home parent than I was

It’s a working parent’s dream at the end of a long day to come home to a happy child, a clean home and a warm dinner. Yet I can’t help but feel...annoyed.

Amy Green