first person

My birth wasn’t considered traumatic, and yet I’m still struggling

My birth wasn’t considered traumatic, and yet I’m still struggling

I had a healthy baby girl. What more could I ask for? But months later, I still felt distressed by the experience of giving birth.

Risa Kerslake

Reading Harry Potter with my son bonded us in ways I didn't expect

Reading Harry Potter with my son bonded us in ways I didn't expect

For me and my son, books became our lingua franca, a bridge between us that helped shape our understanding of each other.

Anne Thériault

I overwaxed and now I’m sad my daughters won’t see what a real bush looks like

I overwaxed and now I’m sad my daughters won’t see what a real bush looks like

Through years of Brazilians, I never thought about the impressionable audience that would one day be scrutinizing my pube situation.

Anonymous

I coped with my son’s special needs by throwing myself into my job

I coped with my son’s special needs by throwing myself into my job

But then I got fired—and had to find a new identity apart from my work.

Imogen Wallace

A tribute to the family next door after 15 incredible years

A tribute to the family next door after 15 incredible years

As they prepare to move away, Hilary Faktor thanks her longtime neighbours for more than a decade of Harry Potter, tree forts and warm muffins.

Hilary Faktor, Maclean's

Growing up without a dad was the best thing to happen to me

Growing up without a dad was the best thing to happen to me

I came to expect two things out of life: hard work and rejection. Then I learned that I could survive, and surpass, those blows.

Cyndy Etler

My kids are missing out because we live so far away from their grandparents

My kids are missing out because we live so far away from their grandparents

I cherished growing up next door to my grandparents, but with my mom and dad living on the other side of the country, my kids will never experience that.

Kristen Thompson

Why are new parents still so obsessed with gender?

Why are new parents still so obsessed with gender?

From throwing gender-reveal parties to buying gendered clothes and toys, new parents are way too attached to the gender binary, says Leah McLaren.

Leah McLaren

How I'm learning to trust my husband after his affair

How I'm learning to trust my husband after his affair

My marriage is broken—but that doesn't mean it can't be repaired. Here's how we're working through the betrayal and navigating parenthood at the same time.

Anonymous

My daughter wears crop tops and it makes me crazy

My daughter wears crop tops and it makes me crazy

I'm a feminist who believes girls should be able to wear whatever they want. So why does my daughter's crop top obsession make me want to pull my hair out?

Chris Deacon

They Say Removing Playground Basketball Nets is About Noise—I Say it’s About Race

They Say Removing Playground Basketball Nets is About Noise—I Say it’s About Race

“”The stereotypes about basketball culture are so pervasive that anti-Black racism is at work here, regardless of the race of the kids at the courts.”

Kearie Daniel

How education cuts helped me teach my son to be an activist

How education cuts helped me teach my son to be an activist

The letter my son sent to the province to protest education cuts in Ontario is a sneak peek into his mind—and heart—that I hadn't seen before.

Louise Gleeson

In defence of Peppa Pig

In defence of Peppa Pig

Peppa speaks her mind, calls out her parents and refuses to play nice—so why does this preschool anti-hero get so much grief?

Lauren Martin

My Foolproof Plan To Have Fun This Summer—For Myself As Much As My Kids

My Foolproof Plan To Have Fun This Summer—For Myself As Much As My Kids

Everyday stresses were getting in the way of summer, so I vowed to have more fun and prove to my kids that adulthood isn't a one-way ticket to Downertown.

Christina Vardanis

Dear drugstore, you’re my not-so-secret crush

Dear drugstore, you’re my not-so-secret crush

Leah Rumack's humorous take on the haven that drugstores are for moms like her and the appeal of browsing through the aisles.

Leah Rumack

I'm a better mother because I only have one child

I'm a better mother because I only have one child

Deep down, I knew the chances of me being able to manage my mental health would decrease dramatically if I welcomed another child into the world.

Tara Mandarano

The most loyal employees ever are working moms with good bosses

The most loyal employees ever are working moms with good bosses

It’s time for both sides to realize that having an understanding and flexible boss isn’t just what parents need—it’s what employers need, too.

Claire Lawrence

Please make it stop: the end-of-the-school-year schedule is stressing me out

Please make it stop: the end-of-the-school-year schedule is stressing me out

Field trips, wacky hair day, teacher gifts, recitals, fundraisers—this relentless schedule is too much for one mom to handle.

Rachel Toalson

My mother-in-law admitted she doesn’t love all the grandkids in our blended family equally

My mother-in-law admitted she doesn’t love all the grandkids in our blended family equally

In Rebecca Eckler's new book, "Blissfully Blended Bullsh*t," (out May 25) she wonders, “Is love always equal in a blended family?”

Rebecca Eckler

How siblings can help during the home birth of a baby sister or brother

How siblings can help during the home birth of a baby sister or brother

This home birth was a whole-family experience: the older siblings each had a role in welcoming their new baby sister to the world.

Julie Stanley