From old and new family traditions to real talk about lowering your expectations, here are some simple ways to make the holidays mean more to your kids than a gift grab.

7 easy ways to remind kids what the holidays are really about

a:1:{i:0;s:686:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/parenting-through-privilege-3-steps-to-instilling-grit-and-gratitude-in-kids/" target="_blank"><img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2018/07/parenting-through-privilege-1280x960-440x248-1530643499.jpg" alt="five kids huddling together"><span>Parenting through privilege: 3 steps to instilling grit and gratitude in kids</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1576599458;s:6:"author";i:238151;}

christmas

Want to teach your child about mindfulness? Looking for a great vacation getaway for families? Trying to understand the latest YouTube craze for kids? We’ve got you covered. 

Family

Let us help navigate daily life with your growing family, with everything from kids’ craft and activity ideas to advice on discipline and birthday party inspiration.

Family life

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1608203945;s:6:"author";i:85703;}

first person

Blogs

Opinion

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1607956954;s:6:"author";i:238083;}

Infertility

Infertility can be devastating – but it’s also incredibly common. Learn about the causes of infertility, treatments, IVF, secondary infertility, and more. 

Getting pregnant

Everything you need to know about getting pregnant, including early signs and symptoms, tips on how to conceive faster, and how to cope with infertility.

Some people use the holidays as a poverty zoo—a type of tourism where they could go and observe disparity from behind the safe space of a serving line.

Charity shouldn't be used as a form of holiday entertainment for your kids

a:1:{i:0;s:593:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/ways-teach-kids-charity/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2014/10/dad-and-daughter-charity-article-300x300.jpg" alt="dad and daughter packing a box for charity donations">
<span>9 ways to teach your kids charity</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1576503549;s:6:"author";i:232289;}

Easter

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1605619655;s:6:"author";i:238083;}

New mom

We never told our kids Santa was coming down the chimney because he wasn't. Every family needs to decide how to tell kids about Santa.

How to tell your kids about Santa: This family decided not to

a:1:{i:0;s:764:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/christmas-movies-that-spoil-the-santa-surprise-for-kids/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2018/10/netflix-canada-november-2018-kids-families-movies-shows-TheChirstmasChronicles-1024x576-1543610526.jpg" alt="Promo image for The Christmas Chronicles showing two kids riding through the night sky with Santa">
<span>10 Christmas movies that spoil the Santa surprise for kids</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1574852251;s:6:"author";i:238983;}

Parenting

We've tried everything, but nothing works. My kid just won't eat vegetables. The struggle isn’t just real—it's should we be concerned about scurvy real.

Confession: My kid hasn't eaten a vegetable in four years

a:1:{i:0;s:678:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/kids-health/why-you-shouldnt-panic-if-your-kid-wont-eat-vegetables/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2019/06/why-you-shouldnt-panic-if-your-kid-wont-eat-vegetables-1280x960.jpg" alt="Little girl refuses to eat a piece of broccoli">
<span>Why you shouldn’t panic if your kid won’t eat vegetables</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1574782593;s:6:"author";i:239032;}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1606225145;s:6:"author";i:238083;}

Mental health

Because money is such a taboo topic, I really have no idea if this is how other SAHMS and single&#x2d;income families manage their finances.

I love being a SAHM, but I'm over asking my husband for money each week

a:1:{i:0;s:796:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/the-secret-struggle-what-its-like-to-parent-on-the-poverty-line/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2019/07/the-secret-struggle-what-its-like-to-parent-on-the-poverty-line-1280x960-440x248-1563394255.jpg" alt="A mom hunched over in sadness, her torso is a broken house and inside her chest is her child playing with blocks">
<span>This is what it’s like to parent when you're struggling to make ends meet</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1579794352;s:6:"author";i:239084;}

Family finance

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1605708451;s:6:"author";i:238887;}

From handling first crushes and anxiety to when you should start music lessons and talk about Santa, learn all about how to support your school-aged kids. 

Kids

Everything you need to know about kids and toddlers, including behaviour and development, sleep, potty training, preschool, and how to handle picky eaters.

School-age

Jennifer Goldberg and Nora Loreto, Chatelaine

Balancing paid work and domestic responsibilities in the midst of lockdowns and quarantines feels like a superhuman feat.

Canadian moms on how COVID is hurting their careers

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1605535674;s:6:"author";i:232289;}

Careers

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1605188703;s:6:"author";i:238083;}

Labour and delivery

Life with a new baby can mean a steep learning curve. From advice on diaper changing and bath time to sleep habits and feeding schedules, we’ve got your covered.

Baby

Everything you need to know about your baby, including information on breastfeeding, teething, colic, baby development, food, sleep, and more..

Newborn care

When lockdown started, a Passover seder on Zoom seemed ridiculous. But two high holidays later, this mom can attest to the resilience of holidays.

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1605190519;s:6:"author";i:238887;}

Holiday

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1604490228;s:6:"author";i:85703;}

Same-sex parents

Find out what you need to know about being pregnant, including common symptoms, how to manage your health, and what to expect week by week.

Pregnancy

Everything you need to know about your pregnancy: what to expect week by week, tips for baby names and baby shower planning, pregnancy health, and more.

Being pregnant

My daughter and I both know I'm not the same as other moms. But there are still good days with chronic pain and illness, and this is how we cope.

Being a mom with chronic pain wasn't part of the plan

a:1:{i:0;s:641:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/womens-health/why-does-bellletstalk-ignore-the-mental-health-of-new-moms/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2018/02/maternal-mental-health-1024x576-1517521545.jpg" alt="sad woman holding baby">
<span>Why does #BellLetsTalk ignore the mental health of new moms?</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1573049123;s:6:"author";i:238983;}

This famous labour&#x2d;inducing eggplant parmesan worked for me twice

In order to avoid getting induced, I tried just about everything to jumpstart my labour, but nothing worked until I stumbled upon this recipe.

This eggplant parmesan recipe put me in labour—twice!

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1655913899;s:6:"author";i:239273;}

Subscribe to Today's Parent's daily newsletter for our best parenting news, tips, essays and recipes.

Stay in touch

Food

What are the signs of labour? What’s a c-section like? And what if your home birth doesn’t go to plan? Learn what you need to know about giving birth

Giving birth

I thought we'd get a sweet "first haircut" memory for the baby book, but it was derailed by systemic racism.

My two sons can’t get their hair cut at the same salon—and that needs to change

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1603903855;s:6:"author";i:349;}

Toddler

When I was pregnant with my second baby, I mourned the loss of my cute little family of three. But here's why I was so, so wrong to worry.

How do you know you're ready for a second baby?

a:1:{i:0;s:590:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/whats-the-best-age-gap-between-kids/" target="_blank"><img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2016/11/whats-best-age-gap-between-kids-344x226.jpg" alt="A kid holding her mom's pregnant belly" span>What's the best age gap between kids?</a>
";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1516635411;s:6:"author";i:139041;}

Considering a second child—as a single parent

7 things you need to know about your second pregnancy

Secondary infertility: What you need to know

Debate: Is having more kids easier than having just one?

New baby

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1587054329;s:6:"author";i:238083;}

Many clothing companies make lots of things for non-girly girls, but very little for boys who want to sparkle and feel their best.

Why can’t I find decent dresses for my five-year-old son?

a:1:{i:0;s:729:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/does-your-child-challenge-traditional-gender-roles/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2013/02/does-your-child-challenge-traditional-gender-roles-1280x960-440x248.jpg" alt="Little boy challenging traditional gender roles in a fairy costume with pink beret washing the dishes with his mom">
<span>Does your child challenge traditional gender roles?</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1578911953;s:6:"author";i:239084;}

first person

7 Easy Ways to Remind Kids What the Holidays are Really About

I don’t know how we’re going to make it through this long, lonely winter

The Holidays Suck When You're Struggling to Get Pregnant

Charity shouldn't be used as a form of holiday entertainment for your kids

The anxiety of trying to be the 'supermom' nearly broke me

I'm raising my kids as non-believers

Confession: My kid hasn't eaten a vegetable in four years

Breastfeeding my toddler triggered my past sexual assault

I love being a SAHM, but I'm over asking my husband for money each week

The pandemic has proven that kids are not as resilient as we think

Canadian moms on how COVID is hurting their careers

A letter to my premature son

Christmas will be OK—take it from this Jewish mom

My wife and I gave birth three weeks apart during COVID

Being a mom with chronic pain wasn't part of the plan

This Eggplant Parmesan Recipe Put Me In Labour—Twice!

My two sons can’t get their hair cut at the same salon—and that needs to change

How do you know you're ready for a second baby?

Am I a bad mom because of my dangerous career?

Why can’t I find decent dresses for my five-year-old son?