Are You a Good Receiver?

We know how important it is to be a giver, but what about the importance of being a good receiver?

Recently, my daughter went on a school skiing trip, and spent the day with her friend and her friend's dad. I had promised to give her a bit of cash to buy a treat, and of course in the morning bustle I completely forgot. When the time came and she was empty-handed her friend's dad kindly bought her a Kit Kat. She had the social graces to promise to pay him back, and of course he responded that it was his treat.

When she came home and told me, I was immediately embarrassed, and decided I should round up a toonie right away, maybe write a note to go with it...and then I stopped. It was a Kit Kat. How fortunate that Olivia had someone to get a treat for her, and how kind of that gentleman to do it. If he said it was his treat, why not let him treat her? (It's not like he had to pay for her lift ticket.)

With the "supermom" complexes out there, sometimes I think we all insist on being the givers, and try to pay people back right away when they've done something for us. The problem with always keeping the scorebooks even is that no one ever gets to experience the glow of giving. Someone had your child for a playdate? Invite their child back as soon as possible! A coworker covered for you when you had an appointment? Insist that she leave early the very next day!

Some moms (I personally find this is rare with dads) also enjoy polishing that martyr halo. Why would you host a potluck if you can claim the bragging rights for slaving over a hot stove all day long? Why let your parents watch the baby so you can have a date night, when you want to be able to tell everyone that you've never ever left the baby with anyone else? (That comment never impresses me, by the way, but certainly does arouse pity.)

I think we also receive better from some givers than others. I'm almost 40 years old (and extremely independent, by the way), yet still very willing to let my parents do things for me. Mom makes us batches of frozen dinners and proofreads my articles, Dad runs errands and does handyman jobs we don't have time for. I'm much less likely to want favours from my boss however, because I feel it's more important to look competent to her than to my parents. (They're stuck with me!)

It can also be much easier to receive when something is given anonymously. Someone at work (I'm pretty sure I know who, but I won't reveal her identity) has been leaving little typewritten notes and edible treats for staff members. When it was my turn, it gave me a little glow (and a small sugar rush) and I didn't have to worry about who to thank or pay back. I like to give anonymously for that same reason.

Liv has been taking sewing lessons (free of charge) from my generous aunt, along with another girl her age. We wanted to get my aunt a gift at the end of the last session, and as the girl's mother and I were deciding on a gift card amount, she wisely noted, "If we give too much, her charitable spirit may feel too well compensated." I thought that was such an interesting point. If she is "paid in full", she may easily lose some of the good feeling that she gets from giving her time to help these two little girls pursue a hobby. That said, of course we wanted to thank her for her efforts, but it's not always tit-for-tat. (The girls actually prepared a beautiful song to sing for her on the last night, which also provided a nice personal touch.)

On PsychCentral, John Amodeo argues that there are 5 reasons that receiving is harder than giving:

1. It's a defense against intimacy
2. You let go of control (there's much more control in giving than receiving)
3. There's a fear of strings attached
4. We believe it's selfish to receive
5. There's a self-imposed pressure to reciprocate

You can read the article for further explanations, but I think a few of these hold true for me, as does his point, "Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin of intimacy." If you're always the receiver in a relationship, maybe you need to smarten up. But if you're always the giver, don't think of that as a point of pride. Have you ever been called "hard to buy for"? I'm betting a lot of poor receivers fit that bill (though there are many reasons that choosing a gift for someone can be challenging).

Receiving a compliment can even be difficult: do you immediately deny, deflect or turn to reciprocation? Sometimes it's only good manners to reciprocate: "You did well on your presentation!", "Thanks, so did you!", but there are many more individual compliments that can be taken at face value and accepted. "I love those shoes!" "Thanks!"

I want to make sure that I'm clear: I don't for a minute think you shouldn't thank someone, pay back loans, or make good on any promised reciprocation, but I think it's important to remember that putting good out into the world doesn't always mean that you're going to get it back from the same person you gave it to. Next time I'm with someone else's child, and they've forgotten money for a treat, I will be sure to buy them a Kit Kat, and continue to pay it forward.

To end with a quote:

"Receiving is often harder than giving. Giving is very important: giving insight, giving hope, giving courage, giving advice, giving support, giving money, and most of all giving ourselves. Without giving there is no brotherhood or sisterhood.

But receiving is just as important, because by receiving we reveal to givers that they have gifts to offer. When we say, 'Thank you, you gave me hope; thank you, you gave me a reason to live; thank you, you allow me to realize my dream,' we make givers aware of their unique and precious gifts. Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts."

Henri J.M. Nouwen

Inspire Kids to Give Back and Make a Difference

For her public speech this year, Olivia decided to talk about ways that kids can give back. She's hoping you will show it to your children (and/or students) to inspire them as well! Please feel free to share!

Bushra Mdewaye: The Syrian Refugee Momterview

Syrian refugees: you can't get a media (or social media) fix without hearing about them, but to most of us, the term is general and vague, not accurately representing the masses of individuals that it encompasses.

Today's Momterview may not be with a celebrity, but Bushra Mdewaye's voice is just as important, and I am thrilled to give you the chance to get to know her. 

What was your life like in Syria before the war?

I had work, as a teacher. My husband Salim and I were married in 2009, and he was a production manager of a big company. We had our son Bassal in August of 2010. We had our own home and we were really happy. We lived close to my husband’s parents, we would visit with family there often. 

How did things change when the war started?

The jobs disappeared. My school, where I taught was bombed, so I stayed home. The factory where my husband worked was taken over by terrorists. So, he also stayed home with me. We had a two-year-old child at home, but no money or jobs. No money to buy milk or food for our child. Once we spent our money, then there was nothing and nothing to do. There were no jobs and no life there.

Did you feel you were in danger?

Yes. There were always bombs. So we decided to leave Aleppo and go to Jordan. My sister is married to a Jordanian person, so we decided to go there.

How did you end up in Canada? What were the steps?

In Jordan, it was a difficult life. Everything there is very expensive, and it was illegal for us to work. However, my husband worked as a salesman, under the table for a very low salary. The money he made was not enough to cover rent or the cost of living. While in Jordan, Celina was born in 2015.

We heard that Canada welcomed Syrians. We went to a church, where we were told that Canadian people wanted to meet some Syrian families. We went for a short interview. And they told us there was only a small chance for us to go to Canada and it would be four years in the future. We were very sad and didn’t know what we would do for four years.

I really don’t know what happened then, but I think it was God’s work. After only four months, we received a call, telling us to go to the embassy for another interview, before travelling to Canada in only a few weeks. We were given four days' notice before our flight to Canada. We were extremely happy!

{Bushra's family was sponsored by St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Douro, Ontario. The family's first Canadian home was within the rectory, the priest's house. While many assume Syrians are all of the Muslim faith, Bushra's family is Catholic. They have since moved to an apartment in Peterborough, as being in the city is more convenient for work, school and errands, and the committee in Douro that originally made arrangements for them still provides a support system.}

What was it like when you first arrived here in Canada?   

Everything was different, different people, culture, food, houses...even floors. We were very happy to come to Canada, but I had a bit of {translates from Arabic to English on her smartphone app} depression for about two months after arriving, it was such a big change. The travel from Jordan to Canada happened very quickly for me. We were so happy to come here, but when we arrived I was a bit depressed. It was very hard.

How old were your kids when you arrived?

Bassal was five and Celina was 11 months when we arrived in Canada. Our son was also a bit sad, it was a hard transition for him as well. He wanted to go back to his friends in Jordan. 

What were the hardest things about being in a new country?

The culture and trying to raise children in a different way. However, I like the way Canadians raise children, better than back home. In Syria, boys are given everything. They are boys, and they will become men! Girls are always the second best. The best is a boy. If the family had a boy they would be very happy, but if they had a girl the father would be sad, as he wants a boy to pass on the name of the family. The language is also difficult. I still cannot speak well. 

{For someone who has been speaking the language for only one year, I would have to say Bushra's English is excellent. Six-year-old Bassal's skills, however are even stronger than his parents'.}

How are things going now that you have been here a year?

I love it! Now I really love Canada! I don't think I could ever go back and live in Syria. Here there are lots of honest people, they don’t lie. Your religion and colour don’t matter. All people are equal. There is no cheating here. 

My husband is working at No Frills, stocking shelves and I am usually home with the kids. Both of us are taking ESL classes. I am hoping to study hairstyling, nails and makeup at Fleming College. I would like to get a job in that field.

Celina is in daycare. My son is attending school {the local Catholic elementary school} and is in Grade 1. He likes school. But he likes to play alone, or he says that. Once when I passed the schoolyard I saw him playing alone. I spoke with the teacher but she says he is doing fine and playing with other children. He did have a best friend for a few weeks, but then he told me they aren’t friends anymore. His friend was boring. {As a teacher and a mom, I assured her this was normal.}

When Canadians hear about Syrian refugees, what do you want them to think?

They need to know more about Syria. Once we went to a church supper, where there were many Canadians and Syrians. A family sponsored a Syrian family, who is still in Lebanon, but they will come, and the man said, “Oh a table! That must be new for you, since you don’t have tables in Syria, right? You eat on the floor.” This is not true! So, some Canadians need a better understanding of where we came from and Syrian culture.

Because my blog is called "This Mom Loves", I'd like to ask you how you would finish the sentence "This mom loves..."? What about fashion and beauty products? I've been told you like shopping, and wearing high heels!

Yes, and I love L'Oréal makeup and beauty products, which we also had in Syria. 

What else do you love?

I like reading and going for walks. Salim likes to watch the soccer games on the weekend so we stay in and I like to cook traditional Syrian meals. I like turkey here, it is done differently in Canada. We had turkey in Syria, but it is made differently here. I love the turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes and the sauce. And cheesecake!

****

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Bushra.

{Note that responses were edited for length, clarity and flow.

Also please note that while a Twitter user gently suggested that I should be using the phrase "human from Syria" instead of "refugee from Syria", most of my interviews are conducted not solely because the interviewee is human, but because she or he has something newsworthy to share, as a TV personality, house-flipper, author, athlete, or in this case, someone who has fled a war-torn country and joined us here in ours. I do not for a moment dispute the humanity of Bushra as an individual, or that of any of her fellow natives of Syria, but acknowledging that every time I refer to her would make for a pretty lengthy headline or tweet.}

How Families Can Give Back This Holiday Season: Special Guest Post by Clare Morneau

A passionate advocate for girls’ education and refugee issues, Clare Morneau is a 17-year-old author and speaker who lives in Toronto with her father, Canada’s Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, mother, Nancy McCain, and siblings Henry, Edward and Grace Acan, who joined the family in 2010 from northern Uganda. Clare is compassionate, driven and committed to working for real change. As a student at Havergal College, she founded the Kakuma Toronto Girls Education Partnership. In the fall of 2016, she released her first book, Kakuma Girls (named one of "Heather's Picks" at Chapters Indigo shortly after its launch). She completed a four-week internship at the Global Humanitarian Lab, a partner organization of the United Nations, in the summer of 2016 and has been named a Global Humanitarian Lab Youth Ambassador by the organization.

I'm thrilled to have Clare as a special guest blogger today, sharing ways families can give back over the holiday season.

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I’m Clare Morneau, and I’m the author of Kakuma Girls, a book about refugee girls in Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwest Kenya. My book is about the challenges young refugees, particularly girls, face when attempting to get an education in refugee camps. More than that though, it’s about how we can mobilize youth to be engaged in our efforts to help refugees.

The story about how I got involved with these girls is rooted in friendship. It’s also about helping young Canadians understand the enormous gulf between our experiences and those less fortunate, and how a small local effort has the potential to lead to a great solution to a global issue.

There are so many amazing ways we can all give back over the holiday season through random acts of kindness rather than just by buying more things. Here are 5 ideas I love:

1. Buy a book for someone in your community – books change lives. I’ve always been inspired by the power of books. Everyone should have access to books and the right to read and learn. You can’t give a more impactful gift than the gift of education.

2. Donate to your local clothing drive. Clothing is a fundamental need, but for many, it’s also transformational. One of my favourite clothing donation programs is Dress for Success; an organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire. Another great option is New Circles, a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto that gives local families and newcomers to Canada the clothing they need. With another cold Canadian winter approaching, it’s a great idea to donate your or your kids’ gently used winter clothing.

3. Bring school supplies to donate to the kids in the regions you’re visiting over the holidays. We are so lucky here to have access to new pens, binders, and notepads for every new school year. So many kids worldwide don’t have this luxury and it has a negative impact on their motivation to thrive at school. Popular holiday destinations like Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba are examples of countries where kids are living in poverty. If you’re visiting these areas over the holidays, bring an extra bag of school supplies to leave with these children! It’s a small thing to do, and it will make such an enormous difference in their lives.

Photo: Storey Wilkins

4. Share a holiday meal with a new Canadian and/or a refugee. There are many new immigrants and refugees spending their first holiday season in Canada this year. It’s a huge blessing for them to be here, and also, a daunting reality since for many, they won’t be with their loved ones. Sharing a meal together will be an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience for them and you.

5. Sponsor a meal at a soup kitchen. If you’re based in Toronto, the Muslim Welfare Centre hosts a series of meals around the GTA, helping Torontonians get warm meals.

We all have the means to make a real difference in someone’s life. Whether your efforts are global or local, they matter.

Happy holidays! 

*******

Thank you, Clare! You can find Clare's book Kakuma Girls on Indigo and Amazon.

Follow Clare on Twitter @KakumaGirls and Instagram @Kakuma_Girls.

Hair Donation Day 2016!

We started in 2014 (the first and last time I'll have short hair as an adult!), continued in 2015, and this year we were back for the third annual Wigs For Kids event at our school.

This time around there were seven generous little girls (my Eva returned for round two), plus one teacher and one mom...and it was another great success!

Ready to go:

In progress: (I love this shot: one of my students - who just had her hair cut by her mom moments earlier - is returning the favour!)

The final results:

Again this year we had some very generous donors who helped to fill up gift bags for our amazing participants!

We want to thank...

McDonald's, for the gift card

Shout Factory, for an assortment of great kids' DVDs

Funrise Toys for the Gazillion Bubbles Hurricane Blasters

And a very special thank you to my friends at Hallmark for providing each little girl with a ceramic keepsake box and Mickey Mouse journal, and giving each of the two women an assortment of great Hallmark products. Plus, of course, gift bags and pretty tissue paper!

We had student emcees and DJs, and I always love seeing the school spirit and involvement from the leaders in our school. They make us so proud.

Congratulations to all of our participants...I already had several little girls tell me that they want to do it next year, so things are looking good for a fourth annual event in 2017!

The Value of YOU - Trista Sutter's Powerful Ted Talk

As you likely already know, TED talks (short for Technology, Entertainment and Design) are short, powerful speeches presented on a variety of topics by speakers who range from high-profile to under-the-radar.

I recently learned of a talk given at TEDxVail by Trista Sutter called "The Value of YOU". While many know Trista as the first Bachelorette, more recently she fell into the trap of describing herself as "just a mom", which is part of what inspired her speech.

In an email, Trista says that this talk is for "anyone who has ever felt judged, either by personal friends/family, strangers on the Internet or otherwise, and worst of them, by their own personal demons.  Many stay at home moms are relating as well as anyone feeling alone and insecure. After being asked to be part of the Naturally Grateful section of TedxVail a year ago, it took me awhile to decide what to speak about, but ultimately, I thought about the kind of message I would want to give to my kids.  Thankfully, they haven’t experienced much judgment in their lives, but I hope that if they ever do, that they understand that they are unique, valued, and loved…and that’s what I want for everyone who hears it, whether they are insecure, bullied, or just need a little reminder to never devalue themselves, no matter their title or lack thereof."

I found her words very powerful, especially when you see and hear a real live person recounting the cruel things that have been said about her on the Internet. It really makes you stop and think.

Take a peek, and if you can't see the embedded video you can also find it here.

Kate's Favourite Things - December 2015

One of my favourite months of the year has arrived, and with it, my latest batch of recommendations!

MOVIES

Our Brand Is Crisis: The story: there's a presidential election coming in Bolivia, and two of the contenders have brought in American consultants (and former competitors) to help with their campaigns. As an actress, Sandra Bullock can really do no wrong in my mind, and I found it interesting that this role was originally written for a man, and changed to bring in Sandra. A caveat: you have to have at least a passing interest in politics to enjoy this.

Spectre: I watched this film in our local cinema's brand-new AVX theatre (which was awesome), and you can find more details here.

BOOKS

Wonder by R.J. Palacio: This is about a ten year old boy with a facial deformity, told from different perspectives. I considered reading this to my class (I'd be fine with my seven year old hearing it) except for a couple of references to suicide, which I would have to reword for Grade 2/3s. If your kids (or students) are a bit older than that, this is definitely a powerful book to share.

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll: This is one of those twisty-turny-suspense books that you often find me recommending. If you're a Gone Girl or Girl on the Train-lover, check it out.

Blue Bloods Cookbook by Bridget Moynahan and Wendy Howard Goldberg with Chris Peterson: If you've ever watched this show  (which I have - every single week!) you know that each episode would not be complete without the weekly family di)nner scene. Bridget Moynahan, one of the stars of the show (and one of my favourite actresses collaborated with Wendy Howard Goldberg, the wife of the executive producer, to create a Blue Bloods-themed cookbook. Filled with classic Irish and Italian recipes, beautiful photography, complete menu ideas (e.g. St. Paddy's Day, Easter) and behind-the-scenes notes, this is a great choice for the cook on your Christmas list. I even plan to try some of the recipes! (Apparently star Tom Selleck and I have a lot in common - he's not a veggie fan either! (Note: I received a copy of this book free for review.)

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes: This book is a visit with a very honest, vulnerable, girlfriend who happens to be the writing queen of Thursday nights. All it took was a comment from her sister ("You never say yes to anything!") to inspire her to do exactly that for a whole year. And you know, if you're going to drop names in your book, one might as well be Kerry Washington.

The Night Before Christmas: A Brick Story by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Amanda Brack: The traditional story brings back wonderful memories for me, as my Dad used to read it to my brother and me every Christmas Eve before we went to bed. Instead of the classic illustrations though, Brack has done these with Lego, making it very appealing for kids. I even found myself drawn in to the detailed scenes. If you're looking to add to your Christmas book collection, this is a great choice. (Note: I received a copy of this book free for review.)

GOOD DEEDS

The Shoebox Project: 

What about helping a local woman who could use a boost?

This holiday season, Canadian charity The Shoebox Project for Shelters, supported by Dream, once again encourages Canadians to think inside the box with the 2015 holiday campaign: It’s What’s Inside That Counts. Since 2011, The Shoebox Project, one of Canada’s fastest growing charitable organizations, has assembled and delivered thousands of special Shoeboxes in over 72 communities across the country to women who are experiencing challenging times during the holiday season. 

The Shoeboxes are filled with both basic necessities including shampoo, toothpaste, socks, and gift cards, and little luxuries such as make-up, nail polish, and skin care products to help these women feel confident and special during trying times. The approximate total value of the products should be $50. (No time to shop, assemble and deliver? Baskits will do it for you!)

The donated gifts have been caringly crafted and assembled by Canadians from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, NL, and are brimming with an assortment of personalized items designed to help women feel valued and cared for by their community.

From a small initiative started in the homes of sisters-in-law Caroline Mulroney Lapham, Jessica Mulroney, Vanessa Mulroney, and Katy Mulroney, The Shoebox Project has flourished into over 30 chapters across Canada and the U.S. Click here to find a Shoebox Project drop-off location near you.

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Sick Kids Get Better Gifts:

For the person on your list who has it all!

A Get Better Gift is a way to give friends and family meaningful gifts, while also giving to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), supporting the patients, families and work of the Hospital.

These gifts have been well received by many people, including some very thankful sick children and their families:

·         Holiday Cooking and Baking Supplies: Cooking and Baking lets children find comfort while creating their holiday treats with the love and support of their family and friends, $20.

·         Stocking Surprise: For children, there are few things as exciting as waking up to a holiday stocking filled with surprises, $30.

·         *NEW GIFT* Water Therapy: Pool time is naturally therapeutic for kids of all ages. Water therapy also allows for easier movement to exercise after treatments and during rehabilitation, $40.

·         Holiday Meal for a Family: For our young patients, most family meals take place at their bedside during their hospital stay. This gift lets a family enjoy a holiday meal together – and a break from hospital routines, $45.

Visit their new website at GetBetterGifts.ca for a full list of gift ideas at a range of price points.

Kate's Favourite Things - September 2015

This month's edition of Kate's Favourite Things is significantly shorter than last month - I spent July focusing on rest and relaxation, but I never get too far into August before I'm thinking about school again!

Here are my top picks for the month (please note: I'd love to hear your thoughts if you follow any of my recommendations - I'm always thrilled to know that people are reading them!)

BOOKS

Come Away With Me by Karma Brown

About the book (from the publisher):

An unexpected journey leads one woman to discover that life after loss is possible, if only you can find the courage to let go… 

One minute, Tegan Lawson has everything she could hope for: an adoring husband, Gabe, and a baby on the way. The next, a patch of black ice causes a devastating accident that will change her life in ways she never could have imagined. 

Tegan is consumed by grief—not to mention her anger toward Gabe, who was driving on the night of the crash. But just when she thinks she's hit rock bottom, Gabe reminds her of their Jar of Spontaneity, a collection of their dream destinations and experiences, and so begins an adventure of a lifetime. 

From the bustling markets of Thailand to the flavors of Italy to the ocean waves in Hawaii, Tegan and Gabe embark on a journey to escape the tragedy and search for forgiveness. But they soon learn that grief follows you no matter how far away you run, and that acceptance comes when you least expect it. Heartbreaking, hopeful and utterly transporting, Come Away with Me is an unforgettable debut and a luminous celebration of the strength of the human spirit.

I'm excited to say that this is a debut novel from one of my Twitter friends (follow her @writerkarma) and I loved it! (Book # 2 is coming next summer.)

Ana of California  by Andi Teran

This one is a reimagining of Anne of Green Gables - orphan moves to the farm and lives with a sister and brother - but with many differences, not only because of the geographical setting but to bring it into 2015.

Royal Wedding: A Princess Diaries Novel by Meg Cabot

My mom signed this out of the library for me, and it sat for a while, as I figured it would be a bit too juvenile for my liking...but I really enjoyed it. I have discovered that I am now old enough that a character can be 10 years younger than me, yet still be a grown woman to whom I can relate. Well, as much as one can relate to a princess of a fictional country! It's fun, funny and sexy, with a few surprises.

A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan

Written by the books editor at Glamour magazine, this one is a fresh twist on the busy-employed-sandwich-generation-mom theme - though I'm still waiting for the book where a dad questions his workaholism and impact on the children.

The story really drew me in, especially since it's a book that talks a lot about books!

MAGAZINES

Speaking of Glamour magazine, here are a couple of quotes I loved from Mindy Kaling's interview in the September issue:

"Working parents have eclipsed Russian operatives as our most popular movie villains."

"People get scared when you try to do something, especially when it looks like you're succeeding. People do not get scared when you're failing. It calms them...But when you're winning, it makes them feel like they're losing or that maybe they should've tried to do something too, but now it's too late. And since they didn't, they want to stop you. You can't let them."


MOVIES

Southpaw - I love Rachel McAdams, and this movie gave me lots of feelings. I will be shocked if Jake Gyllenhaal is not nominated for an Oscar.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - I knew nothing about the series, but the movie was a nice, witty action flick. I'll definitely go see the sequel...which was set up perfectly at the end of this one.

Ricki and the Flash - My mom and I had a date to see this (we were celebrating the fact that she did not leave our family to pursue a rock star career) and we both enjoyed it and had lots of tears, though I could have done with fewer musical performances. I'm more a move-the-plot-along kind of gal.


SHOPPING

I'd been admiring some of the "front and back" style earrings I'd seen on the ladies of The Social, and was keeping my eye out for some budget-friendly options. I found these ones at Claire's for $8.50, and for only $5 I got a different silver pair as well. I love a good bargain!

GOOD DEEDS

In my younger years, I made 13 blood donations, but since moving to our new home, much farther from a regular clinic, I hadn't gone once! I made an appointment and was in and out in about an hour and a half, and I'm already booked to return after the minimum number of wait days. You know what they say - it's in you to give!

Have a wonderful September, everyone!

Teacher Gift Ideas (With Printable and Charitable Suggestion)

Let me be clear: teacher gifts are never expected or required, but this time of year I know there are some parents looking for ideas.

I wrote a magazine article a while back about Gifts For Teachers, and most of those ideas still apply - though it was Christmas-themed, and the ornament might be a bit out of place in June!

As I always say, the nicest thing to receive is a sincere compliment, whether from the child or the parents. SavvyMom.ca ran a great post recently with tips to help your child write a thank you note to the teacher, and I loved it so much that I turned the prompts into a simple fill-in-the-blanks template that my primary grade daughters have used to write to their teachers. They printed their answers by hand (much cuter than typed responses) and then decorated the sheets. (I'm sharing it here; feel free to use it!)

For those who are looking to spend a little bit of money to show appreciation, charitable gifts are a great idea, and can be any dollar value.

What about a SickKids Get Better gift for your child's teacher? Here's what SickKids suggests:

School is wrapping up for another year and summer is around the corner. What better way to thank your child’s teacher and caregiver, who help and support your child throughout the year, than with something from the SickKids Get Better Gifts program.

These meaningful gifts provide an alternative to traditional gift-giving and recognize many of the special ways these teachers and friends help children learn and grow, similar to the way the staff at SickKids seek to motivate, inspire and teach the patients in their care.

When you give a Get Better Gift, you are not only showing your appreciation, but also helping to brighten the lives of sick children and their families.

Gift ideas include:

·         Arts and Craft Supplies: This gift provides therapeutic opportunities for special arts and crafts programs that can help children cope with hospital stays and make sure they get to do some of the school activities they’re missing.

·         Books for the Children’s Library at the Family Centre: Story-time and book delivery service, where books are delivered right to the children in their hospital bed, are just a couple of the children’s favourite services you can help support.

·         An Opportunity to Clown Around: Happiness and laughter are important for the mind and body. At SickKids, specially-trained therapeutic clowns help to ease tension and offer relief by using spontaneous humour and gentle play to minimize stress during treatments and hospital stays.

I can tell you for sure I would love to have any of these gifts made in my name...though if your child absolutely positively wants to give me a material item all wrapped up, you'll never go wrong with a Kit Kat.

Kate's Favourite Things: June 2015

"Disclosure" : only one of these items (as noted below) was free, in case anyone's wondering about bias before you start reading!

Next Issue

If somehow you've missed this, I am totally in love with the Next Issue app. I pay ten bucks a month for unlimited digital magazine subscriptions (I currently have 26, including 2 for my husband and 1 for the kids). New issues load automatically, and it seems like I'm never without something to read...which is awesome! I'm not really an iPad person, but I have totally embraced reading magazines this way. It's so convenient, and of course it's environmentally-friendly (though I'll admit that's not often as big a concern for me as it should be). I still have a handful of hard-copy subscriptions (I think I'm getting Today's Parent until February 2017) which can still be handy for reading in the tub or anywhere else I don't want to take my iPad (plus not every magazine is available through the app), but as they expire I'll add them to Next Issue as well.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen

I've had the same bottle of sunscreen for my face for about three years, and just realized it has officially expired. I'm so picky when it comes to this sort of product, because I've always had oily skin and hate to put anything on it that makes it look greasy or shiny. I was in Walmart and walked by a display of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face and thought I'd give it a try - and so far so good (I bought SPF 60 because I am adamant about protecting my delicate facial skin. Vanity can be a great motivator!) The product absorbs so quickly that I feel like I have to move fast to work it in...and while my discerning eye can still tell something's there, it's definitely the most matte finish I've had in a sunscreen.

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

I have loved most of her books, and Jodi had me right until the end with this one...the story of a young girl hunting for her (runaway? dead? kidnapped?) mother. I was even pulled right into the elephant-sanctuary setting (I may not love pets, but African animals hold a certain appeal). The end, though, disappointed me a little bit. You can find spoilers elsewhere, and I won't tell you what movie plot it reminds me of...but it's been done, and I didn't totally buy it. But otherwise I was engrossed!

Kids Who Help Kids 

I mean, first of all, there were the girls at my school who donated their hair, but I also received a great email from Alex, an 11-year-old Canadian entrepreneur. She created ‘Ivy and Alex’ a line of kids dresses, to support causes she cares about. Each dress is reversible with a pattern side and a solid side,  and the dresses can change as you grow. So girls can wear it as a tunic (with cool tights) or a shirt once she’s outgrown it as a dress.

World Vision helped her find four projects to support: if you buy a blue dress, World Vision will help provide clean water, the green dress will help provide nutritious food, the pink dress will help provide a chance to go to school or medicine (health stuff) and the red dress will support Canadian programs and help kids right here! Check out the Ivy and Alex website for more details.

Rimmel Colour Rush Balm

When my friend Sarah and I hit Lainey Gossip's SMUT Soiree last year, we were given a little swag bag that included a Rimmel lip crayon (The Redder the Better). This was my go-to lipstick for months - creamy, long-lasting and a classic colour that went with almost everything...except pink. So I went out and bought Boom Chic a Boom. These two now stay in my little Kate Spade makeup bag inside my purse, and every other Tuesday when I arrive at the CHEX studio, I take a glance at my outfit and decide whether it's a red day or a pink day. (My Canada AM appearance was definitely a pink day - and the makeup artist there hadn't seen the Rimmel  before and was very impressed, as she usually bought something similar - and much more expensive - from a bigger brand name.) Next I'll be picking up more of a "neutral" shade to add to my collection.


Jamberry

The details: $17 for a set of nail wraps, and I can get two full manicures out of each set. (Don't want to do the math? $8.50 per manicure.) It takes me about 15 minutes to do, cutting the wraps, warming them under the hairdryer, applying them to my nails, trimming, and applying heat again. I get at least two (though I stretch it to three) weeks of wear, with tons of both trendy and classic styles to choose from. Tip: I prefer patterns to solids, because the tips tend to wear out a bit, which you don't notice at all when the wraps are patterned. My dealer consultant Lindsey can hook you up!

That's it for this month! I'd love to know what you think about any of my favourites!