Happy Friday!

Congratulations to Kiki and Roseanne who are the winners of my Canadian Living Slow Cooker Collection contest. I hope you both love the book.

For those who didn't win, watch for it in bookstores in October - you'll love it!

Thanks to everyone for your great comments. It's nice to hear there are so many men helping out in the kitchen. (Way to go ladies!)

Talk to you next week. Kathryn

Congratulations to Sue and Cheryl who have each won a copy of The World Needs Your Child - How to Raise Children Who Care and Contribute (me to we books, 2009) by Craig and Marc Kielburger and Shelley Page.

Here are 8 parenting pearls of wisdom from this great book that I would like to share with you:

1. Of course your children are gifted: Your challenge and joy is to help them discover their talents.

2. Give the presence of time: Don't rush. Let your child discover her own abilities at her own speed.

3. Make room to explore: Your talents are your talents. Give your kids the freedom to find their own way to shine.

4. Take an interest in their interests: If your child is fascinated with dinosaurs, take him to the library or the natural history museum. No matter the flavour of the month, help him explore.

5. No pain, no pain: Dragging a kid to practice only works for so long. Help him find his groove.

6. Encourage effort, not results: Marks and scores are important to a point. A the end of the day, the real goal is for your child to feel a sense of accomplishment.

7 . Model optimism: Tell your children that you have faith in them and believe they can succeed.

8. Show and share: Encourage kids to share their talents with friends, family and community.

If you have any other tips, please share them. Talk to you soon.

Happy Friday ... especially because we are headed into the last long weekend before we kiss summer good-bye.

As I promised, I have a new contest ... but first, let me digress ... something that I must admit I'm very good at!

One of my favourite aspects of my job as the life & health editor at Canadian Living magazine is working with a wonderful organization, Free the Children (FTC). Started by two Canadian brothers, Craig and Marc Kielburger, FTC has built schools for hundreds of thousands of kids all over the world and been an advocate for children's rights.

(Check out our annual Me to We awards program with FTC online at www.canadianliving.com)

Why am I telling you about this?

Because the contest involves a new book that the Kielburgers have written called, "The World Needs Your Child - How to Raise Children Who Care and Contribute (me to we books, 2009). It's an inspiring read full of  heart-warming stories and incentive to nurture a sense of compassion and community in kids of all ages.

I'm giving away two copies of The World Needs Your Child.

What do you have to do to win?  Tell me about an act of kindness that you or your kids did recently!

I can't wait to read your replies!

Welcome to September! (I know I'm a few days late.)

Forget Jan. 1st, for me, this month is the official start of the new year. Time to get back into routines, take stock and set some new goals ...

For a while, I've been thinking about the community and volunteer committments I have in my life. Figuring out exactly how I want to "give back" is on my list of 'things to do' this month.

Recently, I have served on my daughters' school council and lent a hand at functions at my local United Church (which does a great job of helping out the homeless and those with addictions). I'm also big on charity walks.

I love getting involved in my community. Despite the time committment in my busy life (doesn't every mum have a 'busy life'?), the work energizes me, fills me with a sense of purpose and, all too often, reminds me that I have a lot to be grateful for.

This fall, now that my girls are getting older (enterings grades two and five), I want to get them more involved in the community and volunteer efforts as well. I think I'll start by taking them to the annual Run for the Cure (for breast cancer).

I'm open to new ideas and suggestions so tell me ...

What kind of volunteer/community efforts are you invovled in? What about your kids?

Talk to you soon and watch out for a new contest that I'll post on Fri. Sept 4th.

Thanks for all your replies, telling me what you think about blogging and chatting online about your kids.

The winner (through a random draw) is Dorothy. I'll be mailing out a copy of Canadian Living's Make It Tonight cookbook from the great folks in our test kitchen.

Tomorrow, let's talk about Christmas. Yes, you heard right!

Until next time, Kathryn

There are so many things to celebrate this Sunday!

First off, it’s Father’s Day.

In my home, we have an awesome dad. My husband, Len, does more than his share of childcare and household chores. And last night he finished building our new deck – yeah!

I love it when Len picks outfits for our youngest daughter, Sophie, 7, to wear to school. You can bet she'll be decked out in a kaleidoscope of colours, patterns and textures that would make a fashionista cringe. But hey, he tries and Sophie’s happy. And that’s what counts, isn’t it?

This Sunday we are celebrating dad by letting him sleep in, bringing him breakfast in bed, and showering him with the girl’s artwork. Then we'll head over to Len’s dad’s house for a backyard bbq. (My own dad is several hours out of town and I will be honouring him a week later.)

This Sunday is also officially the first day of summer.

We have such long winters, that this season is definitely cause for celebration. We got a head start this week by visiting a farm on the Niagara Escarpment where we picked strawberries. There’s nothing like the sweet, fresh, yummy taste of homegrown berries to remind us that it's summer.  I encourage everyone to get out to a local ‘pick your own’ farm this weekend.

Happy weekend everyone!

How will you celebrate? CONTEST TIME: One person will win a Canadian Living cookbook!

Sorry I have been an absent blogger for the past week. I took some time away from work and the computer to enjoy the spring sunshine with my kids.

While I love surfing and writing online, I'm a big believer in brief sabbaticals from it all.

It's still gloriously warm and sunny here in Toronto, but our country is bathed in sadness from the loss of a little girl, Victoria "Tori" Stafford who was abducted and murdered in Woodstock, Ont.

When the tragic news broke yesterday, I know every mother was thinking of Tori's mum ... and the unbearable weight of her grief. I chatted with my neighbour last night — a stoic accountant who told me she broke down in tears in the office.

I also know that every mum, like me, was thinking twice about her own kids' safety.

The reality is that we can't protect our kids from every danger — and at the same time we can't scare them to death, or deny them the freedom and independence that they need to grow and make good decisions for themselves.

A few weeks ago my 10 year-old daughter, Liv, saw me at the computer watching the grainy video of a woman leading Tori away from her school. That same woman is now charged with her abduction. I told Liv what I was watching. I also told her, 'No matter what the person says ('Keep quiet and come with me or I'll hurt you and your family') scream and kick like hell if anyone tries to get you to go somewhere with them.'

In the coming days, I'll have a talk with both my daughters about strangers and safety. I'm not sure what I'll say, but I know my challenge will be striking that fine balance between giving them the information they need to be safe and not instilling fear.

What will you tell your kids?

P.S. The first 10 people who reply will receive a copy of The BlackBerry Diaries - Adventures in Modern Motherhood by Canadian funny lady, Kathy Buckworth.

Hello, let's talk spies.

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently had the opportunity to chat with a real-life former CIA spy -- very cool. Lindsay Moran is the author of, Blowing My Cover: My Life as a CIA Spy. (Read on to find out how you can win a copy of her book).

Lindsay worked for the CIA for five years and left in 2003. In 'spy school' she learnt how to jump out of an airplane, crash cars, shoot weapons and how to assume an alias. (Trust me, journalism school is a lot duller).

Lindsay gave it all up because she wanted to start a family and, as you can probably guess, the spy life and being a mama aren't a great mix.

We give up a lot to have kids, don't we?

I so often hear about women who have put something aside -- a passion or career -- to be a mom, but not so much with men when they become dads.

I'm not bashing the boys. (In all honestly my husband is amazing. He does more than his share of caring for the kids and home). I actually think us moms have a more balanced outlook on life and know that something has to give.

What do you think? I want to know. Tell me if you gave up anything to be a mum and if you have any regrets. Here's an incentive: I have a couple of copies of Lindsay's memoirs on her life as a CIA spy to give away. (Yes, another little contest ladies).

If you want to read about our spy girl's safety tips for women, sign up for my monthly e-newsletter at: http://www.canadianliving.com/my_cl/?mod=signup&action=newsletter_new.

Talk to you soon. Don't forget to write to me here on the mom blog.