Sum On Sleeve Podcast

“Science says cursing, cussing, using profanity to express emotions can be a good thing…but what about the children?” “Their innocent ears and naive brains cannot possibly process the horrendous meaning behind those words.” “If it’s okay to do so in front of children, then why do movies and TV shows censor foul language or put those warnings up before they start?” “Monkey see monkey do. Swearing i...

"Why is it so hard to practice gratitude on a daily basis?”⁣ ⁣ “I know I need to be grateful but some days I just don’t think there is anything to be grateful about”⁣ ⁣ “When life is good, I have all the gratitude in the world. But when it’s crap, it’s hard to see the light.⁣ ⁣ Gratitude is easy when life is easy⁣ Practicing gratitude, being grateful, giving thanks…this is what all the happiness e...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? WHAT A FULFILLING LIFE REALLY MEANS You’re always a parent but the journey is never the same There’s no sugarcoating that being a parent is hard work but it’s not complicated. You keep them alive, love them and show them how to be a decent human being, with the best intentions that you got through to them by the time they turn 18. Ultimately, my role as a mother is permanent...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? ROUTINES AND BOREDOM How do you deal with the monotonous routine? Isn’t it boring having to do the same thing, every single day? Yes, the routine can be boring, especially in the beginning for new moms. Change diaper, feed, watch them look around and fall asleep. Repeat. But the funny thing is that it was during this time when my creative juices got reinvigorated and I starte...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? WHEN THEY GET SICK AND SCARY HEALTH STUFF What about if they get sick or have an allergic reaction or fall from a tree and break their arm or get diagnosed a medical condition/learning disability/cancer/life-threatening disease where they can’t be out in the sun for more than 30 seconds or they’ll turn to dust like a vampire? First of all, BREATHE! I don’t know what I don’t k...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? TANTRUMS, EMOTIONAL LABOUR, TOUGH TOPICS What do you do when they whine and have tantrums, especially in the public? It seems so emotionally exhausting! To be honest, my child’s public tantrums probably bother you more than it bothers me since you’re not used to them. From breathing techniques, stern lectures, distracting tactics to leaving the situation, I’ve conditioned mys...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? TIME, SPACE AND PRIVACY FOR YOURSELF How do you make time for yourself? Aren’t they always in your space? Does it seem like you can’t even have an adult conversation without being interrupted? We all have commitments (job, husband, wife, friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, ageing parents, deadbeat brothers, failure to launch sisters, pet cat, pet dog, your pet iguana, volunteer w...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? COSTS, EXPENSES, AFFORDABILITY Kids are so expensive. How are you able to afford them? Yes, it costs money to raise children. I’m definitely not denying that. But the affordability piece is unique to the individual making the decision. I’m neither a millionaire nor am I broke. I can afford to have them because I make having them affordable.

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? KID STUFF, CLUTTER, CLEANING How do you deal with all that kid stuff shit in your house? You must be constantly cleaning! It’s called managing expectations, letting go and not caring about what others think. No matter how hard you try to minimize the sheer amount of shit you accumulate as a parent, you can’t control it. From gifts, hand me downs, practical items you needed to...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? FOOD, EATING, COOKING, GOING OUT TO RESTAURANTS Do you get to go out to eat? What do they eat? Do you have to cook all the time and buy everything organic? Yes, I get to eat out but do I get to go to any restaurant I want? Nope. Pubs, bars, fine dining aren’t exactly kid-friendly and there’s a lot of planning involved when you want a date night with your partner (at least unt...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? DO YOU GET TO SLEEP? Here’s the part where I can give some insight into being a parent, the good, the bad and the ugly. When I talk to women who are on the fence about having kids, they often want me to confirm or deny things they’ve heard or seen. And almost always, I’ll answer, “It depends.” Do you even get to sleep? Yes, I get to sleep. Some nights are good and some nights...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND LIVING YOUR DREAMS Don’t have kids because you want to live your dreams through them From taking over the family’s business to pressuring him to be a professional hockey player to forcing her to keep applying to medical school, whatever you messed up in life doesn’t mean your child is responsible to right your wrongs. FYI: your child would have their o...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? SOCIAL PRESSURE Don’t have kids just because someone is pressuring you to. “You’re 35 and still don’t have kids?” “I can’t be with you unless we have a baby.” “How long have you guys been married? Have some damn kids already!” “I want to be a grandma/grandpa before I die.” “Kids are so worth it. You’re missing out!” Your partner, parents, sister, brother, best friend, the new...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? FITTING IN AND FEELING LEFT OUT Reasons why you should and shouldn’t have kids Don’t have kids just because you want to fit in. Is everyone you know having kids? And you feel left out? Following what everyone else is doing is what our parents and our grandparents’ generations did because they feared judgement and embarrassment for going against the social norm. There was a lo...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? HAVING KIDS AND HAPPINESS Reasons why you should and shouldn’t have kids Don’t have kids because you want to fill a void, hoping they will make you happy. It’s like when you get into a relationship with someone, you absolutely cannot expect them to be your source of happiness, always depending on them to make you feel better. We are in charge of our own happiness and it’s up...

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? A GUIDED SELF REFLECTION EXERCISE How to know yourself and your ‘Why’ Here are some questions to help guide you in figuring out whether having kids is something you want to pursue. Whatever answers you give need to be true to you and aligned to your values and only yours.

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS? MORE MILLENNIAL WOMEN AREN'T “Should I have kids? Maybe if I meet a guy who wants them but for now, nope.” “I don’t want my life to change right now but that stupid biological clock is ticking.” “Parenting seems so hard and tiring but then why do all these people do it?” “I’m on the fence; I think I’d be happy either way.” “Blargh…why do I even have to make choice?” Parents w...

Let’s not sugarcoat it…dating sucks. To help you change your mindset, here are MY LAST 6 Brutally Honest Dating Tips That Will Make You Say “Damn, You’re Right.” Dating is like the epitome of your ego going into a Gladiator ring, with no armour, just your naked ass, putting yourself out there for an uncertain number of people to judge you, hoping it doesn’t get beaten to a bloody pulp. With every...

Let’s not sugarcoat it…dating sucks. To help you change your mindset, here are 9 MORE Brutally Honest Dating Tips That Will Make You Say “Damn, You’re Right.” Dating is like the epitome of your ego going into a Gladiator ring, with no armour, just your naked ass, putting yourself out there for an uncertain number of people to judge you, hoping it doesn’t get beaten to a bloody pulp. With every dis...

Let’s not sugarcoat it…dating sucks. To help you change your mindset, here are 9 Brutally Honest Dating Tips That Will Make You Say “Damn, You’re Right.” Dating is like the epitome of your ego going into a Gladiator ring, with no armour, just your naked ass, putting yourself out there for an uncertain number of people to judge you, hoping it doesn’t get beaten to a bloody pulp. With every disappoi...

The more you know yourself, the more you know who you want as a life partner.  What are the wants when trying to find a life partner? This is the spice that makes you and the other person about being lovers instead of friends.  I go through some questions, examples to help you self-reflect and figure out your wants when finding a life partner.  --------------------------------------...

What are the needs when trying to find a life partner?  These are your values, reflecting on your moral compass, ethics and spiritual/religious beliefs.  I go through some questions, examples to help you figure out your needs.  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ♥ Let's CONNECT!   ♥ INSTAGRAM: https:...

How can we make sure our children understand and practice gratitude? It’s about going beyond getting them to recite the words, ‘Thank you.’  A stranger holds the door for you… Your mom babysits so you have can have a date night with your partner… Your sister gives you that book you’ve been dying to read… Your coworker says your new haircut looks fabulous… What do we say? Thank you. Why do we...

How do you make sure you make great friends instead of toxic ones? Here are 3 signs to look for when making new friends. 

So in part 1, I shared the 3 signs that I watch for in myself when I think I’m becoming a toxic friend. In part 2 of my toxic friendship series, I’ll share with you how I manage these behaviours.