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Welcome to ON Magazine’s Annual Family Issue!

This is a very special issue for me to publish, as I am now officially a Family Man.

Last year, I dedicated our first Family Issue to my unborn daughter. This year, I happily dedicate this issue to all Families, be they ‘traditional’ or ‘non-traditional’. Thankfully, we live in a society (at least here in Toronto) where love trumps all when it comes to Family and less and less emphasis is placed on the conventional nuclear family structure comprised of a married man and woman with children.

In my humble opinion, Family has more to do with love and mutual respect than composition.

Enjoy,

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Highlights from our Current Issue...

Family | Westside Montessori School
By: Carol-Ann Ryan

Toronto is a great place to raise a family. There are a variety of education options for children, both public and private, including schools that cater to special interests and particular needs. For our annual Family Issue, ON highlights an alternative school option located in our community. Westside Montessori School is a new addition to the city’s education landscape, specializing in education for children aged 18 months to 6 years.

Opened by Jody Shulgan and Liz Girvan in September 2008, Westside follows the guiding principles developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator working in the early 20th century. It was her belief that children are individuals and should be respected as such. The Montessori method aims to develop the whole child. Intellectual, physical and social growth is valued equally...

Family | Sunny Mummy Boutique + Spa

Sunny Mummy Spa + Boutique is Our Neighbourhood’s newest retreat for busy Moms (and Dads). Owner, Nilla Petta launched Sunny Mummy last December with the help of her partner Tara Diaczyk. The Boutique came first, followed by the Spa, which opened this past Valentine’s Day. When asked what inspired Nilla to open Sunny Mummy, she replied: “I always wanted to open a wellness business but never knew exactly what type. It wasn’t until I was pregnant that the idea for a spa / boutique came to me. I wanted to create an environment for Moms where they can feel comfortable and safe. I chose Queen West to open my Sunny Mummy because I saw a need in this area for a business catering to Moms. I also wanted to be a part of, and give back to, a great community! My daughter is the inspiration behind Sunny Mummy and I named the business after her. Her name is Soleil. With Sunny Mummy, I’m able to combine all that I love…wellness, entertaining, and my baby.”

Sunny Mummy’s Boutique offers a wide range of products for children that are environmentally friendly and support local Moms. Some highlights include their clothing (made with organic materials), wooden toys, puzzles, as well as the very cool and hard to miss Rocket Ship Play House (made from environmentally friendly material and is easy to assemble, fun to accessorize, and grows with your kids). Coming soon to Sunny Mummy...

Family Matters
By: Manny Machado

Family matters, whether you are a traditional family unit or surrounded by your chosen family. The summer months are a great time to get together with the people who make up your support network. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish a Happy Pride to my extended Gay family and ask you to spend at least one special day this month with the people you love.

For more information, visit: pridetoronto.com

Green | Keeping Your Family SAFE
By: Anastasia Vaskova

Believe it or not, the most toxic area of your house is under your kitchen sink or wherever you keep the cleaning products for your home. With all this “green washing” going on, it can be a daunting task to know who and what to trust. So let me make some recommendations of “green” associations, logos, and networking events that can be trusted to keep you and your family safe.

One key association is right here in Toronto: Environmental Defence (environmentaldefence.ca). Environmental Defence champions critical environmental and health issues under three program areas: Greening Cities, Protecting People, and Saving Species. Their website is great. They are completely credible and have monthly newsletters that will keep you up to date on important issues. For you keen greenies, their Executive Director, Rick Smith and colleague Bruce Lourie just wrote a book, Slow Death by Rubber Duck: HOW THE TOXIC CHEMISTRY OF EVERYDAY LIFE AFFECTS OUR HEALTH.

Remember: vinegar, water, and baking soda still reign supreme for cleaning your home from top to bottom...