THE RECIPES

5 Yummy, Supper-Worthy Sandwiches to Make Now

Some nights, supper is less about cooking a big meal and more about putting something quick, easy and delicious on the table. And honestly? Sometimes that means really good ingredients between two slices of bread. A hearty sammie can absolutely hold its own in the dinner rotation—especially when it’s packed with bold flavours and paired with an easy side. (Think freezer fries, a bagged salad, veggies and dip or even a handful of chips.) These recipes take the everyday sandwich and nudge it firmly into meal territory.

Tap each sandwich title for details.

Pastrami Monte Cristo Sandwich
A deli-style upgrade on the classic Monte Cristo, this version layers pastrami, cheese and jam between slices of crispy French toast. It’s rich, a little indulgent and perfect when you’re craving something gooey and comforting.

Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled cheese is already a family favourite, but the addition of sweet-and-savoury bacon jam takes it somewhere special. Expect melty cheese, crispy bread and sandwiches that disappear fast.

Charred Cauliflower Pitas with Halloumi and Harissa
For a meatless option that still feels substantial, charred cauliflower and salty halloumi tucked into warm pitas with a swipe of harissa deliver on smoky heat and plenty of flavour.

The Ultimate Muffuletta
This incredible pressed sandwich was invented in Sicily but made famous in New Orleans. A loaf of crusty, hollowed-out bread gets piled high with deli meats, cheeses and a briny olive salad that soaks in deliciously.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Pickle Chips
Crispy chicken tossed in Buffalo sauce meets crunchy pickle chips for a sandwich that hits all the right notes—spicy, tangy and wonderfully messy.

BONUS! Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Technically dessert but still a sandwich, these brownie-and-ice cream sammies make for a fun, chocolatey finish to sandwich night.

THE POLL

Are You a Natural Consequences Parent?

ParentsCanada editor Katie here. When my youngest, Juliette, was a toddler, she figured out how to remove the lid from every cup and water bottle we owned. I searched high and low for childproof ones she couldn’t open—but she always cracked the code.

One morning on the way to daycare, she was holding her sister’s water bottle—completely full—and watching me in the rearview mirror. This was the exchange:

Me: “Jules, leave the lid on. You’ll get water all over you.”
Her: “No.”
Me: “Seriously. You’ll get water everywhere and you won’t be happy.”
Her: “It fine.” (A common refrain between ages two and three.)
Me: “It’s not fine. You’ll be all wet for daycare.”

She held eye contact as she slowly unscrewed the lid and—surprise!—dumped water all over herself. Cue epic crying. Sophie, my older daughter, looked at her and said, “Mom told you.” Cue even louder crying.

When we got to daycare, I unbuckled her from her carseat and walked her inside. She was still furious—and soaking wet. The instructor took one look and asked, “Oh! Do we need to change your clothes?”

“Nope,” I said. “She’s fine. It’s just water. It’ll dry.”

Both she and Juliette looked at me like I had two heads, but I knew rushing in to fix a problem she’d just created wouldn’t teach her much. From across the room, another teacher laughed and said, “Ah—natural consequences parenting! I love it!”

Since then, there have been plenty of similar moments. If my kids cause their own problem—especially after a warning—I don’t rush to fix it. Of course accidents happen, and if something serious comes up I’ll always run to the rescue. But for everyday life lessons? Sometimes the only way to learn is to live with the consequences.

But now I’m curious: Am I alone? Do you let your kids make mistakes and deal with the outomes?

TODAY’S POLL

THE GRANDPARENTS

Why Are “Grandma Hobbies” Trending Right Now?

This month in Grandparenting Unfiltered, our columnist Kathy Buckworth takes on the viral trend of “grandma hobbies”—slower, more intentional activities like knitting, puzzles, gardening, crafting and other hands-on pastimes that Gen Z is suddenly embracing as a way to step away from screens. The name may be catchy, but as Buckworth points out, these hobbies aren’t just for grandparents.

In her latest column, she reflects on why the label initially rubbed her the wrong way, how younger generations are rediscovering these tactile pursuits and why putting the phone down to make, grow or solve something might be one of the best things grandparents can model for their families.

Click through for the full story.

THE QUESTION BOX

Does Sibling Birth Order Really Matter?

If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the memes about birth order—oldest kids as overachieving rule-followers, middle children as overlooked negotiators and youngest siblings as charming chaos agents. The jokes are funny, but they’re rooted in a long-standing idea known as sibling order theory, which suggests the order kids are born in may shape their personalities and family roles.

But how much does birth order actually matter? Here are just some of the takeaways from the science behind it all:

• Firstborns may show stronger leadership and academic tendencies—but can also feel pressure to be the responsible one.

• Middle children often develop peacekeeping and social skills as they carve out their place in the family.

• Youngest siblings may appear more playful and risk-taking, especially with older kids paving the way.

• Only children often share traits with both firstborns and youngest children thanks to intense parental attention.

• Birth order may influence family dynamics—but parenting style, culture and life experiences matter just as much.

Curious about your own kids? Click through for the full story.