CATHERINE McCUTCHEON is a 23-year veteran in the broadcasting industry. She currently hosts “Midday” on 97.5 London’s EZ Rock and coaches people in public speaking through her business, Fearless Speakers.

Being a mother with just one child, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been asked when my son will have a brother or sister. Ever notice how most men don’t get asked that question? It’s almost always directed at the woman. As it happens, I had a few complications towards the end of my pregnancy and was just so grateful to have a healthy baby. Having said this, it’s amazing how some people just won’t let up and still say things like, “Aw, your son needs someone else to play with.”

So I eventually conceded. Enter our dog Daisy. By the way, why do so many people feel they’re the experts on the size of family you should have?

And if it’s not a comment about how I need to have another child, I get, “You’re lucky you only have one child.” This is usually followed by the exasperated mom rolling her eyes and the lament about how busy her life is with several children.

Sure, these mothers appear to have it all together but sanity is subjective. Showing up for soccer practice with muffins doesn’t make you sane; it means you’re punctual and maybe more popular. Having one child doesn’t make me any less busy – it’s just easier to be organized. And I’m not lucky because I have one child, I’m lucky because I have a child.

I wouldn’t trade my son for anything! He’s the light of my life and the apple of my eye. Do I wish I’d had more children? Yes, but I don’t think I have the energy or patience now for the middle-of-the-night feedings.

Take Angelina Jolie, for example. It’s pretty wild how she juggles her acting career, marriage to Brad Pitt (oh, to juggle Brad Pitt), all her philanthropy and I’ve lost count, 12 children? Okay, maybe not 12, but she’s getting close. From everything we see and read about her, she’s a very dedicated mother and has made her family a priority. There’s no doubt that having a substantial income makes things easier, especially when it comes to hiring help (they are in Hollywood, after all).

My son is almost 10 so the next worry will be puberty and girls. Gee, maybe diapers and teething aren’t so bad! I’ve considered grounding Jake until he’s 30 but the cost of groceries isn’t going down and I look forward to having grandchildren some day. Until then, I will continue to count my blessings, no matter how big or small.

SUSAN COOK-SCHEERER is the Associate Producer and co-host of daytime, seen weekdays at 11 a.m. on Rogers Television, Cable 20

“No more classes, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks!”

And with that, it’s official: summer 2008 has begun! Nothing brings joy to the heart of the average student quite like the thought of two months of freedom, does it? I remember that feeling well, which is why I can’t understand why each year at this time, we insist on ruining it all by bringing up the idea of year-round schooling.

Actually, “we” don’t bring it up, “they” do. You know who “they” are, don’t you? They’re the ones who say our students’ young minds go mushy after two months off. They say children get too bored with that much time off. They insist that kids need routine, which school provides for them. And they also remind us it’s difficult for some parents to make childcare arrangements for an entire two months.

Ah, come on! Don’t they remember the sheer joy of running through the school doors on the last day of school? The magic feeling of knowing you could stay up late at night and not have to get up early the next day? Besides, they need to remember that most schools aren’t even equipped to handle year-round schooling. I mean really – would you want to be the teacher of 25 sweaty kids in an un-air-conditioned classroom? No thanks!

Speaking now as a mom, I have to admit that I like it when the kids are on summer holidays. It means I get a bit of a break too. Oh sure, there are the daily squabbles to referee, and fridges that need constant restocking. But the trade-off is no crazy morning rush hour, when I’m helping to search for overdue library books and last night’s homework, while trying to get three kids out the door! No after-school activities to pick them up from, or drop them off at. No hot dog lunches to help with or fundraising items to sell for the school trip. No tests to help them study for, or math homework that I have to relearn first so I can help them with it later! And best of all, it’s two months where I don’t have to pack a single, solitary lunch! That is, of course, unless we happen to decide to go on a picnic which, looking at the weather today, would be the perfect thing to do! So, “they” can continue the debate on the merits of year-round schooling all they want. As for me and the kids, we’re off to the park, picnic basket in hand, to enjoy a beautiful summer holiday afternoon.