Are you tired of hearing the age-old phrase, “I’m bored!” once summer vacation hits? Consider working together with your neighbors to create a camp for the kids on the block! A summer camp can accommodate children of many ages without a lot of extra planning involved. It’s also a great way to get to know your neighbors if you haven’t already. By working together, you can create a camp that your children will love and that will make the summer a bit easier on you. Choose someone to … [Read more...]
Melissa Gambrill, Marketing Manager from Britax Child Safety, Inc.
July 9, 2013 by
Expert Insights on Choosing the Best Double Stroller with Melissa Gambrill, Marketing Manager from Britax Child Safety, Inc. When it comes to baby gear, choosing the right products for your family is essential. I’ve been a longtime fan of the Britax brand and was pleased to have the opportunity to connect with Melissa Gambrill, marketing manager for Britax, and pick her brain about what parents should consider when choosing the best double stroller for their family. If you’re wondering … [Read more...]
Teaching Your Kids How to Save Money
July 2, 2013 by
One of the most important skills for an adult to have in order to successfully manage her life and achieve independence is a strong grasp of how to effectively save and manage money. Unfortunately, this is also a skill that many parents find difficult to pass along. In the interest of helping your children grow into financially independent adults that know how to spend money responsibly, it’s essential that you begin instilling these skills at a young age. These hints can help you build the … [Read more...]
Witnessing Verbal Child Abuse, How to Take Action
July 1, 2013 by
As a childcare provider, you will hopefully never witness the heartbreaking and infuriating image of a child being abused by her parents. Verbal abuse, while just as damaging as physical abuse, leaves no physical marks and is rarely followed up by a social services system that’s flooded with other issues. As a childcare provider, your job is to protect and care for the children under your charge. When it’s a parent who’s harming them, though, it’s not always easy to know what to … [Read more...]
Anger is a Habit
June 30, 2013 by
It's easy to imagine habits like a scotch after dinner, biting your nails or saying, "you know" after every sentence. An event or a time of day triggers us, and we go with the habit. It's easier than exploring new territory - it's merely a thoughtless response to an incoming trigger. But emotions can become habits as well. Distrustful is a habit. Lonely is a habit. Generous is a habit. When that stranger doesn't do what you expect, is your response to assume that … [Read more...]
Childcare, 20 Wacky Ways to Tell Your Teen that ‘You Love Them’
June 22, 2013 by
Even though they won’t tell you so, teenagers still want to know they are loved. Most parents will do that in the traditional ways: saying “I love you” when they leave for a trip, before hanging up on the phone or on special occasions. Parents also show their love by the things they do. Again, most of the time, it is in the usual ways at the usual times. Consider changing things up a little and letting your teen know of your love in a more unusual fashion. Here are some ideas straight … [Read more...]
FATHERS ACROSS CULTURES – FUND RAISING DINNER & SHOW – June 15
May 27, 2013 by
Rev. Sky Starr lives in the Jane/Finch corridor, a troubled neighbourhood that sees frequent gang-related shootings and stabbings. Rev. Starr recognized that violence has left her community in a constant state of grief--so she got trained in grief counselling. Her goal is to help heal her neighbours and friends, because she says, "there's a need, so I serve. It is in me." In 2007, Starr started Out of Bounds, a grief support organization that has so far helped over 5,000 people deal with … [Read more...]
Are you taking time to invest in your children?
April 30, 2013 by
Children are a tremendous blessing to us, but they are also a tremendous responsibility that God has entrusted to us. As parents, we have been entrusted to nurture, train, teach and prepare our children for life. As siblings, we are enable to learn from each other. As aunts and uncles, we are gifted with a surrogate role, gifting us with the presence of innocence that lives in children. The Face of God lies in the face of a newborn Child.... Are you taking time to invest in … [Read more...]
13 Ways to Get Dad to Help Out More Around the House
April 11, 2013 by
So, Dad hasn’t been picking up on the subtle hints you’ve been dropping. You are at the peak of frustration and almost ready to explode because of his lack of consideration for household chores. Before you get too frazzled, take a minute to remember that no two people communicate in the exact same ways. Inspiring your partner to take a more active interest in the household may require you to take a different approach. 1. Remind Him That Kids Should Learn from Both Parents – When … [Read more...]
CHILD QUITTING A SPORT MID-SEASON ?
March 17, 2013 by
Involvement in team sports helps kids learn to work together, encourages physical activity over more sedentary pursuits and can give your child a sense of belonging when he’s accepted by his teammates. A child who is stuck playing a sport he doesn’t enjoy, however, may not reap the same benefits as his more eager teammates. When your child approaches you with pleas to allow his mid-season resignation from the team, your first instinct may be to deny him. After all, sticking it out through the … [Read more...]
“How to Prepare Kids for Attending a Funeral “
March 14, 2013 by
When a close friend or family member dies, the ceremony celebrating their life and allowing the loved ones left behind to grieve can be a therapeutic experience in the minds of adults. For children, however, the funeral ceremony and visitation can be a scary and upsetting experience that makes dealing with the death of someone they care about even more traumatic. Making sure that your children are properly prepared for a funeral is one of the most important things you can do for them … [Read more...]
