Category Archives: Parenting

My son, my mentor and our journey with Down syndrome

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Carolyn Wilkie, RN

I recently had the opportunity to meet Shannon, a mom to three children including eight-year-old Dominic. Here is her story: Dominic is the second of my three children. Our journey with Dominic started with the routine ultrasounds and blood work that most pregnant … Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Parenting | Tagged Down syndrome, Grandparents, Mental Health, National Down Syndrome Awareness week, parenting a child with down syndrome, preschoolers, special needs, support for new parents | Leave a comment

How to tackle Mount Candy this Halloween

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

Name one word you associate with Halloween. 3-2-1…Go! “CANDY” that’s me shouting out my word! I love Halloween. I love the fall season. I love carving pumpkins and eating pumpkin seeds. I love helping my kids dress up. And most of … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Healthy Eating for Toddlers & Preschoolers, Healthy Eating for Your Child/Tween, Healthy Eating for your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged candy, cavities, chocolates, dental health, dress up, halloween, halloween and teeth, kids, oral health, parents, Physical Health, pumpkins, tweens | Leave a comment

Girl friendships: Is there a secret language?

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

Girls, girls, girls! When your daughter was first born, you may have pictured her growing up with good friends, always having fun while playing endlessly for hours. Fast forward a few years and you get hit with a reality check … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Children & Tweens with Special Needs, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens, Teens With Special Needs, Transition to High School | Tagged friends, friendships, Girls, healthy friendships, mean girls, Mental Health, positive relationships, Safety, teen girls, tweens | Leave a comment

Playing with your new baby: no manual needed!

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Carolyn Wilkie, RN

It’s been a few weeks since your baby came home and your head is still buzzing from competing demands and new routines. Feed baby, eat, sleep, change a diaper, return a text, shower…you know how it goes! Life is busy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Play, Growth & Development for Babies | Tagged Activities to do with a baby, Attaching to your baby, grandparents, how to make your baby smart, How to meet baby milestones, How to play with a new baby, Mental Health, Nipissing and babies, Play with babies, Playing with baby, socializing your baby, stimulating your baby | 3 Comments

Is it safe to let my kids play outside?

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Andrea Scott RN

As a public health nurse and parent, I sometimes feel like I am pulled in opposing directions when trying to balance safety and physical activity. In public health, our priority is prevention. If we spend our limited time, energy and resources on … Continue reading →