How puppy classes prepared me for parenting

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Karen Hay, RN

I always joke (tongue-in-cheek) that “everything I needed to know about parenting I learned at puppy class”.  That might sound a bit funny to you.  And I in no way want to imply that the complexity of caring for and loving a baby is the same as caring for and loving a dog, but there are some remarkable similarities in strategies for managing behaviour. Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is your child ready for a smart phone?

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

How do you know when it’s the right time for your child to have a smart phone? I just don’t know if he’s ready, but he says “everyone has one!” Does this sound familiar?

Start by considering your own family’s circumstances. Phone and data plans are expensive, no doubt about that. Does your child have a tablet or an iPod they can use? Do they really really need a phone?

Now let’s chat about the difference between need versus want. All kids want a phone, of course they do! It is a privilege to have a phone, not a right – and along with that privilege comes a great deal of responsibility. So let’s think about it: is it an identified safety issue for your family? Will your child be home alone and require a phone (do you have a house phone)? Are they taking public transit? Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Countdown to calm: How to ease transitions for toddlers

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Maureen Harris, RN

As a parent, you’ve likely received a lot of child-rearing advice – most of it unsolicited. While I usually take tips from strangers with a grain of salt, there’s one nugget I think of as the best piece of parenting advice I have ever received.  OK, that might be an exaggeration, but the fact that I still remember it after many years says something.

When my daughter was about two years old and my son was an infant, we would go to the park every day. We’d enjoy our time playing on the swings, going down the slide, making mud pies in the sandbox.  Then there was the moment of truth: as soon as the words “It’s time to go home” left my lips, my daughter would spiral down into a full blown, wailing, flailing, down-on-the-ground temper tantrum.  I would struggle mightily to carry my hitting, screaming child home, while pushing the stroller with the other arm. Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Why you can’t miss Canada Day here in Halton region

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Carolyn Wilkie, RN

For me, there’s nothing quite like kicking off the summer with family and friends on Canada Day.  Across Halton, Canada Day celebrations are in full swing from morning till night.  There is something for everyone, from parades to duck races, bouncy castles to rock concerts, yoga to museum tours. Deciding what to do will be the hardest part! Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Parenting, Pregnancy, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why I hire a teen to babysit my kids

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Andrea Scott RN

Have you ever hired a babysitter to watch your kids? I have a few times and it’s been great. I am lucky to have family nearby who babysit my kids, but we find ourselves saving these asks for when we’ve got an obligation. Somehow, asking family to babysit for us on a date night seems frivolous when it’s anything but! I like that hiring a youth has no strings attached – it’s not about doing you a favour and they probably don’t care why you’re going out.

The real reason why I hire a responsible young person is because I believe in community, and I believe in supporting our youth. Hiring a youth means you are helping them to develop a sense of responsibility, purpose, a connection to the community, and you are helping to increase their developmental assets. I also think it’s great for my kids to have the experience of being babysat. They get a responsible youth as a role model and they’ll probably have a great time! Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments