HaltonParents

Why it’s better to NOT have a routine with young babies

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Andrea Scott RN

There’s nothing like a good routine. We hear all the time how children need routine to feel safe and secure. Especially during times of stress, routines bring us all comfort and familiarity. These are the times when we are literally just “going through the motions.”

Having a new baby and becoming a parent for the first time is a crazy time. There’s just no other way to explain how my life went from having daily cozy routines to chaos. This tiny little person you waited 9 months to meet and love with all your heart has a shocking amount of power to flip your whole world upside down. Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Breastfeeding Your Baby, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Play, Growth & Development for Babies, Preparing to Breastfeed | Tagged baby, baby's cues, breastfeed, Breastfeeding Your Baby, feeding routine, infant, Mental Health, nap routine, naps, newborn, routine | 4 Comments

School’s Out for Summer (But Routines Aren’t)

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

I refuse to lecture you on this one. I’m just going to say my brief little piece and then wish you a FUN and AWESOME summer and that’ll be that. I promise!

Okay – here goes (deep breath): try, when you can, to maintain some semblance of routine over the summer. Just as mental rest, physical activity and quality family time are what kids’ minds and bodies need, summer routines are in there somewhere too. Whew…there…I said it. Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, 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 | Tagged Mental Health, Physical Health, routines in summer, school's out, special needs, summer activities, summer brain drain, summer holidays, summer language, summer math, summer routines | 1 Comment

Clean your room! PLEASE

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

Does this sound familiar? Always nagging, always having to ask your kids to do their part… and then complaining when they forget? Not only do you complain; you DO what they were supposed to DO while mumbling & even perhaps cursing under your breath! I wish the kids would just happily do their chores. Is that too much to ask? Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens | Tagged chores, clean, family chores, help, Mental Health, routines, school health, teens, tidy, tweens | 2 Comments

Celebrate the Longest Day of Play!

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

You know that frightening (yet strangely comforting) moment when you hear yourself channel your own parents when you utter a random phrase to your kids? That moment came for me last Sunday when I heard myself (i.e. my mother, circa 1981) call out, “Okay guys – school day tomorrow – come in when the street lights come on!” When the street lights come on…I hadn’t heard that phrase in over 25 years. Wow – brings me back.

So, having had that experience just last week, imagine the nostalgia pumping through my hide-n-seek playing, ring-tossing, swimming, cycling roots when I heard about ParticipACTION’s Longest Day of Play. This annual event is celebrated June 21^stwhich is the longest day of the year. And right there, plain as day on their webpage, they mention the street lights phenomenon. Go figure! Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, 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, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged bring back play, Celebrate the Longest Day of Play!, grandparents, June 21st, longest day of play, longest day of the year, participaction longest day of play, physical activity, Physical Health, play, play outside, school, special needs, summer solstice | Leave a comment

Childproofing – keeping my expectations realistic

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Andrea Scott RN

I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! Pumpkin is two years old, and has become so independent lately. She’s no longer falling and bumping her head all over the place (well, for the most part), and not trying to get her hands on every dangerous item she sees (…usually). I can relax a bit and ease off on the supervision, right??

Would you be surprised if I told you that injuries actually increase between the ages of 2 and 3?

At her age, Pumpkin is able to do lots of things on her own. “I do that!” is her favourite expression. When there is no concern for her safety, (and I’ve got the time to indulge her) I let Pumpkin assert her independence as much as she likes. Her pants are often backwards and shoes are sometimes on the wrong feet but she sure is proud of herself! Continue reading →