HaltonParents

“Will he be teased in the locker room?”

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Andrea Scott RN

I’m pregnant and my husband and I are the kind of people that just need to know if it’s a boy or a girl. I suppose we are impatient planners. To us, not knowing what day our baby will be born, how big he will be and who he looks like are enough fun surprises for us!

We are having a boy, and the questions have started about whether we will keep his penis intact or circumcise him. For many parents of boys in North America, it’s the first challenging parenting decision they’ll make. Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Keeping Your Baby Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Pregnancy, Prenatal Health | Tagged baby, boy, Canada, circumcision, circumcision rate, foreskin, intact penis, newborn, Ontario, Physical Health | 13 Comments

Seize the day with your family. Everyday!

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

Carpe diem! in the past when I heard “seize the day”; my thoughts used to run wild with the idea of being spontaneous, of trying something new and crazy. Living life like there is no tomorrow. Just doing it! Whatever your “it” may be.

However, now that I’m a mother (and older & wiser…LOL), most of my days are not a lotto 649 commercial… they are just my everyday routine. The days simply run into one another, the weeks quickly turn into months and years. Time really does go faster the older you get… (or so it seems). So, if this is my life’s reality, how on earth do I seize the day? I have a full schedule juggling a marriage, kids, career and commitments. All pulling me in different directions! 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 carpe diam, family, family day, Mental Health, parents, Physical Health, relationship, school, school health, seize the day, spend time together, talk together, teens, time, trust, trusting relationship | Leave a comment

We are ALL Team Canada

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

Tears. Lots of them. Just as they did four years ago when Alex Bilodeau captured gold for Canada, the tears flowed freely as a young man’s love for his brother shone as brightly on the world stage as did his remarkable achievement on the slopes.

As I humbly chew on my dinner of raw crow, I shall openly admit the error of my ways in my previous blog wherein I referred to the members of our Canadian Olympic team as fellow Canucks, yet essential strangers to most of us. I was wrong. Dead wrong. I know Alex Bilodeau. Having never met this young man and knowing minimal about his life, I know him. I know his heart; and that it belongs to his brother and the rest of his loving family. And that’s all that matters. 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 Bilodeau, Canadian Olympic team, Denny Morrison, Dufour-Lapointe, Gilmore Junio, Go Canada go, honour, Olympics, Sochi, Team Canada, team player, We all play for Canada | Leave a comment

Making time for your “Valentine”

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Andrea Scott RN

Get ready for the day, work, come home, make dinner while keeping Pumpkin occupied, clean up, play together, walk the dog, do the bedtime routine, the laundry, pay the bills, catch a tiny bit of me time, then finally… sleep. Wake up; repeat. Oh boy. So, when exactly are we supposed to find time for our marriage; our relationship?

Before I had my daughter, I was a firm believer that couples must (not should) make the time and effort to nurture their relationship with their partner. Remember that person you loved so much you wanted to create life together; one that would be half you and half them? Or that person you loved so much that you wanted to raise a child with them, whether or not that child was related to either of you, but just to be parents together, to experience the joy of parenting? Remember that?

Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Pregnancy, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged balance, children, date night, family, husband, making time, marriage, married with children, Mental Health, partner, relationship, special needs, spouse, stress of parenting, team, wife | Leave a comment

What are YOU doing this Family Day?

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

The countdown to Family Day is on! We have about a week left to plan our highly engaging and meaningful family activities for that special day! What to do; what to do? There’s so much out there! Come on now! Let’s get at it!

Know what I’m planning? Absolutely nothing. Not a thing. In my house, we’re gonna go (or not go) where the spirit moves us (or doesn’t) on that day. That’s what my kids really want, ya know? Just good, old-fashioned togetherness. And they shall have it! Continue reading →