The greatest gift: Not found in stores

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Paula D'Orazio

It’s the holiday season and if your house is anything like mine, the kids are making their lists and checking them twice. So, I have a very good idea of what my kids (think they) want.

But what do they actually need?

I’ve indoctrinated my kids since birth that “if 3 gifts were good enough for the baby Jesus then they’re good enough for you” (LOL!) so at least their expectations are realistic. But recently, I read a blog that inspired me and made me really wanna give them something meaningful this year. So, what to do? Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Play, Growth & Development for Babies, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The REAL Postpartum Body

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Andrea Scott RN

When I first became a mom, I was floored by the competitions, comparisons, and expectations that we will all be amazing, perfect mothers and wives. Any time I did something that made it appear I was somehow balancing it all (this makes me roll on the floor with laughter, actually) the praise and back-patting I got was kind of silly. Why all this support when things are seemingly going well? What if I answered back saying things were, actually, not going as well as it seemed, in fact my daughter and I faced a new challenge week after week that brought me to the brink of sanity?

If I saw the photos circulating of those two women with amazing bodies who had delivered babies (one only 3 days before), during those first few months after becoming a mom, I know for a fact I would have laughed. Not one of those “oh, lol” laughs. More of a hysterical, tears streaming down the face laugh. Because not only must I respond to my baby with gentle-loving care, breastfeed, get rid of the nasty resistant thrush, treat her diaper rash that refused to go away, cloth diaper, do laundry, get out of the house and meet other moms, be considerate and loving towards my husband, deal with leaking from seemingly every orifice on my body, find time to sleep, do self-care (at this point that consisted of a shower and brushing my teeth), but also whip my body into shape so I can look stunning in a bikini. Riiiiiight. Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Breastfeeding Your Baby, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Pregnancy, Prenatal Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hands-free parenting: Let’s try it!

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Paula D'Orazio

You can see me, but am I really here? If there’s an electronic device in my hand, I’m at least considering giving my attention to someone or something other than you. If I’m texting, using social media, surfing the Net, checking emails or looking at a screen while in your company, I’ve essentially checked out of our interaction and chosen to direct my attention elsewhere. You’ve basically been shown that you’re not worthy of my full, undivided attention.

Sounds kinda harsh, doesn’t it? But it’s true. Think about it. Be honest with yourself. When your attention is split between two or more things, none of those things gets the full attention it deserves. I’m sure you know where this is going, so let’s go there. Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Play, Growth & Development for Babies, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eating on the run. Here’s how we make it work…

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

My work day has come to an end. I should be humming a happy tune as I skip to the elevators to start my descent toward the fresh air. Instead I walk slowly, with trepidation… I take a few deep breathes. In & Out. In & Out. These breaths are not that of relief that the day is over. Oh no… it’s quite the opposite. They are cleansing breaths, a stress reliever of some sorts. I am mentally preparing myself for my next job… my family life! This is my reality with 2 preteens and activities. The minute I walk through my front door, it will be in fast forward. I need to get home, get us fed and ready before we rush off to activities. Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Healthy Eating for Your Child/Tween, Healthy Eating for your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Beware the dreaded, fearsome, blood-curdling…PICKY EATER!!!

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Paula D'Orazio

I wanted pizza!

It’s a common drill.  Monday: Kid eats chicken and appears to love it.  Tuesday: Kid eats carrots and appears to delight in them.  Wednesday: Kid is all over Swiss cheese and wants it on everything.  Thursday through Sunday: Kid refuses to touch, look at, smell or be in the same room with chicken, carrots, cheese and any of the other foods he ravaged over the past week!  Sound familiar?

Well, I haven’t done a Top 10 list (okay – so there’s 13 – go with it!) lately and thought it might be a good idea to toss one out there on a topic I’m asked about all the time when I meet folks in the Halton community: how to deal with the dreaded picky eater.  “Maestro: queue the scary background music please!” Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Healthy Eating for Toddlers & Preschoolers, Healthy Eating for Your Child/Tween, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments