As hard as it is, it is important for children and youth to have their grief witnessed and supported. The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada confirms that 1 in 5 children experience the death of a family member before they turn 18, so we can’t afford to maintain the cultural taboo. With truthful information, comfort,…
Eating disorders and disordered eating thrive in secrecy, so detecting them in your children and teens can often be difficult. However, there are signs and clues to be on the lookout for as a parent.
In today's fast-paced and challenging world, it is essential for parents to prioritize their children's mental health. The well-being of children directly impacts their overall development, academic performance, and future success.
One of the most important things you can do as a new mom is to prioritize your own self-care. It's easy to get caught up in the demands of caring for a new baby, but it's crucial to take care of yourself so that you can be your best self for your child. This means…
Have you heard the saying ‘You’re only as happy as your saddest child’? It’s not the most uplifting phrase but it may hold a lot of truth. If your child is struggling with behavioural and mental health challenges, you are likely in the struggle too. For kids, these struggles can be encountered at all ages…
Smile Organic Co. is the brainchild of naturopath Delphine Boillot, a former corporate lawyer and mother-of-three who founded the company 6 years ago when she couldn't find a healthy and nutritious milk alternative for her children. Along the way, Boillot was joined by two other health-conscious mothers: dentist and surgeon Sophie Godbout, who has a…
Many people do not realize that some common vacation activities can be potential health hazards, even if you are going on an all-inclusive vacation at a five-star resort. While most travel-related conditions such as Traveler’s Diarrhea, Hepatitis A or B are usually not serious, they could definitely put a damper on your vacation plans! The…
Children learn to read at their own pace but if your child is struggling to make significant progress compared to their peers, it may be possible they have a reading problem called dyslexia. According to Mayo Clinic, “Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how…
As a child, I remember the gift box of little colored hearts my father would bring home as a surprise. We did not have much money, so this little box of sweet treats was a big deal for my sister and me. Or if we were lucky, the solid chocolate heart that showed through the…
The holidays are known as a time to indulge. But what if you or a family member need to follow a specific diet for health reasons? What do you do to still share in the holiday treats without breaking your recommended diet restrictions? Here are a few healthy alternatives to fill the sweet-tooth craving while…
With 80 percent of children’s learning gained through their eyes, school-aged students are starting to notice the effects of digital eye strain from a younger age. To help your child see their best this year, here are some tips and techniques parents can do to help reduce digital eye strain for their children.
Year over year, we are seeing extreme heat events become more common and severe in British Columbia and across Canada. In fact, the record-breaking heatwave British Columbians experienced in 2021 was among the most extreme since the 1960s. As we look into the future, the annual number of extremely hot days in some parts of…
Three-time award-winning author Shantelle Bisson was born and raised in Toronto and splits her time between Toronto and her marina that she purchased in 2018, Shantilly's Place, in the Kawartha region of Ontario. Having just launched her third book 'Loving Yourself Without Losing Your Cool' which is structured by Shantelle's own personal omissions -- she…
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued special weather statements for several parts of the province. The statement indicates our region will experience the first hot stretch of the summer with inland temperatures reaching into the upper 20s starting tomorrow, and into the low 30s into early next week.
Incontinence, or peeing yourself involuntarily is a fairly taboo topic. It’s not easy, as an adult, to admit you pee your pants or that you rely on pads to get through an outing. There’s a lot of embarrassment, fear, shame and trauma that relates to the pelvic floor, even when it’s functioning well. And when…
We have asked Carleigh Bodrug from PlantYou some questions about getting younger kids excited about plant-based foods.
Summertime is the perfect time to be outside, and bush-whacking is a great childhood activity. Kids love getting out there and exploring the woods, building forts, picking up sticks...but there is one danger out there to be aware of. Ticks! They're small but carry many diseases. If you're in an area with wild deer, be…
At a young age, the little ones are not too conscious about their dental health. They resist toothbrushing, fear the dentist, and love sweets. These things can contribute to life-long problems, which could have been easily avoided if parents are more mindful. Here are some of the best activities that can teach kids the importance…
Meditation - By learning to observe the changing nature of our mind and body we have the potential to gain a profound and life-changing self-knowledge, a deep inner knowing that can lead to enduring peace. Is facing the unruly mind sometimes daunting? Yes. But in time we begin to see the impermanent flow of thought,…
LUMP Foundation, a new Vancouver-based non-profit, has invented a novel way of empowering women and reminding everyone about the lifesaving importance of early breast cancer detection. In recognition of Mother’s Day, LUMP has created a limited edition, bouclé blend pillow in the prettiest pink, reminiscent of fluffy Spring cherry blossoms. It will only be available from April…
It’s pretty clear that our definition of what we consider to be self-care has shifted immensely over the past two years. Yes, there was a time when scheduling a pedicure or drawing a nice bath would cut it, but in today’s uncertain times, self-care has taken on a deeper meaning.
Although cases have declined, and head lice may not be on the minds of parents and teachers, they should be. We know that head lice outbreaks will boom on the other side of Covid. In fact, head lice infestations will be on the rise like never before.
What Is Toxic Shame? Shame has its roots in punishment. Punishment was the default method for handling “misbehaviour” in previous generations. If we grew up with shame, it’s important to recognize what it is and do our own work to stop the cycle. The definition of Toxic Shame, according to webMD: Toxic shame is a feeling…
