What is a neuro-parent? It is a term we coined to get you thinking differently about your role as a parent to a child with special needs. It embodies the same qualities as a typical parent while encouraging you to look at your child through a new lens: that of your child’s neurology. As you…
Technology is here to stay and will prove to be one of the most important tools in your child’s life. Parents must be careful not to villainize technology. By painting excessive screen time in a negative light or punishing your child for spending too much time on their device, this does not deter them away…
If your children are suffering from dry hands that are itchy, red, and starting to crack then you need to take action right away to prevent them from getting any worse. Here are some tips to help you treat your children’s dry hands this Winter.
Since schools reopened in September, VCH has not recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 cases among school-aged children relative to other groups. Those aged 5-17 years of age accounted for 6 per cent of VCH’s COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, despite representing 10 per cent of VCH’s population. Evidence shows children are…
By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all events and social gatherings are suspended until Feb 5, 2021. Here are some ways to fill the time.
Virtual care is revolutionizing Canadian health care. Virtual care, or telehealth, allows you to connect directly with health care providers, from the comfort of home. In the case of physiotherapists, we use video chat to support our patients. From sprained joints, concussions, to muscular strains, your virtual care physiotherapist can provide you the same excellent…
Physiotherapy for children, or pediatric physiotherapy, is not only for children with disabilities. They can help with a lot of physical health conditions faced by any child.
All those fun summer days filled with sunshine, family activities, and late nights are quickly coming to an end. Often this means getting back into a family routine that helps everyone get the sleep they need and get back on track. Back-to-School COVID sleep tips you can use to not only get our kids’ schedules…
“But I’m not tired!” “What about the monsters in the closet?” “I heard a noise under the bed!” “Mooooooommmm!” When you have kids, you come to expect that they will find any excuse to avoid going to sleep. After all, many little ones have FOMO and are convinced you’re having wild parties with the entire…
With kids out of school in most of Canada, most parents find their days full as they try to keep their children entertained -- without the usual breaks of classes, sports, and playdates with friends. Trying to be a teacher, calm role model, and arbitrator of disputes can leave you frazzled. Your fuse could be…
Not having access to the gym can pose a problem for some, but Lavender says there are plenty of workout options at home using whatever you have around you to stay strong. But she cautions it’s important to create the right environment for home-based fitness.
Let’s begin with an acknowledgment - these are strange times. Schools have been closed since mid-March, and it seems ever more likely that they won’t fully open again until fall. What form school will take in the Autumn remains to be seen. Having your kids at home for such a long time comes with its…
With all the technology at our child’s fingertips, along with the fast-paced lifestyle that comes with living in this type of world, it is no surprise that more and more children report that they feel overwhelmed and anxious. They are overstimulated all day long with online programs, T.V., video games and never really get the…
When talking online with a 5th-grade boy recently, he said: “My friends and I thought that being off school would be really fun. Actually, it’s not.” I validated his reality and then mentioned that a lot of parents were feeling the same way. While we know that a sick member of the family needs to be…
Do you have a child with a learning disability or ADD/ADHD? Is it putting an enormous financial burden on you? If yes, then this article is a must-read, because there is hope and relief for you in the form of the Disability Tax Credit! For over 30 years, the Disability Tax Credit has helped disabled…
I have recently been fielding questions from parents about protecting their children from coronavirus, COVID-19. While at some time in the future we may all be at risk of contracting COVID-19, the good news is that children seem to be less affected by this illness. In other words, your children may carry the virus, but…
The Wellness Show, happening February 1 & 2 at The Vancouver Convention Centre, has the cure for the winter doldrums, both for kids and adults. 250+ exhibitors, and 100+ workshops, demonstrations, hands-on fun, and let’s not forget all the free samples! All for one low price, and under one roof.
New research shows that 83% of youth (defined as those between the ages of 15 and 19) have tried flavoured vaping products while one in four kids, as young as 12 years old, have tried vaping. In just one year, the number of Canadian teens who have used a vape has increased by 74%. While…
If you thought occupational therapy was just rehabilitation programs and exercises for adults in recovery from workplace or sports injuries, then think again. Occupational therapy (or OT for short) is a catch-all term for treatment strategies to help people of all ages overcome challenges, (physical or mental) to live as independently as possible. But did…
For some reason, getting kids to eat vegetables can be a challenge. Maybe it's because we want them to do it so badly. I know many parents have come up with ways to sneak the veggies in. Here is a great recipe for Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins from Vancouver-based Registered Dietician and mother, Lindsay Pleskot.…
Many kids will experience strong emotions of fear, sadness, worry, and loneliness from time to time. These strong emotions may appear at different times during their development as a result of both biological and environmental factors. Although these feelings are completely normal to experience throughout our lives, we also need to be aware whether these…
The chances are that when you were a kid, some well-meaning adult probably convinced you that eating carrots would help you to see in the dark. While you might not hear that fictitious fact too often anymore, - cos’ let’s face it, carrots won’t give you night googles any more than eating blueberries will turn…
How cavities form Plaque begins growing on teeth as soon as they start to erupt at about 6 months of age. Plaque is the soft yellow film that sticks to teeth. it is made up mainly of bacteria. It takes more time and effort than most of us give to keep our teeth free from…
The year is now one-quarter complete and those New Year’s resolution are long in the past, life coach and author Dannie De Novo has a few tips to help people succeed year-round with daily rituals. Dannie, the author of Get in a Good Mood & Stay There, says “Your good mood New Year’s resolution success will live and…
