We are learning from the fields of neuroscience and child-development that children need many positive, face-to-face interactions with attentive, sensitive, and responsive parents or caregivers for healthy brain and nervous system development. Play activities between parent and child are excellent ways to provide these necessary interactions to children. Parent-child play offers unique benefits to children…
Parents need to take an active role when it comes to helping their child manage his/her online life. Here are 7 practical tips to help your child on their screen journey:
Embracing togetherness with family at dinnertime is a worldwide tradition spanning generations and a multitude of cultures. Sharing a meal with good conversation is a valued part of our social wellbeing, yet a recent survey1 by Maple Leaf Foods shows that this coveted time of togetherness is another aspect of our lives negatively impacted by…
As a BC nonprofit organization working closely with children with special needs (support needs), and their families, leaders from our family programs at Options Community Services are observing how important inclusion, and adequate resources, are for both the increase in children with support needs, and their families. A 2022 Inclusion BC study examined how families…
Are you going to be parents? Most likely, you are feeling nervous and happy at the same time. It won't be wrong to say that this is quite obvious. Parenting can be considered one of the most difficult jobs in the world. It's kind of a race that starts after a certain period, but there…
Renovating a family home can be challenging enough without children present - let alone when doing it on your own! Renovation projects can be noisy, chaotic and disruptive - not to mention dangerous! When combined with power tools and workstations that look like play areas for small children, a disaster could easily ensue. 1. Establish…
Even though mommy-and-me matching outfit fashion dates back to the 1900s, it’s a trend that has yet to go out of style. It’s always a delight to see mothers and their kids wearing matching clothes, and it’s a fun and creative way for moms to dress up their mini-mes.
In 2021, Transport Canada reported 57 fatalities and 5,303 injuries for children 0-14 years of age. Here are 5 car seat safety tips.
Adolescence is a time when youth typically want to fit in with their peers and be seen as similar to their peers. Yet, when adolescents don’t understand the changes their bodies are going through during puberty, many are left feeling different from their peers, and worry that they are not “normal.” The truth is that…
Are you going to be parents? Most likely, you are feeling nervous and happy at thesame time. It won't be wrong to say that this is quite obvious. Parenting can beconsidered one of the most difficult jobs in the world. It's kind of a race that startsafter a certain period, but there is no end.…
It was reported in 2019, that one in four youth (25%) aged 12 to 17 years experienced cyberbullying in the previous year (Statistics Canada).
Co-parenting entails both parents actively participating in the upbringing of their children, despite no longer being in a romantic relationship. It prioritizes the well-being and development of the child, fostering stability, consistency, and healthy communication.
The thought of skin cancer for our children may seem remote and not a priority at first thought. However, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. And the rates are rising. In fact, one in every five individuals in British Columbia will acquire skin cancer during their lifetime.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think my teenage daughter would become my business partner. Three years ago, that is exactly what happened. During the early days of the pandemic, I was looking for things to keep my kids busy and happy due to the isolation they were facing.
The journey into motherhood is one of the most transformative experiences a woman can embark upon.
Kids often like to play in an environment that feels open and allows them to wander. With parent supervision, the outdoors can be a great place for safe and mindful play. Join them in exploring nature.
While some families spend copious amounts of time and money to have the perfect Father’s Day gift, others are struggling to meet dual parent demands and reassure their kids, while some may be in denial about the level of impact of a father’s absence on the child. The truth of the matter is, fathers matter.
Safely introducing food to an infant for the first time can be daunting for caregivers. What can they eat? What if they choke? Will they like it? Throw allergens into the mix, and it’s a recipe for major anxiety.
We've all seen the happy child who leans into life, smiling all the way, seemingly without a care in the world. How does this happen? Are they born this way, or can we teach kids ways to optimize their emotional well being?
Divorce is never an easy process, and it can be especially challenging for couples who need to navigate the complexities of co-parenting after their separation. From scheduling conflicts to disagreements over parenting styles, shared parenting can present numerous issues which must be worked through and resolved for the benefit of the children involved.If you would…
Being a parent is an incredible experience, but it can also come with its share of stress and anxiety. Regular physical activity is crucial for parents to maintain their overall health and wellbeing, reduce stress and anxiety, and set a good example for the next generation. Finding time for physical activity can be a challenge…
Finding, securing and keeping childcare is a challenge all working parents understand. Many of us have tapped away at our laptops distracted by snack-hungry kids or multi-tasked deadlines with a baby on our lap. With the rise of parents working from home during the pandemic, the challenge got easier in some ways, but harder in…
April is Autism Awareness Month, and actor and advocate Holly Robinson Peete is helping to highlight this special month with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s global children’s literacy program Storyline Online®. Known for her roles in television classics including 21 Jump Street, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and For Your Love, Robinson Peete is also a bestselling author and proud spokesperson for autism…
Honesty is important in life, and it definitely matters to parents—surveys show that parents value honesty above all other character traits. But did you know that some common ways we teach children about lying actually encourage them to lie more? Let’s look at how our good intentions are getting in the way of raising truthful…
