Does your child love to sing? Love plunking on the piano or pounding on the drum? Do you think you might have a future musician in your home? Let’s look at some short and long term benefits of music lessons.
Back-to-school is around the corner and that means back to packing lunches (sigh). With many schools increasingly adopting “Litterless Lunch” policies, the pressure is on parents to pack more eco-friendly lunchboxes. However, while research* shows that 76% of Canadians would like tips for little changes they can make in everyday life that would benefit the…
There are seemingly endless options for after-school activities that your children can get involved in, from soccer to swimming, piano lessons to STEM. But what do your children really get out of these activities? Here are some reasons why your kids should participate in extracurricular activities, beyond the standard 'it’s something to do.’
100% volunteer-run charity, Ripple Foundation, announced Cora Arvidson, a seventh-grade student from Vancouver’s Sir William Osler Elementary School, as one of two winners of its 10th annual Kids Write 4 Kids creative challenge, a one-of-a-kind nationwide competition for students in grades four to eight. Cora’s winning poetry collection, Threads, is available in paperback and ebook…
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…
There is still a month and a half or so left of school, and it is so important to make sure that your child is still getting the adequate number of hours of sleep that they need each night. Keep in mind, that sleep aids in your child’s growth and development, affects their moods and…
With Canada’s Road Safety Week just around the corner (May 17-23), it’s time for Canadians to consider how we can make our roads safer. The theme for this year's campaign is "Safer You. Safer Me." It is meant to emphasize that the decisions drivers make not only affect them, but also their passengers, other drivers, cyclists, and…
Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon (RMH BC) is delighted to announce the return of Step Up for Families, an annual campaign that raises funds to support BC and Yukon families seeking lifesaving medical treatment for their children. Held in April, the springtime initiative invites the community to assemble their families, friends and colleagues to run, walk,…
Yay, it's almost Family Day. This annual holiday, established in 2013, is a great day to have some much-needed fun in February. Thinking about fun things to do and what's open? Here are 6 great ideas to check out, there are also some awesome deals!
As parents, we all want what’s best for our children. We want them to be thoughtful, kind, confident, compassionate people, and we do all we can to teach them these skills. What if there was another way to help your child build character, learn new skills, and increase their strength and confidence? Tri-Cities Gracie Jiu-Jitsu…
An article from Priya Tronsgard, a proud parent of 2 neurodivergent children, and an author of an upcoming audiobook called Reframe: A Guide for Caregivers and Parents for Neurodivergent Children. From all my experience, I can tell you that parenting children who are autistic is unique, rewarding, and insightful.
We were running errands when one of my teenagers shouted and pointed, “Look! It’s our old preschool!” Soon my other two teens were chiming in, “I loved it there!” and “That was my favorite school. Do you remember when…” And just like that, we were walking down a memory lane of craft projects, field trips,…
What do you imagine your children most want from you? The newest gadget on which to play games? The latest iPhone? New shoes or designer clothes? A trip to Disney World? Tuition for a top university? Sure, these things are always nice. Every kid enjoys getting something new or going to an exciting theme park.…
Without having to nag (or even beg!) a child to expand their palate or practice respectful table manners, you might effectively support fostering a child’s healthy relationship with food and eating by asking yourself the following 4 parenting questions!
We’re all at home. There’s no escaping it! Being stuck at home has caused many moms to look around and say, “where did all this STUFF come from?” Many are trying to organize their spaces. I’m no exception, and I’ve learned a few little tricks along the way: Eat the Frog This concept is something…
I feel like I've been on my phone a lot lately. I've been connected with a group of girlfriends and it's great to have that constant contact to help navigate through the madness. It's obvious the kids would like the same. What is the best way to arrange digital play-dates for them and allow them…
Last week, I wrote a six-step script for How to Handle the Big “What If’s?”, to address the Coronavirus anxiety in kids which is quickly increasing as Canada becomes more impacted, and there are more visible signs, such as people on the streets and in shops wearing masks. Here are some additional tips to help…
Family Day is Monday! What have you got planned? I'm guessing the rain may keep you indoors, but here are some great options to fill your day. Sing, Dance, Tell Me A Story! (Family Fun Day) (Feb. 17, noon-3pm) at the Cultch is a full Family Day afternoon of fun times (along with some engaged learning).…
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.…
Summer is over, but that doesn’t mean outdoor time has to end. Riding bikes is a great activity and fun for everyone. The idea of riding safely with kids is another story. I’ve always been unsure of how to do it so I reached out to PedalHeads for an expert opinion. Here is what they…
Making camping fun for kids. Try including the following 7 fun camping games to keep everyone entertained. Not only will you and your kids enjoy them, but they’re activities that will leave all of you with great memories of your time spent together in nature. These games are great for the whole family to enjoy…
Experts now agree: It’s never too early (or too late) to teach kids about money. Money is an excellent teaching tool — and kids will learn about money whether you take an active role in that education, or not. The great news is that the daily routine of managing budgets, paying bills and finding that…
For many of us here in British Columbia, summer means getting out and enjoying all that beautiful sunshine and the great outdoors. Summer is a great time to be laid back, travel more, and have lots of fun. It is sometimes those carefree summer days however with missed naps and later bedtimes that can quickly…
Winter and camping, an oxymoron? Or the ultimate outdoor adventure? The experts at Scouts Canada agree with the latter! Picture this, you’ve just set up camp and have a warm fire roaring, when white billows of snow begin to fall around you. There’s nothing more Canadian than winter camping, but of course, warmth, comfort, and…
