FOR PARENTS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF RAISING A TEEN & YOUNG ADULT
SOPHIE SIMMONS ON BULLYING & BODY IMAGE
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
KEEPING
GIRLS IN THE GAME
WHY YOUR DAUGHTERS SHOULD STAY IN SPORTS
WAYS TO BOOST YOUR
TEEN’S SELFESTEEM
SERVES UP THE TRUTH ABOUT PARENTHOOD
FAMILY FUN IN NEW BRUNSWICK
inbetween FEBRUARY & MARCH 2017
INSIGHT 5 RAISING DAD What I learned about
lawyers and defending my teen 7 10 MINUTES WITH...
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Sophie Simmons and what she wants to teach your teen about body image
INFORM
KEEPING GIRLS IN SPORTS
10 HEALTH & LIFE NEWS 13 ASK THE EXPERT
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NEW STATS ON TEENS AND DEPRESSION
Kimberly Moffit on getting your teens to clean up their act
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14 GIRL GOT GAME
What you can do to keep your daughter in sports
SOPHIE SIMMONS ON BODY IMAGE
19 5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR TEEN’S SELF-ESTEEM
How parents can boost their teens’ confidence at home
INSPIRE 22 FAMILY FUN IN NEW BRUNSWICK
Breath-taking natural wonders and experiences your teen will love 26 COVER STORY
MasterChef Canada’s Claudio Aprile dishes on parenthood
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FAMILY FUN IN NEW BRUNSWICK
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30 FINAL THRILL
Successful screening
Meet the Team FEBRUARY & MARCH 2017
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
RACHEL NAUD ART DIRECTOR
CAROLINE BISHOP
Contributors CAROLINE BISHOP is INBETWEEN’s art director and the creative director of Care Creative (carecreative.ca), a design studio specializing in PowerPoint presentations and publications. She has two sons and a daughter, and while she is trying to “enjoy every moment” while they’re still young; she secretly can’t wait until they’re a little more self-sufficient in the teen years.
FASHION EDITOR
JORDANA HANDLER CONTRIBUTORS
PETER CARTER, LARA HYDE, JACQUELINE KOVACS, DIANA KING, KIMBERLY MOFFIT, MICHAEL PALANCE, AGNES WYWROT Copyright© 2017 INBETWEEN Magazine. All rights reserved. All images, unless otherwise noted, are from iStockphoto and Pexels. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisers’ claims, unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. FOR ANY QUESTIONS, SUBMISSIONS OR COMMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT INFO@INBETWEEN.CA.
JACQUELINE KOVACS Aurora, Ont., editor and writer Jacqueline Kovacs has always loved travel. Now that her three kids are teens and 20-somethings, she says the experience is even better. Proof: they all survived a two-day road trip to New Brunswick and had a blast, from start to finish. Read about it on page 22.
MICHAEL PALANCE As founder of Premiere, the largest children’s performing arts showcase in the industry, Michael Palance has spent decades working with teens. Throughout the years, he has learned important lessons about how to boost teens’ selfesteem. He shares them on page 19.
BISHOP PHOTO BY CARLYLE ROUTH
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From Rachel
EDITOR’S LETTER
CREATING CONFIDENCE COOKING. PLAYING. COMMUNICATION. Throughout this issue, we highlight how these three simple activities can go a long way in helping boost our teens’ self-esteem. Cover personality and MasterChef Canada judge Claudio Aprile talks about how spending time in the kitchen with his two kids gives them more than just some killer cooking skills—it fosters lessons in nurturing, team-building and collaboration. In addition, cooking gives them the confidence to try new things, says Aprile, who adds he chooses not to be a helicopter parent on those occasions, as scary as that can be. Don’t miss it on page 26. Playing sports gives our girls more than just physical exercise, says our experts on page 14. Teen girls look to sports to build confidence, foster friendships and connect with others—all important to their overall growth. Yet, studies are showing that more than half of teen girls are quitting sports all together by the age of 17. Don’t miss our article on how you can keep your teen girls in the game. Listening to your teens is a simple activity that can do a lot when it comes to raising their selfesteem, says expert Michael Palance, who adds the act gives rise to their self-expression, while
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promoting communication with you. Palance, who has spent decades working with teens, gives readers this tip and more on how parents can help boost their teen’s self-esteem on page 19. Nothing brings more joy than a family vacation and we have that, too. On page 22, writer and mom Jacqueline Kovacs takes her family to New Brunswick for some family fun, packed with new adventures and experiences. It also gave her the satisfaction that she can still please her teen kids. Talk about a confidence boost. ■ Until next time,
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS rachel@inbetween.ca PHOTO BY AGNES WYWROT/VYV PHOTOGRAPHIC
insight
Raising Dad
ADVICE AND INSIGHT FROM EXPERIENCED PARENTS
RAISING DAD
IN HIS DEFENCE When my son got in a wee scrape with a volatile neighbour’s car, it was almost laughable. Until it wasn’t. After spending thousands of dollars on legal fees, here’s what I learned about lawyers and defending my teen. Turns out, the lesson was priceless. by peter carter February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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Raising Dad
ALTHOUGH
it happened more than a dozen years ago, I’ll always remember exactly where and how my wife, Helena, my son, Michel, and I were sitting when the lawyer told us that his regular rate was $650 an hour but because he liked Michel, he’d “drop it to $500.” We didn’t know whether to laugh or barf. Michel had gotten into a very minor scrape. He was accused of scraping—with a toy—the fender on a beat-up car belonging to a vindictive woman who used to live down the block from us. We’re pretty sure nothing really happened, but she didn’t like us, she called the cops, and before there was even so much as an investigation, we needed a criminal lawyer. Around the same time, I had heard an attorney on a local radio station talking about his specialty: young men who wind up over their heads in the legal system. He sounded very compassionate. I called the radio station. They passed my name along, and—good lawyer that he is—he got back to me, and within hours, we were meeting at his office learning about how much he was going to charge. (Oh. I forgot. That included a $2,500 deposit.) The process is long over with now, thank goodness, but I sure learned a thing or two that I thought I’d pass along. First. Please stop being careerist. Lawyers are the same as everybody else except more highly educated than most. They’re as honest and as hardworking as your dad and mom. (Remember that awful neighbour lady who called the cops? She was the kind of person who would generalize about an entire profession. Aren’t you glad you’re
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not like her? Ha.) Second, imagine this: We were in the lawyer’s boardroom, with Michel, when he quoted us his price. What were we supposed to do? Excuse ourselves for a moment for a private discussion then return to tell him he’s out of our league? With our son listening? How traumatizing would that be for a young kid? Especially if the end result hadn’t been satisfactory. While I’m not recommending you pre-shop for a lawyer before anything hits the fan, you might want to talk to your significant other about the possibility. The wisest decisions are not the ones you make under pressure. On this matter, I agree with my older and wiser brother Tom who once told me, “You don’t want to do anything you’ll regret 20 years down the road.” While even the top lawyers can’t perform miracles, you’ll never regret hiring the best for your kid. Thirdly: Do what you can to stay out of the system. The moment the police got involved, there’s no rewinding or fast-forwarding the clock. If the justice system moved any slower, it’d be going backwards. And the last takeaway is actually a joke: Question: “Why is divorce so expensive?” Answer: “Because it’s worth it.” When it comes to keeping your kids out of trouble, so is good legal help. ■
Peter has four brothers, four sisters, one wife, two daughters and a son, the last three of which all recently graduated from teenagehood with all their limbs and sanity intact.
10 Minutes With...
Being picture-perfect is something model Sophie Simmons knows all about. She also knows that most of the time, the images we see are not always what they’re cracked up to be.
10 MINUTES WITH
Sophie Simmons That’s why the daughter of Gene Simmons is making it her mission to expose teens to the ugly truth about the beauty they see in the media and especially online. by rachel naud photography diana king
February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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At
24, SOPHIE SIMMONS seems to have it all together. She is the host of a digital series, has a blossoming singing career and even started her own centre to help the abused. But her road to success hasn’t always been smooth. Here, the daughter of rock legend, Gene Simmons, talks about how being in the spotlight made her a target for bullying and body image issues, how her parents helped her get through it and how other parents of teens can do the same. Can you tell us about your digital series “Body Image School” on Refinery 29? Refinery 29, in general, is geared toward women who are interested in more than just celebrity gossip. It’s for the modern woman who works hard, plays hard and also likes a makeup tutorial. We tried to condense the key to body positivity into six mini lessons. In an episode of “Body Image School,” you talk about the truth behind selfie filters. Why do you think it’s important for teens to know about this? I think using filters on social media are all in good fun, but when the influencer is not truthful about the Photoshop or filter they are using, they are spreading this unattainable, perfect image. This is the reason so many of us are insecure in the first place. I think it’s important for teens to realize that a lot of what they see in magazines, television and social media are curated by influencers who have
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10 Minutes With...
teams of makeup artists, stylists and managers who really make it their job to portray this perfect image, and it’s just not attainable for the everyday person. You’re a big advocate for having a healthy body image. Why is it so important for you to spread the message to teens? I was a part of the first generation to ever have social media. I was bullied relentlessly all of high school for my weight and then later bullied for being too confident, or “conceited.” On top of that, I was on a successful reality television show, so the press also had a lot of fun picking on me about my weight as well. I’ve been called everything under the sun…curvy, sexual, fat...I was even called a “beached whale” by an international tabloid at 16. But because I had such a strong support system (my mom), I learned to rise above it and not let it deteriorate my mental health. I feel that a lot of teens stop talking to their parents about being bullied or what they’re going through. They also don’t want to talk to their friends about it because they feel they’re the only ones going through it. Teens look to people on social media to be that support system for them. If I can be that for some teens out there, I think I’m doing my job right. How did your parents help you deal with your body image issues? My parents told me, “We are a team, always.” I knew they would be in my corner, and it felt like I had an army behind me. They taught me to be better than those who criticize and bully.
What is your advice for parents of teens who suffer from a poor body image? Having a dialogue is the most important thing. Feeling like someone is on your side is what saved me. Can you tell us a bit about your child advocacy centre, Sophie’s Place? Sophie’s place is a centre for abused children. It is a child advocacy centre that deals with mental, physical and sexual abuse. We provide the services families and children need after they have gone through their trauma. I wanted to create a place where children who have gone through trauma could have a fresh start. Your father is Gene Simmons from the iconic band, Kiss, and you’re also starting your own singing career. How does it feel to follow in your dad’s footsteps? I avoided it for a long time. I’ve been quietly singing and songwriting since I was a kid and felt like I couldn’t do it because of my family. It was an insecurity of mine I’m proudly over. What advice do you have for parents whose teens are trying to break into the music industry? Tell your teens to think seriously about it! It’s hard, it’s mean and it doesn’t care if you’re a nice person. You think bullying or body image in high school is bad? Wait until you have a record exec tell you they don’t think you have talent. It’s not for the faint of heart. ■ February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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inFORM
Raising Dad
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR TODAY AND THEIR TOMORROW NEWS BRIEFS
SCHOOL START TIMES put to the test Researchers from The University of McGill say delaying school start times could help Canadian teenagers sleep better—giving them a better chance for success. In a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, the researchers found that students from schools that started earlier slept less and were more often tired in the morning. The findings help explain why, according to recent data, one in three Canadian teenagers don’t get enough sleep. “The problem is that early school start times conflict with the natural circadian clock of teenagers,” says lead author of the study Geneviève Gariépy. “As teenagers go through puberty, their circadian clock gets delayed by two to three hours. By the time they reach junior high, falling asleep before 11 p.m. becomes biologically difficult, and waking up before 8 a.m. is a struggle. Adolescents are fighting biology to get to school on time.”
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February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
news
News Briefs
SPREAD THE
love STATS CAN:
Valentines Day isn’t just for lovers. If you want to show your teen how much you care this Feb. 14th, sheknows.com offered up some fun-loving ideas, including taking your teen to her favourite restaurant, giving him a coupon booklet that includes a “chore-free night” or “double allowance week,” or celebrate with some festive mocktails with the whole family.
CANADIAN TEENS EXPERIENCE DEPRESSION
According to recent findings from Statistics Canada, about 11 per cent of Canadians aged 15 to 24 experienced depression at some point in their lives; and fewer than half of them sought professional help for a mental health condition over the previous year. The report, based on data from the 2012 Canadian Community Mental Health Survey, was based on 4,031 respondents aged 15 to 24 (an estimated 4.4 million young people). It found that Canadians 15 to 24 years old had a higher rate of depression than any other age group.
MORE TEENS VAPING THAN SMOKING A study out of the University of Victoria and Centre for Addictions Research of B.C. called “Clearing the Air: A Systematic Review on the Harms and Benefits of e-Cigarettes and Vapour devices” found between 2003 and 2013, teen e-cigarette use rose from 1.5 per cent to 16 per cent; during that same period, teen smoking rates fell to 9.3 per cent from 15.8 per cent.
February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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Raising Dad
February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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Ask the Expert
by kimberly moffit
My son is an absolute slob. His room is such a disaster, full of clothes and clutter, and I’m constantly finding dirty plates and glasses, too! I tell him I’m not his maid and I’m not going to clean it, but I can’t stand to see it like that all of the time (which is why I usually give in and clean it). How can I teach him the value of cleanliness and finally get him to clean up after himself?
Kimberly Moffit is one of Canada’s most experienced relationship experts and provides practical advice about parenting and psychological topics. She’s a regular speaker for Queen’s University’s MBA and Women in Leadership Programs, and a frequent lecturer at the University of Waterloo.
YOU ARE DEFINITELY NOT ALONE! Many parents deal with the chore of hounding their kids to clean their rooms—and it can seem impossible to actually get them to regularly keep it clean on their own! Here’s the deal: Teens respond MUCH more to positive encouragement and motivation than they do to criticism and fear of failure. So, for a successful cleaning experience, figuring out what drives your teen is key! Having a weekly room inspection with a reward usually works wonders. The catch is that the reward needs to be great enough to drive him to actually clean each week. (And, no, the reward of “just having a nice, clean room” is NOT enough for teens!) For example, would he like an extra hour of video-game time? Or maybe his choice of a couple of songs or apps from iTunes? Or even a day out to see a baseball game or concert with you? You can create these mini-prizes on your own or even create them with your son to get him involved. A person will do anything when they’re motivated enough to do it, and your son is no exception. Hopefully this can turn into a fun and productive activity that helps him work toward a goal, but then also enjoy the nice clean space he has worked for! Good luck! ■ February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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GOT By the time girls reach 17, more than half of them will have quit sports altogether. If your daughter wants to call quits on sports, here’s what you can do to keep them in the game. by lara hyde
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February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
Girls in Sport
Playing sports have a myriad of benefits, beyond just the physical. Higher levels of confidence, selfesteem and communication are just some of the positive effects of sports. Yet, by the age of 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys.
THE PAST YEAR, Canadian women have achieved some impressive accomplishments in the world of sports. Team Canada saw its largest percentage of women ever in the 2016 Summer Olympics, and our female athletes dominated the podium in Rio—87 per cent of Canadian medal winners were women. Yet, despite these achievements, recent statistics point to a disturbing trend when it comes to girls and sports—by the age of 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys, according to the Women’s Sports Foundation. By 17—according to the Always Confidence & Puberty Survey by the multinational company Procter & Gamble—51 per cent of girls will have quit sports altogether. Being involved in sports has many benefits beyond the physical. For girls, in particular, it can give them a boost in self-esteem while fostering friendships, communication and even an athletic career. We chatted with experts and parents about why keeping girls in sports is so important and what you can do to encourage them to stay in the game.
THE BENEFITS OF SPORTS The benefits of staying active are manifold. We all know how important regular exercise is for our health, but for teenage girls and young women, being involved in a sport or other type of physical activity has many mental, emotional and social benefits, as well. “The main non-physical benefit of sports is that they offer so many connections,” says Natascha Wesch, a London, Ont.-based sports psychologist and assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. “Girls tend to enjoy being part of a community or tribe. Being involved in a sport or other type of physical activity provides opportunities to create friendships and make social connections that are live—not like social media where you are just connecting with your phone. Participation in sports forces you to have faceto-face, human-to-human interactions where you can actually feel the person next to you. “Being physically active also helps develop confidence,” says Wesch. “The health benefits have psychological impacts. Physical activity helps you to feel stronger and proud of what you can achieve with your body—proud of yourself.” WHEN SHE WANTS TO QUIT Still, even with all these positives come challenges, most notably when girls hit puberty. “Suddenly, their bodies are going through a multitude of changes, including getting their period for the first time, which can leave them feeling very exposed—especially when they’re wearing February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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a gymnastics leotard,” says Wesch. This is why having female role models and support is so imperative. “There is a lot of value in female coaches,” says Wesch. “As a coach, you need to be able to understand what girls are going through, physically and emotionally. Giving young girls exposure to role models is hugely beneficial.” Stress is another factor that can make a girl want to quit sports, especially if they are playing at a high level. This is why ensuring your daughter has a good support system is paramount. “Girls tend to be more connected with their emotions and more sensitive about what is said to them. We shouldn’t look at emotion as a weakness in sport. We can harness our emotions to make them work for us,” says Wesch.
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Marlene Bruckner’s 16-year-old daughter, Tereza Vithoultias, has been diving with Club Camo Plongeon in Montreal, Quebec, for five years and just made the Canadian Junior National Diving Team. Bruckner has another daughter, Katherine, who swims competitively and a son, Nicholas, who runs track. “My daughter is a “ball of nerves” before diving,” says Bruckner. “I always tell her ‘One dive at a time.’ Parents need to encourage their kids and not put pressure on them. Let them know that no matter what happens, you’ll always be there for them.”
SPORTS CAN SHAPE HER FUTURE Twenty-five-year-old Taryn Wicijowski, a retired pro basketball player originally from Saskatchewan
Girls in Sport
and now living in Edmonton, Alberta, says that sports have shaped everything about her life. “Through sports, I learned to work as a part of a team, how to talk with other people whose communication styles are different than mine, how to be a leader, and how to bring my best effort to everything I am involved in. Sports have given me an opportunity to travel the world and have paid for my education,” says Wicijowski, who is currently an assistant coach for the University of Alberta Pandas basketball team and is also pursuing a medical degree. But while Wicijowski has reaped many of the benefits associated with being an elite athlete, including playing for Team Canada, the road to her success wasn’t always easy. She had to overcome a number of serious basketball-related injuries that relegated her to the sidelines for two of the four years that she was eligible to play in the NCAA. “Learning to stay focused and positive about basketball, when the sport had been taken away from me was a major obstacle that has made me a stronger, more confident and driven woman,” she says.
SPORTS TEACH DISCIPLINE Among the benefits Bruckner has seen in her daughters from their involvement in sport through the provincially funded Sport Etude (Sport-Study) program is the self-discipline the girls have had to develop in order to stay on top of their academic game, while spending part of
each day training. In order for student athletes to stay in the program, they must maintain a minimum 75 per cent average. In fact, numerous studies have shown that involvement in sports is linked to better academic performance, particularly in female athletes. But for some teens, it can be hard to remain focused, especially when their non-athlete friends are hanging out at the mall and going to parties, while they have to stay on a strict regimen. “As a parent, you have to remind them of the pay-off. When they are 25 years old, they could have a scholarship or be in the Olympics,” says Bruckner.
KEEPING THE DIALOGUE ON POINT Taryn Wicijowski’s mother, Laurice, remembers when Taryn was in Grade 10 and playing both basketball and hockey at high levels. “It was an extremely busy year for her. She came to us in the spring and told us that she wanted to quit hockey so she could dedicate her time to improving her basketball skills. She was worried that she would be disappointing her dad who loves hockey. We discussed it together and told her that it was her decision and that we would support whatever decision she made.” “We all need to ask, ‘What is the language around sports in our home?’” adds Wesch. “Making physical activity a priority and keeping in mind that everyone is different—and celebrating those differences—will go a long way toward keeping our kids active throughout their lives.” ■ February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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If you’re not talking to your kids about alcohol, Raising
WHO IS?
Be the Influence. Kids are exposed to messages about alcohol every day. As a parent, you are the biggest influence. Get our free resource guide to help start the conversation. Find it at: mbll.ca/BetheInfluence
Dad
Selfesteem
5 ways to
BOOST YOUR TEEN’S SELFESTEEM by michael palance
With more than 20 years’ experience helping teens build their self-esteem, Michael Palance has put together five tips on how parents can boost their teens’ confidence at home.
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F
OR NEARLY 20 YEARS, I have worked with children and young adults from ages 5 to 20, helping them understand and hone the necessary skills and contacts for possible careers in the performing arts. I founded Premiere numerous years ago as a special program dedicated to training and showcasing actors, models, dancers, and singers to industry professionals who specialize in kids’ programming, with the message: “If you believe in yourself, the world will believe in you.” Throughout the years of my work with children as well as their parents around the globe, a common thread that has presented itself is the fact almost all children deal with self-esteem issues during their growing years. Building confidence for interacting with others, learning to speak in front of groups, or simply learning the
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meaning and value of self-worth are aspects of self-esteem for young people I have seen realized time and time again. As a father myself, the following are a few of the lessons I have learned when it comes to helping teens gain self-esteem.
FIVE WAYS TO HELP YOUR TEEN WITH SELF-ESTEEM 1. CREATE CONVERSATIONS Practice communication skills with your child, such as introducing themselves to others, using a firm handshake and making eye contact during conversation. Before technology took hold of our lives, basic communication skills such as eye contact, a handshake and standing up straight were basic principles our parents instilled in all of us. During the last 10 years,
Selfesteem
“Gently but surely guiding our teens’ social media use keeps you informed of potentially harmful scenarios.” communication has transformed dramatically, and now takes the form of texting, emailing and social media. Even though this technology is an amazing advancement, many basic communication skills, such as public speaking and interviewing skills, have lost their priority in a child’s development. Practicing one-on-one and group interactions at home, in a safe and relaxed atmosphere, offers our kids essential self-esteem building skills they can use in real-life situations outside the home.
2. MAKE TIME TOGETHER Spend time with your teen, and be a good listener when they speak. I like to take cues from listening from my own kids and those in our program, allowing them the freedom to talk with me in ways that give rise to self-expression. Staying tuned to them with quality time together can equate to helping them feel good about their strengths and learn ideas for addressing any areas of concern or fear they may share with you. 3. GUIDE PHONE USAGE The information our children have at their fingertips is awe-inspiring and scary at the same time. At dinnertime, make everyone put their phones away and engage in each other’s day. I have found it is a good idea to ask your child to help create a schedule of
phone and iPad time versus time with their friends, siblings and relatives. The more real-life, positive experiences they gain with others, the chances increase for an enhanced sense of self.
4. BE AWARE OF ONLINE BULLYING Get to know how your children are using social media, and help them develop proper ways to communicate. Social media has become the global way we give the world an impression of who we are. The reach over social media and the impact it has on our daily lives is incredible. While possibly resistant at first, gently but surely guiding our teens’ social media use keeps you informed of potentially harmful scenarios and allows them to learn from your feedback. 5. SAFEGUARD SELF-IMAGE Help reinforce your child’s confidence by letting him or her know they are beautiful exactly as they exist today. What children read and see online can directly impact their self-image, and, in turn, their self-confidence. ■ Michael Palance is the founder of the largest children’s performing arts showcase in the entertainment industry. The Premiere program provides children with the experience to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry, while offering parents unique understanding of the factors that drive success. Learn more at www.officialpremiere.com.
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inSPIRE LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE
Family fun in
NEW
BRUNSWICK Do you have a teen techie in your home? What about a budding fashionista? A teenage trendsetter? We’ve got you covered with a Too often dismissed selection of gifts sure as the “pass-through” to please any teen. province, New Brunswick by jordana handler boasts breath-taking and stefanie phillips natural wonders, topnotch beaches and a variety of unique experiences you and your teen will love. by jacqueline kovacs
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New Brunswick
IF
you’re struggling to find a vacation destination with activities, dining and accommodations to comfortably suit you and your teenage or young adult children, then you clearly haven’t given enough thought to New Brunswick. Too often dismissed as the “pass-through” province, New Brunswick boasts breath-taking natural wonders to experience up close, topnotch beaches and a variety of unique dining and shopping experiences. In short, rather than just being your route to the Maritimes, New Brunswick is your gateway to grownup family fun. Here’s the scoop.
STAY Remember when staying in a hotel as a family meant snuggling a toddler between you and your partner? Big-kid families definitely need adult space. And you’ll find that— and more—at the Residence Inn Moncton, which is part of the Marriott group. Our family of five chillaxed in a suite with two bedrooms, two baths, living room with pullout couch and a full kitchen. We also took advantage of the hotel’s mini gym and pool, as well as the complimentary buffet breakfast. We also took advantage of being literally steps from the charms of downtown Moncton. (See “Eat.”) For a tad more proximity to beaches and lobsters—and a pleasant touch of luxury—try Hotel Shediac. The contemporary, five-star 60-room hotel boasts high-end finishing and top-notch service. We enjoyed a spacious suite with all the comforts of home, only better. PLAY Got a family of beach bums? Hello! New Brunswick’s beaches boast the warmest ocean water temperatures in North America. February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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But, as our chilly experience showed, there’s no accounting for weather. So it’s a good thing there are other natural diversions to enjoy. We kicked off our first day, for example, with a bear-y cool experience: Little, Big Bear Safari, about a half-hour drive from Moncton, brings you as close to gorgeous black bears as safely possible. Watch while charismatic founder Richard Goguen interacts with a dozen or more black bears of all ages, coming and going to the “bear stand” on his property. It’s a uniquely New Brunswick experience. That can also be said in spades for kayaking
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through the province’s famous Hopewell Rocks. Perhaps the highlight of our trip, experiencing Hopewell Rocks started early (for teenagers) with all of us getting equipped by the helpful staff at Baymount Adventures Kayak the Rocks at 9 a.m. Well worth the whiny hassle, by the way, paddling our way in, around and through the spectacular New Brunswick shoreline is something none of us will forget. That vision was doubly imbedded as we walked the same route mere hours later after the world famous tides went out. And, if you feel like a family stroll, New Brunswick will spoil you. We doubled our pleasure, starting exploring Fundy National Park and hiking through the stunning Dixon Falls trail. We capped it off with a lobster taco lunch at Cape Enrage, followed by a challenging trek along fossil beach and taking in the raw and timeless beauty of the landscape—all enhanced by the sound of the area’s famous lighthouse.
EAT If you’re in the Moncton area, don’t miss Tide & Boar, recently named one of Canada’s top PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACQUELINE KOVACS
New Brunswick
WORTH THE STOP If, like us, you’re looking at a 12-hour drive to get to New Brunswick, break it up beautifully with an overnight in Quebec City. We stayed at the Hilton where we enjoyed spacious rooms, great views of (and easy access to) the Old City, as well as a complimentary breakfast. Take in the city’s highlights with the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour bus. A oneday pass gives you a great overview, including the Citadel and Notre-Damesdes-Victoire church, at your own pace. Next day, pile back in your vehicle and finish the trip, refreshed. 50 restaurants. Whether you’re dining inside or out on their generous patio, you can enjoy fresh, local and, of course, seasonal bounty on both your plate and in your glass. If you’re in the mood for some serious Maritime lobster, you’ll want to get booked on Shediac Bay Cruises where you’ll enjoy the freshest lobster prepared the Acadian way, along with a side of dinner “theatre” courtesy of the captain. Three delightful (and delicious) hours whiz by and you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation of the area’s history. ■
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DISHES ON PARENTHOOD by rachel naud
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Claudio Aprile As a chef and a celebrity judge, Aprile knows all about being in high-pressure situations. The father of two, who is used to taking the heat, says life in the kitchen often prepares him for the pressures of parenthood. Here, he explains.
IT
JUST TAKES A FEW MOMENTS of watching Claudio Aprile judge a dish on MasterChef Canada to see the type of person he is: empathetic, encouraging, fair. While he doesn’t sugarcoat the truth about the home cooks’ meals on the show, he’s quick to tell them how they could have made it better and will be honest if the dishes fell short of his expectations, leaving him disappointed. This is a commonality between Claudio the MasterChef and Claudio the dad, he explains in a phone interview from his Toronto home. “The show, at its core, is about mentorship and encouraging people to take risks and do things they really don’t know that they’re capable of doing,” he says. “It’s kind of like parenting.” For Aprile, being a dad is about watching his children, Isabel, 9, and Aiden, 15, venturing out, trying new things and growing into independent, strong young adults. And just as in cooking, he teaches his children that while some of life lessons will leave you burned, that doesn’t mean it can’t also be delicious.
MEDIALLC, PHOTOGRAPHER KATIE YU. © CROWN MEDIA©CTV/BELL UNITED STATES,
IN THE KITCHEN Although Aprile has been cooking since he was 14 years old, he says being on MasterChef Canada has taught him something new about being a chef. “It’s allowed me to really learn a new vocabulary as a chef,” he says. “I love what I do, but it can become predictable. You come in, prep the food, get ready for service and then you’re in the juice for a couple of hours while there’s a rush and then it stops. It can become monotonous. But, being able to spend two months on an incredible set with an amazing crew and be part February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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Claudio Aprile
“I’m cautious about whatever fame or celebrity is, and my wife and I don’t glorify it in any way. We know that it’s very temporary.” of something that has the power to change lives is really inspiring. It has taught me how to trust. I think the show has made me a better chef.”
A STAR IN THE FAMILY While appearing on a popular national television show most certainly gives Aprile some street cred, he says it doesn’t give him any special rank in the family—which is something he is very proud of. He says that although his wife and children are fans of the show, he’s cautious about tossing around the term celebrity at home. “I’m cautious about whatever fame or celebrity is, and my wife and I don’t glorify it in any way,” he says. “We know that it’s very temporary. I find the term celebrity chef cringe-worthy. I want my children to feel that
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it’s OK to eventually have a career where you’re not famous for it.”
KID COOKS Aprile also wants his children to know their way around a kitchen, which is why he spends time with them, teaching them how to cook. “I think teaching your kids to cook, how to navigate the kitchen, how to pick ingredients, how to know when fruit is ripe…as a parent it’s our responsibility to teach them how to make a good meal for themselves.” Aprile says his son and daughter have been learning how to cook with him since they were just toddlers. In the time spent together, he says they’re gaining more than just killer knife skills. “I’m teaching them so many lessons when cooking. It’s not just about the act. It’s about PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAUDIO APRILE
Claudio Raising Aprile Dad
teambuilding, collaboration, how to respect nature and about nourishment,” he says. “It’s a nurturing act to cook for others. It also makes you a well-rounded person. It’s like someone who knows more than one language; they’re always the coolest person in room.”
THE FREEDOM TO FAIL When it comes to parenting, just as Aprile doesn’t handle the home cooks on the show with kid gloves, he also doesn’t hover over his children, trying to control their every move. “I don’t hold too tightly onto them. I want them to experience the world,” he says. “I want them to learn that if they fall down, they have to get back up and try again.” Lesson in point: a longboarding lesson with his daughter. “I said to her before we went out, ‘You’re going to hurt yourself. It’s not a maybe. It’s going to happen. Are you OK with that?’ She went anyway. I told her it was her initiation.” The same goes for emotional strife, says Aprile.“The world is full of many people who might not be nice to them,” he says. “I want to set them up for reality. They’ll have to learn how to navigate those types of people.” Still, that’s not to say Aprile doesn’t admit to having worries of his own as his son ventures into the depths of his teen years. RAISING TEENS Every day is a negotiation when it comes to raising a teen, says Aprile, who says his son is
currently testing the waters of independence. “He’s going through this stage of where he thinks he wants to separate from the mothership,” he says. “He wants more autonomy and is testing the waters to see how much he can take.” While Aprile is happy to see his children be independent, he admits the teen years come with own set of worries. “I worry about the pressures of the teenage years—drug use is a scary one for me. I worry about him getting in with the wrong crowd,” he admits. “There’s a point where the little bird leaves the nest. But what if they start to fly and get caught in a different vortex and end up in a dangerous place?” Living with the unknown is something Aprile says he is learning to adapt to when it comes to raising teens. “It’s tricky because, as a parent, you don’t get to interview the parents of the other kids or the kids,” he says. “It’s the unknown. We are increasingly relying on his own judgment and allowing him to make his own decisions.” Putting trust in your teen can be hard but Aprile says it’s one of the best things parents of teens can do. That, and teaching them respect by showing them respect. “Don’t talk down to them. It’s the biggest mistake you’ll make,” he says. “Lead by example. They watch everything you do. Even when you don’t think they’re listening. There’s no bigger responsibility than that.” ■ Season 4 of MasterChef Canada airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, beginning March 2 February & March 2017 INBETWEEN
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Final Thrill
Successful
SCREENING Taking a little time to learn about a new app, game or site your teen enjoys can go a long way in building your relationship.
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YOUR TODAY. THEIR TOMORROW.
FOR PARENT S CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF RAISING A TEEN &
SOPHIE SIM ON BULLYINMONS BODY IMAGEG &
YOUNG ADUL T
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KEEPING
GIRLS IN THE GAME
WAYS TO BOOST YOUR
WHY YOUR DA UG SHOULD STAYHTERS IN SPORTS
TEEN’S SELF ESTEEM-
SERVES UP THE TRUT ABOUT H PARENTHOOD
FAMILY FUN IN NEW BRUNSWICK
Raising Dad
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