GRAND Vol. V, Ed. I
grandmag.ca
Q&A Dr. Allison Rees
Parent Educator, Mother & Grandmother
How to Talk to Your Grandkids About World Events
10
Things to Do
with Grandchildren This Summer
2
GRAND
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CREATE A LASTING LEGACY A gift in your Will to UNHCR means your generosity can provide vital services and supplies to those who need it urgently, wherever an emergency strikes.
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Men, women and children forced to flee their homes have made extraordinary efforts to survive. For as long as people are displaced, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, will continue to answer the call to support millions of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people—today, tomorrow and for years to come. Leaving a gift in your Will ensures a meaningful legacy and hope for the world’s most vulnerable refugees. Contact Kudzai Riva, Director of Planned Giving, at rivak@unhcr.org or (416) 926-7974 to learn more about the impact of leaving a gift in your Will.
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CONTENTS
6 7 Grand: Ideas + Inspiration 8 Q&A: Dr. Allison Rees On the importance of having fun with our grandchildren, letting them know they’re adored and loved, and the magic of seeing our children as parents.
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How to Talk to Your Grandkids About World Events What adults can do to help kids deal with what they see in the media and online. TIM COLLINS
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10 Things to Do with Grandchildren This Summer Seeing summer through your grandchild’s eyes. SUSAN GNUCCI
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A Recipe to Nurture Grandkids Sharing the gift of wisdom and spirit. LINDSAY COULTER
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Grandparents & Good Books Stories on how special the grandparent-grandchild relationship can be. CHRISTINA VAN STARKENBURG
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Leaving a Legacy An impactful way to participate in your grandchild’s financial upbringing. ALYX VALDAL
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How to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveller What it means to be a green traveller.
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Growing (B)older Aging brings strength.
That’s the message in The End of Old Age: Living a Longer More Purposeful Life by geriatric psychologist Dr. Marc Agronin. “When we realize the truth of this message, we can begin to end the tired and constricted notions of ‘old’ that we internalize throughout our lifetime and that serve to denigrate and limit our aging self and perpetuate an ageist culture,” writes Agronin. “To achieve this understanding, we must recognize the immense potential of our aging self, even in the face of common and expected struggles. We must learn how to age in a creative manner that is both the antidote to feeling old and the elixir of aging well.” One of the best ways communities can help older adults age well is to celebrate them and harness their wisdom, he adds.
Easy as Pie Teaching and learning pastry-making skills. EMILLIE PARRISH
Aging is an opportunity, not a curse.
To help us see it that way, Agronin suggests focusing on five main areas: Reserve: Catalogue your wisdom and take inventory of what you’ve learned over your lifetime. Resilience: Consider your purpose in life; this is paramount in gaining a second wind in old age. Reinvention: Change the way you create, treat people and explore the world. Legacy: Think about what you will leave behind; this can alter how you spend the rest of your days. Celebration: Transitions in life often come with a party, why not do it for getting old?
Nobody said changing your life is easy.
“It’s a long, gruelling process that takes honest self-reflection and a drive to become better.” Here’s to growing (b)older and better!
Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@islandparent.ca Sue Fast Editor editor@islandparent.ca
GRAND Vol. V, Ed. I
ON THE COVER
Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@islandparent.ca
grandmag.ca
RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager raeleigh@islandparent.ca
Arlow (1) & Dr. Allison Rees Photo by Don Denton
Q&A
Dr. Allison Rees
Parent Educator, Mother & Grandmother
How to Talk to Your Grandkids About World Events
grandmag.ca
10
Things to Do
with Grandchildren This Summer
GRAND, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a digital publication that honours and supports grandparents by providing information on resources and businesses for families and a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. 518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5
250-388-6905
A proud member of
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BC Vol. V, Ed. I
5
Ideas + Inspiration
7Grand
The “1000 X 5” Children’s Book Recycling Project Families at most elementary schools in Victoria, Saanich, and Sooke School districts and seven independent schools can donate gently used picture books for babies and preschoolers. Retired teachers and administrators donate time to sort, label, and gift bag those books. The gift bags are delivered to Strong Start Centres and community agencies where families can take home three quality books for each child. For information or to make a charitable donation, visit 1000x5.ca.
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A Grandparent’s Q&A
Learn Something New
Questions for My Grandmother/Grandfather (Insight Editions) poses 150 engaging questions—some silly, some serious, all genuine—to encourage grandkids of all ages to approach conversations with their grandparent in a fresh new way. Questions are inclusive and meant to appeal to a wide range of grandparents and grandkids and come in an illustrated box set that includes a blank notebook for jotting down notes, memories, and new questions to ask. simonandschuster.ca
Learn about writing, cooking, wellness, sports, business, relationships and more, with each topic taught by an expert. Through programs like Masterclass and Skillshare, you can access thousands of classes about topics ranging from Animation to Wilderness Survival—and everything in between. Both platforms offer per class options along with unlimited access based on membership. For more information, visit masterclass.com or skillshare.com.
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ACTIVE Aging, Not Anti-aging
Summer Farmers’ Markets
Creative Communities
The Wellness App
Active Aging Canada strives to promote a society where all adult and older adult Canadians are leading active lifestyles that contribute to their overall well-being and independence, a lifestyle that embraces physical activity and an active living philosophy with the end goal of healthy active aging. For resources and active living tips, visit activeagingcanada.ca.
With summer just around the corner, it’s not too early to start thinking about Farmers’ Markets. Make a day of it with your grandkids; stock up on picnic ingredients and hit the park or beach. There are markets from one end of the Island to the other, featuring locally grown produce, handmade products, live music and family-friendly activities. For a list, visit bcfarmsandfood.com.
Every community has its own unique cultural footprint. Art-BC Creative Communities present events, artists and destinations that will help you discover the best of BC’s Arts and Culture. From Alert Bay to Zeballos—and many more locations—on Vancouver Island, and from Abbotsford to Williams Lake in the Lower Mainland and beyond, BC’s Guide to Arts & Culture will keep you busy throughout the year. To order a guide, visit art-bc.com.
Make your own health and wellness plan with The Fountain of Health’s Wellness App. The Wellness App helps you to set and meet small, doable goals in areas that can promote well-being and improve health. Areas include: physical activity, social activity, brain challenge, positive thinking and mental health. The Wellness App is available for free and usable on any device— computer, laptop, iPhone, iPad or Android device. fountainofhealth.ca
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Vol. V, Ed. I
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Profile
Q&A: Dr. Allison Rees
D
r. Allison Rees has been a fixture on the Parent Education circuit since the early 90s, speaking to tens of thousands of parents and professionals over the years at engagements across the Island. Along with being a trusted voice in parent education, she is also a mother and a grandmother. Allison has co-authored two books, Sidestepping the Power Struggle and The Parent Child Connection. She has contributed to Island Parent for close to 30 years, penning the popular column Cut It Out. She has a commonsense, respectful and joyful approach to helping parents in their roles as parents.
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Q. How many children do you have? What are their names? My son, Jarryd, is 33, and my daughter, Lexy, just turned 31. Q. How many grandchildren do you have? What are their names and ages? Where do they live? I have one grandchild. Arlow turns 1 on March 27th. Presently, my daughter, husband and grand-daughter live in Victoria. Q. What do you love most about being a grandparent? Least? I love watching my daughter parent her daughter so lovingly. I have deep admiration in seeing Lexy’s determi-
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nation to give Arlow a strong sense of attachment, independence when wanted, and in educating herself as a parent. I am also experiencing a special relationship with Arlow. She knows the games we play together. She reaches out for me when I arrive, and I get a sense that she trusts me. That warms my heart. What I least enjoy are the times when Arlow is sick or in pain with teething. Not only do I worry about her, but I worry about my daughter worrying about her. I seem to recall my mother saying something like this to me then I would worry about my mom worrying about me, worrying about my daughter. Worry is my least favourite thing! Q. How is being a grandparent different than being a parent? Obvious answer. I get to sleep, eat a meal without interruptions, read…I’m sure you get my point. It is totally different. Q. What was important to you as a parent when you were raising your own children? Growing up myself so that I could break ineffective family patterns and contribute to my children’s psychological health. Q. What is most important to you as a grandparent? Being available to do anything to help out and bring relief to their family. I also mind my own business and don’t give unsolicited advice. I respect their way of doing things. They have so much information and education at their fingertips. I had a few books. I’m learning a lot from my daughter. Q. What part did your grandparents play in your life? What did you learn from them? I had limited contact with my grandparents as we immigrated from Scotland to Victoria. My mother’s grandmag.ca
mom was kind and loving. This was evident in my mother’s behaviour and continues down the line. Q. How did/will you help your children—and how do you help your grandchildren—find their talents and strengths? To explore their creativity? By letting them take the lead and being open to their interests. The same way I did with my children. Putting my ego and agenda aside! Q. What are some of your favourite things to do and places to go with your grandchildren? We are just getting out of the winter months now so most of my time is in their home. We just play in whatever way we can. It changes every week. Q. What do you wish for your grandchildren? Health, happiness and peace.
Q. What would you like your grandchildren to remember most about you? I would like them to know that I simply adored them. That’s all. Q. Do you have any wise words or stories to share with other grandparents to help them in their role raising their grandchildren? When my mother became a nana, she was pure love and fun. She never judged me, my choices or my kids. She had a wonderful sense of humour that would come out when one of my kid’s did something typical of their age. “They’re just children.” I think she was a major contributor to their well-being, their self-esteem and their ability to have such great relationships with others. Jarryd and Lexy loved their nana, and I feel her presence guiding me. When people say you feel the presence of loved ones, I get it. Mom’s attitude, her words, her way of being have stayed with me. Vol. V, Ed. I
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GRANDparenting
How to Talk to Your Grandkids About World Events
L
et’s face it, the last couple of years have been less than ideal. The COVID pandemic came out of nowhere to stun the world. Most of us found ourselves wearing surgical masks, obsessively washing and
Tim Collins is a writer and freelance journalist living and working in Victoria. 10
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disinfecting our hands, and discovering the benefits—and drawbacks—of Zoom meetings. Some of us, myself included, stepped in to continue our kid’s education when schools were shuttered in fear of the disease. All of us lived in the hope that our loved ones would escape a plague that, worldwide, was killing tens of thousands every day. Scary times. All of this, of course, was happening while our neighbours to the South seemed to be losing their collective minds. A never-ending flow of lies, corruption, and hatred streamed to us through multiple media outlets, and
we wondered if, like Covid, similar breakdowns in social order would infect our own backyards. In case we didn’t have enough to worry about, a young Swedish activist named Greta Thunberg was simultaneously on every platform to remind us that climate change threatens to destroy us all and that world governments are failing to do what is needed to save humanity. And, oh yeah, Russia decided to start a war of conquest with its neighbour, all the while threatening to use nuclear weapons if anyone tried to stop them. Like I said, less than ideal. So, what should adults be doing to help kids deal with what they see in the media and online? I recently read some advice on this topic from an esteemed psychologist who suggested that parents limit their kid’s exposure to the news. Right. Statistics Canada reports that about 90 percent of kids in middle school have cell phones and 50 percent of those kids check their phones every 30 minutes or so. More than half use their phones while watching TV. Sooooo…short of confiscating phones and computers and perhaps locking the kids in a cave, the concept of limiting exposure is just, well, cute. The first step is to make certain that you know what you’re talking about. Educate yourself on what’s happening by reading and listening to a variety of credible sources. Avoid any media outlets that have defended themselves from court action by saying that no grandmag.ca
reasonable person would believe a word that they say. (Yes, that really happened. Google it.) So, what can you do? A good place to start is to listen to your kids. Find out what they are concerned about and what they know about what’s going on in the world, but don’t force it. Consider the age and development of the young person in your life and try to find out what, if anything, is causing them stress. And while limiting their access to information is a fool’s errand, you might want to open a discussion about what they are seeing online and in the media. Talk about how not all sources are reliable and how you can factcheck what you see and hear, both in the media and from their friends. If, like me, some of the young people in your life are teens, the discussion can get a wee bit more in-depth. For example, I’ve talked to my granddaughter about some recent events. I asked her why she thought that the coverage of some stories had been overwhelming. Was it because it was a newsworthy story or was it to boost ratings and clicks? Did the coverage provide new information? That led to a discussion on the mission of real news outlets. Another suggestion is to talk about what your child, or in my case, grandchild, can do. Any troubling event or challenge presents opportunities. For example, a natural disaster might be the springboard for developing a family plan in case of a similar event. It’s also a chance to find out what others are doing and what can be done to help. Finally, don’t be afraid to broaden the discussion and talk about how kindness, cooperation and courage have helped people survive in the past. Those same things will always be important, no matter what comes next. grandmag.ca
Vol. V, Ed. I
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Road Trip
10 Things to Do with Grandchildren This Summer A ny grandparent will tell you that one of the greatest pleasures of having grandchildren is seeing the world through their eyes. We are privileged to witness their joy of discovery, which in turn transports us back to our own childhoods, giving us the opportunity to re-discover our
Susan Gnucci is a local author and a proud “nonna” to two young grandsons. She enjoys sharing her experiences as a grandparent. 12
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world through the unblemished perspective of a child. That is why providing experiences that stimulate and challenge our grandchildren is so enjoyable. And what better time of year to do that than in the summer months when the weather cooperates? So here are a few of my favourite summer activities with my grandson—some are budget-friendly, requiring only time and effort, while others are more costly to be enjoyed once per season or annually. Sidney Spit. Sidney Island boasts a marine park that provides wonderful forested walking trails as well as endless stretches of sand for beachcomb-
ing and water play. This marine park is accessed by booking a 20-minute water ferry from the Sidney pier. sidneyspitferry.com U-Pick farms. There are a number of local farms on the Saanich Peninsula that encourage families to pick their own produce: Marsh Farm located on Wallace Drive in Saanichton is one example. Go first thing in the morning before it gets too hot and then stop by Dan’s Market on Oldfield Road to pick up a bite to eat, shop for fresh local meats, breads, and produce, and say hello to their resident goats, chickens, and rabbits. To find a farm in your area, visit bcfarmfresh.com. Coombs Old Country Market. Famous for its goats grazing on the grassy roof—yes, on the roof!—Coombs Market also boasts homemade ice cream/ gelato/sorbet, a specialty, and provides a wide variety of local and imported food, gifts, and toys. If you haven’t packed a lunch, you can dine at one of a number of eateries: a bistro, cantina, trattoria or pizzeria. Qualicum Beach. Famous for its miles of sandy beachfront and warm tidal waters, this beach is located between Parksville and Courtenay and is sure to provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages. A sand sculpture contest is held annually that draws world-class sculptors, and a newly renovated playground is right next door. Scavenger Hunts. One of the simplest free activities for children of all ages is a scavenger hunt. The beauty of this activity is that it can be conducted anywhere—a forest walk, a beach, a marina, a park etc. You can grandmag.ca
put together your own list, or there are many to be found from a quick Google search. A treat or a prize for completion is always a big motivator! BC Aviation Museum. This gem of a museum is located in Sidney and is dedicated to the local history of flight. The museum offers something of interest for children of all ages. Included in the entrance fee is access to two hangars that house reconstructed planes of all shapes, sizes, and eras. Knowledgeable volunteers provide information and share stories. Kids can practice landing a model WWII fighter plane on the deck of an aircraft carrier, or sit inside a mini-helicopter, or try their hand at a flight simulator. Glass Beach/Sidney Pier. This small beach—named for the thousands of polished coloured glass chips that litter the sand—is located between Sidney’s wharf and its pier. Be prepared to spend an afternoon collecting these glass treasures, safe to handle thanks to the wave action has polished them smooth. The Sidney pier provides
more entertainment—be sure to put one of the provided life jackets on your little one. Children delight in watching the crab traps being hauled up and measured, with the “keepers” deposited into large buckets of water. Waterparks/Playgrounds. There are a number of playgrounds with water features in the Greater Victoria area and the best thing about them is they are free. One of our favourites is at Carnarvon Rotary Water Park. A picnic lunch will complete the day. Morningstar Farm. This heritage dairy farm located north of Parksville provides self-guided tours at no cost.
Children can learn about the milking process as well as cheese making. Meet farm animals such as calves, sheep and goats or purchase cheese, meat, eggs, coffee and other local products—including toys!—from the farm store. Elk/Beaver Lake. These two connected lakes not only provide freshwater swimming, but each has its own playground and picnic areas. There is also a 10km walking/biking trail that circumnavigates both lakes providing an excellent opportunity for some exercise whether it be walking, jogging, or bike riding.
Calling all nature lovers!
Join the Capital Region’s City Nature Challenge April 29 - May 2, 2022
How many wild plants and animals can you find in the capital region? Join the CRD and its partners as we compete with cities around the world to document urban nature using the free and simple iNaturalist app. Get outside with your family to explore the capital region’s amazing biodiversity. Learn more at www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity.
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Vol. V, Ed. I
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Mind
A Recipe to Nourish Grandkids “In a troubled time, the willingness to proceed like you’re needed is a radical act.” – Stephen Jenkinson
Lindsay Coulter is a writer, educator, facilitator, naturalist, community catalyst, soul activist, mentor, and dedicated mother of two. She’s the Director of Communications, Culture and Community at EPIC Learning Centre, a forest and nature school in Victoria, B.C. Find her @ SaneAction on Instagram and Facebook. 14
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Photo: Kalene Lillico
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f old trees become fertile ground, then it’s grandparents who we need to nourish future generations. How will you offer yourself to the world? From an open-hearted and generous place, we need grandparents to share their gifts, wisdom and spirit. We are creatures of connection. Happiness and resilience blossom when we recognize our interconnection through generations and with our living world. Try a few simple acts to live in alignment with our innate desire to contribute: Forage with kids. It’s like hide and seek with a delicious pay off! When I was a kid, my grandparents took me foraging for morel mushrooms. It was a fun spring family activity of bushwhacking and climbing over forest debris and a peaceful way to experi-
ence nature reciprocity. Introduce grandchildren to your lineage of gatherers seeking nettle, berries or other wild edibles. Landscape for the soul. Landscapes are potent. It’s here we can connect with our ancestors. Take your grandkids to your favourite view or vista. Maybe somewhere your parents took you? Mary Reynolds Thompson, author of Reclaiming the Wild Soul, says all landscapes are not extrinsic to who you are; they are woven into the core of your being. Introduce children the landscapes they belong to. Can’t think of a landscape? Invite the child to show you a place they hold sacred. Take them to water. Water is an earth element with healing qualities— it’s pure and precious. Take a child to play, picnic or sit near water, it sooths the body and soul. Alan Wolfelt, author and founder and director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition, says, “When we spend time near water, we connect to its tranquility and flow.” Vancouver Island offers many opportunities to attune to the ocean, it’s streams, waterfalls, ponds and lakes. A walk in the rain counts too! Find ritual. Invite grandkids to participate in a ritual from your ancestors, culture and roots. This can be an act to reclaim and better understand the benefits of ceremony. Without ritual our lives can become empty and devoid of symbolism. The magical language of ritual helps us stay connected to our roots, brings us into the present moment and reminds us of our human goodness. Many children have a grandmag.ca
longing to understand the magic and electricity of heartfelt ritual. Can you help? Tell stories. Television has taken the place of storytelling around a fire, says Toko-pa Turner author of Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home. Make time to share your stories. My grandfather wrote his life story a few years before he died. Each birthday, I read an excerpt of it to my kids so they may appreciate their lineage of fearless ancestors. Feed them. We’re no longer eating together or gathering around the anchor that was the family dining room table. Food preparation time has decreased for families, and snacking time has increased! Invite grandchildren to cook, bake or preserve the harvest with you. Make something from scratch. Dr. Deborah MacNamara, an author and counsellor, urges us to protect mealtime. Doing so helps us realize where we belong and who we belong too. Tip: Gift children a family
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recipe in every birthday card. They will grow to appreciate them with age. “Sharing food is a metaphor for all giving. When we offer someone food, we are not just giving that person something to eat, we are giving far more. We give strength, beauty, clarity of mind, and even life, because none of those things would be possible without food. So when we feed another, this is what we are offering: the substance of life itself.” – Susan Salzberg Give a blessing. Teach a child how to ask for support from the unseen, kind and wise. Religions and faith name these and any child can be invited to explore allies, helping spirits or the energy in the world around us. Barbara Moore calls blessings proactive, empowering and something you give. For example, kids can offer a blessing to a friend, a new home, celebration or beloved pet. Other ways to connect or communicate, like prayer can call in light, love, non-human kin (for example a tree, stone, water) and basic goodness. Did you know praying aloud helps regulate the vagus nerve, among the most complex systems of nerves in the body? And so does sitting, chanting, humming, yawning and laughing. Show grandkids in your life how to sew, mend and repair items. Plant seeds in the garden together or become pen pals so they learn how to write a letter or postcard. Teach kids how to knit, crotchet and build. They need your presence and crave meaningful experiences together. Enjoy!
Nikan
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with a charitable estate donation in your will. Together, we can improve the lives of all amputees, including children, by providing artificial limbs and much more.
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Mind
Grandparents & Good Books
O
Christina Van Starkenburg lives in Victoria with her husband, children, and cat. She is the author of One Tiny Turtle: A Story You Can Colour and many articles. To read more of her work and learn about her upcoming books visit christinavanstarkenburg.com. Facebook: facebook.com/ christinavanstarkenburg and Twitter: @Christina_VanS 16
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ne of my children’s favourite things to do when their grandparents come and visit, is to curl up on the couch—or their beds—and read a bedtime story. It’s something I loved doing when I was growing up too. Even though we read to our children every night before bed, there’s just something special about hearing Nana or Papa read their favourite stories. If you are looking for some new stories that could become favourites, here are a few that highlight just how special the grandparent/grandchild relationship can be. The first is My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee and illustrated by Elaine Chen (Annick Press, 2020). In this adorable story, May spends the day wandering through Chinatown with her grandfather. But they have a big problem: they don’t speak the same language. Still, before May gives up completely, Gong Gong has a surprise to turn things around. For ages 3 to 7. Just like My Day with Gong Gong, this next story reminds readers just how magical it can be to spend a day with a grandparent. In Maud and GrandMaud by Sara O’Leary and illustrated by Kenard Pak (Tundra, 2020), Maud can’t wait to spend the day with the woman she is named after. The illustrations in this story are fantastic and they really showcase just how sweet and special the relationship can be. For ages 3 to 7. As I mentioned, I have memories of the times I spent with my grandparents. But, unlike Mina Javaherbin, I haven’t written them down. However, I am glad she did. In My Grandma and
Me by Mina Javaherbin and illustrated by Lindsey Yankey (Candlewick Press, 2019), Mina recollects the time she spent with her grandmother growing up. From waking up early to pray or eat before sunrise during Ramadan, to building rocket ships from scrap fabric, Mina followed her grandmother everywhere. This story reminds us all, how the special things, don’t have to be extravagant. For ages 4 to 8. This next story isn’t directly about grandparents, but it is about those around us that we lovingly call Gramma or Grampa. Those wonderful souls who just envelope everyone with their warmth. In Wingmaker by Dave Cameron and illustrated by David Huyck (Kids Can Press, 2021), two ants, Leaf and Lou, take care of Gramma Tinker and help her with her inventions. As the story unfolds, Gramma Tinker, who is an eastern tent caterpillar, is building her greatest invention yet: the Wingmaker. For ages 4 to 8.
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Finally, as much as we may want to avoid it, we all know that there will come a time when we need to say goodbye. It’s not always easy to find the words to say. But this next book might help. In Bon Voyage Mister Rodriguez Christiane Duchesne and Francois Thisdale (Pajama Press, 2019) work together to write and illustrate a magical story about how the children of one community said goodbye to a very special man. For ages 4 to 8. Even if you don’t take any of these suggestions to heart—though they are fantastic stories—I hope you all find fun and enjoyable ways to spend time with your grandchildren, be it through reading, tinkering or letting them use your scrap cut offs to build a rocket ship.
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flexibility for different learning styles optional hands-on learning activities support from a certified teacher gentle and constructive feedback
Vol. V, Ed. I
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Money & Finances
Leaving a Legacy
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randchildren are the apple of your eye, and, just like children, they can be easy to spend money on! For some grandparents, spoiling one’s grandchildren is natural, especially if you are in a better financial position than when you were when raising your children. Besides ice cream treats and the occasional gift, an impactful way to participate in your grandchild’s financial upbringing is to consider leaving a legacy. There are a number of ways you can accomplish this:
1. Contribute to an RESP for education savings
A Registered Education Savings Plan is one of the most common savings vehicles for Canadians saving for a child’s future. Deposits of up to $2,500 per year will generate a 20% match from the Government ($500/yr Canada Education Savings Grant) and up to $50,000 total can be put into an RESP for a beneficiary. Anyone can open an RESP and grants accumulate based on contributions, so coordinate with the parents, if there is another RESP in place as the grant will be allocated to the first $2,500 (if more is being contributed, across all RESPs for the same beneficiary). You can also give money to the parents to contribute to an RESP. If a beneficiary doesn’t go to school, all money contributed goes back to the subscriber (the owner of the RESP), grants go back to the Government, and interest earned is taxed (if the beneficiary does go to school, the interest earnings are taxed in their hands when the money is withdrawn).
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2. Match TFSA contributions for adult grandchildren
Since 2009, any Canadian resident over the age of 18 earns TFSA contribution room each tax year. This year’s contribution maximum is $6,000. To encourage savings, you could match your grandchild’s contributions. If they have a bi-weekly paycheque, $115 per pay from them and a match from you will be close to the maximum for the year. This is a much more manageable amount than a young adult trying to plan a strategy for saving $500/ month.
3. Pay them to work
If you want to help children or teens save money for things they want, let them earn it. Anything can be a job. Grandfather Joe Gilgunn’s three grandchildren are designing bookmarks for him, at a dollar a piece. “I used to give my daughters’ friends quarters for being polite and they jokingly still expect it when I run into them now—30 years later,” he says. “Earning small amounts of money to save and spend is one way I’ve seen children learn money management.” For bigger savings goals—with teenagers, for example—you could assign bigger jobs or even challenges (“pay” them for volunteer hours at your Rotary or Lawn Bowling Club, for example).
4. Consider critical illness and permanent life insurance
Both permanent Critical Illness Insurance and Life Insurance can be valuable assets for grandchildren to have, well into the future. There are 20-year fully paid options for both
these products as well as options for getting cash back or borrowing funds from the policy and plans start at $30$50/month. Speak with a licensed insurance advisor about what this could look like. Grandpa Joe is happy he did; “Paying for a Critical Illness policy for my grandchild is one way to provide some protection for them and especially their parents, if something were to happen, even after I’m gone. My children [the parents] would have to dig into their savings to pay their children’s medical expenses and any other associated costs. This policy on children is actually protecting the parents or grandparents from costly and unexpected medical bills.”
5. Gift cash; get legal advice if leaving other assets
In Canada, there is no gift tax, so you can freely give small amounts of cash to grandchildren—both minors and adults. However, assets such as stocks, houses (principal residence), other investments or appreciating assets could have tax consequences such as attribution rules. Be sure to consult with a lawyer if planning to give or leave gifts of this nature, especially to minors. If wanting to gift large amounts of cash, such as for a downpayment on a condo, there may
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COMMUNITY OPTIONS
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY OPTIONS OPTIONS
supportssupports quality summer programming for families with children quality programming facing disabilities within your community.
be a request from a mortgage lender for proof that this is a gift and not an amount being loaned for repayment.
6. Name (adult) grandchildren as beneficiaries in your life insurance policy You can name minors as beneficiaries but will also need to name a trustee who will then be in control and in charge of the funds until the child is the age of majority (19 in BC). As above, speak with an Estate lawyer about structuring your will when planning.
Helping your grandchildren with these long-term strategies is also a way for them to remember you— when they are going to school, saving money monthly, or using money that you helped them save. Keep your grandchildren learning and earning and give them a foundation for their future that will last longer than that toy they are desperate for. Alyx Valdal is a licensed life and health insurance advisor and broker. Besides insurance and financial advising, she is passionate about financial literacy for the next generation and teaches kids money classes online.
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for families with children facing DONATE disabilities within your community.
TODAY!
Have you ever wondered about the future and gifts promotes being kids summer! whatYou it might bring tokids families withthis family members with a disability? You can make a difference by https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/ designating Community Options for Children and Families as your charity of choice when considering leaving a gift through your will or any other gift planning instrument (gifts of stock). Community Options has supported thousands of families in the community over the past 30+ years— supports quality summer programming with children supporting a better quality offor lifefamilies for families facing disabilities within your community. on Southern Vancouver Island.
supports quality summer programming for families with children disabilities within your supports qualfacing ity summer programmi ng forcommunity. families with children
facing disabilities within your community.
DONATE COMMUNITY TODAY!OPTIONS
DONATE You gifts promotes kids being kids this summer! TODAY! DONATE
For more information, please contact TODAY! Kathleen Burton, Executive Director 250.380.6363 You gifts promotes kids beingext kids205 this summer!
https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/ https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/
You gifts promotes kids being kids this summer!
https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/
Vol. V, Ed. I
19
Road Trip
How to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveller
I
f you’re reading this, there’s a big chance you’re an avid or occasional traveller. Perhaps you’re even looking forward to the next time you have a few days or weeks to yourself so you can take that long-awaited vacation!
The simple decisions you make—like throwing away trash during your errands—also count. With this being said, below is a list of things people tend to forget when trying to travel sustainably.
1. Packing (light) the right essentials
But have you ever wondered how your trips impact the environment? Are you an eco-friendly traveller? If so, read on to find out what it means to be a green traveller, alongside things you should never forget if you want to be a friend of the environment.
What is eco-friendly travel?
Also known as green travel or sustainable tourism, eco-friendly travel has become an overly important and trendy topic over the years. It simply refers to travelling in a manner that causes the least harm to the environment. This includes everything from where you go, what you pack, how you get to your destination and basically how to treat your surroundings. 20
GRAND
It is not uncommon to overpack for a trip or forget items that you will end up really needing. Especially overpacking, this occurs to so many travellers, often ruining the whole essence of travelling green. Remember, each luggage brought into a flight adds to the overall weight of your plane. If the plane gets too heavy, it will have to burn more fuel to stay on course and get to the destination, meaning a higher carbon footprint from CO2 emissions. This is all the more reason to pack light, making sure only essential items go into your bag. At the very least, this means packing clothing items that you’ll actually use, enough footwear and some toiletries, alongside quality personal care items like beauty and skincare products.
2. Reusable bags
When travelling, the need to go shopping comes occasionally. Perhaps you rented an Airbnb and needed to restock your groceries, or you needed to bring some souvenirs back home after your trip. In these and other situations, reusable bags come in handy since you won’t have to use plastic bags or purchase a carry bag every time you have to go shopping. Moreover, the bag can easily be slipped into your luggage or even a purse without bumping up the weight. grandmag.ca
It is funny how people keep on forgetting this eco-friendly utility.
3. Disposing of waste responsibly
Green travel requires a lot of cautiousness when it comes to disposing of waste. Nothing harms the environment more than dumping waste irresponsibly, especially in water bodies, more so if it’s plastic. It ends up clogging wastewater systems, plus it could end up in the sea, eventually harming aquatic life. As a responsible traveller, it is best to reduce your usage of plastic as much as you can, always making sure to dispose of all your waste responsibly.
4. Reducing carbon footprint
The distance between your tour destination and your home is another crucial consideration if you want to make your trip eco-friendly. Huge distances often mean a higher carbon footprint, whether you’re travelling by air, road or sea. Nonetheless, public transportation systems like trains, buses and bicycles are considered more sustainable because they help reduce the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere per trip. Also, don’t forget to choose a sustainable destination every time you travel, making sure to use responsible tour guides who have the best interests of the environment at heart. Nothing is more fulfilling than knowing you’ve helped sustain the environment by the little choices you make every day. Fortunately, this is something you can experience by ensuring sustainable travel every time you take a trip. grandmag.ca
Proud to be supporting parents and families on Vancouver Island!
MLA Murray Rankin Oak Bay – Gordon Head Murray.Rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca
250-472-8528
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the-raptors.com Vol. V, Ed. I
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Cooking with Grandkids
Easy as Pie O
ne of the first cooking skills that I ever learned was how to make pastry and bake apple pie. My parents are both great cooks, but desserts and pastries aren’t really their cup of tea. So it was one of my neighbours who taught me how to make a pie when I was eight years old. She invited me over one Saturday afternoon and asked me to bring my apron. We went through the whole process, making the pastry from scratch, then using it to bake apple pies. The afternoon even included a neighbourhood hike while we waited for the dough to chill. And at the end of the day, I was incredibly proud to bring home a freshly baked pie.
Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her two busy children. You can find more of her recipes in her recently released cookbook Fermenting Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com 22
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A few months later, my older brother enlisted my help in making a lemon meringue pie for my parents wedding anniversary. I made the crust, he made the filling and the feeling of our shared success was palpable. Now it is my son who routinely asks if he can bake a pie. And we all love freshly baked homemade apply pie Here are a few reasons to consider sharing some pastry-making skills: • Rubbing butter or shortening into flour is really fun. Even little kids can enjoy getting their fingers into the dough. • Since pies are not usually time-sensitive, they are perfect for older kids to make on their own. As long as they have an afternoon with nothing else to do, they can bake a pie! • Pies are really forgiving. While there’s a few fussy techniques, ultimately, simply mixing up all the right ingredients will result in a delicious treat! An award-winning pie crust is not required. Here is a simplified apple pie recipe. Perfect for teaching pastry-making skills to all the grandchildren in your life. grandmag.ca
Fool-Proof Pie Crust There are so many different versions of pie crust. Some add vinegar or lard. Personally, I like an all-butter pie crust. The flavour is amazing and it’s easier to only measure one type of fat. 21⁄2 cups of all-purpose flour or pastry flour 2 tsp white sugar (optional, only include it if you’re making a sweet pie) 1⁄2 tsp salt 1 cup of salted butter 1⁄2 cup of water More flour, as required for rolling out the dough Mix the flour with the sugar (if using) and salt in a large bowl. Chop the butter into small cubes. Add the butter to the flour and toss to coat each of the cubes. If you have a pastry knife, feel free to use that to work the butter into the flour. I recommend using your fingers. It’s a lot more fun. Especially if there are kids involved! Just rub the butter into the flour, breaking up all the large chunks. The goal is to have the butter fully mixed into the flour. It should resemble a coarse meal. Sprinkle on 1⁄4 cup of cold water. Stir it into the dough. Add the remaining water 1 tablespoon at a time. The goals is to bring the flour into a smooth dough that is not overly wet. Don’t add all the water unless the dough feels very dry and crumbly. After adding the water bring the dough into a smooth ball. I find this is easiest done by hand. Again, you don’t want to actually knead the dough, just pat it into a ball-like shape. Divide the dough into 2 balls. Place each ball in a plastic bag and stash them in the fridge. Let them chill for at least 2 hours and up to 5 days before baking a pie.
Betty’s Apple Pie Pie filling is often pre-cooked. This is because raw apples reduce in size as they cook, resulting in a collapsed top crust. However, there’s no way my 13-year-old is patient enough to pre-cook pie filling. So this recipe allows the apples to softens slightly without any additional cooking. The result isn’t a perfectly stuffed pie crust, but I’m pretty sure no one will notice! 21⁄2 lbs of apples (about 5) 1⁄2 cup of brown sugar 3 Tbsp of all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon tsp salt 2 Tbsp butter 2 tsp white sugar
1⁄8
Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples. Mix them with the brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Leave the apples to soften for 15 minutes while you prepare the pie crust. Roll out one ball of dough on a lightly floured surface. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the dough. Then roll out the top crust. Stir the filling and pour it into the bottom crust. Level the filling with a spoon or spatula. Cut the butter into small pieces and dot the top of the apples with the butter. Cover with the top crust and crimp the edges of the pie to seal in the filling. My kids like to make a woven lattice-style crust. If you’re using a solid crust, use a sharp knife to slice the centre of the top crust two or three times to create a vent. Sprinkle the top crust with the white sugar. Bake for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350˚F and bake for another 30–45 minutes. The pie is done with the apples are soft and bubbly. You can test softness by poking a sharp knife through the top vent. grandmag.ca
Healthy Families, Happy Families
Child, Youth & Family Public Health South Island Health Units
Esquimalt Gulf Islands
250-519-5311 250-539-3099
Peninsula Saanich Saltspring Island Sooke Victoria West Shore
250-544-2400 250-519-5100 250-538-4880 250-519-3487 250-388-2200 250-519-3490
(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)
Central Island Health Units
Duncan Ladysmith Lake Cowichan Nanaimo Nanaimo Princess Royal Parksville/Qualicum Port Alberni Tofino
250-709-3050 250-755-3342 250-749-6878 250-755-3342 250-739-5845 250-947-8242 250-731-1315 250-725-4020
North Island Health Units
Campbell River Courtenay Kyuquot Health Ctr ‘Namgis Health Ctr Port Hardy
250-850-2110 250-331-8520 250-332-5289 250-974-5522 250-902-6071
islandhealth.ca/our-locations/ health-unit-locations Changes with BC Medical Services Plan premiums mean that families eligible for partial payment of some medical services and access to some income-based programs now must apply for Supplementary Benefits through the Government of BC. Applications can be done online and take approximately 15 minutes. Families who previously qualified for MSP Premium Assistance should not need to re-apply if taxes are completed yearly. It is advised to confirm coverage before proceeding with treatment to avoid paying out of pocket.
For more information, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/ bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-bymsp/supplementary-benefits
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