Island Parent December-January 2023

We know academic results are important to you, so start the school year on the right foot. Sylvan students typically see up to two to three times more growth in their math and reading scores than if they hadn’t come to Sylvan*.

know academic results are important to so start the school year on the right foot.

Sylvan students typically see up to two to three more growth in their math and reading scores than if they hadn't come to

Act now to take control of this school year. Sylvan of Vancouver Island *See

Getting Hygge With It

Okay, so it’s pronounced “hooga”—not higgy—and it’s nothing new (unless you’ve been busy raising kids for the past few years!), hygge, that state of cozy contentment, can feel near impossible when it comes to parenting.

Meltdown on aisle four? Not feeling it.

Food flinging across the kitchen and sliding down the wall? Nope, still no warm and fuzzies.

Three-sailing wait? Can’t say the car is feeling so cozy or comfortable right about now.

But don’t stress says Iben Sandahl, parenting expert and author of The Danish Way of Parenting: A Guide to Raising the Happiest Kids in the World, getting hygge is as easy as lighting a candle, making some hot chocolate, sitting down with your kids and giving them your full attention.

At the risk of adding stress to the process, here’s a list of Dos and Don’ts that Sandahl recommends to help you set the mood: Don’t say “Now we’re really going to hygge”—there will be too many expectations that can block the mere presence of it.

Hygge is an intangible concept, something that occurs in the moment and is therefore difficult to stage.

Do leave personal drama at the door. There are other times to focus on any problems you may be having. Hygge is about creating a safe place to relax with your family.

Don’t use iPhones or devices. Turn them off or put them away. By giving children our full attention, we make the time afterwards much easier as they are then usually ready to do something without our interacting.

Do make it a daily/weekly routine. It makes kids feel safe and they will know that it is associated with something nice and comfortable.

Do make an effort to create a nice cozy atmosphere. Light some candles, play a game or bake, for example. Part of the process is the preparations you do together.

So no matter what you call it—hygge, hibernating or just plain hanging out at home—here’s to finding comfort and joy this holiday season with those you love.

Happy Holidays and all the best in 2023.

Happy Holidays

lexieslittlebears.ca

Waitlist: 250-590-3603

Programs for Infants/Toddlers/Pre-school Age.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” – Elf

The Gift of The Nutcracker

This Victoria family tradition has everything you expect from a Ballet Victoria production. An original Christmas tale danced to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score of The Nutcracker played by the Victoria Symphony. The production boasts lively dance, hilarious pantomime, beautiful costumes, magic and as always, surprises for the whole family. The live music drives the imaginative choreography for the company dancers as well as over 30 local young ballet students. Watch the story come alive and enthral the whole family with Holiday Cheer. December 28 and 29 at 7:30pm, and December 30 at 2pm.

balletvictoria.ca

Kids Write 4 Kids

National youth education charity, Ripple Foundation, is calling Canadian children and youth in grades four to eight to put pen to paper and submit their literary creations to its 11th annual Kids Write 4 Kids contest, a one-of-a-kind national competition that sees winners become published authors before high school. Winner(s) will see their works published in ebook and paperback editions, with 100% of book sale proceeds benefitting a charity of their choice. This is a great opportunity for aspiring young writers to put their work in front of a panel of accomplished authors, editors and publishers. Winners announced in Summer 2023.

ripplefoundation.ca

Backpack Project

To help those living on the streets in the capital region, drop off warm clothing, sleeping bags, tents and food at 12 of the region’s municipal halls. Donation boxes are accessible Monday to Friday during business hours until December 23. Participating municipalities include: Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney, Langford, Colwood, Victoria, Highlands, Metchosin, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Re/Max in Langford, Saanich, View Royal and Sooke. Accessible 24/7: Fairfield Gonzales Community Centre. For a list of needed items or ways to donate cash and gift cards, visit instagram.com/p/

CkmhRwULcfW/?hl=en

Even the Odds

Staples Canada has partnered with MAP to “Even the Odds,” helping eliminate inequities in communities across Canada. Household income, education and experiences of discrimination strongly affect our odds of staying healthy. Even the Odds will fund research and solutions to make the future fair for everyone. This year, Staples has created a Pep Rally “Inspiration Pack,” available in-store now for $7.98. All proceeds from Inspiration Pack sales will support MAP initiatives. staples.ca/a/content/even-the-odds

Home Energy Navigator Program

The Capital Regional District (CRD) has launched the Home Energy Navigator program, designed to streamline home energy upgrades in the region’s single-family homes. The Home Energy Navigator Program helps residents undertake low carbon home energy retrofits and take advantage of government and utility incentives. Connect with an Energy Concierge, who is then available throughout a retrofit to answer questions, provide support and give local, expert advice and guidance to navigate the complex world of home energy retrofits.

homeenergynav.ca

Hansel & Gretel

The wicked witch Belladonna Nightshade LOVES children…but only when they’re cooked! She’s got her eye on sweet Hansel and Gretel. Can Fairy Willow Wonder Wand and the good people of PantoLand save the children before they become her dinner? Hansel and Gretel by Helen Gard runs select evenings and matinees from Dec 16–31. All tickets $18 available at nanaimotheatregroup.ca.

LEGO Annual Art Show

“What Goes Around” is the theme at this year’s show, featuring artful creations made by local youth, students and families. Presented by the Cowichan Valley Arts Council

Cowichan Community Council and Red Balloon Toyshop, this Christmas time LEGO show will captivate young and old imaginations alike and inspire attendees to “think outside the box” when they’re building their own LEGO creations.

cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

Give Presents and Presence

Gift giving is not about the gift. It is an expression of love, gratitude, appreciation and generosity. Material items are often the “go to” but we underestimate gifts of presence, calm, time and energy.

This year, thoughtfully combine gifts of experience with something to enrich it! Enjoy these seven ideas for all ages:

Owl prowl. When darkness falls early and you can protect bedtime, go outside! Gift kids the experience of a neighbourhood walk at dusk. Listen for owls like the more common Barred and Great Horned species. You don’t need to be an expert. Enjoy the chance to experience your senses at night. You’ll probably notice bats and other nocturnal creatures!

Gift item: Reflective vest, armband light, or head lamp. Give a membership to organizations like the Rocky Point Observatory and enjoy an event together like owl banding at night. Throw in a thermos and hot chocolate with marshmallows, too.

Pebble hunt. Gift a rock hunting experience! A beach day or two is plenty of time to collect volcanic rock, basalt, chert, mica schist, quartz and more. You’ll learn to identify rocks and look at stones, rocks and pebbles in a whole new way.

Gift item: A Field Guide to the Identification of Pebbles by Eileen Van der Flier Keller, a magnifying glass or pocket scope, and decorative treasure box. Also consider a Rock and Mineral Test Kit. The University of Victoria bookstore sells a kit with basic tools for hands-on rock, mineral and fossil identification. The kit includes “a streak plate, glass plate, hand lens, dropper bottle, magnet, nail, penny (from more recent decades) and a harness scale in a resealable transparent pouch.” Might as well also throw in a copy of Everybody Need a Rock by Byrd Baylor.

Tide pooling. We are blessed with countless beaches and tide pools. Vancouver Island is home to many species of sea stars, crustaceans, mollusks, segmented worms, seaweed and more. Treat the children in your life to a day of tide pool viewing. A trip to Botanical Beach guarantees lifelong memories. Always check the tide table and road conditions first. Do not remove any critters!

Gift item: Marine Life of British Columbia Field Sheets by David S. Young.

Sky watch. Light pollution, a side effect of the industrial revolution, has our cities glowing at night. Plan a late-night escape to the countryside to watch the stars in your pajamas. Or book a camping trip and stay up to star gaze.

Gift item: Star finder or star wheel. It’s a multilayered cardboard disk that lets you dial in the current date and time. Then you can see a map of the naked-eye sky at that exact moment! Also, source a few books or field guides to the stars.

Felt together. Needle felting is a great way to be creative and reduce stress, and anxiety. It’s also a lot of fun to do with someone you love.

Gift item: Buy pre-made beginner felting kits from a local fiber store or wool shop. Or, gift a workshop series with in person instruction.

It takes time to practice generosity but being generous is the best use of our time. – Thich Nhat Hanh

Dye Ukrainian eggs (pysanky). For the artist in you, those reclaiming their Ukrainian roots and those seeking to support Ukraine. This ancient pass time decorates eggs with symbols to carry meaning and good wishes is both fun and challenging. It’s a peaceful way to connect with family or friends.

Gift item: Buy a beginner pysanky kit which comes with dyes, a kistka, beeswax and instructions. Check out options from UkrainianEggcessories.com and check out books from the library to learn more.

Carve as a family. Choose your favourite animal to carve from soapstone. This hands-on activity is rewarding and excellent to do as a family. It’s a lovely keepsake for time well spent, together.

Gift: Studiostone Creative kits have everything you need. They are made in Vancouver and are usually for 8 years old and up.

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 Commu

Letting Go of Holiday Expectations

Let’s imagine for a minute: What would it be like if this holiday season and beyond, into 2023, we all collectively let go of expectations—those we have of others and, especially, of ourselves. Now I don’t mean expectations of good behaviour and basic responsibility, being kind and courteous, following safety rules, etc. I mean all the extras: the unspoken “shoulds” and the blatantly broadcast Instaimpossibilities.

Pressure to over-perform, whether at work, at home or socially is real, and it can be suffocating. The feeling is especially profound at this time of year.

Before every holiday season I try to give myself a little pep talk, reminders that the most important “things” are not things at all, and that it doesn’t need to be about endless baking or crafting or shopping.

However, as the season nears, I inevitably feel my anxiety stirring: “Am I doing enough? Have I put enough thought and effort into this gift to make up for the fact that it isn’t expensive? Will there be enough magical moments and core memory-making for my son?

Will it ever be enough? Will I ever be enough?”

Spending any amount of time-consuming modern media can certainly trigger and amplify these doubts. I know I’m a good mom, and my son’s safety, growth and happiness are my top priorities. I work hard to make sure he thrives and knows he is loved. My family and friends know I love them

and I am here for them. I am kind and as generous as my means allow.

But even if I try to look at this objectively, all it takes is a few minutes on social media seeing what other moms are doing and I’m chastising myself for not doing more, more, more!

These are challenging times. Many are cinching financial belts a little tighter, and the pandemic has also inspired a lot of us to re-examine where we spend our soul-energy. Do we grind ourselves to death to do All. The. Things. or do we give more time to the experiences and people who bring us joy and recharge our batteries instead of draining them?

And do people we care about need us to turn ourselves inside-out to produce tangible “proof” that we love them, just because it is a particular time of year?

Absolutely not.

When I look way, WAY back to when I was my son’s age, my best memories are not those of how many “must-do” activities we crammed in over the holidays, or how perfect the table settings looked at Christmas dinner, or whether the Elf-on-the-Shelf entertained us sufficiently with its nightly hi-jinx. No way. I remember my grandpa’s jokes, my family’s laughter, my mom’s delicious baking (that she made because she actually loves baking), the comfort of recycled decorations and familiar rituals and the warmth of being together.

I don’t remember many of the presents I’ve received dur-

ing my life, but I definitely remember how people have been present for me, with me. It’s such a clichéd statement: “Bring your “presence,” not “presents,” but I think a lot of us (including me!) need to re-examine this idea, that we don’t have to show up for people with all the doo-dads, bells, whistles and trimmings. We just have to really, authentically show up. And not just for the holidays, but throughout the year.

For me, this means checking in with people I love and spending time with them. Not having to have “something to do,” but just being there, together, doing everyday things or even nothing at all. This means listening to each other and helping where we can. This means not making myself cranky by overburdening myself with extra things I think I “should” do because everyone else is and instead soaking up the moments I have with my family and friends as they are, right now.

My son would likely not remember the hours of planning and work I could put into craft projects or perfectly colour-co-ordinated decorations. He would remember that Mama was busy and stressed out and doing things that he couldn’t be a part of.

Instead, I believe (and hope) he will remember all the games I play with him (that he usually beats me at), our rock-hounding adventures on the beach and hopefully our nightly stories when he snuggles in and we go on adventures together within the pages of a favourite book. These things don’t get as much of a chance to happen when there is too much doing, doing, doing and stuff, stuff, stuff.

This year I remind myself that going overboard does not make someone feel more special, or more loved. Connection does. So we might not have a Pintrest-worthy holiday display or piles of gifts, or particularly remarkable adventures to recount, but we will have laughter, and joy, and lots of love with our special people. And I think that is absolutely enough.

Kelly McQuillan is a writer, musician, teacher and fledgling mother living in Comox. kellymcquillanwriter.weebly.com, music teacher: kellymcquillan.com.

Take Back Your Health

When your kid is sick, you don’t hesitate to do anything you can to make them feel better. You also probably try your best to keep up with all their well visits at the doctor. But when it comes to yourself, you may ignore your health and put off needed tests. Or you’re unaware that some of these tests are even recommended for you. This can especially be true if you don’t have a family physician— which unfortunately is the case for roughly 900,000 British Columbians!

Do not put your health off any longer! There are some important tests you need to get to stay on top of any health issues—and you can access them even if you don’t currently have a family physician. Remember, early detection and prevention can help save your life!

Cervix

Regular Cervical Screening (typically referred to as a PAP test) is recommended for anyone who has a cervix. These screenings should be done every three years starting when you become sexually active or age 25, whichever comes first, right up to age 69. If you have a family history or have had previous

issues with your cervix, it’s recommended that you get tested more frequently.

If you don’t have a family doctor, PAP tests can often be booked at local walk-in clinics or urgent care centres by phoning them directly or visiting their websites. Depending on which community you live in there may also be women’s health clinics or sexual health centres you can visit for cervical screening.

Breasts

The BC Cancer Agency recommends that anyone with breasts get a mammogram every two years starting at age 40. You DO NOT need a doctor’s referral to get a mammogram! Simply visit the BC Cancer Breast Screening website to find the screening location near you. Or phone the number listed to find out when the mobile screening unit will be in your area. If you have a family history of breast cancer you may wish to speak to your family doctor, a telehealth doctor or a walk-in clinic doctor about early screening.

Colon

After age 50 everyone should start having regular FIT tests (Fecal immunochemical test). These tests can be done quickly

and easily in your own home with a kit you pick up from a local laboratory. You will need a doctor’s referral to access a FIT test kit, and this can be acquired by a telehealth doctor or walk-in clinic if you don’t have a family doctor.

Lungs

Not everyone needs lung cancer screening. However, if you are over the age of 55 and are a current smoker or have a 20year history of smoking at any time in the past you should be screened.

If you believe you are eligible for lung cancer screening or have questions talk to a doctor or call the BC Lung Screening Program at 1-877-717-5864.

Skin

It’s recommended that everyone self-checks their skin at least twice a year, starting as young as possible. Make note of any suspicious moles or spots and take pictures of them to see if they change over time. Have a loved one help you check your scalp, back and other areas you can’t see properly.

If you notice a mole has changed or find one that looks suspicious see a doctor for assessment. Go to your family doctor or walk-in clinic, if possible. However, a telehealth doctor can assess your skin from digital pictures you send them, plus they can refer you to someone in your area if they cannot make a proper diagnosis online.

There are several skin cancer screening clinics throughout BC, however, most do charge for the screening unless you have a history of abnormal moles and/or are referred by a doctor.

Mental Health

If you feel yourself struggling with depression, anxiety and/or any other mental health issue don’t hesitate to get help. Consult with your family doctor, a walk-in clinic doctor or a telehealth doctor to get advice. Or you can visit AnxietyCanada.com or call either 310-6789 or 811 at any time to access resources.

811

811 is a particularly important number for everyone to remember. It gives you a 24-hour hotline to a nurse, as well as access to nutritionists and pharmacists. The staff at 811 can give medical information and advice, connect you with an online doctor in urgent situations and provide any other physical or mental health resources you may need. If you do not have a regular health care provider, the staff at 811 can help you get on a waitlist for a physician or nurse practitioner.

Erika Palmer is a writer living in Victoria with her husband and daughter. She believes most problems can be solved with a good cup of tea and a huge piece of chocolate.

Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image

At the onset of a new year, we find ourselves setting intentions and making goals for the twelve months to come. Many of us may want to get “back on track” with fitness or perhaps even set a weight goal for the new year. I often think about how the goals we set as adults, and the surrounding cyclone of body-centric messaging on the covers of magazines, on the radio and online every January affects the growing minds and perspectives of our children.

Body image is far from just a “girls” issue’ or a “women’s issue.” In fact, in my practice I have seen many boys and men who have struggled with body image challenges and low self-esteem stemming from how they perceive their appearance. For girls and women, the issues tend to revolve around striving for an unattainable “standard” that usually involves being thin. For boys and men, it can be more about wanting to look muscular. Here are some suggestions I often share in my practice that you as a parent can take to support the development of a healthy body image in your child.

Easy on the appearance-based praise

As beautiful as we all know our children are, you don’t want your child to feel like they’re earning your love by being “pretty” or “handsome.” Children who receive a lot of appearancebased attention from parents can sometimes mistakenly create the connection that their looks are connected with their worth. Your child needs to feel loved for who they are, for their internal self, with no strings attached, ever. Outward appearance takes many shapes and forms; everyone is unique and that’s part of what makes the world interesting. I suggest aiming for the “five to one rule”: for every time you give an appearance-based compli -

ment, for the next five compliments, focus on inner qualities like: a positive attitude, diligence, creativity, empathy, intelligence or compassion.

Stay current and show an interest in your child’s life

To support healthy development, parents need to understand what’s going on in the life of their child, as well as what’s happening in the world around them. Think of it as keeping a barometer on what matters to them. How are they feeling, acting? Who are they playing with, what interests them? And what are their peers interested in? It might not seem like much, but simply staying current in the life of your child sets you up to be there for them in a meaningful way, like when it comes to body image.

Establish

smart

boundaries, online

and offline

Boundaries have a lot to do with body image. Why? Because body image has a lot to do with what messages we’re willing to allow into our minds, and the power we choose to give those images we see and the words we hear. Keep an eye on the apps, games and social media your child is using, watching for content or even online friendships that might be doing more harm than good. Don’t be afraid to enforce standards—uninstall an app or game if you don’t think it’s appropriate, and take the time to explain your rationale to your child in a loving, blame-free way. You can also have conversations with your child about balance, about not exclusively liking things, commenting on things, posting things, that are appearance-driven.

Nurture relationships IRL

When kids are developing relationships with others, they’re practicing empathy, they’re paying attention to the wants and needs of another and they’re considering community.

There’s no better time to build this intrinsically-motivated foundation than during childhood. That’s because they’re still developing that schema, the operating system, hardwiring them to engage with the world in a positive way. Raising your child to see the world as a community, and them being an active participant—a change agent who is connected and belonging—will help to instill that sense of purpose that guards against preoccupation with superficial things like appearance. Ultimately, encouraging friendships is a moderating factor for a healthy self image, but it also helps reframe the narrative about “what really matters.”

Despite the gains made with “body positive” messaging, and a general move as a society towards embracing diversity and celebrating differences, we still have a long way to go. Supporting your child’s development while modeling body-positive behaviour will help mitigate against negative body image influences as they progress into their teens. And what better time to start than the new year?

Dr. Jillian Roberts is a child psychologist, UVic professor and mother. She is the author of Kids, Sex and Screens: Raising Strong, Resilient Children in the Sexualized Digital Age and CEO and founder of MindKey Health mental health clinics with locations in Victoria, Sidney and soonto-be in the Western Communities. drjillianroberts.com

Simplifying Your Traditions

It’s easy to get caught up in the too muchness that comes with this time of year. Regardless of your personal holiday traditions, there are gifts for teachers, cards to be mailed, travel planning, parties and concerts. Once you get caught up in the whole winter season it can be hard to find that bit of space to relax.

In the past, my husband and I found our bit of space by dividing up the children’s concerts (one year we had five concerts in a span of two weeks). We’ve likewise juggled our party invitations. And last year we bought absolutely everyone the same gift (coffee shop gift cards work for teachers and grandparents)!

Here are three recipes that are designed for both comfort and relaxation. They are simple, healthy and delicious. Perfect for adding a bit of serenity to the season.

Light & Frothy 5-Minute Eggnog (Time: 5 minutes)

Whether you love store-bought eggnog or not, this recipe is for you. While the ingredients and flavours are similar to a carton of eggnog, this frothy drink is pretty different from the custard-based eggnog you are probably used to. Best of all, it only takes 5 minutes to prepare! It’s sure to be a new holiday favourite.

4 eggs (separated into yolks and whites)

1⁄3 cup of powdered sugar, to taste

2 cups milk

1 cup whipping cream

1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1. Separate the eggs, placing the yolks in a large bowl, and the whites in a container for whipping. (My stand mixer has a bowl, but a tall sided measuring cup works as well).

2. Beat egg yolks with a whisk until the colour starts to lighten (about 1 minute).

3. Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.

4. Stir in milk, cream, and nutmeg.

5. Whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Don’t over mix or the foam will collapse. This is much quicker using an electric eggbeater or stand mixer. Just make sure your bowl has tall sides or it may splash as you whip.

6. When the egg whites are a nice thick foam, gently fold them into the egg yolk mixture. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve within 3 hours. This recipe uses a lot less sugar than traditional eggnog, so if it’s not sweet enough, feel free to add a dusting of icing sugar.

7. This recipe contains raw eggs, so it is not recommended for pregnant women, children under the age of 1 year, or anyone who may be immunocompromised.

Cheesy Green Pancakes

Vegetable and cheese pancakes for dinner? Yes please! This easy meal packs all the food groups into a form that kids love. If you think your kids might balk at the onion and garlic, then feel free to skip it. But it really adds a lot of flavour to these pancakes.

Pancakes

1 bunch of greens

(chard, kale or spinach)

3 eggs

2 Tbsp oil

1⁄2 tsp salt

Toppings

Cheddar cheese

Scrambled eggs

Bacon bits

3 Tbsp of diced onion

1 clove of garlic

1 cup of ricotta or cottage cheese

1⁄2 cup flour

Sliced tomato

Sour cream

Diced green onion

1. Wash and trim the greens, removing the stems. You want about 3 cups of loosely packed greens.

2. Place the greens in a blender with the onion and garlic. Add the eggs, cheese and oil. Blend until the greens are fully pureed. Add the flour and salt. Pulse a few more times to fully mix.

3. Warm a frying pan on medium heat.

4. Pour in 1⁄4 cup of batter.

5. The pancake is ready to flip when it is bubbling in the middle and dry around the edges. Flip, then cook the other side for about 1 minute.

6. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 300°F oven until all the pan- cakes are ready to serve.

7. We enjoy eating these pancakes like open-faced sandwiches with cheese, tomato and egg. They’re also delicious with baked potato toppings.

Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Time: 30 minutes)

I first encountered this particular red lentil soup when cycling through northern Turkey. It was the only thing available for dinner at the local bar/restaurant/cafe that was the only place to eat in the small town where we were staying. At the time, it felt the most amazing dish I had ever enjoyed. Likely a healthy dose of hunger was one of the main ingredients. Regardless, it is still one of my favourite comfort meals.

A simple, one-pot dish that is warmly flavoured (without being too spicy). The red paprika oil isn’t necessary, but it does add a bit of sea sonality to this otherwise very easy dish.

Soup:

1⁄4 cup olive oil

2 large carrots

1 Tbsp cumin

1 tsp dried mint

1⁄2 tsp oregano

2 cups red lentils

4 cups broth

Red paprika oil:

1⁄4 cup olive oil

1⁄2 tsp red pepper flakes

2 large onions

1 can of tomato paste

2 tsp paprika

1⁄2 tsp thyme

1⁄2 tsp black pepper

4 cups water

1 tsp salt, to taste

1 Tbsp paprika (sweet or hot)

1. Chop the onion and carrots. They don’t need to be finely diced as the soup is pureed before serving.

2. Saute the vegetables in olive oil until the onions are sweating, about 3 minutes.

3. Add in the herbs and spices and toss to coat the vegetables. Then add in the tomato paste, stir and cook for 1 minute.

4. Add in the lentils, water, broth and salt. Bring to a boil, then re duce the heat to medium. Cover the pot halfway with the lid and leave it to simmer until the lentils have fallen apart, about 15 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, make the paprika oil by mixing the oil, paprika and red pepper flakes together in a small pot. Warm the oil on medium until you see the paprika just starting to bubble, immediately remove from the heat and set aside.

6. When the lentils are cooked, puree the soup with a stick blender or traditional blender. Taste and add more salt if necessary. The exact amount will depend on the saltiness of the broth.

7. Serve with a drizzle of paprika oil.

Guided Nature Outings & Events

Learn

region

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

The Magic of Make-Believe

Do you regularly hear your child complain about bedtime and having to go to sleep? Then perhaps it’s time for your child to think about how the bed feels when it hears that night after night after night. Time for Bed’s Story by Monica Arnaldo (Kids Can Press, 2020) gives you just that. A story by the sticker-covered springboard about how kicking and the drooling makes it very hard for bed to sleep at night. And all Bed wants is for its child to think of Bed’s feelings when it’s bedtime. For ages 4 to 7.

Ray by Marianna Coppo (Tundra, 2020), is all about a lightbulb named Ray. His life in the closet is pretty boring, so boring that he often slips into dreamless sleeps. Until one day something magical happens and Ray’s life is forever changed. This story is a beautifully illustrated tale about the wonders of the outdoors and the magical powers of imagination. For ages 4 to 7.

Once your child’s imagination has been woken up, they might like some ideas about how to get their ideas out of their minds and into the world for others to enjoy. If that’s the case, then Studio: A Place for Art to Start by Emily Arrow and illustrated by Little Friends of Printmaking could be a good book for you. This brightly coloured tale follows some bunnies around as they learn about different kinds of art and the studios where they’re made as they try to find the perfect place for them to make their own art. For ages 4 to 7.

Imagine you and your family are home one day and suddenly the power goes out. You tell the kids not to worry because it’ll be back on in a moment. But then that moment stretches and to them it feels like an eternity has passed and the lights are still out.

How do you pass the time?

In some cultures and families, you’d tell stories. If you don’t think your imagination is up to the task of coming up with a tale, I bet your kids could. And if they can’t, here are a few stories about dreams and imaginings that might spark your own creativity.

Story Boat by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh (Tundra, 2020) highlights the wonders of a young refugee child’s imagination as they travel across the water to find somewhere to belong. Kheiriyeh’s drawings are captivating as Rashin turns ideas about what “here” means into cozy cups of tea and ceramic sailboats with apricot blanket sails that provide warmth and safety through a scary trek. If you have ever found yourself struggling to explain what a refugee is without delving deeply into the scary situations they face, this book is for you. For ages 4 to 7.

When Emily Was Small by Lauren Soloy (Tundra,2020) reminds children that even great painters like Emily Carr were once small. In this tale which is based off of Carr’s autobiography, Soloy goes into the time before Carr was a famous painter and focuses on a small part of her childhood when her vast imaginings sometimes made her feel out of place, but always opened her up to a magical world right outside her door. For ages 4 to 7.

While I hope it doesn’t take a power outage (or another wave of sickness) to get you and your family to sit down and enjoy a tale or two, I do hope that you are able to spend some time with your loved ones—maybe even curled up in a blanket fort that’s transformed into a fairy castle or a friendly dragon’s den—so you can all enjoy a good book or five.

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.

Show a Little Tenderness

If 90 percent of our communication is body language what is our face saying?

If part of a healthy attachment with our children and partners is to give support, to soothe them and keep the environment safe, our non-verbal messages are a part of this. If we can meet these needs, family members in turn will be able to listen more fully, care about requests that are being made and experience a sense of trust.

While the words we use are important, our physical and emotional cues build the connection. When we listen to our children and partners, it isn’t enough just to use the “skill” of repeating back what they have said and take a guess at how they are feeling. They need to see that we genuinely care and that we are curious to learn more. If we don’t show them, our words seem transactional. If I listen to you, then I expect that you will get over this thing that you are complaining about! Or, I’m not okay if you are upset, so let’s get this thing fixed.

If you are having a difficult conversation or hearing someone’s pain, slow down. Show that you care with a soft face, and relaxed body language. Express and physically show tenderness and see how much easier things go. Practicing this brings calmness to everyone.

Children can be hypersensitive to our moods and teens will see anger where there isn’t any. If our adult relationship is experiencing a disconnect, we can easily hear what we fear rather than what is actually being said. Monitor the people you’re speaking with closely so that you can catch any signs of frustration, annoyance, hurt feelings or stress. Look at their eyes, face and body language and listen to their tone of voice. Are they in distress? Be willing to pause and soothe your loved one. Even if you think you weren’t yelling or speaking with a tone, don’t argue. Tend to them, soothe them.

Be prepared to pivot from making a point to being present. There are many reasons to do this, one being that when someone feels unsafe or distressed, they can’t hear you anyway. Pay attention to the process of how you are communicating. If you have something important to discuss, ask your loved one this; What can I do to make it more comfortable for you to hear what I have to say?

Dr. Allison Rees is a parent educator, counsellor and coach at LIFE Seminars (Living in Families Effectively), lifeseminars.com.

Nature-Based Counselling With Thriving Roots

Humans are naturally designed to belong in nature. We’re ecological beings who have evolved alongside trees, rivers, birds, and mountains. So, when we are supported in connecting to nature in an embodied, mindful, and interactive way, our nervous system regulates and new brain patterns form, leading to a deeper sense of ecological connection, belonging and empowerment. The therapeutic world is beginning to realize this and embrace the power of nature connection in healing and development in ways that are very exciting.

It’s for these reasons that Thriving Roots has opened a new nature-based Counselling Services division in addition to our Wilderness School. This way, youth and adult clients can work in more specialized, intimate settings with trained counsellors who are themselves deeply connected to nature. We use regulating sensory activities, therapeutic games, mindfulness practices and reflective questioning to help clients explore their inner world, while finding comfort, regulation, and resilience directly from nature. This way, nature itself becomes a source of healing and strength that clients can draw from in their dayto-day lives.

While most of our counseling focus is designed to take place outside in private green spaces or parks, we also provide in-

door and online options depending on preference or weather conditions. Our clients include youth, teens, adults, couples and families and our meetup locations are based in Saanich, Westshore, Sidney, and the Highlands.

Curious about a nature-based counselling approach? Book a free introductory meet and greet with Vanya Laporte: vanya@ thrivingroots.org or visit our website: thrivingroots.org

Healthy Families, Happy Families

Child, Youth & Family Public Health

South Island Health Units

Esquimalt

Nobody’s Perfect And that’s okay

Iwish I wasn’t so irritable at my kids and could be more like how they ask of me.

The fulfillment is astounding; motherhood is the purest state of living that I’ve ever experienced— but loving them is unconditional and it comes with many challenges.

250-519-5311

Gulf Islands 250-539-3099

(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)

Peninsula

Saanich

250-544-2400

250-519-5100

Saltspring Island 250-538-4880

Sooke

Victoria

250-519-3487

250-388-2200

West Shore 250-519-3490

Central Island Health Units

Duncan

Ladysmith

250-709-3050

250-755-3342

Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878

Nanaimo

Nanaimo

Princess Royal

I can be patient and mindfully compassionate to a point— but I can also regretfully snap at my wits end.

I see a lot of posts going around about early childhood trauma and how to speak, act and do better for our children.

I agree that in an ideal world it’s true— we should continually rephrase, nurture and encourage *calmly* regardless of any behaviour.

What I don’t agree with is this implied accusation that we are damaging our children if we don’t adhere consistently to this standard of new-age parenting.

250-755-3342

250-739-5845

Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242

Port Alberni 250-731-1315

Tofino

250-725-4020

North Island Health Units

Campbell River 250-850-2110

Courtenay

250-331-8520

Kyuquot Health Ctr 250-332-5289

‘Namgis Health Ctr 250-974-5522

Port Hardy 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

I think all we can do is try and aim for our best every day, but I refuse to feel shame:

For my lack of patience when overstimulated.

For my cyclically-imbalanced mood swings.

For utilizing screen time for sanity.

For the projection of my own childhood wounds that I still need time to heal.

For abrupt frustration when we know the older ones know better and it feels like they’re testing us at a cellular level.

I think we should apologize to them often, and after reflecting, manage those big feelings with compassion as best we can when they come up again

I won’t apologize though, for being a human being in my evolution of parenting—it’s a damn hard Olympic sport.

I think we need more real-life mothers sharing how hard this is all actually is with unapologetic solidarity and a side of forgot-to-gentle-parent.

We need to agree that we all have different levels of tolerance on different days for the exact same behaviour.

We need to know that when we are being tested, that it’s not a time to feel judgment, instead a time to feel seen.

I think we must learn in hindsight and discern teachings from our children; to

look at challenges as an opportunity to not repeat history, but also to see our own instabilities as indicators to find more support and seek self-care.

We must know that we don’t always have to do everything right in order to be a good mom. We are, and we need to put ourselves first, too.

I hope this message helps normalize any fear or sadness parents are going through in transitions, especially when other younger siblings are involved.

A Poem for My Eldest

Sometimes I forget how little you are because of how fast you’ve grown.

Sometimes I “expect” too much considering everything you’ve shown.

You are my eldest, so big and so brave. And yet

we’re at a crossroads once more

A reality check when time slowed down and we couldn’t get you out the door.

School can be daunting and so can transitions I see it now loud and clear

You need me like they do, that nurturing attention normalizing everything that you fear

So I keep in my glovebox this weathered old photo the one they taped up at your cubby

Those days I’d drop you off you held on so tightly letting it go was so hard on mommy

Then I felt it all flood back in with warm tears and tight embrace my sensitive little boy who’s still in there

Mum needed this reminder To slow down and tell you I’m here, I love you your heart, we will repair

Natasha Mills is a twin mom of three residing on the island now for nearly 30 years. She has found a creative outlet in documenting the real moments of parenthood—the relatable highs and challenging lows. She has also found a passion in writing her experience of motherhood and connecting with many like-minded parents in her community and abroad. @mommamillsblog

Hudson’s recent artwork missing us as we navigate big feelings with school time transitions and anxieties.

Family Favourites

The Family Favourite results are in! Who has the best products, services and experiences? We asked and you answered. Developed to recognize quality family retailers and service providers in our community. Our readers were invited to vote online at islandparent.ca for their family favourites in 48 categories. The response was phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who voted and sent us such wonderful feedback. We have tallied your votes— here are your 2022 Island Parent Family Favourites!

Favourite Outing

LIVE SPORTING EVENT

Winner: Victoria Royals

Runners Up: Harbour Cats, Grizzlies

CAMPGROUND

Winner: Goldstream

Runners Up: Gordon Bay, French Beach

PLAYGROUND

Winner: Parksville Community Beach

Runners Up: Beacon Hill, Cadboro Bay Gyro Playground

HIKE

Winner: Mount Douglas

Runners Up: Hole in the Wall, Mystic Beach

BEACH

Winner: Long Beach

Runners Up: Willows, Esquimalt Lagoon

PARK

Winner: Osborne Bay Regional Park Beach

Runners Up: Beacon Hill, Macaulay Point

ATTRACTION

Winner: Malahat Skywalk

Runners Up: BC Aviation Museum, Royal BC Musuem & IMAX

FAMILY GETAWAY

Winner: Crystal Cove Tofino

Runners Up: Mount Washington, Big Splash Waterslides

Favourite Retail

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

Winner: Once upon a child

Runners Up: Abby Sprouts, Woodland Kids Shawnigan Lake

TWEENS & TEENS CLOTHING

Winner: H&M

Runners Up: American Eagle, Beyond the Usual Chemainus

BABY

Winner: Momease

Runners Up: Sugar Sandwich, TJ’s

TOYS

Winner: Buddies Toys

Runners Up: The Red Balloon Toy Shop, Kaboodles

SHOES

Winner: Baggins

Runners Up: DSW, Beyond the Usual Chemainus

WOMEN’S FASHION

Winner: Smoking Lily

Runners Up: Hudson’s Bay, Aritzia

CONSIGNMENT

Winner: Once upon a child

Runners Up: Kidsville Parksville, Kinderbeez Duncan

GROCERY

Winner: Red Barn Market James Bay

Runners Up: Root Cellar, Market on Millstream

HEALTH & ORGANIC

Winner: Lifestyle Markets

Runners Up: The Vitamin Shop, Market on Millstream

FARMERS MARKET

Winner: Moss Street Market

Runners Up: Duncan Farmers Market, Esquimalt Farmers Market

BOOKS

Winner: Bolen Books

Runners Up: Russell Books, Fireside Books

PHARMACY

Winner: Heart Pharmacy Shelbourne

Runners Up: Fort Royal, Pure Pharmacy Superior St

PET STORE

Winner: Healthy Spot

Runners Up: Growlies, a pet’s life

PET GROOMING

Winner: Collar & Comb

Runners Up: Petsmart, Pawsitive

GARDEN CENTRE

Winner: Dinter Nursery Duncan

Runners Up: Garden Works, The Artisan’s Garden

BIKE SHOP

Winner: North Park Bike Shop

Runners Up: Westshore Bicycles, Oak Bay Bicycles

CAR DEALERSHIP

Winner: Howie’s Car Corral

Runners Up: Harris Dodge, Galaxy Motors

Favourite Children,s...

PRESCHOOL/CHILDCARE

Winner: Little Phoenix

Runners Up: Lexie’s Little Bears, CEFA

ARTS OR THEATRE PROGRAM

Winner: Stages Dance

Runners Up: Theatre SKAM, Kaleidoscope Theatre

BIRTHDAY PARTY LOCATION

Winner: Flying Squirrel

Runners Up: Lizzy Lee & Me, Victoria Gymnastics

SUMMER CAMP

Winner: Victoria Gymnastics

Runners Up: WEA Westcoast Educational Adventures, Pearson College

OVERNIGHT CAMP

Winner: Camp Qwanoes

Runners Up: Camp Thunderbird, Camp Pringle

RECREATION CENTRE

Winner: Saanich Commonwealth Place

Runners Up: Oak Bay Recreation Centre, Frank Jameson Community Centre

EDUCATION SERVICE

Winner: Sylvan Learning Centre

Runners Up: Kumon, Nabvigate NIDES

Favourite Personal Service

ESTHETIC SALON

Winner: Foxy Box

Runners Up: Willow Stream Spa, Laser Obsession Beauty Spa

OPTOMETRIST

Winner: Eye Etiquette

Runners Up: Vista Eye Care, Cordova Bay Optometry

ORTHODONTICS

Winner: Dr. Vohn Rosang

Runners Up: Dr. Murdoch/Ocean’s Edge, Dr. Kirk Bartlett

HAIR

Winner: Copper & Ash

Runners Up: Design House, Mint Hair Duncan

DAY SPA

Winner: Amatista Spa Bear Mountain

Runners Up: Willow Stream Spa, Sapphire Day Spa

DENTIST

Winner: Saanich Dental

Runners Up: Westshore Dental, Oak Bay Dental Centre

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Winner: Tall Tree James Bay

Runners Up: Elizabeth de Jong Westman/RISE Health, Kaitlyn Chernomaz/Startline Physiotherapy Duncan

FINANCIAL PLANNER

Winner: Lianne E Waters/Edward Jones

Runners Up: Mike Kalinka/Investors Group, Bobby Vu Financial Solutions

Favourite Food Service

FOOD TRUCK

Winner: Deadbeetz

Runners Up: Greek on the Street, Emiliano’s Authentic Port Alberni

ICE CREAM SHOP

Winner: Beacon Drive-In

Runners Up: Coombs Country Market, North 49

HAMBURGERS

Winner: Bin 4

Runners Up: Fat Burger, Big Wheel Burger

PIZZA

Winner: Pizzeria Prima Strada

Runners Up: Romeo’s, 900 Degrees

VEGAN

Winner: Be Love

Runners Up: Copper Branch, Green Cuisine

ETHNIC

Winner: Sizzling Tandoor

Runners Up: Pho Tru, Victoria Sushi

FAMILY DINING

Winner: White Spot

Runners Up: Romeo’s, Beacon Drive-In

FOOD PREP SERVICE

Winner: Local Urban Bites

Runners Up: Balanced Meal Prep, Fresh Prep

Holiday Gift Guide

Melissa & Doug’s Geometric Stacker

Match and sort these 21 colourful wooden pieces, and skill-building is just part of the fun. Rings, octagons and rectangles can be slotted onto the three rods, stacked on top of each other or lined up to compare shapes, sizes and colours. This first-concepts set is a manipulatives all-star!

Hape Pound & Tap Bench

Pounding sends the balls tinkling over the xylophone. Pull out the keyboard and the xylophone can be played solo. Promotes dexterity, hand-eye coordination and manipulation. It also introduces logic, matching, spatial relationships, critical thinking and an understanding of cause-and-effect. For ages 12 months +.

Folkmanis Animal Puppets

Imagination is the key to a healthy childhood, encouraging play and discovery to develop the skills necessary in life. Folkmanis has been making the most innovative and engaging specialty puppets in the world since 1976, delighting imaginations and winning nearly every industry, child development,and kid-tested award— many repeatedly.

Magna-Tiles

These original 3-D clear magnetic tiles inspire creative, open-ended play and are an educational toy for children of all ages. Engage young minds by fusing together math, science and creativity and spark hours of imaginative free play. Anything kids can dream, they can create!

Loog Mini Guitar

More sophisticated, but still kidworthy, a Loog mini guitar will help develop a lifelong love of—and maybe talent for—music! The ideal first guitar, the real-wood Loog mini has perfect intonation and three-string award-winning design. Includes flashcards with chord diagrams and full access to the Loog guitar app. loogguitars.com

Nat Geo’s Break-Open Geodes

Explore the crystal caves inside these naturally forming volcanic rocks. Crack them open and discover the beautiful minerals inside. Nat Geo selects only the best geodes collected from multiple mines around the world so you’re guaranteed to find fascinating crystals. Inspire an appreciation and love of nature with this extraordinary science kit. canadiantire.ca

Slothside Rock Climbing Holds

This set includes high-quality polyester resin bolt on rock climbing holds with a variety of shapes like jugs, crimps, pockets, pinch and slopers for a better climbing experience. Designed for easy gripping, these holds have a texture like real rock and are durable and weather resistant. slothside.com

Thank you for voting us a Family Favourite Attraction!

The Relentless Determination of Parents

See airplanes, seaplanes, helicopters and more at the BC Aviation Museum

Learn about BC’s aviation history from early bush planes to bombers and beyond!

Well, it’s that time of year again, when we—hopefully— get to put some of the strain and stress of the year behind us and have some good food and drink and time with the family. Although looking back on 2022, man, not sure just how

I just don’t know how sustainable it is for a family to live in Victoria right now. I silently scream when I go to buy coffee at the store; I mix tears with gasoline in hopes of saving a few pennies at the pump. I constantly think that there are mistakes when I’m purchasing

Winter Hours, Oct 1 to Apr 30: 11am to 3pm, Thurs through Tues

Summer Hours, May 1 to Sept 30: 10am to 4pm, Thurs through Tues

Closed Wednesdays, Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Days.

1910 Norseman Road, Sidney 250-655-3300 | bcam.net

much food any of us can afford this go ’round. Inflation at the grocery store absolutely tore through the wallets of families living in Victoria and the region, as has inflation at the pumps, and, if you’re renting and have had to move this year, those monthly rental cheques.

toilet paper. How can toilet paper possibly cost so much?

But I refuse to let despair sink in, as I cackle to myself when I drop my oldest off at school—high school, now!— trying not to calculate the ludicrous amount that drive cost me in gas, trying to just make it through a morning

without feeling the existential economic strangle that every single one of you reading this probably felt this year as I throw my younger on a bus to get to his school—middle school now!—because he still gets on that thing for free for another glorious year or so. I mutter to myself, half-convincingly but somehow simultaneously like threequarters, totally unconvincingly that it’s worth it to take out a second mortgage for a Christmas tree because, hey, it is, afterall, Christmas.

“Might as well!” I scream at the clerk at the tree lot, through a totally unconvincing smile as I throw my credit card in the air and wander off, stumbling like an elf in a snowstorm, kids chasing after me, other moms and dads walking into walls, muttering about money, making jokes that just make no sense, crying, laughing, crying, crying.

Yeah, it’s been one of those years. I got a hernia a while back and our medical system is about as mangled as

everything else is, so when I laugh it kinda, well, moves around, making me involuntarily grab it, an endless source of humiliation for all my family members. It’s okay, I scream into the air, the specialist will call me at some point! But they’re not calling! They’re too overwhelmed! And I gotta stop screaming because it’s just more pressure on the ol’ hernia!

So, merry Christmas, as grocery stores tease us with slaps to the face disguised as price freezes, and as we are thankful gas has gone down a teeny bit so it’s only, like, ten thousand times more than it was a year ago, and, let’s face it, we are approaching the finish line here totally dazed and battered.

But never defeated.

Honestly, you can’t defeat parents. We get woken up at unholy hours. We get screamed at. We literally get excrement on our hands, like, kinda regularly. But we just keep going.

And despite our corporate overlords chasing dollar signs to such a degree that they’re now destroying society as we know it, hey, we’ll just keep going, because we’re parents, that’s what we do, and, honestly, those corporate overlords, they have no idea what we’re capable of.

So, it’s been a tough year, an ugly year, a brutal year for many families in Victoria. Let’s see if we can turn that around. Let me rephrase that: I know we can turn it around. This year got a bit tough, a bit dark. But we’ll make it through to brighter days.

In all seriousness: Merry Christmas. Happy new year. 2023: We’ve got this.

Greg Pratt is the father of three children and a local journalist and editor. His writing has appeared in, among other places, Today’s Parent, Decibel and Douglas. He is @gregprattwriter on Twitter.

The Nutcracker

The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 3 at noon and 4pm. Experience the magic of The Nutcracker this holiday season with Royal City Youth Ballet’s full-length ballet, featuring an extralarge ensemble cast. Performing to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music, this traditional ballet has wonderous sets and extravagant, colourful costumes. Perfect for young and old alike! Tickets are $36 for adults, $18 for children and $90 for families (2 adults, 2 children) and can be purchased online, by calling 250-746-2722 or by visiting the Ticket Centre. cowichanpac.ca

Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas

Bundle up and stroll through Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas and be dazzled by the thousands of twinkling lights and Christmas displays. Take in the Twelve Days of Christmas display, sing along to the sounds of the season with Traditional Carollers and Festive Brass, then stop in at the coffee shop to warm up with a hot chocolate and gingerbread by the fire. The Gardens will be open 3–9pm, with viewing until 10pm. butchartgardens.com

Gingerbread Showcase

Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s premier fundraiser, The Gingerbread Showcase presented by Revera Living, is open for its 14th year in the atrium of the Parkside Hotel & Spa and will run until January 2, 2023. Stop by this local holiday treasure to view the 100% edible creations made by volunteer bakers and don't forget to donate to vote for your favourite. This year’s theme: “Magical.” One hundred percent of donations to the Gingerbread Showcase will help Habitat Victoria support affordable homeownership in Victoria. Can't make it in person? View and vote for your favourite creation online at habitatvictoria.com/ gingerbread2022

Malahat SkyWalk’s Holiday Magic

Take in the sights and sounds of the season with Malahat SkyWalk’s Holiday Magic and experience something unique and truly west coast. From Dec 3 to Jan 1, Vancouver Island’s newest attraction introduces Holiday Magic, an exciting line-up of fun and festive activities for all to enjoy. From appearances by Santa along with Luke the Sasquatch Elf, decorations, a 20-foot Christmas tree to Santa’s Workshop, The Clause Family Bakery and a cozy outdoor fire, there's no better place to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy the best of the season. For more information on Malahat SkyWalk, its Holiday Magic events, an annual seasons pass and more, visit malahatskywalk.com

Milner Christmas Magic

Make memories with family and friends this holiday season by experiencing Milner Christmas Magic’s outdoor stroll through thousands of twinkling lights and festive window displays. Find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list in the Gingerbread Gift Shop, drop off your letters to Santa in the North Pole Mailbox, with a wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves! December 2–4, 9–11, and 16–21. Entry is by suggested donation of $5 per adult, $2 per child or $12 per household. Dress warm and grab your camera! milnergardens.viu.ca

PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE DIRECTORY

v Comprehensive programs for Preschool through Grade 11 v Delivering academic excellence through music, dance, drama and visual arts v Outstanding educators, locations and facilities

www.ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare & Jr. Kindergarten 250-383-5132

ECE and specialist teachers provide an outstanding all day licensed program for 2.5–5 year olds at our Fairfield and Gordon Head locations. cathedralschool.ca

Pre-School Junior Kindergarten

PacificChristian.ca 250-479-4532

Educational Excellence to the Glory of God

Castleview Child Care.......... 250-595-5355 Learning Through Play & Discovery. Licensed non-profit, ECE staff. Since 1958. Morning or full-time care. castleviewchildcarecentre.com

Ready Set Grow Preschool .... 250-472-1530

Join our learning through play preschool located in Hillcrest Elem. Our caring ECEs offer an enriched Program for 3-4 hour, 2-5 days a week and help with kindergarten transition. heoscmanager@gmail.com

St. Christopher’s Montessori School

Offering an enriched and nurturing Montessori program

Competitively priced independent school education

Half day for 3 & 4 year olds

Full day kindergarten stcmontessori.ca 250-595-3213

Nestled on 4 acres of lush west coast forest, our Award winning, Nature based program will not disappoint!

While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy our dedicated team of educators use the environment as the third teacher as we encourage your child throughout their day. Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the trees from our forest. Come take a virtual tour on our website! lexieslittlebears.ca Waitlist: 250-590-3603

Award of Excellence in Childcare & Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

Victoria & Area Peninsula Westshore Cowichan Valley Nanaimo & Area

Dragonflies & Damselflies

Have you seen them? Have you really seen them? You never know what you’re going to fall in love with next when it comes to the beautiful and sophisticated ecological world that surrounds us. I have found love in nature thousands of times, but it is not every day that you fall.

My first fall in nature was enormous, and I am far from recovering: Fungi. At first they tantalized me, with their delicious flavours, and then even more as I learned of their extraordinary roles in ecology and uses in society.

Second, I fell for salmon. My heart climbed seven storeys while I worked as an interpreter during the annual salmon run. The fish are easy to admire, but I fell in love with their profound abilities and perseverance. I fell for every single caudal peduncle, operculum and enormous jawbone that I saw.

Now? I am curious, wondering if I have found a third love. I can feel the beginnings of sprouting giddiness and tingling thrill at the very thought of them. Yes, that’s right, naturally: Insects. Have you seen them?

As spring sauntered into town and then somehow slipped into summer and even fell into fall, my love for insects metamorphosed into something I did not expect. Insects are incredible! With shields, segments and sheaves, their diversity and design is astounding—you just have to look! Have you really seen them?

As part of my educational work with the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, I was taking part in regular net dips in Swan Lake. During these dips we sweep our nets through the water, gently brushing plants and collecting invertebrates. Our scoops are deposited into containers of water in which we can take a closer look at the creatures of the lake.

I was amazed to find an incredible diversity of insects, many of which would one day inhabit the terrestrial environment above the water. I was frequently told “I did not get anything in my scoop,” by students, only to encourage a deeper scan and hear sounds of excitement as they found more and more tiny creatures. Thrilling!

Invertebrates in the lake can be indicative of the lake’s health; we call them bioindicators. Certain species can only survive in healthy waters while others are very tolerant of pollutants. As I was performing my bi-weekly scoop to help monitor the health of the lake, I could feel myself falling for a third time. Dragonflies and Damselflies belong to the order Odonata. They are defined by their slender bodies, two pairs of transparent wings, large compound eyes…and of course, by their epic speed and hunting abilities!

Did you know that dragonflies and damselflies begin life underwater? These insects start as eggs dropped in wet and muddy areas by their mothers. When they hatch, they assume a life underwater as Nymphs. In this stage, you might not recognize them, as they lack their wings and many of their beautiful colours. They have gills and are effective underwater hunters!

Dragonflies and Damselflies have an astounding and admittedly odd adaptation for catching prey underwater. Their lower lip piece, called their labium, can extend up to a third of their body length, shooting out at extraordinary speeds to quickly scoop up unassuming prey (small invertebrates or fish)!

I highly recommend looking up a video of these sophisticated hunters. These nymphs are beautiful and their design is marvelous. Their perfectly packed segmented body is full of whacky and wonderful adaptations, including the ability to quickly propel themselves forward by shooting water out of their behind!

When these insects are mature enough, they prepare to move into their terrestrial stage of life. Some species can live underwater for five whole years before they become adults! The dragonflies and damselflies will crawl out of the water, partially at first, and allow their respiration system to adapt to breathing air! They will then climb onto vegetation or rocks and clamp

on tight. Here they will slowly split and crawl out of their larval skin and emerge as an adult dragonfly.

The adults must work hard to pump haemolymph into their wings, causing them to expand and strengthen. With some time to harden their exoskeleton, they are ready to take flight! Adult dragonflies can fly up to 54km per hour and move their four wings individually! This makes them great pilots and impressive hunters. We can thank them for eating plenty of mosquitoes and causing us a few less bites in the summer!

While it began for me with dragonflies and damselflies, it was not long at all before it became insects as a whole. From the hundreds of bee tongues I’ve seen this summer to the stunning colour palettes on leaf hoppers, I have been shocked and delighted. I promptly purchased a beginner macro camera to see them closer—to be able to look at their armour, their eyes of many lenses, their ancestral fluff and their comprehensive hydraulics. I have a lot to learn about insects, but with my newfound love I can promise you one thing: They are worth a closer look—have you seen them?

Join us at the Nature Sanctuary for one of our children, family or adult programs and perhaps you can fall for something new! To see our calendar, register and learn about programs visit swanlake.bc.ca.

Madi Haller is a Community Educator at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. She is passionate about the small intricacies of natural world that are often overlooked.

The Reality of Adopting a Pet

Pets can be a lot of fun if your family is ready for the responsibilities that come with them. They can help teach children values and social skills. Most relationships between people and pets are positive.

There are some important health and safety considerations to remember when bringing a pet into your home. Both your children and pet will be happier and healthier if they know and

understand the rules. It’s important to take the time to prepare and understand the realities of having a pet.

If you decide to adopt a pet, make sure it is healthy.

Adopt your pet from someone you trust. Your veterinarian (vet) will be able to offer suggestions.

Consider the final adult size of your pet when deciding which kind to

adopt. Don’t forget that they grow and might get bigger than you are prepared to handle.

Make sure your pet sees the vet every year and has all vaccinations.

Have your cat or dog spayed or neutered.

Get veterinary care when your pet is sick.

Watch for any contact your pet has with other animals that might carry disease.

When you have a pet in your home.

Teach your children to treat animals gently and with respect.

Never leave a young child alone with an animal. Accidents can happen when children tease pets or touch them in a way that makes them uncomfortable.

Involve your child in the care of your pet. This helps children learn a sense of responsibility.

Make sure your pet has a quiet and comfortable place to go.

Don’t allow your pets to sleep with children.

Don’t allow your pet to roam alone in a baby’s room.

Don’t allow your pet to lick your child’s face or any cuts or scratches.

Pets and allergies.

If you have a child with allergies, think carefully about whether a pet is a good idea. If their allergies get worse, it can be hard to find a new home for your pet. If you get a new pet and your child starts to show signs of allergies, consult your doctor for advice.

Dogs.

Look for a dog with a gentle nature.

Older dogs are a good idea only if they have been around children.

Puppies can be a lot fun but tend to have lots of energy. They need a lot of time and patience for proper training. Involve all family members in the training so that the commands used are easy for both your children and the dog to remember.

Don’t leave your dog alone in the house for long periods of time. If you have to be away for long periods, a dog might not be the right pet for your family.

FAMILY RESOURCE DIRECTORY

Keep your dog secure in a space that they can be comfortable in.

Expose your dog to different types of people and situations.

Dogs need lots of exercise. Encourage your children to join you on walks with the dog. Remember to use a leash when walking your dog.

Cats.

Keep your cat indoors to protect them from harm or disease.

Keep the litter box clean. Wash hands thoroughly when done.

If a dog or cat is not the right type of pet for your home, there are other choices. Talk to your vet for ideas and tips on care.

Reptiles, wild or exotic animals.

Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards and snakes, often carry Salmonella, a kind of bacteria (germ) that can be very hard to kill. Always wash your hands after handling a reptile.

Exotic animals, such as sugar gliders, hedgehogs or monkeys, are not good pets for children. They can be dangerous, or they may need special care that young children can’t give.

Wild animals should not be kept as pets.

Ferrets are not a good pet for homes with young children.

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Smart Kids & Smart Phones

My children were probably the last generation to be raised without cellphones, so I must admit, I had absolutely no experience with them as a parent. In fact, I actually held off buying one for myself for a long time.

By nature, I tend to resist change, especially technological change that al-

come to realize (albeit grudgingly) how valuable cellphones can actually be in terms of providing quality learning experiences—supervised, of course.

ways seems so daunting, but eventually, I did purchase a cellphone when my first grandchild was born. With his birth, I felt it was more important than ever to be able to keep in close touch with my son and daughter-in-law. Now I can’t imagine my life without one.

I still have reservations about cellphones, especially when it comes to teenagers. As a former teacher, I can only imagine the issues that arise in the schools and classrooms with respect to cellphone usage. When it comes to my 7-year-old grandson, however, I have

Years ago, I made the decision to cancel my landline, so my cellphone is my only method of contacting someone. Out of necessity, therefore, I have had to teach my grandson how to access the cellphone keypad in the event of an emergency in which he would have to call 911. We routinely practice all the steps involved in calling for help and I always keep my cellphone in the same location in my home so he knows exactly where to find it. This experience has given him a sense of pride that he is entrusted with such an important job and it has led to interesting discussions between us about the different emergency services in our community.

My grandson also knows how to access the text function on my phone in case

Susan Gnucci is a local author and a proud “nonna” to two young grandsons. She enjoys sharing her experiences as a grandparent.

he wants to send his father or mother a message while he is away from them. We have had great fun inserting emojis and gifs into creative messages that convey his own unique personality so my son and daughter-in-law know my grandson is the sender. If they receive a text that has oodles of cars and truck emojis tacked on the end, they can be certain it’s from him!

One of my grandson’s favourite games is “Ask the phone a question.” Using the microphone, he will pose a question and then we will research the suggested results. Where is the largest volcano?  Who built the pyramids? What is a fire break? This not only broadens his knowledge base but also teaches him to think critically because I often point out the validity of a source as we look through it.

Amazingly, the camera function on a smartphone these days is capable of pro ducing good quality photos and videos. Like most children, my young grandson loves to be videotaped—he pretends to be a weatherman, a firefighter, an explorer etc. And then, of course, he enjoys watch ing the videos we’ve created together. We have also experimented with the slowmotion video function to produce some hilarious results.  Or we will film his hot wheel car jump in slow motion, leading to modifications of the set up in order to achieve desired results.

He often asks for my phone to take his own photos and videos. He might set up a detailed Lego scene for instance which he will then videotape and narrate a tour through. Admittedly, his first few attempts shot more footage of the wall or the floor, but he has gradually gotten the hang of it, understanding how to hold the phone to get the best results, even zooming in on details of his subject. I have also shown him the editing functions for photos, so we have played with things like brightness, tint, shadow effects, etc. We often discuss which effect we like best and how these effects change the mood or message of the photo.

So although I still have reservations about children and cellphones in general, I have come to recognize their value when their use is controlled and supervised. They have taught me to embrace new technologies rather than fear them—yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks!—and to look for positive ways to share that technology with the next generation in order to stay connected.

flexibility for different learning styles optional hands-on learning activities support from a certified teacher gentle and constructive feedback

Setting Up a Meal Train

Ameal train is when a group of family members and friends work together to deliver meals to someone who is going through a major life change. While some of these occasions are happy, like the birth of a new baby, it is often set up to assist in sad and stressful periods.

The general idea is to have a calendar where everyone chooses a date to drop off a meal. That way the person or family in need is well fed while they cope with their transition.

Meal trains can be organized via group emails or texts. Setting up a google spreadsheet that can be shared around is a simple way to organize a meal train. There are also apps and services that can be used for coordination, for example, mealtrain.com and takethemameal.com.

Even if you aren’t up for coordinating a meal train, it’s always nice to drop off a healthy meal to someone who could use a bit of a hand.

Here are a few tips if you’re planning on dropping off a meal to someone:

• Use containers that you don’t need to get back.

• Date the food, because they might not remember when it was dropped off.

• Provide reheating instructions.

• Ask about dietary restrictions in advance.

Here are three healthy meals that are perfect for sharing. They are rich, warm, and filling. Food that will comfort and nourish. Make a double-batch so you can enjoy it as well!

Rich Vegetable Noodle Soup

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 onions, chopped

2 large potatoes, cut into bite-sized cubes

3 leeks, chopped, white and light green parts

3 large carrots, diced

1 1⁄ 2 Tbsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 quarts stock

1 can of tomato paste (156 mL)

1 pinch of saffron threads

1⁄ 2 lb. green beans, ends removed and cut in half

8 ounces soup pasta or spaghetti, broken in pieces

1 jar of pesto (200g)

1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot, add the onions, and saute over low heat for 5 minutes.

2. Add the leeks, potatoes, carrots, salt, and pepper and saute over medium heat for another 5 minutes.

3. Add the stock, stir in the tomato paste, and saffron. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add the green beans and pasta and simmer until the pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes.

5. Serve the soup with a dollop of pesto in each bowl.

Slow Cooker Kale & Sausage Stew

This is comfort food at its best! This sausage stew features a tomato and mashed potato base that is absolutely delicious.

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

This noodle soup is a simple and comforting dish. It’s the sort of soup that tastes better the next day, making it perfect for a meal train.

1 pound Italian sausage, cut into bitesized pieces

1 large onion, chopped

1 large-sized can diced tomatoes (28 oz)

2 garlic cloves, finely diced

1 cup of water

3⁄ 4 tsp each salt and pepper, to taste

2 large-sized mashing potatoes, peeled

1 small bunch of kale, stems discarded and leaves torn

Mashed Potatoes

1⁄ 2 cup of milk

1⁄ 2 cup of olive oil, plus more for serving

1⁄ 2 tsp each of salt and pepper

1. Mix the sausage, onion, tomatoes, and garlic in a slow cooker. Pour in the water and add the salt and pepper. Push the potatoes into the liquid so they are mostly covered.

2. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or 3 to 4 hours on high, until the potatoes are fork tender.

3. Remove the potatoes from the slow cooker. Add the kale to the slow cooker. Stir and allow it to cook while mashing the potatoes.

4. Mash the potatoes with the milk, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir back into the stew and serve.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

While casseroles, soups, and stews are the mainstay of meal trains, sometimes a fresh salad is just the thing. This quinoa salad is packed with vegetables and flavour for a bright dish that will taste good for several days in the fridge. Tomatoes and cucumbers are both delicious additions to this salad, however, they taste best when served right away. So stick with the carrot and pepper if you’re giving the dish to someone else.

1 cup of dried quinoa

2 cups of water

Salad dressing

1⁄ 4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp salt and pepper, to taste

1 clove of minced garlic (optional)

Toppings

1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 red pepper, chopped

2 carrots, grated

1⁄ 3 cup chopped fresh parsley

3 diced spring onions

1⁄ 4 cup dried cranberries

1⁄ 2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1. Place the quinoa and water in a small pot. Bring to a boil and simmer until the quinoa is cooked but not soft, about 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Once the quinoa has finished cooking, gently toss it in the salad dressing. Allow it to cool before adding the toppings. Taste, and adjust the salt as necessary.

4. After the quinoa has cooled, stir in the chickpeas, red pepper, carrot, parsley, and spring onions. Mix well.

5. Top with the cranberries and crumbled feta and serve.

with a

Connecting with Teenage Grandkids

My boys are incredibly blessed to have grandparents who work hard to nurture a trusting, playful connection with them. Who better to offer advice on how to connect with teenage grandkids than two grandparents who make enormous efforts to play an active role in their grandkids’ lives?

My parents live in our city for only two to three months out of the year, which means they need to consider how to remain present in our lives whether they are five minutes or five thousand miles away. Experiencing both ends of the spectrum provides my parents with the added advantage of being able to speak to grandparents who may be geographically close and can partake in daily activities, and those who may live further away and wish to remain connected without the privilege of being physically present.

WORDS OF ADVICE FROM MIKE AND LINDA (AKA PAPA AND NANA)...

Know what’s important to your grandkids. We make an effort to be a part of activities which are important to the boys—school, hobbies, sports, friends. Whenever possible, we show up to their special events but when that’s not feasible, we call or FaceTime because we want to hear all about it. Be sure to ask lots of questions and encourage conversation. Show your interest!

Create opportunities to have fun as a family. If you live in the same city, this may be a family picnic in the park, a Sunday night barbeque, family movie nights or game nights. If you live in a different city, invite your grandchildren to stay with you for a long weekend or an extended period over summer break. (Inviting just the kids without their parents is an excellent way to foster bonding time.) And, when they come to visit, plan exciting experiences you can share together.

Encourage projects together. In the past, we have helped our older grandson build a display wall of skateboards in his bedroom. Last summer, we helped the younger one fashion his own fishing rod. We ask them to cook with us, and we learn new skills together such as wakesurfing. They help us around the yard or with household building projects. When we are working towards a common goal, we share

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failures, successes, and lots of laughter. As grandparents, we are modelling that we are still learning too. We love to hear their suggestions and ideas when problems inevitably arise. We want our grandkids to know we think they are smart and innovative (and they can learn a lot from us, too).

If you don’t live near your grandchildren, perhaps you can all take an online course together, watch the same Netflix show, or help them with their homework over FaceTime.

Let your grandkids know how much you enjoy their company. We tell our boys they can talk to us about anything— YouTube, friendships, alcohol, sports, love. We try to be non-judgmental and create a safe space for them to share. They can come to us for advice or support even in times when it’s hard for them to talk with their parents. We appreciate them as teenagers and love who they are trying to become.

Offer to drive them places. While this seems simple, the best conversations often happen in the car! It’s also a fantastic opportunity to get to know their friends, if they come along for the ride. We often offer to stop for a slice of pizza or a Starbucks, as this creates more shared time together.

WORDS FROM MY BOYS…

Jackson (aged 16): It’s easy to talk to Nana and Papa because they take an interest in me. I can talk to Nana about fitness and Papa loves soccer. Papa is one of my best friends. I talk to him almost every day. If you don’t share an interest with your grandkids, you can try to learn a little. Maybe watch a YouTube video or watch their favourite TV show. That way you have something to ask them about.

My grandparents are cool people. They have lots of interesting friends and they have cool experiences, so I like to ask them about what’s going on in their lives. They tell great stories and I like talking to them.

They’re also really fun. They invite me to do cool things with them, like go on the boat, play soccer-golf or go quadding. I like hanging out with them.

Chase (aged 13): I know Nana and Papa care about me because they call regularly. They know my friends’ names and they ask about them. They know my interests. Nana asks what I’m reading, and Papa asks about soccer. They’re also fun to be around. They laugh and smile a lot. I like that.

Connecting with teens isn’t always easy. They can be moody, unpredictable, and hormonal. The world they live in is very different from when you were their age, and this may be challenging to relate to at times. Despite their occasional standoffish-ness, teens want what everyone else wants: to be seen, heard and loved. So push through your grandchildren’s prickly demeanor to show them how much you value and enjoy their company. When grandparents and teens connect, it brings joy and vitality to all!

Kelly Cleeve is a best-selling author and an educator. More importantly, she is the proud parent of two amazing sons. Visit kellycleeve. com or follow her on Instagram @resilient_kel and Facebook – Raising Resilient Children/Radiant and Resilient.

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Sunday Crafternoon

It’s a blustery West Coast afternoon, but my three oldest grandchildren and I aren’t worried about the weather. We’re warm and snug inside, rolling up our sleeves in preparation for a few hours of creative adventure. I’ve supplied the large table and the craft supplies; they’ve brought the unfettered enthusiasm and sky-high imaginations of four-, five- and seven-year-olds.

Seven-year-old Kieran takes the lead. He wants to make a model replica of Ladysmith, our mutual hometown. I suggest that we might not be able to construct the entire town in one afternoon, but we can certainly start with our favourite buildings. Kieran immediately gets underway on a very impressive version of Ladysmith’s post office. His younger sister Dahlia and cousin Rhea are game to contribute to the town as well, but need a little help constructing their buildings. In four-year-old Rhea’s case, a box turned inside-out makes an excellent Aggie Hall—with the addition of a sloped roof of course. Five-year-old Dahlia has her heart set on making a “baby house,” which she decorates with a door, a window and a pipe cleaner balloon.

cardboard, and just like that our little town is complete. Well, almost complete. “We need people!” says Kieran. He’s right, of course. Happily, we have a bag of Lego people nearby, just waiting to populate our new community.

My twin daughters arrive to collect their children three hours after they dropped them off—and find them still engrossed in their cardboard town. By any measure, our first “crafternoon” together has been a success. Since I had almost as much fun as my grandkids, I assure them it won’t be our last.

Crafternoon Tips:

The rules are simple: be kind, be safe and have fun! There are no other expectations for our afternoon together. I don’t know how long my grandkids will remain engaged in this activity, and I have no preconceived ideas about what our crafting will produce. We are freestyling, operating without instructions, plans, or even Pinterest pictures to guide us. Our craft materials are our only source of inspiration.

The craft supplies themselves are rudimentary. We have three pairs of scissors of various sizes, rolls of scotch and masking tape, washable markers, crayons and sheets of coloured paper. But most important, we have a laundry hamper overflowing with materials otherwise destined for the recycling bin: cardboard boxes and tubes, plastic lids and containers, cards and flyers and other miscellaneous paper goods. In other words, a creative treasure trove!

While Kieran continues work on the post office, I contribute a few more buildings for my granddaughters to decorate: two six-story apartment complexes (inspired by the size and shape of the boxes in our stash, rather than any actual Ladysmith structures) and a very basic model of our local grocery store. To jazz up the grocery store, we turn its roof into a park. Kieran supplies the bench, water slide and pool.

It’s hard work building a town from scratch, and after an hour and a half my three builders let me know they’re ready for a tea break. Assuming their interest is waning, I begin to tidy up our surplus materials. But no—they aren’t quite finished after all! Fortified by licorice tea and homemade applesauce, they’re ready for their second shift. Again, Kieran leads the way, suggesting a quick trip outside to hunt for sticks to turn into trees.

The second shift goes as smoothly as the first. Kieran adds a tree-house platform to his stick-tree, and then moves on to building a church complete with a steeple and pipe cleaner cross. Dahlia and Rhea turn their attention to colouring and cutting out decorations for their original structures.

Finally, the moment we’ve been working toward arrives. We position our structures and trees on a larger sheet of

If a completely open-ended crafternoon seems a little daunting, the internet is full of great ideas to get your creative wheels turning. That said, with the right materials at their disposal, your grandchildren might surprise and delight you with their own original ideas.

Beyond the basics like scissors, glue, tape, paint, markers and/or crayons, some of the best crafting materials are the ones you rescue from your recycling bin or wastebasket. Keep a box or two for potential materials: cardboard boxes of various sizes, paper tubes, interesting plastic packaging, greeting cards, scrap fabric, extra buttons, etc.!

Finally, experience has taught me that any activity goes better when I check my expectations and follow my grandchildren’s lead as much as possible. Set parameters for the essentials like safety and healthy behaviour, of course, but do your best to surrender the rest. You never know where your grandchildren’s creativity will take you, but it’s sure to be interesting!

Rachel Dunstan Muller is a children’s author, storyteller, podcaster and grandmother. You can find her podcasts Hintertales: Stories from the Margins of History and Sticks and Stones and Stories through her website at racheldunstanmuller.com