March 2012 Island Parent

The Resource Publication for Vancouver Island Parents

Island Parent March 2012

Watch Your Back How to carry a portable car seat

For the Love of Gardening Fostering horticultural interest in children

Family Getaways

Much Ado About Nothing Why boredom isn’t so bad

Spring Break Programs 15 Spring Fling Things to Do

Pacifier Panic

children’s boutique

Spring Collections Are Here!

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Contents: March 2012 Articles

Spring Break for the Family There’s something for everyone with daily activities like our family and adult tours and our Focus Speaker Series. Vote for your favorite Wildlife Photographer of the Year image, or relax in our cozy Photography Lounge.

Mar 17 – 25, 11 am – 3 pm Free with admission or membership

Celebrate your child’s birthday at the Museum Café.

The icing on the cake? Select from the special kids menu and receive museum and IMAX discounts.

Call today for details, 250-381-0058

Sea Lions, Cougars and Bears — Oh My! March 25, 1 pm – 3 pm Free with admission or membership

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

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Take Back the Tap .......................................................................................... 8 Much Ado About Nothing ........................................................................... 10 Watch Your Back ......................................................................................... 12 Regrets…I’ve Had a Few .............................................................................. 13 15 Spring Fling Things to Do This Month.................................................... 14 For the Love of Gardening ........................................................................... 18 Spring Break Programs ................................................................................. 20 Pacifier Panic ................................................................................................ 25 Sport-related Concussion ............................................................................. 26 Brain Injury Fact Sheet ................................................................................. 27 Family Travel ............................................................................................... 30 Top 10 Actions to Help the Environment ..................................................... 42 Green Driving .............................................................................................. 43

Columns Editor’s Note .................................................................................................. 3 Prevention Matters ....................................................................................... 44 Dadspeak ..................................................................................................... 46 Just Eat It! .................................................................................................... 48 Book Nook .................................................................................................. 50 Is There an App for This?............................................................................. 52 New Parent Pages......................................................................................... 56 Maternity & Beyond .................................................................................... 60 Nature Notes ............................................................................................... 62 Cut It Out .................................................................................................... 64

Departments IPM Notes...................................................................................................... 4 Party Directory....................................................................................... 28, 29 Family Calendar ........................................................................................... 32 Around the Island ........................................................................................ 40 Family Services Directory ....................................................................... 54, 55 Preschool & Child Care Directory ......................................................... 58, 59 Business & Professional Directory................................................................ 61 Island Parent Magazine, produced by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a monthly publication that honours and supports parents 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. Letters (max 250 words) should be emailed to the Editor at editor@islandparent.ca. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome and should be emailed to editor@islandparent.ca.

Island Parent Magazine is distributed free in selected areas. Subscriptions can be obtained by sending $28.00 (HST included) with your name and address to the address below. Canada Post: Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement 40051398.

Island Parent Magazine Suite A-10, 830 Pembroke St, Victoria, BC V8T 1H9 Tel: 250-388-6905 Toll Free: 1-888-372-0862 Website: www.islandparent.ca

Partner Website: www.kidsinvictoria.com On the Cover: Photo by Ute Muller of fotoart photography: www.fotoartphotography.net or info@fotoartphotography.net

President, Publisher: Paul Abra Vice-President: Anna Abra Director, Production Manager: Mada Moilliet Editor: Sue Fast Sales & Marketing: Rod Holt Publisher’s Assistant: Linda Frear Internship Student: Tamu Miles Bookkeeping: Elaine Francis Distribution: Anna Abra, Ted Dawe (Mid-Island) Founders: Jim Holland & Selinde Krayenhoff Production: Eacrett Graphic Design Printed at Island Publishers Cover printed at Hillside Printing ISSN 0838-5505

www.kidsinvictoria.com

A Pinch & a Squeeze eneration Squeeze.

That’s the label slapped on today’s young parents—25- to 44-year-olds— who, according to a recent study from the UBC Early Learning Partnership, are more financially, emotionally, and time challenged than any others in recent history.

“The generation raising young kids today is squeezed for time at home, squeezed for income because of the high cost of housing and squeezed for services like child care that would help them balance earning a living with raising a family,” writes lead researcher Paul Kershaw, a political scientist and family policy expert at UBC. Generation Squeeze is raising families with less money and time than the Baby Boomers, even though the country’s economy has doubled in size since 1976, the study reports.

Today’s young families are earning roughly the same income as parents did almost 30 years ago, even though, unlike then, most families are now dual-income. And while household incomes have levelled off since the 1970s (after adjusting for inflation), housing prices have risen 76 per cent—149 per cent in B.C.—in that same period.

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Not only has B.C. experienced the biggest jump in housing prices in Canada since the 70s, but it is also the only province where household incomes have fallen during the same time. In 2010, B.C.’s young families had household incomes .6 per cent lower than those in 1976—roughly $4,000 less.

Kershaw says that Generation Squeeze is the first generation that won’t have at least the same quality of life as their parents, which is creating what he calls “a silent generational crisis.” While today’s young parents are struggling to find affordable housing and child care, Baby Boomers are experiencing higher income and more wealth—thanks, in part, to a housing market that has nearly doubled over their lives.

“Put bluntly,” writes Kershaw, “the generation raising young kids does not access its share of economic growth.”

The study calls on provincial and federal governments to spend an extra $22 billion on social programs to give young families a higher standard of living, and in turn, a higher chance of success.

Kershaw has proposed policy changes that would include 18-month parental leaves, child

care that costs less than $10 per day, and flextime that would allow parents to better balance time spent at work with time spent at home.

In the long term, Kershaw suggests that the

Editor’s Note SUE FAST only meaningful way we—Generation X, Y, Squeeze, and the Boomers—can loosen the vise-like grip on Canadian families is through political action.

Today’s young parents need to follow the lead of parents who’ve come before them and become more politically engaged, he says, referring to the older generation’s part in championing social programs including Old Age Security, the Canada Pension Plan, and the Medical Care Act. We need to build new social programs to help address the dramatically different circumstances facing the generation raising young kids today, he says. And the next time there’s an election, he adds, we need to get out and vote.

Cover Photo Contest For the 2012 Family Summer Guide or Kids’ Guide to Victoria & Vancouver Island Send us a colourful, clear photo of your kids or family enjoying a summer moment, and it may end up on the cover of this year’s Family Summer Guide or Kids’ Guide.

1st Prize: Main cover photo on the Family Summer Guide and two nights at Beach Acres Resort, Parksville. Runners up: Five or more runners up will receive two IMAX tickets and their photos will be featured on the cover of either the Family Summer Guide or Kids’ Guide.

Only digital submissions will be accepted. Send a maximum of three photos of medium or higher resolution. Photos must be colour shots of children or families in Vancouver Island locations.

Contest is open to Vancouver Island residents only. Entry deadline is Tuesday, April 24, 2012; winners will be notified by email by May 18. Winning photos become the property of Island Parent Magazine.

Send entries to: mada@islandparent.ca

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

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MANIA IPM Notes MARCH 9–11 2012 Meet LEGO certified professional, Robin Sather, and watch him build a giant LEGO sculpture!

Register online at www.tillicumkids.com to be entered into the Tillicum LEGO Mania competition. As a contestant, you’ll have the opportunity to bring in your LEGO masterpiece showcasing the Sea and Sky. Visit us online for more details.

SPONSORED BY

www.tillicumkids.com

Accepting Enrollment for September Book now for a tour!

5575 West Saanich Rd (across from Red Barn Market) 250 592 4411 imhs@telus.net www.islandmontessori.com

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preschool to grade 2

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before and after school care

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small class sizes

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supportive and caring staff

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excellent academic foundation

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Kodaly music program

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lovely rural location connecting children to nature

Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre 1Up, the Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre (VSPRC), provides practical support, opportunities for growth, and a sense of hope for one-parent families across Greater Victoria. Guided by skilled and committed staff and trained volunteers, the centre offers services to create foundations for personal and community growth in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment. The centre aims to help parents create stronger families and healthier children.

The VSPRC offers comprehensive life skills programs, workshops and support groups that typically run from September through June. Lighthouse Parent: A Forever Journey (Teen Years) runs Thursdays, 6:459:15pm, from March 8-22. Anatomy of Anger runs on Tuesdays, 7-9pm, from March 20-May 8. An interview is required before being accepted into this course. All fees are by donation: minimum $10 for 3-week course, $20 for 6- to 10-week course. For more information visit www.singleparentvictoria.ca, or phone 250-385-1114.

Victoria’s 15th Annual French Fest The Victoria Francophone Society presents its 15th annual French Fest from March 10-12. The event takes place in Centennial Square on both Saturday, noon-4pm, and Sunday, noon-3pm. Join organizers, Francophones, Francophiles, and the Victoria community for dancing, singing, and a general celebration. Browse the many booths and tents, enjoy some poutine or maple taffy, and let your little ones enjoy the Kid’s Palace with its inflatable castles, public performers, balloon artists, face painting, and a special visit from Daisy the Cow and Farmer Vicky.

On Sunday, the Francophone Society welcomes Dream Circus which will offer children an introduction to the wonderful world of the circus in a joyful and safe environment at the McPherson Theatre.

Children ages 3-8 will have access to a wide range of free workshops.

For tickets and information, call 250-3887350 or visit www.francocentre.com.

26th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival Join the fun on the shores of Vancouver Island’s wild west coast at the 26th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival (PRWF) from March 17-25. Celebrate the arrival of upwards of 20,000 grey whales—of-

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Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

ten traveling within viewing distance of shore—on their northbound migration from the Baja Peninsula to Alaska’s Bering Sea and beyond.

Throughout Tofino and Ucluelet and around Pacific Rim National Park you’ll find an array of events. Bring your pets, favourite dolls, or outrageous costumes or float and join the Parade of Whales and Wonders (Mar 17), participate in the Maritime Kids’ Days, sign up for the 16th annual Chowder Chowdown (Mar 18), drop by Maritime Kids Day (Mar 22), among other family friendly events. Many of the events are free, with the purchase of an PRWF Events Button.

It’s an all-out celebration of our coastal lives, featuring grey whale and marine life education, inspirational talks and interpretive walks, children’s activities, culinary events, First Nations cultural workshops, and more. For more information, visit www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com, e-mail info@pacificrimwhalefestival.com or phone 1-250-726-7798.

Spring Break Family Drop-In Activities at the Nanaimo Museum The Nanaimo Museum offers a familyfriendly week of drop-in activities designed

www.IslandParent.ca

for children and their parents or caregiver from March 19-23, 1-4pm. Each day has its own theme and unique activity. Some of the themes include: Family Tree for Me; Coal Miner; Birds! Birds! Birds!; Old Fashioned Toys; and Snoopy in Space. Activities are designed for children ages 5-12, but each day will feature one activity suitable for preschool aged children as well. Admission is by donation. 100 Museum Way, Nanaimo (in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre; access from Commercial Street and Gordon Street).

For more information, e-mail program@naniamomuseum.ca, or phone 250-753-1821.

TC10K School Team Challenge The TC10K and Island Farms have teamed up to offer cash prizes to schools participating in the teams category at this year’s TC10K on Sunday, April 29.

Three cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to school teams in the following categories: Fastest Team Overall; Most Team Members; and Best Team Spirit and/or Costumes. To be eligible, teams and team members (minimum of 10) must be registered by March 23. All schools on Vancouver Island from kindergarten to Grade 12 are

eligible to enter in either the Thrifty Foods 1.5K Family Run, or the TC10K run. Run or walk with more than 15,000 others through the streets of Victoria in the 23rd Annual TC10K. To register, visit www.tc10k.ca. For more information, phone 250-744-5538.

Fossil Fair The Victoria Palaeontology Society will hold its 16th Annual Fossil Fair on March 24-25, 10am-4pm at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.

The Fossil Fair will display a rich and diverse variety of ancient fossil animals and plants from the Cambrian period (550 million years ago) to the end of the last Ice Age (10,000 years ago). The fossils include dinosaur bones, ammonites, trilobites, corals, mollusks, insects, giant palm leaves and microscopic fossils.

The Fossil Fair is an educational experience for all age groups. The public is invited to bring in fossils for identification. Specific activities for children include a sandbox fossil dig, fossil scavenger hunt, fossil colouring and rubbings, and looking through microscopes.

3873 Swan Lake Road in Victoria. Admission is by donation. For more information,

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IPM Notes contact Tom Cockburn at the Victoria Palaeontology Society 250-652-4267 or e-mail tcockburn@shaw.ca.

Turn Off the Lights on Earth Day On March 31, from 8:30-9:30pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for an hour to demand action on climate change. But that’s just the beginning. Every hour, Canadians are taking small steps to lessen their impact on the environment. From hanging your clothes to dry to taking transit to work, those small steps add up to huge changes for the better.

Earth Hour is about more than just turning off the lights. It’s also an opportunity to turn on young minds. Visit schools.wwf.ca/ to find out how to help students understand Earth Hour and the importance of taking action against climate change. There are many ways to mark and celebrate Earth Hour at your child’s school, from outdoor activities to lights-out events. Before you start planning for Earth Hour, remember to register your child’s school on www.

EarthHourCanada.org so the school’s participation can be counted towards the Canadian total.

Dyslexia Awareness Workshop This interactive workshop, on March 31 from 10am-4pm, is for dyslexics, parents of dyslexics, tutors, teachers, special needs support staff, service providers and anybody curious about why dyslexic individuals think and learn the way they do.

Topics include: • What is dyslexia (spelling and reading problems), dysgraphia (printing or writing problems) and dyscalculia (arithmetic or math problems) and how they can all be related.

• Why dyslexia doesn’t need to be a “learning disability.”

• Why the UK, Europe, New Zealand and other countries believe dyslexia is a “learning difference.”

• Dyslexia indicators in children and adults.

• What teaching methods are appropriate and beneficial for dyslexics in the classroom, home and work place.

• Why screening for dominant learning style (visual, auditory or kinesthetic) is important to dyslexics for successful learning.

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Island Parent Magazine

The workshop will take place at the Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell Street, and costs $85. Lunch is provided.

Pre-register by March 30 and receive a $10 discount. Doors open at 9am for registration. For more information and pre-registration forms, phone 250-715-3034 or e-mail degraaf@dyslexiavictoria.ca.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Line Parent Support Services Society of BC is launching the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Support Line in B.C. Staff on the line will assist grandparents and other relatives raising children to navigate Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and other complex systems, find answers and the assistance and resources they need to prevent or solve problems, and learn about benefits and other services that will support the whole family.

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Line is staffed by two part-time skilled workers with background and training in social work, advocacy, family law and government services pertaining to kinship caregiving. They can be reached by phone at 1-855-474-9777 (toll free anywhere in B.C.) or by e-mail at GRGline@parentsupportbc. ca. The initial Support Line hours are from 11am-3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. As the program develops, these hours will increase to include service five days a week.

prizes and apply for a $2,500 scholarship to a program of their choice.

All submissions that fall within the guidelines will be showcased. The submission deadline is March 31. The exhibit will take place at the Community Art Council of Greater Victoria’s new Arts Centre at Cedar Hill from April 30-May 13. Opening night is May 4, in conjunction with the United Way’s YouthNOW! Awards. For more information and entry forms, visit www.uwgv.ca or call Cordelia at 250-220-7362.

SLUGS: Sustainable Living & Urban Gardening Skills Youth Workshop Series Are you between the ages of 13 and 30?

Do you want to learn more about how to grow your own food and live more sustainably in the city? If so, check out the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre’s workshop series for youth. The workshop dates and topics are constantly evolving, so check the website (www.compost.bc.ca) for new workshops and field trips. Do you have an idea of something you might like to learn about or teach? If so, suggest your ideas and pre-register for workshops by emailing Clare at slugs.coordinator@gmail. com. Workshops are drop-in, though preregistration is required. Cost is by donation.

To see a tentative schedule for the 2012 workshops and events, visit www.compost. bc.ca. If you are interested in facilitating one of these workshops please complete an application form and review the facilitator’s manual (available online).

Change Starts Here To celebrate United Way of Greater Victoria’s 75th anniversary, the United Way, in partnership with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and local school districts, is planning a visual arts exhibit to showcase the art—including drawings, paintings and photographs—of youth aged 14-19 who reside in the CRD region.

Young people are invited to submit art based on the theme “Change Starts Here.”

Works will explore local social issues and offer hope and inspiration for change. Organizers are looking for creative, expressive and thought provoking submissions that educate, challenge beliefs and raise awareness in our community. The show will represent a diverse group of youth and bring their voices to the forefront as we envision what we need to do to build capacity and imagine another productive 75 years of working together.

Participants will have the opportunity to present their work professionally, win

Highway to Health Greater Victoria wants to challenge you to take a step—or more like 10,000 steps!

Highway to Health is part of Greater Victoria’s Active Community challenge to increase fitness levels.

Greater Victoria’s Highway to Health is an online activity tracker that allows you to log on to your own personal website, enter your daily steps, activity minutes and monitor your own Personal Health Stats.

Then watch yourself travel up a virtual map from Athens to Vancouver! Steps can be earned by participating in many activities.

All participants are eligible to win prizes in selected contests indicated on the map along the way. The more steps you take, the more chances to win. It takes approximately six months to complete the program and anyone can join. The website will monitor your progress, give you helpful tips and advice along the way, and inspire you to help achieve your fitness goals. www.kidsinvictoria.com

This program is free for anyone who joins, it’s fun and it’s active.

To register, visit www.fitinfitness.ca, click on the registration link and complete the contact information form. Users are automatically activated upon sign up and you can start adding your steps right away.

Purple Day Plane Pull for Epilepsy One in 100 people live with epilepsy but many, particularly children, feel they are alone. Purple Day for Epilepsy was started

by Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, who came up with the idea in 2008, when she was nine years old. Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy got her school and community involved, and called it Purple Day because lavender is the official colour for epilepsy. What started as a local event has grown into an international movement, marked in cities and countries throughout the world. People wear purple, host parties, and learn about epilepsy.

This year the celebration of Purple Day in Victoria takes flight in a new way. On March 24, local company Viking is presenting the Purple Day Plane Pull for Epilepsy. Adult and child teams will be taking part in a friendly competition at the Viscount Aero Centre in Sidney. For adults, the plane to be pulled is a 1943 bomber that was converted post WW2 into a Search and Rescue aircraft.

Pacific Sky will be providing the plane for the kids to pull.

The event will also feature the Sportball Kids Zone, a flight simulator, flights available on site by Pacific Sky, RC Grillhouse BBQ and other entertainment. Register a team, come out and cheer a team on and enjoy our festival site 10am-3pm on March 24. For more information, visit www.victoriaplanepull.ca. •

Depuis sa création en 1995, le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique offre des programmes et des services éducatifs valorisant le plein épanouissement et l’identité culturelle des apprenantes et apprenants francophones de la province.

Le conseil compte aujourd’hui plus de 4 600 élèves, 36 écoles publiques et dessert plus d’une centaine de communautés réparties dans l’ensemble de la province.

Inscrivez votre enfant dans une école du CSF !

NOS ÉCOLES PUBLIQUES DANS L’ÎLE DE VANCOUVER Campbell River École Mer-et-montagne

Errata In the February issue we inadvertently left the photo credit off the Nature Notes photo. The photo of the Ring-Necked duck was taken by photographer Caspar Davis. Our apologies to Caspar. www.IslandParent.ca

École secondaire Phoenix École secondaire Carihi

250-923-3359 1102 South Alder 250-923-3359 400, 7th Ave. 250-923-3359 350 Dogwood St.

M-6 7-9 10 - 12

Comox Valley

École au Cœur-de-l'île

250-339-1848 566 Linshart Rd.

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Nanaimo

École Océane 250-714-0761 1951 Estevan Rd. M - 7 École secondaire de Nanaimo 250-714-0761 355 Wakesiah Ave. 8 - 12

Port Alberni

École des Grands-cèdres

250-723-5614 4645 Helen St.

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Victoria

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250-220-6010 637 Head St.

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csf.bc.ca

March 2012

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Rachel Dunstan Muller

Pregnant?

Pregnancy is a state of health.

Midwives recognize what an extraordinary time this is in your life and we are available to support you through your childbearing year.

COVERED BY YOUR BC HEALTH CARE BC’s Medical Services Plan pays for midwifery care, including in-home check-ups in labour and after you’ve had your baby.

You can self-refer to a midwife.

QUALITY CARE Studies show that midwifery clients have lower rates of episiotomies, infection, Caesarean sections, forceps and vacuum deliveries and newborns that require resuscitation.

CHOICE OF HOSPITAL OR HOME BIRTH CONTINUITY OF CARE COMPREHENSIVE CARE BREASTFEEDING EDUCATION & SUPPORT

Registered Midwives in Victoria: Michele Buchmann 250-590-7770 Uta Herold (Sooke) 778-425-0780 Deborah Little 250-381-1977 Luba Lyons Richardson 250-381-1977 Lorna J. McRae 250-380-6329 Jody Medernach 250-590-7605 Kim Millar Lewis 250-384-5940 Heather Nelson 250-380-6329 Jill Pearman 250-590-7605 Colleen Rode 250-386-4116 Angela Schaerer 250-384-9062 Beth Smit 250-384-5940 Ilana Stanger-Ross 250-590-7605 Julia Stolk 250-590-7605 Misty Wasyluk 250-380-6329 Deanna Wildeman 250-592-5407 Heather Wood 250-380-6329 Amy Brownhill 250-386-4116 We would be pleased to schedule an appointment to answer your questions about midwifery care.

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Island Parent Magazine

Take Back the Tap his year my family will toast World Water Day on March 22 with tall glasses of tap water. It may sound unexciting, but having clean drinking water accessible at the turn of a faucet is something worth celebrating.

Choosing tap water over bottled water is also a significant environmental act.

The bottled water industry has done an impressive job of wooing consumers over the last few decades. Everyone needs water, and when it comes in a convenient package with “pure” on the label, it seems like the perfect product. Add some photographs of pristine glaciers and ads featuring glamorous celebrities, and who wouldn’t be won over?

But as convenient as bottled water may be for consumers—and as lucrative for the companies who sell it—there’s a dark side to this industry. First there’s the issue of water itself. Seventy-five per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, but only one per cent of this water is drinkable. The UN forecasts that two-thirds of the world’s citizens will be facing a lack of clean drinking water by 2030, thanks to population pressures and climate change issues. Water availability is already a seasonal challenge for many Vancouver Island communities, and it’s only going to get worse in the coming decades. Globally we need to become better water conservers, not wasters. It takes three litres of water to produce a single litre of bottled water—a losing equation that doesn’t make sense.

Next come the transportation issues.

Municipal water is the ultimate “local” consumable. On average in Canada, tap water travels less than 10 kilometers from its source to its destination. In contrast, bottled water may travel many hundreds to many thousands of kilometers to reach consumers. The raw ingredients that go into the packaging also have to travel great distances, which increases bottled water’s already hefty carbon footprint.

Manufacturing the plastic packaging required for bottled water is an extremely toxic and energy-intensive process. Crude oil supplies the raw ingredients for plastic bottles. It takes three million barrels of that oil to produce and transport the two billion

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litres of bottled water Canadians consume annually. If those figures are hard to get your head around, the National Geographic Kids website provides a more graphic description: “Imagine a water bottle filled a quarter of the way up with oil. That’s about how much oil was needed to produce the bottle.”

The pollution doesn’t end with the production of the plastic. Once the water inside has been consumed, single-use bottles become waste. In theory these bottles are recyclable, but in practice less than half of waste water bottles make it into a blue bin in Canada, while the rest are landfilled or abandoned in ditches. Depending on the conditions in a landfill, it can take hundreds of years for the plastic to break down, leaching toxic chemicals in the process.

Many bottles abandoned on roadsides are ultimately washed out to sea, where on this coast they join the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” a swirling soup of plastic debris 30 metres deep, with an area larger than the province of Quebec. Given the alternatives, a recycling centre is obviously the best

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destination for an empty water bottle. But recycling is energy-intensive, and leaves its own carbon footprint.

So is it worth it? Is bottled water a superior product? According to Health Canada’s website, unless it says mineral or spring water on the label, bottled water may actually be municipal tap water that has “undergone a treatment process to lower the mineral content and/or remove chemicals such as chlorine.” Furthermore, there is no guarantee that bottled water is contaminantor bacteria-free. “Bottled water is usually disinfected to remove harmful microorganisms, but this treatment is not intended to sterilize the water. Sterile water is normally reserved for pharmaceutical purposes, such as in contact lens solutions.”

In fact much of Canada’s bottled water comes from municipal sources. As David Suzuki puts it, “They’re taking your tap water and selling it back to you at a markup that can be as high as 3,000 times the price you pay for it through your taxes.” To add insult to injury, the water that comes from your tap is almost certainly tested more frequently than the water you can purchase at the supermarket. A water bottling plant must be inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency once in a 12- to 18month period. Here on the Island, municipal water is tested from multiple times a month to multiple times a day. (According to the Vancouver Island Health Authority website, the frequency of testing depends on “the water source, treatment methods, population served and system of operation.”)

But what about the chlorine used to disinfect municipal water systems? If this is a concern for your family, carbon filters can effectively remove chlorine and other impurities at a fraction of the environmental and economic cost of purchasing bottled water.

As a no-cost solution, chlorine will naturally dissipate out of drinking water left in an uncovered pitcher for 24 to 48 hours.

For all the reasons above, our family has made a pledge to drink tap water whenever possible. Bottled water may be invaluable for humanitarian relief and in areas where water is contaminated, but it doesn’t make sense where clean water is readily available. What does make sense is minding our own watersheds, making sure that clean drinkable water continues to flow from our taps.

Rachel Dunstan Muller is the mother of five, and a children’s author. Her previous articles can be found at www.islandparent.ca. www.IslandParent.ca

COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY DENTISTRY family centered practice extended hours evenings and weekends the latest equipment and caring staff request an appointment online

saanichdentalgroup.com 119–1591 McKenzie Ave, Victoria

250 477 7321

info@saanichdentalgroup.com

March 2012

9

Janine Fernandes-Hayden

!RE YOU INTERESTED IN A &AMILY (EALTHY

%ATING 3TUDY

Dr. PJ Naylor at the University of Victoria is currently looking for PARENTS with CHILDREN aged TO years to participate in a healthy eating study.

There is ./ #/34 to participate but it will take about 12 hours of your time over 8-weeks.

To hear more, please contact: David Trill dtrill@uvic.ca or 250-853-3141

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,i}ÂˆĂƒĂŒiÀÊ ÂœĂœĂŠvÂœĂ€ -ÂŤĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ Ă€i>ÂŽĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>Â“Ăƒ s 9EAR ROUND LESSONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS s 3AFE WELL SCHOOLED LESSON HORSES WITH QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS s )NDOOR AND OUTDOOR RIDING FACILITY

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Island Parent Magazine

Much Ado About Nothing Why boredom isn’t so bad n our household we look forward to the weekend because it is a time when my husband is at home and we get to spend time together as a family. I recall one sunny weekend last summer when I woke up and exclaimed, “Let’s do something! Let’s go for a hike! Let’s splash on the beach! Let’s have a picnic! Let’s‌â€? My husband interrupted my train of thought, “We have a great yard, nestled in a woodland—why can’t we hang out here and just be?â€? Boring, I thought to myself. However, lo-and-behold, before the day had unfolded, we had uncovered the most magnificent fort under the veil of a giant cedar tree, with sturdy branches that bowed and looped down to the ground making for a natural jungle gym. We had a ton of fun clearing and tidying up our new hideaway and the children then spent the balance of the weekend playing in their new tree fort, swinging from the branches and riding the large roots as imaginary horses and planes.

The experience was a good reminder to me that, while activities such as hiking, going to the beach, and having a picnic are great, there isn’t anything wrong with just making no plans and seeing what happens.

Boredom makes a poor first impression.

Idioms such as “bored to death,� “bored stiff,� “bored to tears� and “bored out of your mind� paint neither the most positive nor flattering of images. The month of July is dedicated as Anti-Boredom Month.

There is even a new word in our cultural dictionary—coined by MotorolaŽ—it is “microboredom,� defined as “ever-smaller slices of free time from which mobile technology offers an escape.� We are constantly being urged to resist and defy the forces of boredom. Our internal critic prods us on; “Don’t just stand there, do something!�

Why do we feel that we should be stimulated every moment that we are awake?

Life has come to a place where we seem to have a lowered tolerance for even a second

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of empty time—even time that use to be pleasantly viewed as downtime. Boredom is not an acceptable part of our, or our children’s lives.

Many parents fear that a bored child equals trouble in the making. On the contrary, some of the best decision-making can blossom out of boredom. In fact, we can actually do our children a favour and enhance their development by letting them become a little bored. A 2008 article published in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences provides evidence that certain regions of the brain actually become more active during times of boredom. When boredom strikes, it is because the brain has concluded that it can no longer focus attention on its surroundings. A neural circuit called the default network is activated and subsequently, the brain turns away from its external environment to explore itself, to introspect, to sort information and make connections between thoughts. Boredom may well be the antecedent to creativity, innovation and problem solving.

This being said, children often have a hard time becoming accustomed to empty space.

Many children are so used to electronic babysitters and an over-abundance of toys that they are unable to manage idleness. Not only is it difficult for them to unreel from being over-stimulated, but also they become incapable of creating their own happiness.

In the 1980s, Tanis MacBeth Williams, a professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia, conducted a study that compared kids in a town without television service because of isolating geography, with children in two other towns that did view television. The study found that the kids who did not have access to TV did significantly better on creativity tests. One of the reasons put forth for this finding was that due to boredom, these children had to make creative use of their time.

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Boredom is also difficult for children to endure because their lives are over-structured. Most of us as parents want the best for our children and as a result we are lured into the trap of over-programming, hyper-scheduling and micromanaging.

Unfortunately, in doing so we hinder our children’s ability to enjoy time on their own. We rob them of empty moments and the space to daydream, to discover, to use their imaginations and explore their inner worlds. Unstructured time is the most inexpensive way to provide children with the opportunity to stretch their minds in different directions. Boredom also prompts children to develop the skills to manage their own time, take responsibility for their own learning and practice self-management. At the end of the day, these are the skills that will drive our children’s success.

Finally, a child struggling with boredom may simply need connection and a little more parental attention. In our digital world, it is too easy for both parents and children alike to “plug in and tune out,” overlooking the importance and the need for human interaction. In our home, my children and I give each other “10-second snuggles” throughout the day. Often times it is the

fix that they need to chart off on their own.

Linda Kavelin-Popov in her book The Pace of Grace uses the term “noncompulsory time”—time in which nothing is asked and nothing is required.

How can you help your child to be constructively bored and embrace unstructured time? Here are some tips: Connect. Be mindful of the fact that your child may simply be craving an attention fix.

Unplug. Set limits on screen time and the use of social media.

Scaffold. Teach your children how to be alone. If they are unaccustomed to unstructured time, don’t expect them to suddenly chart off on their own for an extended stretch of time. Think baby steps. For example, when my kids are feeling antsy, I get out my timer and set it for a certain amount of time—let’s say we start with five minutes. My children are expected to go off and do their own thing. When the “beep beep” sounds, we regroup to read a story or play a game together. I repeat the sequence, gradually increasing the stretch of alone time until they are spending longer chunks of time engaged in independent play.

Prompt. If you want your kids to play

independently, they need to have play tools on hand. Some of the best tools are often household objects or sources found in nature—boxes, water, mud, sand and rocks are all great creative spurs. Craft boxes filled with buttons, beads, pipe cleaners, glue, scissors, fabric scraps, googly eyes and pompoms are other great examples.

Apply. Once you have taught your kids how to spend time on their own, institute some down time or quiet time into their day—an unplugged hour where they remain in their bedrooms, playing on their own, listening to music, reading books or just daydreaming.

Embrace simplicity and accept that a little boredom can be a healthy life experience for both you and your children. Resist the urge to rescue your children every time you hear the words “I’m bored!” escaping from their mouths. Instead, consider a new motto, “Don’t just do something—stand there.”

Janine Fernandes-Hayden is an educator and Salt Spring Island mum of four children, aged 2, 4, 6 and newborn. She hosts a parent and kids radio show called “The Beanstalk” on Salt Spring Island airwaves at CFSI 107.9 FM or online at www.cfsi-fm.com.

How far is too far? How much information is TMI? Do You Read Parenting, Mommy or Daddy Blogs?

Do You Write a Parenting, Mommy or Daddy Blog?

If so...

• Which ones are your favourites?

• What draws you to them?

• How much is more than you want to know?

• Are blogs at their best when they serve as group therapy sessions? Or at their worst?

If so...

• Why? • How do you determine what material is okay to include?

Best left out?

Please e-mail your answers, 500 words or less, to editor@islandparent.ca by March 15 and you’ll be entered into a draw for two tickets to Stars on Ice (value $160). A selection of entries and a list of favourite blogs will be printed in an upcoming issue.

Want to find the perfect family home?

Check out my Parent to Parent webpage at www.BriarHillGroup.com Let me find you the home that best suits your family!

As a mother with two small children, I understand your family housing needs

Give me a call at 250-744-0775

JANE JOHNSTON, M.Ed. www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

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Cheryl Pockington TRANSITION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES

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We help families avoid unnecessary conflict and tension while family members adapt to new family structures.

Professional Services: • arranging the visits • Supervised Access Visits • flexible hours (including weekends) • Member of the Supervised Visitation Network (SVN) Worldwide • Registered Member of the Child and Youth Care (CYC) Association Phone 250-590-4114 Email info@tsconsultingvictoria.ca or find us online at

www.tsconsultingvictoria.ca

Send Us Your Stories!

Island Parent is looking for articles for upcoming issues. Some of our best content comes from people just like you—Vancouver Island parents who are passionate about their families and are dealing with the day to day issues of raising children in our community. Share your experiences, your thoughts on a particular issue, your ideas on places to see or projects to do—anything related to parenting.

Check our Writer’s Guidelines at www.islandparent.ca for specific information on submissions. We’d love to hear from you. Please email submissions to editor@islandparent.ca.

12

Island Parent Magazine

Watch Your Back How to carry a portable car seat ith the arrival of my youngest son I was quickly reminded about the awkwardness of infant car seats. As a parent, I love their convenience for toting a sleeping baby. But as an ergonomist, I also recognize that infant car seats are potentially unsafe for parents, depending on how they are used.

Occasional lifting of your little one in his or her seat is not likely to cause an injury, but repeated handling may place you at risk of injury due to increasing weight, frequent lifting or carrying, or poor technique when doing so. Factors such as manoeuvring the seat within tight spaces, on uneven ground or when rushing can also increase the chance of injury.

Injuries generally occur in two different ways: all at once in a traumatic force to the body such as during a fall or accident, or over a period of time performing repeated actions beyond the body’s ability to repair microscopic damage.

This slight damage over time can result in an injury as the weakened tissues of the body are still being recruited to perform similar aggravating activities. This is more commonly recognized in occupations or sports where repetition, often combined with forceful or awkward movements, results in injuries such as muscle strain or tendonitis.

The amount of work our bodies do while handling a portable infant car seat adds up quickly and so does the risk for injury. Even during a simple trip to the store, I must lift my youngest in his seat a minimum of six times. And of course no mom ever makes just a single trip. We’re multitaskers. And if we’ve gone to the effort to clean ourselves up to face the public, we will certainly throw in a few more stops and hopefully a coffee date which just increases how much we might handle the infant seat in a single day.

Some moms may feel themselves growing stronger alongside their children. However, our strength only adds a protective effect when it comes to lifting, but the inherent risk associated with lifting is still the same. Our safety is based on the intrinsic strength of our tissues and not what we perceive we are able to perform physically.

There are not many of us who would be willing to give up the convenience of a portable infant car seat. And we don’t have to! Here are some suggestions to ensure we all continue to use these seats safely: 1. When purchasing a portable infant car

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seat, compare the manufactured weight and consider this, and not just colour, as part of your purchasing decision. For example, the Graco Snugride 22 is 7.5 lbs whereas the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP, also for use up to 22 lbs already weighs 11 lbs.

2. Park where you will have easier access to your rear passenger doors so you don’t have to struggle in tight spaces.

3. Plan and clear an easy and short path to your compatible stroller and position the stroller to avoid any extra manipulating of the infant seat into position.

4. Carry the seat sparingly; remove your child when possible.

5. Avoid bending or twisting the back when lifting or lowering the seat. Bending the back while lifting actually increases the pressure in the discs of the low back which can increase the chance for an injury.

Unfortunately it’s nearly impossible to maintain a neutral back posture whilst placing a loaded infant seat in some cars. Try your best to hug the seat close to your body and to keep your face looking forward. In smaller cars a knee placed on the back seat may help. And don’t be a supermom and attempt to carry your diaper bag at the same time. We all do it but the extra weight just adds to the work our bodies must do.

Although most infant car seats are rated for an infant up to 22 lbs, some newer models on the market such as the Graco SnugRide 35, are now good for up to 35 lbs. If we find ourselves struggling while handling the seat or using these new seats for our children up to 35 lbs, we may be safer to graduate our infants into an appropriate rear facing infant/child seat before they wear out their welcome, and our bodies, in a portable infant car seat.

Portable infant car seats are one of many great tools we have to make parenting a little bit easier. They keep our kids safe and with a little bit of planning in our purchase and thought put towards how we use them, they will continue to be safe for us, too.

Cheryl Pocklington is an ergonomist living in Victoria, currently enjoying maternity leave with her youngest son of 8 months. She no longer uses a portable infant car seat! She can be reached at cpocklington@gmail.com.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Sara Cassidy

Regrets...

I’ve Had a Few A parent of teenagers looks back If only I had made him do more chores.

If only I had let him play more.

If only I hadn’t signed her up for so many activities.

If only I’d ponied up for a few lessons.

If only I’d been more easy-going.

If only I’d imposed more discipline.

I should have worked less and spent more time with him.

I should have crowded him less and worked more.

I should have enrolled him in one of those alternative schools.

Maybe a mainstream school would have been better for him.

If only I’d pushed her to practice the piano more.

If only I hadn’t barked at her so much to practice.

I should have told her earlier that she was adopted.

I shouldn’t have told her so soon We should have divorced sooner.

We should have waited a little longer.

I should have made more opportunities for her to do stuff with her brother.

I should have given her more time apart from her brother.

I should have told her that I also struggled in Grade 6.

I shouldn’t have told her that I smoked and drank in middle school.

I should have taught her to cook, Oh, why did I ever let her near the stove?

I shouldn’t have bought him those $65 Vans.

I should have bought him those $65 Vans.

I shouldn’t have dissected her favourite Disney film.

I should have analysed the sexism in that Disney movie she was so crazy about.

If only I hadn’t made her so scared of her community.

I should have told her more about the world’s dangers.

A parent of three, Sara Cassidy hopes that she has made enough good parenting choices to tip the scale!

www.IslandParent.ca

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March 2012

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1

Be A Tourist In Your Own Home Town

From March 2 to 6, locals can make like tourists and visit the Royal BC Museum, Abkhazi Gardens, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, Craigdarroch Castle, Pacific Undersea Gardens, Mineral World and Scratch Patch, Miniature World, and Fort Rodd Hill/Fisgard Lighthouse, to name a few. Tickets cost $10.50 each, (or buy four and get the fifth ticket free) and entitle bearers to free, discounted and special offers on everything from ice cream cones and adventure tours to whale watching and hotel stays. For more information, visit www.attractionsvictoria.com.

Visit the Library

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Not only can you borrow books to read, but you can also check out audio books, Books to Go Bags (containing 10 kids’ books on a popular topic including Comics, Dragons, and Grossology, among others), DVDs and Blu-rays, eReaders, collections en francais, loaner laptops, music CDs, video games, and even museum passes to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV), and the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) that allow free general admission for 2 adults and up to 4 children at AGGV, and for 2 adults and up to 3 children (youth under 5 are free) at RBCM. The loan period for museum passes is 7 days. For more information about library hours, programs and special events, visit www.gvpl.ca.

Spring Fling 3 Things To Do This Month

Be Awed by the Animals at Beacon Hill

The Beacon Hill Children’s Farm is reopening on March 9, so bring your kids to see all the captivating critters.

The goat petting area is always a favourite with visitors both young and old. You’ll also get a chance to see sheep, bunnies, peacocks, potbellied pigs, donkeys and more. There’s something for every family member at Beacon Hill, whether it’s the animals, playground, putting green, trails and gardens, or making your way up to the viewpoint and enjoying the wind and sun on your faces before heading down to the Beacon Drive-In for an ice cream cone.

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Island Parent Magazine

Have an Overnight Adventure at the Maritime Museum

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Experience the Maritime Museum of BC in a completely new way. Overnight Adventures is a program offered to school and community groups. Hunker down for an evening of pirates, a gallery talk, treasure hunt and crafts. The museum will also tailor an educational program to your group’s interests. Guests will take part in a mocktrial of the group leaders in the museum’s historic 19th century courtroom.

Overnight Adventures is offered any night of the week from 7pm-9:30am the next day, depending on availability. Cost is $45+HST per child, minimum 15 children.

Snacks and breakfast are included. For more information visit mmbc.bc.ca or phone 250-385-4222.

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Visit Glass Beach in Sidney (and then make a garden mosaic)

On the water in front of the Hotel Sidney (at the foot of Beacon Ave) is a beach strewn with polished glass and bits of broken porcelain. Created by years of garbage dumping a long time ago, Glass Beach (as it is informally known) is a beachcomber’s paradise. Bring a plastic bag and collect a few treasures: glass, shells, bottle caps and even the occasional bent and rusty spoon or fork.

If you’re in a creative mood, use your finds to create a garden mosaic. To do so, you’ll need an aluminum pie plate and finishing cement (available at most hardware stores).

Prepare cement as per package instructions and pour into pie plate to a depth of roughly 40 cm. Gently push found objects into cement, deep enough that they’ll stay put once the cement dries. Leave the mosaic to dry overnight then remove from pie plate and place in the garden.

Experience the Extraordinary at IMAX Go Beyond the Ordinary is the slogan for this year’s IMAX Film Festival, a celebration of the original 70mm IMAX format. Running until March 8, this year’s festival line-up includes Tornado Alley; Cirque Du Soleil: Journey of Man; Coral Reef Adventure; African Adventure; Straight Up! Helicopters in Action; and Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West. Though this offer only lasts until March 8, you can

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still get a Festival Pass for $42 and save $21 on all 6 films, based on an adult admission price. Or, for the best deal, upgrade to a 2012 Annual Pass for only $4 more ($46 for all ages). For information, visit www. imaxvictoria.com.

and have patience. With practise, you’ll be hangin’ 10 in no time. Other popular surfing spots include Chesterman Beach, Cox Bay, Pacific Rim National Park, Jordan River, and Sombrio Beach.

Count Flowers

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Hang Ten at Long Beach

If you happen to be in the neighbourhood for the Pacific Grey Whale Fest (March 17-25), why not try surfing? Long Beach is an ideal place to learn to surf with its wide expanse and western exposure. Keep in mind that the average ocean temperature at Long Beach hovers at a chilly 6-7˚ year-round, so it won’t make much of a difference that it isn’t summer.

No matter what the season, you’ll still need a wetsuit. Not to worry, lots of local surf shops offer wetsuit rentals along with surfboard rentals and lessons. Before setting out for a day of freewheeling, Maui-style surfing (or snorting salt water up your nose and collecting sand in your bathing shorts), make sure to do warm up exercises; surf with someone and away from the crowds; if you get caught in a current, swim perpendicularly to it to break free; have fun

Each municipality across Greater Victoria is encouraged to take up the challenge to be the “Bloomingest Community” of the Greater Victoria area. Kids and families reporting flower counts will have their number added to their community’s total. Whether you live on the Saanich Peninsula or in Sooke, every flower counts, for your own community and for the overall total.

To submit your count or your photos, visit www.flowercount.com.

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Visit the Gardens at HCP

The Gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) offer nine acres of various gardens for you to wander through with your children. There are 34 different areas featuring over 10,000 varieties of plants, many of which are labelled (hopefully there’s no test

after your visit!). At this time of year be sure to visit the Doris Page Winter Garden and the Takata Japanese Garden for year-round sights. The children’s demonstration garden includes a playhouse, “thyme” out bench and other whimsy. Explore other parts of the Gardens to learn about composting, plant identification, sustainable garden practices, bird identification, nature appreciation, seasonal changes, life cycles and beneficial insects. HCP is located at 505 Quayle Road and is open 9am-4pm daily. Admission is $11 for non-member adults, free for kids under 16.

Create a Needle Felted Masterpiece

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Needle felting is a great way to introduce kids to the creative world of fibre arts. It’s quick and easy to do, and the results can be surprisingly pleasing.

All you need to get started is some roving (unspun wool), a specially barbed felting needle, a square of foam such as you’d get at any foam shop (12”x 12”, at least 1” thick is a good size), and a piece of regular felt or fleece to be used as a backing. Just place the backing over the foam, then make a design or picture by laying pieces of roving

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Victoria, BC

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onto the backing and felting them into place by poking each piece up and down with the needle. The woolen strands get fused together by the barbed needle. Kids as young as 6 can take part—just remind them to be careful about not poking their fingers with the needle. To find some instructions and examples, go online and then experiment with different colours of roving (available at any wool shop) and felt backing. You can also use yarn that is 100 per cent wool for outlining edges. Just lay it down and poke it into place.

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Rediscover the Wonders at Swan Lake

If you haven’t been to Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary for a while, put on your walking shoes (or boots) and head out into this natural oasis close to downtown Victoria. There’s always something going on at the Nature Sanctuary, including weekly programs for preschoolers and a line-up of programs over Spring Break. You can also just drop in and explore the lake trails and floating boardwalk, or hike to the summit of Christmas Hill. In the Nature House you can stimulate your senses with interpretive displays, discover nature hands-on and up-close, visit the live bee “house” and browse the natural history reading room. To find out more about whats happening at Swan Lake during March, visit www.swanlake.bc.ca.

Organize a Neighbourhood Garage Sale

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Spring cleaning and garage sales go hand in hand, so if you find yourself with too much stuff this spring, gather it together, enlist a few neighbours to do the same, and schedule a neighbourhood garage sale. Advertise your sale in local newspapers and put up posters around the neighbourhood. For $30 (plus tax) the Times Colonist will advertise your sale with a 4-line, two-day classified ad (call or place ad online by 5pm the day before) and will throw in a “garage sale kit” that includes 2 signs, balloons, an inventory list, some suggestions, and 80 price stickers. Pricing items ahead of time is a good idea, as is having change on hand. Encourage kids to man their own table (with the promise of keeping their own profits). For an added flare, have some music playing and a few “safe” (wrapped, canned) snacks and refreshments for sale.

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Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Make Chocolate Banana Pops

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You’ll need: 3 bananas not too ripe; 175g bag chocolate chips; 1 tsp butter; candy sprinkles; 6 popsicle sticks; wax paper.

1. Peel bananas, cut each in half, and push a popsicle stick part way through the cut end of the banana, popsicle-style. Set the bananas on a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer.

2. Lay a sheet of wax paper on the counter.

Microwave chocolate and butter at 100 per cent power for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat, until the chocolate is completely melted.

3. Place bananas on the wax paper and coat with chocolate, scraping excess off wax paper and returning to bowl.

4. Decorate each with sprinkles. Other decoration possibilities: shredded coconut, chopped nuts, mini M&Ms, mini marshmallows, crushed cookies. Let chocolate set for a minute before returning bananas to freezer.

Freeze for 45-60 minutes. Devour.

Film a Movie

Throw a Pizza Party Gather your family and your favourite pizza toppings and enlist everyone’s help in preparing the ingredients for an assortment of personal pizzas or one big pizza for all. To make things easier, pick up a bag of pre-made pizza dough at Pure Vanilla Bakery (1052590 Cadboro Bay Road, $2.95/bag—yields 1 medium pizza); at Demitasse Bakery (2164 McNeill Avenue, $3.95/bag), or at La Collina Bakery (1286 McKenzie Avenue, $2.79 white, $3.29 whole wheat).

www.IslandParent.ca

U N D E RWAT E R

A Q U A R I U M

AN AUTHENTIC UNDERWATER EXPERIENCE !

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Make like Clint Eastwood and write, direct, and film a mini-movie starring you, your family, and your friends.

Write the script (or base it on one of your favourite books), create costumes, and design sets and props. Make and distribute tickets, inviting friends, family and cast members to the official screening.

Then upload your movie on YouTube and invite the world to watch. Don’t forget the popcorn.

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March 2012

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Tamu Miles

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Choose from our selection of organic baby clothes, linens, wooden toys, pregnancy accessories and much more!

birth kits * cloth diapers * pregnancy teas maternity & baby clothes * classes 170 Craig St, Duncan ~ Phone: 250.597.0085 info@matmercantile.ca ~ www.matmercantile.ca

For the Love of Gardening Fostering horticultural interest in children

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hen I was a child, my mother built gardens on top of solid rock. She hauled seaweed from the beach, maple leaves from the forest and she had a glorious compost pile out of which grew massive tomatoes. And even though she had to drag me kicking and screaming to help her with any gardening activity when I was a teen, my mother’s passion for gardening, and for the earth itself, left a long-lasting impression on me. As an adult, I have always had a garden and for a number of years I owned my own dried flower business. But more than that, I too developed a passion for digging in the soil and a healthy respect, as well as love, for the earth.

My kids grew up in similar circumstances, and in their lives they have done their fair share of planting, weeding, harvesting, hauling, and digging. And though neither of them itch to get their hands on a seed catalogue in January, I know that through this childhood experience they learned a variety of life lessons, including knowing where their food comes from, how to eat healthily, and the benefits of being active and outdoors. On top of this, I noticed that they learned to communicate and solve disputes, take leadership roles, and take care of something outside of themselves.

In their article, “Fostering Children’s Interests in Gardening,” authors Kristi S. Lekies and Marcia Eames Sheavly explore how young people, working with a group of other

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Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

children and youth and adult leaders, develop a longer-term interest in plants and gardening that goes beyond the duration of a particular project. What they learned is that a child’s interest in gardening is generated through experiment, exposure, and learning specific skills. In other words, children who grow up near natural elements, visit parks on a regular basis, and take part in environmental classes are more likely to have a positive attitude toward nature and engage with nature-based activities into their adulthood. Also, exposing children to gardening activities from an early age is the best way to ensure long-term interest.

Children should be involved in every stage of the gardening process, from planning to harvest. This depends on the age and the abilities of the child, but involving the child in decision making—such as where a bed will be built and what seeds to plant—will make them feel more involved and invested.

Children can be involved with planting, watering, weeding, composting, taking soil samples, and harvesting. The authors also suggest choosing specific plant and design features that encourage physical and sensory exploration.

Children who are involved in longer term gardening projects develop a sense of accomplishment, ownership, belonging, shared responsibility, and self-esteem. Mastering a particular skill or competency can foster a willingness to try new endeavours.

The garden also plays an important role in the process of homemaking, as working in groups or with family members in a garden reflects social relations on a wider scale; gardens can play a significant role in the social construction of a home.

Carol Sim is an avid gardener and the designer and instructor for “Garden Pals,” a program that links seniors and elementary school children through Jubilee Community Gardens [JCG] in Duncan. Sim says that though children should be given a choice when it comes to deciding what to plant, this choice should also be limited to what is feasible. Growing difficult or hard-to-maintain plants will only discourage children and cause them to lose interest. Sim suggests the following choices: • Broad beans. Though these are a tough sell when it comes to eating, the seeds are big, easy to plant, and they germinate quickly.

Making a bean teepee—big enough for two kids to fit inside—is also fun.

• Peas. Children love picking peas and seem especially intrigued that peas have their own special case. www.IslandParent.ca

• Radishes. These grow quickly and are ready in about a month. Though children may not like the spicy taste, they will feel satisfied and rewarded by the results.

• Lettuce. Experiment with different varieties because lettuce is probably one vegetable that your child is guaranteed to eat.

• Strawberries. These are a favourite.

Choose ever-bearing varieties for ongoing rewards.

• Carrots and pumpkins. Both are fun, but they are more challenging to grow. Carrots are picky about soil and pumpkins take a long time and require more patience.

Sim recommends a few simple things to help get your kids engaged in gardening activities: • Buy a child-friendly gardening book.

• Buy real tools for your children to use; nothing flimsy or plastic because it will just fall apart or make it impossible to accomplish a task.

• When weeding, give your child a bucket.

This gives them a goal and allows them to feel like they are accomplishing something.

• Don’t overdo the amount of time spent in the garden. Aim for an hour a day, a couple of days a week.

Sim sees gardening as a way to teach children about proper nutrition as well as environmental stewardship, saying that it helps them to understand that they are part of something bigger. “Why would they care about the natural world if they don’t know anything about it?” Through gardening activities children find out where their food comes from and about natural processes and life cycles such as life and death. A simple compost pile, for example, can play a big role in this because it takes something that is considered garbage and makes it into something good.

For more gardening with kids resources, visit the National Gardening Association at www.garden.org, or Canadian Gardening’s “How To—Gardening with Kids” at www. canadiangardening.com. You can also check out Milner Gardens “Shoots with Roots” children and youth programs by visiting www.viu.ca/milnergardens.

Tamu Miles is currently attending Vancouver Island University. She has worked as arts editor for the Navigator Student Press. Tamu received the 2010 Myrtle Bergren Creative Writing Award and the 2011 Meadowlark Award for fiction.

March 2012

19

Buteyko Breathing

Spring Break Programs

Dentists find that children who mouth breathe have more cavities, inflamed tonsils and greater need for orthodontic work as adolescents.

Buteyko Breathing is a powerful tool for children to learn to nose breathe easily, be free of chronic colds and flu, snoring and irritability. Have a happier, healthier child with the power of breath.

Free Introductory Seminar for Parents Sunday March 18, 2 – 4 pm Esquimalt Rec Centre, 527 Fraser St Course runs March 19, 20, 22, 23 1:30 – 2:30 pm with child and parent.

To register, contact Chris Bauman at:

250.858.4211 breathinglady@gmail.com

Ah, spring—a time of blossoms, breezes and Spring Break. There’s lots to do during the break as you’ll see from the following listing. For more information on any of these programs, please refer to the ads in this issue.

Have fun in the—dare we say it—sun!

Are you a band student? Arbutus Music is providing Introduction to Jamming for teen musicians wanting to learn how to start playing together to make music. Lead by the music instructors in the Lesson Centre, this is a great opportunity to meet other band players and begin learning how to just play and start jamming. Come ready to play!

Tues-Fri from 10am-2pm. $20/day (add $10 for multiple days). Pre-registration required.

250-933-1900, info@arbutusmusic.com.

6324 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, B.C. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is the ideal place for children to explore visual culture and express their own creative vision. Join us this spring in the Children’s Art Studio where our dedicated teachers introduce new techniques, build confidence and encourage the creative process. Choose from a variety of classes for ages 2-12. 1040 Moss Street.

250-384-4171 ext. 0. www.aggv.bc.ca.

This March we are holding

Three Sets of March Break Camps AM camps will be ages 7–11 and PM camps will be ages 12–14 AM Camps March 16, 21 & 23, 9am–Noon

PM Camps March 16, 21 & 23, 1–4pm

Camp Fee: $50 per child (ages 7–11) Fee includes: • TWO projects (ready for pick up one week after camp) • Three hours of instruction from a local elementary school teacher • One snack break (children are required to bring their own snack, no nuts please) • All the paints, stencils and more stuff needed to create beautiful masterpieces • Learning about clay and studio practices (Don’t worry, we won’t emphasize the “learning” part, after all, this is supposed to be a break!)

Camp fee: $50 per child (ages 12–14) Fee includes: • Three hours of instruction • One large project (to be picked up one week after camp) • All the bisque, paint, brushes and other materials • One snack break (children are required to bring their own snack, no nuts please) • Just a little bit of learning!

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Island Parent Magazine

www.firedupceramics.ca

Boardworks Diving. Join one of Canada’s most successful springboard and platform diving clubs at Saanich Commonwealth Pool this Spring Break and learn how to dive in a fun and safe atmosphere. Boardworks OlymicGarten (5-9 yrs), FunDive (10-13 yrs), and Boardworks Jr (5-9 yrs) Diving Camps combine gymnastics and trampoline training with basic diving skills in the water for a fun introduction to diving. Visit www. boardworks.ca for more information or call 250-479-0330.

Braefoot Fun Days Spring Break Camp. Activities each week will include a Highlanders soccer clinic, roller hockey, and interactive games. Use your creativity with our theme

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days and related activities. Better save some energy for our field trips and popular bouncy castle. Plus more fun that is sure to keep you excited all week long. For ages 6-12.

Please bring two nut-free snacks as well as a nut-free lunch and a refillable water bottle.

March 12-16 (9am-4pm), March 19-23 (9am-4pm). $140/week. Please register by calling 250-721-2244.

Licensed day camp at the Burnside Gorge Community Centre. Enjoy sports, games, arts and crafts, great field trips, and a nutritious daily snack. 8:30am-4:30pm, $145/week.

7:30am-5:30pm, $165/week. Call 250-3885251 to register. Camp Survivor – Adventure Day Camp is is a Spring Break camp for youth with a sense of adventure. Youth enjoy exciting daily activities from rock climbing and swimming to kayaking and paintball. $155/week or $40/day. Call 250-388-5251 to register. For ages 11-15.

Buteyko Breathing Course for Kids begins with a 2-hour overview for parents on Sunday. The following 1-hour classes with parents and children include lots of interactive learning, some games and powerful exercises to improve breathing, general and dental health. After each class, breathing and body awareness homework is done (15 minutes). Each class builds on the one before. By Friday, both child and parent are confident with the exercises. Follow-up and on-going support as needed. To register, contact Chris Bauman at: 250-858-4211 or breathinglady@gmail.com.

Spring Break sleepover camps are a great chance for young campers to experience the community and great fun of being at camp for four days and three nights. Camp Pringle’s Spring Break program filled last year, so be sure to register early. Here are some of the activities campers will enjoy: low ropes, climbing wall, canoeing, crafts, wide games, campfires, archery and so much more. Darryl MacLeod, Executive Director, George Pringle Memorial Camp. www. camppringle.com.

Get ready for an active Spring Break with the City of Victoria. Your child will love our Adventure Daycamp with swimming, outtrips, hiking, crafts and more. Be sure to join us at Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre for Fun Swims every day March 10-25, 1-4pm.

Parents, don’t forget to take some time for yourselves, too. Try an aquafit class, register for yoga, or relax in the sauna or steam

www.IslandParent.ca

PERFECT ILY FOR FAM S GETAWAY

9 housekeeping cottages

Year-round getaway on Mayne Island 250-539-2463 • 1-877-535-2424 bluevista@bluevistaresort.com • www.bluevistaresort.com

March 2012

21

SPRING BREAK FUN!

room at Crystal Pool. Visit www.victoria. ca/recservices for program and schedule information, or call 250-361-0732.

All camps are Monday to Friday

Fired Up! March Break, March 16-21, and March 23. Ages 7-11, 9am-noon. Ages 1214, 1-4pm. Campers will learn new painting techniques as well as studio practices. Create an aquarium on a plate, a wall clock, matching marbled mug and plate, perhaps a chalkboard plaque or a dinner set with confetti. See www.firedupceramics.ca for photos and more details, or phone 250-818-4543.

Registration has already begun, and limited spaces are available. $50/child.

MARCH 19-23 Squiggles & Giggles Camp 3-5 YRS JDF PLAYROOM

9:00am-11:30am 12:30-3:00pm

$105/5 $105/5

72152 72153

Fairy Princess Camp 3-5 YRS CENTENNIAL CENTRE ARBUTUS ROOM

9:00am-11:30am

$105/5

72210

Dinomite Dinosaur Camp 3-5 YRS CENTENNIAL CENTRE ARBUTUS ROOM

12:30-3:00pm

$105/5

72209

Aspiring Young Artists 6-9 YRS CENTENNIAL CENTRE CRAFT ROOM

9:00am-3:30pm

$130/5

72329

Funky Fashion Camp 9-12 YRS CENTENNIAL CENTRE SPRUCE ROOM

9:00am-12:00pm

$146/5

72336

Music & Video Production 9-13 YRS

GRUBS Spring Break Camp. This spring, LifeCycles and the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre are again teaming up to host an exciting urban farm day camp. With the expert guidance of farm camp facilitators, kids will learn through hands-on outdoor educational activities. Together, they will explore urban farms, build compost, learn about local food, plant seeds, grow food, go on field trips, and much more. March 19-23. $140 (bursaries available). Contact outreach@compost.bc.ca or call 250-3869676.

JDF BOARDROOM

9:00am-3:00pm

$235/5

71631

Acting Out & Jazzercise 8-12 YRS JOHN STUBBS MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM

9:00am-4:00pm

$169/5

71227

Horseback Riding 6-16 YRS CEDAR VISTA RIDING STABLES

9:00am-12:00pm

$330/5

71622

Falcon Gymnastics presents Beginner Recreation Swing Into Spring Gymnastics Camp, March 19-23. Gymnastics, foam pit, trampoline, tumble-track and air track. For ages 5 1/2 to 14 years. Monday through Friday.

Full days: 9am-4pm; half-day: mornings, 912am; and afternoons, 1-4pm. Please bring snacks and drinks. Space is limited. 250-4796424 or www.falcongymnastics.com.

Jr. Golf Camp 7-12 YRS OLYMPIC VIEW GOLF COURSE

10:00am-Noon 1:00-3:00pm

$165/5 $165/5

72120 72121

Sportball Camp 3-5 YRS & 6-9 YRS JDF LOWER CLUBHOUSE

3-5 YR 9:00am-Noon $135/5 6-9 YR 1:00-4:00pm $135/5

71386 71413

Spring Break Sports 6-12 YRS JDF LOUNGE

9:00am-3:30pm

$155/5

71398

250-478-8384

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Island Parent Magazine

Highland Pacific Golf offers active, fun golf lessons for kids to learn the basics of golf in an engaging way. Classes combine outdoor exercise with golf instruction, preparing your kids to be great golf athletes. Your kids will have a blast! All camps are taught

by PGA of Canada professionals. Spring Break camps run Monday to Friday, either 9am-noon or 1-4pm. For more information, please visit www.highlandpacificgolf.com or call 250-478-4653.

Kamp Kaleidoscope, March 12-16. Escape to the woods this spring break with Kaleidoscope Theatre. Join Pat Rundell, Steph Sartore, and Roderick Glanville for 5 days and 4 nights of acting workshops mixed with traditional camp fun. Theme meals, skit nights, campfires and more await your aspiring artists. Spend your Spring Break

with Kamp Kaleidoscope at the stunning Camp Qwanoes. Register today. Space is limited. Only $350 (includes all meals, activities and workshops). 250-383-8124. info@kaleidoscope.bc.ca.

Ladysmith Parks, Recreation & Culture. Check out Ladysmith Spring Break Activities, 9am3pm March 12-23, with fun-packed games, sports, swimming, movies, arts and crafts for kids aged 6-12. The Ladysmith Spring 2012 Activity Guide is out soon, with special events, programs, leisure swims and lessons, aquatic training, and fitness centre suitable for all levels to keep you happy and healthy through spring and beyond. Registration or information at 250-245-6424 or www. ladysmith.ca.

The Maritime Museum of BC offers Adventures at Sea Spring Break Camp. Your child will enjoy a week full of interactive fun, March 19-23. Monday to Friday, 9:30am-4pm.

Salty Sundays are every second Sunday—the next one is on March 11. Enjoy crafts, activities, programming, and tours. 1pm, drop-ins are welcome. Free with admission. Contact programs@mmbc.bc.ca or visit mmbc.bc.ca for more details. Children under 12 are now free at MMBC! Panorama Recreation Centre. Spring has sprung, and we’re ready to have some fun.

With many exciting activities, Panorama has something for everyone this Spring Break.

Try Tae Kwon Do, horseback riding or gymnastics, blast-off in our Mad Science Camp, or go for the gold with Sportball’s Soccer & Hockey Clinic. Love to swim? We’ve got camps in the pool, too. Try a bit of everything in our Sun-sational Camp, where you’ll play games and sports, do arts & crafts and go for a daily swim or skate. Live well, have fun. www.panoramarecreation.ca.

Recreation Oak Bay is your headquarters for Spring Break Camp fun. Join us at Windsor Pavilion for weekly themed activities, outtrips, swimming, skating and more. Camps include Adventureland, Imaginarium, Enchanted Fairyland and Skiddadle. At Oak Bay Recreation Centre, have a splashing time in the pool with daily theme swims or put your fun on ice in the arena. Sports, aquatics and specialty camps are also available. Contact Recreation Oak Bay, 1975 Bee Street, 250-595-SWIM (7946).

Royal BC Museum. Spring Break at your museum. Enjoy a wild and wonderful world of

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activities and talks celebrating our feature exhibition Wildfire Photographer of the Year. Take in the visually stunning wildlife images, as well as historical photography throughout the museum. Take part in a special family tour, presentation, or have fun with self-guided activities. Come, capture and be captivated. March 17-25, 11am3pm. Free with admission or membership.

For more information, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Looking for Spring Break fun? Then try one of our great programs at Saanich Parks and Recreation. We have a large selection to choose from, including computers, dance, arts and crafts, martial arts, sports and daycamps for kids 5-15 years of age. Also, don’t forget about our fantastic fun swims in the pool or Everyone Welcome skates. Whatever you’re looking for, you will probably find it at one of our four recreation centres. Check out www.saanich.ca for more information.

Sportball Outdoor Soccer Camp. Sportball coaches develop competence and confidence on the field. Children are taught the fundamental skills necessary to excel. These include throw-ins, dribbling, trapping, passing, goalie skills and more. Clinics will also include arts and crafts, snack time, stories, music, co-operative games and theme days.

Camps are run outdoor, with indoor space for snacks and crafts. Please bring a nut-free snack, water bottle and appropriate clothing.

Ages 4-7. March 12-16 (9am-noon), March 19-23 (1pm-4pm). $135/week. Please register online at www.sportball.ca or for more info, please call 250-590-4625.

FALCON

GYMNASTICS CENTRE

Swing Into Spring Gymnastics Camp Mornings/Afternoons Full Days/Half Days

March 19–23, 2012 For more information call 250-479-6424

Falcon Gymnastics presents:

Swing Into Spring Gymnastics Camp 2012 Beginner Recreational ~ Ages 6–14 ~ 9am–12pm, 1–4pm or 9am–4pm We also have: Best Birthday Parties in town!

Best gymnastics and most affordable classes!

208 – 721 Vanalman Ave, Victoria, BC V8Z 3B6 250-479-6424 www.falcongymnastics.com info@falcongymnastics.com

The Spring Break holiday programs at St. Michaels University School are open to all children in Victoria ages 6-15 and appeal to a wide range of interests. Choose between fullday and half-day programs that offer a range of activities such as cooking, sports, photography, and much more. The Passion Sports team also returns with more sell-out elite basketball camps. For information on any of these exciting programs, visit our website at www.smus.ca/spring, or call 250-370-6120.

Where kids become authors! At the Story Studio, aspiring authors, ages 3-teen, will be coached in small, age-appropriate groups by a dedicated and passionate writing coach; learn tricks and traits to help make their writing richer and more personal; receive their work bound into a book at the end of their writing workshop; have so much

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

23

fun that they just want to keep on writing.

Check www.storystudio.ca for upcoming workshops, camps and special events.

During Spring Break week—March 19 through 22—Swan Lake offers a different drop-in event each day from noon-3pm, and our 16th annual Fossil Fair on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 from 10am-4pm. If you’re off school the previous week too, we’re open from 8:30am-4pm.

Come and feed the ducks, hold a snake, make a puzzle, or hike a trail. For more details, see www.swanlake.bc.ca or call 250-479-0211.

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville offers the most extensive recreational programs on Vancouver Island. Enjoy a wide variety of programs including Kid’s Club and activities the whole family can enjoy together. Tigh-Na-Mara’s Spring Break Recreation Program includes Build Your Own Bear workshops, off-site excursions to area attractions, Dinner & Movie nights, Mother & Daughter Mini Manicures, a special St. Patrick’s Day celebration and more! Our Spring Break Recreation Program offers something for everyone. www.tigh-na-mara. com 1-800-663-7373

Spring is all about new beginnings… so don’t wait a moment longer to learn to play music! Playing an instrument is a richly rewarding lifetime asset. Now is the time to begin your musical journey at Tom Lee Music Learning Centre, where music is fun and learning is easy for all ages. www. tomleemusic.ca/learningcentre.

Veselka Spring Break Dance Camp. Come dance with Veselka over Spring Break. March 19-23 for girls and boys aged 7-10. Quality instruction in Ukranian dance, ballet and yoga. Veselka is also offering new classes for all ages this spring (April to June): new Saturday classes for girls and boys, preschool to 10 years; new classes for adults in Ukrainian, ballet and yoga. Discover the joy of dancing with Veselka. Register for a class today. www.veselkadancers.com. 3277 Douglas Street. 250-475-1174.

Spring into fun with West Shore Parks & Recreation. We are offering fun day camps at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood and Centennial Centre in Langford.

Preschoolers can Squiggle & Giggle while school-agers kick it up a notch in sports camps or get funky with fashion. Check out programs at www.westshorerecreation.ca or

call 250-478-8383 for more information.

For up to date news, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/westshorerecreation and Twitter: @wsrecreation.

Westside Stables is located 15 minutes from downtown Victoria. If you have a horsecrazy kid, we have a program for you. We have many well-schooled, wonderful lesson horses and ponies. Our programs are all run with safety and fun in mind following the Horse Council of BC guidelines for advancement. We have a large indoor and outdoor riding ring offering year-round riding lessons and camps, including Spring Break programs. Come join the fun. Call Rebecca at 250-652-1462 or visit www. westsidestables.ca.

Kids stuck to the couch? Family game night a flop? Unleash it! Spring Break will be a ton of fun with a Monkido® Aerial Adventure.

Get your kids active in the trees—or join them to conquer zip lines, rope ladders, wobbly bridges and more suspended surprises. Three guests play for the price of two, March 12-Apr 1, at WildPlay Element Parks, Nanaimo and Victoria. Conditions apply. See www.WildPlay.com for reservations and details.•

Where Kids

Become Authors!

Writing and bookmaking for all ages. Check out the website for workshops and camps. www.storystudio.ca or call 250-592-BOOK

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Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Krista Minar

Pacifier Panic can hardly stand hearing my daughter fuss.

I know that a healthy amount of fussing is natural, maybe even needed. On a road trip, though, it adds stress to an already complicated affair.

Not long ago, my hubby and I were driving back home to Port Hardy from our trip to Victoria and decided to stop and eat, and give our daughter a break.

Scratch that, we were hoping for the break. She had been crying for the previous hour, and no amount of toys, songs, or funny faces could distract her from the fact that she was in her car seat and she was uncomfortable.

So there we were, sitting in a pizza joint with a very fussy girl who didn’t want to nurse and wasn’t quite satisfied sucking on either of our knuckles or fingers.

Wanting to finish dinner without a walk around the parking lot—there is something about walking that seems to distract her from her need to gnaw—I began to dig through the diaper bag to find her pacifier.

I remembered stowing it in there before she was born “just in case.” Back then, I wasn’t really sure what just in case meant, but I was pretty sure that this was one of those times.

So I pulled it out, reached over the table to hand it to my hubby, and I could feel “it” the moment I placed the pacifier in his hand and he brought it to her mouth.

What is “it”?

I call it—in a booming, ominous voice— “pacifier panic.”

If you have ever tried to research whether or not the pacifier is suitable for your child, you know that a Google search of the pros and cons results in over 350,000 hits. There are a number of books, papers, websites, magazine articles and blogs written for the very purpose of discussing the use of a pacifier. To avoid becoming overwhelmed by the wave of information, and misinformation, that can be stressful to swim through, I have tried not to become part of this textbook generation by getting too caught up in reading everything. Instead I try to follow my gut—which isn’t always easy.

I

www.IslandParent.ca

One of the reasons I don’t like the idea of pacifiers is because when they fall out—and have you seen where those things fall?—they are a pain in the you-know-what to continuously clean and place back in the baby’s mouth. Another reason I don’t like pacifiers is because eventually you have to wean babies off them. I also feel guilty giving a pacifier to my daughter—a sort of “Is that the best you can do?” reaction—though guilt doesn’t make sense. If a soother makes her happy, it should, in turn, make me happy.

One reason I like the idea of a pacifier is because it can soothe and comfort some babies, which carries a fair amount of weight in my opinion. Also, it can be easier to wean babies off pacifiers than their thumbs or fingers. And have you seen where their fingers end up?

See my dilemma?

Since that first attempt at the pizza joint, I have tried—on and off—giving my daughter the pacifier. Truthfully, she doesn’t seem all that interested, so for the most part I have taken her cue and tried other things.

Then one day, the light bulb went on.

It might seem obvious now, but what I realized I needed to do was to take my baby’s cue, to pay attention to her needs.

How many of us stress over the simplest things? Is this right? Is it wrong? This book says… These people say...

What we need to do is trust our instincts.

And we need to trust our babies.

So for those parents who have children who love their paci, more power to you!

You have listened to your babies and you have given them what they need.

For those parents whose children refuse it, keep trying new things until you find their “paci.” It may not be something they stick in their mouths, but every child has that special thing that soothes them.

So, despite my not wanting to get up and walk my daughter around, that’s what my baby needed most. And that’s what my baby got.

Spring into Storytelling, Acting & Improv • Specialized classes for children 4–12 years • Teen Classes and Performance Programs • Home Learner Drama Program • Private coaching and custom workshops available • Adult classes and coaching • Small class size • Professional teaching staff • Fun, supportive environment • Central location Register now! Spring classes start March 27.

250-386-8593

845 Fisgard St.

katerubin@telus.net www.katerubintheatre.com

Krista Minar, mother of one, is in constant search of balance.

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When can my child or teen return to a sport?

Sport-related Concussion What is a concussion?

How long will it take to get better?

A concussion is a brain injury that affects the way you think and remember things for a short time. It can cause many symptoms, but they can’t be seen on x-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans.

The signs and symptoms of concussion often last for seven to 10 days. Sometimes they last much longer, even many weeks or months. If your child or teen has had a concussion before, it may take longer to heal.

What causes a concussion?

How is a concussion treated?

Any blow to the head, face or neck, or somewhere else on the body that causes a sudden jarring of the head may cause a concussion. Some examples are being hit in the head with a ball or being checked into the boards in hockey.

The most important treatment for a concussion is rest. That means no exercising, bike riding, play wrestling, playing video games or working on the computer.

Your child or teen may have to stay home from school because schoolwork can make her symptoms worse. If she goes back to school or resumes activities before she is completely better, her symptoms could get worse or take longer to go away.

Even though it is hard for an active person to rest, this is the most important step. Once he is completely better while resting, he can start to increase his activities slowly. It is important to see a doctor before returning to activity.

What are the symptoms and signs of concussion?

A person does not need to lose consciousness or pass out to have had a concussion.

In younger children, the signs and symptoms may not be obvious. They may have stomach pain or be upset. Their behaviour may change. They may not have a headache or show problems with thinking.

Children should not go back to sports if they have any symptoms or signs of a concussion. They must rest until they are completely back to normal. After they feel normal and have seen a doctor, your child or teen can then go through these steps to gradually increase activity: 1. Complete rest until all symptoms are gone.

2. Light exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling, for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Try a sport-specific activity (such as skating in hockey or running in soccer) for 20 to 30 minutes.

4. Move to “on field” practice, such as ball drills, shooting drills and other activities with no contact (for example, no checking and no heading the ball).

5. Once cleared by a doctor, move to “on field” practice with body contact.

6. Game play.

No child should go back to a sport until they have been cleared to do so by a doctor.

Each step must take at least 1 day. If your child or teen has any symptoms of a concussion (headache or feeling sick to the stomach) during the activity, he should stop the activity immediately and rest for 24 to 48 hours. He should be seen by a doctor before starting the stepwise plan again.

When should a child go to a doctor?

PHYSICAL SIGNS

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR

• • • • •

• Sadness • Anxiety • Inappropriate emotions

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

TROUBLE WITH SLEEP

(problems thinking) Headache Nausea Dizziness Changes in sight Loss of consciousness (passing out) • Vomiting • Loss of balance/ poor coordination • Decreased playing ability

• Slowed reaction times • Confusion • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty remembering • Feeling dazed or in a fog

• Drowsiness • Trouble falling asleep • Sleeping more than usual • Sleeping less than usual

What should you do if a child gets a concussion?

After a concussion, when can my child or teen return to school?

• Make sure he stops playing the sport right away.

• Do not leave him alone.

• Make sure he sees a doctor as soon as possible that day.

• If he’s knocked out, call an ambulance to go to a hospital immediately.

• Do not move him or remove sport equipment, such as a helmet. Wait for the paramedics to arrive.

Sometimes people who have a concussion find it hard to concentrate in school. They may get a worse headache or feel sick to their stomach if they try to learn. Your child or teen should stay home from school if her symptoms get worse while in class. Once she feels better, she can try going back to school for half days to start. If she’s okay with that, she can go back full time.

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Island Parent Magazine

Every child who gets a head injury should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.

If your child or teen has been diagnosed with a concussion, it’s important to return to a doctor immediately if symptoms get worse, such as: • more confusion • a headache that gets worse • vomiting more than once • not waking up • having trouble walking • experiencing a seizure • behaving strangely Problems caused by a head injury can get worse later that day or night. Do not leave your child or teen alone and check on her through the night. There is no need to wake her up during the night, unless there is a concern about your child’s breathing or sleep. If she seems to be getting worse, see a doctor immediately.

For more information, visit the Canadian Paediatric Society’s website at www.caringforkids.ca.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Brain Injury Fact Sheet • Damage to the brain and spinal cord can rarely be repaired. Life after a brain or spinal cord injury is never the same.

• Injury is the leading killer of Canadian children and youth. Fifty per cent of all deaths from injury are from brain injuries.

• Thirty per cent of all traumatic brain injuries are sustained by children and youth, many of them while participating in sports and recreational activities.

• Each severe brain injury costs our medical system over $400,000 at the time of injury.

Costs remain approximately the same each year following the incident due to indirect expenses and follow-up treatment.

• Brain injuries in sports and recreation can affect anyone; boys/men are affected four times as frequently as girls/women.

The Good News: • Researchers estimate that 90 per cent of all injuries are predictable and preventable.

• Bike helmets can prevent up to 88 per cent of brain injuries when used properly.

• Skiers and snowboarders who wear helmets reduce their risk for head injuries by 60 per cent.

• It is estimated that each dollar invested in a helmet saves $30 in social costs.

What You Can Do: • Remember: Most crashes aren’t accidents, but predictable, preventable events. Change the way you speak about these events to change social perception.

• Encourage kids to be active, but ensure they get proper training, wear the gear, and are able to effectively navigate risks.

• Be a role model: as parents, coaches and educators it is important to model safe, responsible behaviours like wearing a properly fitted helmet during appropriate activities, and buckling up in the car.

• Download the “Which Helmet for Which Activity” brochure at thinkfirst.ca for information on helmet standards to consider when shopping for a range of sport and recreational helmets.

WANTED: Children to see their brains in action!

Dr. Holroyd and colleagues at the University of Victoria Department of Psychology are currently looking for children between the ages 8 and 13 with OR without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to participate in a study of ADHD. Participants will engage in game-like computer activities, paper and pencil tasks, and “brainwave” experiments where we will record the electrical activity of the brain!

The procedure is entirely safe, non-invasive, and most children enjoy being involved in a scientific experiment!

Scheduling is flexible and there is a small monetary compensation.

Thank you for your participation!

For more information, please contact Akina at 250 472 5014 or uvic.adhd@gmail.com

Reprinted with permission from ThinkFirst, (www.thinkfirst.ca) a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries.

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March 2012

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Party Directory FUNTIME INFLATABLES

HASSLE FREE PARTIES

250-474-0597

for kids & families

Largest selection of inatable fun on Vancouver Island ASK ABOUT OUR REFERRAL PROGRAM • 18 bouncy castles to choose from, detachable raincovers available • Obstacle courses • 10 interactive games for youth and adults • Combo bouncers • Carnival games and party packages • Fully insured Professional balloon decorating service now available

You provide the space and food‌ We’ll provide an hour of fun with puppet shows and play

New soft serve ice cream truck available for events and ice cream socials

250 472 3546

visit our website at

www.puppetbooth.homestead.com

www.funtimeinatables.ca

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Our great instructors will treat you to an action packed two hours of fun and fitness in our great facility! â&#x20AC;˘ 2 large decorated birthday rooms â&#x20AC;˘ Free T-shirt for birthday child, invitations for up to 10 children â&#x20AC;˘ The ONLY Inflatable Climbing Mountain with trampoline in town â&#x20AC;˘ Party Time now offered for many different groups (schools, daycare centres)

Book Early: 250-479-6424

#208 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 721 Vanalman Ave

(Broadmead & Royal Oak Area)

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* Greater Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest, largest and cleanest facility with hassle free parking for you and your guests * * Large private party rooms * * Experienced Qualified Fun Coaches * * 3 Trampolines & 40ft Tumble Trac * * Awesome Foam Pit *

250-383-FLIP

www.lionspridegymnastics.com Located in Langford

Birthday Parties!

Celebrate your birthday with us!

Newly Renovated Birthday Party Rooms

YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL FLIP OVER OUR BIRTHDAY PARTIES

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:: Gym & Bouncy Castle, themed parties: creative kids, girl power and preschool parties from Princesses to Pirates! at Henderson Recreation Centre!

/

Call 250-370-7200

Pool, Skate, or Soccer parties at Oak Bay Recreation Centre!

Call 250-595-SWIM (7946)

-

www.recreation.oakbay.ca

â&#x20AC;˘ 5 bikes â&#x20AC;˘ Private track and instuctor â&#x20AC;˘ Safety gear â&#x20AC;˘ Reserved party area & Concession

2207 Millstream Road Victoria, BC V9B 0J7

www.westshoremx.com

,

MUSICAL

BIRTHDAY PARTIES Kids love to sing and dance, play instruments, and listen to stories.

Book a 45 minute interactive party in your own home for up to ten young guests from ages 3-6...

-6... and let the fun begin!

6

s WWW VCM BC CA

28

Island Parent Magazine

For Kids 5-10 years old A decorated party room will be provided along with theme costumes, music, balloons, crafts and games. Sit back and relax, the partygoers will be entertained with organized fun! Just bring the kids, the cake and refreshments and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll clean up mess!

Pick a Theme...

And Experience a Party Everyone Will Talk About!

FAIRY PRINCESS PARTY PIRATE ADVENTURE PARTY â&#x20AC;˘ WIZARD PARTY HAWAIIAN LUAU PARTY â&#x20AC;˘ HARRY POTTER PARTY WILD WEST ROUND-UP PARTY For Bookings and Inquiries Please Contact

250-727-0058

basasaki@shaw.ca

www.itsmyparty.ca

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Party Directory ctoria Gymnastics Birthday Parties Your child and 9 of his or her friends will have an absolute blast at one of our action packed gymnastics parties.

What’s included?

• We supply hats, napkins, table cover, streamers and balloons • Two Certified Instructors • Invitations • Trampoline • Foam Pit Fun • Gymnastics Games • Fun Music • NEW: 40 Foot Long Trampoline!

Saturday & Sunday Afternoons

Paint4Splatter4Parties4and

much,4much4more4at44Cats.com!

380-2442 Corner of Store & Pembroke www.victoriagymnastics.com

Indoor Party Themes PAR-TBEAR PAR-TSPA

TALE TIME FUN! Welcome Cook Street Activity Cent re as our newes t indoor facility

Organise wonderful parties conveniently delivered to your door!

Seven Rec Centre packages to choose from Book your school fairs now!

Call

Party Supplies for ALL occasions, themes and ages

1·866·503·4397

Par-T-Perfect

(250)

ip@greatlittlecelebration.com www.greatlittlecelebration.com

386-JUMP (5867)

www.par-t-perfect.com

Mr. Tubbs Ice Cream Parlor & Family Fun Zone • 30 family oriented redemption games • huge prize counter • 2 fully decorated party rooms • foot-long hot dogs • 32 flavors of Island Farms Ice Cream

10% P Off Booarty k if yo ing u in th bring is ad

ACTION-PACKED BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Open Year Round

@ Western Speedway 2207 Millstream Road 250-590-4369 mrtubbs.com www.IslandParent.ca

Unforgettable theme parties, girl time packages or just some fun with your friends

Supervised • 2–8 Yrs 3655 Shelbourne Street, Shelbourne Plaza 250-590-5568 www.lizzyleeandme.com

IT’S ABOUT SKILLS, NOT SCORES. Go to www.sportball.ca for schedules & information Call us: 250 590 4625 Email: van.island@sportball.ca

March 2012

29

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Swimming â&#x20AC;˘ Canoeing â&#x20AC;˘ Sailing â&#x20AC;˘ Ropes Course â&#x20AC;˘ Windsurfing â&#x20AC;˘ Hiking â&#x20AC;˘ Faith Exploration â&#x20AC;˘ Archery â&#x20AC;˘ Crafts â&#x20AC;˘ Out-trips â&#x20AC;˘ Games & Skits â&#x20AC;˘ Campfire â&#x20AC;˘ Nature Study â&#x20AC;˘ Cycling â&#x20AC;˘ Swimming â&#x20AC;˘ Canoeing â&#x20AC;˘ Sailing â&#x20AC;˘ Ropes Course â&#x20AC;˘ Windsurfing â&#x20AC;˘ Hiking â&#x20AC;˘ Faith Exploration â&#x20AC;˘ Archery â&#x20AC;˘ Crafts â&#x20AC;˘ Out-trips â&#x20AC;˘ Games & Skits â&#x20AC;˘ Campfire â&#x20AC;˘ Nature Study â&#x20AC;˘ Cycling â&#x20AC;˘ Swimming â&#x20AC;˘ Canoeing â&#x20AC;˘ Sailing â&#x20AC;˘ Ropes Course â&#x20AC;˘ Windsurfing â&#x20AC;˘ Hiking â&#x20AC;˘ Faith Exploration â&#x20AC;˘ Archery â&#x20AC;˘ Crafts â&#x20AC;˘ Out-trips â&#x20AC;˘ Games & Skits â&#x20AC;˘ Campfire â&#x20AC;˘ Nature Study â&#x20AC;˘ Cycling â&#x20AC;˘ Swimming â&#x20AC;˘ Canoeing â&#x20AC;˘ COUNSELOR IN TRAINING (CIT) ages 16+ t July 2-6, July 9-13 & Co-lead week Sailing â&#x20AC;˘ Ropes Course â&#x20AC;˘ Windsurfing â&#x20AC;˘ Hiking â&#x20AC;˘ Faith Exploration â&#x20AC;˘ Archery â&#x20AC;˘ CREW ages 15~16 t Crew 1: +VMZ +VMZ t Crew JulyCycling 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aug 9â&#x20AC;˘ Crafts â&#x20AC;˘ Out-trips â&#x20AC;˘ Games & Skits â&#x20AC;˘ Campfire â&#x20AC;˘ Nature Study2: â&#x20AC;˘ Crew 3: Aug 13-17 & Aug 20-24 Swimming â&#x20AC;˘ Canoeing â&#x20AC;˘ Sailing â&#x20AC;˘ Ropes Course â&#x20AC;˘ Windsurfing â&#x20AC;˘ Hiking â&#x20AC;˘ Faith JUNIORâ&#x20AC;˘COED 8~11 Jr Coed 1: Julyâ&#x20AC;˘2-6 t Jr Coed 2: â&#x20AC;˘ AugNat 23-27re E ploration â&#x20AC;˘ Archer â&#x20AC;˘ Crafts O tCAMPS trips ages â&#x20AC;˘ Games & Skits Campfire

Camp Pringle 2012 Programs

Camps for All AgeS

Shawnigan Lake, BC United Church of Canada

www.camppringle.com EASY ONLINE REGISTRATION! BCCA & UCC Accredited

INTERMEDIATE COED CAMP BHFT _ t Aug 20-24 JR. & INT. GIRLS CAMP BHFT _ _ t July 16-20 BIKE CAMPS ages 11~15 Camp 1: July 22-27 t Camp 2: Aug 12-17 ULTIMATE ADVENTURE CAMP BHFT _ tÍ&#x192;July 9-13 WATERSPORTS CAMPS Jr/Int Camp ages 8~11 & 12~15 t Aug 13-17 Int Camp ages 12~15 t July 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aug 3 FAMILY CAMP Aug 3-6 PARENT & CHILD CAMP Aug 6-9 This year we have elected to implement voluntary â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tier Pricingâ&#x20AC;? which allows you to decide what you are willing or able to pay for the Camp Pringle experience.

Our website has complete details on our camps and the Tier Pricing program.

Look for it on the Programs page, or contact us for more information.

George Pringle Memorial Camp 2520 W. Shawnigan Lake Road, Shawnigan Lake, BC, V0R 2W3 T/F: 250-743-2189 registrar@camppringle.com director@camppringle.com

30

Island Parent Magazine

Family Travel Bring your family to Blue Vista Resort and start a new tradition. Located steps from Bennett Bay and the Gulf Island National Reserve with its beaches and shoreline walks on Mayne Island, this Tourism BC Approved Accommodation has been catering to families for over three decades. With nine individualized housekeeping cottages to choose from and a quiet lawn with barbecues, picnic tables and a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play area, this small family-run resort invites you to join a tradition many families have been enjoying for years. Cabins start at under $100/night. Visit www.bluevistaresort.com for rates and details.

Get outside! Unique adventures abound at Horne Lake Caves and Campground. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just 45 minutes north of Qualicum Beach.

Explore the caves, walk the lakeshore or sneak in an early season camping trip.

Rent a canoe and head out for a spectacular paddleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;fishing gear is available, too.

Look under Vancouver Island to see cave formations like ancient fossils and beautiful crystal. Book now for all-inclusive Family Camps. Check out www. hornelake.com or call 250-248-7829.

Kye Bay Guest Lodge & Cottages, Comox, B.C. A popular family-oriented beach vacation spot since 1932, this location offers miles of sandy beaches with warm safe swimming.

The tidal pools are filled with small fish and fascinating sea life. The lawn offers places to curl up to read, sunbathe or play lawn games. The accommodations provide a comfy home base. Join us on the seaside terrace for Sunday pancake breakfast and Fridays High Tea. For a week youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forgetâ&#x20AC;Ś phone toll free 1-866-658-6131.

Visit www.kyebay.com.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Pacific Playgrounds RV Park Cottages Marina, is “Your Natural Choice Year-Round Destination Resort.” Located midway between Campbell River and the Comox Valley at beautiful, sandy Saratoga Beach. Here you can enjoy river and ocean frontage, plus gorgeous mountain views. 201 RV Sites, 20 cottages, a large playfield, heated swimming pool, tot pool, playground, tennis, volleyball, group cook-out, general store, 140-slip marina, launch and kids’ fishing dock make us the ideal location for family reunions and large groups. Phone 250-3375600, toll free 1-877-239-5600. Visit www. pacificplaygrounds.com.

Park Sands Beach Resort is a family-oriented RV park and campground located downtown on the sandy shores of Parksville Bay beside the Community Park with its fabulous playground, water-spray park and BMX/skateboard park. Families have been coming here for generations to enjoy the wide expanse of sandy beach, the surrounding natural beauty, numerous recreation opportunities like hiking, biking and golf, and our central location, which makes for easy day trips to other Island destinations. For more information, visit www.parksands.com.

DREAMLAND KIDS HALF PRICE STOCKTAKING SALE 2 DAYS ONLY!!!

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see instore for details

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Phone 250 381 5437

The Natural Choice for family getaways, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort is an allseason destination offering accommodations, a full service spa and three restaurants.

Centrally located in beautiful Parksville, Tigh-Na-Mara is easily accessible to the entire Island. Tigh-Na-Mara features 192 log-style accommodation units set above 3 kms of sandy beach and the warmest ocean swimming in Canada. We offer families the most extensive spring break recreation program on Vancouver Island with exciting activities for every age group. www.tigh-namara.com 1-800-663-7373

YWCA Hotel Vancouver offers a warm welcome to all travellers, and is a comfortable, safe and affordable place to stay at the heart of downtown’s arts and entertainment scene.

All rooms are private, and there is a choice to suit your needs and budget—from single rooms to quints. The 155-room facility has guest area kitchens, TV lounge rooms, wireless Internet access, and so much more. 733 Beatty Street off Robson. 1-800-663-1424. www.ywcahotel.com. www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

31

March 2012

Generously Sponsored by

and

Family Calendar For calendar updates throughout the month visit www.kidsinvictoria.com FRI 2 First Friday Book Club at Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. Discuss great books, meet new friends, and enjoy snacks at the library.

Our March book selection is Ally Condie’s dystopian book Matched. For ages 11-14.

4-5pm. 250-656-0944.

SAT 3 Playing with Paper at Juan de Fuca Branch Library. Learn the magical art of origami—paper folding pure and simple. Join local origami expert Stephen Tran for lessons in paper folding, and experience the magic of turning a flat piece of paper into a three dimensional sculpture.

Ages 8-18; parents welcome. 2-3pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca. Info 250-391-0653.

6:30-7pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca.

Info 250-477-9030.

WED 7 Children’s Fun Hour at Hillside Centre. 10am at the Food Court. Free. With special guest HOORAY with Cory James.

Who Speaks for the Wolf? at Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. Meet Gary Allan and Tundra (the 85% wolf dog). They are visiting the library to teach us all about wolves, conservation and protection of these amazing animals. All ages welcome. 6:30-7:30pm. To register, call 250-656-0944.

THURS 8

Crafts for Tweens: Monster Doll Factory at Nellie McClung Branch Library. Learn how to make colourful, lovable Monster Dolls. Using simple materials such as fabric and felt, this course will teach the basics of creative crafting.

From start to finish, this course focuses on skill building and fun. Ages 10-12. 2-4pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca. Info 250-477-7111.

Giggles and Wiggles at the Emily Carr Branch Library. Wiggle your way to the library for a 20-minute storytime for little listeners with extra energy. Dance and giggle and learn new action stories and action rhymes chosen just for you. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. 10:3010:50am. 250-475-6100.

TUES 6

THURS 8 – SUN 11

Guys’ Night Out Baby Time at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Calling all babies and the men who love them. Join us for fingerplays, puppets, stories and songs. For dads, stepdads, foster dads, granddads, uncles, and male caregivers with babies 0-15 months.

15th Annual French Fest in Centennial Square.

Four days of celebration featuring acclaimed Francophone magician Alain Choquette. Food, music and a Sugar Shack Brunch. 250-3887350. mpcourbron@francocentre.com.

Add some Island Farms

32

Island Parent Magazine

FRI 9 Author Illustrator Dianna Bonder: Making a Picture Book at Bruce Hutchison and Oak Bay Branch Libraries. Wondering what it takes to make a picture book? Dianna Bonder will walk us through each stage of the process. Using her rough sketches, original illustrations and picture books, she will show us how she creates characters with both words and illustrations and develops the scene. For Grades 4-6, and great for homeschoolers too. Bruce Hutchison 10:30-11:30am, 250-727-0104; Oak Bay 1:30-2:30pm, 250-592-2489. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call for more info.

Spring Fling Fair at Brentwood Elementary School. Bring the family to an evening of fun and food. Carnival games, cake walk, facepainting, Central Saanich Fire/Police visit, silent auction, baked goods, used book sale, concession, and much more. 5:30-8:30pm. brentwoodpac.wordpress.com.

FRI 9 – SUN 11 Tillicum LEGO Mania Challenge at Tillicum Centre. Get out your Lego bricks and create something that will showcase the Sea and Sky. Bring your completed masterpiece on Friday between 2-6pm and enter to win Lego prizes. Meet Lego Certified Professional, Robin Sather, watch him build a giant Lego sculpture, and see lots of other cool Lego creations.

For registration and more info, visit www. tillicumkids.com. 3170 Tillicum Rd.

to your healthy, active living routine!

www.kidsinvictoria.com

SUN 11 Mystery at the Lake at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. What are animals at the lake up to in March? Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist as we walk along the shore to solve a mystery. Meet at Beaver Lake nature centre at 1pm. All ages. BC Transit #70 or #75. 250478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

MON 12 Lego Mindstorms Robotics at Bruce Hutchison and Central Branch Libraries. Calling all budding engineers and scientists. Yes, you!

Have fun building and programming a robot to follow your every command. Let us show you how to build a sturdy animal, monster, or cool vehicle with Lego Technic, then we’ll program it to use its sensors and motors to navigate around the room. For ages 10-13.

Bruce Hutchison: 10am-noon, 250-727-0104; Central: 2-4pm, 250-413-0365. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call for more info.

Masked Bandit at Devonian Regional Park.

A CRD Regional Parks naturalist will lead you on a raccoon trail for a day in the life of these little rascals. Meet at info kiosk in parking lot off William Head Rd at 1pm. All ages. BC Transit #54 or #55. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

TUES 13 Mystery Creature at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. With a CRD Regional Parks naturalist, solve the riddles to find the clues hidden along the trail. At the end, piece the puzzle together to discover who the mytery creature is. Meet at Witty’s Lagoon nature centre off Metchosin Rd at 1pm. All ages. BC Transit #54 or #55.

250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

WED 14 Children’s Fun Hour at Hillside Centre. 10am at the Food Court. Free. With special guest Tickles the Clown.

Wake Up, It’s Spring! at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Spring is an exciting time of birth and transformation. Join our resident

puppets, Lucy and Todd, along with some of their favourite animal friends, for a puppet show bursting with surprises. What is a hungry caterpillar to do? What will Jack find in his perfect nest? At this program, you’ll discover all the answers and enjoy songs and plenty of silliness. For young children and their families; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. 2:30-3:30pm. No registration required.

250-477-9030.

New Hope for Autism and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Dr. Zimmerman’s office. Naturopathic medicine and homeopathy in particular have much to offer children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and Asperger’s syndrome, as well as ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, agression and anxiety. Come to this lecture on CEASE Therapy, a new, integrated kind of treatment based on homeopathy, which helps to identify as well as treat causative factors. Free. 7-9pm. #304-2250 Oak Bay Ave. 250-590-5828.

THURS 15 Storyteller Shoshana Litman: The Magic Tree at Nellie McClung Branch Library. Celebrate trees and World Storytelling Day with fun participatory stories, songs and a craft for children. Explore trees through the magic of your imagination, movement and voice. For ages 5-12. 10:30-11:30am. Register online at www.gvpl.ca, Info 250-477-7111.

FRI 16 St. Patrick’s Day Storytime at Central Branch Library. Join us for stories of fairies and wee folk as we celebrate the magic of St. Patrick’s Day at the library. We’ll share stories, songs and a simple holiday craft. Come as a leprechaun, or just wear green. For ages 3-5.

2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl. ca. Info 250-413-0365.

Ahoy Thar Me Mateys! at Emily Carr Branch Library. Set sail to the library to listen to new and old tales about pirates. You’ll get yer own pirate name at this nautical-themed program and we’ll be craftin’ a treasure fit for a pirate’s trove. Yarrr! For ages 6-9. 2:30-

Visit our

Garden Patch

TM

3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca. Info 250-475-6100.

SAT 17 Forest Tea Party at Mill Hill Regional Park.

Forests are full of plants that make delicious teas. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist for an interpretive tea tasting featuring some of our local plants. Meet at the info kiosk in the parking lot off Atkins Ave at 1pm. 12+ years. $7/person + HST. Pre-registration required before March 16. Space is limited.

BC Transit #50 or #53. 250-478-3344. www. crd.bc.ca/parks.

SUN 18 What’s Up and Who’s Out at Lone Tree Hill Regional Park. Spring is here, and it’s time to head for the hills. Follow a CRD Regional Parks naturalist up Lone Tree Hill, looking for early signs of spring along the way. Meet in the parking lot off Millstream Rd at 1pm. 8+ years.

250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Family Sunday at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Join us in the Gallery for an afternoon of hands-on art making, storytelling and lantern workshops inspired by artists in the contemporary exhibition Throw Down.

2-4pm. 250-384-4171 ext. 0. 1040 Moss St. Information Session at Choices Adoption. A great way to start learning about adoption.

Find out about the process and programs available, both locally and internationally. A family will also be there to share their adoption expe-

See our selection of fresh flowers, plants and the accessories you need to liven up your home and garden.

thriftyfoods.com www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

33

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SUN 18 & MON 19 World Storytelling Festival at First Metropolitan United. Bringing together voices of the Victoria Storytellers’ Guild, Arbutus Singers and ChoirKids, City of Victoria Parks Department and community members to celebrate Victoria’s urban forest. Sun, 2-3pm: Trees Please!; 7-9pm: Branch Out! Mon: Stories at Fern, 7:30-9:30pm. Info at www.victoriastorytellers.org or call 250-386-7802.

MON 19 Birds of a Feather at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Games, crafts, songs and hands-on activities. Fun for the whole family. Drop in noon-3pm. By donation.

3873 Swan Lake Rd. 250-479-0211. www. swanlake.bc.ca.

ney/North Saanich Branch Library. Bring your littlest ones to the library for stories, rhymes, movement and a simple March Break craft.

Stay for refreshments and social time. Ages 0-5.

10:15-11am. To register, call 250-656-0944.

Spring Fling at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.

Come and explore the sights, sounds and smells of spring. Join in the celebration with CRD Regional Parks naturalists for exhibits, crafts and activities. Fun for the entire family. Dropin, 11am-2pm. There will be guided walks at 11:15am and 1:15pm. Meet at the Beaver Lake nature centre. All ages. BC Transit #70 or #75.

250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Marsh Madness at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Games, crafts, songs and hands-on activities. Fun for the whole family.

Drop in anytime noon-3pm. By donation.

3873 Swan Lake Rd. 250-479-0211. www. swanlake.bc.ca.

Tree Stories at Fern. Featuring Victoria Storytellers and guests. For people who love to tell stories, and people who love to listen. All welcome. 7:30-9:30pm. 1831 Fern St (please park on Begbie). $5; $3/students (includes tea and goodies). 250-477-7044. www.victoriastorytellers.org.

Storyteller Shoshana Litman: The Magic Tree at Nellie McClung Branch Library. Celebrate trees and World Storytelling Day with fun participatory stories, songs and a craft for children. Explore trees through the magic of your imagination, movement and voice. For ages 5-12. 2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca. Info 250-414-7198.

TUES 20

WED 21

March Break Family Story Time at the Sid-

The All New Amazing Race at Elk/Beaver

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Island Parent Magazine

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Lake Regional Park. Challenge yourself on this “skill-testing” and fun jaunt through the forest. Drop by 11am-2pm and get the scoop from a CRD Regional Parks naturalist. Meet at Beaver Lake nature centre. All ages. BC Transit #70 or #75. 250-478-3344. www. crd.bc.ca/parks.

Children’s Fun Hour at Hillside Centre. 10am at the Food Court. Free. With special guest Twiggly Wiggly.

Sssss-snakes at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Games, crafts, songs and hands-on activities. Fun for the whole family.

Drop in anytime noon-3pm. By donation.

3873 Swan Lake Rd. 250-479-0211. www. swanlake.bc.ca.

Steampunk Tea at Juan de Fuca Branch Library.

Calling steampunk, gaslight, and speculative fiction fans for a rather civilized afternoon tea. This is the program for you if you are a fan of the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld or any other steampunk book. There will be book discussions and the creation of a steampunk-style piece to take home, not to mention delicious tea and goodies to enjoy.

For ages 12-15. 2-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca. Info 250-391-0653.

THURS 22

Wednesday, May 16 | 7 pm Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria Friday, May 18 | 7:30 pm Rogers Arena, Vancouver Featuring the world’s best skaters Kurt Browning, Virtue & Moir, Joannie Rochette, Jeffrey Buttle and more!

Buy Tickets Now! Visit starsonice.ca or call 250.220.7777 (Victoria) or 855.985.5000 (Vancouver).

Fancy Nancy Spring Party at Emily Carr Branch Library. OOO-la-la! Come celebrate spring in style with stupendous stories and activities. Dress up in your fancy best—the more accessories the better. For ages 3-6.

10:30-11:30am. Register online at www.gvpl. ca. Info 250-475-6100.

Baby and Toddler Basics at Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. Parents, babies and toddlers are invited to a visit from our Peninsula Health Unit nurse. She will answer your questions, measure and weigh your baby or toddler and discuss immunization, growth and development, and successful nursing. 10:30am-12:30pm.

No registration required. 250-727-0104.

Plants and Pollinators at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Games, crafts, songs and hands-on activities. Fun for the whole family. Drop in anytime noon-3pm. By donation.

3873 Swan Lake Rd. 250-479-0211. www. swanlake.bc.ca.

Celebrating 200 Years of the Brothers Grimm at Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Brothers Grimm fairy tale classic Children’s and Household Tales. Join others around the world who are celebrating the Brothers Grimm this year. Storyteller Peg Hasted will be here to share some of the best Grimm tales. Ages 6+ Adults welcome too!

1-2pm. To register, call 250-656-0944.

Story Club at the Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. Listen to stories, talk about your favourite books, and enjoy fun activities.

www.IslandParent.ca

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Snacks included. This club is for kids who love stories, regardless of reading ability. For ages 5-8. 2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www. gvpl.ca. Info 250-727-0104.

of nature’s best recyclers. Meet at the Beaver Lake nature centre at 10:30am. All ages. BC Transit #70 or #75. 250-478-3344. www.crd. bc.ca/parks.

FRI 23

SAT 24 & SUN 25

Thetis Lake Teen Hike at Thetis Lake Regional Park. You’ve been to the beach, but have you been to the summit of Seymour Hill? Take a hike with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to explore more of Thetis Lake. Bring a snack and water, and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the main Thetis Lake parking lot at 12:30pm. 13+ years. BC Transit #50. 250-478-3344. www. crd.bc.ca/parks.

Fossil Fair at Swan Lake Christmas Nature Sanctuary. Who lived here millions of years ago? Dinosaurs, trilobites, ammonites, enormous clams and sharks lived in the ancient tropical coral seas and palm tree forests that covered Vancouver Island. Paleontologists will share their personal fossil discoveries, including many from this past year. Bring your family and your own fossils for identification.

Kids can follow a scavenger hunt, make fossil and dinosaur rubbings, dig for fossils in a sandbox, and take a fossil home as a treasure.

Admission by donation. 3873 Swan Lake Rd. 250-479-0211. www.swanlake.bc.ca.

Wii-nter Sports at the Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. Can’t make it to Mt. Washington this March Break? Virginia and Alison will host a friendly Wii winter sports competition right here at the library! For ages 8+. 1-2pm.

To register, call 250-656-0944.

Playing with Paper at the Oak Bay Branch Library. See SAT 3 for details. For ages 8-18; parents welcome. 2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca. Info 250-592-2489.

Tiki-Rifik Hawaiian Luau Aloha at Panorama Recreation. A little taste of Hawaii with grass skirts, limbo contest and a piñata. Prizes for the most colourful summer outfit. 1-2:20pm. 1885 Forest Park Dr. www.panoramarecreation.ca.

250-656-7271.

for early spring wildflowers. Meet at info kiosk in parking lot off Humpback Rd at 11am. 12+ years. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Par-T-Perfect Open House and Fundraiser at Burnside School Gym. Come experience a glimpse of the services Par-T-Perfect offers. Two inflatables, face-painting, balloon animals, glitter tattoos and crafts. Two hours of fun for the whole family. Money raised supports the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children in support of Jeneece Place. 35pm. $3 donation/family minimum. Prizes.

3130 Jutland Rd.

TUES 27 Guys’ Night Out Toddler Time at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Calling all toddlers and graduates of Guys’ Night Out Baby Time!

Bring the men who love you to the library and join us for a lively evening of fingerplays, puppets, stories and songs. For dads, stepdads, foster dads, granddads, uncles, and male caregivers with children aged 17 months to 3 years. 6:30-7pm. Register online at www. gvpl.ca. Info 250-477-9030.

WED 28

SAT 24

SUN 25

Ugh! A Slug at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. Stroll along with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to peek under fallen logs and leaves in search of the giant gastropods that are one

Marvellous Mount Wells at Mount Wells Regional Park. If you’ve never hiked to the summit of Mount Wells, here is your opportunity. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and explore

Children’s Fun Hour at Hillside Centre. 10am at the Food Court. Free. With special guest Auntie Winnie.

Chess in the Library at Juan de Fuca Branch

How will your child spend spring break?

Taking long walks and hitting things with a stick. Oh, and perfecting his putting.

Bantam For girls and boys ages 6-9 March 14-17 March 21-24

| 10 am to 12 noon | $79 | 10 am to 12 noon | $79

Juniors For girls and boys ages 10-14 March 14-17 | 1 pm to 4 pm | $119 March 21-24

| 1 pm to 4 pm

| $119

Prices do not include HST. Discounts for groups of 3 or more No clubs? No problem.

Visit our website for more info.

250.478.4653 450 Creed Road, Victoria (Colwood Exit) www.highlandpacificgolf.com

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Library. See WED 1 for details. For ages 8-18.

6:30-7:45pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca.

Info 250-391-0653.

FRI 30 Story Club at the Central Branch Library. See THURS 22 for details. For ages 5-8. 2:303:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca. Info 250-413-0365.

ONGOING BABIES, TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS Drop-in Storytimes for Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers & Families at the Greater Victoria Public Library. Storytimes are free and drop-in.

Please come early to find a space. Caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate.

For a complete schedule of programs, call your local branch or check out the library’s website at www.gvpl.ca.

Parent/Tot Drop-in at Gordon Head United Church. A safe place where young children can play while parents in the community connect with each other. Lots of space and toys. Tea or coffee is available for caregivers, and a healthy snack for the children. Parents are responsible for the care of their own children. Mondays 10am-noon. Info, call the church office at 250477-4142, or Maisie at 250-477-0388.

Kindergym at the Burnside Campus Gym. Join us for a half hour of free play in the gym using child sized sports equipment, balls, hoops, climbers and slides. Following free play is 15 minutes of organized game or physical activity based on LEAP/HOP and then 15 minutes of circle time. For toddlers (walking) to 5 years, their parents and caregivers. Drop-in program; parents do not need to register to attend. Tuesdays 9:30-10:30am. 250-388-5251. www. burnsidegorge.ca.

Spring Break Programs March 19 – April 5 for all kids in Victoria ages 5–16, including:

Pirate Boot Camp Passion Sports Basketball Kids in the Kitchen Byte Camp Music & Video Production And much more…

For more information or to register, visit our website at: www.smus.ca/spring, or call 250-370-6120.

Parent Tot Drop-in at the Burnside Gorge Family Centre. Come and enjoy a nutritious snack (coffee and tea for the parents), free play and time to socialize in the family centre. We have lots of toys, books, dress-up clothes, puzzles and more. For infants birth to 5 years and their parent/caregivers. Adult participation required. Free. Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:30am-noon and Thursdays 6-7pm. 471 Cecelia Rd. 250-388-5251. www. burnsidegorge.ca Toddler Art at the Burnside Gorge Family Centre. Come and get creative with crafts designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. We provide the supplies, smocks and lots of soap—your child provides the creativity.

Parent participation is required. Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am. For toddlers up to age 5 and their adult. $2/family. 250-388-5251.

Drop-in Toddler Time at Lansdowne Preschool. A great place to play and discover. For

www.IslandParent.ca

This Spring: Seasonal Wear, Toys, Strollers, High Chairs, Exersaucers & More.

Call 250-382-5225 for a drop off time.

Same day appointments often available.

Happily Serving Victoria Families for Eight Years and Counting

424 Craigflower Road Victoria, BC V9A 2V8 www.sailorjack.ca

Monday – Friday 9:30 – 5:00, Saturday 10 – 5, Sunday Closed March 2012

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children ages 0-4. Wednesdays 3:30-4:45pm (except March 14 & 21). 1468 Ryan St. 250595-5223. www.lansdownepreschool.com.

purchase a t-shirt from the centre) and your creativity. $2 donation for fabric paint. 1-4pm.

250-665-7511.

CHILDREN

YOUTH

Grimm Trivia Quiz at the Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. Test your fairy tale knowledge for your chance to win a pair of Star Cinema movie passes. Pick up a quiz starting March 18, complete it and return it to the library by March 26. A winner will be drawn from the correct entries (so be careful with your answers) on March 27. 250-656-0944.

Tech Buddies: Teen Volunteers at the Central Branch Library. Volunteer with older adults, use your skills with computers and other new technologies, and connect with someone in your community. Teens earn volunteer hours and help older adults with their questions about computers and gadgets. If you are new to Tech Buddies, please register for the Teen Tech Buddy Training Session, and bring in your completed Tech Buddy Referral form available on our website. For ages 13-18. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or e-mail teens@gvpl.ca for more info. Program runs Fridays March 2-23, 3:15-4:45pm. 250-413-0365.

Toastmasters Junior Youth Leadership at the Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. Think of the successful leaders you know. They probably all have one trait in common—the ability to communicate effectively. Kids need the Junior Youth Leadership program so they can grow to meet the challenges of adulthood and leadership successfully. Sponsored and conducted

by Toastmasters International and its local clubs, Junior Youth Leadership is for ages 8-11. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call the hosting branch for more info. Please note: there will be no meetings during Spring Break on March 17 and 24. Saturdays March 3-April 28, 10:30am-noon. 250-727-0104.

Sea-Shirt Sundays at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. On the first Sunday of each month, create your own fish fashion. Be sure to bring a pillow case, cloth bag or t-shirt (or

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Island Parent Magazine

Advance Reading Copy (ARC) Club at the Greater Victoria Public Library. Be the first to get all the new books. Get an exclusive copy of a book before it comes out in stores or hits the library shelves. Review it online and you get to keep the free book. For ages 13-18. Info, teens@gvpl.ca.

Stellar Book Review Contest at the Greater Victoria Public Library. We want your Stellar nominee book reviews. Review a book from the 2011/2012 Stellar Book Award nominee list and you could win a prize. Submit your reviews

by April 30 and let us know about it using our

online review form. See gvpl.ca/interests/teens for the list of books to consider and all the nitty gritty details. To learn more about the Stellar Book Award, see www.stellaraward.ca. For ages 13-18. Info, teens@gvpl.ca.

Hunger Games Movie Contest at the Greater Victoria Public Library. Are you psyched about the Hunger Games movie? To help you survive until it arrives in theatres on March 23, our gamemakers have designed a Hunger Games contest. Play a cornucopia of trivia challenges based on the book by Suzanne Collins, and you may reap a reward. Check gvpl.ca/interests/teens for details. This online contest runs until March 16. For ages 13-18.

Info, teens@gvpl.ca. No registration required.

May the odds be ever in your favour!

Friday Night Drop-In Night at “The Scene” Youth Centre. Come and register for a planned activity with old and new friends. Bring your ideas, and we’ll help you carry them out.

6:30-9pm. Free. Info, youthrec-bgca@shaw. ca or call 250-388-5251 ext. 254. 471 Cecelia Rd.

FAMILIES Geocaching Adventures with the Geocaching Families of Victoria. Join us at www.meetup. com for details of our upcoming meetups and to RSVP. There is a small annual membership fee to help cover costs.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Ready to Rent BC offers a free course to help find and keep a rental home. Six-week courses run at different times, days and locations. We help renters identify and deal with any barriers they may have to housing. Includes bus tickets, childminding and a healthy snack. To sign up, call 250-388-7171. readytorentbc.net.

Harmonious Family Singers & Choir. A great way for families to sing, laugh and play together. Kids, teens and adults join voices. All are welcome. First-timers can try a no-audition session any Monday afternoon or evening.

Info, sing@harmoniousfamilychoir.com or 250-385-SING (7464).

Parent Sports Drop-in at James Bay Community School Centre. Parents need time to have fun and get back in touch with their inner child.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7-9pm. $3.50/person. www.jamesbaycentre.ca.

Cook Street Village Sing-a-long at the Cook Street Village Activity Centre. Lyrics on-screen and a piano/sax duo support the fun of singing for all. Tuesdays 10:30am-noon. $1.75 for members and $3.50 for non-members (memberships available). 380 Cook St. The Victoria Good News Choir, directed by Louise Rose, welcomes new and returning members. No auditions and no age requirements. Info, 250-658-1946 or visit www.victoriagoodnewschoir.com. Come sing with us.

Weekly Bird Walk at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary (meet in the parking lot). Every Wednesday and Sunday noon-3pm.

Metchosin School Museum is open Saturdays 1:30-4:30pm and Sundays 11am-4:30pm.

An original, one-room school house built in 1871, it is set up as a classroom with old wooden desks. Families can enjoy perusing the hundreds of artifacts on display. Free. 4475 Happy Valley Rd. Wonder Sunday at the Royal BC Museum.

Explore the Museum in a new way. Bring your family on the last Sunday of each month for activities and explorations inspired by different parts of the museum. Make crafts, join special tours, and let your imagination wander away with you. Suitable for children 3-12 years old, and is included with admission, or free with membership. www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Hillside Partners with Women in Need. Pick up a complimentary Women in Need (WIN) clothing bag at Customer Service and fill it with your gently worn clothing or fashion accessories. At your convenience, return your WIN bag to Hillside Customer Service.

Hillside is offering this donation service 365 days of the year.

Genealogy in the Classroom is a web-based resource filled with student activities, teacher notes, charts and forms that can be used online or downloaded and printed. Free. www. victoriags.org/school.•

www.IslandParent.ca

Come in and see our fabulous collection of shoes:

See Kai Run Pedipeds Robeez Keen Wee Squeak

Now accepting Spring consignment

Abra-Kid-Abra

New & Used Toys, Clothing & Furniture 2024 Oak Bay Ave • 250 595 1613 www.Abra-Kid-Abra.com Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sunday 12–4pm

Braefoot Fun Days Be a part of the adventure as we take you on a wild journey through a week full of fun!

Get excited as we play soccer, roller hockey, and interactive games. Use your creativity with our theme days and related activities. Get your walking feet on as we set out on field trips.

Better save some energy to jump up and down in our popular bouncy castle. Plus more fun that is sure to keep you excited all week long. Ages 6 to 12 years old. Please bring two nut-free snacks as well as a nut-free lunch and a refillable water bottle.

March 12–16, 2012 March 19–23, 2012

Mon–Fri Mon–Fri

9am–4pm 9am–4pm

$140 $140

Also hosting Sportball Outdoor Soccer Camp

Braefoot Community Association, 1359 McKenzie Avenue To register or for more information, please call 250 721 2244 or email info@braefoot.ca

• • • •

miles of safe sandy beaches warm and safe swimming may–oct. explore the reef and tidepools comfy seaside cottages

For an experience you’ll never forget

KYE BAY GUEST LODGE & COTTAGES Comox, B.C., Vancouver Island www.kyebay.com 1-866-658-6131 March 2012

39

DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

Around the Island Visit www.IslandParent.ca for these and other events and resources for families from Cowichan Valley north to Campbell River and west to Tofino

For all travellers 733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC tel 1 800 663 1424 ywcahotel.com Your stay supports YWCA community programs

Worth checking into.

TUES 6

SAT 24

Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena.

Skate in our atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects. 6:30-8pm. Regular admission rates. Glow necklaces available for $2.

250-756-5200.

Indoor Garage/Craft Sale Fundraiser at Salvation Army Church, Nanaimo. Clean out your cupboards and have a garage sale or sell your crafts that you’ve been making. 505 8th St. 9am-2pm. 250-740-1004.

SAT 10

SAT 31

Giant Book Sale at Nanoose Library. Browse through 100’s of paper and hardback books ranging from contemporary and classical fiction, popular bestsellers, and non-fiction reading. Something for everyone, with most books priced at only $1. 9am-2:30pm. 2489 Nanoose Rd. 250-468-5320 for more information.

Brant in the Bay at Parksville Community Park. Come down to the shore and view the Brant geese and other birds through spotting scopes with the help of Arrowsmith Naturalists. 10am-2pm. Free.

FRI 16 Children’s Health Fair at Robron Centre, Campbell River. Free vision, dental and speech screening, tips on early childhood education, and resources for parents. Hosted by Success

by Six. 10am-2pm. 740 Robron Rd.

TUES 17 Lifeguard Rodeo at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.

Cheer on your favourite lifeguard team. You might even get a chance to play along. Noon4pm. $2. 250-756-5200.

MON 19 – FRI 23 Spring Break Activities at Nanaimo Museum.

Drop-in activities designed for children and their parents or guardian. Each day has its own theme and unique activity. Designed for children 5-12, but each day will have one activity suitable for preschool children as well. 1-4pm daily. Admission by donation. List of activities can be found at nanaimomuseum.ca or call 250-753-1821 for more information.

Victoria & Vancouver Island 1-866-518-7287 Nanaimo 250-756-9794 Or online at: www.welcomewagon.ca

Spring Break Out Swim. Drop in to Ravensong for some action-packed adventures each day of Spring Break. There will be different games and activities based on the themes of each day. Children 7 years and under must be accompanied by a guardian. 1:30-5pm.

TUES 20 Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena.

See TUES 6 for details. 6:30-8pm. Regular admission rates. Glow necklaces available for $2. 250-756-5200.

Oceanside Family Health and Wellness Fair at Parksville Community and Conference Centre.

Free seminars, workshops, food, and fun.

Most of the local support and service groups are represented, so you can find out about local resources to help you stay well and stay involved. 132 E. Jensen Ave. 250-951-0243.

Yo Ho Ho! A Pirate’s Life For Me at Ladysmith Parks & Recreation. Aye thar mates, ’tis treasure to be found at the pool. Come aboard me buckaroos for a swashbuckling good time. Thar be treasure to find, masts to climb. Blast the water balloon cannon and much, much more. If yer late ye be walkin the plank! 6:30-8pm. $4/person. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

250-245-6424.

ONGOING PRESCHOOL LaFF at the Aggie is a drop-in family and friends resource program for children ages 0-6 and their parents, grandparents or caregivers. Play area, free clothing exchange, food programs, free coffee and tea. Monday to Friday, 9:30am-noon. $2 suggested donation (punch cards available). 250-210-0870, laffcoordinator@shaw.ca, www.familyandfriends.ca.

Family Frolics at Frank Jameson Community Centre in Ladysmith. Bring your parent or caregiver for open gym fun during this drop-in family fun hour. Soft toys, mini-trampoline, ride-on toys, hula hoops and more. For children 1-6. Tuesdays 5:45-6:45pm until the end of March. $1/child. 250-245-6424.

CHILDREN Parent & Child Hockey at Cliff McNabb Arena, Nanaimo. A fun, non-competitive

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hockey time for children where their parents can play too. Please bring your own gloves and stick, and helmet with face cage. Preregistration required. Sundays 2:15-3pm. $4.

250-756-5200.

YOUTH Spare Blox Youth Drop-in in Nanaimo. The ultimate place to be. This is a supervised space to hang out and chill. Open to those 12-17, it offers regular gym activities, video games, movies, foosball, air hockey and much more.

Free, but you must register. 7-9pm. Mondays, Nanaimo District Secondary School; Tuesday, Oliver Woods Community Centre; Wednesday, John Barsby Community School.

250-756-5200.

Rec Room at Frank Jameson Community Centre. Play pool, ping-pong, air hockey, foosball, surf the net, watch TV or listen to music. Tuesdays 3-6pm features interactive events and Fridays 6-10pm is a drop-in with different activities planned. For 13-18 year olds. 250-245-6424.

FAMILY Our Feathered Friends at Nanaimo Museum.

Why are feathers important to understanding birds? Why do some remain close to home year-round and others migrate for thousands of kilometers? Answers to these questions and more. The exhibition’s display units and graphics provide an introduction to birds and birdwatching. Workshops and demonstrations, try your hand at Origami, and even learn to prepare a meal for your favourite backyard bird. 10am-5pm. $2/adults; $.75/ child; members free. 100 Museum Way. 250753-1821 or www.nanaimomuseum.ca for more information.

Free Sewing Classes at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Nanaimo. All skill levels welcome, from beginner to expert. Experienced volunteers are invited to come along to help newbies or just sew in a fun, friendly group.

Lots of materials and ideas. For more information, email Val at vfroom@shaw.ca search Facebook for Nanaimo Sewing Mamas. Mondays 6-9pm. 4235 Departure Bay Rd. Spring Sundays at Milner Gardens & Woodland. Come and watch the blooms as they unfold and stop in for a cup of tea or hot bowl of soup. Enjoy the woodland trails, and check out the ocean activity and the view to the islands and mainland with the viewing scope. By donation. 2179 West Island Highway, Qualicum. 250-752-6153.

Parksville Lion’s and Save-On-Foods Free Family Skate at Oceanside Place, Parksville.

Free admission and skate rentals. Children under 19 must be accompanied by an adult.

Pond hockey is not available during Family Skate sessions. Sundays. 250-248-3252.•

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

41

Top 10 Actions to Help the Environment is hosting their

2012 Second Annual Victoria

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS WORKSHOP MARCH 31, 2012 10am to 4 pm

Dyslexia Victoria Online has been featured on: “The Daily” on Shaw TV CHEK TV “Island 30” and in the Times Colonist Workshop registration and lunch fee: $85 Pre-registration includes a $10 discount!

Please pre-register early – seating is limited

This interactive workshop will benefit: Dyslexics, parents of Dyslexics, tutors, teachers, special needs support staff, service providers and anybody curious about why Dyslexics think and learn the way they do.

Some of the topics you will learn about: • Why countries like New Zealand, Australia, the UK and other parts of Europe believe Dyslexia is a “learning difference” rather than a learning disability.

• How to recognize Dyslexia in children and adults, including checklists and simple screenings.

• What teaching methods are appropriate and beneficial for Dyslexics in the classroom and home.

• Why learning styles (Visual, Auditory or Kinesthetic) are so important to Dyslexics for successful learning.

• How modern adaptive technology can assist Dyslexic students with reading, spelling, note taking and writing.

Contact us for more information and pre-registration forms at: Phone 250-715-3034 Email degraaf@dyslexiavictoria.ca

…or pre-register on our website www.dyslexiavictoriaonline.com click on the link on our home page called: “DYSLEXIA AWARENESS WORKSHOP IN VICTORIA, BC”

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Island Parent Magazine

1

Smart Shopping • Buy what you need, not what you want.

• Consider renting and borrowing things that are seldom needed.

• Buy used items from garage sales and second-hand stores.

Simple Savers

3

Transportation

• Walk, cycle, car pool and use public transportation.

• When driving, reduce idling and maintain correct tire pressure.

• Consider car sharing programs or renting.

Food Choices

• For summer air conditioning, set your thermostat to 24°C or 25°C. • For winter heating, set your thermostat to 19°C or 20°C. • Install ceiling fans and programmable thermostats.

27

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

• Use aerators on faucets and shower heads.

• Weatherstrip windows and doors.

6

Heating and Cooling

Don’t Discard

• Donate, reuse and recycle items before throwing them into the trash.

• Harmful materials like chemicals, batteries, electronics, etc. should be taken to local hazardous waste depots or recyclers.

8

Bathroom Basics

• Take short showers instead of baths.

• Close water taps while brushing your teeth.

49

Careful Cleaning

• Choose local and organic foods that are in season, and support local food producers.

• Eat less meat.

5

• Choose natural, nontoxic cleaning products • Make simple, natural cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and water.

Washing & Drying

• Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to air dry.

Close to Home

10

• Vacation, travel and work as close to home as possible.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Suki Davis

Green Driving How to wring out more kilometres from each litre of gas or a long time, I thought the cost to fill and drive my car was out of my control.

It was as if my old clunker of a car had a mind of its own and it determined how much money it sucked out of my wallet.

As gas prices rose, I started to get rather annoyed and decided to draft a plan to pour less of my hard-earned cash into my fine old clunker.

First, I decided to drive less. I pumped up the tires on my bike and chose days when I would not drive at all. I walked more and also avoided having to drive during rush hour when congested routes meant many minutes of “idle” time. When I did drive, I parked farther away from shops to lessen mileage.

But like it or not, our society depends

F

on car transport. We have kids that need to be shuffled from one activity to another.

We have places to go and people to see.

Sometimes there is just no other way to get there than to drive.

So to get better gas mileage, I first had to lighten the load. I took out extra cargo: the sand bags from last winter, camping gear from August, a mass of kids’ books and other useful things that I had carried in the car, just in case. From the amount of stuff that I removed from the car, it seemed I had been planning to have to live in the car for about a month. Extra weight means more fuel. You know, I even went as far as filling the tank only half full.

As for saving money, there are a few websites that offer gas price comparisons,

which are helpful in larger centres. I make a point of checking them, especially if I am travelling out of town. On my drive, I can fill up at the cheapest spot.

I also took the car in for a tune-up, changed the air filter and made sure that the tires were properly inflated. Efficiency really is a well-oiled machine.

Finally, I realized that it is ultimately the way that I drive that has the greatest influence on how my clunker chugs fuel. So now I drive like a stately old lady. I cruise down the road as if I were a queen floating along in a parade. I try to leave a bit early so that I can take my time.

I drive as if there are no brakes on the car, trying to anticipate when I might need to come to a stop. I pretend that my children are tea drinking clients, riding in my limo, making sure their drinks don’t spill! I accelerate smoothly and slowly, and when approaching a red light, I lift my foot well in advance and gently roll to a stop.

Yes, indeed, I am now developing habits that turn my car into a sipper, not a guzzler, of gas. After all, I am in the driver’s seat, aren’t I? Suki Davis recycles and drives moderately in Nanaimo, B.C.

Reading Writing Mathematics Assessments

Individual Plans

Tuition Assistance

Locations in: Colwood, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria Call us for information:

250-388-7225 www.readsociety.bc.ca

Science Works

www.IslandParent.ca

Victoria’s Hands-On Science & Nature Store

For Kids

For Adults

• Educational Toys • Science Kits • Capsela • Kites • Stomp Rockets

• Telescopes • Guide Books • Chimes • Microscopes • Crystals

Hundreds of Gift Items for Science & Nature Lovers of All Ages

1889 Oak Bay Ave Ph: 595-6033 Open 10am–5:30pm Monday–Saturday March 2012

43

The Importance of Family Meals aking time to eat together is one of the most important gifts you can give your child. More than an opportunity to eat, mealtimes are an important social time for children and their families to be together and connect. Eating together is an inexpensive way to help your child succeed in school and in life, improve emotional and family health, decrease obesity and even reduce the risk of drug use.

Times have changed, and today many families rarely take the time to sit down and eat together.

Unfortunately, this has been linked to poor diet quality, higher risk of obesity and disordered eating, and a higher chance of risk-taking behaviours such as smoking and drug use.

“It is very troubling when you see the research that says one third of families might never have a family meal together,” says Sydney Massey, nutrition director at the B.C. Dairy Foundation.

What is a family meal?

A family meal happens any time a child and at least one adult eat together. It is an opportunity for parents to role model healthier choices, “check in” with their child, connect and provide guidance.

A family meal doesn’t have to involve the entire family or fancy cooking. The important thing is that at least one adult sit down to eat with the child. This can be grandma having lunch with her grandchild; a single dad eating breakfast with his teen; or a mum taking her twins on a picnic at the park.

Family mealtime can be any meal of the day.

One mom says, “We have breakfast together most days—the food is easy and it gets everyone off to a good start.”

Family meals improve diet quality and promote healthy weight: • Children who eat meals with their families at least three times a week have better nutrition.

• Children and teens who eat meals with family have better intakes of vegetables and fruits, calcium-rich foods, protein, iron, fibre and other nutrients. They also eat less fat and junk food, and are more likely to maintain healthy growth and weight.

• Girls who eat family meals are less likely to have disordered eating, such as extreme dieting and binge eating.

• When there are fewer distractions and the TV is turned off, there is a better chance that hunger and fullness cues will be noticed and less chance of over-eating or under-eating.

M Child, Youth & Family Community Health South Island Health Units Esquimalt Gulf Islands

250-519-5311 250-539-3099

(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)

Peninsula Saanich Saltspring Island Sooke Victoria West Shore

250-544-2400 250-519-5100 250-538-4880 250-642-5464 250-388-2200 250-519-3490

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 250-755-7855 250-947-8222 250-731-1315 250-725-2172

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 250-949-3100

www.viha.ca/prevention_services/

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Island Parent Magazine

Family meals reduce risk-taking behaviours: • Studies have shown that teens who eat dinner with their families at least five times a week are less likely to take drugs, feel depressed or get into trouble.

• Teens who eat dinner with their parents less than three times a week are four times more likely to smoke cigarettes, three times more likely to smoke marijuana, and twice as likely to drink alcohol compared to teens who eat dinner with their parents six or seven times a week.

Healthy Families; Happy Families C HILD Y OU TH & FAMILY C OMMU NITY HEALTH

VIHA DIETITIANS

• Teens who eat frequent family dinners are less likely to have sex at a young age, get into fights or have thoughts of suicide, and are more likely to do better in school. This is true regardless of a family’s income level.

Family meals improve relationships and emotional health: • Children and teens who eat meals with their family have better communication skills, stronger family ties and a greater sense of identity and belonging.

• Teens who frequently eat with family are more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships, and they have less risk of depression and suicide.

• Eating together gives children a better understanding of family values and traditions.

They feel more secure and stable, with a greater sense of belonging.

Family meals improve academic performance: • There is a striking link between family meals and school grades. Children who eat family meals frequently are much more likely to get high grades.

• Mealtime conversations play a key role in helping children learn language.

• Children who frequently eat family meals are less likely to be bullied.

Tips for family mealtimes: • Plan to eat together as often as possible.

Make family meals part of your regular routine.

• It doesn’t have to be dinner. Try to find times that work for you such as breakfast on weekday mornings or a leisurely Sunday brunch.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

â&#x20AC;˘ Get children involved. Let them have a say in the planning, set the table, wash vegetables or mash the potatoes. â&#x20AC;˘ Eat what you usually eat to start. Later you can work on what is served. â&#x20AC;˘ Eating out can be a family meal too, but avoid eating in the car. â&#x20AC;˘ Eating while watching television contributes to poor nutrition and overweight children. Make sure the screens (TV, computer, video games and phones) are turned off during meal times. â&#x20AC;˘ Talk with your family. Tell stories about your parents or grandparents or other family members. Kids who know about their family history have a stronger sense of themselves, and are more resilient. â&#x20AC;˘ For conversation starters visit www.makemealtimefamilytime.com/free_mealtime_conversation_cards.pdf. â&#x20AC;˘ For an interactive website visit www.bettertogetherbc.org.

Make family meals a priority. Your children are watching what you are doing. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take the time to sit down to nourish your body, neither will they. Remember the amazing power of eating with your children!

Submitted by the dietitians with Child, Youth & Family Community Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Vancouver Island Health Authority.

inspiring.

Take individual lessons, join a fun group class, become a member of a choir or orchestra, and enjoy unique performance opportunities.

The VCM advantage is our engaging learning environment with world class faculty and the most complete calendar of musical programs for all abilities and all ages.

Our creative musical community welcomes you!

*OHNSON s s WWW VCM BC CA

Surround Yourself with Sand, Sea, River, Mountains and Forestâ&#x20AC;Ś t

9082 Clarkson Avenue, Black Creek, BC V9J 1B3 www.paciďŹ cplaygrounds.com

Open Year Round!

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

45

Is Your Child Struggling at School?

One day, a grade 5 girl asked, “Karen, why do they do that?” Karen’s answer? “Why does who do what?” The young lady began to tell a story about her class. Sitting near her was a boy who struggled with math.

That day, the teacher handed out an assignment to all of her students. The boy objected because he couldn’t understand the assignment. The teacher responded, “Just try.” Upon hearing that, the young man had a big temper tantrum, throwing his book on the floor. Of course, he got sent to the principal’s office.

The girl was not upset with her classmate.

Her observation was that the teacher shouldn’t have done that. The boy knew he didn’t know how to do the assignment.

He was a smart young man who had tried for years. He knew trying didn’t work so he got frustrated. His learning needs were not being met.

The grade 5 girl said, “Karen, he needs someone like you to help him.” We don’t know what she knew because she’d never been tutored. She merely had empathy for her classmate and knew that he needed constructive help. He needed a different approach. Karen’s method is radically different because it’s designed and created for students who learn differently.

For a free assessment, please call Karen.

Karen Murdoch Therapeutic Tutor

778-430-3183 karenmurdoch.ca

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Island Parent Magazine

What to Do About Technology ver since I first had kids, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do about technology—when and whether and how much to expose the kids to TV, handheld electronics, and computers.

Let me first say that eight years into this, I have not found the answers.

My kids watch more television than I like to admit. They play video games sometimes, have access to an old laptop hooked up to the Internet, and we let them use our smartphones occasionally, too. I don’t know how some parents manage to limit “screen time” to just a half-hour or an hour a day with so much technology around.

Don’t get me wrong; it’s not a total freefor-all in our household. The kids don’t have TVs in their rooms, their computer has parental controls so they can only get to kid-oriented websites I’ve approved, and we encourage learning-oriented games and shared use of the devices to try to keep their screen time social.

I think it’s important that kids are exposed to technology as a normal part of everyday life, since I have absolutely no doubt about how essential it will be going forward. Having an understanding and intuitive ability to use digital tools isn’t about getting ahead; it’s about not being left behind. Despite how pervasive technology already is today, many people still get by just fine without it, but that will simply not be the case for the next generation.

I find it amazing that in my lifetime, home computers have gone through their infancy to where they are today. My first computer was a Vic 20. Not long after that, we upgraded to a Commodore 64—it had a tape drive that used standard audio cassettes to record data on. You had to actually rewind the tape and play it to get a program to load.

I remember my dad figuring out enough of the BASIC programming language to write a nifty little program to help my sister learn her times tables. I’m sure now there’s an “app” for that.

One generation later, my kids assume everything is a touch screen by default, and

E

think I’m joking when I tell them that home computers were just invented when I was a kid (and that was long before the Internet was invented). They can’t comprehend that cell phones only came along when I was a teenager, and were the size of Mom’s purse at the time. They really looked at me funny when I told them that when their grandparents were kids, TV was just coming into common use.

Dadspeak MIKE LOWE The point is simply this: the pace of technological development is shocking when you stop to think about it. I don’t think we can even imagine what the world is going to look like in 10 or 20 years, except to know that it is going to be different than it is now, and our children have to be ready for it.

So it turns out I’m doing my sworn duty as a dad when I sit and play video games with my son, or explore a new website with my daughter. I’ve learned that letting them play with a digital camera opens up new ways for them to explore their creativity.

Not only is it fun for them, it’s fun for me too, and they are picking up invaluable skills along the way.

While I worry about how much screen time my kids are getting sometimes, I also know that as long as we balance it with human interaction and physical play, they’re getting what they need to succeed—or at least survive—in the unknown world they’ll be growing up in.

Mike Lowe is a Victoria dad of an eightyear-old boy and a five-year-old girl, and assistant producer of the Vancouver Island Baby Fair.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

GET WINTER ACTIVE!

WOW! Explore Horne Lake Spring Break Tours • Lakefront Camping • Spectacular Caves • Canoe/Kayak Rentals • Family Adventure Camps

…for programs, activities and events for everyone!

250-245-6424 www.ladysmith.ca

1-888-285-PARK (7275) online reservations:

www.hornelake.com

“Mum, let’s go to Woodgrove.”

DROP–IN & PLAY GROUP

Free for children 5 years and younger near the food court every Tuesday, 9:30 am – 10:30 am. Hosted in partnership with PacificCARE Child Resource and Referral.

PLAY HARBOUR Visit our children’s play area located near Toys “R” Us.

SPRING BREAK FAMILY MOVIES

Spring break is movie time! Woodgrove is sponsoring family movies at Avalon Cinemas.

Tickets are available at Guest Services for $2 each while quantities last.

All ticket sales will be donated to the Kids Help Phone.

March 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23 at 10 am each day.

woodgrovecentre.com Become a fan.

www.IslandParent.ca

Island living. Island style.

March 2012

47

The Ides of Everything Well, sort of… arch is birthdays, Spring Break, and Julius Caesar.

An inordinate number of my family members were born in March: my son Matthew, both Mum and Dad, grandma Kathleen, cousin Joanna, her son Roderic, Auntie Jan, niece Carla, my younger brother Ross, and me, too. Whew. Good thing that Spring Break is in there to give a little rest and perhaps relaxation in between (mildly) bacchanalian birthday bashes.

Oh, and yes, there is high school English and those pesky Ides. Brutus, one of the worst besties in print, went ahead and tainted the 15th of March for as long as people are reading, and the date was set as a cursed one. Only, facts will out, and “ides” means the 15th of anything: breaking it down, the curse was the deed, not the date.

Marching right along, I think of March, and ides, as middles. The 15th is the middle of the month, and that puts me in mind of fillings, stuffings, and lovely, interesting centres.

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Middles are where we human beings keep our hearts, and though they may be hidden, they are far from being anything like riddles, wrapped in mysteries, inside enigmas. We can put great things into the middle of other things: a slice of spicy Havarti on a grilled cheese sandwich instead of the usual cheddar, or a loved one into the circle of our arms. Happy Ides!

For cookie portion, cream butter, then gradually add sugar, and cream until light and fluffy. Slowly add milk, then stir in rolled oats. Measure flour, baking powder and salt into separate bowl. Stir thoroughly to blend, then add slowly to creamed mixture. (Dough will be very soft.) Chill thoroughly, about one

Just Eat It! KATHY HUMPHREY

Date-filled Oat Cookies cookie dough: 1 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1⁄2 cup milk 2 cups rolled oats 11⁄2 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder 1⁄2 tsp salt date filling: 1⁄2 pound dates (seeded), chopped 2⁄3 cup water 1⁄2 cup sugar 1 tsp lemon juice

hour. Meanwhile, combine dates, water, and sugar in small saucepan. Simmer over low heat until thickened to the consistency of jam. Stir in lemon juice, and set aside to cool completely.

When cookie dough has chilled sufficiently, roll to 1⁄8" thick, on a lightly floured surface.

Cut into circles with round cookie cutter (or a drinking glass). Place onto well-greased baking sheet. Bake in pre-heated 350˚F oven for 12–15 minutes, until golden, and firm in the centre. Cool on rack. To assemble, spread date filling over one oat cookie, then sandwich another over.

Proclaiming Jesus Christ as Life!

THETIS ISLAND - BRITISH COLUMBIA - CANADA

Training for Full Time Christian Service Regardless of Occupation!

Leadership Through Servanthood by Christ’s Indwelling, Resurrection Life.

Practical Bible Teaching Genesis to Revelation: Christ Revealed in the Written Word.

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Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Lasagne 2–3 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1⁄2 red pepper, chopped two stalks celery, chopped 1 carrot, finely grated 1⁄2 lb lean ground beef, or veggie ground round, or Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) two tomatoes, chopped 1 tin tomato paste salt and pepper 2 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried basil 2 or 3 cubes of frozen chopped spinach about 8 or 9 lasagne noodles (whole wheat ones are nice) 500 grams cottage cheese 1 egg sprinkle of nutmeg salt and pepper 1⁄4 cup Parmesan cheese 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated Heat large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add oil to pan; when heated, add onions.

Cook, stirring often, until softened. Add garlic, red pepper, celery, and carrot. Cook, stirring often, until all vegetables are softened and well melded. Move vegetables to side of skillet, and add beef (or substitute) to the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, eventually stirring into vegetable mixture. Stir in chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, and sprinkle all with dried basil and oregano. Pop frozen spinach cubes into mixture, reduce heat to low, and allow to simmer for 45–60 minutes, until thickened. Meanwhile, scoop cottage cheese into small bowl. Add egg, and sprinkle salt, pepper, and nutmeg over. Stir well. Mix in Parmesan cheese, and set aside.

When sauce is ready, scoop 1⁄3 into bottom of 9"x 9" square pan. Top with lasagne noodles, then spoon the cottage cheese mixture over.

Spread another layer of meat sauce (1⁄2 of what remains) over the cheese mixture, then another layer of noodles. (Please note: the noodles need not be cooked in boiling water before this.) Spread last of meat sauce over this layer, and sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese.

Bake, covered, in preheated 350˚F oven for 45–60 minutes, removing cover for the final 15 minutes to allow the top to become golden and solid. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving (if cut earlier, it will be more like pasta and sauce soup than an actual lasagne dish!).

Kathy Humphrey lives in Victoria with her husband and two children. She tries to see cooking for a family not as a chore but as a creative outlet.

www.IslandParent.ca

spring is here Spring stock has started to arrive at the WIN Stores!

1803 Cook St.

Westside Village 160-174 Wilson St. 785 Pandora Ave. Transforming Our Communities, One Woman at a Time. www.womeninneed.ca

250-480-4006 www.womeninneed.ca

Meet spike!

Check Out Our New Inflatable!

Spring break @ Panorama Recreation!

This giant crocodile is 16.2m long and almost 4m high. check it out March 19-25 during our Everyone Welcome swims. Our Fun Leader will be supervising play and organizing jungle theme games and activities. Looking for a camp - check out the many exciting camps being offered this spring break!

250.656.7271 www.panoramarecreation.ca

March 2012

49

The Skinny on Skinny Why your kids should read thin books hat book’s way too small; they’ll be finished it in a day!”

I hear this phrase and others like it uttered by parents from time to time as I recommend new reads for their child, and the sentiment never fails to irk me. It seems to imply that somewhere along the road we decided, culturally and individually, that in literature, quantity matters more than quality. A “good” book, it seems, must be at least 400-plus pages—a “good” reader is one who can get through such texts with ease. A shorter book is not “worthwhile” because it will be read too quickly, and then what’s the point? I understand the notion, and speaking as an avid reader from childhood, I know how exciting it is to receive a hefty tome that you know you’re going to be able to dive into and lose yourself in.

T

Equally, I realize that when your child is blasting through books at the same rate she/he is getting through hot meals, large books begin to look pretty appealing, if only as a means of delaying the need to acquire a second mortgage in order to maintain your kid’s book habit. However, this entire argument begs the question: why do we

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Island Parent Magazine

want kids to read? Is it simply a way to fill time, something to keep them away from screens and cell phones? Or is it because we hope they can find something in books—a meaning, an understanding, some information or entertainment, or knowledge that cannot be found elsewhere? And surely if this is the case, content should matter more than page count?

At this point I feel the need to display some rather significant numbers: Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn is 768 pages—an annotated copy of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is 272. The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson, is 464 pages—The Little Prince,

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is a mere 96.

Size, as they say, is not everything. Some of the most entrancing, life-altering prose can be found in books that weigh very little and would scarcely slow a Nerf dart, let alone a speeding bullet. Further examples of this can be found in David Almond’s quiet masterpieces for 10+, the exquisite Skellig (Yearling Books, 2000), and its superb prequel My Name is Mina (Delacorte Books, 2011). Both are slender volumes which could be, and probably often are,

dismissed as “too little” to be worth reading. Yet contained within those pages are richly-drawn, complex characters that invite you into a world of wonder, where your perceptions and understanding of life and the world you know will be challenged and changed forever. Mina is fiercely independent, proudly unusual; she’s homeschooled

Book Nook MADDY SMITH and filled with passion, imagination, and a natural curiosity that is fired by everything about her. By contrast, Michael is quiet and complicated, courageous and sensitive: a young boy struggling to balance the fears and hopes of an adult, and the dreams and wishes of a child. Brought together in Skellig by chance—or is it fate?—these children will discover what lies at the edge of imagination, and learn what it takes to perform a miracle. The recently released and much-anticipated prequel My Name is Mina is not only a brilliant introduction to one of modern fiction’s most exciting heroines; it serves as a potent reminder of the extraordinary nature of the everyday—the wonder we can find everywhere around us, if we only remember to look. Almond’s prose is humorous, breathtaking, magical and inspiring; he writes with a haunting, enchanting beauty that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading and have reentered the world with new eyes.

None of this, of course, is meant to imply that thick books aren’t equally incredibly valuable, or that you shouldn’t be thrilled when you finish a particularly enormous title (or 12). There are thousands of astoundingly good books out there that can double as door-stoppers in a pinch. The point is that, when it comes to it, what you choose to read should be based on more than appearances; after all, you can no more tell the measure of a book by how big it is than you can by its cover. The value of a book is reflected not in its size but in whether, at the end of it, you’re a different reader than you were at the start.

Maddy Smith is a children’s bookseller and an Islander born and bred; she reads, writes, and believes in the magic of a great book.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

SPRING 2012 PROGRAMS March Break Camps now available online for registration!

REGISTER ONLINE NOW!

• SPORTBALL KIDS - Junior (16-24mos) • PARENT & CHILD/ME & MY DAD (2-4yrs) • MULTI-SPORT (4-7yrs) • SPORTBALL FITKIDS (6-12yrs) • OUTDOOR SOCCER (2-12yrs) • BIRTHDAY PARTIES (2-12yrs)

• Soccer • Hockey • Football • Volleyball • Baseball • Basketball • Tennis • Golf •

van.island@sportball.ca

www.sportball.ca

250.590.4625

Vote for those that care about family and children.

Good business has many rewards.

The Early Years Awards celebrates the businesses and organizations that make a difference in the lives of families with children. It’s easy. It’s free. And it’s the right thing to do.

E VOT Y A TOD IN! &W

TO VOTE VISIT:

Deadline for nominations — March 15th, 2012 |

www.IslandParent.ca

Your Support. Their Success.

March 2012

51

The world’s BEST Children’s Consignment store (well, we think so anyways) The Island’s Largest In Store Display of Melissa & Doug Toys

ALL NEW BOB STROLLERS & ACCESSORIES Ask us how you can trade in your gently used stroller!

MUDDY BUDDY’S & PUDDLE GEAR

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Island Parent Magazine

250-748-2345

y children live to interrupt. Whatever I am doing, they barge in every five minutes or so. (Pauses while son interrupts. Re-attaches Lego wheel to Lego truck. Resumes typing.) Actually, it’s more like every two-and-a-half minutes. (Pauses while daughter interrupts. Reads instructions for craft project involving three yards of dental floss and a wad of chewing gum.

Resumes typing.) Where was I? Oh yes, lamenting the fact that I can’t even get through one sentence (pauses while baby interrupts; resumes typing one-handed while nursing baby), let alone one paragraph, without my train of thought being broken repeatedly.

By the end of the day, it’s a wonder I can remember my own name.

For this season of life, my children are little and needy. They have no concept of politeness or of patience. Since my first pregnancy, the most dramatic interruption of my existence thus far, life has never been the same. I cannot get through a task, no matter how simple, without kids butting in. There is something strangely undignified about having to brush one’s teeth in three separate sessions over the course of an hour because of this: “Mom, I need your help.”…“Mommy, I’m hungwy, I need a snaaaack!”…“Mom, when are we going?”…“Mommy, she took my sock!”

“Mommy!”… “Mom!”…“Maaaa!” Phone calls? Bill paying? Eyebrow plucking? All are fair game for interruption, and all take at least five times longer than they used to.

For the most part, these interruptions range between cute and mildly annoying, but they can cause serious distress. Once, I was listening to a dermatologist explain a funny rash on my hand when the kids interrupted. In that moment, I mis-heard a crucial point of the doctor’s spiel. To make a long story short, I ended up having a chunk of my finger removed for testing while two hyperactive children danced about the tiny office, poking each other with surgical instruments and fighting over my lap. Luckily, I had an emergency stash of Jujubes in my purse—I used my good hand to hurl the candies across the room one by one, which kept the kids busy long

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and a HUGE selection of gently used NAME BRAND clothing, shoes, books, maternity wear, furniture, toys and more…

We’re well worth the drive! Age belly – 13.

2763 Beverly St, Duncan

Mommy, Interrupted

kinderbeez@shaw.ca

www.kidsinvictoria.com

enough for the doctor to finish stitching up my finger. Had I not been interrupted while the doctor was merrily saying “So, we can do the biopsy now if you like, and get it over with!” I would have run screaming from the office. Instead, I mumbled a sort of “Sure, whatever you think is best…” reply as I used the logical half of my brain to free my daughter’s foot from behind the

Is There an App for This?

SARAH MILLIGAN suture cart, where she and her brother had inexplicably managed to wedge themselves.

(Obviously, the moral of this story is never to take children into a specialist’s office.

And if you must do so, make it clear upon entry that you are not interested in elective surgery of any kind. Period.)

All this being said, the interruptions do have their benefits. If ever I am sad, the children interrupt before I can start really feeling sorry for myself. If I am having a long, drawn-out my-mother-will-not-stoptalking-about-neighbour-so-and-so’s-scandalous-new-boyfriend type of conversation, I can count on the kids to interrupt with a fight. Their clamoring voices cannot be ignored, and they point me toward priceless things; my son showing me how he can read a storybook to his baby sister, or my daughter displaying her homemade version of an iPad, complete with a pipe cleaner USB cord. Without these interruptions, the golden moments of my life would pass by while I was too busy to notice.

So what’s a mommy to do—besides locking herself in the bathroom all day? The kids are going to interrupt anyway, even if I do. The road of life may be a little more windy than it used to be, but maybe the interruptions are writing my life’s story, rather than the other way around. For today, I will close my eyes, open my heart, put my hands into the warm, sticky hands of my children, and allow them to show me the way—so long as we are nowhere near a doctor’s office, anyway.

Dr. Ellen Laine Doctor of Chiropractic

Care for Babies, Children, Women During Pregnancy and Families • • • • •

Headache, jaw pain Neck, shoulder and arm pain Upper back, mid back and low back pain Hip, leg, knee and foot pain May help with Colic, Asthmatic Conditions and Ear Infections • Posture and Spinal Checkups

202 – 1770 Fort St

595-3989

Sarah Milligan lives on Vancouver Island.

She is grateful to her children for the joy they inspire, not to mention the endless writing material they provide. www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

53

Family Services Directory Association of Family Serving Agencies (AFSA) is a network of organizations, groups and individuals serving families. All agencies listed are members of AFSA.

parenting education and pre and post-natal services.

Our Counselling Services are free to adults and youth (12-18 years); adult and short term clinical counselling is offered for acute mental health problems. For more information call 250-385-2635 or visit 511 Constance Ave. in Esquimalt.

This directory is sponsored by BC Families in Transition (formerly the Separation and Divorce Resource Centre) is one of three nonprofit agencies in North America that offers professional counselling, legal support and education for people who are having problems in their relationships. Each year we help 10,000 adults, children and youth through family changes, separations and divorces, remarriages, and complex family situations. Whether you wish to separate or remain together, call us at 250-386-4331 or visit www.bcfit.org to see how we can help. Some evening and weekend appointments available.

Beacon Community Services, a community-based, non-profit social, employment and health services agency, serving Greater Victoria, Saanich Peninsula and the Southern Gulf Islands. Providing these services: child, youth and family services; a drop-in family resource centre; counselling; employment services for adults, youth and people with disabilities; home support; volunteer services and opportunities; community events; affordable, assisted living for seniors; referrals, information and resources; thrift shops. For Home Support information call 250-658-6407, for all other inquiries call 250-656-0134 or visit www. beaconcs.ca.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria provides mentoring programs to children in schools and communities. Adult ‘Bigs’, and child ‘Littles’, build a friendship based on shared interests, respect, trust, and the magic of everyday moments shared with a friend. Everyone needs someone to laugh with, to share a dream with, and just to hang out. No special skills, money, or experience are needed to be a mentor to a child, just a willingness to spend time together, to listen, and to be a friend and advocate—in as little as one hour a week! The positive impact of mentorship lasts for a lifetime. Contact us at 250-475-1117, email main@bbbsvictoria.com, or at our website www. bbbsvictoria.com

Boys & Girls Club Services offer after-school and evening social, educational and recreational programming for youth at four locations. We also offer support to parents of teens (Parents Together) and run Adventure Based Learning programs at our Camp in Metchosin. For more information on all our programs visit our website at www.bgcvic.org. For general information on after-school and evening programs at our 4 Community Clubs please call 250-384-9133.

The Child Abuse Prevention & Counselling Society/Mary Manning Centre is the primary provider of therapy and victim support services for children and youth in Greater Victoria who experience sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other serious trauma, or who may be at risk for sexual abuse. Therapy services include individual and group sessions for children and youth and group sessions for parents. Victim services include intake and referral, accompaniment and support for children and youth being interviewed by police, and court preparation and support for those testifying as victims or witnesses in criminal cases. No charge for clients. Contact: 250-385-6111 or admin@ marymanning.com.

Community Living Victoria supports people with developmental disabilities and their families by providing residential services, day and community supports (supported employment, parent support and independent living). Our Host agency provides direct supports for those with Individualized Funding and Home Share service. Our family support program offers advocacy, conflict resolution, education, newsletters, workshops, support groups and a resource library. Please call 250477-7231 ext 233.

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society. Our Family Services offer family resource programs with a focus on early childhood development and learning,

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) Is an immigrant and multicultural service agency. Programs offered include cross-cultural counselling, parenting programs (child care available), family violence services, interpretation and translation, diversity workshops and training, ESL instruction, volunteering, BETWEEN youth program and youth tutoring. ICA presents the Luminara Victoria Lantern Celebration. 930 Balmoral Rd, 250388-4728, info@icavictoria.org, www.icavictoria.org.

Learning Disabilities Association of BC, SVI Chapter, educates, supports and advocates for children and youth with learning disabilities and related conditions.

Services include a public lending library, individual/group support for parents and children, professional/educational workshops for parents and professionals. Child and youth programs include: reading/writing, academic skills, social/emotional skill development and Fast ForWord.

1524 Fort St. 250-370-9513. www.ldasvi.bc.ca.

Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) provides programs and services to the military family community.

Services include: 24 Hour Information Line, Deployment Information and Workshops, Short Term Intervention/ Crisis Support, Welcome/Relocation Services, services for families with special needs and responsabilities and childcare services and support to parents. Exciting Volunteer opportunities available! Call the MFRC: 250363-2640 (1-800-353-3329) for information. www. esquimaltmfrc.com.

NEED2 Suicide Prevention Education & Support provides www.youthspace.ca. A multi-portal website which offers youth support through live-chats, forums and/or from a professional counselor via e-counselling.

This service is delivered by youth and adult volunteers and staff. It is an alternative to phone based service for youth and young adults who are seeking emotional support and information for a variety of issues including mental health and addictions. www.youthspace.ca.

Located inside the Royal BC Museum | 250-480-4887 )XOO OLVWLQJ RI ðOPV VKRZWLPHV ZZZ LPD[YLFWRULD FRP

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Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Parent Support Ser vices Society (www. parentsupportbc.ca) provides support circles, parenting resources and referrals to all in a parenting role including grandparents raising grandchildren. Our training in peer group facilitation is open to the community. Support circles are free with child minding and transportation assistance available. Volunteers are always needed. Call 250-384-8042; email parent-support@shaw.ca.

Rainbows is a nonprofit society providing support groups for children who have suffered a significant loss in their lives by death, divorce or any other painful life transition.

Rainbows is not counselling, we offer peer support with trained facilitators to help children work through a 24-week program. Rainbows is offered without cost to participants and is community funded. For info see www.rainbows. ca or email Rita Henderson at nicrit@shaw.ca or Sharon Tyler at waynetyler@shaw.ca.

The Single Parent Resource Centre (www.singleparentvictoria.ca) provides support, education and resources for parents in the Greater Victoria area through free counselling, volunteer training for reception and peer helper positions, a mentoring program for single moms, and a support group for dads. The Centre also offers over 20 integrated life skills and parenting courses which are open to the whole community (fees are bydonation). Child care assistance is available based on financial need. The Centre provides a bread pantry and free clothing for single parents. Donations of gently-used clothing, small household items, books, and toys are very welcome every Monday and Wednesday. Centre hours are 9–4 weekdays. 602 Gorge Rd. East; call 250-3851114 or info@singleparentvictoria.ca.

South Island Centre for Counselling & Training is an affordable, non-profit, counselling agency serving individuals and families from all social, ethnic, and financial backgrounds. We help people with a wide range of issues including low self-esteem, depression, grief, marital and family conflict, abuse and spiritual direction. We also offer helpful “life” courses. For more information contact us at 250-472-2851; info@southislandcentre.ca.

Matinees for the KIDS! Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm All Seats $4.75

Mar 3 & 4

BABE Mar 10 & 11

PUSS IN BOOTS Mar 12, 13, 16, 17, 18

THE MUPPETS Mar 24 & 25

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Student Union Building, UVIC | 721-8365

Parent-Child Support and Counselling Is your child struggling with: • school: distractions, acting out, bullying or being bullied?

• adjusting to a new home?

• acceptance of a step parent?

• witnessing/experiencing of traumatic events?

• custody/visitation issues?

• arrival of a new sibling?

• loss of a loved one or family pet?

We are here to help with: • small & intimate parenting groups (Positive Discipline) • Parent-child Relationship Enhancement® (coaching empathy skills, the language of play, and Positive Discipline) • individual counselling and play therapy in our fully equipped playroom Sliding fee scale & flexible appointments. Call today for parenting support, child counselling, or play therapy

Nancy Miller-Stone BSW, MA & Terence Stone MA, MSW Registered Clinical Counsellors Five Directions Counselling #2 – 515 Dupplin Road, Victoria (Free Parking)

www.counsellingvictoria.ca

250 580 6031

“It is in playing and only in playing that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self.” – D. Winnicott

South Island Dispute Resolution Centre: www.dispute resolution.bc.ca 250-383-4412 Affordable/accessible Family Mediation/Coaching services. Create effective parenting plans, improve communication and understand healthy co-parenting options. Subsidies available. We also offer workshops for all ages on effective communication, anger awareness & conflict management skills.

Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre supports families living with epilepsy by providing tutoring and one on one professional consultations to help your child to live up to their full potential. We offer epilepsy education workshops in private and public schools, and keep you up to date on the latest research about medications, lifestyle and safety for your child. Visit us at www.vepc.bc.ca to find out more, and to explore our bursaries for Camosun College. Calls are also welcome at 250-475-6677.

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

55

Welcome to the Club t’s 9:30 p.m. on a Friday, I am standing in the bathroom with my partner, and we are both staring into the toilet bowl in disbelief.

The bubbling and stewing water is rising and threatening to spill over. A debate ensues about whether or not to call a plumber. We know the expense of making that call—we felt so foolish when the last guy came and charged us $60 for fishing out a lost toy that took all of three minutes to retrieve.

We look at each other. My partner is wielding a plunger and I’m in my robe with, I’m sure, bags as big as Texas beneath my eyes.

Then I suddenly wonder—what happened to us? Why, it was only a few short years ago that 9:30 on a Friday night would be the time that we would just be starting to get ready for a night out! Fast forward a few years and three kids later and our Friday night excitement is a blocked toilet.

Becoming a parent changes us in ways that are hard to imagine before having children.

Before I had children, I remember teaching expectant parents in my prenatal classes about transitioning into parenthood. I would say encouraging things like, “The first three

I

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Island Parent Magazine

months are a time of great change, but by the fourth month things should really settle down.” And then I would give tips on how to navigate that period of time such as suggesting to freeze meals, to accept help, and get as much sleep as you can. Now, these tips are certainly valid, but I had no idea the magnitude of the change about to come for these folks. I would warn: “Having a baby is a pivotal moment that is the most wonderful but also the most stressful in a couple’s relationship.” Wise words except, now that I look back, I realize I didn’t have a clue about the wisdom behind them.

Just before I had my first baby, I planned my life for the year ahead of maternity leave.

Everyone asked me what my plans were for my year “off”—which for the record should be called a year ON—and I had illusions of doing a Master’s degree, a renovation in our basement, and possibly some travelling. I thought that having a baby would be like adding a chapter in my life, and that baby would simply fit into my lifestyle. In my mind, I thought that once my maternity leave was over, life would resume as it had prior

to having a baby. I finished work on a Friday.

On Monday morning I had my first wakeup call at the grocery store when I realized that the only other people in the store were

New Parent Pages DIANA HURSCHLER, BScN mothers or people past retirement age. I had previously only shopped in the evenings or weekends. I was about to join a whole new world and this was my first inkling.

Once I had delivered my precious bundle, I tried to heed my own advice and rested as much as I could, asked for help where needed, ate nourishing food and left the housework until I felt a bit more energetic. As a “perinatal expert,” I was humbled by the demands of a newborn and healing from the birth. I slowly came to realize that although I was tending to my physical healing, there was so much more at play to becoming a new parent. It dawned on me that while I took care of my physical being, I was allowing myself the space to make the transition emotionally,

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spiritually and mentally. This is the true work of growing into your role as a parent, but it’s hard to understand this concept before having a baby.

To make the journey physically and emotionally into motherhood, I found it important to do things to maintain my sense of self.

I found it easy to lose myself and always put myself on the bottom of the priority list. For me, activities that were most helpful were doing creative projects, exercise and yoga, and spending time with friends. I also had to attend to my changing concept of myself.

My self-concept was no longer tied to what I did as a profession, so I tried desperately to find meaning in my new “job” of being a mother. I was overwhelmed physically by fatigue and lack of time for myself, but underwhelmed mentally and intellectually with the often mundane jobs of motherhood.

As I grew into motherhood, I soon realized that our job as mothers is to be the anchor of the household, and that everything we do, from meal prep to wiping noses to kissing a bumped head, provides care and stability to the family and home. Suddenly, things like doing the dishes had new meaning and were no longer pointless and mundane. This analogy of the anchor has been one that I come back to over and over in my journey as a mom.

Often times, parenthood isn’t what we expect. It is so much more than it seems; it changes your perspective on life in unimaginable ways, changes your priorities and leaves you a different person. It is an experience that is hard to understand until you are welcomed through the doors. When you arrive, new baby in tow, it feels like you’ve joined a secret club. So on that Friday evening with the toilet disaster, I was struck by how much our lives have changed. No, we don’t go out late at night like we used to. Instead, we stay in with the kids and spend time as a family, watching them grow, learn and play. This is our privilege as parents, and it is so rewarding to see our little ones light up when they discover something for the first time. I have learned so much more than if I had done that Master’s degree. Having a baby wasn’t like turning a page of my life to a new chapter.

It was like I was in a whole new volume of books altogether. And I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

Larch St.

T.J.’S

(Under Sleep Country in the REAR)

Diana Hurschler, RN BscN, childbirth educator and certified breastfeeding counselor, has been helping families in their childbearing years and beyond since 1998. Diana is the proud mama of three little ones. She can be reached at diana@hurschler.com.

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

57

Preschool & Child Care Directory CENTRAL SAANICH

ESQUIMALT

Chrysalis Child Care .........................250-652-0815 A nurturing and stimulating environment for a small group of 3–5 year olds. Qualified ECE promotes learning through play.

CIARA Early Childhood Centre ........250-386-7369 Education and fun hand in hand. Exceptional care for little ones ages 12 month-5yrs in an inclusive centre with Christian values.

COLWOOD/LANGFORD Almosthome Childcare/Preschool ..250-391-7698 Quality childcare with a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Experienced Early Childhood Educators. Nurturing environment for ages 10 months to 5 years old. www.almosthomecare.com.

Goldstream Co-op Preschool..........250-474-3011 Parent participation preschool for 3 and 4 year olds.

Qualified, experienced ECE. Mornings, afternoons and Tuesday drop-in program available. www.goldstreampreschool.org.

Jenn’s Little Bears ............................250-478-8999 A safe nurturing environment for children from infancy to kindergarten. Our Infant and Toddler Program enriches each child’s development while our 3-5 Program prepares children for kindergarten. Two separate buildings allow each age group space to grow!

Miles of Smiles Licensed Child Care .........................250-298-7374 Dedicated to offering quality care where caring, learning, diversity, guidance and fun are the priority. www. milesofsmileschildcare.com

La Pre-Maternelle Appletree Preschool .........................250-479-0292 French immersion preschool program. Small groups 30 months to school age. Licensed Christian centre/ECE. Simply Fun Childcare Centre ...........250-881-3958 A warm, loving, fun and nurturing place for children to grow and learn. We have spaces available for registration ages 2.5 to 12 in our Licensed Group Facility. We offer extraordinary childcare, before and after school programs and a preschool. Our teachers are extremely qualified with ECE training and have lots of experience.

Call Brenda to set up a tour. Let your child’s light shine bright with us!

CORDOVA BAY Carrot Seed Preschool .....................250-652-2311 Where children can discover, imagine, construct and learn through play. Wondrous natural playground. www.carrotseedpreschool.com.

Lexie’s Little Bears’ Child Care Inc. ..................................250-590-3603 A 2 acre outdoor playground! A “Learning Naturally” interpretation. Our children explore, grow and learn from nature. Beside Bear Mountain. 12 months to 5 years. www.lexieslittlebears.com.

A Growing Place ...............................250-391-1133 Half day program (AM or PM) for 2.5-5 yrs. ECE educator, small class size. Our own petting farm. Summer program for July.

Metchosin Co-op Preschool............250-478-9241 Come and visit our stunning natural outdoor playspace, warm, nurturing, play-based,inclusive program allowing parents to grow and learn alongside their child.

Exceptional ECE Staff provide an enriching experience for 2.5 - 5 year olds. Come grow with us! Est.1960.

Reg. begins Mar.1 @ 9am.

NORTH SAANICH Cordova Bay Preschool ...................250-658-3441 A bright and cheerful parent-participation preschool with a philosophy of “learning through play.” www. cordovabaypreschool.org.

Lakeview Christian Preschool .........250-658-5082 Nurturing environment for 30 month to 5 year olds in a rural setting. Christian values emphasized. Licensed Cordova Bay facility with ECE teacher.

Kindred Spirits Children’s House .......250-590-6966 Now accepting registration for a small group of 2.5–5 year olds in a purpose built Montessori classroom.

The prepared environment stimulates and engages the children at their own pace with hands on, size, age and developmentally appropriate materials. www.kindredspiritschildrenshouse.com Oak Bay Co-op Preschool .................250-592-1922 Children Learn Through Play in this parent participation school. Our bright facility is allergy-free with a large outdoor playground. www.oakbaypreschool.com.

Recreation Oak Bay .........................250-370-7200 Fully licensed, qualified ECE Daycare and Preschool with play based learning. After school care also available.

HIGHLANDS

METCHOSIN Music Makers Child Care Centre ....250-294-3916 Offering an innovative environment that develops musical abilities and encourages a love of music while following a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Group care for children 2 to 6 and infant/toddler care for ages 12 to 36 months. www.musicmakerschildcare.com

Gonzales Co-op Preschool ..............250-727-1003 Children explore their imaginations through our varied learning through play environments and large natural playground. Our Reggio-Emilia inspired program focuses on art, nature and music. Join us! www.gonzalespreschool.com.

In The Garden Childcare Centre......250-654-0306 A GREAT PLACE TO GROW. Offering preschool, full day care, before and after school care for children aged 2.5 to 12 years old. Open all year.

OAK BAY Emmanuel Preschool .......................250-598-0573 Children learn through play in our non-denominational Christian preschool near UVic. Bright attractive setting. www.emmanuelpreschool.ca.

SAANICH Arbutus Grove Children’s Centre ....250-477-3731 (Formerly known as Goosey Gander Kindergarten) Playbased, creative, active-learning programs: half/full day Preschool. www.arbutusgrove.ca.

Cloverdale Child Care ......................... 250-995-1766 Come learn and grow with us in our preschool, 3-5 year old group daycare and before and afterschool care programs. www.cloverdalechildcare.com cloverdalechildare@shawbiz.ca.

Island Montessori House .................250-592-4411 Inclusive, integrated and nurturing preschool/ full-day kindergarten. Extended day available. www. islandmontessori.com Lakehill Preschool ............................250-477-4141 Nurturing, warm environment for children to learn through play, with qualified, experienced ECEs. Different levels of participation available. www.lakehillpreschool.org.

Lambrick Park Preschool & Childcare ...........................................250-477-8131 Gordon Head’s only parent-participation preschool and childcare centre celebrating 40 years. Offering morning, afternoon and all-day preschool options, flexible participation model, and allergy protocol. www. lambrickparkpreschool.ca Montessori Educare .........................250-881-8666 Beautiful learning environments in Broadmead and Saanichton. 30 months – 5 years. Summer program available. www.montessorieducare.com.

Looking for child care? Taking care of children?

Call your local Child Care Resource & Referral for free referrals and resources.

Your community’s best source of child care information and resources. www.islandfamilyinfo.ca www.ccrr.bc.ca 58

Island Parent Magazine

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 or 1-800-750-1868 Sooke/Westshore: 250-642-5152 • Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 PacificCare (Ladysmith north): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 Funded by the Province of BC

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Preschool & Child Care Directory Neighbourhood Junior Kindergarten .250-479-4410 Offering 2 programs: “Stepping Stones” (2-3yr. olds) 4 afternoons/wk., focuses on developing positive interactions thru free play and group activities; Junior Kindergarten (4 yr. olds) 4 mornings/wk. prepares children for school in fully equipped bright classrms in Lake Hill School.

Oakcrest Preschool ..........................250-472-0668 • Two fully qualified teachers, AM classes • No duty days, wide variety of parent jobs • www.oakcrestpreschool.org Playtime Preschool ..........................250-383-3101 AM or PM preschool classes up to 20 hrs/ wk. Tillicum. Spacious facility, qualified ECEs. Let’s Talk About Touching Program. www. playtimepreschool.com.

Puddles & Paints Playschool ...........250-658-6573 Lexie celebrates 15 years as an ECE in the community.

Excellence through enriched programming. Music, art, dance and play. Montly themes and curriculum.

Supporting and encouraging your child’s individual successes.

Ready Set Grow Preschool ..............250-472-1530 A warm, caring, quality Learning Through Play environment. Gordon Head area with a highly qualified ECE. heosc@pacificcoast.net.

Rogers Child Care Centre ................250-744-2643 High Quality Care and Educational Programs. Licensed for children 30 month to Grade 5. rogerschildcare@ shaw.ca or www.rogerschildcare.com St. Joseph’s Catholic Preschool .............................250-479-1232 ext 120 • A Christian child centre for 3–5 year olds.

• A warm nurturing and challenging program • Offered by St. Joseph’s Catholic School.

St. Margaret’s Preschool & Junior Kindergarten .........................250-479-7171 Our programme for 3 and 4 year old girls offers a nurturing and educationally stimulating curriculum provided by experienced ECE staff and specialist teachers. Our state of the art facility is located in beautiful environmental surroundings. www.stmarg.ca.

VICTORIA ArtsCalibre Academy .......................250-382-3533 Comprehensive programs for Preschool through Grade 5, delivering academic excellence through music, dance, drama and visual arts. Outstanding educators, locations and facilities. www.ArtsCalibre.ca Butterfly Corner ................................... 250-381-4845 Licensed family day care in James Bay. Since 1998.

ECE. Ages 1–5. Full time. Fun & Educational. http://ButterflyCornerCreativeLearningCentre.com Castleview Child Care ......................250-595-5355 Learning Through Play & Experience. Licensed nonprofit, qual. ECE staff. Since 1958. Preschool and full-time care. www.castleview.ca Centennial Daycare ..........................250-386-6832 Providing quality childcare in the Burnside/ Gorge area for 30+ years. Snacks, lunches, Sportball and Music programs included. www. centennialdaycare.ca.

www.IslandParent.ca

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare.250-383-5132 ECE and specialist teachers provide an outstanding all day licensed program for 3 and 4 year olds in our spacious and welcoming facility in James Bay. www. cathedralschool.ca.

Downtown Y Child Care Centre ......250-413-8869 Enriched program, for children ages 3-5 years, supporting healthy child development and future school success. www.victoriay.com.

Footprints Academy ............................ 250-590-5540 Licensed group daycare for 2.5 to 6 year olds. Open 6:30am–5:30pm. Weekly music and movement classes. www.footprintsacademy.ca.

Lansdowne Co-op Preschool ..........250-595-5223 An extraordinary learning environment for families with young children. Parent participation. wwwlansdownepreschool.com.

Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten ..................250-595-7544 – Taking children’s learning forward – One of Victoria’s leading preschools and Junior Kindergartens. Balanced approach to play and education.

Programme supports literacy, numeracy. Visit www. nightingalepreschool.com. Fernwood.

Parkdale Early Childhood Centre ....250-382-0512 We offer quality care and positive experiences for children in our diverse daycare and preschool programs. Our rich curriculum includes music classes from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. parkdalechildcare@shaw.ca.

Rainbow Express Daycare ...............250-382-2314 Enriched preschool style program in a daycare setting.

Visit our website at www.rainbow-express.bc.ca.

Ross Bay Preschool .........................250-383-7445 Positive/supportive program motivating children to learn and discover. Curriculum builds on interests of the children. www.rossbaypreschool.com St. Andrew’s Catholic Preschool .....250-382-3815 A place where children learn to love and love to learn.

A warm and nurturing environment. A stimulating curriculum.

The Sir James Douglas Playschool 250-389-0500 Fun, creative and educational ECE program for 3-5 year olds to grow and develop life long skills. Come play and learn in our bright and modern centre in Fairfield.

Victoria Montessori ..........................250-380-0534 Unique, innovative learning environment combining the best of Montessori and Learning Through Play.

Open yr. round. 30mths–grade 1. www.victoriamontessori.com

View Royal Preschool.......................250-479-8067 An exciting inclusive program in an exceptional care environment. Licensed 3–5 year olds. Outside play and themes enrich this program. viewroyalps@uniserve. com.

DUNCAN Angel Care Christian Preschool ........250-746-5919 A quality, enriched program for preschool children.

Located in Queen of Angels Catholic School.

Maple Tree Play House Licensed Family Childcare ..............250-746-5060 A daycare program that provides enriched outdoor play time and activities that build on a child’s intrinsic love of nature. Healthy meals and snacks are provided. mapletreekids@telus.net..

Parkside Academy Early Learning Centre ........................250-746-1711 Offering quality, literacy focused childcare for children aged 6 mos – 12 yrs; infant/toddler; 3–5, preschool, and after school programs at Alexander, Bench, Khowhemun and Tansor Elementary schools.

Queen Margaret’s Preschool/ Junior Kindergarten .........................250-746-4185 Offering a co-ed enriched curriculum in a friendly atmosphere. Morning ECE/afternoon daycare. www.qms.bc.ca.

Sunrise Waldorf School, Kindercottage Preschool Nursery .....250-743-7253 A morning program for 3 and 4 yr olds in a warm natural atmosphere where wonder is nurtured and outdoor play is abundant. Details at www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org.

Parent & Child programs also available!

CHEMAINUS Cherry Tree Child Care Centre ........250-246-9195 Preschool program nurturing creative play and engaging learning activity. 30 months to age five. Qualified and experienced Early Childhood Educator.

St. Joseph’s Preschool ....................250-246-3191 A Christian learning environment for 3–5 year olds.

Active participation in the life of the school. Parental involvement.

QUALICUM BEACH

VIEW ROYAL

Children’s Discovery Centre ............250-752-4343 Our program recognizes the uniqueness of each child and provides a nurturing, safe and creative learning environment. Preschool, Groupcare, Out of School care. ECE qualified staff. childrensdiscoverycentre @hotmail.com.

A Secret Garden Preschool .............250-380-8293 Program built on Christian values. Monthly themes, weekly topics and daily activities. asecretgardenpre school@shaw.ca

Little Star Children’s Centre ............250-752-4554 Earth friendly preschool education inspired by nature.

Kinder-Prep classes. Licensed group care. ECE instructors. www.littlestardaycare.ca. littlestar@shaw.ca.

Little Friends Childcare ....................250-479-8234 “Learn through play” group childcare centre. Infants/ Toddlers/30mth–5yrs daycare and morning preschool near Knockan Hill park.

Little Wonders Preschool (VROSCS) ..........................................250-744-2718 A creative and suuportive program that will prepare your child for a lifetime of learning! OSC also available. www.viewroyalosc.com.

NANAIMO Nanaimo Parent Participation Preschool ..........................................250-753-1939 Experienced, caring and energetic ECE using learning through play in an enriched environment. www.nanaimopreschool.com.

March 2012

59

Ad Directory 5 Directions Counselling ............ 55 Abra Kid Abra ............ 39 Amati String .............. 25 Arbutus Music ........... 34 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria .................. 30 Bellies in Bloom ......... 15 Blue Vista Resort ........ 21 Boardworks ............... 23 Braefoot Community .. 39 Burnside Gorge Community Centre.. 53 Buteyko Canada......... 20 Camp Columbia ......... 13 Camp Imadene ............ 4 Camp Pringle ............. 30 Camp Qwanoes .........BC Capernwray Harbour .. 48 Chatterblock .............. 19 Children’s Education Fund ...................... 64 Cinecenta .................. 55 Compost Education Centre ................... 38 Conseil Scolaire ........... 7 Dreamland Kids ......... 31 Dyslexia Victoria ......... 42 Falcon Gym ............... 23 Finn & Izzy ................ IFC Fired Up Ceramics ..... 20 Fotoart Photography ... 49 Francophone Society .. 34 Highland Pacific Golf .. 36 Hip Baby ................... 63 Horne Lake ................ 47 Island Farms .............. 32 Island Montessori ......... 4 IMAX ......................... 54 JamTots .................... 16 Kaleidoscope Theatre .................. 21 Kate Rubin Theatre & Drama ................ 25 Kinderbeez ................ 52 KIV ............................ 56 KUMON .................... IBC Kye Bay Resort .......... 39 Ladysmith Parks ........ 47 Dr. Ellen Laine............ 53 Lalabee Bathworks..... 17 Little Steps .................. 9 Making Tomorrow Conference ............ 53 Maria Montessori ....... 13 Maritime Museum ...... 51 Matraea Mercantile .... 18 Mary Winspear Centre ................... 18 Mothering Touch ........ 57 Karen Murdoch .......... 46 The OCEAN 98.5 ......... 1 Pacific Playgrounds .... 45

60

Pacific Rim Whale Festival .................. 41 Pacific Undersea Gardens ................. 17 Panorama Recreation ............. 49 Park Sands ............... IBC Pemberton Holmes .... 11 Pirate Adventures ....... 63 Pizzeria Prima Strada . 16 READ Society ............. 43 Recreation Oak Bay.... 24 Red Balloon .............. IBC Restart Computers ..... 27 Richard Scarry Concert.................. 52 Royal BC Museum ....... 2 Saanich Dental ............ 9 Saanich Recreation ... IFC Sailor Jack ................ 37 Scallywags ............... IFC School for Ideal Education.............. IBC Science Works ........... 43 Serious Coffee ........... 41 Sportball.................... 51 St. Margaret’s School ... 5 St. Michaels University School .... 37 Stars on Ice ............... 35 Story Studio ............... 24 Success by 6 ............. 51 Swan Lake ................ 23 TheatreOne ............... 47 Thrifty Foods.............. 33 Tigh-Na-Mara ............ 31 Tillicum Centre............. 4 TJs ........................... 57 Tom Lee Music .......... 20 TS Consulting ............ 12 UVic Exercise Science ................. 10 UVic Dept of Psychology............. 27 Veselka Dance ........... 37 Victoria Conservatory of Music ................ 45 Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre . 55 Victoria Kids Consignment.......... 38 Victoria Midwives ......... 8 Victoria Recreation ..... 62 VIHA.......................... 44 Vitamin Shop ............. 15 Welcome Wagon ........ 40 Westshore Parks ........ 22 Westside Stables ....... 10 WildPlay .................... 63 Women In Need ......... 49 Woodgrove Centre ..... 47 YWCA Hotel ............... 40

Island Parent Magazine

Dirty Laundry ver the washing machine was a note with the landlord’s phone number and a promise that if the machine broke again from overloading, the cost would go up.

Someone had written in thick black marker on the top margin: It smells like diaper in here.

My cheeks flamed when I read it. But why was I embarrassed? Every diaper we washed in that machine had been pre-washed in our bathroom sink. Our sink had become a no-go zone—dropped toothbrushes had to be abandoned—but no poop made it into the washer.

Also, yes, our laundry room smelled, but that was from the tube socks and towels that were often pulled from the washer and left for days in soggy mildew-rank piles before their owners returned for them. I took the sign off the wall, folded it neatly in half, then in half again, and dropped it in the recycling box.

When I went back to transfer my wash to the drier the note was in its original spot.

I ripped it off the wall and brought it into the apartment.

“Someone hates us,” I said.

Mike took the paper from me and read it.

“Everyone knows what apartment we’re in,” he said.

“What should I do?”

“If they have a problem they should come talk to us.”

“Should I write something back, or not?”

“Write that.”

So in small penciled letters beneath the complaint I wrote: If you have a problem, please speak to us directly.

I spent the next day obsessing over who could have written the note. No one came to speak to us. But the day after, a reply was added: “It’s unhygienic and a health hazard.

Not right!” It was written in the same pen, but with different handwriting, a random mix of capital and lower case letters.

I brought it to Mike, demanding to know if I should write a reply. I was silently composing something brilliant. But Mike shook his head and ripped the page in half.

I pulled out the computer.

“What are you doing now?” he asked.

I waved him away. What I was doing was searching “diapers, public Laundromat, hygienic.” I wanted to be certain they didn’t have a point.

In seven months of parenting I’d made a lot of mistakes. The “Diaper Mistakes” list

O

was already as follows: buying an entire set of cloth diapers before Angus was born instead of waiting to see which ones worked best (not ours), also buying two containers of horrible Penaten (ugh!), settling on Vaseline (“of course he has a rash, you’re slathering him with a petroleum bi-product!”) applying zinc to said rash without a paper liner to protect the cloth diaper (destroying the absorbency and forcing me to strip the diaper inserts by boiling them on the stove in the canning pot).

Maternity & Beyond LAURA TRUNKEY However, in the 30 minutes I spent Googling, the only thing I came across about the risks of public diaper-washing was a warning about build-up from other people’s detergent contaminating the diapers. For now, the mistakes list didn’t need an addition.

Ironically, the note was written the day after our first delivery from the diaper-service. The cloth diapers we’d bought for Angus were far from leak-proof, so we had weighed the cost of the service against the cost of buying a completely new set of diapers, plus the cost of laundry (doubled for the extra rinse), then added on the time spent doing that laundry (and waiting for the single machine) and the time and general unpleasantness of the by-hand pre-wash. Then we considered how that unpleasantness would skyrocket once Angus started eating more and more solid food. There was no contest.

I have added to my list of “Diaper Mistakes”: not getting a diaper service from Day 1. It’s the ease of disposables without the environmental cost and the reeking garbage loads. Minimal leaks. A rash-free bottom without the need for any cream. And way less time spent in our smelly laundry room.

Still, I’m tempted to throw some of the old diapers in the washer every so often, just to keep things interesting.

Laura Trunkey is the mother of the amazing Angus. She’s a writer and a children’s writing instructor at Story Studio. She can be reached at laurajtrunkey@gmail.com.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

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March 2012

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Let Me Tell You About the Birds & the Bees... ave you ever wondered about the ins and outs of non-human animal reproduction (come now, who hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t)?

Well, wonder no more, and read on for an unveiling of some of our native animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most titillating secrets.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start from the beginning: attracting a partner. The males of most species take this job very seriously and have come up with a variety of techniques; from the popular bright colours to the lesser known egg pirating. You read rightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Three-Spined stickleback male actually steals other maleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s precious fertilized eggs to stock his own, thereby proving that he is able to resist the temptation to eat them and has a safe nesting site. If a female falls for the trick she will soon add her own eggs to his nest.

However, some other groups of females donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much say in their mate of choice, falling victim to some pretty sneaky males.

In their vast winter roosts, Little Brown bat

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males may have their way with the sleeping females. And despite female bullfrogs being attracted to big, singing males (Three Tenors of the frog world if you will), smaller frogs will lurk in silence and creep up on the oblivious females as they are attempting to seek out their heartthrobs.

But once a male of any species has found a female, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no telling how she might react to his lustful advances. After getting what she needs from the male, some gals will then make a meal out of him. This is often the case with spiders, making fluid exchange a bit of a tightrope act, especially considering that many males have the equivalent of two penises (known as pedipalps), on either side of their mouth and the female spiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genital openings are on the underside of her belly. So much for keeping your distance in the event she works up an appetite!

Competition between the males within a population can be a major distraction

from getting down to business. But any male who can prevent a female from mating with his rival will sire more children than a less controlling fellow. Foes may fight tooth and nail, but in the end a rather ingenious system that bats, rats, worms, snakes, spiders, butterflies, squirrels, mice and many others have developed to control

Nature Notes CORAL FORBES female promiscuity is their own form of the chastity belt! No need for buckles or metal here; these guys use a kind of cement, cork or even glue that will stop another maleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sperm from reaching his mateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eggs.

Male honeybees take this idea even one step further but do not live to tell the tale.

They create a plug by actually exploding upon climax, leaving their genitals inside of the queen! Since a queen mates just mere days before returning to the nest to have her half million children, 25,000 males may as-

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Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

semble to contend for a chance with a single queen, and most drones will die virgins. So, if the lucky bee can prevent just one other male from copulating with the queen then he will fertilize a larger portion of her eggs and more of his genes will get passed on to the next generation (the whole point of all of this activity!).

Of course, with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In many species the next male in line will likely have a way to remove an obstruction, such as with his specialized phallus. In case you are curious (and who wouldn’t be?), the fanciest penis prize goes to the unassuming damselfly. This impressive appendage has an inflatable bulb Fir and two horns at the tip plus longGrand bristles down either side. Take that interesting fact to your next cocktail party.

In contrast, most male birds (except swans and ducks) do not have penises, proving once and for all that size doesn’t matter (if you’re a bird that is). Instead males and females copulate by quickly pressing their genital openings together. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to see an Anna’s Hummingbird mating, I can assure you this is very much a “Wham, bam, thank you Ma’am” kind of event.

Just to shock and confound you even further, some species are hermaphrodites (meaning that they are male and female simultaneously). These animals have a couple of options for procreation: unilateral copulation—one partner plays the male role and the other plays the female, or bilateral—both partners inseminate each other at the same time. Banana slugs perform the former and many only get one shot at being male. Their penises are gigantic and complex, often getting stuck during the act!

When attempting to part ways the slug or its partner has to gnaw off the offending phallus. Sadly for the slug I’m sure, it does not grow back and so from that point on, the slug has no other option but to play only the female role.

So now you know that there is more to “the birds and the bees” than what Mom and Dad may have taught you. From courting, to competing, to the act itself, the animal kingdom never ceases to amaze!

Coral Forbes, Naturalist at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, has just laughed through the book Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to all Creation and recommends it to those wanting to know more about what those animals are getting up to.

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2012

63

Cut It Out!

Tips from Parent Educator Allison Rees of LIFE Seminars

Tips for Time Out ime out was meant to replace spanking, which sounds like an awfully good idea! However, it can easily turn into punishment or love withdrawal if not handled properly, so if you are screaming, yelling or threatening time out, you really need to CUT IT OUT! Time out is meant to be a cooling down period, not a sentence of solitary confinement.

Practice time out with your child/ren at a neutral time. Ask them what they can do to calm down. Teach them that the timer starts when they are calm and it is just a few minutes. Let them know that we all need space when we feel out of control or overwhelmed.

• Role model timing yourself out if your children are old enough to be left unsupervised.

• Don’t call the time out spot the naughty spot…just a cooling, calming

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spot. It isn’t naughty to have strong feelings, especially when you are a kid.

• Stay calm when calling for a time out and associate it with aggressive behaviour.

• Occasionally, kids can’t hear “no” for an answer or “please.” In this case you can count it down, that’s one, that’s two, that’s

three—take five….but it isn’t magic, it is the parent staying calm, not talking, nagging and threatening, and giving a child time to make a productive decision.

• When the time out is over, validate their feelings while giving ideas for managing behaviour. Forcing an apology is teaching children to lie. I wouldn’t do that.

• Have a time “IN” which is inviting a child to sit beside you to breathe and find some peace. Teach them to breathe and find more neutral thoughts.

The correct use of time out isn’t love withdrawal. It is a chance to have some distance so that calmer minds can prevail. Doesn’t that need to happen in all relationships? I like this as a parenting tool—it is immediate and done with. It gets it out of the way so you can get on with good loving!

LIFE Seminars has two books available, Sidestepping the Power Struggle and The Parent Child Connection. See www. lifeseminars.com.

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