THE MUST-ATTEND EVENT FOR PARENTS
& STUDENTS
LEARN HOW TO FIND A SCHOOL THAT SUITS YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS... AND THE DIFFERENCE IT WILL MAKE!
VANCOUVER
Sunday, November 8
The Westin Bayshore • 12 to 4pm
Speak with education experts, learn about affording tuition, and meet with top schools:
• Preschool to high school
• Montessori
• Boarding
• Special needs
• French & English
World Leaders in Education Ages 1-5
Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we are thrilled to serve our local communities further in extending full CEFA Tuition Scholarships to the following lucky winners:
The Bantra Family whose daughter Sayesha will be attending CEFA Surrey-Fleetwood
The Feng Family whose son Phil will be attending CEFA South Surrey-Panorama
The Kramer Family whose daughter Mya will be attending CEFA Langley-Walnut Grove
The Pecchia Family whose daughter Sophia will be attending CEFA Surrey-Guildford
The Pham Family whose daughter Rhodesia will be attending CEFA LangleyWillowbrook
Congratulations to you all. We look forward to welcoming you into the CEFA family! www.cefa.ca
yfrom our family to yours
ou may have noticed that the temperatures are creeping lower and lower, and many of us are retreating indoors to the eventual rain that comes to the Lower Mainland. We feel your pain and we’re also missing the warm summer days, but our community is stunning this time of year, so be sure to get out and explore…just be sure to pack your umbrella!
October marks our annual Fall Fun feature, and WestCoast Families is determined to keep you entertained and occupied, no matter the weather! So grab our fall fun suggestions and check off some local bucket list items. We’re also presenting our monthly news features, with an amazing idea for donating your newborn’s cord blood to help others, and tons of events, activities and more in our community calendar.
Don’t miss our annual Baby Guide insert too, which has all the tips, tricks, products and services for new and expecting parents and their families. We have some excellent features on baby showers, midwifery and more, so keep this insert aside for other parents you know!
Once again, we thank our readers for picking us up and browsing all that the Lower Mainland has to offer!
Assistant Editor
wcf presents
Baby and Tot Show
October 24-25, Tradex Centre, Abbotsford BC’s Largest Baby & Toddler Expo. A valuable event for expectant parents & families. www.babyandtotshow.com
Heart-Mind Conference
October 2-3, Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre
Helping children meet the challenge of keeping real human connections in our digital world. Two days of presentation, workshops and networking to explore, learn and inquire. www.dalailamacenter.org/program/heart-mindconference
Neuroplasticity and Education: Strengthening the Connection
October 23, Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver Join parents, educators, and health care professionals to hear an amazing line up of world renowned pioneers speak about the connections between education and neuroscience. www.neuroplasticityandeducation.com
G Day for Girls
October 23, Creekside Community Centre, Vancouver
A fun-filled and inspiring day-long event to celebrate and empower 10-12 year old girls. www.gdayforgirls.com
westcoast families westcoastfamilies.com
Managing Editor Andrea Vance editor@westcoastfamilies.com
Assistant Editor Kelly S. Thompson kelly@westcoastfamilies.com
Contributing Editor Jodi Iverson jodi@westcoastfamilies.com
Art Director & Layout Krysta Furioso studio@westcoastfamilies.com
Administration Jennifer Bruyns admin@westcoastfamilies.com
Accounts Receivable & Payable Jennifer Brule finance@westcoastfamilies.com
Advertising sales@westcoastfamilies.com 604.249.2866
Published by National Families Network Publisher: Andrea Vance publisher@westcoastfamilies.com
For distribution inquiries, please email publisher@westcoastfamilies.com
For submissions to our community calendars, please email admin@westcoastfamilies.com
To share your feedback, please email editor@westcoastfamilies.com
Contributors
Nicole Breit, Jennifer Bruyns, Krysta Furioso, Jodi Iverson, Nic Enright-Morin, Kelly S. Thompson, Heidi Turner, Andrea Vance All contents copyrighted ©. Written permission from the publisher is required to reproduce, quote, reprint or copy any material from WestCoast Families
Mailing address: 1215-C56 St. Box 18057 Delta, BC V4L 2M4
Trick or Treat with Phoenix Gymnastics!
Have a ball at the Halloween Family Fun Day on October 25th. Winners will receive one of five tickets, valued at $20 each. Tickets offer entry for three children and their parents to time in the open gym, a sundae bar, carnival games, photo booth, bouncy castle, haunted house and more!
Deadline to enter: October 20, 2015
Enter at www.westcoastfamilies.com
Skate Away with Disney
Don’t miss your chance to win one of two family four-packs of tickets to Disney on Ice, presenting Frozen! Join your favourite characters from this loveable tale, as Anna and Elsa take you to their wintery wonderland full of music, fun, and ice!
Deadline to enter: October 30, 2015
Enter at www.westcoastfamilies.com
westcoast finds
Underables
These adorable pajamas and basics have a conscience, thanks to this mom-run company based out of Vancouver. The owners ensure materials and clothing items are responsibly made and sourced, from the farmers to the factory workers, meaning you’ll feel good when you don Underables’ luxurious fabrics, made for the whole family.
www.underables.com | $10 and up
Lusomé
With a name like this (an old Scottish term for “desirable”), these classy and elegant styles of women’s sleepwear won’t disappoint. Sweat wicking fabric and colourful patterns mean you’ll be stylish at all times, whether lazing in bed or lounging midday.
www.lusome.com | $50 and up
Stonz Boots
These easy to put on (and stay on) winter booties come in a wide range of colours and styles to accommodate your little one as they grow. The handy bungee cord strap keeps little toes warm, even when they forget their socks.
www.stonzwear.com
$45 and up
local
YOUR CANADIAN BABY STORE
on our cover...
10-month-old Tobias is a smile a minute, and gave us one of his best for this year’s Baby Guide!
Photographed by Dylan Doubt www.dylandoubtphotography.com
www.baby-guide.ca
Managing Editor, Andrea Vance editor@westcoastfamilies.com
Assistant Editor, Kelly S. Thompson kelly@westcoastfamilies.com
Contributing Editor , Jodi Iverson jodi@westcoastfamilies.com
Art Director & Layout, Krysta Furioso studio@westcoastfamilies.com
Administration, Jennifer Bruyns admin@westcoastfamilies.com
It’s time for our annual Baby Guide, which offers new and expecting parents all the info, resources, and tips they need for raising their little one in the Lower Mainland. Parenthood is fraught with choices and decisions about how to raise the baby, what products to buy and what companies are trustworthy. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you by finding some of the best local goodies that will make having a baby easier to manage.
We’re also featuring a discussion on midwifery in BC, as it can be hard to differentiate their services between doctors and doulas. We’re also bringing you a great article about local services, restaurants and meetups that help to soothe the isolation that can come with having a newborn, by getting new parents out of the house. We want to show you newborn-friendly spots that won’t make you feel alone in the parenting sleeplessness! And are you bored with typical bridal showers? We bring you some unique alternatives to the standard snacks and party game shower.
Whether you’re a new parent, an aunt or uncle or someone who values local products and services, we know that our Baby Guide will help you find all that you need to make welcoming your newborn a positive and exciting experience.
Contests
The GREAT Baby Guide Giveaway
Baby Shower Gifts Finding that special one of a kind item for baby
Get out of the House! Coping with post-natal Isolation
Accounts Receivable & Payable, Jennifer Brule finance@westcoastfamilies.com
Advertising, sales@westcoastfamilies.com
The Modern Midwife How midwives are surging in popularity 3 10 6 13 4 12 8
Baby Guide Annual Resource Listings
www.twitter.com/wcfmag www.facebook.com/westcoastfamilies www.pinterest.com/wcfmag
Not Your Average Baby Shower Unique Alternatives
Post-natal Programs Helpful Programs After Baby Arrives
Soothe to Sleep
The Sleeping Child is giving away a one-on-one Sleep Consultation, valued at over $500! Since these assessments are done virtually, parents all over the province will benefit from this prize pack. Let the Sleeping Child guide your family to a positive sleep plan for your little ones, with follow up and other resources! The whole family will benefit!
Deadline to enter: April 30, 2016
Enter at www.baby-guide.ca
Between You and Me Teething Rattle
These high-quality teething rattles are made from wood and silicone, perfect for cutting baby’s teeth. They’re made right in Vancouver with food grade silicone and sensorial sound and touch that babies will love using to soothe their angry mouths. Best of all, mom can wear it as a bracelet between gnawing! www.betweenyouandme.ca | $21
Petit Loulou Baby Toys
Made right in Vancouver, we can’t get enough of these soft, vibrant and unique baby toys. Parents can customize with added rattles and squeakers, while kids will be endlessly stimulated by the ribbons, nubs and colours of their special toy.
www.etsy.com/shop/PetitLoulouShop | $20-45
From the Seeds Fabric Bucket
Storage is made snazzy with these adorable fabric buckets. They come in a variety of colours and sizes and can be used to collect stray toys, clothes, or whatever your little one wants to fill them with. Home décor for the nursery has never been so cute.
www.fromtheseeds.etsy.com | $17
Matt and Nat Raylan Diaper Bag
Pack all of baby’s essentials in style with this bag from Matt and Nat. Made in Quebec, these products are all vegan but don’t skimp on pizzazz. No one will know that inside are diapers, handy pockets and everything else to keep you and your child on the go.
www.hipbaby.com | $190
Tanya’s Pick! From Snugglebugz.ca
Baby Jogger City Select Stroller
All new parents should have this Baby Jogger City Select Stroller, with the titanium colour unique to Snuggle Bugz! This easy-to-maneuver stroller includes 16 configurations, a second seat, and endless accessory options for new parents.
www.snugglebugz.ca | $900
Not Your Average Baby Shower
Unique Alternatives to Traditional Showers
by Kelly S. Thompson
w
e’ve all been to and loved baby showers. It is a time to celebrate a new mother, her partner and a soon-to-be welcomed child into the world, and to help the new family prepare for the little one. But if we’re all honest, we could think of better ways to spend our time than peering at melted chocolate bars in diapers or seeing who can drink the fastest through a bottle. WestCoast Families decided to explore some baby shower alternatives for the next time someone you love is about to welcome a newborn into the world.
Stock the Library Party
Sometimes, showers in general can feel like a bit of a gift grab. For those strapped for cash, receiving an invite to a shower can bring feelings of anxiety and for the parents-to-be, this can make a celebratory event something stressful. Instead, why not have a no-gifts get together with simple food and drinks, or set a theme that allows guests to easily afford a coordinated gift. This is why many mothers are suggesting “Stock the Library” parties, where guests are encouraged to bring their favourite children’s book for the new baby. Not only is this a loving and sentimental way to give something special to the new family, but also gives insight into each guest as they explain why a book made an imprint on their own lives. Guests will love knowing that the new child will also be given the gift of literacy as their parents read from a library stocked by the people who love her.
Gender Reveal Party
For parents who choose to know the sex of their baby in advance, this can be one of the most exciting details to share with family members. But more and more people are choosing to have an event dedicated to letting loved ones know if the baby is a boy or a girl. Sometimes the parents don’t know and it is a friend who is told the gender and then coordinates the party accordingly. Guests can hedge their bets and there is lots of fun to be had surrounding guessing the sex. Think of creative ways to reveal, such as cutting a cake (to find blue or pink cake inside), wrapping a gift with several layers of paper until the final reveals the appropriate colour, or doing a digital montage of photos that culminates in the gender reveal. Whatever method chosen to reveal the baby’s gender, everyone will love being part of the surprise and helping the new parents celebrate their little boy or girl.
Have a Bro-Shower
It’s hard to deny that men are a big part of making a baby! So why shouldn’t the father and his friends be invited to the baby shower or even have one of his own? If the event is going to be decked out in crustless sandwiches and fluffy pink pillows, men are likely to retreat to the basement like boys and girls separating at a junior high dance. So if males are invited, make the event friendly to both genders. Why not play a game of poker, with the winner getting a certificate to a nice dinner out? Or operate a Guitar Hero competition while snacking on traditional pub fare that everyone will love? Whatever games or events you choose, men don’t have to be excluded from the fun if they’re considered part of the party.
Spa Party
Showers can sometimes feel like work. Between the planning and the buying, the shopping and the cooking, hosts and parents alike often slip into a state of exhaustion once the event is over and the final plastic cup has gone in the trash. Prevent this party fatigue with a spa party, using one of the many mobile spa services that operate in the Lower Mainland. Let the mother-to-be sit in the comfort of her own home while her closest female (or male!) friends also get pampered with manicures, massages or even a little hair updo. Everyone will leave feeling relaxed and most importantly, the mother will be preened and prepared to welcome her baby into the world.
Sip and See
When a baby is born, everyone wants to see the little one and congratulate the parents on a job well done. But this is a hectic time for the new family and countless visitors can feel daunting when sleep deprived, although parents are often keen to show their baby to their loved ones. Sip and Sees are a type of shower held after the baby is born, usually several weeks later (to give mom a chance to get used to her new routine), allowing everyone
to meet the baby at one scheduled time, instead of a consistent trail of wellmeaning visitors. Consider a two-hour open house where family and friends can come and go as they please, cuddle the baby, and have a small bite to eat before wishing the family well.
Mother Blessing
Baby showers are often a reason to give gifts for a new baby, but rarely does the new mother receive something that helps her to relax and prepare for this large change in her life. That’s why some people are considering Mother Blessings, events held before the birth of a child and designed to support and offer blessings to the mom-to-be. This is traditionally a female only event, where loved ones share their own birthing stories, advice and well wishes for the new mom in a loving and supportive environment. Mother Blessings usually involve some sort of spiritual ceremony, whether it is an offering to the mother or perhaps a bead ceremony, where each guest procures a special bead to be made into a bracelet to give the mother strength during her birth. These events sometimes blend a type of spa party too, with massage or spa services for the mother to help her prepare for the work of raising a child.
Whatever method you choose to celebrate a new baby, be sure to do it with the ones you love, as it takes a village!
The Modern Midwife
How midwives are surging in popularity
by Heidi Turner
there are a few questions that are typically asked of a pregnant woman, including whether she’s having a boy or girl and if she’s planning on a natural birth. Nowadays, pregnant women are also being asked whether they’re using a doctor or a midwife. While childbirth was traditionally the doctor’s domain, more British Columbian women are turning to midwives for pregnancy care. The reasons for this trend are plenty, including personal preference, lack of access to doctors, and a desire for at-home care following birth. So what are midwives and why are women turning to them?
Midwives provide primary care to women throughout pregnancy, including during childbirth. They offer a full range of services and are able to monitor the pregnancy, identify issues and, if necessary, refer the expectant mother to a doctor or specialist for treatment. Additionally, midwives assist during preconception and post-birth, providing care for the mother and infant. This allows women to give birth in a hospital, at home, or in a clinic, with at-home care visits offered in the first week following pregnancy.
“Midwives offer education and support, and show mothers different options for their pregnancy,” says Michelle Butler, Ph.D. and director of the UBC midwifery program. “They monitor the pregnancy and ensure everything is going well. The midwife supports the mother to achieve her goals during birth. She also prepares the mother for parenthood and gives initial care to the baby. It’s a similar role to a family doctor, with the midwife making referrals if issues arise.”
A Complicated History
Although midwives have been around in some form since women have been giving birth, it was not long ago that midwifery was maligned and women were discouraged from using anyone other than a doctor for pregnancy care. In the 1990s, after decades of lobbying from midwives, the tide began to change and the B.C. government announced it would legalize midwifery. In 1995, the College of Midwives of British Columbia was established to regulate the profession and in 1998, the college gave out the first licenses.
Midwives Speak
We asked some midwives for information about their jobs, the choices women have in their birthing experience, and more.
What should I look for in a midwife?
Once you have decided on having a midwife, you will need to find one in your area. There is a high demand for midwifery care and most practices book up quickly, so you should call early in pregnancy. Practices vary in sizes. Some have a larger team of midwives and some practices consist of only one or two midwives. At your introductory appointment you will want to ask questions about these practice specifics, and who will be available for your birth. You also will want to get a sense of the midwife’s communication style, and make sure you feel comfortable with her willingness to answer your questions and listen to your personal concerns.
Janice Robinson, RM, Heart Centered Birth www.heartcenteredbirth.net
Shortly after, in 2002, UBC began offering a midwifery program—a four-year undergraduate degree. In 2012, the university expanded the program from 10 spaces to 20, a sign of the program’s success. The Bachelor of Midwifery is in such high demand that in the past year, 180 people applied for the 20 available placements. Today, there are 249 midwives actively practicing and licensed in British Columbia, according to Alixandra Bacon, president of the Midwives Association of British Columbia.
Bacon says she knew she always wanted to be a midwife. “I was dedicated to women’s health and reproductive rights. I wanted to work in a holistic model that sees women and pregnancy as normal.”
Why Women Use Midwives
There are many reasons women turn to midwives for care during pregnancy. Some cite the personalized care and the ability to give birth at home. Others refer to the ability to have at-home follow-ups after birth, rather than going to a doctor’s office. Another factor is the continuity of care provided by midwives. Continuity of care means the midwife present at the birth is known to the mother-to-be—not a stranger who happens to be on duty when the mother goes into labour.
Under the midwives Continuity of Care Policy, pregnant women can be cared for by a group of up to four midwives, with one of those four on-call at all times so there is always someone available who is known to the motherto-be. In cases where a group of midwives is responsible for the mother, the mother must have the opportunity to get to know each of them to develop relationships. Because midwives offer continuity of care, many choose to work in practices of up to three or four, to help share the responsibilities of being on-call and available for emergencies or births.
For some women, the ability to use a midwife is a practical matter. Michelle Butler says midwifery provides vital services in areas where there is a healthcare vacuum, such as in remote, northern communities. “There is an unmet need in the province,” Butler says. “There are communities that don’t have maternity services. Midwives can fill that void.”
Midwives are sometimes confused with doulas, although there are some important differences. Doulas do not have medical responsibility for the pregnancy. A doula can provide support, but does not provide the assessment or clinical care offered by a midwife.
What is the benefit of choosing a midwife for pregnancy and delivery?
Women receiving care from midwives:
• Are less likely to have a caesarean section (19% vs provincial average of 30%)
• Have a lower rate of preterm births
• Are less likely to be hospitalized prenatally
• Spend an average of 18 hours less in hospital
Other benefits of midwifery care include:
• Longer prenatal appointments (30-60min)
• At home labour assessments
• One-to-one care in labour
• Choice of home or hospital birth
• Postpartum home visits, including breastfeeding support
• At home labour assessment
• One-to-one care in labour
• Choice of home or hospital birth
• Postpartum home visits including breastfeeding support
Alix Bacon, Midwives Association of British Columbia , www.bcmidwives.com
“We encourage women to have a doula and a midwife,” Alixandra Bacon says. “Midwives are there for the active part of the labour—when the woman is dilated from four to six centimetres—but early labour can go on for days. A doula comes earlier in the process and provides support during that time.”
Heidi Maxwell has used a midwife for multiple pregnancies. She made this choice because of the personal experience the longer appointment times afforded and because of the aftercare. She also appreciates that midwives allow women to take control of their own birth experiences and prenatal care. “A midwife is the best type of birth attendant for me,” Maxwell says. “I would definitely use a midwife again and aim for another home birth. With a doctor you don’t have the option of home birth, which is where I feel most comfortable. I think more women desire a birth with fewer interventions, more care, and a lower chance of cesarean section.”
Women can turn to a midwife at any stage during the pregnancy and can even engage their services during preconception, but Bacon cautions that midwives tend to book up quickly, so finding one on short notice can be difficult. Midwifery care is covered by MSP and midwives have hospital privileges, so women who are more comfortable giving birth in a hospital are able to do so.
Anyone interested in learning more about midwives can visit the Midwives Association of B.C. website at bcmidwives.com.
Get out of the House!
Coping with post-natal Isolation
By Nicola Enright-Morin
being a parent of a newborn is one of the most magical experiences there is. When your baby first arrives, the constant stream of wellwishers and visitors means you hardly have time to yourself. But once the initial excitement wears off, being at home all day can be overwhelmingly lonely. With only a newborn, daytime TV and the seemingly never-ending laundry for company, the walls can feel as if they are closing in. Therefore, getting out of the house is vital to any new parent’s sanity.
Public health nurse Andy Timmerman says, “So much of being a new mom is very solitary, just talking to your baby, or to your partner, who is often tired at the end of a work day, so the chance to speak with other adults is vital. I couldn’t put a price on how valuable it is for new moms to get out of the house, it absolutely is that important.”
Getting out of the house is also a chance to make friends with other new parents. “Just having another person that understands the challenges your going through and who can celebrate your baby’s developmental milestones is so therapeutic.”
Being social with other parents and families is also a great way to extend your mommy network further, as other parents are full of information about the latest hot spots for you and your baby. In the meantime, WestCoast Families has rounded up some of the best mom and baby resources across the Lower Mainland to get you started.
Fitness
One of the best ways to feel like your old self again is to include some fitness in your routine. Gone are the days when you could use a newborn as an excuse to lounge and watch TV in your pajamas all day; now there are all kinds of classes to get you and your baby moving.
Fit4Two Fit4Two has classes at locations all over the Lower Mainland. They have something for all fitness levels, including mom and baby aquafit,
bootcamps, and stroller fitness classes. You can pay drop-in prices, or sign up for a full block of classes. Prices vary, depending on the location, or the type of class.
www.fit4two.ca
Baby and Me Yoga Restore your pre-baby Zen by getting your yoga on. Yoga is perfect for gentle stretching and it also benefits digestion, circulation and balances your hormones: all of which are important for new moms. Community centres across the Lower Mainland offer mom and baby yoga classes, as do many private yoga studios.
www.semperviva.com | www.yogawithlorilucas.com
Aqua Fit Aqua fit classes for mum and baby are a great way to get your baby comfortable in the water and help you regain your pre-baby fitness in a fun and supportive environment.
www.mommymoves.ca
Bare Fit and Pregnant Offering pre and post-natal classes, moms will love connecting with other women in similar life stages while getting an excellent workout with well-trained coaches. And of course, baby is welcome to classes with new mommies.
www.barefitandpregnant.com
Eating Out
One of the hardest things about toting a newborn is the anxiety you feel in a restaurant or café. You finally get out of the house - and then your baby needs to nurse or cry. Cue swathing your baby in a blanket the size of a tent and death glares from other patrons. But take heart. Venturing out is much more enjoyable if you go where the food is not only awesome, but babies are positively welcome too.
Circus Play This is a new play café on East 12th where kids can play and grown-ups get to enjoy quality beverages and food. With workshops, music, art classes and story telling events, this little gem has something for both kids and parents alike.
www.circusplaycafe.com
Sweet Salt Cafe A family-focused bakery and café, Sweet Salt Café is home to carefully crafted breads, pastries, organic sodas and an array of teas and specialty coffee. The perfect spot to hang out with your new mommy friends. www.sweetsalt.ca
Big Feast Bistro Downtown Vancouver is brimming with trendy eateries that are willing to accommodate kids. The outlying suburbs? Not so much. Well not anymore. The Big Feast Bistro in Maple Ridge not only has a gourmet menu but is all about family. Check them out if you want something a little more up-market.
www.bigfeast.ca
Entertainment
Le Petit Spa For a real mom indulgence, check out Le Petit Spa, where you can get a pedicure for yourself, or a reflexology package for both you and baby. It features all the usual spa trimmings, in a baby friendly environment. www.lepetitspa.ca
Movies Fed-up of daytime TV and binge watching Netflix while your little one naps? Going out to watch a movie is a great way to feel human again. www.facebook.com/movies4mommies
Parent and Infant Drop-ins Parent and baby drop-in groups are a chance to connect with other parents, while getting support from healthcare professionals. There are groups all over the Lower Mainland and each session includes a topic of interest covered by an expert, as well as time for parents to socialize.
www.vch.ca/your-health/infants,-children-&-youth/parent-and-child-drop-in-groups
Post Natal Programs
Helpful Programs After Baby Arrives
by Nicole Breit
There are many classes for preparing for baby but for brand new parents, a newborn can be a daunting addition to the family as much as a welcome one. Today there are many post natal programs that help parents hone their parenting skills, learn about baby care and also develop social relationships with other new parents. Take a Kindermusik class, drop in to a breastfeeding group or join a baby and me story time! You’ll find a host of learning opportunities among these local programs that support new parents and their babies. Check out your library and recreation center to seek out more parent-friendly educational programs in your neighbourhood.
The Childbearing Society Post Partum Classes
3569 Commercial Street, Vancouver
Dates: Mondays, 12:30-2:00 pm
Ages: 0 - walking age
Cost: $10/class
www.childbearing.org
Bring your baby along for a group learning session designed for new parents. Recommended by midwives and physicians, post partum classes cover infant feeding, sleep, health and safety, colic and crying, attachment and infant development, as well as topics suggested by participants. The Childbearing Society also offers breastfeeding clinics.
Family Place Drop-In Programs
West Side: 2819 West 11th Avenue
East Side: 1655 William Street
South Side: 7710 Nanaimo Street
Dates: Ongoing
Ages: 0+
Cost: $1-2/drop ins
www.westsidefamilyplace.com
www.eastsidefamilyplace.org
www.southvancouverfamilyplace.org
The mandate of a Family Place is to act as a community resource center, offering inclusive, affordable and accessible support for parents and their children. Register for a Mother Goose early literacy class or sign up for a parenting class. A learning library and childminding are also available at some family places.
La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Various locations in BC
Dates: Ongoing
Ages: 0+
Cost: Free
www.lllc.ca
The mission of La Leche League is to “encourage, promote and provide mother-to-mother breastfeeding support and educational opportunities.” Support is available by phone, email or at a monthly La Leche meeting, with partners welcome to attend. Meeting participants share experiences, give suggestions and offer support and encouragement in an accepting atmosphere. Call the Breastfeeding Referral Line at 1-800-665-4324 or visit the website to find a group near you.
Phoenix Gymnastics Active Play Programs
Millennium Sports Facility
4588 Clancy Loranger Way
St. James Facility
3214 West 10th Avenue
Dates: Check website
Ages: 6 months to 3 years
Cost: $129 - $214/9 to 15 week classes
www.phoenixgymnastics.com
These parent participation programs introduce babies to active play in a fun and safe gym environment. Infants and toddlers enjoy songs and free play while developing their motor skills through games, creative movement and circuits. Registration is required for weekly 45-minute classes, which offer progressive skill development under the guidance of trained coaches.
Notable Kids Kindermusik Classes
3063 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
Dates: Check website
Ages: 0 - 24 months
Cost: Free for babies under 4 months; $72/4 week session
www.notablekids.ca
You and your baby will love singing, dancing and exploring a variety of props and instruments with a caring and trained Kindermusik instructor. Registration in a 45-minute Cuddle and Bounce or Sing and Play class also includes digital tools to continue the fun and learning at home or in the car. Sign up online for a free preview class!
VCH Parent & Baby Drop In Groups
Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Squamish, Pemberton and Whistler
Dates: Call for details
Ages: 0 - 12 months
Cost: Free but must register www.vch.ca/your-health/
Connect with other parents and get support from health care providers (public health nurses, community nutritionists, etc.) through Vancouver Coastal Health. Together you’ll learn about health-related issues like breastfeeding, immunization, safety, dental care, adjusting to parenthood and preparing for return to work.
Man in the Moon Dad and Baby Story Times
Vancouver Public Library and Surrey Public Library
Ages: 0 - 24 months
Dates: Ongoing
Cost: Free www.vpl.ca www.surreylibraries.ca
This story time and sing-a-long for male caregivers and their little ones is offered at several branches of the Vancouver and Surrey Public Libraries. Search the library program listings for story times.
Nobody’s
Perfect Parenting Classes
Various locations
Ages: Parents of children 0 - 5 years
Dates: Ongoing
Cost: Free
www.nobodysperfect.ca
Learn about child development, safety, health and behaviour with the support of a trained facilitator. You’ll also meet with other parents, discuss your concerns and discover positive ways of parenting.
Roundhouse Community Post Natal Programs
181 Roundhouse Mews
Dates: Check website
Ages: 0+
Cost: Varies by program
www.roundhouse.ca/programs/post-natal/ Sing and dance to international folk songs and lullabies. Learn baby sign language. Practice gentle, mindful movements in a dance class. Explore toys, mats and a bouncy castle at a gym drop-in. The Roundhouse offers supervised fun and interactive programs for wee ones year-round. Check the website for current offerings.
Safe & Sound Infant CPR
3170 Tory Avenue, Coquitlam
Dates: Check website
Ages: 0+
Cost: $45/person
www.learnfirstaid.ca/courses/baby-and-childcprsafety/
Designed for parents and caregivers, the Baby and Child CPR/Safety workshop will introduce you to the techniques you need to know to save an infant who is choking or having difficulty with breathing/circulation. The four-hour class also covers information on safe sleeping, falls, poisoning, car safety and more.
Strong Start Early Learning Program
Schools throughout the Lower Mainland
Dates: September - June
Ages: 0 - 5 years
Cost: Free drop in
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/ early-learning/learn/strongstart-bc
Parents, grandparents and caregivers are all invited to participate with young children for stories, games, music, art, circle times and free play. At no cost to families, this early learning drop-in program offers young children a chance to meet new friends and prepare for success in Kindergarten.
• ATTRACTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT
My Bella Baby Events gathering exhibitors relevant to new parents www.mybellababy.ca
Baby & Tot Show
BC’s largest baby and toddler expo www.babyandtotshow.com
Belly Baby & Kid Show www.bellybabykidshow.com
Burnaby Village Museum www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch www.hazelmerepumpkinpatch@shaw.ca
Healthy Family Expo www.healthyfamilyexpo.com
Imagine Children’s Museum www.imaginecm.org
Living Magic www.livingmagicentertainment.com
Richmond Country Farms www.countryfarms.ca
Rocky Mountain Flatbread www.rockymountainflatbread.ca
Taves Family Farms www.tavesfamilyfarms.com
• BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
BC Lactation Consultant Association www.bclca.ca
BC Women’s Hospital Breastfeeding Clinic www.bcwomens.ca
Breastfeeding Online www.breastfeedingonline.com
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd www.bflrc.com
La Leche League www.lllc.ca
Vancouver Breastfeeding Centre www.breastfeedingclinic.com
• CHILDCARE
AB Mack Immigration www.abmackimmigration.ca
Child Care Resource and Referral www.ccrr.bc.ca
Child Care Choices Online Resource www.childcarechoices.ca
Spare Time Child Care Society www.sparetimesociety.org
UBC Child Care Services www.childcare.ubc.ca
Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres www.vsocc.org
Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre www.wstcoast.org
YMCA of Greater Vancouver www.vanymca.org/childcare
Annual Resource Listings
• RESOURCES & SUPPORT
Burnaby Neighbourhood House Community programs and activities www.sbnh.ca
Adoptive Families Association of BC www.bcadoption.com
Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC www.anhbc.org
Baby Go Round www.babygoround.ca
BC Association of Family Resource Programs www.frpbc.ca
BC Council for Families www.bccf.ca
BC Housing www.bchousing.org
Canadian Pediatric Society www.caringforkids.cps.ca
Community Centres
Check your local municipality website
Family Services of Greater Vancouver www.fsgv.ca
Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House www.froghollow.bc.ca
Fussy Baby www.thefussybabysite.com
Langley Children www.langleychildren.com
Maxxine Wright Early Care and Learning Centre www.atira.bc.ca
Octopus Village www.octopus-village.com
posAbilities www.posabilities.ca
Provincial Government Education and family programs www.familiesfirstbc.ca
Surrey Early Childhood www.surreyearlychildhood.ca
• DIAPER SERVICES & SUPPLIES
Baby Footprint www.thebabyfootprint.com
Baby On The Way www.babyontheway.ca
Bumbini Cloth Diaper Company www.bumbini.ca
bumGenius www.bumgenius.com
Cozy Bums Diapers www.cozybums.ca
Green Bum Bum Cloth Diapers www.greenbumbum.com
Happy Baby Cheeks www.happybabycheeks.ca
Happy Nappy www.happynappy.ca
Kawaii Baby Diapers www.theluvyourbaby.com
Saucy Bottoms www.saucybottoms.ca
Tender Tushies www.tendertushies.ca
• MIDWIFE & DOULA SERVICES
Midwives Association of BC
Educating the public about midwifery care while supporting the growing number of midwives across the province www.bcmidwives.com
Mother Me
Home support for new mothers www.motherme.ca
Ostara Midwifery
Offering a full scope of personalized care for your pregnancy. www.heartcenteredbirth.net
All About Birth Boutique www.allaboutbirthboutique.ca
BC Women’s Hospital Pregnancy Birth & Newborns Clinic www.bcwomens.ca
Childbearing Society www.childbearing.org
Annual Resource Listings
Go to www.baby-guide.ca for full resource listings!
Our Kids Private School Expo www.ourkidsmedia.com
Reach for the Stars Montessori www.reachforthestarsmontessori.com
Department of Midwifery, BC Women’s Hospital www.midwivesinvancouver.ca
DONA International Doula Association www.dona.org
Doula Services Association of BC www.bcdoulas.org
Midwifery Associates www.midwiferyassociates.ca
Midwifery Care North Shore www.midwiferycare.ca
The Midwifery Group www.midwiferygroup.ca
Vancouver Doula Collective www.vancouverdoulacollective.org
• EDUCATION
CEFA Core Education & Fine Arts World leader in education for children ages 1-5 www.cefa.ca
Burnaby French Language Preschool www.bflp.org
Collingwood School www.collingwood.org
Elite Montessori Academy www.elitemontessori.ca
Garderie et Prematernelle les Moussaillons www.moussaillons.ca
James Cameron School www.jcs.bc.ca
Jewish Community Centre Preschool www.jccgv.com
Little Koala Montessori www.littlekoalamontessori.com
Meta Montessori House www.metamontessori.com
Millennium Learning Advantage www.millenniumlearningadvantage.com
Montessori Mes Petits www.ourpreschool.com
My Whole Earth Academy www.mywholeearth.ca
North Star Montessori www.northstarmontessori.ca
Sunny Gate Montessori www.sunnygatemontessori.com
Vancouver Bilingual Preschool www.vancouverbilingual.com
Vancouver Montessori www.vancouvermontessorischool.com
Westside Montessori Academy www.westsidemontessoriacademy.ca
Westside Montessori School www.westsidemontessori.ca
Write Choice Early Learning Centre www.writechoicelearning.com
• GEAR & CLOTHING
Boomers & Echoes
Quality conisgnmnet for eco-conscious parents www.boomersandechoes.com
Oyaco Products
Innovative solutions for today’s parents www.oyaco.com
Next Generation Distributors
Innovative and useful products that offer significant value to new and expecting parents www.nextgendistributors.com
Snuggle Bugz
The best selection of the highest quality brands for pregnancy, newborn and toddler www.snugglebugz.ca
Hip Baby
Sustainable toys, clothes and baby items www.hipbaby.com
Doidy Cup
The perfectly shaped cup to wean from a bottle www.doidycup.ca
Happy Baby Daily Needs Mom’s healthy choices for baby gear www.happybabydailyneeds.com
Active Baby www.activebaby.ca
Beansprouts www.beansprouts.ca
Crocodile Baby www.crocodilebaby.com
Dandelion Kids www.dandelionkids.ca
Frogs Hollow Children’s Boutique www.frogshollow.ca
Kids Market, Granville Island www.kidsmarket.ca
Lusso Baby www.lussobaby.ca
Once Upon a Child: Kids’ Resale www.onceuponachildlangley.com
Room for 2 www.roomfor2.ca
Sweet Charlie www.shopsweetcharlie.com
Wee Ones Reruns www.weeonesvancouver.com
Yaya Baby www.yayababy.ca
• HEALTH & NUTRITION
Olive Fertility Clinic Caring fertility treatment and education www.olivefertility.com
Pollock Clinics Infant circumcision and vasectomy www.circumcisionvancouver.com
Bonn Chiropractic www.cocochiro.com
Dial-A-Dietician www.dialadietitian.org
Fraser Health Resource www.fraserhealth.ca
Healthy Canadians Online Resource www.healthycanadians.gc.ca
HealthLinkBC www.healthlinkbc.ca
Kids Physio www.kidsphysio.ca
Leap Clinic www.leapclinic.ca
Logan Creek Counselling and Consulting www.logancreek.ca
Nourished with Alyssa Bauman www.nourished.ca
Pacific West Dental www.pacificwestdental.com
Peace Arch Maternity Clinic www.peacearchmaternityclinic.ca
Pediatric Dental Group PDG www.pdgdental.com
South Community Birth Program www.scbp.ca
Vancouver Coastal Health Resource www.vch.ca/your_health
Annual Resource Listings
Go to www.baby-guide.ca for full resource listings!
Music for Young Children www.myc.com
• MATERNITY CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
Boomers & Echoes Kids & Maternity www.boomersandechoes.com
Hazel & Jools
Locally made lifestyle collections for women, specializing in fabulous maternity wear www.hazelhipmoms.com
Bellies in Bloom www.belliesinbloommaternity.com
Motherhood Maternity www.motherhoodcanada.ca
Noppies Maternity www.noppies.com
Room for 2 Maternity & Baby, Vancouver www.roomfor2.ca
Thyme Maternity www.thymematernity.com
With Child www.withchild.ca
• PRENATAL EDUCATION
Adar Birth Services www.adarbirthservices.com
Belly to Baby www.bellytobaby.ca
Birthing from Within www.birthingfromwithin.com
Dancing Star Birth www.dancingstarbirth.ca
Healthiest Babies Possible www.vch.eduhealth.ca
Lamaze International www.lamaze.org
Lower Mainland Childbearing Society www.childbearing.org
The Birth Place www.thebirthplace.ca
• PROGRAMS
Phoenix Gymnastics
A club built on traditions and values and the love of gymnastics www.phoenixgymnastics.com
Arts Umbrella www.artsumbrella.com
Jump Gymnastics www.jumpgymnastics.ca
Place des Arts www.placedesarts.ca
Rhythm Gym www.rhythmgym.ca
Richmond Aquatics www.richmond.ca
YMCA www.vanymca.org
• SAFETY
Babysafe – St. John Ambulance www.sja.ca
Baby Secure www.babysecure.ca
BCAA: Infant/Child Care Seat Information Line www.bcaa.com 1-877-247-5551
Safety Station at BC Children’s Hospital www.bcchildrens.ca/safetystation
Safety Superstore www.safetysuperstore.ca
• SLEEP CONSULTING
Sleeping Child
Sleep programs to help children get the sleep they need for healthy development www.thesleepingchild.com
A Kiss Goodnight www.akissgoodnight.ca
Little Dreamers Consulting www.littledreamersconsulting.com
Sleep Stars Consulting www.sleepstars.ca
Sleepy Miracles www.sleepymiracles.com
• FINANCIAL
Amit Kent
Helping make post-secondary education possible for Canadian families www.knowledgefirstfinancial.ca/amit.kent
Hybrid Health
Get access to private health care, medical care, medical support and no-wait treatment options www.hybridhealth.ca
Mary Ann Clarke-Scott
BC Securities-licensed RESP sales representative www.knowledgefirstfinancial.ca/MaryAnn.ClarkeScott
>> Cord Blood Donation
After decades of research, doctors are becoming more aware of the benefits and healing properties of cord blood, and new treatments are being developed to help chronic and life-threatening conditions. Unfortunately, more than 50 per cent of patients who need blood stem cell transplants are unable to find a donor. As a measure of offering cord blood to families and patients who need it, the BC Women’s Hospital and Canadian Blood Services have partnered to offer a cord blood donation bank, which takes baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells and stores them for medical usage. Mothers who are having a baby at the BC Women’s Hospital now have the opportunity to donate their child’s cord blood and save another life. www.bcwomens.ca/Services/PregnancyBirthNewborns/cord-blood-bank
>> LEGO Store Monthly Builds
If your child is stuck in a creative rut, or they simply want to engage with other Lego-loving kids, then head to your local Lego store, either in Surrey or in Vancouver at the Oakridge mall, to take part in Lego Store Monthly Mini Builds, held on the first Tuesday of every month. Each month 250 mini kits are sent to local stores and children are invited to come (on a first come, first served basis) to build a mini model that they then take home for free! Kids will have fun playing with the latest and greatest on the Lego production line while parents will love seeing what their child comes up with. www.stores.lego.com/en-us/stores/ca/guildford
>> Team BC Preparing for the Special Olympics
Special Olympics BC seeks to give children and adults with intellectual disabilities a chance to feel a sense of accomplishment and achievement. With an eye to the future, Special Olympics Team BC 2016 is already gearing up for the Winter Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland next March. Their training is in full swing, especially the floor hockey team. The team is coming off a difficult year last year, when one of their treasured athletes passed away just before the provincial competition. But they persevered and were able to capture gold. The Winter Games will see 129 British Columbian athletes and 52 coaches, so be sure to cheer them on!
www.specialolympics.bc/ca
>> Pink Ribbon Tea
On October 23, support breast cancer awareness, treatment and research with a Pink Ribbon Tea. The Yukon and British Columbia sections of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, along with Blenz coffee, have joined together to honour the memory of Joey Holt, a Vancouver resident who dreamed of participating in the annual Run for a Cure, however, her breast cancer treatment prevented her from participating. Instead she hosted a tea party with donation proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Pink Ribbon Teas are now held all across the Yukon and BC, with nearly $40,000 raised last year. To participate, simply register online, receive your toolkit with invites, thank yous, fundraising tips and more, then have friends and family join you for a pink-themed tea that supports an amazing cause. www.thepinkribbontea.com
by Kelly S. Thompson
Fall is officially here and for some, this is something to celebrate between Halloween, falling leaves crunching underfoot, and chillier temperatures. But in the Lower Mainland, autumn often brings rain too, which can make us want to retreat indoors. But don’t fear! WestCoast Families has rounded up some of the latest fall fun activities to keep your whole family busy, no matter the weather. So bust out a map and pencil and check off these fun activities from your To Do list!
Vancouver Writers Festival
From October 20-25, don’t miss the Vancouver Writers Festival, full of activities, events, readings and more to spread the love of literacy in the Lower Mainland. Take part in the writing competition (with a special prize for kids!) and pick and choose from your favourite authors who are there to sell and sign books. Granville Island plays the perfect host to this week of art!
www.writersfest.bc.ca
The Vancouver Symphony
Whether you’re looking for an adult’s only night out or you want to bring the kids along, the Vancouver Symphony has something on offer for the whole family. Their Halloween Spectacular will be a sure hit and Folk and Fiddle Time caters to the littles who still love music. Buy some tickets, close your eyes and let the music transport you to another place!
www.vancouversymphony.ca
Circle Farm Tour
If you want to check out where you food comes from, and teach your children the value of how food is grown and the effort it takes to make healthy fruits and veggies, don’t miss the Circle Farm Tour, which takes you to a number of amazing farms on a clearly marked map that shows who grows what and where! Simply pick a spot on the map and travel in the comfort of your own car to local, tasty food.
www.circlefarmtour.com
Vancouver Maritime Museum
We can’t get enough of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, with the St. Roch and the unique boating experience…indoors! Families will love learning about the aquatic history of the Lower Mainland and kids will love playing dress up and checking out the pirates who used to troll the waters of the west coast.
www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Vancouver Lookout Tower
See Vancouver from a whole new angle at the Vancouver Lookout Tower. Up in the glass tower, kids will see Burnaby Mountain, the rising shores of North and West Vancouver, the Burrard Inlet and more, all from a unique perspective up in the sky. They have excellent programming for kids and parents will enjoy sipping a coffee with the city at their feet. www.vancouverlookout.com
Halloween at Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics
On October 25, celebrate Halloween at Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics. Enjoy the open gym, foam pit fun, bouncy castle, haunted house, arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games and more! There are four open gym sessions available throughout the day. Tickets for all sessions go on sale 8:30am on the day of event. Don’t forget to come in your Halloween costume!
www.phoenixgymanstics.com
Take in a Sport
If you can’t be outside playing your own sport, because weather is getting the better of your plans, then why not go see one of our local sports teams battle it out on the field under the cover of a roof and the comfort of hot dogs? Whether you’re into soccer and wanting to cheer on the Whitecaps FC, or you prefer to vouch for hockey and check out the Canucks, there are a variety of sports teams with dates in October. Don’t forget the BC Lions and Giants too! www.canucks.nhl.com www.whitecapsfc.com www.bclions.com www.vancouvergiants.com
Take a Walk
If the rain lets up, why not go on one of the guided tours of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, especially fun during the haunted October season. Depending on the theme tour, walkers will learn about historical facts, murderous mysteries, architectural marvels and other informative tidbits that will have you wondering if you really know the city you live in. There’s also a fun special tour at Fort Langley National Historic Site, in honour of the hallowed season! www.forbiddenvancouver.ca www.tourguys.ca www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortlangley
More Family Fun!
Burnaby Village Museum
We love Burnaby Village Museum with their annual October haunted experience from the past. www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Britannia Mine Museum
Explore, search for gold and tour underground in this family favourite destination.
www.britanniaminemuseum.ca
Hazlemere Pumpkin Patch
Visit the animals and pick your very own pumpkin for Halloween fun.
www.facebook.com/Hazelmere-PumpkinPatch-125530080795831
Imagine Children’s Museum
In for a road trip? Check out this amazing children’s museum with creative exhibits and hands-on fun.
www.imaginecm.org
Taves Family Farm
Taves offers tons of family fun that can’t be beat, with fruit, rides, mazes and an awesome kids corner.
www.tavesfamilyfarms.com
Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
Join others in your community for fun family programming. www.froghollow.bc.ca
Richmond Country Farms
Outdoor fun for the whole family with animals, an amazing pumpkin patch, restaurant and more! www.countryfarms.ca
community
Heart-Mind Conference: Human Connection in a Digital World
Vancouver Convention Centre
October 2-3
Expand your network with 500 educators, parents, health and wellness professionals, recreational and community leaders and others who want to help children flourish. Deepen your knowledge of how we teach and nurture our children as we explore Human Connection in a Digital World. www.dalailamacenter.org/program/heart-mindconference
Family Fall Fair
Colleen Findlay Place
October 4, 11am–3pm
Bring the family to this fun-filled event featuring a free lunch, bouncy castles, a circuit of games for the kids to complete for a prize, and more! We hope you join us for this great event. www.cloverdalereporter.com
PumpkinFest 2015
West Vancouver Community Centre
October 4
Back for another year of family friendly activities including: pumpkin Patch, farm zone including a petting corral and pony rides, antique farm equipment, live entertainment stage, family zone, face painting and crafts, and much, much more! www.westvanpumpkinfest.ca
The Study and Go Abroad Fair
Vancouver Convention Center, East Ballroom
October 6, 2-6pm
Don’t miss Canada’s largest international university and student travel expo for any students or young professionals considering studying for an undergrad or postgrad degree, to learn a language, intern, work or volunteer abroad. Meet with the world’s top universities and student travel organizations, and start planning your trip!
www.studyandgoabroad.com
Bullying and Your Child
Clayton Hall, Cloverdale
October 7, 7-9pm
Join guest speaker, Michelle Reitsma, on the topic “Bullying and Your Child”, specifically addressing cyber bullying. Michelle works for the Ministry of Child and Family Development as a child protection family service worker, within the Surrey school board as an aboriginal child and youth care worker. admin@surreytwinclub.com
The Importance of Risky Play
Peekaboo Beans, Richmond
October 8, 7-9pm
PLAY-ducation is a series of workshops with knowledgeable industry educators. These workshops are a night out to grow, learn, and feel supported in your family values. Participants will consider what can be done to restore balance and be provided with tools for talking to parents, educators and others about the importance of risk taking. www.peekaboobeans.com
Flashlight Corn Maze & Wagon Ride
Maan Farms, Abbotsford
October 8–31, 6-8pm, last call 7:30 pm
This non-haunted corn maze welcomes guests of all ages and takes approximately 20 -30 minutes to complete. Be sure to bring flashlight! Then share a moonlight wagon ride through Maan Farms corn maze! Grab a blanket and maybe someone to cuddle with and celebrate this magical time of year. $14. www.maanfarms.com
Mental Health Week–The Thief: Anxiety
The Vancouver Club
October 9, 7am–8:30am
Anxiety is a common and debilitating feeling that can be overwhelming and affect us on many levels. It can act as a thief that limits our ability to move forward or simply to enjoy life. Join two outstanding teachers and clinicians in the field of anxiety, Dr Bill MacEwan MD,FRCP Head of Psychiatry St Paul’s Hospital and Michael Mandrusiak, PsyD, Registered Psychologist, Adler University and Burnaby Counselling Group. $36 www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-thief-anxietytickets-17975554367
Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo
Various locations in Vancouver October 15-18
Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo is an annual festival of arts, cosplay, films, comics, anime, games, toys, costumes and makeup. With performances in theatres, exhibitions at PNE, and a parade in downtown Vancouver, the festival of arts is open to everyone and attracted nearly 100,000 spectators last year. www.VanHalloween.com
calendar
Discovery Saturday: Latin Fiesta
Surrey Museum
October 17, 1-4pm
Discover the colours, sounds, and tastes of Latin culture! Get out your maracas and brush up your salsa moves! Experience the rich culture of Latin America through lively performances, colourful crafts and traditional snacks.
www.surrey.ca
Family Sunday
Surrey Art Gallery
October 18, Noon-4pm
Explore, enjoy, and create art together! Drop in for activities inspired by the current exhibitions. Free.
www.surrey.ca
Family Program: Night Science for Kids
VanDusen Gardens
October 23, 6-7:30pm
Explore the gardens in the evening, when an entirely new host of creatures come out to welcome you. Learn about the resident barred owls, visit the bat houses and tour the gardens with the help of your guide looking for signs of nocturnal life. Experiment with collecting and identifying nocturnal pollinators and learn which plants you can grow to invite these pollinators to your own backyard.
www.vandusengarden.org
Neuroplasticity and Education: Strengthening the Connection
Westin Bayshore Hotel
October 23, 7am-4pm
This year six leading experts in the fields of neuroscience and education will meet to speak about the incredible potential for positive change that comes when we understand the connections between our brain’s ability to change and grow and educational practice.
www.neuroplasticityandeducation.com
G Day for Girls
Creekside Community Centre
October 23, 8:45am–5pm
G Day is a fun-filled and inspiring day-long event that girls may attend on their own, or with one or more “Champions” in a modern day rite of passage, celebrating and empowering 10-12 year-old girls as they transition from childhood into adolescence. www.gdayforgirls.com
The Baby & Tot Show Tradex, Abbotsford
October 24, 10am-5pm & October 25, 11am-4pm
Shop & sample over 150 exhibitors and get educated on everything you need to know from pregnancy to birth and beyond! Lots to see and do for your little ones! From our play area to meet and greet with their favorite characters, it will be a feast for their little eyes and ears! $12 cash only at the door
604.209.3542 | www.babyandtotshow.com
Wild Things
Richmond Nature Park
October 24-25, 5:30–8:30pm
Once a year, mischievous raccoons, a friendly bear, chatty crows and their forest friends emerge from the bog to greet visitors as they walk along a trail lined with hundreds of jack-o-lanterns. Join in for some spooky fun; face painting, storytelling and pumpkin carnival games. $2 for children three to 12 years, $3 for adults. 604.718.6188
Halloween Family Fun Day
Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics
Oct 25, 9:30am-4:30pm
Enjoy an open gym, foam pit fun, bouncy castle, haunted house, arts & crafts, face painting, carnival games and more! 4 Open gym sessions available throughout the day. Don’t forget to come in your Halloween costume! $8 or $20 group rate (3 children) Parents & children 2 yrs and below are free.
www.phoenixgymnastics.com
Heart of the City Festival
Downtown Eastside
October 28-November 8
Over 90 events at over 25 venues including 12 days of music, stories, songs, poetry, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, processions, spoken word, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed media, art talks, history talks and history walks, and an array of artists.
www.heartofthecityfestival.com
Hide and Seek Sculptures
555 Nelson Street
October 31, Noon-3pm
Responding to Gander’s sculptures that suggest hiding place dens made by children from all manner of household items, including bed sheets, golf umbrellas, cushions and laundry racks, participants will collaborate to create a large shelter structure. Free. www.contemporartartgallery.ca
Visit www.westcoastfamilies.com/events_calendar for more family friendly events in October! To have your event included in the WestCoast Families community calendar, please email your details to admin@ westcoastfamilies.com.
Go to www.westcoastfamilies.com to see more local and community family events in your area.
FOR MORE amazing Halloween and Fall Fun events, please go to www.westcoastfamilies.com and check out our events calendar and listing pages.
Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening
Advancement in fertility
By Dr Beth Taylor MD, FRCSC
breakthroughs in fertility treatment are offering new hope for women over 40 or those suffering from a failed in vitro fertilization, unexplained infertility, or repeated miscarriages.
There have been major advancements in the treatment of female and male infertility in the last few years and now the large majority of couples diagnosed with infertility will be able to get pregnant. In many cases the treatment is quite simple. But for couples that require a more high tech approach, our success with in vitro fertilization (IVF) has improved enormously.
IVF involves removing a woman’s eggs, fertilizing them in a lab with her partner’s sperm, and then placing the embryo back in the woman’s uterus.
Until recently we’ve only been able to judge the health of an embryo by its appearance. While we’re able to get good success rates with this approach, in some cases embryos that look normal don’t result in a successful pregnancy. This can be because the embryo isn’t chromosomally normal.
If an embryo has too few or too many chromosomes (a condition known as aneuploidy), the embryo will either never implant in the uterus, or result in a miscarriage or a baby with conditions such as Down’s syndrome.
A new test called Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening (CCS) is allowing fertility specialists to determine with much greater accuracy which embryos in IVF have the normal number of chromosomes and are the most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.
Studies have shown that IVF with CCS can achieve:
• Pregnancy rates as high as 70%
• Miscarriage rate as low as 5%
• A very low risk of chromosomal problems such as Down’s syndrome (diagnostic accuracy of CCS is about 99%)
What does CCS involve?
With CCS, an egg is fertilized in the laboratory and the embryo is grown for five days, at which point five to ten cells are taken from the part of the embryo that will form the placenta (thus leaving the cells that are destined to become the fetus untouched). The embryo is then frozen and the biopsied cells are sent to a specialized laboratory for testing. The results usually return in less than five days, identifying which embryos are chromosomally normal. This healthy embryo can be transferred in the next menstrual cycle.
Who can benefit from CCS?
Any woman going through IVF may consider CCS, but it can be particularly helpful if:
• You are older than 35
• You have experienced miscarriage
• You have a previously failed IVF
Can CCS harm the embryos?
Concerns about damage to the embryos from the process are common, but the results are reassuring. Over 95% of embryos survive the biopsy procedure. In addition, evidence is mounting that pregnancy rates of vitrified (frozen) five-day-old embryos are actually higher than of those transferred “fresh.” Of course, it’s critically important that laboratory is staffed with highly trained and experienced embryologists.
Is there a downside to CCS?
The biggest potential disappointment with CCS is there is a chance that none of the embryos will be normal. The risk for abnormal embryos increases with a woman’s age. For example, for women under 35, the chance of a healthy embryo is about 65%. For women over 42, however, that plummets to about 15%.
CCS adds about $5000 onto the price of an IVF cycle. Many women and couples feel that despite the added upfront costs, CCS may actually improve the cost effectiveness of IVF by reducing the number of failed transfers, miscarriages, and procedures related to unhealthy pregnancies. Also, instead of freezing all embryos that appear healthy, only those that are chromosomally normal will remain cryopreserved.
In time, the cost of the technology is expected to decline to make the process more accessible.
Talk to your fertility specialist about whether you might benefit from CCS.
Dr. Beth Taylor is co-director of Olive Fertility Centre (olivefertility.com) and Clinical Associate Professor at UBC. Dr. Taylor coordinates the UBC Obstetric & Gynecology residency program “Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility” rotation. She is an active staff member at BC Women’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital and performs surgery at both of these centres.
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freshly prepared scrambled eggs
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hot & crispy hash browns
