WestCoast Families Winter 2024 by Island Parent Group

Celebrating the modern family lifestyle on the West Coast

Vol 31, Ed 4

Free!

WINTER 2024

Shush the Urge to Judge Get Your Kids Learning Outside Prioritize Self-Care

for Caring your Community WESTCOASTFAMILIES.COM

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DEMOCRACY & ME Art Contest

Calling young artists!

The Democracy & Me Art Contest is now open to all children and youth in British Columbia.

Co-sponsored by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, the contest encourages K-12 students to create visual artwork that explores the importance of community and democracy. Contest winners will receive a trip to Victoria and their work will be displayed in the Parliament Buildings. Artwork must be submitted by January 31, 2024. Scan the QR code for contest details. Remember to get creative!

We acknowledge and respect the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, on whose traditional territories the Legislative Assembly stands.

Deadline to apply February 29, 2024 Parliamentary Education Office 250-356-0823 artcontest@leg.bc.ca

leg.bc.ca artcontest@leg.bc.ca

Winter 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

WINTER 2024 Vol 31, Ed 4

WHAT’S NEW? Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@westcoastfamilies.com Stacie Gaetz Editor editor@westcoastfamilies.com

FRESH FINDS

KINDNESS IN SILENCE

CARING FOR COMMUNITY

Erika Palmer Associate Editor erika@westcoastfamilies.com RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager raeleigh@westcoastfamilies.com Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@westcoastfamilies.com

PRIORITIZE YOUR NEEDS

FOOD WITH LOVE

LEARNING OUTSIDE

SHEET PAN MEALS

BOREDOM BUSTERS

For distribution inquiries, please email publisher@westcoastfamilies.com

WestCoast Families, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a bimonthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for west coast families. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

Mailing Address 518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 250 388 6905

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SAVING THE BIRDS

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CANADIAN DENTAL CARE PLAN

TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2023

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What If?

ake care. We all say it. A message of wishing someone well, usually said as we part. But what does taking care really mean? As parents, there are so many things we do in a day on autopilot. Packing our kids’ lunch in the morning, helping them get dressed, driving them to school, the trip to work… These are things we just do without even thinking about them. But what if we stopped to put a bit more care into some of them? What if we got the kids to help us make their lunch in the morning and therefore opened ourselves up to a chance to connect with them before school? What if we held our judgement about what they want to wear to school and stopped doing it for them, giving them the freedom to choose and do for themselves? What if we walked to school instead of driving and noticed how the rainwater drips

off the trees to nourish the grass or tried to figure out what kind of bird was making all that noise? What if you used your drive to work to call that friend that you haven’t spoken to in months and check in one how they are doing? What if you parked further from work and walked a bit longer or took the stairs instead of the elevator or brought your lunch instead of buying it? As a busy working mother of two, I understand that each of these suggestions take

more time than doing it “the old way.” It can be hard to change your routine when you have set it up that way because it works so well. But (and stick with me here…) how would our lives change if we actually started to “take care”? – Stacie Gaetz

FROM OUR TO YOURS

SPARK CREATIVITY THIS SPRING BREAK Week 1: March 18-22, 2024 Week 2: March 25-28, 2024 Programs and Intensives for ages 3-19 in Visual Arts, Dance, Theatre, Film, and more. Register now! Vancouver (Granville Island) | South Surrey www.artsumbrella.com/springbreak Photo credit: Devan Francis

Winter 2024

WHAT’S NEW?

Love Lights Romance is in the air along the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park from February 2–25. Visit the park with a loved one or bring your entire family to take in all the magical illuminated light displays located throughout the park. If you visit the park on the weekend, you can check out the fun live music and interactive games happening up on Raptors Ridge. capbridge.com/events/love-lights

Pink Shirt Day Don’t miss this year’s Pink Shirt Day—happening across Canada on February 28. This yearly event brings awareness to schools and general communities about bullying. And it holds the hopes of creating more inclusive, supportive school communities. Learn more about how Pink Shirt Day got started, purchase your specially designed pink shirts and learn how you can donate or support this fantastic event. pinkshirtdaycanada.ca

Flyover Canada If you have yet to experience a Flyover Canada event, it’s a great time to take an awe-inspiring journey to your choice of locations around the world. The whole family will love the experience. Awaken your senses and immerse yourself with a complete sensory experience into the landscapes and stories of our lands. You’ll want to see them all! Book online to save your seat—and get a discount. flyovercanada.com

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Post-it Note Art Wall Throughout the month of January, teens aged 13 through 19 were invited to create 2D artwork with the theme of “Into the Future.” The catch—their artwork must be created on one simple yellow 3x3" Post-it note. View all their creative artwork at the Ladner Pioneer Library from February 5–29. Stop by with your family to see what these creative teens have come up with. fvrl.bibliocommons.com/events

Dream Today Tomorrow Visit Science World before May 5 to view their feature exhibit: Dream Today Tomorrow. This hands-on, interactive exhibit allows visitors of all ages to use STEAM to create a positive future. Your entire family will love to see how they can use their personal knowledge of STEAM and work with reusable products to navigate their way through these interactive challenges. scienceworld.ca/today/feature-exhibition

Winter 2024

SHOP

Fresh Finds

Equip your kids with the gear they’ll need to beat the boredom over spring break!

Toaster Suit

Heading to the slopes for spring break? Putting Toaster Suits from Mountain Equipment Co-op on your kids will ensure they keep dry and warm for the entire day. These suits are easy to get on and off, completely waterproof and reinforced in specific areas so they hold up well to rough play. mec.ca/en/product/5047-839/toaster-suit

Stanley Tumbler Everyone’s talking about the Stanley Tumbler now—and for good reason. This sturdy drink container keeps liquids cold for hours and helps to encourage hydration throughout the day. It’s perfect for your child to take with them for a day out with friends or to spring break camp. ca.stanley1913.com 8

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L.L. Bean Explorer Bookbag L.L. Bean backpacks are the ultimate in style and comfort—plus they’re weatherproof! They will safely carry everything needed to go to day camp, to the pool, a sleepover party at a friend’s house or wherever else your youth may find themselves going. llbean.ca

Progressive Knife Set A local Surrey business, Little Kitchen Academy, is now offering their Progressive Knife Set to kids who are amateur chefs. Get your kids cooking safely and efficiently with this epic knife set, which includes everything they need to cook a great meal and care for their knives. littlekitchenacademy.com/ progressive-knife-set

52 Nature Activities Card Deck This beautifully illustrated card deck provides many activities for your kids to keep learning during spring break while they’re having fun in nature. Good for one kid, or a whole group, children of all ages will beg to pull a new card every day so they can have a new adventure in their backyard, a park, or another nature setting in our beautiful area. dillydallykids.ca/collections/stem-science/ products/52-nature-activities-card-deck

PARENTING

Kindness in Silence Shushing the Urge to Judge

t’s so easy to judge others, so easy to make quick assumptions based on what we see (or believe we see). I’m guilty of it. Every one of us is guilty of it. I think part of this tendency is a hard-wired safety reflex, residual vigilance from the days when one’s survival literally depended on the ability to recognize physical threats. Sadly, for some humans on the planet, this is still the case, and others are burdened with the scars and trauma of recent and historical violence that affect their perception of the world and people around them. However, for the majority of housed, fed, safe citizens here in North America, this is not our reality. The actual reality is that people are so much more than their exterior and our first impressions of their demeanour, appearance or their worst day. I know there are unfortunate exceptions, but most of us are trying to do our best at stumbling through this confusing world with the support,

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skillsets and information we have in our personal toolboxes. Just as every person is not the same, not everyone’s toolbox contains the same things, nor is as full as the next. It feels horrible to be judged, especially when that judgement is unfair or outright incorrect. It certainly doesn’t make us feel very cared for and is not a feeling we wish for ourselves or our kiddos. And yet, just glance at the comments in any popular social media post and watch the judgements fly about everything from people’s appearance, race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, intelligence and work ethic to their morality and authenticity. Sigh! I think, collectively, we can do much better than this. How many people making these comments are parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles—role models? We all have a part to play in shaping the type of society in which we want to live. The society that we want for our

children. Personally, I hope for a society that leads with kindness, respect and care instead of fear, intolerance and hatred. This is on us. How about, rather than voicing our snap judgements about others, or letting these assumptions dictate our behaviour, we pause and try to engage our curiosity? Let’s wonder what might be behind that public persona or behaviour, or what a particular reflex judgement we make about others actually tells us about ourselves. What a gift, to model compassion, kindness and introspection for our children. This is something I’m working on, and honestly, sometimes it is hard, especially when someone seems unfriendly or says/does something unkind. But I think it’s good for my son to see me struggle with this, because he learns that caring for others is not always easy, and in fact that the “right”

thing is rarely the easy thing. But it’s worth it and will get easier as more people jump on board. Judgement happens, but it’s up to us to choose how we will allow it to affect others. Sometimes, we’ll be able to put in the emotional energy to learn something new and experience personal growth. Some days the best we can do is keep a judgement or opinion tucked away for ourselves. The kindest option is silence.

Kelly McQuillan is a mom, step-mom, piano teacher and writer. This backyard birder, zealous thrifter and optimistic plant parent runs on coffee and chocolate and misplaces her phone at least once per hour. Personal motto: “Tomorrow is a new day.”

Winter 2024

PARENTING

Caring for Your Community

id you know that in many communities in BC, the neighbourhood associations are often made up of the same small group of people for years at a time, with very few changes? Caring about your community is a fundamental cornerstone of a thriving society. Being a part of a flourishing community helps you to feel more included—and safe. It doesn’t require much time, and you can simply take one or more of these small steps to help nurture your community.

Make Connections

Knowing your neighbours makes you feel more included in your community. Many connections can be made through local school communities, but there are other ways to meet your neighbours. Try going for walks in your local park and strike up conversations with people you see regularly. Bake or craft a small treat and drop it off with your neighbours to introduce yourself and start a conversation. Starting with families that have kids often helps if you are nervous about introducing yourself.

Join Your Neighbourhood Association

Depending on the size of your neighbourhood, you may only have one main municipal association, or there may be several small groups broken up into smaller communities. Attending these meetings and receiving their newsletters gives you a heads-up on what the issues are and what changes are occurring in your area. And it gives you a chance to have your say or join a committee. This is also another fantastic way to get to know your neighbours.

Create a Supportive Environment

Foster a sense of support and camaraderie among neighbours by starting family potluck nights, a book club, play groups, coffee dates or simply by gathering to discuss how your group can work together to improve your local community.

Support Local Businesses

Make a point of visiting coffee shops, restaurants and other locally-owned shops in your neighbourhood. Not only will you be putting your money back into the community, but you will also likely have some interesting conversations with other locals about the goings-on in your area.

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

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Organize a Neighbourhood Watch

By speaking with your local police force, you can get tips on how to set up Neighbourhood Watch areas and get your local neighbours involved. This helps communities feel safer and gives the bonus of creating bonds between neighbours.

Care About Your Neighbours

By getting to know your neighbours, you may come across the chance to help an elderly lady get to her doctor’s

appointment or look after a single mom’s baby while she goes grocery shopping. You may learn that the house with the overgrown yard up the street is owned by a couple with health problems who needs some help with their garden. Or that the family at the end of the road is having a tough time financially, and a neighbourhood meal train can be implemented. When neighbours pitch in to help other neighbours, the community thrives.

Embrace Diversity and Inclusion

Help to create an inclusive community that celebrates diversity among neighbours. If possible, learn about and join in on celebrations that are different from yours—and invite others to join in with your family. Not only will you have a fun time, but it gives you and your kids a great learning experience.

Winter 2024

PARENTING

The Importance of Making Your Needs a Priority

ife as a parent is busy. Research regarding child development, and an innate need to spend more time with our children than our parents spent with us, has led to an increased urgency to ensure our children’s lives are full of memories and laughter. Add to that partner, work and any other competing commitments we may have, and the risk for burnout is always lingering.

2) If they do not prioritize their needs, no one else will, nor are they obliged to. The importance of self-care and the benefits derived from it are well documented. They include reduced stress, decreased risk of burnout, enhanced physical and mental state, being more present, positive role modelling for children and personal growth. The main reason why priority taking, and self-care are not more

with those closest to you, and should include the following key elements:

When I speak to my male friends about if and how they prioritize their needs, predominantly self-care, the responses I receive generally centre around the countless responsibilities they have at home, the limited time they have, or the fact that their partners do not take any time off despite working equally as hard. It is at this time that I remind them of two things: 1) Their self-care is an investment in the health and happiness of the whole family unit.

prevalent amongst fathers is the guilt they feel around doing so, as they associate it with selfishness. I know, as I was one of them. The distinction between the two, however, is that while self-care benefits everyone around us, selfish acts only serve to benefit the initiator. Now that you know this, it may be tempting to run full steam ahead with your newfound self-care regime. However, the culture shock that may create in your family could make for a rough transition. Therefore, this should be a gradual process involving clear communication

personal/family balance. This also works in relation to any other integrations that should be separated, ensuring there is quality time for your professional and personal commitments.

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Setting Clear Boundaries

This could be between your work and your personal life regarding when you will and will not use your cell phone, or what day or time of the week you would like for yourself. This will help you create healthier work/life and

Seek Support

The ability to connect with others who share your life experiences is invaluable. Therefore, it is important to connect with other fathers to discuss common challenges, seek guidance and understand that some of the feelings and apprehensions you have are universal.

Collaboration

Involve your partner or family members in household responsibilities and tap other parents for childcare duties. By splitting up your responsibilities, you will be able to gain time. This will alleviate some of the pressure and create a supportive environment for both work and family life.

Nurture Your Health

Consistent exercise, eating healthy and ensuring you have enough sleep are the essentials for optimal health. Finding time to practice mindfulness or partaking in hobbies you enjoy will further allow for ways to unwind and relax. All these activities will foster and maintain a healthy mental state. Since I started making my needs a priority, I found my life has been more structured and it has improved my decision making. By constantly assessing what activities provide value and focusing on them, I can confidently decline activities I do not deem beneficial, or that do not fit into my schedule without feeling guilt or fear of upsetting the host. It has aligned me with a more authentic version of myself as I use this newfound time to incorporate activities that provide joy in place of those that do not. It has led those close to me to understand me better to the extent that they know what type of events and activities I will attend, and those I won’t. Lastly, a dialogue has been created around this topic that I am able to have with my young children, in the hope that they will model this behaviour when they are adults. As a modern dad, you need a modern, holistic approach to life. The act of prioritizing your needs is a necessity for a healthier, happier, more resilient you. You may have dependents in your family, and rightly their needs should come before yours. As Paulho Coelho wrote: “When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you’re not saying ‘no’ to yourself.” This was not written to ensure your needs come first, or at your partner’s expense, but to make sure they are not last. Henry Ogwudire is a proud father of two, and self-described fitness enthusiast who is passionate about being mentally and physically ready for life. His free time is spent devising challenges to test his will, or in the quiet of a mountain.

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instagram.com/columbia_academy Winter 2024

EXPLORE

5 Ways to Get Your Kids

Learning Outside!

n today’s fast-paced world, where screen time, online games and social media fill up most of kids’ days, it can feel difficult to get them excited to be outside. As an outdoor educator, it’s hard to see kids missing out on key nature-based experiences that were a highlight in many of our childhoods. I remember spending much of my free time playing and learning outside with my sister. We’d explore the colourful leaves, watch birds and make wishes with dandelion seeds. This time spent outdoors is not only enjoyable, but an important part of healthy childhood development. Studies are showing that getting outside each day makes kids happier, improves physical health and helps kids grow in empathy and confidence. But how can parents and teachers go about increasing outdoor learning time? Here are five ways you can get started today.

1. BE PREPARED

Whether it’s your schoolyard, local beach or a neighbour-

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hood park, amazing outdoor classrooms can exist all around you. First you should get to know the space that you have chosen to spend time in. For example, what beings call this place home? Whose territory are you visiting? Are there any health and safety considerations? A second step is making sure that you and the kids are dressed appropriately for being outside. Do you need warm layers? Do you need a raincoat?

2. BE A GOOD VISITOR

It’s important to enter these spaces with respect. Outdoor classrooms are home to many different species of plants and animals. As a good visitor, learners of all ages should aim to leave this space better than how you found it. That could include picking up garbage in the area, making sure that you leave no trace behind or even looking into planting a pollinator garden. Another way you can be a good visitor is to be considerate of all the voices of this place. This includes the voices of local Indigenous knowledge and other members of your broader

human community. And we can’t forget our non-human neighbours like plants, animals, water and the land. While there’s no one way to do this, it could look like learning the Indigenous names of plants in your neighbourhood and the important roles they play in the ecosystem.

breeze, feel the texture of Douglas Fir cones between your fingers, listen to the songs of birds or taste the maple blossoms. If you are going to engage with your senses outdoors, please make sure that you are doing so in a way that is responsible and respectful.

3. EMBRACE THE SEASONS

5. FIND TEACHABLE MOMENTS

4. ENGAGE ALL THE SENSES

Nature is truly an incredible teacher, home and friend. And with a bit of creativity, the outdoors can battle the pull of screen time. I hope these suggestions spark some wonderful adventures for the kids in your life.

Spending time outdoors can be easier to imagine on a warm, sunny, late-spring day but what about on those days when it’s dark, cold and rainy or snowy? Exploring in all four seasons is a great opportunity for kids to foster their own awareness and notice all the changes, big or small, happening just outside their doors throughout the year. For example, in the winter you could focus on the migrating sea lions, or watch the flowers change from spring to summer. There are so many gifts each season provides if you take the time to visit. Incorporating sensory elements can take your learning to the next level! Local outdoor classrooms can be amazing spaces to facilitate this. Sensory learning can support curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving. It also holds many cognitive benefits like motor skills and language development. Here are some ideas: you can smell the cool sea

One of the many gifts that a local outdoor classroom can offer you is unpredictability! You never know what surprise awaits you—an eagle could fly overhead, a caterpillar could crawl by or water could suddenly come raining down from the clouds. These moments of surprise can serve as great learning opportunities. Plus, embracing these spontaneous experiences can create long-lasting memories and lessons.

The Sierra Club BC is inspiring generations to defend nature and confront climate change, so families, communities and the natural world can prosper together. Learn more at sierraclub.ca.

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Winter 2024

PLAY

Top 10 Boredom Busters for a Rainy Day

t can be challenging to find indoor activities that will get your children’s bodies moving and keep their minds busy when it is rainy or chilly outside. Whether you are trying to work from home, need to get some things done around the house or want to take part in some activities with your kiddos but are running out of ideas, here is our list of educational boredom busters that will keep your kids’ minds and bodies active.

1. Pillowcase Race

Nothing like a good old-fashioned sack race to get the blood flowing! Bump up the

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education factor by getting them to race to papers with number, letters or colours written on them.

2. Tape Track

In your largest tile or concrete floored room, put down some painters’ tape as a maze or racetrack. Get them to use their brains by making parking stalls or corners of the maze with letters, numbers or colours in them and telling them to find their way to the number 3 or park the blue car in stall A.

3. Scoop & Strut

Put a ball on a spoon, measuring cup or

cup and walk, skip or crawl to the other side of the room to place it in the correct colourcoded basket or bowl. This one is great because depending on the size of the ball and vessel you use, the difficulty can be easily altered for different ages and abilities.

4. Tot Toss

Throw bean bags into bin with corresponding colours, numbers or letters. “Throw a pink bean bag into bin 2!” Add a bit of competition by bringing out the timer on your phone and seeing who can throw all of their bean bags in the bin the fastest.

5. Action Alphabet

Write letters (or numbers or colours) on some papers, place them around the room and the possibilities are endless! Dance to the letter A, hop to green, twirl to the number 4.

6. Erupt in Laughter

If you have a few pantry staples (baking soda, vinegar and food colouring), you can create an exciting erupting volcano that will have your kids asking you to do it again and again. You can find easy tutorials online that can help you explain why this chemical reaction happens.

7. Hands On

Work together to trace the parts of your child’s body on separate pieces of paper and then put them together like a giant human puzzle. Get them to label all of the pieces for a built-in biology and printing lesson.

8. Glitter Globe

Put water, food colouring and sparkles in a jar or resealable bag (tape or glue the lid/ seal shut). Let your kid shake and twirl it for tons of fun! (You can also add small plastic toys that will peek out of the colour and sparkles).

9. Pillow Pile

Find every pillow and cushion in your house, line them up on the floor—that’s it! Kids love to make paths, forts, slides and pretty much anything else their imaginations can come up with out of pillows and blankets.

Better chess moves, better life moves

10. Pop Up

Bubbles don’t have to be used outdoors and if your kids aren’t used to blowing them inside, it’s even more fun! Have them catch bubbles in different sized, shaped and coloured containers for added education value.

K Comprehensive Stacie Gaetz is the managing editor of WestCoast Families and the proud mama of a delightful daughter and silly son who fill her days with love and chaos. Reach her at editor@westcoastfamilies.com.

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Test your chess level for free here: vanchess.ca/programs Winter 2024

Can Food Have Love in It? EAT

o you think food can have love in it, and if so, why? It would be a mistake to see this as simply an amusing or benign question. When I asked parents what they thought as part of my research for my book Nourished, their answers were unanimous. Food can embody love and it is important that it does—but it can’t do so without including three essential ingredients. Part of the problem is that we see feeding as more of a nutritional event than a relational one. We are concerned with getting the right nutrients and calories into our kids, along with healthy eating habits. What we have lost sight of is the importance of the context they eat in and the relationships that go along with it. We are most receptive to someone taking care of us when we are attached to them. Kids will follow, want to be like, copy and share the same values as the people they are at-

CAMP SHAWNIGAN CAMP SQUAMISH CAMP WINFIELD 20

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tached to. Feeding our kids is one of the most frequent acts of caretaking we have so it is important that we get it right. The challenge is that we are so focused on what food to serve them that we no longer consider how food was meant to serve our relationships. Why should food have love in it? Because feeling loved is the essence of caretaking. It is the invisible ingredient that makes food taste better, reduces pain and increases pleasure, according to research by Kurt Gray, a psychologist at the University of Northern Carolina. Our perception of someone’s intentions as caring can alter our subjective experience and draw us closer to them. It is our child’s relationship to us that empowers us as their caretaker. The one thing our kids need to grow as independent, social and adaptive people is a strong relationship with a caring adult. Feeding them with love is one way to make ourselves irreplaceable as their caretaker.

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The Three Ingredients

The first ingredient that is essential is to embody food with love is time and attention. This may seem like a tall order for busy parents with competing responsibilities. How can we give our loved ones a sense that we keep them in mind as we prepare food or share it? There is no single prescription for how to do this. We can only use the time we have to convey the message. Whether that is slowing down to eat together, remembering favourite meals or tastes, or simply getting there first to provide for them before they tell us they are hungry. Who we pay attention to and how we spend our time reveals what we care about. Most parents long for more time to spend with their loved ones and can be reassured that when we show up and pay attention to feeding them, it is time well spent. This doesn’t always mean homemade meals, it could just be making sure to sit down together and connect over food. The second ingredient critical to embedding food with love is having good intentions as a caretaker. When people believe someone’s actions were well-intended, they feel more cared for. Intention means that someone is thinking about you and trying to provide generously for you. While the outcome may not be realized—food is burned, or it isn’t their favourite—the act of showing up to care for them is meaningful. Our caring intentions reveal who we hold close

and what motivates us. If they see us as having caring intentions, they will be more receptive to what we have to offer. The final ingredient in embodying food with love is caring and warmth. A simple meal is more nourishing when it is paired with an invitation for connection. The generosity and delight in taking care of someone conveys to them caring and warmth. In contrast is the sense that one is a burden or a chore to feed–as in “picky eating” or complaining about having to make dinner or lunches for the next day. Caring and warmth could be as simple as a note in a lunch bag or having a snack ready after school. There is no one prescription for conveying you care but feeding someone gives us an unparalleled opportunity to show that we do. The key is to remember that taking care of someone is not just a role we take on but a relationship that forms between us. Feeding someone gives us a unique opportunity to pair two critical needs together—attachment and food. It is in caring for each other that we become truly human and humane with food, our most trusted messenger.

Deborah MacNamara, PhD, is a mother, teacher, writer, counsellor and loves to translate developmental science into everyday practice. To read more, visit deborahmacnamara.com.

Winter 2024

EAT

The Simple Comfort of Sheet Pan Meals I

love sheet pan meals. They’re warm, comforting, and no-fuss meals. Just pop everything on the sheet pan, and you get 30 to 50 minutes to hang out with your kids before dinner is ready! The perfect way to end a really busy day. My kids love pretty much anything that is roasted with garlic. While my daughter tends to push any garlic that she can find to the side of her plate, it is still the secret spice to getting her to eat everything. Even if she doesn’t like the idea of garlic, she still loves the flavour. So don’t shy away from the garlic in these recipes.

Sheet Pan Pierogi Dinner (Prep time 5 minutes, Bake time 35 minutes)

My husband is Doukhobor, which means that pierogies are usually boiled, then fried up with copious amounts of butter and caramelized onions. It is delicious, but this recipe is easier. I’ve chosen to serve it with cauliflower, but any vegetable will work. Oven-roasted cauliflower tends to be popular with kids.

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1 head of cauliflower 16 pierogies 5 tbsp olive oil 3 cloves of garlic ½ tsp salt and black pepper, to taste Sour cream, for serving 1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. The centre is also edible, so don’t waste it! Chop it into French fry sized sticks. 3. Drizzle 2 tbsp of olive oil on your baking sheet. Lay out the pierogies and cauliflower. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Pop them in the oven for 20 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, finely dice the garlic. After 20 minutes, take the sheet pan out of the oven, toss everything and add the garlic, salt and pepper. Bake for another 15 minutes. The dinner is ready when the pierogies are cooked through.

Baked Gnocchi

(Prep time 10 minutes, Bake time 40 minutes)

There’s something comforting about a pasta that bakes in its own sauce. Feel free to add bite-sized pieces of sausage or pepperoni for a bit more flavour. Swap the mushrooms for another favourite vegetable. Coloured peppers or fresh spinach are both nice. ¼ cup of olive oil 2 cups of diced mushrooms 4 cloves of garlic 1 package of uncooked potato gnocchi (500g) 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano ½ tsp salt ½ tsp sugar 28 oz can of diced tomatoes 2 cups of mozzarella cheese Grated Parmesan cheese

Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her two busy children. You can find more of her recipes in her recently released cookbook Fermenting Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. Finely dice the mushrooms and garlic. 3. Place the gnocchi and the vegetables into the centre of a large baking dish. Pour over the olive oil. Sprinkling on the herbs and salt. Toss everything so that it is fully coated, and spread it evenly in the baking dish. Pour over the can of tomatoes and gently stir to ensure that the gnocchi are evenly covered by tomato. 4. Bake for 20 minutes. Toss to ensure even baking. Sprinkle the dish with mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. 5. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Sheet Pan Potato Hash

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(Prep time 15 minutes, Bake time 35 minutes)

We serve sheet pan hash for a fancy breakfast or a simple dinner. It’s easy to prep if you have a mandolin or food processor with a grater attachment. Otherwise, give yourself a bit more prep time to dice or grate the vegetables by hand. 3 large potatoes 2 sweet potatoes 5 mushrooms 1 green pepper 1 onion 3 cloves of garlic ¼ cup of oil 1 Tbsp smokey paprika 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp salt and ground black pepper, to taste 4 eggs 1. Preheat the oven to 450 F. 2. Coarsely grate the potatoes, sweet potato and mushrooms. Finely dice the green pepper, onion and garlic. 3. Place the vegetables on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle on the olive oil, toss to coat. Add in the paprika, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Stir one more time to make sure that everything is well coated, then spread it out evenly on the baking sheet. 4. Bake for 20 minutes. Stir the hash one more time, to ensure even cooking. 5. With the back of a spoon, make four small wells in the potatoes. Crack an egg into each well. Season each egg with a bit of salt and pepper. 6. Bake until the egg whites are fully set, about 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately. Winter 2024

LEARN

Hope & Happiness

pring is a wonderful time of renewal and rejuvenation. The last traces of snow are disappearing. Daffodils are popping out of the dirt. Trees are budding. And children are getting ready for a chance to get out of school for two whole weeks! It’s wonderful. The kids get a chance to unwind and have fun. It’s also chaotic, because the daily schedule that we as parents have worked hard to master, is now torn asunder. If your children are anything like mine, they need that schedule. I need that schedule. So this spring break, I plan on building in some quiet reading time. And while I will let my children choose the books they want to read, here are a few of the options I plan on giving them. Maybe your children will like them too. The first is Rumi—Poet of Joy and Love which is written and illustrated

by Rashin Kheiriyeh (NorthSouth Books, 2024). This is a beautifully illustrated book. I enjoyed looking at all of the pictures; they are so vibrant and inviting. The story itself is also quite lovely. It’s about the poet Rumi: his childhood, his profession and his journey of discovery. Rumi was a wonderful teacher, but he often felt like something in his life was missing until he met the sun. After his friend left suddenly, Rumi realized that oftentimes, we are the thing we are looking

for. We can create the beauty we are seeking in our world. And this realization inspired him to share what he learned with others. For ages 4 to 8. Growing up, the words “love” and “joy” were often part of a trilogy that included “peace.” So, I’ve decided to round out that trilogy for you here as

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well with the book Peace by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul and illustrated by Estelí Meza (NorthSouth Books, 2024). This is a beautiful poem that perfectly captures the many different aspects of the word peace in a way that children can understand. And the illustrations by Meza are phenomenal. Each page is a little world in and of itself that your child can get lost in. For ages 4 to 8. The third book is Shizue’s Path by Mark Sakamoto and illustrated by Rachel Wada (HarperCollins, 2023). This book might seem like an odd

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The final book is Blue Camas, Blue Camas by Danielle S. Marcotte and 2819 W 11th Avenue 281 illustrated by Alyssa Koski (Heritage Vancouver, BC V6K2M2 Van Vanc 2819 W 11th Avenu 2819 W 11th Avenue Leaders inV6K2M2 BC V6K2 Leaders in House, 2023). This book is a gentle Vancouver, BC Vancouver, 604-738-2819 Leaders inin look at one small way colonialism Leaders Family Support Family Support wests westsidefamilyplace.com 604-738-2819 impacted the people and plants that Family Support 604-738-2819 Services Services westsidefamilyplace.com Family Support lived here, by uprooting the Blue westsidefamilyplace.c Services Camas plant. But like several of the E n h a n c i nServices Enhancing the impact of g the impact of other books on this list, this story is F a mEi lFnyahPmalnialccyienPsgl atthchereos uitmgh hpr oaucgt ho f F a m icl yo lPl al abcoer sa ttiho rno u g h collaboration about hope and the chance to be the E n h a n c icno lgl a bt ohrea t iiomn p a c t o f Family Places through INCLUSIVE change we are searching for as we I N C L UI NS CI VLEU S I V E collaboration FAMILY-CENTRED F A M I LFYA-MCIELNY T- CREENDT R E D addition to this list, which has so far move forward to help our land heal. COLLABORATIVE COLLA BO CO L LRAABTOI V R EA T I V E INCLUSIVE included books about love, joy and For ages 4 to 8. FAMILY-CENTRED peace because Shizue’s Path is set in I know that not all of these books COLLABORATIVE and around World War II. This story will be easy reads—easy as in about is about a young Japanese-Canadian light topics, they are all simple MOUNT SOUTH MARPOLE SIDE SOUTH MOUNT SOUTH EM girl and how she was treated during enough for children WEST to read and unMARPOLE MARPOLE WEST WEST SIDE SIDE PLEASANT VANCOUVER OAKRIDGE FAMILY PL VANCOUVER PLEASANT the war and after it ended. It brought derstand—but I think they would all VANCOUVER OAKRIDGE OAKRIDGE FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY me to tears, and it may do the same be a good read this break if your kids FAMILY PLACE FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY PLACE PLACE MOUNT SOUTH CENTRE PLACE to you and your children. But, keep are looking for a chance to refresh PLACE PLACE CENTRE PLACE PLACE PLACE PLEASANC reading, because while there is pain their spirit. Because they all encour- VANCOUVER 7710 Nanaimo Street 2910 St. George Street in this story, Shizue’s Path is truly a age children to have hope for the fuFAMILY FAMILY BCStreet V5P4Y2 Vancouver, BC V5T4L9 77108188 Nanaimo Street 2910 2819 W 11th Avenue 8188 Lord 7710 Vancouver, Nanaimo Street 2910 St. George Street 16 2819 2819 WW11th 11th Avenue Avenue 8188 Lord Lord Street Street story of beauty and healing and hope. ture, work towards that change, and Vancouver, BC V5P4Y2 Vanc Vancouver, BC V6K2M2 Vancouver, BC V6P0G8 CENTRE PLACE Vancouver, BC V5P4Y2 Vancouver, BCBC V5T4L9 Van Vancouver, Vancouver, BCBC V6K2M2 V6K2M2 Vancouver, Vancouver, BC V6P0G8 V6P0G8 604-325-5213 604-872-6757 And Sakamoto’s hope for sharing this Leaders love themselves for who they are, in Leaders Leaders ininand southvancouverfamilyplace.org mpfamilycentre.ca 604-325-5213 story, is that Shizue’s experience will that is always a good thing. 604-738-2819 604-263-1405 604-738-2819 604-738-2819 604-263-1405 604-263-1405 604-325-5213 604-872-6757 Family Support Family FamilySupport Support m 7710 Nanaimo 2910 St. George Str westsidefamilyplace.com mofp.org Street southvancouverfamilyplace.org westsidefamilyplace.com westsidefamilyplace.com mofp.org mofp.org help your children find their own path southvancouverfamilyplace.org mpfamilycentre.ca eas Services Services Vancouver, BC V5P4Y2 Vancouver, BC V5T4 of beauty, healing and hope. Because, Services while we might wish it wasn’t true, Ewe En Eh n ah na cnicni gn gt ht eh ei mi m p apcatc to fo f nhancing the impact of 604-325-5213 604-872-6757 F aF m am i l iyl yP lPalcaecse st ht rhoruo guhg h Family Places through know our children will experience pain c oc lol lalba ob roartai toino n southvancouverfamilyplace.org mpfamilycentre.ca collaboration in their lives. For ages 4 to 8. Another book I’m hoping my kids I NI N C LCUL U S ISVI EV E INCLUSIVE F AF A MM I LIYL -YC- ECNE TNRT ERDE D will enjoy this spring break is A Pen- F A M I L Y - C E N T R E D CO CO L LLAL A BO BO RA R TAITVI EV E COLLABORATIVE guin Like Me, which is written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister (NorthSouth Books, 2024). This book takes us deep within a fictional penguin MOUNT MOUNT SOUTH SOUTH EASTSIDE EASTSIDE colony, and introduces us to all of the SOUTH MOUNT EASTSIDE PLEASANT PLEASANT VANCOUVER VANCOUVER FAMILY FAMILY different penguins like the newcomer, PLEASANT VANCOUVER FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY the funny one and the one who wants FAMILY FAMILY PLACE PLACE FAMILY FAMILY PLACE to fly. This colourful little book enCENTRE CENTRE PLACE PLACE CENTRE courages children to be proud of who PLACE they are, because, like the penguins, 7710 7710Nanaimo NanaimoStreet Street 2910 2910St.St.George GeorgeStreet Street 1655 1655 William William Street Street 7710 Nanaimo Street 2910 St. George Street 1655 William Street we are all wonderfully unique. For Vancouver, Vancouver, BCBCV5P4Y2 V5P4Y2 Vancouver, Vancouver, BCBCV5T4L9 V5T4L9 Vancouver, Vancouver, BCBC V5L2R3 V5L2R3 Vancouver, BC V5P4Y2 Vancouver, BC V5T4L9 Vancouver, BC V5L2R3 ages 4 to 8. 604-325-5213 southvancouverfamilyplace.org

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Christina Van Starkenburg lives with her husband, children and cat. She is the author of One Tiny Turtle: A Story You Can Colour and many articles. To read more of her work and learn about her upcoming books, visit christinavanstarkenburg.com. Facebook: facebook.com/ christinavanstarkenburg and Twitter: @Christina_VanS.

Winter 2024

EXPLORE

Saving the Birds

We Protect What We Care About

id you know that the birds you see in your yard, your neighbourhood and your parks are the same individuals day after day? I grew up thinking that birds were random. They can fly anywhere, can’t they? Well, it turns out most don’t. They have their home “turf” and regular travelling routes just like we do. Even migratory birds return year after year to the same neighbourhoods. You may have suspected this if you have a unique bird in your yard—one that has a particular white feather, is missing a toe or buzzes you while you are in the garden. As it turns out, most birds show strong site loyalty—returning again and again to the same places. Acknowledging birds as individuals made me think about my actions and their impact on these amazing feathered animals. You may have seen the headlines. Somewhere between 30 and 50 percent of the world’s bird population has been lost in the last 70 years or so. How did we let this happen without even noticing? It’s easy to see the clearcuts in the forests, and we know about our fishing and other resource industries, but the loss of wild birds is unintentional. If we aren’t deliberately harming them, is there anything we can do to ensure there are still lots of birds in our children’s future? In short, yes! Most children are naturally drawn to birds. They can fly, after all! Whether it’s being followed by a flock of ducks at a local pond or watching a robin with a beak full of earthworms flying back to its nest, bird behaviour is something most children already notice. Here are some things you

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and your children can enjoy together that will build on their interest, and could ultimately lead to caring about and protecting birds: Create a bird-friendly environment: A garden with native berry or seed-bearing plants and nectar-producing flowers will provide both food and shelter for birds. Bird feeders and water sources can also be a part of a bird-friendly garden but require regular cleaning and maintenance. If you do choose to have a feeder, ensure that it is very near your windows, or very far away to minimize the risk of fatal window collisions. Learn your local bird names: Famed artist Robert Bateman and ornithologist Kenn Kaufman have both pointed out that knowing the names of plants and animals in our neighbourhoods fundamentally changes the way we think about them. A few to look up that are in almost every island neighbourhood are American Robin, Northern Flicker, Chestnutbacked Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco and Spotted Towhee. And those hawks on the lamp posts on the highway? Most of them are Red-tailed Hawks. Gamify the experience: Pokémon Go and birding are incredibly similar. Free apps like eBird can provide a list of birds you are likely to find in your area, and you can track all of them that you find. Here is a great place to start: tinyurl. com/capitalchecklist. The free Merlin app can help you learn to identify birds by their songs! Attend family-friendly bird events: Organizations such as Rocky Point Bird Observatory, Victoria Natural History Society, Naturehood, Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, NatureKids, the Gorge Waterway Nature House and the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre welcome children and have several child and family-focused events each year. Visit a bird banding station, go on field trips, participate in Victoria Bird Week, World Migratory Bird Day and the Christmas Bird Count for Kids (CBC4Kids)! Encourage responsible behaviour: Teach children to enjoy the birds without disturbing them or their nests. Walking around a flock of birds instead of running through them will allow them to feed and rest after a long migration flight. Keeping our pets under control so that they do not chase or catch the birds is important for their health and safety. Getting your children started on an interest in birds can encourage empathy, responsibility and stewardship for wild birds and the environment. Enjoying the birds together can deepen the bond between parents (or grandparents) and children and help foster a generation that cares about the natural world. Before you know it, your kids will be teaching you about the birds! Rocky Point Bird Observatory seeks to influence and inform ecological management practices and conservation of migratory birds in western North America through monitoring, scientific research and public education. Learn more at rpbo.org.

Family Day at the Legislature Please join us for free family friendly activities at the B.C. Parliament Buildings

Monday, February 19, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

www.leg.bc.ca | tours@leg.bc.ca Winter 2024

HEALTH

Canadian Dental Care Plan: What You Need to Know

ral health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Regular visits to an oral health professional have proven to reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. Yet, a third of the people living in Canada do not have dental insurance, and in 2022, one in four Canadians reported avoiding visiting an oral health professional because of the cost. In December, the Government of Canada announced the details of the upcoming roll-out of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Once fully implemented, the CDCP will help ease financial barriers to accessing oral health care for up to nine million uninsured Canadian residents with an annual family income of less than $90,000. “The Canadian Dental Care Plan will be transformative for our country,” says Minister of Health Mark Holland. “It will significantly improve health outcomes, reduce a burden on our health care system, and build a foundation of equity by expanding access to oral health care for the millions of Canadians that currently do not have access to this critical care. The Government of Canada is making life more affordable by helping families and their loved ones.”

Seniors

To meet anticipated demand and ensure a smooth onboarding process, the CDCP will be rolled out using a phased approach over the coming months, starting with seniors. “Dental care shouldn’t be a luxury. It’s basic health care,” says Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O’Regan Jr. “Seniors are often on fixed incomes and have more health care bills, so they’re a priority in our dental plan. We want every Canadian to age in health, in comfort and in dignity.”

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Applications will first open for seniors aged 87 and above in December 2023, expanding in phases to those aged 77 to 86 in January 2024, followed by those aged 72 to 76 in February 2024, then those aged 70 to 71 in March 2024. Individuals in these age groups who may be eligible will receive

letters inviting them to apply, with instructions on how to validate their eligibility and apply by telephone. In May 2024, applications will shift to an online portal and will open for eligible seniors 65 and older.

QUICK FACTS Children

Persons with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under the age of 18 will be able to apply online starting June 2024. All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 will be able to apply online starting in 2025. Canadians who are enrolled in the CDCP will be able to start seeing an oral health provider as early as May 2024, starting with seniors. The start date to access oral health care will vary based on when each group can apply, when the application is received and when enrolment is completed. This coverage start date, details of coverage and member card will be sent by Sun Life, the contracted service provider, in a welcome package.

What’s Covered

A wide range of oral health care services will be covered under the CDCP to prevent and treat oral health disease. Examples of these services include preventive care such as scaling (cleaning), polishing, as well as other services such as exams, x-rays, fillings, removable dentures and root canal treatments. As part of a continuous improvement approach, the CDCP will be reviewed regularly based on data and evidence to ensure it meets the needs of Canadians. Oral health professionals play a vital role in delivering oral health care, and this plan will allow more Canadians to receive their care. Resources and tools on how to assist and inform their patients about the CDCP will be provided to the oral health professional community. For more information on the CDCP, eligibility, the phased application roll-out and examples of what will be covered, visit canada.ca/dental.

• The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will be administered by Health Canada in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), through Service Canada and Sun Life. • Budget 2023 announced an investment of $13 billion over five years, starting in 2023–24, and $4.4 billion ongoing, to implement CDCP. • The estimated value of the contract with Sun Life is $746,698,598.22. The duration of the contract is five years and includes two 24-month option periods and one 12-month option period, for a total of five additional option years. • The Canada Dental Benefit will continue to support families with children under the age of 12 until June 30, 2024. Parents and caregivers will be able to apply for the CDCP for children under the age of 18 as of June 2024.

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Winter 2024

LEARN

Top 10 Borrowed Books of 2023

he Top 10 Borrowed Books of 2023 is one of our most popular booklists of the year. Get inspired by this snapshot of what Vancouver has been reading, and get a head start on your 2024 reading list by checking them out!

FOR ADULTS

1. 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest 2. Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex 3. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer 4. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy 5. The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté 6. A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny 7. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 8. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr 9. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin 10. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

FOR TEENS

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 2. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins 3. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas 4. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han 5. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline 6. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 7. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley 8. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson 9. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

FOR KIDS

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney 2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney 3. Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye: A Graphic Novel by Gabriela Epstein 4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End by Jeff Kinney 5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling 6. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling 7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney 8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown by Jeff Kinney 9. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney 10. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney Vancouver Public Library 30

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