Aug/Sept 2011
The free magazine for local moms...and dads too! Photo Feature:
Kids with Cameras
Guided Imagery for Kids
Using the power of creative visualization
The Interior Children’s Expo A fun and informative event for the whole family!
The Mother of All Guilt
Why we experience guilt and what to do about it
Say it in Song
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was recently asked what I consider my greatest ability as a parent. After much consideration, I knew the answer: singing. “Singing,” you say, “seriously?” Seriously! There is not a day that goes by when we don’t sing a song...or 5 or 10 or 100. We have songs for every part of our day: sleeping, changing, cuddling, eating, bathing, driving. It’s our version of ‘routine’: Child hears, “Sitting in my high chair, high chair, high chair. Sitting in my high chair banging my spoon” and knows it’s time to eat, etc. But in our house, we don`t just stick to the traditional songs; we make up our own. I suppose my true talent is actually song ‘writing.’ Now, I use this term rather loosely...these songs are Letter from a never going to be ‘radio-friendly’ (heck, they’re not even Kamloops ‘grownup-friendly’!) Momma Basically, they are rhymes set to well-known children songs, and they are pretty darn funny, if I do say so myself (I like to think my kids would agree). And, recently, my oldest daughter started showing up my songs with her own. So proud! But singing is not all about the kiddies. It’s for me too -you know when you get so frustrated all you want to do is yell? (and if you don’t, please tell me how you do it!) Well, instead of yelling, I sing. It’s especially useful before kids can understand what you are saying. You can say exactly what you’re feeling without getting angry. As long as you use your sweetest, most loving voice, you can say ANYTHING: “Why won’t you go to bed? I’m going to lose my head.You’re driving me crazy. I just want to sit down and be lazy!” Now, once a child is old enough to understand that saying they’re driving you crazy is not particularly nice, regardless of how sweetly it is sung, this trick no longer works. But sometimes just singing a silly song alleviates a stressful situation (and then they think you’re crazy!) And no natural talent is required. Well, I did take years of singing lessons all the while knowing I would never be a singer because my overwhelming fear of singing in public, and being the daughter of a former preschool instructor definitely helps, but a pretty voice really isn’t necessary for these songs. All you need is a willingness to laugh at yourself...and perhaps a Mother Goose class or two! Have you been to Mother Goose? It’s a free parent-child program with singing, stories, and snacks. You bond with your children, meet other families, and hone your singing skills! For more info, visit interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca or call 250.554.3134 ext. 582. Registration for the fall session begins late September. -Courtney Charlton, editor
To share your ideas and comments, contact us at info@kamloopsmomma.com or find us on Facebook!
On the Cover: Jordyn Maywood-with her big blue beautiful eyes-was a natural model to photograph. She was a real sweetheart and so much fun to work with. Can’t wait for another opportunity to photograph her again in the future. Photo by Heather Sayers of Captured Memories Photography. She is an on-location, natural light photographer from Kamloops who loves to incorporate props into her photography. She really enjoys interacting and photographing children but also enjoys all aspects of photography For more information, check out www. captured-memories.ca.
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A Look Inside Kamloops Momma...
Charlee Welch, 1
Jacob, 2.5
Shyanne Hamby, 3
Sam Yargeau, 11 months
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Nine Months Later...
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The Mother of All Guilt
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No Girls Allowed!
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We Need a Montage!
Jennifer Harbaruk’s story
Why we experience guilt and what to do about it It’s the boys’ turn to dance
Following a first-time mom from final trimester to 1st birthday
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Guided Imagery for Kids
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Parent and Baby Yoga
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The Interior Children’s Expo
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Kids with Cameras
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We Asked You
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Notes from a Boho Momma
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A Beautiful Beginning
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Living with Chronic Kidney Disease
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Been There, Done That!
Using the power of visualization with your kids Bringing relaxation into our lives in small ways A fun and informative event for the whole family Photo feature
What’s your favourite part of the Children’s Art Festival? Amanda Barker tells us about essential oils Seeking support to find your breastfeeding rhythm Sami Turunen’s story
KamloopsParents.com presents the BTDT Squad
Resources: Cate Cuzzetto, 9 months
20 Community Business Directory 24 Get Connected 26 Dear Aunty 29 Things We Love 30 Community Events Calendar
Kamloops Momma is the fun, reliable publication connecting local families to each other and to our community. We provide information about regional events, resources and businesses, as well as articles intended to inspire, enlighten and empower parents and caregivers. As a local resource, we want our community to get involved We encourage and acceot submissions from any person, business, or organization sharing our goal to strengthen our parenting community. Kamloops Momma is published every 2 months and avaialble for free at businesses and resource centres throughout our region. Readers can also download the magazine online and subscribe to have it delivered right to their door. 4
www.kamloopsmomma.com
Kamloops Momma Magazine
Published by Courtney Charlton, editor Contact: 778.472.0020 info@kamloopsmomma.com www.kamloopsmomma.com facebook.com/kamloopsmommamagazine All rights reserved. No written or illustrated part of this magazine may be reproduced, except brief quotations in articles or reviews, without permission from the editor and individual authors.
Nine Months Later... {Jennifer Harbaruk’s Story}
“...as we’ve learned through this process, we accept what we are dealt and give thanks for small steps forward.”
Top: Lizzie Harbaruk is glowing while spending a day in the rain with her family Photo: Classic Blue Photgraphy Bottom: Friends and family join Team Love for Lizzie at this year’s Relay for Life
By Jennifer Harbaruk
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OW! Here we are. The five of us. Happily packed into our 1991 Suburban. The “Swagger Wagon,” as my husband affectionately calls it. We are going on vacation. Unheard of 9 months ago. 9 months ago, we didn’t know which end was up. 9 months ago, we didn’t know what tomorrow would hold. 9 months ago, we worried that we may not see our baby go to Kindergarten. Today, we are going on vacation. Not that a road trip with three kids across the Prairies is much of a holiday, but we’re together, we’re happy and we’re healthy! Our strong fighter girl has finished her treatment. Last week she looked at me as we passed by RIH, driving her brothers to St. Ann’s and exclaimed, “No more poke pokes Mama!” ‘No’ is right! 9 months of treatment = 32 weeks of chemotherapy, countless VAD accesses, hundreds of ml of antibiotics, anti nauseants and blood pressure medication, 59 injections of white cell stimulator, over 250 ml of blood drawn and 400 ml put
back in, buckets of vomit, 42 days admitted at BCCH, 1 kidney containing 2 tumours removed, 1 PET scan, 2 CT scans, 6 MRI scans, 4 heart echocardiograms, 2 neutropenic admissions to RIH, every square inch of body hair gone, 2 nervous older brothers, 2 frantic parents and one tough cookie!! Lizzie’s oncologist, Dr. Sheila Pritchard, her nurse clinician, Suzanne Horn, and her oncology/nephrology team are “comfortable” with where she is. She is cancer-free and in her maintenance phase. The nephrogenic rests that remain in her left kidney are currently stable. The hope is they will stay that way. As she grows, new healthy kidney cells will grow and potentially overtake bad cells. It is a waiting game. And, for those of you who really know me, “wait and see” does not sit well. You can’t control wait and see. But, as we’ve learned through this process, we accept what we are dealt and give thanks for small steps forward. And, speaking of thanks, words can’t do justice to the amount of support our family has been shown. Amazing staff, friends and customers, well wishes and fundrais-
ing from strangers, watching our boys, cleaning our house, easing the financial burden, an occasional bottle (or 10) of wine, shoulders for sobbing, kind, patient ears for listening, but especially allowing us time to process the grief that you experience with a cancer diagnosis. Our Love for Lizzie Relay Team fundraised to the tune of $4000 this year! We encourage you to join us each year as we hope to spread awareness and raise funds for research! About a week ago, Lizzie and I were playing outside. She had been mucking around the yard as I picked weeds. Her face looked dirty and I called for her to come over. I did the old mom trick – licked my thumb and started rubbing her skin. It wasn’t coming off. She said, “Mama, I have eye-bows!” I was smiling so hard that the tears kept dripping into my mouth… A special thanks to Courtney and Troi for helping us keep everyone in the loop, and telling Lizzie’s story in such a caring way.
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The Mother of All Guilt
“Unfortun ately, gu ilt affects mothers differentl y the impacts Why we experience guilt and what to do about it fathers. W n it omen continue to feel an By Celeste Schell d take on the re sponsibli UILT. What is guilt? Why does it feel so heavy? Why is one attention, etc.” ty for the majo In my counselit always lurking when I make my decisions? Why is it rity of pa r e nting ready to pounce on me when I am away from my child? ling therapy pracHow does it get to the point of controlling my behaviours? Why tice, I hear from issues.” parents who leave the home can it argue both sides of an argument so that I cannot win?
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How does it know my weaknesses, fears, and vulnerabilities so intimately? Guilt is that sick, sticky, yucky feeling that reminds you that you are or have done something that does not align with your values or beliefs. It is different from shame, which I describe as guilt’s older and somewhat nastier cousin, in that it judges your behaviour more than your character. I like to think of them like this: guilt is the feeling that I have done something bad while shame is the feeling that I am something bad. Guilt is also the strange way in which we punish ourselves or make amends to others. We have somehow come to believe that torturing ourselves with guilt, almost like serving a sentence for a crime, will somehow make amends for the wrong we have done. But since we tell ourselves that we cannot forgive our mistakes, guilt becomes a life sentence. For mothers, guilt begins the day of conception. This guilt continues throughout the entire pregnancy, birth, and throughout all stages of the child’s development. Any time something is amiss with our children, guilt swoops in to tell us that we must have done something wrong. “You didn’t give your babies enough breast milk, tummy time, organic baby food, one-to-
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for paid employment that say they feel guilty for working, for taking their child to daycare, for enjoying their time away, for not spending more time with their children, for being ambitious, and for not witnessing more of the day-to-day developments of their children. From the stay-at-home moms, I hear that they too feel guilty, but for different reasons. They feel guilty for wanting more, for not feeling more fulfilled by parenting, for putting their careers and financial independence on hold, for not being able to accomplish more in a day, and for feeling resentful of their spouse for getting a “break” each day by leaving to go to a job. There are, of course, many moms who have the luxury of being completely satisfied with their decisions to stay home or to work outside the home, but I am pretty sure guilt finds a way to oppress them in other ways. Unfortunately, guilt affects mothers differently then it impacts fathers. Women continue to feel and take on the responsible for the majority of parenting issues. When children struggle in any way, there is a tendency within our culture to look for someone to be at fault. Moms have been the unlucky recipients of this blame which is then internalized as guilt. Guilt is our own internal oppression/blame. Guilt’s messages are cultural, familial, and systemic teachings. They are the handed down communications of our ancestors, traditions, our beliefs, and values. Guilt encourages us to perpetuate judgments against mothers from within. Every time we buy into our own guilt we are accepting the belief/message that it is forcing on us. It always surprises me that most people accept guilt’s message for themselves but don’t believe it applies to others. For instance, I recently met a woman who said that she would stay in her unhappy and abusive marriage to avoid guilt’s message that she was breaking up her children’s home/family. When questioned what advice she would give her own daughters if they ran into this situation, she stated she would want her children to escape and do what is best for them as individuals. Do we not owe it to our children to break this cycle of mother guilt? Can we, as mothers, stand united and support one another’s protest against guilt’s bullying? If we reframe guilt’s intentions, we would see that we just want to be the best and do the best by our children. Is guilt really helping us accomplish that goal? Is there another way we could show loyalty, love, and commitment to our children? Can we make amends for our mistakes and decisions in ways that our children will actually reap the benefits? Can we use the time and energy we would waste with self-denigration and put it toward quality time with the most important little people in our lives? I challenge each and every mother reading this to view guilt as your body’s way of reminding you that you have the best intentions and take a step to act in ways that better fit your model of the kind of mother you want to be, outside of the oppressive image society has painted for all of us.
No Girls Allowed!
It’s the boys’ turn to dance These young boys have found their groove at Akimbo Dance Studios. Photo: Studio Five-O Photography
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hen I walk through the studio door with my binder and i-Pod in hand, I am inundated with 12 young boys rushing to see which ring I am wearing today, to share with me a special event that is taking place in their lives or simply to just say ‘hello.’ These are my Moves & Grooves students and, quite honestly, are one of my favourite classes to teach! It’s a program I started at Akimbo not long ago for boys only. I wanted to find a way to encourage more boys to dance without having to go through the ordeal of “protecting” them from fellow female classmates. Let’s face it, girls can be mean. These boys come to dance class every week excited about what they will learn next and feeling so comfortable and safe that they request the free-style portion of the class comes at the beginning rather than the end. Some may say gender separation is a “bad” thing but I beg to differ when I see the effect it has on them and their confidence levels. They are free to express who they are without the
“They are free to express who they are without the selfconsciousness that comes with developing a sense of self.”
self-consciousness that comes with developing a sense of self. Once these young boys reach a certain maturity and emotional development, they can integrate into a co-ed class with no fear of being made fun. They have honed some skills and gained a sense of accomplishment being free amongst their peers. These classes range in age from 4-5 for Level I, 5-6 for Level II and 7-9 for Level III. The oldest classes are for 10-12 year olds and are strictly Hip Hop and Breakdance. Watching them perform on stage at our year-end recital and feeling so proud of each one’s accomplishments, the extra effort on my part as a teacher (some days it can be like herding cats) is soon forgotten and the satisfaction and reward I get at the end of the day is priceless.
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Following a first-time mom’s journey from final trimester to baby’s 1st birthday
We Need a Montage! Cue the Music... By Erin Brûlé
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year ago, I sat down to write the first article for a year-long look at the introduction to the alien world of parenthood. At the time, I knew my life was about to be turned upside. But there was no way to know just how much. I remember in the months before my due date I thought about what kinds of adventures my baby and I would get up to our first year. I imagined lots of play dates, outings to the park, swimming lessons, trips to the wildlife park, mornings of song with Mother Goose, visits with family and so on. My overall ‘theme’ was that our adventures all involved “doing” something...oh, and getting out of my pajamas and out of the house. That’s funny. With close to a year under my belt, I can now see the folly of my thinking. What I have come to realize is that some days the only “doing” involves the bare necessities. Feed baby. Change baby. Put baby down for a nap. Repeat. In fact, I would have to say that those days are far more common than the ‘get out and have an adventure day!’ - at least in my house! Occasionally, I find myself feeling really guilty about these home-bound days. I feel a sense of panic that maybe I’m ‘wasting’ precious days that should be filled with fun, interesting and diverse activities. And I think about what kind of montage I’m creating. You know what I’m referring to, right? The “wow-life-is-so-amazingly-awesome-carefree-and -perfect-when-you-put-it-on-fast-forward-and-add-a-happy-song” montage found in every family movie and romantic comedy (and let’s face it – in our minds too!) But it seems even when I plan an interesting and diverse activity that would be a lovely addition to my “life montage,” I end up bailing because the baby is still sleeping. Or needing to sleep. Or I’m too freakin’ exhausted. Then I watched a movie that put my mind at ease. In “Barney’s Version” (a Mordecai Richler book-turned-movie), one of the character says... “Life’s real, it’s made up of little things - minutes, hours, naps, errands, routine. And - it has to be enough.” Maybe I was just having a total sentimental moment...but that line really spoke to me. Because isn’t it the truth? That IS what makes up life. (not to say I’m not hoping for some epic adventures too!) Of course, the beauty of the montage is that we get to modify our memories to only remember the good parts, and skip over the rest! Take for example, our first experience with camping this summer. Here’s the montage I’ve created in my mind...(cue happy, upbeat music) “Cheerful baby helping mama set up tent. Happy baby swinging in tree swing. Laughing children playing in boat beside the lake. Relaxed parents hanging out on lawn chairs.
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It seems like Rya Jane has grown up right before our eyes...and what a beautiful, curious, joyful little lady she has become! Babies getting tucked in for the night. Parents sitting around fire enjoying a beer and swapping stories.” Now, this DID happen. But perhaps a more ‘accurate’ montage would look like this... “Cheerful baby helps mama set up tent. Baby tries to poke eye out with tent peg. Mom takes away tent peg. Baby erupts in tears. Happy baby swinging in tree swing. Other baby wants turn in tree swing. More tears. Laughing children playing in boat beside the lake. Baby falls out of boat. More tears. Parents sitting around fire enjoying a beer and swapping stories. Baby pukes in tent. Baby wakes up ready to party at 4am. Parents regret sitting around fire enjoying beer and wish they had just gone to bed early.” Good times! But I’m pretty sure we’ve all been there. I hear from lots of friends that if they truly remembered what it was like travelling with their kids, they wouldn’t book another trip! I’m looking forward to creating many, many more montages as I continue this crazy ride as a new mama (and curious how a 2 week trip to Europe will pan out this fall!) Erin Brule is a first-time mama, looking forward to seeing her baby turn 1 this summer. For a musical montage of this Loopy Mama’s first year, visit loopymama.ca. Kamloops Momma would like to say a huge heart-felt thanks to Erin for sharing her first year as a parent with us. You made us laugh; you made us cry; you made us feel like it’s okay if we go a little loopy sometimes! We wish you and your beautiful family all the best as you venture into the second year of parenting. It only gets easier. (cue laughter!) We’re looking for someone to share their experiences this next year. Do you have a unique parenting story you’d like to share (multiples, perhaps!)? We’d love to hear from you! info@kamloopsmomma.com.
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y r e g a m I d Guide for Kids
“We have a history in our culture of discrediting the power of imagination and, sadly, in that process, we have disempowered what could well be the most powerful tool we have.”
An enchanted pathway Photo: Janet Whitehead
By Janet Whitehead
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ental imagery, creative visualization, meditation, journeying– there are many names and varying techniques for this powerful tool that can relax, empower, build confidence, heal and create changes that would have once been considered impossible. In sport, elite athletes have used visualization techniques for decades. Science has shown that an athlete who knows his sport meticulously well can visualize being engaged in the sport and will have the same results physically as if he’d been physically active. Not only will he develop confidence in his ability and visualize his success, but he will also build measurable muscle strength and blood oxygen levels. Likewise, an experienced musician who visualizes being engaged in his music will show the same brain wave patterns as when he is actually engaged in the music, thus making practise possible even when there’s no instrument nearby. Years ago, I decided to practise this technique. On my last waterski runs of the season, I paid close attention to every detail, action, feeling, smell and sound. During the winter, I regularly visualized skiing. The following spring, I skied better on my first day out than I had ever skied in my life. What surprised me even more was that I didn’t have sore muscles the next day. Already a proponent for the power of imagination,
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that experience helped me understand the limitless possibilities of our mind. The possibilities go far beyond success in sport or visualizing a new car. Visualization can reduce stress, break through barriers, provide inspiration, and clarify an individual’s truths, passions and answers. Visualizations have been used since ancient times by healers, shamans, and Buddhists as a method of healing and of connecting to spirit. This ability is available to everyone. So why aren’t we all practising the art of visualization? I have come to understand it’s not as simple as the popular movie The Secret would have one think. It can be hard for an individual to stay focussed. As well, we all have unconscious limiting beliefs and barriers that can prevent us from fully experiencing the power of visualization. One of those limiting beliefs has been taught to us since our childhood. You’ve all heard this and have likely said it yourself: “It’s only your imagination.” We have a history in our culture of discrediting the power of imagination and, sadly, in that process, we have disempowered what could well be the most powerful tool we have. And that is where guided imageries - visualization led by a ‘guide’- come in.
3. Listen to the sound as your door opens and then step into your special imagination journey. 4. Look at your feet. Notice what you’re wearing...are you barefoot or in shoes? 5. There’s a path. It might be sand or sidewalk or grass. If you don’t see it make up what you want it to be. 6. Imagine walking the path…imagine that you can really feel and hear your feet touch the path as you walk. 7. Look around…you are in such a nice place and you feel really good here. Imagine what it looks like. (at this point you can ask your child “where are you?” and continue with their vision, or if they aren’t sure, help to create a space in nature.) 8. Encourage noticing the details, smells, sounds, colours. i.e.: Can you hear birds? Can you feel a breeze on your face? Are there trees? Homes? Water? The child may or may not answer your questions out loud. Either way works. 9. You notice up ahead the most amazing chair meant just for you! You feel like smiling or even laughing. Imagine this most amazing chair. 10. Imagine running up to your chair and sitting in it. 11. You’ll notice off to one side someone or something. It might be a person or an animal or even a faerie or magical being. Somehow you know that they care about you and know you are very special. 12. You ask, “Do you have something you’d like to tell me?” See if you can hear a message and if not, that’s okay. (Remember, allow lots of pauses for their discovery.) 13. They set a gift in your lap. Inside is something meant to Tips: remind you of how special you are. Imagine opening the gift. Listen to the sounds as you unwrap it. Notice the feeling. And • Begin the activity during a quiet time with a playful inthen notice what’s inside. It’s okay if you’re not sure…the gift troduction like “would you like to go on an imagination will reveal itself some other time. (long pause) journey?” 14. If you want to chat or do anything more in your special • Start with a short journey to simply introduce the concept. place, go ahead. 15. Imagine keeping the ‘feel good’ feeling with you. When • Use a storytelling voice with scenarios that your child you are ready to come back to our room, wiggle your toes and would like, but allow yourself to become quieter as they fingers. (Pause) Open your eyes when you want and, if you feel get further into the journey. like it, you can tell me about your imagination journey (if they • Give lots of pauses for the child to experience what they didn’t already give you a running scenario throughout). are imagining. You can imagine yourself in a lovely place 16. Ask questions to help your child share their experience. at the same time and you’ll get a better feel of how long it Be careful not to judge, analyze or advise. Acknowledge their takes to imagine all that is around you. discoveries enthusiastically. Finally, you can ask, “What would • Enjoy the process. For once, you are not there to fix, teach, be a fun journey next time?” or redirect behaviour. You will be delighted at what you As simple and playful as this sounds, and it is, you will be discover about your child if you are the one providing “the validating one of your child’s most powerful tools and their paintbrush and canvas” and they are the “painters.” potential to use the power of their mind and soul will blossom. Janet L. Whitehead, Personal Life Coach, Creativity Coach/ • If the child encounters something ‘scary,’ help them by saying “we can go on this other path that is much brighter and Trainer and owner of Musings and Mud Coaching Studio. more fun.” You may need to add the details to help them see the new path and learn they have the power to change what they see and feel. The guide is there to: • Lead the person to a relaxed and open minded state • Ease them into a journey of their imagination, encouraging lightness and fun • Gently keep the person focussed • Provide direction towards a discovery The person being guided is the one who will create the experience and make the discoveries. In essence, the guide provides the pallet and brushes and helps them stay seated at the easel, while the person being guided is the one who will create the painting and reveal their unique brilliance and discoveries. As a child’s trusted parent or caregiver, you have an extraordinary opportunity to encourage and support what children innately already know-before the world confuses and disempowers their ability to imagine and to believe in extraordinary possibilities and before the responsibility of daily tasks keeps them from giving any time to that powerful tool. Imagine the possibilities if your child never doubts their ability to visualize their strengths and successes– physical, emotional, mental and spiritual; if they never doubt their ability to find their own answers within; and if they have the tools for inspiration, connection to the soul and healing. Makes it worth giving it a shot, doesn’t it?
Beginner’s guided imagery for kids:
The conversation can go like this:
1. Notice your breathing for moment. (Pause) Imagine your body is like a crayon on a warm sidewalk on a warm day… all melty and relaxed. The chair/bed/ground feels like it’s softer and cosier like a cloud. You can feel your legs/butt/tummy/ face muscles soften. (Keep this short.. if you run through all parts of the body, they will lose interest. Leave the ‘butt’ in, it makes kids laugh.) 2. Imagine a door… a very cool, very special door (or gate/ opening in the trees). If you don’t see it, just make it up. Notice the colour, imagine touching it. Is it rough or smooth? Notice if it’s warm or cool.
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advertorial
Parent and Baby Yoga By Tania McCartney
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eople roll, rock, cry, twist, crawl, eat, poop, and laugh. This is not a description of a room in a facility for mental illness; it is a parent and baby yoga class. It is a whole lot of fun. When I tell people I teach Parent and Baby Yoga they always seem interested, but wary. How is it going to be a relaxing yoga class if I have to nurse/change/feed snacks to/entertain/ comfort my baby? Relaxation becomes a relative thing after we have a child (or two or three). Yesterday, after putting an angry toddler in her car seat, I had my first mini vacation as I walked around the car to my door. I managed to feel my feet on the ground, draw in a deep breath, and even smile at the absurdity, having long lost track of what got my daughter so worked up in the first place. So, again, how is it going to be a relaxing yoga class? Well, we have to understand that in a perfect world, it would be wonderful and nourishing to have 60-90 minutes in a day, or in a whole week for that matter, to stretch and breathe and invigor-
We slowly make our way to standing for some shoulder stretches, balances (we need balance as photos by Alys moms, right?) or some sun salutation if e Benoit there is enough mom or baby focus. Then we make our way back down to the ground for a slightly more structured breathing inquiry. This can be used to energize, invigorate, balance, and even to bring us down off the proverbial ledge. We work with different ones to see what we will find useful during those quiet moments, nursing, rocking, bouncing. On a side note, this is sometimes done earlier in the class as the nursing babies have a tendency to want to nurse at the same. Throughout the class I rotate holding and entertaining babies that fuss to give moms a chance to enjoy their practice more deeply. This is an absolute pleasure for me. I have been called the Baby Wrangler. Finally, we finish off with relaxation, seated or reclined, using this time to integrate our practice into our body. We practice relaxation twice to get into the habit of using those free moments you have in the day to re-energize! Really. Five or ate the body, but for most of us, this went be the wayside the ten minutes of Savasana, while we focus on feeling the ground day you brought your bundle home. Or maybe this kind of time and feeling the breath, is said to be more beneficial than a two never was part of your pre-baby life. What better time than on hour nap!! This is often how I spend at least ten minutes of my maternity leave to introduce this incredibly nourishing new afternoons these days. habit into your life? In Parent and Baby Yoga, we explore ways As far as the ages of the babes and when you should begin to bring relaxation and grounding into our lives in small ways. Parent and Baby Yoga, it is up to the mom. Babies already do Firstly, you get out of the house, and secondly, YOU GET TO yoga beautifully! The general rule of thumb is four weeks for a HEAR THAT OTHER BABIES CRY TOO! vaginal delivery and six weeks for a caesarean birth. I began The general structure of the class goes like this: we begin attending classes when my daughter was eight weeks old. I with relaxation, finding a comfortable, supported reclined or also have a lot of people ask about toddlers, especially when seated position. Depending on the energy or mood of the ba- they have a second baby. This can feel daunting, but toddlers bies, this relaxation is sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. have fun. They have a tendency to mimic and want to show you We then move on to variations of poses from a seated posihow well they can do the poses. The more the merrier, and tion or from our hands and knees. We learn or reacquaint there are lots of blocks and cushions that they can play with ourselves with positions to stretch out that are close to the too. I feel as though they can only benefit from being in that ground so we can be close to our little ones while we stretch environment. out overused muscles. We explore breath and poses that bring New sessions will begin at Let’s Move Yoga Studio during the awareness and sensation back into the low abdomen. second week of September. For more information check out www.groundedandsound.ca. Tania is a certified yoga teacher and loving mother of a BUSY toddler.
“How is it going to be a relaxing yoga class if I have to nurse/change/feed snacks to/entertain/comfort my baby?”
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19 Available locally by Three Green Beans, 250.573.7505 or shanko-lynn@hotmail.com
Community Business Directory Children’s Stores and Services Lizzie Bits Baby Co.
Go Green! Use Cloth! Cloth diaper specialists. Unique children’s items. High quality children’s consignment.
205-450 Lansdowne 250.374.8706 lizziebaby.ca
Mommy & Me Boutique
Largest selection of NEW and USED items Nursing bras, Harley Davidson, Robeez & more! Over 10 000 quality consignment items! 3-700 Tranquille 250.376.1914 & Facebook
Mulberry Bush Kids Stuff Inc.
Gently Loved Consignment & New Items Infant to Adult Clothing, Baby Furniture, the largest inventory of Robeez, Melissa & Doug www3.telus.net/mulberrybush 250.374.2501 Now on Facebook!
Tumbleweed Toys Sahali Mall
Specializing in the highest quality dolls, costumes, music, art, crafts, gifts, books, educational games, puppets, science kits 250.372.3500 www.TumbleweedToys.ca
Construction
Oswell Construction Ltd.
Complete Interior-Exterior Construction & Renovations. Call for your FREE estimate today! 250.819.1979 www.kamloopsconstruction.com
Health and Wellness Aina Eco Spa
Let us take you away… Massage therapy and aesthetics using organic and natural products 248 Victoria St. 250.319.4111 ainaspa@live.ca www.ainaspa.ca
Grounded and Sound Yoga
6 wk Prenatal and Parent & Baby Yoga begin Sept. 12. Beginner, private, and corporate yoga and fall workshops! Freeing the Breath, Freeing the Voice, and Yoga for Anxiety groundedandsound.ca tania.mccartney@gmail.com
Let’s Move Studio
Yoga - Dance - Wellness Classes, workshops, and events letsmove@gmail.com 250.372.9642 www.letsmovestudio.com
Musings and Mud Coaching Studio Life Coaching with a creative twist! Workshops, workbooks, personal coaching! Janet L. Whitehead, certified professional coach janet@musingsandmud.com 250.376.8402 www.musingsandmud.com
Synergy Counselling Associates Counselling adults, couples, and children 250.314.0298 www.synergycounselling.ca
Home-Based Sales and Services Discovery Toys, Alison Gregory Discovery Toys Team Leader 250.851.2270 aligregory@telus.net discoverytoyslink.com/aligregory Teach. Play. Inspire.
Koochi Koos
Locally made Children’s Accessories Belts for NB to age 6, adorable soother clips, and much more! 250.571.5436 Find us on Facebook!
Ashley Leighton, RMT
Ladybugz Slings n’ Things Baby products you’ll get attached to! NEW soft and sustainable bamboo ring slings. Custom orders welcome! Shannon, 250.319.4437 LadybugzSlings.com
Fit By Design
Moms Helping Moms – work from home Perfect opportunity for moms and others www.lookaround.ca choiceofwellness@gmail.com
Optimal Health Therapeutic Massage Pain and Stress Management, Relaxation, Injury Prevention, and Sports Massage. 250-376-3070 www.ohtmassage.com ashley@ohtmassage.com Precision Fitness Training...for Body and Mind Family Friendly Boot Camp Sabrina, www.kamloopsfitbydesign.com Look for us on Facebook!
Advertise HERE! info@kamloopsmomma.com www.kamloopsmomma.com 20
Health and Wellness Cont’d
Three Green Beans
Save Money, Protect Your Health & the Environment with the SmartKleanTM Laundry Ball 250.573.7505 shanko_lynn@hotmail.com www.smartklean.com
Community Business Directory Indoor Activities
Akimbo Dance Studios
Register for Fall TODAY! Ballet, jazz, hip hop, breakdance, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, toddlers, boys only, adult classes 250.374.5404 akimbodancestudios.com
River City Gymnastics and Young People Sport Academy Where preschool learning and sport training meet! Register now for fall! 778.471.5767 www.rivercitygymnastics.ca
Music
Kamloops Symphony Music School Group classes and private instruction for all ages and levels. Station Plaza #3-510 Lorne St. 250.372.5000 info@kamloopssymphony.com
Long & McQuade Musical Instruments Music lessons for all ages, stages, and styles Register for music lessons today! 250.828.2315 long-mcquade.com
Parenting Resources
KamloopsParents.com The online resource to all things familyfriendly in Kamloops. Sign up for our monthly newsletter! www.kamloopsparents.com elizabeth@kamloopsparents.com
The Loopy Family Coupon Book Because it’s fun to be frugal! 2011Coupon Book Now Available! 250.574.1258 info@loopyfamily.ca www.loopyfamily.ca
Welcome Wagon
Are you expecting, or do you have a baby under a year old, moving, or getting married? Welcome Wagon has Programs, and/or basket gifts for you! Call Pamela Lee for more info! 250.573.2823
Prenatal and Postpartum Care Beautiful Beginnings Lactation Services
Your Breastfeeding Connection info@beautifulbeginningslactation.com www.beautifulbeginningslactation.com Mighty Oak Midwifery Personal, professional, woman-centered maternity care. Now accepting new clients! 250.377.8611 www.mightyoakmidwifery.ca
Prenatal and Postpartum Care Cont’d Parenthood in the Making Childbirth and Postpartum Services Susanne Pytela, B.S.W. DONA trained birth and postpartum doula 250.572.6383 susanne.pytela@gmail.com Tiny Blessings Prenatal Expecting? Let us teach you what to expect. Prenatal education focusing on late pregnancy, labor & delivery, breastfeeding, & newborn care. www.tinyblessingsprenatal.com 250-819-0510
Photography and Art
Art We Are Artisan Market
Local art, comfy couches, unique, delicious and (mostly) healthy food! New Location! 246 Victoria St. 250.828.7998 theartweare@gmail.com
Captured Memories Photography WE don’t take photos...We capture memories www.captured-memoriesblog.ca www.captured-memories.ca hrsayers@gmail.com 250.320.6558 Milk & Honey Photography Lisa DiGeso milkandhoney@mail.com www.milkandhoneyphotography.ca
Real Estate and Investments Ken Featherstone, Realtor
Bringing Families Home Royal LePage Westwin Realty Personal Real Estate Corp. 250.374.1461 kenfeathetone@royallepage.ca
Kim Livingston, Mortgage Specialist You take care of the kids, let me take care of your mortgage. The Mortgage Group 250.571.2480 kamloopsmortgagegroup.com
Nicole Crichton, Mortgage Consultant
Finding a mortgage that works for your family Evening & weekend appts available 250.319.9542 niccrichton@telus.net www.nicolecrichton.com
Small Business Consulting KG Creative Consulting
Fresh new approach to helping you succeed! Specializing in small business marketing, promotions and events. Mompreneur packages and promotions available. www.kamloopsevents.ca
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Photo Feature:
Kids with Cameras
Twelve year old Megan Blackmore (pictured below) captures nature ‘in a different way’ with a little help from Shoot for the Moon photography workshops. Photo: Natalie Anfied
By Natalie Anfield
T
he advent of the digital age has opened up the fun and exciting field of photography to everyone. The proliferation of moderately priced cameras and the absence of processing costs allow everyone, even the very young, to snap away to their hearts’ content. Children possess the creativity and imagination to become great photographers but often lack the knowledge to get the most from their cameras. To help them reach their potential we have developed Shoot for The Moon Photography Workshops and Photo Scavenger Hunts. Our interactive sessions teach camera handling, technical basics, composition, framing and lighting so our students can learn and grow while they are having fun. We expect great things from the kids
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involved in our workshops and we are never disappointed. Megan Blackmore was part of a workshop at Dufferin Elementary. Megan has a Fujifilm XP (point and shoot) digital camera. In her words: “The thing I like best about photography is that you can look at things in a different way other than just looking with your own eyes. I like how you can express your feelings with photography by seeing things from a different view.” You can follow the work of Megan and other budding photographers on our Shoot for the Moon Facebook page. Our page also features photography tips and photo contests. For more info about Shoot for the Moon, visit www.studiofive-o.com/workshops or email Natalie at five-o@telus.net. We do lessons for moms and dads too!
* Camera Drive: We offer free workshops through the Kamloops Boys and Girls Club and other community organizations. If you have an unused digital camera you would like to donate, we will ensure it will be used to enhance the life of a young person.
We asked you:
What’s you and your kids’ favourite part of Kamloops’ Children’s Art
Festival?
We enjoyed the magician, Clinton Gray. He’s like a good animated movie… he entertains the children and has the skill to include adult humour that made me laugh! - Kristi H. My kids and I love all the different activities and trying out new techniques. I also love the crafty inspiration that I can get from activities I saw and can pull out when I need something fun to try. The volunteers are all incredibly helpful and friendly to my children, as well. We love the Children’t Art Festival and appreciate all the work that Kamloops Art Council puts into it! - Elizabeth D. My family loved the Charlotte’s Web theatre performance and acted like pigs for months! We can’t wait to see what this year’s festival will bring. - Kim B. Most of all, I loved seeing all the kids so excited to have an event made for them! My kids especially loved playing with clay and watching drummers. - Rob M.
Kiranna Chavet shows off her creative side at the Children’s Art Festival. This year’s FREE festival is September 17 from 11-4pm at Riverside Park and is sure to please kids young and old with music, art, dance, theatre and much more! Photo: Ula Chavet
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Notes from a Boho Momma By Amanda Barker
H
ello friends! Our family just got back from Hornby Island. Yes, it’s in BC and, yes, it feels far far away. There is a stunning white sand beach, an amazing French bakery, many art studios to visit, and the oh-so-laid-back island vibe that made me want to stay and move the fam into a yurt! It was a glorious holiday but, as you would expect, tenting with four children amongst bugs, rocks, water and sun, we needed our salve, bug repellent and sunscreen (all chemical free, of course!). We have a five month old baby, and I am very careful of what I put on him, and what I put on myself, since breast milk is at the top of the food chain and anything we eat, drink, or slather on gets concentrated in our baby’s food. Our family uses only organic body products without synthetic emulsifiers or fragrances, but what about essential oils? Safe, right? Well, not always. Essential oils (EO’s) are extremely potent and should be used with respect for their powerful properties. EO’s should be used sparingly to prevent toxicity and sensitization (allergy). An infant’s liver has to break down the EO’s just like every other natural or synthetic compound, and when their systems are still developing , the less stress on this vital organ, the better! When using EO’s, remember to dilute them in a carrier oil such as olive oil,
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Healing Salve Recipe
1. Place Calendula (fresh or dried), Chickweed and Olive oil in a clean and dry glass jar in a sunny spot. Make sure the oil has fully covered the herbs and let the herbs infuse the oil for 2 weeks. 2. Strain the oil through cheesecloth or muslin, compost used herbs and then add a new batch of herbs to the infused oil. Let oil infuse again for another 2 weeks, then strain. 3. In a double boiler (Pyrex glass bowl over boiling water in a big pot works well!) add 4 parts of the herb al infused oil to one part beeswax and heat until the beeswax has complet ely melted. 4. Stir. Remove from heat, and pour into clean, dry small glass jars or tins. This salve will last up to 3 years if kept in a cool place (not on your car’ s dash!). If it ever starts to smell a bit off, that means the oils have gone rancid from heat and/or light. Enjoy! sweet almond or apricot and follow these simple rules of dilution: • Adult dosage is 6 drops of EO in 20ml of carrier oil. • Children dosage is half that of an adult, so 2-3 drops in 20ml of carrier oil. • Babies and toddlers dosage is one third of an adult, so 1-2 drops in 20ml of carrier oil. NEVER use EO’s on infants less than 3 months of age, and after that the only oils that should be used are Tea Tree, Lavender and Chamomile (TLC is a good way to remember these oils). These oils are suitable for baths, massage, room sprays and compresses. I make my own herbal oil infusions (instead of using essential oils) to use in children’s salves and bug repellents since we tend to use these on a regular basis. Herbal infusions are also great for people with sensitive skin and breastfeeding mamas! I’ll share a recipe for a herbal healing salve that is safe for all and is used almost daily in our family. You can use this balm for sunburns, bug bites, bum rash, cuts, scrapes, eczema, and pretty much any skin irritation and inflammation. Enjoy! Amanda Barker is a herbalist, doula, CBE, and owner of Ovio Organico skincare and Boho Birth.
Get Connected:
A guide to local parent-child groups Attachment Parenting
2/month - days and locations vary 250-376-4723
Family Tree Drop-in Mon and Wed 9-4 283 West Victoria St. 250.377.6890
Healthy Beginnings
Tues 9:45-11:45 Thurs 10:30-12:30 Interior Indian Friendship Society 2355 Parkcrest Ave. 250.554.3134
Kamloops Connexions
*will be outside when weather is nice— please call to confirm location Fri 9:30-11:30 Prince Charles Park 250.828.1114 coffee-connexions@hotmail.com
Kamloops Wiggles and Giggles Adoption Playgroup Monthly, times and locations vary Deanna Jones, jones_A@telus.net
Next Steps
Fri, 1-2:20 Kamloops Public Health Unit 519 Columbia St. 250.851.7300
StrongStart Programs (during school year)
Bumblebees
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8:30-11:30 Wed, 12-2:30 Arthur Hatton Elem., 315 Chestnut Ave. 250.376.7217
Dragon Flies
Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30 Marion Schilling Elem., 2200 Park Dr. 250.376.2027
Eagles’ Nest
Mon-Fri, 8:45-11:15 South Sahali Elem., 1585 Summit Dr. 250.374.2451
YMCA Child Interactive Centre Mon-Fri 9-12 Southwest Y/CCRR Unit E, 1420 Hugh Allan Dr 250-372-7791
A Beautiful Beginning:
Seeking support to find your breastfeeding rhythm Krystle gazes adoringly at her 10 day old adopted son, Hayden. With prescription drugs, pumping, and herbal nursing medicine, Krystle was able to successfully breastfeed Hayden. Photo: Troi Crombie Photograpy By Christine Penrose
A
s many mothers do, I remember the exact moment that my pregnancy was confirmed by the little pregnancy test you can buy at any pharmacy or grocery store. The overwhelming emotions that followed are always unique for each woman...the joy, the fear, the excitement, the questions...so many questions! Oh! The books I read looking for the instruction manual of what it was like to be a new mother and how I could become this “perfect� mother, much better than all others. In my pregnancy book, it talked about breastfeeding versus formula feeding. I already knew that I wanted to breastfeed and I read the pages and felt even more set within my decision of providing my breast milk to my beautiful baby. The amazing day arrived and after hours of waiting and struggling in painful anticipation, my beautiful baby boy was in my arms, now suckling at my breast. The next few days brought forth so many more questions and everything I had read had left me continuously struggling to know if I was doing this breastfeeding thing right. My nipples were cracked and bleeding. My engorged breasts felt like gigantic watermelons that leaked continuously, requiring me wrap them in towels so I could sleep. I looked in my books, trying to find some comfort. I ended up struggling those first few weeks, not asking for help, with sore breasts and a happy full baby until the breastfeeding was well established. Together my baby boy and I had found the rhythm of comfort within this foreign experience, which slowly became familiar to us both, finding enjoyment and comfort in watching him slowly grow and then smile up at me from the breast. I am not sure if this experience had defined my future or my career choices
as a lactation consultant. Every day I feel blessed to have witnessed the birth of babies, the first latch-on to the breast. I also feel privileged to have witnessed the struggles and uncertainties many mothers who endure within their own lived experiences with breastfeeding. As a lactation consultant, I am passionate to be able to educate and empower women to decide what their breastfeeding experience means to them. It is this that has set me on my path to educate and support women, assisting them to define their own perception of breastfeeding, whatever that may be. I was so lucky to have begun my journey with someone who values the same passions as my own. The devotion my friend has to breastfeeding mothers surpasses my own; her beautiful smile that radiates when she witnesses the progress of a mother and babe in defining their breastfeeding experience is magical. And that is what brings us here to this moment and the creation of our support services to mothers and families within our community that we love and call home.
Beautiful Beginnings Lactation Services offers families knowledge and support as they prepare for their experience of parenthood. We believe that breastfeeding classes and private consultations empower women and their families to give their babies the best start in life, leaving families feeling confident and more prepared. Our purpose is to educate and support women and their families in making the choices that would benefit themselves, their children and our community.
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Dear Aunty...
Do you have a question for ‘Aunty’ Erin? Contact her at cdnnurse1995@yahoo.ca
Answering questions about you and your child’s health
I
come from a big family. Really big. It wasn’t unusual for post-church Sundays at Grandma’s house to have more than three dozen relatives in and around the house cooking, playing some sort of stringed instrument, or (most likely) trying to light something on fire. In the midst of all the fun, there was always at least one unfortunate soul who tried to escape for snooze, but who attracted an audience by producing sounds usually reserved for revving jet engines or rhinos in the end stages of labour. Well, two decades later I’m that person. It took years (and several dangerous driving-while-sleepy episodes) to finally seek medical help for my snoring. As any powerful snorer-or their equally exhausted bedtime partner-will tell you, the effects of snoring are many. Some folks have headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, or depression. Many have extreme daytime sleepiness, perhaps with near misses at the job site or while driving that finally cause them to seek help. I turned to sleep surgery expert Dr. Donald Mintz, one half of the Otolaryngology Associates surgical team who, along with his colleague Dr. Dickson, has performed over four thousand one-staged “cold laser” surgeries for snoring and sleep apnea. Called “LAUP” (short for laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty), the procedure involves the removal of the snorer’s uvula (the little fleshy bit that dangles down the back of the throat), and some of the soft palate to reduce the vibrations associated with snoring and enlarge the narrowed air passageways in the throat. Dr. Mintz helps answer some of the most common questions about LAUP: What measures are taken to make sure that this surgery is right for me? Some snorers can find benefit from making non-surgical changes, including weight loss, decreased alcohol consumption, the cessation of smoking, changing sleeping position (back-sleepers like myself are particularly vile snorers), the insertion of a dental or nasal appliance, or the wearing of a positive air pressure mask. People who have tried many or all of the above but do not obtain sufficient snoring relief are potential surgical candidates. In an evaluation, a small scope with a camera at the end is inserted through the patient’s nose so the surgeon can properly examine the back of the throat. If the surgeon feels that the patient is a good candidate, an appointment for surgery is booked. In my case, I was able to book both the examination and the surgery on the same day since I was coming from out of town, and then was back home in Kamloops in time to kiss my children good night. Does the laser surgery cure sleep apnea? Dr. Mintz’s patients have had good results from LAUP surgery when their sleep apnea is mild (they stop breathing for at least 10 seconds from 5-15 times per hour) and they have small tonsils. The medical “jury” is still out as to whether LAUP surgery is effective for patients with chronic Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Is there a possibility that the laser surgery will not cure my snoring? Yes. However, in a study published in The Journal of Otolaryngology, Drs. Mintz and Dickson followed 220 patients after their one-stage LAUP procedure for the treatment of snoring.
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Eighty-three percent of those 220 patients had a 75 to 100% elimination of their snoring. One third of the patients had documented sleep apnea, and 95% of them had clinically significant improvement in their sleeping and daytime fatigue. Complications were extremely minimal, and the overall patient satisfaction was 97%. Will the laser surgery have any effects on my swallowing or speaking? Possibly. A small number of patients will permanently be unable to do such things as bend over and drink from a water fountain without water also flowing out of the nose (like me!). Also, the removal of part of the soft palate may make it difficult or impossible to create certain sounds, particularly in other languages. For example, I can no longer “roll” my R’s. How much does the laser surgery cost per treatment? Snoring is not a medically insurable condition by MSP and sleep apnea has to be “severe” for any treatment to be MSPfunded, meaning a patient has to stop breathing for more than 10 seconds over 25 times per hour (which is confirmed by sleep study). Dr. Mintz performs a one-staged procedure, so the cost of the treatment is $200 for the office consult and scope, and $754 for the surgery. Will surgery require a local or a general anaesthetic? Local. You are awake and sitting up for the entire procedure. Most of the discomfort is comparable to the dentist. The entire procedure is completed in minutes, and patients leave the office with a prescription for a pain control medicine, an antibiotic, and a special oral rinse. How much recovery time is required? It takes 4-6 weeks for the palate to completely heal. During this time a patient may notice some increased mucous or a foreign body dryness sensation. For many patients, the pain is moderate post-operatively. For some patients, like myself, the pain is severe. I was unable to talk for days (my kids were delighted), and was unable to eat or drink anything significant for weeks. I am in the minority of patients, however, and many patients are even able to return to work immediately. When will I notice results? Some patients (like myself) will have immediate improvement in their sleep and snoring. I went from snorin’ like a diesel engine to complete silence instantly. Other patients will not have an immediate improvement in their snoring because of swelling from the surgery. With the combination of the increased scarring and tightening of the remaining palate, the snoring will be further reduced over the following 4-6 week period. Would I do it again? Absolutely. For me, my husband, our sanity and the safety of our children, this has been a life-altering surgery. I feel more energetic than I’ve ever felt, and I can actually go camping with friends or sleep next to my husband without the crushing guilt of knowing I’ve kept everyone awake. It was a difficult two months post-surgery, but going through with the procedure was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. For more info on LAUP, check out Dr. Dicksona nd Dr. Mintz’s article in The Journal of Otolarygilogy at www.islandnet. com/~sreid/lauphtml/onestage.html “Aunty” Erin Mitchell is a proud nurse, momma, and ownerof Aunty’s House Registered Family Daycare. She is currently working on a degree in child and adolescent psychology through TRU.
LIVING with Chronic Kidney Disease
{Sami Turunen’s Story}
Sami Turunen has chronic kidney disease, but he doesn’t let this condition stop him from having fun like a 4 year old should. Photo: Kecia Turunen By Allison Gibbard “When I get my new kidney I am going to Disneyland!” This is what Sami Turunen likes to tell everyone. Sami is four years old and suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease. Kecia Turunen, Sami’s mom, explains what it’s been like for her son who has been dealing with this disease since he was nine months old: “He has two malformed kidneys and only one of those kidneys is functioning, but it’s functioning at a reduced rate.” “Sami’s had health problems from the beginning but the problems with his kidneys weren’t discovered right away.” It was first suspected that Sami had a urinary tract infection so he was taken to the emergency room and a urinary test came back positive. An ultrasound of his kidneys showed that only one kidney was working. This meant that all the work was being done by only one. Furthermore, his single kidney wasn’t fully functioning either. Overnight, their son’s health became the number one priority for the Turunen family. When asked how they manage Sami’s disease as a family, Turunen explains, “I take responsibility for my son’s health and my husband is supportive so it all works out.” In addition, their extended family is an incredible support system. Sami is very fortunate to have a mother who never gives up, but he still faces many challenges. While Sami no longer sees a doctor every week, he does go to BC Children’s Hospital every three months and sees a family physician in between. Turunen explains that, “because his kidneys are sick, they can’t process or discard certain things properly.” In addition, “when a person has kidney disease, levels of toxicity build up in the body but diet changes and restrictions can help to alleviate some of the symptoms.” Turunen reminds me that Sami doesn’t know anything different. It’s the goal of the Turunens’ and the doctors to postpone Sami’s first kidney transplant, but she knows he will need one at some point. Despite this, Sami’s mom sees herself as lucky. “When we go to Children’s Hospital it puts Sami’s disease into perspective because Sami has such an incredible support system. When he needs a kidney, chances are he won’t have to wait.” “Sami, will grow up knowing he has to take extra good care
“When I get my new kidney I am going to Disneyland!” of himself, but he will lead a relatively normal life where as other children there won’t be so lucky.” “It was hard to hear that my child was sick but I wouldn’t change a thing if it meant I couldn’t be his mom.” Turunen also explains that their experience has not been ideal with some of the specialists because, “it’s hard to hear someone depersonalize your child but, all and all, the team at The Royal Inland Hospital and The Children’s hospital is amazing and whenever there is a problem I just remember that we are all there to take care of Sami.” As a family, the Turunen’s don’t make Sami’s illness a big deal. She adds that it’s frustrating that her family can’t be tested to see if they are potential donors until Sami’s kidneys have begun to work below a certain percentage. However, she says for Sami it won’t be a problem: “He already has lineup of family members who would be willing to donate a kidney.” With all the complications in Sami’s life, it’s easy to forget that he’s just a four year old boy who likes to play. “He loves to ride his two-wheeler.” Like any mother she can’t help but brag to me about her son, “he was riding a two wheeler at 45 months and now wants a dirt bike.” This year Sami is the honouree for the Kamloops Kidney Foundation of Canada, and specifically the honouree at The Gift of Life Walk in Kamloops. The walk is August 28th at 11 AM at Riverside Park. If you would like to participate or donate, you can go to http://fundraising.kidney.ca. If you want to pledge for Sami, search for his name under the ‘sponsor an individual’ option. Sami’s story shows just how important it is that people register for not only kidney donations, but organ donations in general. I was so touched by Sami’s story that I registered as an organ donor at www.transplant.bc.ca. After all, if something happens to me, I would love to give the gift of life to someone like Sami.
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Been There, Done That!
By Elizabeth deVries
“
Who are you? Where has my child gone? Uhhh... what now?” As I raise my three children, I regularly encounter something new: new messes, new issues, new dilemmas and new challenges. Despite the fact that I have now raised a six-year-old, I still encounter moments with my under-six-yearold children and find myself at a loss. My eldest child never did that! I haven’t yet experienced this! As a parent, there are lots and lots of parenting resources out there. It’s wonderful to be able to read an online article, a magazine or a book about how to deal with parenting questions, but I will admit that I usually don’t do that. When I read parenting books, I often feel overwhelmed and feel like I am doing everything wrong! I know I’m not - my kids are wonderful and (despite occasional incidents) they are showing me that I am doing (at least some) things right! And really, who needs more mommy guilt there’s enough of that as it is! So, usually, I turn to other parents. How did you deal with this? What did you find to be the best strategy when your child did that? It’s nice to hear other suggestions or strategies or even just someone commiserating and sharing their horror stories. They’ve been there. They’ve done that. The best part is that hearing those ideas and stories doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to try their technique. It doesn’t mean that the suggestion is right for my child, or for the way that I parent. But it does give me the idea that there might be something else that I could try. It might give me a glimpse that this, too, shall pass and that I might just need to get a little crea-
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tive to get be successful with the latest challenge. Indeed, this too, does pass. On occasion I find myself thinking, “Wow. That was wild! We survived!” Then I can turn around and share the experience with someone else. Because, now, I’ve been there. I’ve done that. Meet the KamloopsParents.Com Been There Done That Squad! A team of over twenty-five parents who have all sorts of parenting experiences. From the mom of thirteen with one on the way to the first-time mom of one. From the experienced parent to the rookie! If you want the truth.... we are all rookies. Each day presents something new, somewhere we have not already been, something that we have not already done. So, why not look to someone who has?! The KamloopsParents.Com BTDT Squad will be sharing their experiences and answering two questions per month. Each parent will answer the questions if they can and their answers will be compiled into a feature post to share with readers. These will be general questions that many parents will wonder about as they raise their children. The BTDT Squad will be talking about subjects like potty training, how they dealt with picky eaters, their most favourite family adventures, and how they managed to ever sleep through the night! You can look for these features on www.kamloopsparents.com/been-theredone-that/. If you have any questions, or would like to get involved, simply contact elizabeth@kamloopsparents.com.
{
Things We Love... We’ve tried it and we love it and we don’t want to live without it!
{
For the Wee Ones: Moby Wrap
Why do we love it?
At first glance, it might look like just an incredibly long piece of material, but we think it’s the key to a happy baby (and a happy momma). It’s super comfy for mom (or dad, grama...it’s one size fits all) because it doesn’t pull on your shoulders. And it reminds baby of being in your belly, so they’re happy too! It’s good up to 35 lbs (we think it’s ideal from birth to 5 months) and can be easily adjusted for many different holds. $59.99+, Mommy & Me Boutique
For the Whole Family:
SmartKlean Laundry Ball
Why do we love it?
Yes, we were sceptical when we heard about the little green ceramic-filled ball that cleans laundry without ANY soap, but we tried it out and were impressed. You just throw it in the washer, take it out once a month for a sunbath and it’s good to go for 365 washes! It’s eco-friendly, wallet-friendly, and easy to use. What could be better? $44, Three Green Beans
For the Mommas:
Mom and Baby Yoga
Why do we love it?
Okay, it might not be quite as relaxing as a regular yoga class, but we all know that a mom’s definition of ‘relaxing’ is relative. Sure, you might have to comfort or feed your baby, but in between, you get to stretch, unwind, and BREATHE, knowing that Tania, the instructor, is watching out for your little one. $40 for 4 classes, Grounded and Sound Yoga 29
Communtiy Events Calendar Aug 1: BC Bears Celebration at the BC Wildlife Park feat. Peter and Friends, 250.573.3242 Aug 1-Aug 28: the BIG Little Science Centre Summer Schedule 711 Windsor Ave., Mon-Sat 10-4, www.blscs.org Aug 1-Aug 6: X-Fest 2010 presents Munsch Ado About Nothing 250-374-5483 for ticket info Aug 1-Sept 6: North Shore Art Walk Local artists’ work is displayed at businesses Aug 1– Aug 30: The Spirit of Kamloops 2141 Train Mon/Fri -7pm, Sat -11am 250.374.2141 Aug 1-Aug 31: Music in the Park Nightly entertainment at Rotary Bandshell, Riverside Park, 7-8:30 (free) Aug 1 (Cont): Shambhala Meditation Mon/Thurs 7 pm, Sat 12pm, 433b Lansdowne St. kamloops.shambhala.org, 250.376.4224 (free) Aug 1 (Cont): White Buffalo Society Events Mondays, 9:3011:30, fun and games at the park (free) Aug 2 -Aug 28: Medieval Knights – Children’s Theatre Tues-Sat 1 + 3 pm Riverside Park (free) Aug 2 (Cont): Chapters Craft and Storytime Saturdays 1112pm 250.377.8468 (free) Aug 3 (Cont): Family Game Night Wed 5:30-8:30, All ABoard Games, 334 Victoria St., 250.377.0745 Aug 3-Oct 30: Downtown Farmer’s Market Sat: St. Paul between 2nd+3rd
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Wed: Victoria St. between 4th+5th. Market starts at 8am Aug 4- Aug 25: Summer Story time at the Library, Thurs, 10:15-10:45, 250-372-5145 (free) Aug 5-Oct 28: North Shore Farmer’s Market Spirit Square, Fri. 4-8 (free) Aug 5-6: Aug 7: Hot Nite in the City Victoria St. Downtown hotniteinthecity.com (free) Aug 5 -Aug 27: North Shore Music in the Park, Fridays 7-8:30, Live entertainment at MacDonald Park, (free) Aug 5-14: Western Canada Summer Games www.2011wcsg.com Aug 6-7: Music in the Mountains @ Sun Peaks Resort 8pm, 250.578.5542 Aug 6-Aug 27: Artisan’s Square at St. Andrews on the Square Sat, 8:30-12 (free Aug 6 (Cont): Chapters Craft and Storytime Saturdays 1112pm 250.377.8468 (free) Aug 7: Farm2chefs, 3-8pm, Family-friendly events to support local farmers, Thistle Farm, Westsyde, 250.371.5991 Aug 8-12: GROW (Generation Revolution Octane Week) Summer day camp for ages 6-10. McDonald Park, 250-571-9621 (free) Aug 10/Sept 14: Moms Morning Out 9:30-11:30, Mighty Oak Midwifery, 202-322 Victoria Street, 250.377.8611 (free) Aug 13: Home-Based Business Open House 1-4, 284 Whiteshield Cresent, Arbonne, Avon, Lia Sophia, Princess
House, Regal, & more! Have an e vent? Aug 13/Sept 10: Home Depot Tell u s about it a nd we’ll p Kids Workshop 10am, ages ut it in our Co 4-12 250.371.4300 (free) mmunity E vents Calendar Aug 13: Chase CornStock for FREE! Festival 11-10pm, Memorial info@kam loopsmom ma.com Beach, Chase, chasecornfind us on Facebook stock.com ! Aug 15/Sept 19: Held in the Wings of Angels Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group. Sept 11: Rona MS Bike Tour Rotary Band7-8:30pm, Pregnancy Care shell, Riverside Park, reg. 7:30, Centre, 250-376-4646 250.314.0773 Aug 17/28 Sept 21/25: Cloth Sept 11: Paws for a Cause Diapers 101 Weds 7-8, Sun walk for the animals. Pioneer 1-2 Lizzie Bits Baby Co., Park, 8am 250.572.3297 250.374.8706 (free) Sept 11: Grandparents Day Aug 17/31 Sept 14/28: Family Fun Day at Senior Froggy at BC Wildlife Park 250-5733242 Downtown, 5-7, feat. Uncle Chris the Clown, 250.554.2055 Sept 15: The Backyardigans Sagebrush Theatre, 3:30 Aug 20 : BC Strongest Man, 250.374.5483 McDonald Park, bceaa.org Sept 17: Children’s Art FesAug 24 : Moonlight Movie Night Riverside Park at dusk, tival Creative workshops, live performers, family activities, proceeds to Boys and Girls group art projects and more, Club, 250.554.5437 Riverside Park, 11-4 (free) Aug 25/26: Family Fun with Sept 18: Interior Children’s Literacy Night Music and Expo Entertainment, exhibits, Games in the Park, Aug 25 vendors, and everything chilRiverside Park, 6pm, Aug 26 - MacDonald Park, 6pm (free) dren, KCC, 10-4 (free) Sept 22: Prime Time & FamiAug 28: Kidney Walk Riverside Park, 10am, kamloopskid- ly Health seminar feat, Dr. William Sears, KCC, 7pm, cherineywalk.ca clark@shaw.ca, 250.434.4936 Aug 31-Sept 4: Interior Pro(free) vincial Exhibition & Stampede Armstrong, 250.546.9406 Sept 22-26: Provincial Winter Fair N. ThompSept 3-5: North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Barriere, son Fair Grounds, Barriere, 250.574.1898 250.672.5672 Sept 30-Oct 1: Culture Days Sept 10: SuperWalk for Par@ The KAG Kamloops Art kinsons Rotary Bandshell, Gallery, free admission to all Riverside Park, reg. 10 am, exhibitions 250.377.2400 250.374.0798
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