7 minute read
Letter from Kim
Editors’ Picks
Here’s what the editors of Today’s Parent have on our lists.
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L E APFROG ON-T HE- GO S TORY PAL , $37 “This will be perfect for my nephew, who loves story time but doesn’t love si ing still.” —Kevin John Siazon, associate editor
V T ECH MARBL E RUSH ULT IMAT E SE T, $7 3 “My son likes building, especially when his eff orts lead to something he can actually play with, so this marble rush set is defi nitely on my list.” —Jessica Pollack, deputy editor
CRE AT I V I T Y FOR K IDS SENSORY BIN, $30 “My four-year-old will be so into the sea life sensory bin, which comes pre-stocked with kinetic sand, water beads and plastic sea creatures.” —Ariel Brewster, senior editor
GLOBBER NL 205 SCOOT ER, $150 “I like that this scooter is adjustable and folds up for easier storage. My kid will love the kickstand.” —Kim Shiffman, editor-in-chief
T H E J O Y S O F T O Y S
THE ANNUAL INFLUX of toy catalogues has begun, and there’s nothing cuter than watching your kids grab one out of the mailbox and f lip through the pages, pencil in hand, to mark their favourites. In (yet another) year of weirdness, disappointment and loss, helping them create their wish list and visualizing their joy as they frantically rip through the wrapping paper might be what gets you through the stress of your holiday to-do list. (Or it might be locking yourself in the bathroom to scroll Instagram. Whatever works!)
But if you’ve been at this parenting game for more than a minute, then you know that not all toys are created equal. That’s why, every year, Today’s Parent offers our readers a roundup of not just the new toys of the year, but the best new toys of the year. How do we know they’re the best? We test them! Our experienced editors play with dozens upon dozens of the year’s new releases all summer long (side note: best job ever, right?). But more importantly, we ship samples to a diverse group of Canadian families and get their feedback, too. The result is a list of more than 100 new toys that kids came back to again and again.
This year, we’ve made your life even easier. Every single item on our list is shoppable at one store: Mastermind Toys, the official play partner of Today’s Parent. (Bonus: It’s Canadian-owned and led by a badass female CEO who’s shaking up her industry.) Shop online or in person at one of its 69 stores across the country.
Now that my oldest is 13, the “toys” on his Christmas and Hanukkah list (we celebrate both) skew a bit older and include things like an Apple Watch and video games. But to see what I’m eyeing for my eight-year-old, as well as what the other editors of Today’s Parent are pondering for their little ones, check out our picks (at left). Then call your kids over and f lip to page 38 for the full list.
No matter what you celebrate, we wish you a happy, healthy holiday season, full of toys, but more importantly, love.
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TODAY’S PARE NT MAKES A GREAT GIFT! Simply hover your phone’s camera over the QR code to purchase a gi subscription for as li le as $12.
DIGITAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY AND TY PE 1 DIABETES
Diabetes Awareness Month places a spotlight on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin—and the ways diabetes management has continued to advance.
C R E AT E D F O R
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL for parents of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to wake their kids a few times a night to poke their fingers to check the child’s glucose levels. “Sugar levels go up and down when you have diabetes, and when a child is sleeping and they go low… well, that’s a real worry,” explains Diane Rhodes, a certified diabetes educator in Moose Jaw, Sask.
Thankfully, with advancements in diabetes care, there are digital health tools available today that can simplify and improve the management of type 1 diabetes—both for kids and their parents.
About 33,000 school-aged children in Canada have type 1 diabetes, according to the Canadian Paediatric Society. “Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age, but the most common age for a person to receive a type 1 diabetes diagnosis is between 10 and 14 years. However, it can be much younger, and we’ve had people coming to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for support when their child is not even two,” says Dr. Sarah Linklater, chief scientific officer at JDRF.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make insulin or makes very little. Signs and symptoms of the condition can develop over days or weeks, and the most frequent symptoms are increased thirst and frequency of urination. Children might also have an increased appetite alongside unexplained weight loss and reduced energy.
Since the discovery of insulin, there have been significant developments in diabetes management. Most recently, the new era of diabetes technology has introduced wearable technology like insulin pumps and flash glucose monitoring devices like Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2±, which eliminates the need for almost all finger pricks¥ and makes regularly checking glucose levels easier than ever^ .
“By far, the most important advancement in diabetes management in the past 100 years is sensor-based glucose monitoring,” says Dr. Karen McAssey, a Hamilton-based paediatric endocrinologist.
“These digital health tools give parents real-time information about their child’s glucose levels and where levels are heading, day or night,” says McAssey. “This is accurate, actionable information that leads to better treatment and management decisions about insulin, nutrition and activity.”
The goal is to keep glucose levels in target range as consistently as possible and “when you are wearing a flash glucose monitoring device,” says Rhodes, “you tend to spend more time in the safe range. There’s no doubt that the more children and adults who use these devices, the less we’ll see long-term complications from diabetes.”
People sometimes think that a type 1 diabetes diagnosis means a poorer quality of life, but that just isn’t the case—especially with how far science has come. Here are three myths, and the truth for those living with diabetes: Children with type 1 diabetes have limited life choices. Absolutely not, say the experts. Children can do everything they dreamed of doing before the diagnosis. Speak to your diabetes healthcare team and contact organizations like JDRF for resources and support.
DIGITAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS
The FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system± is for adults and children ages four and up living with diabetes. Here’s how it simplifies diabetes management.
A discreet sensor the size of a toonie is worn on the back of the upper arm and is replaced every 14 days.
A simple swipe with a smartphone and the FreeStyle Libre 2 appØ provides a current glucose reading, an eight-hour history and trend arrows showing where their glucose levels have been, where they are in real-time and where they are going.
Optional glucose level alarms signal when glucose levels go above or below the target range—so the user can take appropriate action.
Remote monitoring with the LibreLinkUp* app lets parents know what their child’s glucose levels are—even if they’re not with them.
Elimination of almost all finger pricks.¥
±The FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in people aged 4 years and older with diabetes mellitus. Always read and follow the label/insert. ØThe FreeStyle Libre 2 app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. *The LibreLinkUp app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check www.librelinkup.com for more information. ¥Finger pricks are required if readings do not match symptoms or expectations. ^Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc.
© 2021 Abbott. FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are marks of Abbott. Product images are for illustrative purposes only. This article was paid for by Abbott, a manufacturer of diabetes care products in Canada. ADC-43244
Kids with diabetes can’t eat sugar. Children with type 1 diabetes need a balanced diet that meets their nutritional requirements, and there are no restrictions— that includes sugar. The key is to effectively monitor glucose levels and match insulin to the number of grams of carbohydrates in a meal. Insulin therapy “fixes” everything. Sensor-based glucose monitoring and insulin delivery systems are tools that lessen the burden of management, but there is no cure. Experts support accessibility to diabetes management devices for all as well as continued research toward finding a cure.
Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if the FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system is a suitable option for the person living with diabetes in your family.
