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Spring 2010
Scoliosis: Early Detection is Key
Toddler Play Ideas!
cover photo: www.adriankidsphotography.ca
Cloth Diapering MYTHS Tips to Fill Bellies with Fruits & Veggies Listening to your Teen
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Spring 2010
articles
6 Supporting Kids in their Friendships
8 10 12 14 16 18 22 26
5 15 20 24 28 29 31
Your Child’s Expert Will Stroet on Music Scoliosis: Early Detection is Key Celebrating Culture: Okanagan Children’s Festival Does Your Child Eat a Rainbow? Listening to Your Teen Cloth Diapering Myths Play Ideas to Keep Toddlers Busy
columns
Scoliosis: Early Detection is Key
Toddler Play Ideas!
Cloth Diapering MYTHS Tips to Fill Bellies with Fruits & Veggies Listening to your Teen
Join our
MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER! www.okanaganchild.com
cover photo: Adrian Kids Photography www.adriankidsphotography.ca E. info@adriankidsphotography.ca P. 250.863.0176
Editorial Photography: Poppy Photography, Elizabeth Soergel Photography Contributors: Judy Arnall, Michelle Collie, Gina Roberts Grey, Heidi Smith Luedtke, Kelly Paley, Kia Robertson, Wayne Terai, Sheila Wray Gregoire. Editor & Publisher Colleen Bezeau
Editor’s Note New Business Spotlight: Legendbound Michelle Collie: Pat Yourself on the Back Moms! Featured Parent: Julie Crowther Featured Finds Resource Directory Snap Happy - “Smiles & Laughter”
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contents
SPRING 2010
Advertising Inquiries: advertise@okanaganchild.com General Inquries: info@okanaganchild.com www.okanaganchild.com 1.888.373.5566 Okanagan Child is published four times per year by Bellhop Media Inc. Circulation: 15,000. Please note that this magazine is solely funded through the support of our advertisers and sponsors. Please support our advertisers! Opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher. All contents copyrighted ©. No part of this publication may be reprinted, quoted, copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher. To share your feedback, please send an e-mail to info@okanaganchild.com. To submit a local event, please complete the form on our website at www.okanaganchild.com
Summer 2010... Watch for it at the end of May.
What’ s my
name? www.orl.bc.ca
The Okanagan Regional Library is your most economical, sustainable, and relevant source for information and entertainment. Visit our totally NEW website at www.orl.bc.ca to find out about FREE children’s storytimes and other programs in your area, and enter our “Name the Marmot” contest! Spring 2010 l 3
editor’s note
A
s soon as my belly began to show, the advice started flowing. Be it in the supermarket, the park, or just about plum anywhere, it seems children incite a desire in others to share their thoughts and opinions. In many ways, the sharing is wonderful. We can expand our perspective by considering something we might not have otherwise. We connect with others whom we may never have had reason to exchange words. Yet at the same time, when we’re inundated with advice and suggestions from so many sources, it can simply become overwhelming. Books, friends, family, strangers, experts... information overload sneaks up rapidly, and can sometimes create confusion about “what’s best?” particularly if you’re a first time parent. So, what *IS* best then? The simple answer is that it depends. Depends on the child, his/her temperament and needs, the parents, the surrounding environment. A whole slew of factors. But if there’s such variability, and no clear guide, your desire to figure out how to handle a particular challenge or issue may leave you feeling a bit lost. Enter our tendency to turn to as many sources as we can, searching and hoping to find the solution we seek. Ironically, this very process can sometimes lead us further astray, and even potentially leave us a bit frustrated when we realize there is no clear answer -- even when ‘experts’ insist they truly know what’s best. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for active problem solving. The challenge is simply that in parenting, there rarely is a ‘one-size fits all’ solution. What you need to do is be able to consider the info you have and ultimately make a choice. So how do you make that choice? When I think about the advice I would give any new parent, it would be always to make the decision that is the best for you, the parent. Now, that might sound selfish at first. Really, not what’s best for baby? I’m a firm believer that a parent’s ability to respond with sensitivity and patience, to create a stimulating and safe, fun en-
vironment, is directly linked to a parent’s own well-being. If you don’t make choices that nurture yourself, if you don’t make choices that help keep you sane, you simply won’t have enough left to give your child. And if you find yourself being swept up in a discrepancy between what’s really best for you and what another source thinks is best, remember the following: If you line children up in a row in the third grade, you simply can’t point to the children and say, “Yup Sarah, you were definitely a co-sleeper, and Noah, you were schedule fed. Let’s see, oh Abby, I can definitely tell you received many time-outs.” To suggest that such an idenfication process is possible seems rather absurd. Yet based on how we agonize over the right way, the best way, to handle any given situation, you just might think it were possible! Seek quality information, explore options, but in the end, listen to your gut and choose what’s best for you. You’ll notice that we have teamed up with some great companies for exciting contests this issue. Also watch for our website to develop; we have many exciting plans this year that will add additional content and fun in between the print issues. Finally, I want to extend a warm welcome welcome to the many new advertisers that joined our Spring issue. The Okanagan offers so many amazing services, businesses and events to support families. Take note of them and get to know your community! Please support them when you can -- it is because of them that this magazine is possible. Happy Spring!
Hey Grade 12s! Have you heard about our $1000 Scholarship Competition?! If you plan to pursue post-secondary education in the 2010-2011 school year, you can enter for a chance to win the single cash prize!! Contest closes May 1, 2010.
Visit our website today for entry details: www.okanaganchild.com Spring 2010 l 4
ip h s r a l o h Sc ! n o i t i t e p Com
Contests
Hey moms...pamper yourself. You deserve it! Simply visit our website and enter for your chance to win this divine prize pack from Ilus Elu. Contest closes May 20, 2010. The prize pack contains full retail sizes of the following: Timeless Cleanser Problem Solver Toner Pomegranate Moisturizer Between Friends Serum
We’ve teamed up with Bamboobino to bring luxurious, ever-so-soft bamboo products your way! Sign-up for our monthly e-newsletter by May 10, 2010 via our website and you’ll be automatically entered to win an $85 prize pack! Enjoy bamboo wash cloths, an adorable baby-safe plush panda plus a beach cover-up perfect for the upcoming sunny days! Current newsletter subscribers are already eligible! www.bamboobino.com
If that’s not enough, also included are Ilus Elu’s best-selling shades of gloss and eye shadows: Two full size lip glosses in Hibiscus and Pink Magnolia Two shadows in Lioness and Scarab All products are handmade in Vancouver and are vegan or vegetarian. They are also paraben, pthalate, dye and petroleum byproduct free. Your prize goodies will be packaged in a sustainably harvested cedar gift box hand made by the Vancouver Association for Community Inclusion woodshop. www.iluselu.ca
over $130 value!!
It can be tough convincing some kids to eat their veggies. Work at side-stepping the struggle by turning healthy eating into a game! Today I Ate A Rainbow inspires kids and the most frustrated of parents too! www.todayiatearainbow.com
Do you want to win an interactive chart from Today I Ate a Rainbow? Head to the ‘Contests’ page on our website to enter. The contest will remain open until May 20, 2010. prize not exactly as pictured
www.okanaganchild.com
Good Luck! Spring 2010 l 5
Loves Me, Loves Me Not: Supporting Kids Through the Ups and Downs of Friendship by Heidi Smith-Luedtke
D
riving home, you ask your kids what happened at school today. Your son mumbles, “Nothing,” in his casual, I-dare-you-toask-for-for-more information kind of way. Before you can follow up, your daughter chimes in “I hate Maddie. She told Sarah she thinks my hair is ugly, and now Sarah won’t let me sit with them at lunch. So they’re not my friends anymore. I hate them both.”
Catching Hot Potatoes
Whew! When you asked about her day, you were hoping to hear she’d learned why tigers have stripes or that she had aced her spelling test. Instead, you’re sitting in the driver’s seat with a hot potato in your lap: an emotional hot potato, that is. When kids are overwhelmed by their feelings, and don’t know how to handle them, they pass them on, says Lawrence Cohen, PhD, psychologist and author of Playful Parenting (Ballantine, 2001). Eliminating bad feelings – by passing them to parents or other trusted adults – frees kids to explore and experience what’s happening around them without getting stuck on issues they can’t solve. You, left holding the hot potato, are not so lucky. When kids share their troubles, we feel their pain. And as parents, we feel a responsibility to comfort them and help them repair broken relationships. As we consider how to respond, we revisit our own childhood turmoil, says Cohen. Grappling with our own feelings, we may ask probing questions that dig at kids’ wounds – “Why didn’t Sarah stick up for you?” “Did something else happen between you three?” Michael Thompson, PhD, clinical psychologist and co-author of Best Friends, Worst Enemies (Ballantine, 2001) calls this interviewing for pain. And, he says, this approach can backfire: instead of improving the situation, it can cause kids to relive and inflate their hurts. Although kids’ clashes are uncomfortable for parents, it’s best if parents support without intruding. Conflict is a crucible for social development.
Why Conflict Occurs and What Kids Learn From It
Psychologists recognize a number of universal human needs. First, Spring 2010 l 6
we all want to feel a sense of connection to others. Kids seek relationships that make them feel special and spend a great deal of time playing and sharing personal information with their friends. In addition, we want to be recognized as competent, powerful individuals. Your child’s desire to make the dance team, score the winning run, or prevail over siblings and parents on family game night reflects these needs for achievement and status. The recipe for dissonance goes something like this: Create a close connection between friends, add a spirit of competitiveness and an ounce of I’m-better-than-you-are, and voilà, you’ve got conflict. Winning friends and earning Guitar Hero rock-star status aren’t incompatible goals in the long term, but on any given afternoon they can cause friction. While it’s tempting to wish for perpetual harmony, a reasonable amount of conflict is good for kids. “There’s no doubt that some of the most important lessons our kids will learn don’t happen in the classroom but with a friend or two” during playtime, says Michelle Borba, EdD, author of Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me (Jossey-Bass, 2005). A child’s sense of personal identity develops as he sees himself through the eyes of his friends. When disagreements arise, kids learn to negotiate, to stand up for themselves, and to communicate their values. And when they mess up they learn to take responsibility and make apologies, reminds Borba. These social skills stick with kids into adulthood and are critical to school and career success. While parents can help kids learn from their experiences, we can’t learn these lessons for them.
How to Support Kids’ Friendship Skill-Building
Getting involved in kids’ social lives can feel like stepping into a minefield – you don’t know where hot issues are buried and missteps can cause emotional explosions. Use these strategies to support your kids through the trying times in social development.
Create Opportunities. Kids don’t want parents to manage their social lives – that just isn’t cool. To help kids make friends parents have to be stealthy. Invite another family over for dinner and let the
kids entertain themselves while the grown ups talk. They may groan initially, but they’ll rise to the occasion. Step back and let kids get acquainted through play. Share family activities often if the kids hit it off.
Put Problems in Perspective. Though it’s easy to dismiss kids’ social woes as insignificant, research conducted at University of California Los Angeles shows social rejection activates the same brain areas responsible for physical pain: being left out really does hurt. But don’t overreact – it’s likely your child will get over the hurt, reconcile with her friend, or find a new one. Check Your Expectations. Kids vary widely in how many friends they have and the depth of their relationships. “How many friends our kids have isn’t the issue,” says Borba. What matters most are your child’s feelings about himself and his relationships with peers. Friendship should be a (mostly) positive experience. Be a Sounding Board. When kids share their struggles, it’s tempting to step in and solve the problem. Resist the urge to call the friend’s parent or tell your child what to say or do. Instead, support your child by listening to what happened and absorbing the weight of her worries. With your emotional support, your child will find her own way to mend the rift. Quarrels and breakups happen, and kids’ hurt feelings run deep. Often but not always – after some time or a shift in activities – kids find a way to make up. To parents, it sometimes seems kids break up and make up too easily. They go from best friends to worst enemies and back again before we even know what’s happening. Whether friends come or go, parents can offer a listening ear, a silly smile and a shoulder to cry on. But we can’t force an apology or fix their friendships. Some lessons only friends can teach. Heidi Smith Luedtke is a psychologist and mom in Alexandria, VA. You can find her blog on parenting as a leadership experience at www.LeadingMama.com
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Spring 2010 l 7
Your Child’s Expert
by Sheila Wray Gregoire photo credit: Poppy Photography
I
spent a week last summer reminding myself why I hated being a teenager. I was working as office manager at a camp while my kids were campers. They could see me at mealtimes so they didn’t get too homesick, but on the whole they were on their own. In the meantime, I listened to counsellors fretting about boyfriends or girlfriends, about conflicts between friends, and about who is in what clique.
to understand math. “She has to learn it the way we teach it, not the way you explain it,” the teacher stressed, failing to see the irony that if the teacher had actually taught the child, she wouldn’t have needed her mother’s help in the first place. The mother said little. I think a simple, “my child, my house, my time,” would have sufficed, followed by, in a Shrek accent, “bye-bye. See you later.” But my friend was more polite.
That’s not all I heard. Just like me, a nurse also came up to work while her three kids attended camp, including one very shy 8-yearold boy. She was supposed to be working at his camp, but was sent instead to the teenage one on the other side of the lake. Her son didn’t fare very well in her absence. The 19-year-old section head and 18-year-old counsellor were sure they knew why. “In our experience,” they said, “these kids do much better if the parents are completely offsite.”
Instead of feeling upset when someone critcizes what we do with our kids, we tend to feel intimidated. When Rebecca took swimming lessons at the age of 4, the swimming instructor dunked her. I knew this wouldn’t work, but I didn’t speak up, and to this day I wonder why I was so cowed by a 17-year-old. It took me two years to undo the damage, during which my daughter would scream if I mentioned lessons. I took her swimming for fun, and she slowly began to like the water again. She swims like a fish now! Yet she wasn’t like most kids when it comes to learning to swim. She’s easily spooked, and I should have stepped in earlier.
Now these teenagers were lovely people and experienced campers, having spent 8 weeks at camp for the last three years. But she was an expert, too. She could have said, “I know you’ve spent 168 days at camp, but I have 3,000 days of experience with this particular boy, and he would have been fine had I worked here.” It was not to be. She took their criticism lying down. This incident stayed with me, I think, because it’s not an anomaly. Everywhere we turn, someone else is telling us how to raise our kids (including me!). Even the spanking debate which I sparked a while ago (why do I do these things?) is symptomatic of this need for others to tell us, despite divided research data, how to parent our children. One of my friends recently had an unfortunate run-in with a teacher, who was upset that this mom helped her fourth grade daughter Spring 2010 l 8
We live in an expert-driven society. No longer does common sense or life experience qualify you for anything. Yet though experts may know general knowledge, such as what happens with most children, you are the only one who knows the specifics, or what happens with your child. I say this knowing what it is like to be on the other side. Doctors often deal with parents who refuse to believe that nothing is wrong with their child. We could all benefit from two or three honest and wise friends who could act as our personal “reality checks”, telling us when we, or our kids, are out of line. But I still can’t help feeling that erring on the side of too much involvement is better than erring on the side of too little. Studies show consistently that kids need involved parents. Good teachers and principals know this and
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The Man Behind the Music: Will Stroet Set to play at The Okanagan International Children’s Festival and Fat Cat Children’s Festival, we took some time to catch up with Will Stroet. The evolution of Will Stroet’s music. Music has always been a big part of my life. While growing up, we created songs for every occasion with my Mom, a former Kindergarten teacher. She believed music was a great way to teach, and has been a source of inspiration for me as a teacher and songwriter. I started writing music for kids when I was at UBC studying to be an elementary school teacher. I remember the first song I wrote very well. We had each been assigned a specific language arts concept to build a lesson around—mine was around something called ‘Hinks Pinks’ and was about finding rhyming words, a perfect activity for a song. I wrote an interactive song called “Will’s Rhyme Time” and shared it with my fellow student teachers the following day. It turned out to be a big hit with my peers and my professor; it was at that moment I realized I was onto something. Later that year, I recorded some of my songs at a friend’s home studio, which became part of my first album “Let’s All Dance” (and are popular hits I still perform today). My latest album, “My Backyard,” was recently nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for “Best Children’s Recording of the Year (2009).” I am constantly writing and developing new ideas for songs and look forward to producing more music in the future.
The inspiration for my songs. My songs are inspired by a number of different things. One major inspiration has been my students. For the past five years while working as a French immersion elementary school teacher, students continually gave me ideas for songs, such as “Hockey’s Just Really Cool” and “Make Friends with an Earthworm.” The former was inspired by a group of kids who would play hockey after school in the schoolyard every day, and the latter was inspired when our school started a composting program. The French version of Earthworm, “Sois gentile avec les vers de terre” was a song that some of my students performed to launch the school’s composting project. Spring 2010 l 10
Since I believe kids should be active, I’ve written lots of songs to get kids moving. There has been a lot of media coverage on kids not being in great shape, which inspired me to write the “Bike Safety Boogie”, “Let’s All Dance”, “En haut, en bas”, “Hoppin’ up and Down”— all of which are songs I perform regularly at my shows and make kids want to dance and sing along.
The messages in my songs. There are definitely certain themes that I feel strongly about that I always come back to in my music. As mentioned above, I believe kids should be active and moving. Whether its dancing, hopping, learning to ride a bike, going for a walk or even good sportsmanship, I believe active kids are happy kids. I often write songs about the environment because I feel kids will be the stewards of our planet once we’re gone. I really hope they take better care of our planet than past generations have (including our own). Another theme is imagination. Kids have the most amazing imaginations and I think the more we can do to encourage them to use them, the better prepared they will be when they grow up. Imagination allows us to think about things creatively and that can help build great problem-solving skills. Besides, songs that engage the imagination are the goofy ones that are so much fun to write. I think of my song “Henry the Meowing Dog” as a perfect example. Going forward, I know I will draw a lot of inspiration from my daughter. My wife and I are expecting our first child this spring and we are so excited!
What I love most about performing for children. So many things! First and foremost their energy! As all parents, continued on pg. 29
Spring 2010 l 11
Scoliosis: Early Detection is Key by Dr. Wayne Terai, DC
What is Scoliosis? coliosis comes from the Greek word for crookedness. When you have scoliosis, your spine’s straight position begins to bend sideways. It can take the form of a single curve (C-shaped) or as a double curve (S-shaped). The most commonly affected areas are the mid and lower spine.
S
Scoliosis affects 3 to 5 in every 1,000 people. It affects girls twice as often as boys, and usually emerges in adolescence, although it has been seen in younger children and even infants. Adults can develop scoliosis as well -- often as a worsening of an untreated or undiagnosed condition that began in childhood. Although most cases are mild, if the scoliosis progresses, it can represent a major health threat. The key is to take care of the spine before this happens. Advanced scoliosis can contribute to chronic back pain, compression of heart and lung tissue, cardiopulmonary disease, degenerative arthritis, and a multitude of different nerve disorders including nerve paralysis. In addition, pronounced scoliosis can create a negative self image.
What Causes Scoliosis?
The causes of scoliosis and its classifications are diverse, and require special considerations by a health care practitioner knowledgeable in scoliosis detection, classification and management. Why scoliosis occurs in the spine is often a mystery. In fact, the most common form of this disorder is called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (of unknown cause). In some people, scoliosis can be traced to structural abnormalities, such as incorrectly formed vertebrae or disc derangements. Other times, these curves can be linked to imbalances in spinal muscula-
Spring 2010 l 12
ture, nervous system disorders or leg-length differences. If the scoliosis occurs in your mid spine, the ribs shift in relation to the spine. When bending forward, the ribs on one side will protrude more than the ribs on the other side.
How is Scoliosis Detected? Early detection of scoliosis is vital, since it is important to stop or slow a progressing curve to avoid the need for bracing or surgical intervention. The curve generally progresses while a child is still growing, and progression will slow or stop once the child reaches skeletal maturity. During these crucial high-risk growth years (10 to 14 years old) it is vital for youngsters to be screened regularly by a health care practitioner knowledgeable in scoliosis management and trained to provide accurate and thorough screening and treatment for this condition. Trained health care professionals, such as chiropractors, perform the Adams test to initially screen children and adolescents for scoliosis. During this test, a person bends forward to touch their toes, and the chiropractor observes the ribs on either side of the spine. If one side of the ribs sits higher than the other, scoliosis may be suspected and may require follow up with spinal x-rays to confirm the severity of the condition. Scoliosis is typically classified as mild, moderate or severe. Mild scoliosis is a spinal curvature measuring less than 20 degrees. Moderate scoliosis is a spinal curvature measuring between 20 and 55 degrees. Severe scoliosis is a spinal curvature measuring more than 70 degrees.
Can Scoliosis Be Fixed?
For mild scoliosis, the patient is usually monitored for progression.
Most people with mild scoliosis don’t experience bouts of back pain any more than the normal population. However, if the curve shows signs of rapid progression, or increases beyond 30 degrees, treatment is recommended. In every individual with scoliosis, there are bound to be areas of spinal subluxation (misalignment of the vertebrae). This can contribute to spinal pain or nervous system disturbances. Fortunately, chiropractors are specially trained to locate and correct areas of spinal subluxation. If you suspect scoliosis, the first thing you should do is visit your chiropractor. Not only do chiropractors help reduce the symptoms caused by altered spinal mechanics (J Manip Physio Ther 1994; 17:253), they also do their best to reduce the angle of spinal curvature. Numerous scientific reports show chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce the angle of the scoliotic curve. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine concludes that in “at least some severe and progressive cases of scoliosis, chiropractic treatment including spinal manipulation may decrease the need for surgery.” (J Alt Comp Med 2008; 14:749-51). The case study followed a 15-year-old girl who had a 46 degree scoliosis. Over a four-year period, she received regular rehabilitation and brace treatment, but the curve continued to progress. Surgical intervention was recommended at that point. The patient decided to try chiropractic adjustments before surgery, and after 18 months of consecutive treatment, follow-up x-rays showed that the angle of the curve had decreased by 16 degrees. The combination of spinal manipulation, positional traction and neuromuscular re-education in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis has been shown to be effective. In a four to six week period, the combination averaged a 17 degree reduction in their curves, with none of the curves progressing. (BMC Musculoskel Disord 2004; 5:32). Chiropractic adjustments plus neuromuscular stimulation for progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has also shown to be effective. In one case study, the patient’s curve had been progressing at the rate of 1.0 degree/month for nine months. In the first three months of care, the patient’s curvature was successfully stopped at 27 degrees and then reversed to 17 degrees. (J Manip Physiol Ther 1987; 10: 147-56). In situations where conservative treatments are ineffective and the scoliosis continues to progress past 70 degrees, surgical correction is usually the only remaining choice to prevent the condition from affecting heart and lung function.
An Ounce of Prevention...
Because of the dangerous nature of scoliosis, parents are advised to watch for signs their child’s spine is starting to bend. The symptoms include uneven hips or shoulders, or the body leaning to one side. When treated early, the least invasive approaches can be taken and scoliosis damage may be minimized. Spinal screenings should begin at an early age, and continue
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ASK Ask for help because parenting is far too important of a job to do alone. through childhood and adolescence until skeletal maturity is complete. In toddlers, the spine should be checked at each developmental milestone: lifting the head, rolling over, beginning to crawl, sitting up, standing with support, walking with support, and walking independently. Children and adolescents should have an annual spinal screening, or more frequently if they are involved in physical sports or are sedentary. As specialists in spinal form and function, Doctors of Chiropractic are ideally qualified in assessing, diagnosing, and managing scoliosis of all ranges from simple to severe Burtch Chiropractic would be happy to provide spinal screenings at your school’s family fun night or other event. Have your Parents’ Advisory Council contact our Office Manager, Marlis at 250-8604518 to arrange a date for the children at your school to receive their spinal checkups. Dr. Wayne Terai is a family practice chiropractor, Advanced Proficiency Rated in Activator Methods. He has practiced in Kelowna for 15 years, and has recently expanded his practice to include the new Kelowna Laser Therapy Clinic, implementing the BioFlex Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) which is used to effectively treat injuries and chronic and inflammatory conditions.
Spring 2010 l 13
local
Arts, Culture & Loads of Fun The Story Behind The Rotary International Okanagan Children’s Festival by Colleen Bezeau
I
was simultaneously stumped and impressed. When I reviewed the main stage line-up for the Okanagan International Children’s Festival this forthcoming May 27-29 in Penticton, I couldn’t help but wonder how a festival manages to secure such an unbelievable array of local and international performers. I’m talking about The National Acrobats of Taiwan - wow! Gord Osland, the executive and artistic director, happily shared his story with me. Gord has worked in the music business since 1966 and notably headed The Winnipeg International Children’s Festival for over 20 years. During his tenure, he was one of the founders of the Canadian Children’s Festival Assocation (CCFA). The CCFA is comprised of a number of festivals across Canada in locations such as Vancouver, Northern Alberta, Ottawa, Saskatoon and many others. The network of festivals creates the opportunity to attract a wide range of headlining acts that tour from festival to festival throughout the country. Our children and the community are privileged to enjoy a performing arts festival of this scale right here in the Okanagan. In the early 2000s, despite a great love for his work with the Winnipeg Children’s Festival, Gord felt it was time to retire and relocated to Penticton. Little did he know, his retirement was to be shortlived. The mayor at the time caught wind of Gord’s background and before he knew it, Gord was talked into starting a festival in
Penticton. Although retirement was appealing, the payoff of watching children enjoy the show, and watching them engage with their peers, family and teachers was simply too enticing. The Rotary International Children’s Festival was born in 2003, with 2010 marking its eighth year. At its heart, the three day event is a cultural festival, a performing arts festival. It’s all about fun and having a great time. Perhaps what is so unique about the festival is that children have the opportunity to create an emotional connection with performers from cultures all over the world. On the first two days of the festival, schools are given first dibs on the tickets. Children from schools all over the Okanagan ranging from Oliver to Merritt to Salmon Arm bus to come soak up the artistic performances and enjoy all the activities. Saturday is a family fun day, with an incredibly affordable admission of $10/person or four/$35. With such a wide range of activities including dance and music workshops, a science tent, tons of main and open stage performances, this is a festival not to be missed. For more information, visit the Okanagan Children’s Festival website at www.okchildrensfest.org
NEW BABY? It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon representative. She will bring congratulations and gifts for the family and the NEW BABY!
1.866.856.8442
Spring 2010 l 14
New Business Spotlight A
s parents know, children are an unending source of memorable moments. Parental pride begins with a flashing camera in the delivery room and continues to grow through school concerts, birthdays and soccer games. It doesn’t take long before mom and dad are overloaded with photos and anecdotes, but often they are without a way to display and preserve everything. One option to consider is a custom-designed hardcover book by Legendbound. Legendbound is a Kelowna-based business that prides itself on creating bookstore-quality memoirs using a client’s own stories and pictures. Like a large-scale publishing house, Legendbound employs writers, editors, and graphic designers; however, instead of printing thousands of copies, Legendbound devotes its entire team to the creation of one book. Launched by Aidan Johannesson as a solution to the overwhelming number of “masterpieces” her children were bringing home from school, the business started out serving a practical purpose. “I was thrilled to have found a beautiful and timeless
Winter 09/10 l 26
way to showcase my kids’ favourite pieces of art,” notes Johannesson. “Even better was the fact that we also recorded the kids’ creative inspirations — in their own words, of course.” Legendbound now publishes books to celebrate any occasion, from weddings and memorials to pet tributes and family histories. Books range in size and scope and can be tailored to suit clients’ individual requests. For more information, go to www.boundbylegend.com or call 250801-4415.
Do you have a new business? Tell us about it and we’ll help spread the word. Drop us an e-mail with the subject “New Business Spotlight” to info@okanaganchild.com Spring 2010 l 15
health
Does Your Child Eat a Rainbow? Tips for Filling Bellies with Veggies & Fruit by KIa Robertson
K
ids love rainbows! What’s not to like, they’re so bright and colourful! Did you know that you can take that love of rainbows and put it on a plate filled with fruits and vegetables?! Using a rainbow as a guide, you can ensure that your children benefit from a wide range of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients in their diet. Phytonutrients are natural chemical compounds found in all plants; they protect against disease and promote health in plants and humans. A single orange contains over 170 different phytonutrients! Many phytonutrients also give fruit and vegetables their bright colour. No single fruit or vegetable provides all of the nutrients that kids need to be healthy. Eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables everyday is the key! By breaking produce down into colour groups of fire-engine red, bright orange, sunshine yellow, emerald green, and rich purples you can make eating fruits and vegetables fun and easy for your kids! Even at a very young age, kids can easily grasp the concept of eating a rainbow. Here are some examples from each colour group:
Red
Apples, cherries, peppers, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes.
Orange
Apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, mangoes, oranges, peppers, sweet potatoes. Dr
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Yellow
Bananas, peppers, pineapple, corn, grapefruit, squash, wax beans.
Green
Broccoli, cucumbers, grapes, green beans, peas, spinach, kiwi.
Purple
Beets, blackberries, blueberries, red cabbage, eggplants, grapes, plums. Now that you have the rainbow concept to work with, the next part of the plan is finding ways to encourage your children to eat more fruits and vegetables! As parents we “know” that our children should be eating a minimum of 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables. However that knowledge doesn’t seem to be making its way into their diets! According to the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey, 71% of children between the ages of 4 and 8 are not eating the minimum of 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables. (source: stats can) So what can we do as parents to encourage our children to eat more fruits and vegetables? Here are 10 tips:
1. Keep Fruits and Vegetables in Sight: Stock your fridge full of washed and ready to eat fruits and veggies. Having them cut up in slices makes it even easier for your kids to reach in and grab a quick healthy snack.
2. Remove the Competition: If you have unhealthy food options like cookies, chips and other junk food around they will win out every time over fruits and veggies! If you provide only healthy options they will get eaten! Leave the junk food for an occasional treat! 3. Prepare Meals Together: Bring kids into the kitchen starting at a young age. Toddlers can wash and rip lettuce, preschoolers can measure and stir, and older kids can find recipes and help create meals. Children are far more likely to dig into a new dish if they helped prepare it!
Dr. Chris Spooner ND
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Spring 2010 l 16
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4. Take them Grocery Shopping: When you have the time, take your children grocery shopping with you and let them pick out a fruit or vegetable. Challenge them put a rainbow in the shopping cart! 5. Serve a Fruit or Vegetable with Every Meal: Every day
and every meal, fruits and veggies should be on the menu. Eating this way makes it easy to get the minimum 5 servings of produce a day!
6. Keep it Simple: Veggies taste best when you don’t do too
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7. Be a Good Role Model: One of the strongest predictors of what children eat is what their parents eat. If you expect your child to eat vegetables, you need to be eating them, too! 8. Eat the Same Meals: Make one meal for the family. Don’t
start the habit of serving different menus for everyone as you’ll end up with a house full of picky eaters and a lot of extra work in the kitchen!!
9. Keep Trying: Kids need to be exposed to, and ideally taste,
a new food as many as 10 to 15 times before they’ll accept it. Just getting them to take one bite is a victory! Small baby steps lead to healthy eating!
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games. Keep that in mind and make healthy eating a fun challenge rather than a battle. Sing silly songs, eat rainbows, do whatever it takes to make things fun!
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Kia Robertson is a mother and the creator of the Today I Ate A Rainbow chart for kids. Visit www.todayiatearainbow.com today for more great tips!
Join us & make a new friend today!
10. Make it Fun: Kids are fun people and they love playing
Community for Okanagan Mums
Spring 2010 l 17
parenting
Listening to your teen:
10
skills to help improve communication with your tween or teen by Gina Roberts Grey
M
ost kids seem to possess random or selective listening skills. You ask him to clean his room or how his day was: Silence. You suggest dropping him off at the mall or buying him something: Amazingly attentive. Listening, like everything in parenting, hinges greatly your behavior. Children as young as 3 can identify if someone’s listening to them and is interested in what they have to say. That’s why you must offer the same attentiveness you seek. Here’s how.
Stop what you’re doing.
Your tween or teen might not realize you can skillfully multitask, so she could question your ability to listen to her while also making dinner. Kids like to know they’re important enough to have a few undivided minutes. Capturing your complete attention encourages her to recount the day’s events or ask difficult questions.
Timing can be everything.
Schedule a special time to listen. Give each of your kids the security and respect of knowing that they can have special time with each parent to discuss school, hobbies, problems, etc. The chance to share intimate time to talk to you without the interruption of siblings or other distractions builds your teen’s confidence in your co-communication skills.
Body language says the most.
When you’re having a discussion with your teen, demonstrate nonverbally that you’re there to listen. Don’t sit on the edge of your seat as if you’re prepared to leave. Look him in the eyes. Nod encouragingly. And remember that observing his demeanor can provide insight into how he feels about the situation, too, despite what he’s saying.
Don’t interrupt her.
It’s hard to fight the temptation to jump in, interject your opinion or ask pertinent questions. But allowing her the chance to finish her part shows not only your interest in her point of view, but also can uncover less-obvious messages in the conversation. Her entire story may provide the answers you’re seeking. Hold on.
Resist correcting his speech.
Perfect grammar isn’t always the top priority in a conversation.
Spring 2010 l 18
Pick and choose the best times to remind him of the proper parts and usage of speech.
Schedule regular family meetings.
Create opportunities for conversation by having meetings or predinner chats. If there aren’t regular times set for talking and sharing, it becomes even harder for teens to feel open.
Ask him how and when he knows you’re really listening.
A kid’s perspective often is drastically different from an adult’s. For light day-to-day sharing, your teen might prefer talking to you casually while you’re folding clothes. Find out if he prefers to sit down, take a walk – or what unconscious signals you send to let him know you’re interested in what he has to say.
Reinforce you’re listening by repeating. “I understand you’ve got a lot of pressure with school, work and basketball ... “ tells her you did in fact hear and process what she’s trying to convey. Phrases such as “I know” and “I see” don’t emphasize that you’re hearing her side of the conversation. Never ridicule.
React sensitively to what your teen shares with you. If you don’t agree, tell him politely and diplomatically – or you could forever push him away. Remember: Your child doesn’t have to agree with you about everything, and he’ll make choices that you won’t agree with. As long as those choices are age-appropriate and don’t risk his life, you need to allow your teen the freedom to make mistakes. Hopefully, he’ll learn from them.
Don’t follow-up with a lecture.
Addressing an uncomfortable topic is especially difficult for kids. Between balancing the pressures of mastering a variety of new skills and forging relationships with peers and siblings, they don’t want to muster the courage to confront you – only to be immediately rebuffed with a lecture. And if you’re hearing details about your teen’s peers, feelings or ideals that make you feel uncomfortable, you’re doing an excellent job of listening!
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Connect with Okanagan Child! Local events calendar, resources, & some exciting changes (coming soon!) can be found on our website www.oKAnAgAnchild.com Spring 2010 l 19
books
michelle collie
Pat Yourself on the Back Moms... You Deserve It!! photo credit: Elizabeth Soergel Photography
L
ast Mother’s Day, my then three-year-old son asked me, “Mom, when is my day?” I answered with a line that had been used on me so many years ago: “Oh honey, every day is kids’ day.” This got me thinking. Isn’t every day Mother’s Day as well? Every single day, whether I wake up happy or sad, or whether during the day I happen to get mad, I am rewarded with unconditional love, hugs and kisses. My kids look at me as though I am their hero. They love me. They do not need a special day to tell me this because they tell me all the time. I don’t need a special day to feel loved as a mother because I feel it every single day. Even when I’m overwhelmed or mad. Even when I’m sad. Sure, it is nice to have a day of special recognition. It most certainly is nice to get the hand-made gifts the kids make in school, the extra hugs and kisses, and the breakfast in bed, but it doesn’t make me feel any more loved or appreciated as a mother. In fact, I much prefer the attention that comes on every other day of the year. The hugs, kisses and words of appreciation that come because that is
J
build a librarY...build a businEss! discoVEr usbornE booKs! Home Shows School Fairs Direct Sales Consultants needed in the Okanagan! Karen McGrath www.usborne.ca/titles (T) 250.868.3232 (E) karen.mcgrath@shaw.ca Spring 2010 l 20
how they feel in that moment and not just because the calendar says it is Mother’s Day. For some, Mother’s Day is what they refer to as a Hallmark Holiday. It is an opportunity for card companies, flower shops and candy shops to increase their revenue. But it was not always this way. In fact, the history of Mother’s Day can be traced back to the Spring celebrations in Ancient Greece to honour Rhea, the mother of the Gods. Then, in the 1600’s, the early Christians expanded the celebrations to include Mary, the mother of Jesus. Later, the holiday began to include all mothers and was celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Mothering Sunday honoured all the mothers in England. Canada was one of the first countries to adopt the U.S. version of Mother’s Day, which started one Sunday in church as a day to honour peace. Every mother in attendance was given two carnations. Canada made Mother’s Day a National holiday in 1909.
Looking back at history, Mothers have always been experts in micromanagement and balance. Today, our role as mom includes duties such as provider of unconditional love, listener, cleaner, cook, chauffeur, referee, counselor, teacher, friend and parent. It is exhausting but very rewarding. Although we may not get a paycheque for the work we do, and may not always get the thanks we deserve, we persevere and continue to help our children pave a path so that they can find love, happiness and fulfillment. Our rewards are the little things. The goodnight hugs, the cuddles, the moment of awe when your child first learns to read, or joy when they find love.
Joseph R. Gordon B.A., LL.B
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B.S.W., B.Juris., LL.B, LL.M.
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While we may not need a day to celebrate what we do for our families and our country, we certainly can use a day to pause and praise ourselves. I find that mothers are humble by their very nature; perhaps this is because a mother’s job is never done. Most moms I know are always looking to do more. At any rate, this Mother’s Day, as you bask in the rewards of your hard work take a moment to reward yourself. Tally up how you have made a difference (whether in your own home or your outside world) and find time to shoulder your own praise. You deserve it! Michelle Collie is a wife, mom, freelance writer and child chauffeur who lives in West Kelowna, B.C.
• personal injury • real estate disputes
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• traffic accidents & tickets
wills & estate disputes hen the Virtual School Society• (VSS) launched its “Cyber Safe with Steve Dotto” initiative targeting parents, it believed that the best way to combat internet danger was to find a way to get stuT. 250.860.9997 dents, teachers, parents and the community all working together. It seems to have found a great champion for a significant part of the F. 250.860.9937 student-focused component in Vernon Secondary School’s media and social studies teacher, Mike Sawka. 102 - 1433 St. Paul Street, Kelowna BC V1Y 2E4
Check out our on-line photo gallery! Share your photos...we feature some in every print edition in our ‘Snap Happy’ section. www.okanaganchild.com
photo credit: Kerry MacLeod www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com Spring 2010 l 21
baby
Cloth Diapering MYTHS by Kelly Paley
“T
hat’s gross,” “You’ll last two weeks” or outright laughter... the response from friends, co-workers and even some family when my husband and I decided to use cloth diapers. “What’s the big deal” I thought – our parents did it! Two years later, I can proudly say that we’re still using cloth diapers and our son is well on his way to being potty trained. In fact, I am such a believer that cloth diapers aren’t any more difficult, smelly or disgusting than disposables that I would like to share some information and tips on getting started. Let’s start with some myths and facts surrounding the debate around disposables and cloth:
You have to toilet-dunk or soak the diapers. Let your machine do the work for you! If your baby or toddler has well-formed solid poops, sure, you can toss the solids into the toilet -- but for messy jobs, don’t fret it. Your washing process will take care of this for you. Plus there are great accessories like bio-liners (or daddy savers as I like to call them) to make the clean up even easier! Little known fact: Did you know that you aren’t supposed to dispose of human waste from any diaper, disposables included? It says so right on the package and is part of a report from the World Health organization regarding disposable diapers and the diseases being
caused by the millions of tonnes of untreated human waste in our landfills!
You have to use diaper pins. Not true. While the traditional flat and prefold diapers are still available, the cloth diaper industry is booming with a wide variety of styles, materials and super cute patterns to fit any family! They are as simple to use as a disposable!
Cloth diapering is more difficult. As we said above, gone are the days of pinning and folding. Although this option is still available, most of the diapers on the market are designed to go on and off just like a disposable. The other big bonus is that you never have to leave your house to hunt for diapers in the middle of the night!
Cloth diapering is more time consuming. You’re adding an extra load or two of laundry per week to your routine....that’s really it! If you choose to use a diaper service, this task is taken care of for you!
Cloth diapers don’t keep your baby dry. Disposable diapers have proliferated the myth that “a dry baby is a clean baby”. Disposables use the super-absorbing chemical polyac-
I N T E R E S T I N G
F A C T S
Disposable diapers make up more than four percent of the garbage in our landfills. They are the third single most disposed-of item in our landfills. Each baby contributes more than 1 tonne (more than 2000 lbs) of diapers to our landfills from birth to potty training. Disposable diapers not only are a problem for our environment, they also can be harmful to the babies wearing them. Chemicalladen disposable diapers: • contain trace amounts of carcinogens • may lead to a high rate of allergic reactions and rashes • contain chemicals to increase absorption rate; these chemicals are the same as those blamed for “toxic shock” in tampons (which were removed from tampons in the 1980s) • have been linked to increased risk of infertility in adults who wore disposable diapers as infants • can cause asthma and asthma-like symptoms in children [These facts were obtained from www.RealDiaperAssociation.Com (Diaper Facts. 2004, 2005.) and The Diaper Debate: Are Disposables as Green as Cloth? (Amanda Onion. ABC.com. 2006. ABC News Internet Ventures).] Spring 2010 l 22
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rylate (a toxic, squishy “gel” inside the inner panels), which makes the diaper “a wearable toilet” of sorts. All babies should be changed when they have soiled; however with the advent of these superabsorbent and many times dry feeling chemical-laden disposable diapers, we get very complacent about changing. However the American Academy of Pediatrics states, “Regardless of which type of diaper you use, diaper rash occurs less often and is less severe when you change diapers often.” With cloth, not only is it easy to tell when your baby is due for a change, they also potty train much sooner because toddlers can actually feel when they wet themselves.
Cloth Diapers leak. Just like any disposable diaper, a cloth diaper will leak if it is left on too long or doesn’t fit properly. Once any diaper is saturated, it leaks. If the diapers fit properly and a parent changes a child’s diaper soon after it is soiled, leaking is not a problem.
Cloth diapers are bulky. The wide variety of cloth diapers on the market today rival even the trimmest disposable! Not to mention that some physiotherapists and chiropractors actually feel that the extra bulk of some cloth diapers hold babies at a proper alignment for pelvic and hip development.
Cloth diapers and diaper pails smell. Cloth diapers smell no worse than disposables. A good diaper pail
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that allows for air exchange with a filter system keeps unwanted odours at bay. There are many natural products on the market that can be used to help neutralize the odours in your pail. Or simple soak cotton ball with your favourite essential oil and toss it in the bottom of your pail!
Cloth diapering is more expensive (after factoring the cost of detegerent, water and electricity). Cloth diapers save you money! There’s no comparison. Even when the cost of electricity, gas and water are added to the cost of purchasing cloth diapers, the expense of washing cloth is still cheaper than purchasing disposables. By most estimates, a family stands to save at least $700 when using cloth over the first year of the baby’s life (Note: most estimates actually put this figure at $1,000 to $1,200 or more). These savings increase with each year as the child grows. In addition, the arrival of sibling babies does not require additional purchases because the same diapers can continue to be used. Diaper services are an option, as well. Their cost figures generally place them as less expensive than disposables but more expensive than home washing. So now you’ve decided you might give cloth diapering a try, but have no idea where to start. We’ll cover this in our next article in Okanagan Child Magazine. Kelly Paley is the owner of Tidy Tushees Diaper Service, www.tidytushees.ca, located in Kelowna B.C. She’s one savvy mama when it comes to all things cloth and she is happy to provide consultation and support. Spring 2010 l 23
Julie Crowther
photo credit: Adrian Kids Photography
revelling in life as a mom. A bit about myself. I am 32 years old and have been married to the most wonderful man in the world for 6 years. I am a stay at home / work at home mom.
My journey to becoming a parent.
My husband and I always knew we were meant to have children and began planning for them soon after we were married. I have always had a passion for kids for as long as I can remember. I babysat every kid in the neighbourhood where I grew up (Logan Lake) and became very attached to many of them. I currently am in charge of developing the Kids Program at Westgate Church. I have also done childcare from my home for many years. In 2005, we discovered we were pregnant for the first time. We were overjoyed. I found out on my birthday which couldn’t have been a better gift. But sadly, we miscarried at 10 weeks. We were devastated. We had an amazing support system at Westgate Church and our family to help us through this difficult time. Over the next two years, we had 3 more miscarriages. No one could give us any answers to why this was happening. We were looking into fertility treatments and our church and family were praying for us because they knew we needed a miracle. Before we booked our fertility consultation, we found out we were once again pregSpring 2010 l 24
nant. Excited and still a little trepidatious, we counted the weeks. 7...8...9...weeks passed...10...11...12, everything was going just fine. At 12 weeks, we went to our first ultrasound appointment. I was overwhelmed as I saw my healthy little baby for the first time. Our little girl was born March 9, 2008. There is an interesting story about her name. Before Tom and I were married, we were praying about our future children and a name popped into Tom’s head, PROMISE. We loved it. After she was born, we knew that she truly was a Promise from God to us. In August 2008, Tom began to lose his mobility. Thinking that the years of construction work had begun taking its toll on his back, he took some time off. However after a few months, Tom wasn’t improving and was in fact getting worse. In February Tom had some tests done and was diagnosed with a rare auto immune disorder called CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy). Soon after that, he needed a wheelchair to get around. Around the same time we discovered we were pregnant again. In April of that year Tom also suffered a heart attack at the age of 39 all of this a shock because he is a very healthy and active man. Over the summer we were so focused on doctor’s appointments for Tom and me that I didn’t even have time to worry about miscarrying this
baby. It was quite a challenge being pregnant, toting around a toddler, and a wheelchair everywhere we went -- all during the hottest summer on record. There was a time when Tom couldn’t even pick up his daughter because the illness had reached his hands and his grip had deteriorated. There were a lot of people praying for our family and I know that it was only God who got us through this intensely difficult time. The doctors and specialists weren’t sure if Tom would walk ever again. I believed differently in my heart and believed God that my beloved husband would be walking before our second child was born. Early October Tom decided he didn’t need his wheelchair anymore. Callysta was born 8 days late on October 29, 2009. Daddy was there for the whole thing and was able to care for BOTH his daughters. Our girls are now 22 months and 2 months respectively and Tom had his first date with his eldest daughter yesterday. Praise God!!
If I could share one piece of advice with new parents...
Don’t rush this. The sleepless nights will end, and you can never get these moments back. Look into your babies’ eyes everyday and lavish them with love. Trust your instincts; you are the expert when it comes to your baby.
The difference between life with one child and two.
I am way more relaxed about things such as messy houses and “expert” advice. I also have learned to give myself about half an hour longer than expected to get ready to leave the house!
On deciding to have two children ~ 1.5 years apart.
We didn’t really decide, God did!! I love the fact that my eldest still takes naps!! I’ve also been blessed because she adores her baby sister and just loves helping mommy with all the tasks related to “Baby Lytta.” I just spend lots of time with Strawberry Shortcake and Tinkerbell.
Some things I’ve learnt about myself since becoming a mom.
I’m way more compassionate towards single parents. Its a surmounting job with two parents and twice as hard with one. I’ve learned to let people help me. I’ve also realized how many tasks I can cram into a 2 hour stretch.
Do you want to be our next featured parent? We love all parents: New parents, seasoned ones, step-parents, single parents, parents of multiples, grandparents.
What’s involved: *Share your experience as a parent in a conversational style written interview. *Receive a photo shoot in Kelowna courtesy of Adrian Kids Photography *See your interview and photos in print!
How to apply: (1) Visit our website at www.okanaganchild.com (2) Complete our ‘Featured Parent’ form under the Explore menu. (3) We’ll let you know if you if you’ve been selected.
Finding balance.
Balance, what’s that? Baby cries, feed baby, toddler cries, comfort toddler. It’s okay if the dishes aren’t done.
Favorite ways to unwind.
Bubble Baths, reading a good book, sewing, spending time with Tom.
I never leave home without... Baby wipes, granola bars, diapers.
My must-have baby / toddler product.
My baby sling that I made. It comes in handy when I don’t want to drag out the beast of a double stroller.
Hopes, Goals, Dreams.
My greatest dream has always been to raise my family and invest time into my children, my most valuable possessions. I want to be able to sow into the lives of others and spend my life in the pursuit of seeing others overcome hardships in life. I also want to pursue a trade (interior decorating) so I can still work from home.
What I want most for my children.
photo credit: Adrian Kids Photography
I want them to be able to think outside the box. I want them to be creative thinkers who don’t let anyone tell them they “can’t.” Obstacles are opportunities to grow, to see the world with a different set of eyes. You can overcome ANY mountain. I want them to see value in everyone around them, to be able to put themselves in the shoes of others and have great compassion for those around them. Spring 2010 l 25
play
Play Ideas to Keep Toddlers Busy! by Judy Arnall
W
hat can yo do when your toddler or preschooler is bored that doesn’t cost a lot of time, money, set-up or clean-up? There are many exciting things you can do: • Have an easy to reach craft box of odds and ends: ribbons, cards, paper, markers, scissors, glue or glue sticks, glitter, paint, rulers, cardboard pieces, etc. so kids can help themselves and create a craft that is unstructured and entirely of their own imagination. • Assemble a box of dress up clothes and items for props. Check out finds from the dollar store and thrift shop for castoffs. • Make an indoor sandbox with a baby sized swimming pool, and rice or puffed wheat or lentils as the sand. • Let the kids ride bikes or scooters or ride-on toys in the basement. • Make homemade playdough and let the kids press in different shapes and items such as rings, straws, etc. • Fill the baby bathtub or bowl of soapy water in the bathtub and let them play. Add food colored ice cubes, spoons, and cups for pouring.
• Use a small stool as a play table in the bathtub and give them cups to pour water in and out. • Get a small rebounder to jump on. Or designate certain sofa cushions for jumping on and fort building. • Give blankets or old sheets for fort building. • Use jumping balls in the house to work off excess energy. • Blow bubbles on the kitchen floor. Use the excess soap to clean floor after! • In the bathtub with no water, put your child in the tub dressed only with old underwear. Add a bowl of chocolate pudding. Allow finger painting on the walls, the tub and themselves. A wonderful, sensuous feeling and much easier clean-up than finger- painting. Just hose down the shower walls and the child with a little soap afterwards. • For children past the tasting stage, put small amounts of shaving cream in a muffin tin and tint with food color. Allow finger painting on the tub walls.
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Mentoring makes a difference... If you think your child would benefit from a Big Brother or Big Sister please contact us at 250-768-2261 ext 111.
LooKiNg FoR A FRENCH Vo VoUS CHERCHEz UNE COLE FRANCOPHONE ? PUBLIC SCHOOL ? ÉÉCOLE The Conseil scolaire francophone de la C.-B. (SD, No. 93) is accepting registrations in all of its 38 schools.
Le Conseil scolaire francophone de la C.-B. (SD No 93) accepte les inscriptions dans son réseau de 38 écoles en C.-B.
ÉCOLE DE L’ANSE-AU-SABLE
ÉCOLE PENTICTON ENTRE LACS SECONDARY 675 Lequime Road 1077 Nelson Ave. 158 Eckhardt Ave. Kelowna Penticton Penticton 250-764-277 250-770-7691 250-770-7691 M/K - 12 M/K - 8 9 - 12
liSTEn Listen to your children with all your attention with your ears, eyes, body and heart. They will feel your respect.
• A full-day Francophone kindergarten • Portable computers for grade 4-12 students • A French-language acquisition program • A quality English-language program • Excellent academic results • High level of bilingualism • Distance education courses via the École Virtuelle For more information, please communicate with:
• Une maternelle à temps plein • Des ordinateurs portables pour les élèves de la 4e à la 12e année • Un programme de francisation • Un programme d’anglais de qualité • Une formation académique de haut niveau • Un haut niveau de bilinguisme • Des cours à distance via l’école Virtuelle Pour obtenir plus d’information, communiquez avec :
WWW.CSF.BC.CA LE CONSEIL SCOLAIRE FRANCOPHONE DE LA COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE (SD No 93) 180-10200 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, (C.-B.) V6X 2W7 | (604) 214-2600 or/ou 1-888-715-2200
• Spread the sheets out on the floor and have a picnic in the house. • Play “I spy” or “Rock, paper, scissors,” when you are stuck waiting somewhere. • Get a basic car track that you put together in a line. Then use pillows to make hills and valleys. See how far the cars will go. Judy Arnall is a professional international award-winning Parenting Speaker, and Trainer, Mom of five children, and author of the best-selling, “Discipline Without Distress: 135 tools for raising caring, responsible children without time-out, spanking, punishment or bribery” She specializes in “Parenting the Digital Generation” www.professionalparenting.ca (403) 714-6766 jarnall@shaw.ca
advertise with us. our rates will make you giggle. booKinG dEadlinE For tHE suMMEr issuE: aPril 26, 2010
www.okanaganchild.com advertise@okanaganchild.com Spring 2010 l 27
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Sometimes the stroller basket just isn’t big enough. Enter The Mommy Hook. It attaches to any stroller and offers an easy place to hang your extra bags so you know, mama might actually have a free hand for once! 7.99 raspberrykids.com
Zoodonyms will take your breath away. Available in any name (& spelling!), these stunning baltic birch wood pieces feature a nontoxic lacquer finish. The exquisitely cut animals can even be used as a puzzle! Prices range depending on the length of a name. from 32.50 zoodonyms.com
SO. CUTE. Check out these adorable belts from Kula Klips. Available in a range of fabulous patterns, these belts will spice up your child’s wardrobe in the cutest way imaginable. 14.95 chickenlittle.ca
Diversity is worthy of celebration. Local author Ola Zuri, a transracial adoptee herself, delivers a story that provides the perfect starting point to open discussion on transrcaial adoption and surrounding issues with your child. 15.35 tapestrybooks.com Spring 2010 l 28
Watch out - your foot will start tapping. And you’ll hear your lil monkey clapping along. Yup, Will Stroet makes music that brings a smile to the faces of both parents and kids. Now that’s worth a listen! 14.99 willmusic.ca
Will Stroet Interview Cont’d from page 10...
who only speak one language.
teachers and grandparents know, kids have tons of energy. I just love seeing kids really get into my music, dancing, hopping, doing actions, etc.
As a French immersion teacher, I have seen first hand the power of music as a teaching tool. Rhythm, rhyme and melody are as powerful a language-learning tool as anything. I also recognize the fact that there is a need for more resources for French immersion teachers. I am very proud and honoured that my French albums are used in French immersion classrooms across the province. There is nothing more rewarding and enjoyable than performing at a school where kids are familiar with your songs and enthusiastically sing along.
The second reason I love performing for kids is their honesty. Kids are the most honest audience you will ever find (other than maybe Simon Cowell). Adults will often give a musician or a band a few songs to win them over before standing up and walking out of a show. Kids, not so much. If they don’t like what you’re doing they will simply walk away or, in extreme cases, start crying. However, if they like what you are doing they are not shy to show it. Adults may show they like a performance by tapping their feet or clapping politely after each song. If kids like a performance, they don’t have any problem jumping around, singing or playing air guitar. If I had a dime for every little kid playing air guitar at my shows, I could retire today! Finally, all my gigs are during the day! Hahaha.
I have to mention the fact that I have collaborated with some excellent educators in producing my French albums: my mother Marion Stroet who I collaborated with on “Will et sa maman” and Cynthia Ramamonjisoa who I collaborated with on “Dans mon jardin.”
What I hope children take away from my music. Fun!
What I hope parents take away from my music. On producing music with both French and English lyrThat the songs won’t drive them crazy after hearing them multiple ics. I am a product of French immersion schooling in BC. I am not a francophone, but I was in French immersion from Kindergarten to my high-school graduation. Sometimes in BC, we lose sight of the importance of learning Canada’s other official language. If we can speak French we are capable of communicating with nearly everyone across this country. Besides, learning a second language gives us an ability to learn other languages much more easily than people
times!
Final thoughts. I love writing music for kids because I don’t have to confine my music to any particular style and when it comes to subject matter, I can write about just about anything. Adult music is often confined by a given style, and the subject matter is very limiting – love, love lost, maybe politics…
Resource Directory Breastfeeding Clinics / Support La Leche League www.lllc.ca Kelowna, BC: First Wednesday of the Month, 7pm, 630 Cadder Avenue (The Parent Place) Penticton, BC: Third Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Penticton Health Unit Vernon, BC: First Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Vernon Alliance Church, 2601 43rd Avenue Rutland Health Centre Breastfeeding Centre 155 Gray Rd , Kelowna, BC 250.980.4822 Car Dealerships Penticton Toyota 2405 Skaha Lake Rd. 250.493.1107 www.pentictontoyota.com See ad on page 21. Child Care - preschools, daycares, nannies Nannysitters 250.575.6645
www.nannysitters.ca Kelowna’s premier nanny and babysitter agency. Specializing in providing thoroughly-screened local childcare professionals. Nannysitters is fully licensed, bonded and insured. See ad on page 5.
1890 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna, BC 250.763.3536
North Okanagan Childcare Society 250.558.9963 www.noccs.ca See ad on page 15.
Vernon Child Care Resource & Referral 3300- 37th Avenue, Vernon, BC 250.542.3121
Okanagan Montessori www.okmontessori.com We provide a prepared environment where children are guided through activities by trained Montessori teachers. Children learn as they experiment with and actively participate in activities. See ad on page 20. YMCA-YWCA of the Central Okanagan www.ymca-ywca.com The Y is th elargest not-for-profit childcare provider in Canada. Childcare Resource & Referral Kelowna Child Care Resource & Referral
Penticton Child Care Resource & Referral 330 Ellis St., Penticton, BC 250.492.2926
Chiropractic Care Burtch Chiropractic, Dr. Wayne Terai 250.860.4518 229-1634 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna BC Dr. Wayne Terai is a Doctor of Chiropractic practicing in Kelowna for over 15 years, helping Okanagan families be well without the use of drugs and surgery. Diaper Service Tidy Tushees Diaper Service 250.870.4106 info@tidytushees.ca www.tidytushees.ca We help families with all their natural parenting needs including cloth diaper-
ing. Whether you choose to let us do the dirty work for you, you need help troubleshooting your system or you are on the hunt for products, we are here to help! See ad on page 15. Doulas Doula Services Association, BC 604.515.5588 www.bcdoulas.org Education CSF Schools 1.888.715.2200 www.csf.bc.ca The Couseil scolaire francophone de la C.-B. offers French language public education across the province. It has schools in Kelowna and Penticton and elsewhere in the province. See ad on page 27. Events Bellies in Bloom Baby Fair April 24 -25, 2010 Babies in Bloom is the Okanagan’s Spring 2010 l 29
Resource Directory only Baby Fair, - coming to Kelowna featuring over 30,000 square feet of Baby Bliss. Lots of great features and events to experience. Held at the Kelowna Curling rink. See ad on inside cover.
With over 30 years of professional experience, Gordon and Company offer an extensive range of serices including all types of litigation, family law, wills/estate disputes and personal injury. See ad on page 21.
BC Christian Home Educators’ Convention & Trade Show April 30-May1, 2010 www.bcconvention.ca An annual two-day convention for home educating families and their support teams. Christian focus. See ad on page 5.
Midwives
Fat Cat Children’s Festival June 11 & 12, 2010 www.fatcatfestival.ca See ad page 9. Rotary International Okanagan Children’s Festival May 27-29, 2010 www.okchildrensfest.org See ad on page 19. Fashion for Moms Haute Mama www.hautemama.ca Haute Mama is the upscale boutique for pregnant women who love clothes. Visit our online shop at www.hautemama. ca to see our beautiful collections from around the world. See ad on inside cover. Finances Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan, Beverly O’Reilly www.cst.org . 250.498.6234 beverly.o’reilly@cstresp.com We’re RESP Specialists. Our goal is to make sure your education savings are there when your child goes to school. A non-profit company, started in 1960, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. See ad on page 5. Health Care Okanagan Natural Medicine www.oknaturalmedicine.com Dr Shelby Entner and Dr. Chris Spooner offer natural family medicine, allergy testing, herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, laser therapy, hormone health, prolotherapy, iv medicine and vitamin injections. See ad on page 16. Lawyers Gordon and Company 102 - 1433 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC 250.860.9997 Spring 2010 l 30
Midwives Asscoation of BC 604.736.5976 www.bcmidwives.com Music Music for Young Children www.myc.com Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Music for Young Children has been among the world’s leading music-learning systems. The hour-long classes include rhythm ensembles, singing, ear-training, sight-reading, note-reading, theory and composing techniques. See ad on page 26. OnLine Parenting forums Mummy Meet www.mummymett.ca Community gathering for Okanagan mothers. See ad on page 17. Parent & Tot Storytimes The Okanagan Regional Library www.orl.bc.ca The ORL is your most economical, sustainable and relevant source for information and entertainment in the BC Southern Interior. Visit us at one of our 29 branches or at www.orl.bc.ca See ad on page 3. Party & Event Services Par-T-Perfect www.par-t-perfect.com Your complete Children’s PARTY & EVENT Service! Whether it’s a birthday for 8, a corporate gathering or festival for thousands...if kids are involved, let us do it for you! See ad s on pages 7 & 26. Photography & Portraits Adrian Kids Photography www.adriankidsphotography.ca 250.863.0176 info@adriankidsphotography.ca Kelowna photographers Jon + Jenny bring their fresh and creative style to kids portrait sessions. Visit them online or give them a call to book your kids session. See ad on page 17. Poppy Photography www.poppyphotography.ca
250.863.5309 poppyphotos@gmail.ca Capturing life’s unforgettable moments everyday. Okanagan Photographer. See ad on page 23. Rhea Taylor Photography www.rheataylorphotography.com Children and Family Portrait Photographer. Capture your precious smiles and love with Rhea Taylor Photography. See ad on page 14. Rock Paper Scissors Painting rockpaperscissorspainting@hotmail.com A new approach to an old style...acrylic on canvas. Options include canvas paper and prints for gifts and relatives, share your joy with a portrait for life. Portfolio available. See ad on page 7. Twin Heart Photo www.twinheartphoto.com Your snapshots fixed, augmented and designed into works of art, suitable for display in your home with pride. Human or animal loved ones treated with respect and dignity. See ad on page 20. Public Health Services/Nurses Kelowna Health Unit 1340 Ellis Street 250.868.7700 Penticton Health Unit 740 Carmi Avenue 250.770.3434 Rutland Health Unit 155 Gray Road 250.980.4825 Summerland Health Unit 12815 Atkinson Road 250.404.8050 West Kelowna Health Unit 160 – 2300 Carrington Road 250.980.5150 Vernon Health Unit 1440 – 14th Avenue 250.549.5700 Retail Angel Babies Kids Shoppe 375 Main St., Penticton, BC 250.493.8823 Calling mamas-to-be, parents and grandparents! With a great mix of consignment (maternity & kids) and new clothing, products & gear, Angel Babies is a must visit for young families. See ad on page 11.
Bamboobino www.bamboobino.com Bamboobino is an innovative line of children’s wear and accessories made with super-soft, sustainable bamboo and organic cotton. Made in Canada and designed by a BC mom! See ad on page 17. Buddies Kids Boutique www.buddieskidsboutique.com buddieskids@gmail.com Children’s boutique offering clothing, shoes and special gifts from 0-10. Buddies has been a unique place to shop for children since 2003. See ad on back cover. Chicken Little 4407 - 29th Street, Vernon BC 250.549.1221 Chicken Little is a great place to shop for your kids, grandkids, family and friends. For shopping 24 hrs/day, visit us online at www.chickenlittle.ca See ad on page 7. Felt Fantasia www.feltfantasia.com Felt Fantasia provides creative wall designs for children’s rooms. These fun decorations will tell any story on a lucky kid’s wall. Shop online at www. feltfantasia.com See ad on page 7. Hands on Keepsakes www.handsonkeepsakes.com Personalized silver pendants and bronze keyrings with children’s handprints, footprints or artwork and pet’s pawprints! See ad on page 23. Lalabee Bathworks www.lalabeebathworks.com Organic skincare for Mommy and Baby. Lalabee Mommy covers the three stages of pregnancy all organically! Our organic Bottom Balm is a fantastic cream that really works on diaper rash. The Natural Baby Shop 1331 Ellis St., Kelowna, BC 250.860.0307 . 1.866.763.7214 www.thenaturalbabyshop.ca Offers customers a unique opportunity to select from not only the latest and most highly respected brands for moms and babies, but also introduces many yet unknown locally produced products destined to be appreciated. See ad on page 23. Raspberry Kids www.raspberrykids.com Raspberry Kids is an online lifestyle store that features fresh, healthy & fun products for the little ones in your life. We cater to savvy expectant parents, moms, dads and gift givers.
Snap Happy
Adorable kids captured with “Smiles & Laughter”
All Fall Down! Beautiful Smile!
Charlotte enjoying the weather!
Next Theme: “Favorite Treat” Sort through your albums...we love all shots whether they are just snapped or vintage 20th century! Upload your pictures to our photo gallery on www.okanaganchild.com
Cole at 4 months
Sisters & Friends: Katie, Charlotte & Olivia
Share . . . Smile
Resource Directory See ad on page 7. Usborne Books - Karen McGrath 250.868.3232 karen.mcgrath@shaw.ca www.usborne.ca/titles Guaranteed to be your children’s favorite books! Interactive, awardwinning titles including fiction, art, science, puzzle and flap books! Host a home show or become a consultant today! See ad on page 20. Support Services Aboriginal Infant Development Program 442 Leon Ave , Kelowna, BC 250.763.4905
ACHIEVE BC Toll Free: 1.800.514.0554 Website: www.AchieveBC.ca Advice on prenatal care, nutrition and developmental guides. Parenting tips and information on stimulating your child’s mind and body through reading and play. Learn more about the services offered through the Government of British Columbia by calling the toll free number or visiting the website. Association for the Benefit of Children with Disabilities 250.763.4663 BC 24- HOUR Nurse Line Call: 8-1-1 Website: www.bchealthguide.com BC Nurseline gives you 24 hour, 7 day tollfree access to registered nursed specially trained to provide confidential help on the
telephone. Available to answer medical enquiries free of charge - carecard required BC Council for Families 204-2590 Granville St , Vancouver, BC 1.800.663.5638 The BC Council for Families works to help create healthy families in a healthy society. Our goal is to empower families. We provide educational resources on topics such as parenting, childhood development, parent-teen relationships, work-life balance, suicide awareness and more. BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities 250.763.0899
Big Brothers and Sisters of the Okanagan 151 Commercial Dr , Kelowna, BC 250.765.2661 www.bigs.bc.ca Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Okanagan provides children and youth ages 7 - 12 (‘Littles’) with volunteer adult mentors (‘Bigs’) who provide a positive influence in their lives. See ad on page 27. Welcome Wagon 1.866.856.8442 www.welcomewagon.ca It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon representative. She will bring new congratulations and gifts for the new baby and family. See ad page 14. Spring 2010 l 31
buddies kids boutique style, quality and service ...since 2003
Photography West
Buddies is a designer boutique for children from birth to age 10. Our store is filled with clothing, shoes and special gifts that are as unique as the child in your life. We’re inspired to shop the markets from London to New York to bring you a one of a kind experience. You’ll love our new lines for Spring...Stella, Little Maven from Tori Spelling and more... It’s worth the trip to Tutt Street.
Come visit us at 2 - 3045 Tutt Street Square, Kelowna, BC 250.763.2837 Store hours Monday - Saturday 10-5 or by appt.
Sign up for our VIP list to get notice of new arrivals, special sales & more! buddieskids@gmail.com www.buddieskidsboutique.com