Photo credit: Eclipse Photography
EDITOR’S LETTER
ahhhh,
summer
V
ancouver rain and gray skies give way to lush green parks, warm waters and skin-tingling heat. Hello, summer! No matter what you’ve planned to do this summer, this issue of urbanbaby & toddler magazine is a must-read—from our picks for summer travel toys to how to plan a family stay-cation; from gardening with kids to festivals and events around town. But our Summer 2011 issue has got more than just fun and games. If you’re mom entrepreneur, you have to read business coach Felicia Lee’s column on demystifying sales growth (p 28). It will change the way you think about selling. Check out our other feature articles on the benefits of early language immersion (p 20) breastfeeding your baby into toddlerhood (p 32), what you should know when searching for a daycare (p 22), and the top 10 parenting skills (p 34). Enjoy your summer! Editor
WIN STUFF
Details on page 33
in this issue
SUMMER 2011
volume 8 n issue 4
Baby Meets Trail: Family-friendly summer trails......................................... 14 Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding baby into toddlerhood.............................. 32 Celebrity Mom: Interview with CityLine’s Tracey Moore.............................. 10 CEO Mom: Demystifying sales................................................................ 28 Education: The benefits of early language immersion.............................. 20 Feature: What should you know when searching for a daycare................ 22 Gardening: Get growing with your kids this summer................................ 16 Great Goods: Summer travel toys & essentials.................................. 24-27 Nutrition: Are you feeding your tots junk?............................................... 12 Parenting: Attachment parenting: is it for you?............................................. 8 Parenting: The top 10 parenting skills.................................................... 34 Real Estate: Common concerns for families who seek to upsize.............. 18 Travel: Plan your family stay-cation........................................................... 6 Travel: Traveling with twin babies............................................................ 30 Resource Directory......................................................................... 35-39 @urbanbabymag facebook.com/ urbanbabyandtoddler Address (mailing only): 928 West 20th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1Y5 Canada Tel. 604.420.8760 Email. sales@urbanbaby.ca
on the cover Lily, one of our 2011 Cover Contest winners, graces our Summer cover. Photo credit: Bopomo Pictures
EDITOR Emma Lee DESIGNER Emma Lee PRODUCTION Barb Farley CONTRIBUTORS Amy Beeman, Natacha V. Beim, Andrea Bellamy, Bary Berg, Patricia Chuey, Kim Connelly, Daniela Ginta, Kristy Hill, Christy Laverty, Felicia Lee, Adrian Mollo, Jacquie Munro, Christina Stewart ADVERTISING SALES Emma Lee COVER DESIGN treefrog-creative.com COVER MODEL Lily
COVER PHOTO Bopomo, bopomo.ca urbanbaby & toddler magazine is published four times per year by Go Kids Publishing Inc, printing 40,000 copies per issue. Material appearing herein may not be reproduced in print or electronically without written permission of the publisher, and without proper credit. Editorial opinions and viewpoints may not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
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JUN 4, 9 am - 3 pm: Hats Off Day, Hastings St (btwn Boundary & Gamma), Bby. A colourful parade, vintage vehicle Show & Shine, street festival with music, food & prizes. Info: hatsoffday.com JUN 4 - 12: Day out with Thomas, West Coast Railway Heritage Park, 39645 Government Rd, Squamish. Bring the kids to ride Thomas the Tank and enjoy storytelling, live music, arts & crafts. Tickets: $22.40. Info: wcra.org JUN 5, 8 - 11 am: BC Children’s Hospital Childrun, W 33rd & Heather St, Vanc. Join the fight against childhood cancer in this family-friendly 1K or 5K run/walk. Info: childrun.ca JUN 18: Point Grey Fiesta, 4300 – 4600 W 10th Ave, Vanc. Pancake breakfast at 8 am, decorated bike contest with prizes at 9:30 am, parade at 10 am, live stage, games and carnival games. Info: pointgreyfiesta.org JUN 19, 9 am – 2 pm: Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer, Burnaby Lake Rowing
Pavilion, off Sperling Ave on Roberts St, Bby. Tot run, 2K, 5K, 10K walk/run to raise funds for research. Info: fathersdayrun.ca JUN 19, 10 am - 5 pm: Father’s Day Strawberry Tea, London Heritage Farm, 6511 Dyke Rd, Rmd. Info/ reservations: 604-271-5220 or londonheritagefarm.ca JUN 19: Lovestruck Baby & Family Fair, #1 Athletes Way (next to Science World), Vanc. Lovestruck Baby & Family Fair is Vancouver’s most interactive family event. Entertainment, fashion and fun await. The first 200 families get a free tote bag stuffed with goodies. Info: lovestruckbabies.com JUN 25, 9 am – 4 pm: Ivory Vintage Market, Elgin Hall, 14250 Crescent Road, South Surrey. A market featuring a collection of eco-friendly, vintage or handmade goods. Info: ivoryvintage.com JUN - SEP: SummerFest 2011, Lonsdale Quay Market, North Vanc. Kids’ entertainment, activities, dance classes and demos, farmers’ market. Info: lonsdalequay.com
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June - August JUN 19 - SEP 6: Birds from Raptors Ridge, Capilano Suspension Bridge, North Vanc. See hawks, falcons, owls every day. Info: capbridge.com
JUL 23 - 24: Caribbean Summer Festival, Waterfront Park, North Vanc. Parade, dining, dancing, outdoor music festival. Info: caribbeandays.ca
JUN 30 & JUL 1: Canada Day Celebrations, McLeod Athletic Park, 56th Ave & 216th St, Langley. Info: langleycanadaday.ca
JUL 24: Family Sunday Dropin Art Program, Richmond Art Gallery, 7700 Minoru Gate, Rmd. Explore art-making together. Free, drop-in. Info: richmondartgallery.org
JULY 2011 JUL 1: Steveston Salmon Festival, Steveston Community Society, 4111 Moncton St, Rmd. Canada Day parade & salmon BBQ. Info: 604-718-8094 or stevestonsalmonfest.ca JUL 1, 10 am – 10:30 pm: Surrey Canada Day, Cloverdale Amphitheatre, 64th & 176th St, Cloverdale. Info: canadaday. surrey.ca JUL 1, 11 am – 4:30 pm: Canada Day, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby. Free admission. Info: 604-297-4838 or burnaby.ca JUL 1, 10 am: North Shore Canada Day Parade, starts at 13th St & Grand Boulevard, North Vanc. Info: northshoreparade.org JUL 1, 10 am – 6 pm: Canada Day at Canada Place, Vanc. Info: canadaday.canadaplace.ca JUL 1 - 31: Summer Night Market, 12631 Vulcan Way, Rmd. Street food, mini-festivals, shopping & entertainment. Info: 604-278-8000 or summernightmarket.com JUL 9: Pioneer Fair, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey. An old-fashioned fair. Taste homemade ice cream and lemonade, enjoy live music, sports & games, and a costumed tour. Drop-in event. Admission by donation. Info: surrey.ca/heritage
AUGUST 2011 AUG 5 - 7: Maritime Festival, Britannia Shipyards, 5180 Westwater Dr, Rmd. Maritime exhibits, live entertainment, demos. Info: 604-718-8050 or richmond.ca/britannia AUG 7, 10 am – 4 pm: Family Farm Fair, London Heritage Farm, 6511 Dyke Rd, Rmd. Petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy castle, face painting, entertainment, bake sale. Most activities free with admission. Info: londonheritagefarm.ca
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AUG 7, 11 am – 4 pm: Ponies in the Park, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy, Rmd. Go for a pony ride in the woods. One day only. For kids 4-12 yrs. Price TBA. Info: richmondnatureparksociety.ca AUG 18, 5:30 – 8 pm: Willingdon Community Day Fair, Willingdon Centre, 1491 Carleton Ave, Bby. Carnival games, raffles, BBQ, displays, entertainment. Info: burnaby.ca AUG 20 – SEP 5: Pacific National Exhibition, Hastings & Renfrew, Vanc. Info: pne.ca ] Contact event organizers with info provided to confirm details.
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by Kristy Hill
TRAVEL
I
haven’t had a vacation in three years. My son was born two summers ago in August. Last year, I wasn’t brave enough to plan a trip with a one-year-old in tow. But this year, I deserve a vacation! My whole family does. We don’t have the budget for Hawaii or Disneyland so we’re doing a family staycation. A staycation is a costeffective vacation right where you live. Explore local, tourist-y spots that, for some reason, you never really see as a family. It can be a whole week of trips or various weekends throughout the summer. A staycation also provides flexibility in your schedule, which is especially helpful with babies and toddlers. Being
Plan your family staycation close to home will give you the ability to change or rearrange plans as you need to. Here are some ideas for your own family staycation in the Lower Mainland: one city and two activities per day for one week.
North Vancouver Estimated cost $85* If you’re looking for adventure, the Capilano Suspension Bridge (capbridge.com) is a must. Conquer the 450-foot long bridge, or walk suspension bridges from tree to tree in Capilano’s Treetop Adventures. Your children will be proud to have conquered the bridge and laugh at your white knuckles as you hang on for dear life.
Capilano’s brand-new Cliffwalk will be opening in June 2011. For a more relaxing rest of your day, hit Waterfront Park and Lonsdale Quay (lonsdalequay.com) in North Vancouver. Enjoy the stunning view of Downtown Vancouver, walk along the water, have lunch, shop, or enjoy a picnic lunch and relax in the park.
Vancouver Estimated cost $55* Start your day with a visit to the Vancouver Aquarium (visitvanaqua.org)—a family favourite. See the belugas, seals, dolphins, sea otters, and more. While you’re there, find a cozy spot in Stanley Park (vancouver.ca/parks/parks/ stanley/) for lunch and other
activities. There is a train ride, a waterpark, trails, seawall and playgrounds.
Richmond Estimated cost $18* The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary (reifelbirdsanctuary.com) is a 300-hectare sanctuary for millions of migrating birds within managed wetlands, natural marshes and low dykes that are perfect for a quiet morning together. Buy birdseed and feed chickadees from your hands. Nature is abundant, with thousands of birds and ducks, frogs, bugs, and squirrels. Then hop over to Steveston Village (steveston.bc.ca), a quaint area with boutique-style
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shops and great food along the Fraser River. Try Pajo’s Fish and Chips for lunch; it’s a tasty and popular stop. For the last thrill of the day, drive to the YVR airport and find the grassy lookout point along Russ Baker Way. Watch as massive jets fly above your head, only a few hundred metres from the runway.
Surrey Estimated cost $5* For a wonderful day of exploration and learning, Surrey’s Redwood Park (venturevancouver.com/ redwood-park-surrey) is ideal. Located near the Truck Border Crossing, you’ll find 32 species of trees from around the world, that are noted for their vast size and age. The park also includes a playground, covered
picnic tables, washrooms and trails. Don’t forget to visit the tree house. Later in the day, drive to Bear Creek Park for a train ride (bctrains.com). Eddy the Engine will take you on a ride through the park, through tunnels, and past gardens. Everyone say, “choo choo!”
Fraser Valley Estimated cost $120* I remember visiting Castle Fun Park (castlefunpark. com) when I was a child. You can play games to win tokens, which you can trade in for bags full of candy or a toy. There is mini-golf, go-carts, batting cages, bumper cars and more. After working up an appetite, it’s time to eat fresh berries. Pick your own at Maan Farms, Willow View Farms,
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Cultus Lake Estimated cost $105 It’s potentially the longest drive of your staycation, but so worth it. Your children will never forget going to Cultus Lake Water Park (cultus. com/index.asp). And you know there will be family stories behind a family camping trip at Cultus Lake Campgrounds (cultuslake.bc.ca) together: Dad doing a belly flop into the lake, hot dogs falling into the fire and the incredible amount of marshmallows roasted.
At Home Estimated cost $0* Spend a day at home together. Play board games, bake cookies, make crafts, play dress up or do a puzzle. If the weather permits, play soccer or hockey, or bike outside. ] *The family staycation prices above are based on a family of four (two adults, one child under eight, and one toddler under two) and do not include cost of food, fuel or parking.
Kristy Hill is a freelance graphic designer and communications specialist who works out of her home office with a happy, enthusiastic little boy by her side.
WANT MORE? Find more articles at
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PARENTING
I
was pregnant with my first child when I first heard about “attachment parenting.” I had a vague notion that this “eccentric” parenting theory raised spoiled and unruly kids. Two children later, I am more receptive to this parenting method that aims to give children a solid footing with a nurturing attitude in order to create healthy kids who will turn into healthy adults. The term “attachment” was first used in conjunction with parenting in the 1950s by British psychologist John Bowlby. Bowlby was describing the unique bond between baby and parent or caregiver. He said that each new baby needs a special adult in his life for comfort, protection and nurturing. Attachment parenting itself is a theory coined by Dr. William Sears and his wife Martha, a nurse. They used the expression to describe a highly responsive, attentive style of caring for a child.
Attachment parenting: What What is it? “Attachment parenting is responding with sensitivity to your child,” says Judy Arnall, a parent educator and the founder of Attachment Parenting Canada. “Many people confuse the behaviours associated with attachment parenting with the philosophy of attachment parenting. In reality, attachment parenting is a way of parenting supported by certain behaviours.” Behaviours such as cosleeping (when a child sleeps in the same bed as a parent/ parents) and baby wearing (carrying your baby in some sort of carrier such as a wrap, sling, or pouch) are commonly associated with attachment parenting. “Attachment parenting doesn’t look that different from mainstream parenting,” says Arnall, a mother of five. “The main difference is that in responding with sensitivity, a parent is staying attached to their child.” Arnall says that those who support attachment
parenting believe that a child will attach to at least one special person and that person becomes the child’s safety point—the person they go to when they are hurt, sick, upset or afraid. “A very special bond is created over time,” says Arnall. Behaviours “Attachment parenting is most commonly associated with babies and toddlers,” says Rosamond Chan, a child and family therapist in Vancouver. “This model particularly stresses the need to provide for the needs of babies as soon as right after their birth. Therefore, a lot of attachment behaviours mentioned in this model address parents of infants.” However, according to both Arnall and Chan, attachment parenting can last throughout childhood and into the teen years. Here are the behaviours associated with each age range: Babies Includes co-sleeping;
baby wearing or carrying; breastfeeding and childled weaning; responding with sensitivity; as well as responding to your baby’s cries by picking up your child as soon as possible (within 90 seconds is encouraged even in the night or if it may be inconvenient to the parent)—these are all common behaviours associated with attachment parenting at this stage of your child’s life. Toddlers Includes continuing to cosleep and carry or wear your child; continuing to breastfeed and waiting for your child to wean; responding with sensitivity; and introducing positive discipline (not punishing your child but rather placing the emphasis on teaching emotional self-control to your child). Preschoolers Includes co-sleeping if your child still wants; positive discipline; and responding with
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is it and is it for you? sensitivity to the child’s needs. Grade-schoolers Includes co-sleeping if your child still wishes (often this involves a bed or a mattress on the floor in the parent’s room); responding with sensitivity; positive discipline continue; and verbal communication. These behaviours dramatically increase in your relationship as physical communication diminishes but doesn’t disappear. Teenagers At this stage, attachment parenting looks more mainstream. Feed your child with love and respect, respond with sensitivity, acknowledge his feelings, use nurturing touch, provide consistent care and continue to use positive discipline. These tactics will allow you to remain connected with your teen. If you missed the baby stage and are contemplating introducing attachment parenting at a later stage in
your child’s life, you can still become an attached parent. “It’s never too late,” says Arnall. Is co-sleeping safe? The debate for and against co-sleeping is a lengthy one. The Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) cautions against bedsharing. According to the CPS website, “Adult beds are not designed with infant safety in mind. The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib close to your bed.” On the flip side, Dr. Sears in The Baby Book, promotes what he calls sleep-sharing as “a beautiful custom” and tells parents to be “open to trying various sleeping arrangements including welcoming your baby into your bed.” Before you decide to co-sleep, do some research on how to make the arrangement as safe as possible. Why aren’t we all doing it? Some people believe that attachment parenting “is so involved that it’s draining.” says Arnall. “However, this
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theory does take into account personal and family life balance; it accommodates the parent, too.” For example, Arnall explains, if you have been struggling for some time with a crying baby and you are starting to feel frazzled, attachment parenting advises putting the baby into a safe place such as a crib and giving yourself a quick break. “There is flexibility in the theory. It isn’t always all or nothing,” she says. “Some people think that attachment parenting’s goal is to create better behaved children, but this is false,” says Arnall. “A spirited child will still be a spirited child in personality and temperament even when attachment parenting is used to raise the child. However that child will have a stronger, closer relationship with you. Having a close relationship with our kids is the ultimate goal of attachment parenting.” Advantages? “Healthy and secure attachment allows a child
to have adequate social, emotional and intellectual development,” says Chan. “This also encourages them to make and keep long lasting meaningful relationships.” Children learn how to comfort themselves during stressful moments and it also helps them to rebound from upsetting situations or in a crisis, says Chan. According to Chan, when children believe that their caregivers are dependable and trustworthy, they feel secure and safe to explore the world. Healthy and secure attachment allows a child to have adequate social, emotional and intellectual development. This also encourages them to make and keep long-lasting meaningful relationships. With over 350 attachment parenting groups worldwide, this theory of parenting is certainly becoming more mainstream and accessible. Is it the right method for you? ]
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by Christy Laverty
CELEBRITY MOMMY
CityLine’s Tracey Moore: Motherhood is messy
E
very day people all across the country tune in to watch Tracy Moore talk about fashion, food and fun as host of Citytv’s CityLine, Canada’s number-one daytime show for women. It’s a job that Moore loves and it shows. But she’s more than just a TV personality, she is also a busy wife and mom to a three-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter. ubt: You gave birth to your son in 2008 and your daughter in 2010. How do you balance a hectic work schedule and life as mom/wife? tm: The thing that helps a lot—because it is totally doable—is having my husband on paternity leave. There would be no way I could have returned to work so quickly if my husband weren’t home. It gives me peace of mind to know that the kids are with their dad. In terms of challenges, there isn’t as much time. I used to spend so much time with my toddler, it was all about [being] Mommy. But when I had my second, I realized you just can’t maintain that same level of closeness because there is a baby. A lot of time, we are split up as parents and my husband is with my son, and I am with the baby. ubt: There is a lot more joy with two kids. What is the best part for you? tm: My heart bursts when I see the two kids interacting. They can’t really communicate with each other yet but sometimes, when we leave them on the floor together, my toddler tries to talk to the baby or feed her something that she shouldn’t be eating or she grabs onto his socks and tries to pull them off. I just look at
10 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
them and think, “You are going to be friends. You are going to grow up together. This is your support system.” Those are some of my favourite moments. I never thought I would be the type of person who would want to be at home with every member of the family. I can’t wait until the weekends, when we can all wake up and be in PJs as long as we want or maybe take a walk to the park. I live for those moments. I just love it. I feel complete. ubt: How do you manage as a working mom? tm: I returned to work six weeks after the baby [was born] and I was a little freaked out. I had major baby blues with my first child, so with my second one I was hoping I wouldn’t have that. I was hoping I could hold it together.. When I got [to work], people were like, “Oh my God! How are you doing this?” I was kind of happy. I got out of the house, I was put together and I felt like I was doing something that I know how to do. I like doing my job. It was not a sad time for me to go back to work. It is the place that I can assert some kind of independence. And then when I get home, I can be fully 100 percent Mommy—with hair in an ugly pony tail, dirty jogging suit on, no make-up,
and maybe wearing a bra on a good day. I am like two different people. ubt: What is the best part of working and hosting CityLine? tm: I like meeting the people. A lot of people think it must be so exhausting—you run out there with 80 audience members every day taking pictures. I like that part. I like meeting people from across the country. They give us energy. When we have an energetic audience, it feeds my energy. It is instant gratification. When you bust a joke, people laugh. I love working with a live audience. And hey, the hair and make-up don’t hurt either. ubt: Who’s your fave guest? tm: I really love Jessica Holmes. We talk about the myth of the perfect mommy. Those mommies, the ones that seem like everything is perfect in their lives, they give off this air of ‘I have it all together.’ I have never been that person and I found that partially helped fuel my depression because I thought everyone had it together but me. What I love about Jessica is that she is really candid and open about the fact she might not do things like other parents. But it’s okay for her. She is open about her postpartum depression and the fact she had
to get on anti-depressants. She handles everything with humour and I find that refreshing—the whole idea of letting your guard down and letting people see the real you. I also love Nigella Lawson. She is very real and curvy and sexy and down to earth for someone that high profile. ubt: There is this idea that a lot of celebrity moms have this great, perfect life. How do you feel about that? tm: I am always trying to de-mystify that. Motherhood is messy. If anyone got a glimpse of my basement at 9 am when both kids are up and I haven’t brushed my teeth yet because it has been too busy... My hair looks petrified, the kids are in dirty diapers because I haven’t had time to change them and I really just want coffee. I think sometimes, What if the viewers could see me now? I would be out of a job [laughing] because I look crazy. I guess it just takes time to get some perspective and realize that no one has it down pat. ]
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urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca| summer 11 | 11
by Patricia Chuey, registered dietitian
NUTRITION
Keep your tots from becoming From seemingly innocuous “fruit” drinks to “healthy” cereals—are you unknowingly feeding your tots junk food?
J
uicy fresh blueberries. Crunchy popcorn with a little butter. Freshfrom-the-oven peanut butter cookies. A banana split smoothie made of strawberry yogurt, frozen bananas and chocolate milk. Carrots picked from the garden. The list of delicious, fun and healthy food choices for kids (and adults) is long. In fact, it’s longer than the list of lousy, junky options. It’s just that the imposter foods are backed by more marketing dollars and scream louder off store shelves and ad pages, making them more noticeable. They’re also often placed at perfect eye level if you’re three feet tall. But that doesn’t mean you
have to buy the junk. Our kids deserve healthy foods. So does that mean they have to eat perfectly all the time? No. Although food is the fuel that kids run on and smart choices should be made at least 80 per cent of the time, food also represents fun, seasonal celebrations, comfort and more. Kids should not be denied the opportunity to enjoy food for all kinds of reasons. We just need to keep it in context and avoid turning them into little junk-food junkies. Healthy doesn’t cost more It may seem like lousy food is much more affordable. Pop definitely goes on sale more often than milk. Chocolate bars and chips are less expensive than healthy choices at convenience stores. But in the long run, buying wholesome food—in-season vegetables and fruit, larger packages of
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lean protein and freezing in meal-sized portions, legumes and hot cereals—saves money. It’s frustrating when you can get eight kid-sized chocolate bars at Wal-Mart for .98 or 12 cans of pop for $2. But when you see these deals in the flyer, take note of the healthy foods that go on sale, too. So when bananas drop below .69/lb, load up. Enjoy them fresh, then peel and freeze in chunks. Frozen bananas can be tossed in the blender with a little vanilla yogurt for banana “soft ice cream” that kids love. Bananas are a dream ingredient in homemade muffins which can be made in many varieties—like blueberry, oatmeal, cranberry, chocolate chip and toasted almond. Use a mini-muffin tin. Even topped with a little icing to make mini cupcakes, they’re a million times more real and wholesome than inexpensive chocolate bars. You’ll feel good about serving them, too. The worst offenders Just when we think we’ve seen it all, something more
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nutritionally disappointing hits the market. I’m often asked what the most offensive junk foods are. A small amount of just about anything is okay in the context of the 80-20 rule (eating healthy 80 percent of the time, and allowing for not-so-healthy choices 20 percent of the time) and when not eaten in place of required foods. That said, if the following five categories of food went away forever, life as we know it would not only go on, it would quite likely be enhanced. Pop: 10 teaspoons of sugar per can. Use moderately. Juice imposters: Some have as much sugar as pop, just without carbonation. These are the fruit drinks, fruit beverages and cocktails that can’t officially be called “juice.” Starch puffs (for babies 6 to 18 months): They are soft and easy for baby to eat, and come in cute canisters and animal shapes but are really just white flour and sugar. Better choices are nibbles of a healthy dry cereal, bits of those banana muffins I spoke of
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junk-food addicts cereals are fun and have rainbow-bright boxes, they’re better as occasional treats than staples. Choose cereals with less than 8 grams of sugar and more than 2 grams of fibre per serving. Put a toy in the box for your child to find or let him sprinkle berries, nuts, seeds, coconut or raisins on top. Special-occasion candy: Halloween is only once a year, but do we really need mini-burgers and fry-shaped candy? And what about the candy doled out at Easter, or on Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day? Try to stick to classics—even chocolate bars that have at least a few recognizable ingredients. Help kids like healthy foods just as much It starts early. As soon as baby wants to join you in the kitchen playing with a drawer full of child-safe kitchen gadgets, measuring cups and bowls, let him. As you introduce new foods, try not to let him see your disappointment if he rejects a new food. Give it at least 15 introductions in different scenarios before giving it up forever. Around age two to
The
three years, let him help stir batter, knead dough or tear lettuce. Around three to four years, with loving guidance, let him serve himself. Take an all-foods-can-fit approach in the 80-20 context. Avoid giving junk food special powers or mystery. Talk to kids in a fun way about why they need to eat healthy. Most kids are motivated by the idea of growing taller and stronger. Make healthy foods delicious: mini blueberry pancakes, fruit-yogurt parfaits, slices of boiled eggs arranged into a snowman. Fun event food Special events don’t have to be nutritional write-off. Offer mostly healthy foods, with a few extra treats. If you’re going to the fair, pack cut fruit, water bottles and cheese to go with those mini-donuts the kids will want. For birthday parties, serve birthday cake and offer healthy choices too. Stuff goody bags with stickers, small toys, or art supplies. ] Patricia Chuey is a registered dietitian, media consultant and Mom. She can be reached through www.patriciachuey.com.
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by Kim Connelly
BABY MEETS TRAIL
I
t’s summer! So grab your sun hat, slap on some sunscreen, and get out in the warm weather to enjoy these two stroller- and familyfriendly trails. Campbell Valley Regional Park, Langley The trails in Campbell Valley Regional Park are perfect to explore on the hottest days. The relatively shady trails allow
Family-friendly summer trails walkers of all ages to get the most out of a summer walk without completely baking in the sun. Whether you have a little or a lot of time, the looping trails, amazing scenery and family-friendly features at Campbell Valley make it a must-see. For maximum stroller-friendliness, opt for the Little River Loop Trail. Getting there: From Highway 1, take the 200 St exit south. Proceed along 200 St to 16th Ave and turn left to access the North Valley Entrance. Alternatively, continue along 200 St and enter the park just before 8th Ave at the South Valley Entrance. Terrain: Wide, compact gravel paths with wooden boardwalk/bridge sections.
14 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
Expect a mix of sun and shade. The main trail, Little River Loop Trail, is completely flat if you start and end at the North Valley Entrance. For more exercise, extend your walk by departing from the South Valley Entrance and connect to the main trail down the steep slope of the South Valley Trail. Just be ready for the push back up the hill to return to your vehicle at the end of your walk. Stroller recommendation: Umbrella, all-terrain or anything in between. Length: The Little River Loop Trail can easily be completed in less than an hour starting from the North Valley Entrance. Plan for more time if you opt to connect to it from the South Valley Entrance. With several looping options within the park, you can customize your walk. Family-friendly features: Picnic tables, washrooms (indoor and outhouses, neither with change tables), and benches. The Visitor Centre is open most weekends during the summer. Scenic highlights: Take in a few of the interpretive signs highlighting area ecology or just bask in the beauty of all that surrounds you on this
stunning trail. Nearby attractions: There is an historic farm and schoolhouse located near the South Valley Entrance. The Campbell Downs Equestrian Centre, which is accessible off of 208 St, is also in the area. Good to know: The park is popular with local equestrians, so you may be lucky enough to see horses along some of the trails. Boundary Bay Regional Park & Centennial Beach, Delta Situated within Boundary Bay Regional Park, Centennial Beach and the adjoining trails are the perfect spot to wile away a summer day. The beach itself is often quieter than its Vancouver counterparts, yet has most of the same amenities that make Vancouver beaches so popular. Plan to spend most of the day at the park so that you can enjoy all that the area has to offer. A stroll along the trails breaks up a lazy day at the beach. Brush up on your birds—the area is popular with hawks, owls, song birds and shorebirds alike. Getting there: From Highway 99, take Highway 17 south to
Tsawwassen. Turn left on 56th St and follow 56th St to 12th Ave and turn left. From 12th Ave, turn right on Boundary Bay Rd and proceed until you see the park entrance on your left. Terrain: Wide, flat trails of fairly compact gravel make their way across the sandy dunes and scrubby grass of the park. Expect full sun along this route as there aren’t really any trees. Stroller recommendation: Umbrella, all-terrain or anything in between. Length: Taking the 12th Ave Dyke Trail from Centennial Beach and returning via the Raptor Trail will take approximately one hour. The route can easily be extended by continuing past 12th Ave to make your way to the main Dyke Trail. Alternatively, near the parking lot, there are
great short looping options if you need to keep the stroller wheels turning to let junior nap longer, but don’t want to be miles from the car when your little one does wake up. Family-friendly features: Stroller-accessible washrooms (indoor and outhouse), benches, viewing platforms, picnic tables, concession stand, sports field, and one of the most amazing playgrounds in the Lower Mainland. During low tide on the beach, young walkers can venture out onto the wet sand almost as far as the eye can see. Scenic highlights: The views from this trail are stunning and expansive. On clear days, you’ll see Mt Baker, Mt Cheam and White Rock (among many other sights) off in the distance. The ramp-accessible viewing deck at the turnaround point of the 12th Ave Trail is the perfect
The duck pond at Boundary Bay Regional Park in Delta.
spot for a rest and enjoy Mother Nature. Nearby attractions: Cammidge House (1914) is located near the park entrance. This restored heritage building is a beautiful backdrop for a picnic or for photos. Good to know: Much of the parkland is a protected wildlife reserve and is not accessible by the public. While it is tempting to pluck flowers or pick up driftwood as a memento, it’s best to leave
nature as you found it and stay on the trails. ] Kim Connelly is an avid crafter and mother of one who can occasionally be found pushing her daughter around local trails. She also writes a blog about strollerfriendly walks called Baby Meets Trail (babymeetstrail.blogspot.com).
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by Andrea Bellamy
GARDENING Photo Copyright Jackie Connelly www.jackieconnelly.com.
Get your garden on! It’s not too late to get gardening with your kids this year.
A
h, summer: a time of abundance in our supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and our gardens. Didn’t get around to planting a garden this spring? There’s still time to jump on the growyour-own bandwagon. In fact, summer is the perfect time to be planting many of our most beloved vegetables. Vegetables are generally classified as warm- and cool-
season. Cool-season crops such as arugula, kale, lettuce, radishes, and spinach enjoy the cool, damp weather of early spring as well as late summer and autumn. They often bookend warm- or mainseason crops like tomatoes and peppers, and many will happily hang out in our gardens all winter long. We’ll talk about planting cool-season crops for winter eating in a minute; first, let’s learn about those warm-season favourites. It is summer after all! It’s too late to start most of your warm-season vegetables from seed, but there’s nothing wrong with picking up seedlings, also called
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transplants, at the nursery or garden centre. (Farmer’s markets are another great place to stock up; they often have a great selection of unusual and heirloom varieties.) Take the kids and get their help choosing veggies, herbs, and flowers to plant; seeing “their” seedlings grow up and produce food is something that resonates with many young children. It might even prompt them to eat their veggies. June is the time to transplant warm-season, heat-loving seedlings like cucumber, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Look for varieties that appeal to kids, such as round, yellow ‘Lemon Cucumber,’ pink-and-whitestriped ‘Fairytale’ eggplant, or heirloom ‘Yellow Pear’ tomatoes that look like—you guessed it—tiny yellow pears. Give your plants the nutrients they need by amending your soil with compost, or, if growing in containers, feeding them bi-weekly with a liquid organic fertilizer. June is also the month to sow corn. While growing it here on the “wet coast” can be challenging—corn loves warm soil and is known as a “heavy feeder” (it takes a lot of nutrients out of the soil)—it is a truly satisfying crop to grow. Pre-sprouting the seeds before planting (by placing them between damp sheets of paper towel until little white roots appear) can improve success. For the ultimate kid-friendly crop, grow popcorn! Rosekernelled ‘Pink Popcorn’ is
quick maturing and attractive; multi-hued ‘Calico Popcorn’ is classically used for crafts or decorating but is also delicious popped and smothered with butter. Plant your sunflowers at the same time—impress your kids with a mammoth variety such as ‘Grey Stripe’ or ‘Titan,’ which have edible seeds. Beans are another great summer crop. Since they dislike being transplanted, it’s best to sow their seeds directly in the garden. Pole beans should be sown by the end of June, while bush beans can be sown through early July. Beans come in all shapes and sizes —from violet ‘Purple Peacock,’ to pink-speckled ‘French Horticultural’ beans—these unusual varieties are tasty and attractive. Vigorous ‘Scarlet Runner’ or ‘Kentucky Blue’ will grow up to 8 ft tall and can be used to create a living teepee: poke tall stakes into the ground in a ‘U’ shape, then lash the tops together. Sow two seeds at the base of each stake and watch a green playhouse grow. Just as your warm-season crops are starting to mature, it’s time to sow the winter garden. While it may be painful to even think about the coming cool season, July is the perfect time to sow cool-season edibles for harvesting in late summer, fall, and even winter. We often hear about “winter gardening,” but the term is actually a bit of a misnomer. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we do little actual gardening in the winter; instead, we harvest cold-hardy crops planted
age-appropriate
gardening with kids
Andrea Bellamy and her daughter enjoy gardening as a family activity year-round.
earlier in the year—specifically, in mid- to late- summer. Beets, broccoli, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, parsnips, peas, and Swiss chard make great candidates for the fall and winter veggie garden. Directsow their seeds before the end of July. Asian greens, carrots, dill, lettuce, and turnips can be sown until the end of August;
0-12 mos
It’s all about hanging with mom or dad in the great outdoors. Set up a bouncy chair or spread out a blanket in the shade; baby will enjoy the sights and sounds of nature while watching you work in the garden. For crawling or walking young ones, your best strategy is one of containment. Keep them close, and keep them amused with a small hand trowel and patch of soil. Let them dig to their heart’s content (but be prepared for mess!).
1-3 yrs
The shovel-and-dirt freefor-all is still popular at this age, but toddlers also
arugula, chives, cilantro, corn salad, radishes, scallions, and spinach can be sown until the end of September. Many of these crops are tolerant of light and even heavy frosts and will hold in the garden until spring. Imagine harvesting edibles from your garden for a Thanksgiving or New Year’s celebration! ]
love to help with the compost pile. Let them add the kitchen scraps or thrown in handfuls of dry leaves; they also enjoy checking out the worms, wood bugs, and millipedes that call compost home.
3-6 yrs
Although they still require close supervision, kids this age can try planting seeds (larger seeds, such as peas, beans, and zucchini are easier for them to handle). Get them involved in choosing what to plant—perhaps based around a simple theme or colour palette. You can also put these “big kids” to work weeding and raking leaves.
Andrea Bellamy is the creator of HeavyPetal.ca and author of Sugar Snaps and Strawberries: Simple Solutions for Creating Your Own Small-Space Edible Garden.
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by Barry Berg, realtor
Upsizing your family home
REAL ESTATE
Common concerns of growing families who are considering selling their home to buy a new one.
W
hen my wife and I bought our first place—an 800-square foot two-bedroom condo in Kitsilano nearly 12 years ago—we thought it would be ample room for us and any bundle of joy the stork would bring. But a dog and baby later, we were busting at the seams.
We needed to upsize—and, in the process of selling our home and buying a new one, hopefully avoid becoming homeless in between. Many growing families find themselves in the same circumstance. It can be a stressful but you can make it easier on yourselves by keeping the these tips in mind. Sell or buy first? So you need to buy a new home for your family. What puts you in the strongest negotiation position as a
buyer? When you don’t have to worry about selling your current home. This can really only be effectively done in one of two ways: 1) you have approval from your lender to carry the mortgages of both properties (your current and new), or 2) you sell your current property before making an offer any a new one. A third, less effective way to purchase a property is to make an offer ‘subject to sale,’ which means your offer to buy a new home is contingent on selling your current home. While this may seem like a good alternative, it doesn’t give you as the buyer much power. If your offer on a home involves
the ‘subject to sale’ clause, the seller of the home can invoke a ‘time clause’ if he or she gets another offer. The time clause means the seller can give you 48 to 72 hours to remove your ‘subject to sale’ clause—so either you would have to sell your home within this time or you have to remove the clause from the offer altogether. If you are unable to do either with that time frame, the deal is dead. Not so good for you! Additionally, some sellers will flat-out refuse an offer that is ‘subject to sale’ or simply not be motivated enough to seriously negotiate with you. All of this means you are not likely getting the best price possible.
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Most of my clients are in the ‘leap of faith’ position: they have to sell their home first before they can afford to purchase a new one, which can potentially leave them homeless if a new home can’t be purchased in time. But this situation is really a worst-case scenario. And if you are able to come to terms with this, then you are really in your best position possible. It’s the fear of the unknown that is the real stress here. If you are able to think out your worst-case scenario and plan for it, then you have nothing to fear and everything to gain. If you do find yourself “homeless,” you can pack up everything (you’re moving anyway, so this isn’t so bad) and put it in storage. There are companies that will drop off the storage lockers in front of your home. You fill them up, and
they take them away until you need them. The next step is finding somewhere to stay temporarily. There are many furnished condos that can be rented on a short-term basis. Or you may have family in town that you can stay with. I’m not saying that anyone thinks this is ideal—that’s why they call it a “worst-case scenario.” But in my experience, the worst case rarely comes to pass. How to start The best-case scenario is that you sell your home for top dollar and find the right property whose closing and possession dates match. One of the ways to truly achieve this is to have a good idea of what kind of property you want to be in. Aside from lifestyle and your personal preference, the type of property you will be looking for will depend on your doing a
couple of things first: 1. Going to your bank or mortgage broker to get an approval. This will give you a financial target or maximum budget. 2. Working with your realtor to see if there are any properties that fit your budget should you be in the position to buy. Remember, at this point, you are just window shopping to see if the transition is possible—you
aren’t looking for your dream home but rather a few places that may meet your criteria. If after this you are satisfied, you are ready jump right into finding your new family home. Finding and moving into a new home doesn’t have to be stressful if you’re prepared! ] Barry Berg is a Vancouver realtor with RE/MAX Real Estate Services. He is married with two children. www.barryberg.ca
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by Natacha V. Beim, education expert
EDUCATION
Early language immersion Answers to the most common questions parents ask in that second language. Like learning a musical instrument, learning a second language stimulates the brain and increases a child’s ability to learn later in life.
Q: Should my child learn a second language at an early early age? This is a question many parents ask, and something that all parents should consider. I highly recommend exposing your child to a second language as early as possible, as long as it is taught mainly by immersing your child
Q: What are the benefits of speaking more than one language? Research shows that children who are exposed to a second language in elementary school score higher in math and reading and have stronger vocabulary and literacy skills in English. They also tend to have a better understanding of the English language, and of languages in general. The
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sooner your child is exposed to a second language, the greater the academic benefit. Research also shows that people who are multilingual show more cognitive development in areas like mental flexibility, creativity and higher-order thinking skills, such as problem solving, conceptualizing and reasoning. Q: When should I immerse my child in a second language? The moment your child is born, if you have the opportunity. If you speak a second language yourself, speak to that child in your native (or learned) tongue without switching to English. At birth, a child is able to hear many phonetic sounds that, as adults, we can no longer detect. As your child hears you speak, he will learn which sounds are useful, and within only a few months, will lose the ability to hear the phonetic sounds that were not used in his surroundings because he will not need them in order to learn to speak. This is why it is important to read and to speak to your infant using rich vocabulary. Babies have an innate ability to detect many phonetic combinations. A baby who hears sounds from two different languages will learn all of those sounds as easily as a baby who hears just one language. Exposing a child to a second language from birth is the
most ideal and the easiest way to teach a second language. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is for your child to learn a second language. If you and your partner speak only one language, encourage relatives who are close to your child (like grandparents or a caregiver) to speak to your child in their native tongue. And ask yourself the following questions: - Would you like your child to pursue this second language in the future? and - Will the person who speaks this second language, be close to your child for years to come? If your answer is ‘no’ to these questions, there may not be great benefit to exposing your child to a second language. If elementary school is the earliest opportunity you have to introduce your child to a second tongue, it is still good to do so. However, there are more factors to consider: - Do you feel that your child will receive a well-rounded education at his school while learning a second language? - Is your child’s school set up to assist English-speaking parents to support their children with homework and school life? You may not be able to truly enjoy this incredible journey with your child unless you take some language instruction first, so plan ahead. - Is your child interested in attending a language-
ASK
Q : I speak Spanish to my child at home, and now he is beginning to read in English.
Natacha
Should I teach him to read in Spanish at the same time? - Camila from Vancouver
A : Teaching your child to read in two languages is confusing and unnecessarily frustrating for
Email your questions to Natacha:
asknatacha@urbanbaby.ca
immersion school? It is good to have a discussion with your child before making the decision (even if he is only five years old), and monitor your child’s progress throughout the first two years at school. It is normal for your child to struggle a little in the first year, so don’t be too quick to change your mind, but offer help and encouragement along the way. Keep in good communication with the teachers and with your child, and consider the pros and cons before making your final decision. Q: Do babies who are raised with two languages learn to speak later in life and do they have a smaller vocabulary than babies who speak only one language? Yes and no. Babies who are exposed to two languages (or three, in the case of my own sons) may speak using fewer words at first. They
your child. Instead, focus on teaching him to read in the language he speaks at school. You will see that once your child can read English with ease, he will also be able to also read in Spanish, without needing to learn. may also start speaking later because they have to learn how to physically “say” many more sounds than their onelanguage counterparts. This involves many muscles and great coordination. However, once they learn to speak, they quickly catch up and talk just as much, and as well, as children who speak only one language. Children who speak more than one language learn at least two words for each object, two different grammatical structures as well as nuances like intonations, expressions, and cultural differences. It is precisely this learning that accelerates development in many other areas for the child, having a lifelong impact. Just as babies who learn to walk later end up walking just as well as those who learned a few months sooner, children who start speaking a little later speak just as well as those who spoke earlier, especially if the reason for the delayed speech
is an additional language. The vocabulary you use at home and how much you read to him—not how soon your child begins talking—will influence your child’s vocabulary significantly. Q: What are other benefits, in addition to academic, of speaking more than one language? There are many benefits to speaking a second language, in addition to the academic benefits mentioned earlier. For instance, most college or university degrees require the completion of language courses. More and more universities also require students to have studied a second language as a prerequisite for admission and many employers require knowledge of two languages. Being multilingual also better equips our children to
understand and contribute to a global society. Speaking a different language allows you to connect in deeper ways with other cultures. This cultivates empathy and self-awareness, and greatly influences a child, and a person. I encourage you to pursue this avenue, if you have the opportunity, and give your child a gift that is easily learned during childhood, but comes with much more effort once he is an adult. ] Natacha V. Beim is a writer, speaker, teacher, and the founder or Core Education & Fine Arts Junior Kindergarten schools (www. cefa.ca). You can reach her at natacha@cefa.ca, or read her blog at natachabeim.com
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by Daniela Ginta
FEATURE
Finding the right daycare for parent & child
T
he perfect daycare. Does it exist? According to mom Maria Lazarus, it does. “But only if you’re willing to put some serious sweat into it,” she says with a smile. After doing a lot of research and asking around, Lazarus and her husband registered their daughter before she was born. “Depending on where you live, there could be a shortage of daycare spots for children two and older,” Lazarus explains. Parents could be left with no help in sight and a fulltime job by the time maternity leave is over. Unless of course, she adds, one is extremely lucky. So if you’re looking for daycare, where should you start? What should you look for? Everyone has preferences when it comes to choosing good care for their children. But we all want warm and friendly caregivers who will know how to both entertain and soothe a child, a clean stimulating environment that allows for fun and learning and proximity to playgrounds and outdoor venues where the kids can be taken rain or shine. Full- or part-time care? There are many things to consider when looking for a daycare. First, you need to decide on the hours for which your child needs care. Some parents need full-time care five days per week while others need less. Big or small? Once you know how much time for which your child will need care, you can decide whether it is a
larger centre you’re after or a smaller family daycare setting. Each setting has advantages and disadvantages. If it’s a family daycare you want, one of the obvious advantages is the lower adult-to-child ratio, as these facilities have fewer children. Licensed vs licensed-notrequired. In British Columbia parents can choose between licensed and license-notrequired (LNR) daycares. Licensed daycares can range in size from family daycares with a maximum of seven children (with no more than five preschoolers), to larger group child care centres with up to 25 children if they are over 30 months old, or up to 12 children if they are 30 months old and younger. As for the LNR daycares, one could almost think of them as informal childcare. It could be a person caring for one of their children and yours, or someone coming to your home to provide childcare. LNR daycare workers do not need to have a police background check so word of mouth and recommendations from trustworthy friends and acquaintances go a long way. What do you want? Finding the right place can be an intense experience. Paul’s and Enns’s idea of a perfect place (which is quite similar to what most, if not all, parents want) is “a place with a good range of kids’ ages, especially our daughter’s age or older, to foster an interactive environment,
22 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
ideally within walking distance from our home and parks as well.” In addition to good companionship and a clean environment for their daughter, Paul and Enns knew they wanted caring, sensitive caregivers “who really love and understand the plight of these growing little humans,” as they put it. And, Enns says, they were ready to walk away from any place if they felt tension of any nature…which brings up yet another important issue: the child’s comfort level with the new place and people. Does your child feel comfortable? Children need to attach to people in order to feel comfortable in a new place. While attachments do not form overnight, a child’s first impression of a place is quite important. It may be challenging to get your child to even walk through the door (which could be a problem especially if you seriously consider the place), but if you’re willing to give it another try, you might be pleasantly surprised to see your child’s interest picking up. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your child is
comfortable makes a world of difference. “Our daughter’s comfort and general interest of the daycare environment, toys, layout, the way she interacts with people there, is very important,” Enns says. Will you stay? Many parents prefer their children to have the same caregiver for as long as possible. After all, attachment plays a crucial role in a child’s development. People who opt for family daycares are intimidated by the higher turnover rate of personnel, which can create anxiety and emotional turmoil in a child who is already apprehensive about being away from his parents. On the other hand, change in personnel in a large group daycare can be a godsend. “Our daughter liked going to daycare and she liked her caregivers. But last year they brought someone new whom we love because of her amazing ability to engage children and respond to their emotional needs,” says Enns. From the beginning, ask how the emotional needs of your child will be met. Don’t
questions you should ask any potential
daycare
1. How many children are in the daycare and what are their ages? 2. What’s the ratio of caregiver to child. Are there any children with special needs (physical, developmental or emotional) who require special attention? 3. How do you handle a child who is sad, mad, frustrated or having a tantrum? 4. Are meals, snacks and diapers provided? If yes, can parents get a list of weekly meals in order to point out possible sensitivities or allergies? Is the
assume that you’ll know if something goes wrong. Your child may be too young and not verbal enough to explain how she feels, but changes in her behaviour—for example, suddenly becoming anxious about going to daycare— should be given serious consideration. Don’t be afraid to rethink the daycare setting if problems do not subside even when there is no obvious sign of maltreatment. Food and related fees. Some home daycares offer
home-cooked meals, and you can even get organic and vegetarian fare if that’s your preference. Others will have a bring-your-own lunch rule while they provide only snacks. If your child has any food allergies, be aware that not all daycares are equipped or willing to deal with such situations. While all caregivers should have their first-aid certification in place, some may not. It is the parents’ responsibility to ask about the procedure in
food organic? (Note: The daycare, whether home or larger centre, should not offer any junk food whatsoever.) 5. How much time will the children spend outside? Rain or shine? 6. What happens if a parent is late for pick-up? 7. Do caregivers have an early childhood education degree, first aid certification and background checks? This is different from daycare to daycare, depending on whether they are licensed or not.
case of anaphylactic shock or other emergency procedures involving children with asthma or life-threatening allergies. Each daycare has its own fee, depending on what it supplies and how many days a week your child will go there. Childcare subsidies are available for parents with low income. For more information, visit http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/ childcare/subsidy_promo.htm How far will you drive? Paul and Enns love their daycare and diligently tackle
Two open heart surgeries. One big need.
the sometimes-more-than 30minute drive to their daughter’s great daycare once a week. Lazarus and her husband wanted to be close to home and work so they applied to all the highly recommended local daycares. The almost threeyear wait was well worth it. ]
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great goods SUMMER MUST-HAVES
natural sunscreen for baby sun-protecting swim diaper Water activity is way more fun when you’ve got a swimsuit you feel good in. Your little one will definitely feel smashing in Iplay’s reusable swim diaper for babies and tots. It has a UPF of 50+, and features a waterproof layer to prevent leaks, an absorbent layer for accidents, and a wick-away lining to keep moisture away from your child’s skin. Lime Funky Fish and Green Daisy (we like this one because it’s not typically girly) are shown above. Other patterns available. Retails for $19.99.
When we discovered Eco sunscreen products, we were elated! Finally, an all-natural sunscreen that gives baby adequate protection from the sun (UPF 30+). The skincare product line nixes the traditional potentially harmful chemicals found in most sunscreen products, and uses only sustainable ingredients, materials and processes. Eco also makes a regular body sunscreen, but you can use its baby formulation for everyone—it works as effectively as the regular formulation but provides added moisturization for more sensitive skin. Retails for: $17 (Eco Sunscreen Face 1.8 oz), $21 (Eco Sunscreen Body 3.5 oz) & $21.50 (Eco Sunscreen Baby 3.5 oz). FIND IT: Lavish and Lime, www.lavishandlime.com
FIND IT: Active Baby, Capilano Mall, North Vancouver, www.activebaby.ca
hot duds We love this edgy new collection from Canadian company, SCKC Clothing. Transform your child into Jennifer Beal with the Flashdance tee ($41.99) and side-zip capri ($26.99). Or ramp up your baby’s cute factor with the plaid ruffle-bottom romper (available in boy and girl versions) ($39.99). See more of this fab collection on the SCKC website. FIND IT: SCKC Clothing, www.sckc.ca 24 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
beach-ready swimwear Get splashy and protect your child’s skin at the same time with Snapper Rock UV 50+ swimwear (blocks 99% of harmful sun rays with the density of the fabric weave, not with chemicals). You and your kids will appreciate the soft quickdrying fabric that is also breathable, and the flat-lock stitching to reduce rubbing. Available in sizes 3 to 8 years. Made in New Zealand. Shirt retails for $35.99. Shorts retail for $38.99. FIND IT: Moojoes Kids Gear, www.moojoes.com
jeepers, peepers The Adventure Banz, by Baby Banz, are cool sunglasses for babies to older kids. Features an embedded silicone nose and brow piece for comfort, a wrap-around Neoprene elastic strap (so they stay on), Category 3 lenses with sun-glare reduction and UV protection, adjustable Velcro sides, and a shatterresistant polycarbonate frame. Available in two sizes: 0 - 2 years and 3 - 5 years. Retails for $19.99. FIND IT: Active Baby, Capilano Mall, North Vancouver; Boomers & Echoes, 1985 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver; Room for Two Maternity, 1409 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
bootylicious ruffly rumps It’s all about being girly and fun. These 100% organic-cotton bum cover-ups, by Playpants, are perfect for those summer days when it’s warm enough for baby to wear just a diaper but you don’t necessarily want everyone to see it. Playpants are shown above in “sunday brunch.” Available in more colours including pink and indigo. Retails for $24.95. FIND IT: Playpants, www.playpants.ca; or Dandelion KIDS, 1206 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
This practical and comfortable sandal by Kamik, easily takes kids from wet to dry activities without missing a step. The Waterway sandal features a waterproof synthetic leather upper, moisture-wicking lining, adjustable instep and forefoot Velcro straps, abrasion-resistant toe guard (one of our fave features!), cushioned footbed, and water-friendy rubber outsole. Available in black, charcoal, dark brown and pink. Retails for $35.
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great goods
SUMMER TRAVEL TOYS to entertain little travelers
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M
E Deta ils on page 33
While the whole family’s on the road, give the kids Travel Bingo by eeboo to keep them alert and having fun. When playing the game, kids have to keep their eyes peeled for common sights while in transit, like a gas station, restaurant, water tower, bird on a wire, flag, and traffic light. For ages 5+ years. Comes with 4 pads of markable bingo sheets of recycled paper, 4 pencils, and a sturdy sliding box for easy storage. Retails for $13.95. FIND IT: Every Little Bit Green, www.everylittlebitgreen.com
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26 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
sticky stories Hello Hanna’s Hello Books are made for sticker-lovin’ kids who like to create their own stories. With buildable stickers and a die-cut book, Hello Hanna (printed on recycled paper) will spark the imagination in your child and allow them to make their own adventure. The Princess Castle and Monkey Business books (shown above) make us smile, but you can choose from a selection including Yum Yum Bakery and Robot Mission. For ages 4+ years. Retails for $10.99. FIND IT: Raspberry Kids, www.raspberrykids.com
JUST FOR MOMMY the scent of art What are Smencils? They’re smelly pencils, of course. Each of the pencils in a 10-pack of Smencils, is made from recycled newspaper and has a different scent and colour: watermelon, rootbeer, orange, peppermint, cinnamon, fruit punch, grape, pineapple, cherry and bubble gum. Equip your child with a sketchbook and a pack of Smencils while he’s travelling and he’ll be happy for a long time. Retails for $18/pack of 10. FIND IT: Lavish and Lime, www.lavishandlime.com; or Granville Island Toy Co, 3298 Main St, Vancouver
puppet play Stage a puppet show anywhere with this Fair Trade set of five finger puppets by Yellow Label Kids. This colourful menagerie comes with duck, lion, elephant, dog and frog. And they’re all housed in a convenient hand-crocheted carrying bag with button closure—great for transporting. Impromptu imaginative play anywhere! Retails for $29.99. FIND IT: Lusso Baby, 1037 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, wwwlussobaby.ca
storytime
do Ugi? We did, and it’s a tough workout regime that belies the benign bubble-gum colours of its associated equipment. Developed by three Vancouver moms, Ugi—which stands for “You got it”—is a workout plan that involves a 15” weighted semi-soft ball (pink, purple, blue or gray and from 6 to 12 lbs) and a 30-minute workout plan. The workout is a series of one-minute exercises that give you everything from warm-up to cardio, strength training to cool down. All you need is 30 minutes a day, five days a week to achieve better overall fitness. The Ugi system can be modified to suit your fitness level and schedule: increase or decrease the intensity of the exercises, or break up the daily 30-minute workout into two 15-minute chunks. We also like that the ball is soft enough to be safe around your kids at home. A Ugi package includes a ball in the weight of your choice, workout guide, DVD with instructions, tips and modifications for every exercise, guide to healthy eating, access to an online video library of Ugi exercises, and free downloadable Ugi interval timer for the iPhone, for $189. FIND IT: www.ugifit.com
It’s not often you find something as unique as your child. But we think we have with Plus One Photography’s custom storybooks that weave the illustrations and photos of your child into a beautiful story. Photographer and artist Zeynep puts your ‘work of art’ into a work of art in a beautiful hardbound book that will become a treasured keepsake. FIND IT: www.plusonephotography.com
A KEEPSAKE FOR BABY urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca| summer 11 | 27
by Felicia Lee
CEO MOM
Demystifying sales growth Business coach Felicia Lee offers tips on how to ring in those sales for the business you’ve just started.
S
-A-L-E-S. A word that, for many, strikes fear and conjures up images of pushy used-car salesmen and relentless telemarketers. And yet, it is an essential component of every business. Whether you have a part-time business that pays a few bills or a full-fledged multi-million dollar venture, it is a topic that likely has come up in your business, and may even be keeping you up at night. People fear sales for many reasons. For one, they may be afraid of rejection. After all, no one wakes up every day and thinks, “I can’t wait to get out there today to pitch my business and hear people say, ‘No, thanks!’” For others, it might be that we associate sales with negatives, like forcing someone to buy something she doesn’t want, or being manipulative. The good news is, the old paradigm of overloading every potential customer with information and pressuring them to buy is no longer required, or effective. There are two criteria for success in sales: attitude and aptitude. Having the right mindset first and foremost, then combining that with the right skills, tools and plans,
allows you to be on your way to becoming a Sales Diva. Check in with yourself. Do you have a positive mindset for selling? Many business owners are doomed to fail because they have already pre-determined that they aren’t great at selling, and guess what? Turns out they aren’t great at selling. Here’s an analogy. Remember learning how to ride a bike? Or perhaps you have a child who is just starting to ride. What are the chances of your child succeeding in learning the skill if he thinks he will never master it? As a parent, you encourage them and empower them with your vote of confidence. Selling is very much the same—it is a skill to be acquired. If you have the mindset that you will succeed, you will succeed. Your positive attitude towards sales is the pre-requisite to growing your business. Now on to aptitude. There many resources available to help you build your skills. A quick glance at Amazon online shows that there are over 298,000 book titles on marketing and sales alone. You’ll find everything from determining how to market and prospect to building relationships with potential clients, from knowing how to present to addressing objections—there is plenty of information out there to support honing your skills. And it’s likely that you’re already using the skills for
28 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
selling in your everyday life. How many times in a day do you convince your kids to get up out of bed, eat breakfast, do homework, or go to bed on time? You’re selling. How many times have you recommended a restaurant, or an amazing product, to a friend? You’re selling. Have you ever convinced your partner/ spouse to watch a movie that he/she might not have picked? You’re selling. Have you ever convinced yourself that you really need that chocolate bar from the grocery aisle? You’ve just sold to yourself. Recall the best sales people you know; what attributes come to mind? It’s likely that they were good listeners, empathetic to your issues, and that they took the time to understand you, and to provide a solution that solves your specific need. Do you see yourself as a solution provider? Do you have good listening skills? Are you one that takes the time to understand people? If your answers are yes, yes, and yes, then you are already off to a good start in sales. Once you have the right mental attitude and understand the sales process, the next step to grow your sales systematically to ensure that you have a business development plan. Here are some questions to consider: What are your sales goals? This seems like a basic question, but it’s one that I find many business owners find challenging. Is your sales goal
something that you truly want, or is it what you think you can get? The key to growing your business starts with a goal that is challenging and yet attainable, coupled with a clear business development plan to get you there. What are you doing to create awareness and educate the market about what you do? If people don’t know that your products or services exist, they can’t buy from you. How are you reaching out to your target markets? How many people come to know about your business? How are you tracking the growth of your reach? What are you doing actively to build trust with your potential customers? People only buy from people they trust, and people only trust people that they know. It isn’t enough to just broadcast information to the world. How do they know that they can trust that buying from you isn’t going to be a mistake, when they might not know you personally? How are you tracking your sales? In order to measure and improve your sales over time, track your progress with metrics. Metrics will vary widely depending on the type of business you’re in, but some key ones are: revenues per period (annual, monthly, weekly, etc.), number of new customers, number of repeat customers and average sales per customer. For businesses online, measure the number of unique and returning visitors to your website, conversion
ASK
Q : I just started my own business. Should I be my own salesperson? A : It depends. There are right and wrong
Felicia
Email your questions to Felicia: askfelicia@urbanbaby.ca
rates, etc. Review your metrics periodically to see where the bottlenecks are and where you would like to improve. If you don’t have the answers to these questions, ask yourself if you are prepared to do what is necessary to grow your business. What do
reasons to outsource sales. For many business owners, having the right sales person can really boost earnings. Unlike an owner, who needs to wear many hats in the company, a salesperson is focused solely on growing sales—opening markets and generating leads, meeting potential customers, bringing in clients, and building relationships with clients. If you find business is going well, but you are missing opportunities because you can’t service multiple market in different geographic areas, or that you can’t handle the volume of business leads, hiring someone to assist you could work really well. you need to change today in order to take the next step towards sales success? And what difference would these changes make for your business? STAY TUNED: The next CEO Mom column in urbanbaby & toddler will
The biggest mistake I see in outsourcing sales is hiring someone else because you don’t like sales or don’t know how to sell. If you don’t know how to sell, how will you manage the sales process? How will you know whether you have the right sales person in place if you haven’t had success doing it yourself? And if your salesperson turns out to be a star, what will you do if she leaves? If you are not comfortable selling, a better idea is to invest in some professional development and hone your selling skills, so that when you hire, you’re doing so from a place where you can manage the outcome!
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cover key success factors for managing your time while running a business and being a mom. ] Felicia Lee is a business coach with GhostCEO (ghostceo. com). Get business tips on how to build a successful business as a mom entrepreneur; subscribe to her newsletter at vancouvermombusinesscoach.com.
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by Amy Beeman
TRAVEL
Traveling with twin babies
The Beat 94.5’s Amy Beeman discovers the rules of survival
W
e are now those people. The people you see walking towards your departure gate at the airport, carrying a doublesized diaper bag and pushing a double stroller carrying twins, who make you think, “I hope I’m not sitting next to those people.” There was an entire departure lounge filled with people thinking that exact thing as I geared up for my first family trip to Maui with my husband Mark and our five-month-old twins Lucy and Sam. We were meeting up with family once we got to Hawaii, but we were on our own for the six-hour, 20-minute flight. Overall, the trip was fabulous, but I did learn a few things. I am by no means an expert on traveling with children, but if these tips can help even one person, then my experiences will have been worth it. 1. Offer to buy the person next to you on the plane a drink. This act of generosity will (slightly) decrease the volume of your screaming baby for your neighbour on the flight. 2. Make friends with your flight attendants. They are good people to have on your side. If you’re really nice, they’ll even hold a baby for you when you’re playing “musical babies”: passing Sam to Mark across the aisle (we couldn’t be in the same row for safety reasons) while he passes Lucy to me at the same time. And if the flight
Amy Beeman’s twins Sam (l) and Lucy (r) get ready to explore Hawaii.
isn’t full, your new friends will make sure you’re surrounded by a couple of empty seats. Unfortunately, we were on a full flight, but our neighbours were great (see Rule #1). 3. Don’t waste your money on magazines for the flight. You’re disillusioned if you think you’ll have a minute to yourself. Even if by some miracle your baby falls asleep on your lap, you’ll be so afraid of waking her up that you won’t be able to breathe, let alone turn the pages of a magazine. 4. Rent whatever you can at your destination. We rented a crib, among other things, which was delivered and assembled in our rental condo when we arrived. It was much easier than lugging a
30 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
portable playpen across the Pacific! (Just ask the man on our flight who almost put his back out lifting his off the conveyer belt.) 5. Jump into the new time zone as soon as you get there, so the babies’ bodies can adjust as soon as possible. They may need an extra nap for the first couple days until they adjust. (I had help with this tip from Crystal DiNicolo, Sleep Sense child sleep consultant). Lucy was all over the extra naps, but Sam needed a little convincing. 6. Always take clean diapers with you, even if you’re just leaving the rental condo for a few minutes, or you’ll end up carrying a naked baby home from the beach after she leaks through her diaper and her bathing suit. (You’ll discover that flies will start circling a dirty diaper within seconds, even when the baby is still in it!) 7. Meet up with grandparents whenever possible! They will pick you up at the airport, babysit while you go to the beach, change
the odd diaper and, in our case, make some killer Mai Thais. 8. After frolicking in the surf, make sure you shower off (or at least use a wet wipe) before you breastfeed your babies. Lucy and Sam both ate a bit of the beach one day when I fed them before I realized I was covered in sand. 9. When cutting up a pair of sleepers to make a new pair of footless, shortsleeved pajamas for your son after he peed all over his original pair, try to cut evenly, otherwise he will end up looking like an orphan from Oliver Twist, with uneven pants and ragged sleeves. 10. Expect the unexpected. Sam got his first two teeth while we were on vacation. Apparently, he didn’t get the memo that said vacations are for relaxing and not hitting major milestones, like growing calcified, white-ish structures used to break down food. Nothing like teething to throw any sort of routine that you had right out the window! Be prepared to be flexible. These are just a few things I learned on our first big family adventure. Was it a lot of work? Yes. Was it exhausting, trying and far more difficult than traveling alone? Definitely. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. ] Amy Beeman is producer on The Beat 94.5. Visit her blog at www. thebeat.com/amys-baby-blog
ASK THE EXPERTS
Handling preschool anxiety; what is a doula? ask Adrian Mollo,
certified family & children’s coach (proactiveparents.ca) Q: I’m worried about getting my four-year-old to preschool this fall. Whenever I try to leave him, he has a complete meltdown! How can I make going to school a positive experience for him? A: Planning in advance is a great first step! Identifying the trigger—which in this case, sounds like separation from you—gives us key information about the need driving your son’s tantrum behaviour. Factors such as age, developmental stage, and temperament influence how children express their needs. Understanding your son’s tantrums as an expression of frustration, fear and sadness may help you respond with the gentle approach needed to best address this issue. Your
calm and empathetic response will affirm your son’s feelings and experience are important. Giving names to his feelings will positively contribute to his emotional development, paving the way for coping skills for stressors such as separation! You may consider providing information in advance through developmentally appropriate means (consider visuals, stories or play), self-soothing strategies (consider deep breathing or transitional objects), and gradual exposure to the stressor itself (consider playing on the school playground this summer, having a friend in the class, arriving early to meet the teacher, or hanging around and gradually backing off as he settles in). It’s important your son is provided with a sense of control and safety. By paying attention to the need behind his behaviour and teaching him safe and socially appropriate ways to get his needs met,
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you are equipping him with tools not only for difficult separations, but also for life!
ask Jacquie Munro, doula (slowbirth.com)
Q: I’m having my first baby and have heard that a doula may be able to help me. What is a doula? A: A doula is a non-medical professional who provides continual physical, emotional and informational support for a woman and her family before, during and after birth. Using practical knowledge and intuitive wisdom, a doula helps each woman realize that she is the one giving birth, and that she has the strength to do it! During pregnancy home visits, a doula prepares her clients by sharing evidencebased research illustrated by birth stories. A doula then draws on each woman’s unique life experiences,
reminding her that she already has the abilities and courage to give birth in her own way. An experienced doula adapts her skills to meet each client’s needs. During labour, she may be asked to dance between the pragmatic and the spiritual: Can you get us a good room? Can you rub my back? Can we have a Tibetan blessing in the birthing room? Whether the birth is smooth or complicated, a doula remains calm and supportive of the woman and her partner. Ultimately, a doula’s goal is to foster a positive birth memory for each woman, which can immeasurably increase her self-esteem, and strengthen her relationship with her partner and baby. ]
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by Michelle Carchrae
BREASTFEEDING
W
hen a mom begins breastfeeding her newborn baby, she might start out with a goal to breastfeed for six months or a year. Maybe she isn’t aiming for any length of time at all and just hopes to have a good breastfeeding relationship with her child. Then one day, her baby turns one year old, starts walking and says, “NaNa!” when she wants to nurse. Baby doesn’t seem ready to stop breastfeeding, and mom doesn’t mind continuing. And mom realizes she’s not breastfeeding a little baby anymore, she’s breastfeeding a toddler. This scenario is more common than you might think. In today’s culture, breastfeeding can be quite hidden, especially breastfeeding toddlers. But the benefits of continuing the breastfeeding relationship through toddlerhood are well documented and wide reaching. The World Health Organization, Health Canada and UNICEF all recommend breastfeeding for the first two years of a child’s life, and beyond, if mutually desired. The American Academy of Pediatrics also states there is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding, and no evidence of harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or beyond. Scientists, health policy makers and doctors are all on board with breastfeeding toddlers, but much of society hasn’t followed suit. What’s so great about breastfeeding a toddler?
The benefits of breastfeeding Toddlers continue to receive excellent nutritional value in breastmilk, even as a mother’s milk supply drops. In Weaning as a Natural
In today’s culture, breastfeeding can be quite hidden, especially breastfeeding toddlers. But the benefits of continuing the breastfeeding relationship through toddlerhood are well documented and wide reaching. Process, Brylin Highton describes how breastmilk’s composition changes during gradual weaning, increasing the proportion of fat, protein, iron and immunological components as the total volume of milk decreases. This means that at the time when toddlers are becoming more social and active in the world, breastmilk becomes more protective of their immune system. Michelle Vega, a Vancouver La Leche League leader says, “Many moms find that breastfeeding toddlers are sick far less often.” Toddlers also gain significant psychological and intellectual benefits from the continuation of the breastfeeding relationship. Toddlerhood is a time of major development in physical ability and the first blossoming of language and independent will. Nursing
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is a highly comforting place for a developing toddler to come back to after a tumble off the slide, a tantrum or a challenging day at daycare. The first two to three years of a child’s life are a time of incredible brain development, and nursing through the second and third years of life is associated with higher IQ scores and evaluations of social behaviour later in life. Moms benefit from extended breastfeeding Mothers who nurse past the first year of baby’s life, lower their risk of several diseases, including breast, uterine and ovarian cancers. Mothers who breastfeed are as much as 25 percent less likely to get breast cancer, with the protective effect rising the longer a mom breastfeeds for. Breastfeeding hormones, including oxytocin and prolactin, help improve mood and reduce the risk of depression and promote natural child spacing through delayed fertility. Breastfeeding can also make the work of parenting easier. Vega says, “Many moms also find that being able to nurse through tantrums and developmental changes is helpful because the oxytocin released during nursing calms both mom and child.” These hormones naturally increase a mom’s desire to nurture her child, which makes nursing a great tool to have in your parenting toolkit. Breastfeeding can also give busy moms and toddlers a quiet moment during the day to sit down, rest and reconnect.
Natural weaning and mutual respect We often understand the term “weaning” to mean a parent-directed process of taking away breastfeeding sessions or a regular bottle feed, but weaning is first begun when a baby takes his first taste of solid food. Weaning naturally happens very slowly and gradually from that first taste of food. As the baby grows and develops more of an appetite, he begins taking in more solid foods and fewer nursing sessions over the course of months and even years of development. There are several terms for this gradual, gentle approach to weaning, such as baby-led weaning or child-led weaning, but as Michelle Vega points out, “At La Leche League, we like the expression natural weaning since it reflects a mutually respectful relationship between mother and child.” Focusing on mutual respect helps parents find workable solutions and strategies to fit the nursing relationship into their daily routine. For example, moms who go back to work outside the home may choose to share a bed with their toddler and allow more night nursing as a way to nurture their breastfeeding relationship during the time they are at home with their child. Others may choose to stop nursing at night but continue to nurse first thing in the morning and at bedtime. Even one nursing session per day continues to provide your toddler with antibodies that protect against illness and support his
baby into toddlerhood developing immune system. Vega describes abrupt weaning before mom goes back to work as “a triple trauma, since the child suddenly loses the comfort of nursing, the presence of mom and and the nutritional and immunological support provided by breastmilk all at the same time.” Support for moms Finding emotional support and good information can be important. Inaccurate
beliefs and issues around breastfeeding toddlers are very common, and a breastfeeding mom may feel pressure to wean from close friends, family or her husband, but Vega says, “This pressure often comes from misguided cultural beliefs instead of an actual problem with the nursing relationship. In many cases, the mom and child themselves are happy with the way nursing is going.” La Leche League meetings are a great place to find
support and meet other moms who are nursing toddlers, and meetings include a facilitated discussion on various topics around breastfeeding. La Leche League’s website is also a great place to find more information on breastfeeding an active toddler and weaning in a natural, gentle way. Breastfeeding a toddler is a normal, natural and healthy continuation of the breastfeeding relationship that is established in infancy.
Breastfed toddlers benefit nutritionally, emotionally and developmentally from the closeness and nourishment provided by nursing. Moms gain from the continuation of breastfeeding too, with health and emotional benefits that are long-lasting. Breastfeeding a toddler might require some creative solutions to overcome pressure from other people or fit breastfeeding smoothly into a busy day, but the benefits of natural weaning are worth it. ]
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by Dr. Michal Regev
PARENTING
What is good
The results of a study by Dr. Robert
W
hat are the 10 essential parenting skills you need to raise a well-adjusted, healthy child? A survey of 2,000 parents, conducted by Dr. Robert Epstein, and a collaborative data review by other parenting experts reveal all. Everyone wants to be a good parent and to do the best for their child. In fact, research shows that guilt regarding parenting practices is quite common among parents. But what does “best” mean? How does one know what good parenting entails? With over 40,000 parenting books out in the market, which tend to offer contradicting advice, how does one choose a parenting style? Robert Epstein, a researcher and psychology professor, recently completed a research project on parenting that surveyed 2,000 parents and reviewed numerous studies on effective child-rearing practices. As well, 11 wellknown parenting experts reviewed the data and together they came up with the 10 most important parenting skills in terms of their relationship to positive outcome, meaning a well-developed, healthy and adjusted child.
The number-one parenting skill that was identified through research is good old love and physical affection (i.e., hugs, kisses, cuddles). That is, researchers, clinicians and parents agreed that the most important thing you can do for your child is give him love and affection. A child, for whom parents demonstrate love and affection on a regular basis, is likely to grow up happy, have good relationships with family and friends, and be physically healthy. But would a lot of cuddling and affection spoil your kid? Not at all. There is a difference between loving and spoiling. Spoiling happens when there are no boundaries or rules, but we’ll talk about that later. The second and third competencies on the list have less to do with the child and more with the parent. They are parent stress management and the relationship between the parents. Specifically, when parents are able to manage their stress well, they are more likely to be calm around their kids and avoid lashing out at them when they misbehave or are just seeking attention. Also, tension between the parents, whether expressed through yelling matches or quiet alienation, is detrimental to the children’s well-being. A harmonious, loving relationship between parents fosters a sense of safety, security and calm in children, which, in turn, contributes to their well-being and helps them thrive.
34 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
The fourth competency on the parenting skills list had to do with autonomy and independence. That is, fostering independence, choice and responsibility help kids function at a higher level, be intrinsically motivated and happier with their achievements. Thus, if you would like your child to pursue musical education, for example, you would be wise to first expose them to different kinds of music, introduce them to different musical instruments and let them choose a musical activity they wish to engage in, be it playing an instrument, singing in a choir, composing and/or going to concerts or just listening to music at home. That way, your child is more likely to stick with music and benefit from it in the long run. But, one may wonder, what about discipline and behaviour management? Well, according to this published research, discipline is essential and is seventh on the list of parenting skills.
The important rules about discipline are: consistency, positive reinforcement, encouragement and using punishment (never physical!) only when all positive methods have failed. Consistency is necessary if a child is to learn good behaviour. Inconsistency in discipline is a serious challenge for a lot of parents but being inconsistent with your child confuses them, scares them and encourages them to behave badly in the hope of getting what they want. Instead, say “no” only when you really mean it and don’t give in to temper tantrums in order to teach your child to believe you as parents and accept your rules. Encouragement is key to instilling self-confidence and self-worth in a child and so are autonomy and choice. These skills have to be adapted to the age of the child, of course. For example, allowing your twoyear-old child to explore the playground on his own while you watch from afar is likely
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parenting?
resource directory
Epstein may surprise you too early, but it is more than appropriate at the age of four. Similarly, it is more appropriate to allow a three-year-old child to choose her outfit than an 18-month-old. What do adults who have been disciplined harshly think about effective disciplining? In an informal survey that I have conducted, 9 out of 10 were firmly against harsh discipline. They said that the only thing they learned as children was to be afraid of their parents. They also developed a negative self-image and considered themselves “bad.” A few have suffered from depression. “I am very careful not to use these methods with my kids,” said one mother, “I believe it is damaging to the kids’ soul. I know I have been damaged by constantly being criticized,
reproached and punished.” Parenting can be challenging, and, at times, taxing. Expert advice is often confusing and contradicting. Parents should listen to advice that they believe is sound and sensible and strive to follow the guidelines in which they believe to the best of their ability. Remember that “perfect parenting” is an oxymoron; “good enough” parenting is much more realistic. ] Dr. Michal Regev is a registered psychologist and marriage and family therapist practicing in Vancouver. She can be contacted through her website at www. drregev.com
WANT MORE? Find more articles at
WWW.URBANBABY.CA
The Top 10
PARENTING SKILLS according to a recent study by R. Epstein
1. Give your child a lot of love and physical affection. 2. Learn to manage your own stress. 3. Make sure your relationship with your partner is good. If it isn’t, work on it! 4. Encourage your child to make choices and be (ageappropriate) independent. 5. Promote your child’s learning and education. 6. Make sure you can provide for your child’s basic needs and make a financial plan for the future. 7. Discipline your child using positive reinforcement and rare punishment. Be consistent! 8. Pursue a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your child. 9. Support your child’s spirituality whether through religion or not. 10. Make sure your child is physically safe at all times.
• breastfeeding clinics and/or support. . .............................................. 35 •c hild care resource & referral..................................... 35 • children’s programs................ 36 • circumcision............................ 36 • counselling.............................. 36 • daycare................................... 36 • dental...................................... 36 • diapers, cloth.......................... 36 • doulas..................................... 36 • education................................ 36 • events..................................... 36 • fitness..................................... 36 • food - nutrition........................ 36 • health services........................ 36 • parent-and-tot programs......... 36 • parent-and-tot storytimes.......... 37 • photography........................... 38 • prenatal classes...................... 38 • public health services/nurses... 38 • retailers - clothing, equipment, accessories & gifts.................. 38 • safety...................................... 39 • sleep consultants.................... 39 • support services..................... 39 • ultrasounds - 3D/4D............... 39 • vasectomy............................... 39 Breastfeeding Clinics and/or Support Abbotsford Health Unit 104–34194 Marshall Rd, Abbotsford 604-864-3400 Drop-in breastfeeding clinics & breast milk depot for breast milk bank BC Women’s Hospital Breastfeeding Classes 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, 604-875-2282 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only Burnaby Hospital 3935 Kincaid St, Bury; 604-434-4211 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only Burnaby Region–Fraser Health Authority 604-918-7605 Drop-in breastfeeding services at two locations: • McGill Library, Program Room: Wed, 1–3 pm 4595 Albert St, Burnaby • Eastburn Community Centre: Thurs, 1–3 pm 7435 Edmonds, Burnaby Cloverdale Public Health Unit 17536–58th Ave, Surrey 604-575-5100 Coquitlam Preventative Health Services 200–205 Newport Dr, Port Moody 604-949-7200 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only Guildford Public Health Unit 10233–153rd St, Surrey 604-587-4750 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only (available Tues afternoons & Fri mornings) La Leche League 604-520-4623 Serving the Lower Mainland www.lalecheleaguecanada.ca Langley Public Health Unit 22033 Fraser Hwy, Langley 604-532-2300 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only
Breastfeeding Clinics and/or Support cont’d Milk Bank at BC’s Children’s Hospital 4480 Oak St, Vancouver 604-875-2282 Donate or receive breast milk Newborn Hotline 604-737-3737 Telephone info & referral service for questions about babies birth to age 2. Open 24 hours. Serves Richmond & Vancouver. North Shore Health Region 604-983-6700 Serving North & West Vancouver North Surrey Public Health Unit 220–10362 King George Hwy, Surrey 604-587-7900 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre 2110 West 43rd Ave, Vancouver 604-261-6366 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only; avail Wed am Richmond Health Department 7000 Westminster Hwy, Richmond 604-233-3150 By appointment only, Weds, 1-3pm South Delta-Ladner Public Health Unit 4470 Clarence Taylor Way, Ladner 604-952-3550 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only Vancouver Breastfeeding Clinic 340–943 W Broadway, Vancouver 604-738-1912 www.breastfeedingclinic.com White Rock Public Health Unit 1185 Centre St, White Rock 604-542-4000 Breastfeeding clinics by appt only Child Care Resource & Referral Abbotsford Child Care Resource & Referral 100 - 32475 Simon Ave, Abbtfd 604-850-7934, www.childcarechoices.ca Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR)* Your community’s best source of child care information & resources. Supporting families and child care providers in BC. Toll-free: 1-888-338-6622 www.ccrr.bc.ca See ad on page 26 Child Care Options Resource & Referral 6878 King George Highway, Surrey 604-572-8032 childcareoptions@options.bc.ca www.childcareoptions.ca Serving Surrey, White Rock & Delta Langley Child Care Resource & Referral 20577 Fraser Hwy, Langley, 604-533-4425 North Shore Child Care Resource & Ref 201–935 Marine Dr, N Van, 604-985-7138 Richmond Child Care Resource & Referral 190–700 Minoru Blvd, Rmd 604-279-7020 Sea to Sky Child Care Resource & Referral • 38370 Buckley Ave, Squamish 604-815-4144 • Pemberton 1-877-894-6106 (Grace)
urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca| summer 11 | 35
Child Care Resource & Referral cont’d
Doulas
Health Services cont’d
Parent & Tot Programs cont’d
Sunshine Coast Child Care Resource & Referral • 5520 Trail Ave, Sechelt; 604-885-5657 • 659 North Road, Gibsons; 604-886-3103 • Pender Harbour; 604-883-2827
Doulas of North America (DONA) 1-888-788-DONA; www.DONA.org
Community Therapists* 207-5740 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3A6 604-681-9293 www.communitytherapists.com See ad on page 5
Winskill Aquatic & Fitness Centre 5575 9th Avenue, Delta, 604-952-3005
Vancouver Child Care Resource Centre 2772 E. Broadway, 604-709-5661 www.childcareresource.ca
Education
Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre 2772 East Broadway, Vancouver 604-709-5661, www.wstcoast.org Westcoast Family Info & Referral 2772 East Broadway, Vancouver 604-709-5699; www.wstcoast.org
Doula Services Association, BC 604-515-5588; www.bcdoulas.org
Core Education & Fine Arts* CORE Education & Fine Arts: Canada’s first Junior Kindergarten school. Highly recognized for its leading academic program. For more information about our schools or to find a location near you, please visit www.cefa.ca. See ad on page back cover
YMCA Child Care Resource & Referral Serving Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra) • Tri-Cities: 1130 C Austin Ave, Coquitlam 604-931-3400; triccrr@ vanymca.org • Burnaby/New Westminster: 33–250 Willingdon Ave, Bby 604-294-1109; vanymca.org
KinderHeart Montessori* KinderHeart Montessori Petite offers a new & exceptional infant & toddler daycare program. Our prepared natural environment will allow your child to reach their full potential. Visit us today! 10957 Barnston View Rd, Pitt Meadows 604-460-8558; www.kinderheart.ca See ad on page 19
Children’s Programs
Events
Aquaventures Swim Centre* “A Vancouver swimstation since 1984!” Tropical warm water and excellent teachers make every lesson an aqua-adventure! 604-736-7946 www.aquaventuresswim.com See our ad on page 17
Lovestruck Baby and Family Fair* Lovestruck Baby and Family Fair is Vancouver’s most interactive family event. Entertainment, fashion and fun await. The first 200 families get a free tote bag stuffed with goodies. June 19 @ #1 Athletes Way next to Science World. www.lovestruckbabies.com See ad on page 4
Gymboree Play & Music* www.gymboreeclasses.com Our locations: Vanc & North Shore: 604-739-1190 Email: vancouverbc@gymboreeclasses.com Coquitlam/Tri-Cities: 604-945-4967 Email: coquitlambc@ gymboreeclasses.com Award-winning play, music, arts and baby signs classes for newborns to 5-year-olds. See ad on page 7 Circumcision Pollock Clinics* Dr. Pollock is a pioneer in North America in developing a safe and virtually painless 30-second circumcision technique. Dr. Pollock has safely performed over 30,000 circumcisions (from newborn to six months) with an extremely low complication rate. 604-717-6200 www.circumcisionvancouver.com See ad on page 18 Counselling Tania Zulkoskey Counselling* Counselling can help strengthen relationshipos, sort out mixed feelings and process trauma. LGBTQ welcomed. Your family story begins with you. 604-771-8647 tzcounselling@ yahoo.ca See ad on page 11 Dental Tot 2 Teen Dental Care* Dr. Anita B. Gartner Inc. #219-179 Davie Street, Vanc, 604-569-3669 www.tot2teendental.com admin@ tot2teendental.com “Your child’s care is our focus.” See ad on page 17
Fitness Amazing Moms Fat Loss* Helping busy moms lose fat and get their body back! Get started today. Book your free phone consultation. 604-783-6022 tamara@amazingmomsfatloss.com Get your free e-book, “The 7 Secrets Every Mom Must Know to Getting Back into Her Skinny Jeans” Visit www.amazingmomsfatloss.com See ad on page 13 Runners and Booties* Runners and Booties Fitness offers specially designed fitness classes for mom and baby since 2005. Come try our new program Salsa Babies and Salsa Tots. For information call 778-285-6265. See ad on page 10 Food–Nutrition BC Women’s Hospital Nutrition counselling for pregnant women. Free service/no referral necessary. 604875-2330 Recipes to the Rescue* Recipes to the Rescue is a free newsletter for the everyday cook adding inspiration to the routine of daily cooking. Simple recipes full of fresh seasonal foods. To receive the free seasonal newsletter, go to www. recipestotherescue.ca. See ad on page 12 Vitamin K Nutrition Consulting* Helping parents have easier, healthy meals that both your kids and you will enjoy! Picky eaters, introducing solids, and meal planning. Contact Kristen: 604-506-0399 www.vitaminkconsulting.com See ad on page 12
36 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
Dr. Ayla Wilson, ND* Dr. Wilson is a naturopathic physician with a holistic family medicine practice. Pediatrics, prenatal, fertility, autism, and ADHD. Naturopathic care for you and your little ones! 604-988-1411 www.DrAylaWilson.com See ad on page 7 Parent & Tot Programs
FRASER VALLEY The Family Resource Program Network of the Lower Fraser Valley offers toy libraries, drop-in programs, support, art activities. Alexandra Family Place, 604-535-0015 Bridgeview Family Place ,604-580-2344 Delta Family Place, 604-591-9262 Guildford Family Place, 604-583-3844 Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre of SACS 13629 – 108th Ave, Surrey, 604-584-2008 Ladner Family Place, 604-946-0324
BURNABY
Langley Family Place, 604-534-7921
Bonsor Recreation Centre 6550 Bonsor Ave, Burnaby, 604-439-1860
Newton Family Place, 604-572-8032
Burnaby Family Place Drop-in for parents and their kids 0-6 yrs 410 Clare Ave, Burnaby, 604-299-5112
Semiahmoo Family Place, 604-535-6263
CG Brown Memorial Pool 3702 Kensington Ave, Burnaby, 604-299-9374 Cameron Recreation Centre 9523 Cameron St, Burnaby, 604-421-5225
South Delta Family Place, 604-946-6622 Whalley Family Place, 604-580-2344 LANGLEY Douglas Recreation Centre 20550 Douglas Crescent, 604-514-2865 Langley Civic Centre 20699–29th Ave, Langley, 604-530-1323
Confederation Comm Centre 4585 Albert St, Burnaby, 604-294-1936
WC Blair Recreation Centre 2220 Fraser Hwy, Langley, 604-533-6170
Eastburn Community Centre 7435 Edmonds St, Burnaby, 604-525-5361
Walnut Grove Comm Ctr & Aquatic Ctr 8889 Walnut Grove Drive, 604-882-0408
Edmonds Community Centre 7282 Kingsway, Burnaby, 604-525-1671 Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool & Fitness Centre 240 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, 604-298-SWIM Movies for Mommies* Wednesdays, 12:30 pm Dolphin Theatre, 4555 E Hastings, Bby www.moviesformommies.com See ad on page 29 Willingdon Heights Community Centre 1491 Carleton Ave, Burnaby, 604-299-1446 CLOVERDALE CloverValley Family Resource Place 604-671-9079 COQUITLAM Chimo Indoor Swimming Pool 620 Poirier, Coquitlam, 604-933-6027
NEW WESTMINSTER Canada Games Pool & Fitness Centre 65 E 6th Ave, New West, 604-526-4281 Centennial Community Centre & Fitness 65 E. 6th Ave, New West, 604-777-5100 Century House-Moody Park recCentre 620–8th St, New West, 604-519-1066 New Westminster Family Place #101-93 Sixth St, New West, 604-520-3666 Queensborough Community Centre 920 Ewen, New West, 604-525-7388 MAPLE RIDGE Maple Ridge Public Library 130 - 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd 604-467-7417 NORTH VANCOUVER Delbrook recCentre 600 Queens Rd, North Vanc, 604-987-7529
COQUITLAM cont’d
Karen Magnusson recCentre 2300 Kirkstone Pl, N Vanc, 604-987-7529
City Centre Aquatic Complex 1210 Pinetree, Coquitlam, 604-927-6999
Lynn Valley recCentre 3590 Mountain Hwy, N Vanc,604-987-7529
Pinetree Community Centre 1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, 604-927-6960
Parkgate recCentre 3625 Banff Crt, N Vanc, 604-987-7529
Poirier Community Centre 630 Poirier, Coquitlam, 604-933-6010
Ron Andrews recCentre 931 Lytton, North Vanc, 604-987-7529
DELTA
Seylynn recCentre 605 Mountain Hwy, N Vanc, 604-987-7529
Ladner Leisure Centre 4600 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, 604946-3310
William Griffith recCentre 851 W Queens Rd, N Vanc, 604-987-7529
Sungod Recreation Centre 7815–112th St, Delta, 604-952-3075
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Parent & Tot Programs cont’d
Parent & Tot Programs cont’d
Parent & Tot Programs cont’d
Parent & Tot Storytimes (FREE) cont’d
NORTH VANCOUVER cont’d
VANCOUVER cont’d
VANCOUVER cont’d
NORTH VANCOUVER
W.V. Family Place Adventure Playground Bldg, Ambleside Park, 604-925-7172
Coal Harbour Comm Centre 480 Broughton, Vanc, 604-718-8222
West End Community Centre 870 Denman St, Vanc, 604-257-8333
Lynn Valley Main Library 1280 E 27th St, N Vanc, 604-984-0286
Douglas Park Comm Centre 801 W 22nd Ave, Vanc, 604-257-8130
West Point Grey Community Centre 4397 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver, 604-257-8140
Capilano Branch 3045 Highland Blvd, N Vanc, 604-987-4471
PORT COQUITLAM Hyde Creek Recreation Centre 1379 Laurier, Port Coquitlam, 604-927-7946 www.portcoquitlam.ca Port Coquitlam Recreation Ctr 2150 Wilson, P Coquitlam, 604-927-7970 www.portcoquitlam.ca PORT MOODY Kyle Recreation Centre 125 Kyle St, P Moody, 604-469-4561 ww.cityofportmoody.com Port Moody Recreation Complex 300 Ioco Rd, P Moody, 604-469-4556 www.cityofportmoody.com RICHMOND Cambie Centre 4111 Jacombs, Richmond, 604-233-8399 City Centre/Lang Centre 140–8279 Saba, Richmond, 604-233-8910 Hamilton Centre 5140 Smith Dr, Richmond, 604-718-8055 Minoru Aquatic Centre 7560 Minoru Gate, Rmd, 604-718-8020 Richmond Family Place 8660 Ash St, 604-278-4336
Dunbar Community Centre 4747 Dunbar, Vancouver, 604-222-6060 Eastside Family Place 1655 William St, Vanc, 604-255-9841 False Creek Community Centre 1318 Cartwright, Vanc, 604-257-8195 Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House 2131 Renfrew St, Vanc, 604-251-1225 Every Fri, 1–3:30 pm. Cantonese Family Drop-in free for parents with kids 6 & under. Hastings Community Centre 3096 E Hastings, Vanc, 604-718-6200 Kensington Community Centre 5175 Dumfries, Vanc, 604-718-6200 Kerrisdale Community Centre 5851 W Boulevard, Vanc, 604-257-8100 Killarney Community Centre 6260 Killarney, Vanc, 604-718-8200 Kitsilano Community Centre 2690 Larch St, Vancouver, 604-257-6976 Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Drop-in for paprents and their children 0-6 yrs. M-F, 9:30 - 11:30 am. 2325 W 7th Ave ,Vanc, 604-736-3588
West Side Family Place 2819 W 11th Ave, 604-738-2819 WEST VANCOUVER West Vancouver Community Centre 780–22nd, West Vancouver, 604-925-7270 West Vancouver Family Place Drop-in for parents/caregivers & preschool children (infant to 6 yrs), 604-925-7172
Parkgate Branch 3675 Banff Crt, N Vanc, 604-929-3727 PORT COQUITLAM Terry Fox Library 2470 Mary Hill Rd, Port Coq, 604-927-7999 RICHMOND Brighouse–Main Branch 100–7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, 604-231-6401 Cambie Branch Cambie Shopping Plaza (SW corner) 150–11590 Cambie Road, Richmond 604-273-ABCD (2223)
Gleneagles Community Centre 5575 Marine, West Vancouver, 604-921-2100 Parent & Tot Storytimes (FREE) Call or visit each branch for details. ABBOTSFORD
Ironwood Branch 8200–11688 Steveston Hwy, Richmond 604-231-6468 Steveston Branch 4111 Moncton, Richmond, 604-274-2012
Clearbrook Library 32320 George Ferguson Way 604-859-7814, ext 229
SURREY Cloverdale Branch 5642–176A St, Surrey, 604-576-1384
MSA Centennial Library 33660 South Fraser Way 604-853-1753
Fleetwood Branch 15996–84 Ave, Surrey, 604-572-5922
Mount Lehman Library 5875 Mount Lehman Road 604-856-4988
Guildford Branch 15105–105 Ave, Surrey, 604-588-5015
South Arm Centre 8880 Williams, Richmond, 604-718-8060
Kitsilano Neighbourhood House @ Acadia Pk Multicultural drop-in for parents and their children 0-4 yrs. M, W, F, 10 - 11:30 am. Acadia Park & Apartments, 2707 Tennis Crescent, UBC Campus, Vanc 604-736-3588
Steveston Centre 4111 Moncton, Richmond, 604-718-8080
Marpole Family Place 1305 W 70th Ave, Vanc, 604-263-1405
Cameron Branch 9523 Cameron, Burnaby, 604-421-5454
Thompson Centre 5151 Granville Ave, Rmd, 604-718-8422
Marpole–Oakridge Community Centre 990 W 59th Ave, Vanc, 604-257-8180
Port Kells Branch 18885–88 Ave, Surrey, 604-882-0733
McGill Branch 4595 Albert, Burnaby, 604-299-8955
West Richmond Centre 9180 No 1 Rd, Rmd, 604-718-8400
Mount Pleasant Community Centre 3160 Ontario St, Vanc, 604-713-1888
Strawberry Hill Branch 7399–122 St, Surrey, 604-501-5836
COQUITLAM
SURREY
Mount Pleasant Family Centre 2910 St George St, Vanc, 604-872-5213
Whalley Branch 10347–135 St, Surrey, 604-588-5951
Sea Island Centre 7140 Miller, Richmond, 604-718-8000
Cloverdale Recreation Centre 6220–184 St, Surrey, 604-502-6400
BURNABY Bob Prittle Metrotown Branch 6100 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, 604-436-5420
Poirier St Branch 575 Poirier, Coquitlam, 604-937-4144 City Centre Branch 3001 Burlington Dr, Coquitlam, 604-927-3561
Newton Branch 13795–70 Ave, Surrey, 604-596-7401 Ocean Park Branch 12854–17 Ave, Surrey, 604-502-6304
VANCOUVER Britannia VPL Branch 1661 Napier, Vancouver, 604-665-2222
Guildford Recreation Centre 15105-105 Ave, Surrey, 604-502-6360
Movies for Mommies* Wednesdays, 12:30 pm The Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway (at the Commercial Skytrain station), Vancouver www.moviesformommies.com See ad on page 29
Newton Recreation Centre 7120-136B St, Surrey, 604-501-5040
Renfrew Park Community Centre 2929 E 22nd Ave, Vanc, 604-257-8388
South Surrey Recreation Centre 2199–148 St, Surrey, 604-502-6200
Riley Park Community Centre 50 E 30th Ave, Vancouver, 604-257-8545
Tsawwassen Library
Surrey Sport & Leisure Co 16555 Fraser Hwy, Surrey, 604-501-5950
Roundhouse Community Centre 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vanc, 604-713-1800
Dunbar VPL Branch 4515 Dunbar, Vanc, 604-665-3968
1321A - 56 Street 604-943-2271
North Surrey Recreation Centre 10275–135 Street, Surrey, 604-502-6300
South Vancouver Family Place 7710 Nanaimo St, Vanc, 604-325-5213
Firehall Library 1455 W 10th Ave, Vanc, 604-665-3970
MAPLE RIDGE
VANCOUVER
Strathcona Community Centre 601 Keefer St, Vancouver, 604-713-1838
Maple Ridge Public Library 130 - 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Mpl Ridge 604-467-7417
Fraserview VPL 1950 Argyle Dr, Vanc, 604-665-3957
Sunset Pool 404 E 51st Ave, Vanc, 604-718-6505
NEW WESTMINSTER
Fleetwood Recreation Centre 15996–84 Ave, Surrey, 604-401-5003
Britannia Community Centre 1661 Napier St, Vanc, 604-718-5800 Britannia Pool 1661 Napier St, Vanc, 604-718-5800 Champlain Heights 3350 Maquinna Dr, Vanc, 604-718-6575
Trout Lake Community Centre 3350 Victoria Dr, Vanc, 604-257-6955
DELTA
Central Library VPL 350 W Georgia St, Vanc, 604-331-3663
George Mackie Library 8440 112 St, Delta, 604-594-8155
Champlain Heights VPL 7110 Kerr St, Vancouver, 604-665-3955
Ladner Pioneer Library 4683 - 51 Street 604-946-6215
Collingwood VPL Branch 2985 Kingsway, Vanc, 604-665-3953
New Westminster Public Library 716–6th Ave, New West, 604-527-4660
Hastings VPL 2674 E Hastings, Vanc, 604-665-3959 Joe Fortes VPL 870 Denman, Vanc, 604-665-3972
Vancouver Aquatic Centre 1050 Beach Ave, Vanc, 604-665-3424 urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca| summer 11 | 37
Parent & Tot Storytimes (FREE) cont’d
Photography cont’d
Public Health Services/Nurses cont’d
VANCOUVER cont’d
Jillian Kirby Baby* Trust those first moments of your baby’s life to newborn and baby specialist photographer Jillian Kirby. Discover the comfort, quality and attention to detail of working with a boutique baby photographer. www.jilliankirbybaby.com 604-807-6687 See ad on page 5
Cloverdale Public Health Unit 17536–58th Ave, Sry, 604-575-5100
Kia Porter Photography* Capturing fun, capturing chaos...capturing life! Candid portraiture in colour or black & white. On location or in the comfort of your own home. Digital negatives always included! www.kiaporter.com 604-787-4236 See ad on page 8
Maple Ridge Preventive Health Services 400-22470 Dewdney Trunk, Maple Ridge 604-476-7000
Kerrisdale VPL 2112 W 42nd Ave, Vanc, 604-665-3974 Kensington VPL 1428 Cedar Cottage Mews, Vancouver, 604-665-3961 Kitsilano VPL 2425 MacDonald, Vanc, 604-665-3976 Marpole VPL 8386 Granville St, Vanc, 604-665-3978 Mount Pleasant VPL 370 E Broadway, Vanc, 604-665-3962 Oakridge VPL 101–650 W 41st Ave, Vanc, 604-665-3980 Renfrew VPL 2969 E 22nd Ave, Vanc, 604-257-8705 Riley Park VPL 3981 Main St, Vancouver, 604-665-3964 South Hill VPL 6076 Fraser, Vancouver, 604-665-3965 Strathcona Community Library 592 Pender St, Vancouver, 604-665-3967 West Point Grey VPL 4480 W 10th Ave, Vanc, 604-665-3982 WEST VANCOUVER West Vancouver Memorial Library 1950 Marine, West Vanc, 604-925-7400 Photography Ashleigh Wells Photography* 778-228-7387 info@ashleighwellsphotography.com www.ashleighwellsphotography.com See ad on page 14 Bliss Photographic* Natural family photography. Available in studio or on location to capture the moments and people you love. Gift certificates available. Please visit our website for more information. www.blissphotographic.ca 604-970-3872 See ad on page 21 Bopomo Pictures* Bopomo offers a modern and fresh approach to studio photography combining convenience, fun and affordability with high-quality photography. Session fees only $29.95! Two locations: • 2631 W Broadway, Vanc; 604-678-1411 • 110-15745 Croydon Dr (The Shops at Morgan Crossing), Surrey, 778-294-0711 www.bopomo.ca See ad on page 6 Eclipse Photography* Award-winning and over 20 years of experience, photographer Kimberly Mara specializes in maternity, newborns & family portraiture. B/W & colour. Open 6 days/ week. In studio or on location. Studio is 600 sq ft with all amenities including makeup, change room/baby room & washroom. 604-984-7427; eclipsephotography@shaw.ca Online gallery: www.eclipsephotography.ca See ad on page 2
Leina Wade Photography* Enjoy custom photography by newborn and baby photo specialist Leina Wade. You will love the comfort and quality that every session provides. www.leinawadephotography.com 604-341-1510 info@leinawadephotography.com See ad on page 18 Plus One Photography* My aim is to capture a moment of your child and preserve it in a story. www.plusonephotography.com zeynep@plusonephotography.com See ad on page 27 Veridamo Photography* We are looking for children to participate in the 3nd annual “Kids of Vancouver” coffee table book. Proceeds go directly to local food bank children’s programs. www.kidsofvancouver.com www.veridamo.com 604-910-7020 See ad on page 9
Coquitlam Preventive Health Srv 200–205 Newport, Pt Mdy, 604-949-7200 Guildford Public Health Unit 100–10233-153 St, Sry, 604-587-4750 Langley Public Health Unit 20389 Fraser Hwy, Lang, 604-539-2900
New Westminster Preventive Health Services 537 Carnarvon, New West, 604-777-6740 Newton Public Health Unit 200–7337–137 St, Sry, 604-592-2000 North Community Health Office 200–1651 Commercial, Vanc; 604-253-3575 North Delta Public Health Unit 11245–84 Ave, Delta, 604-507-5400 North Shore Community Health Services Central Community Health Centre 5th floor, 132 W Esplanade, North Vancouver, 604-983-6700 North Surrey Public Health Unit 220–10362 King George Hwy, Sry 604-587-7900 Pac Spirit Community Health Centre 2110 W 43rd Ave, Vanc; 604-261-6366 Parkgate Community Health Centre 2 Fl, 3625 Banff Crt, N Vanc,604-904-6450 Port Coq Preventive Health Services 2266 Wilson, Pt Moody, 604-777-8700 Port Moody Preventive Health Services 200-205 Newport, Pt Moody, 604-949-7200 Raven Song Community Health Centre 2450 Ontario St, Vanc, 604-709-6400
Prenatal Classes
Richmond Health Department 7000 Westminster Hwy, Rmd,604-233-3150
BC Women’s Hospital 604-875-2169
S. Delta-Ladner Publ Health Unit 4470 Clarence Taylor, Ldner, 604-952-3550
Belly to Baby Prenatal Education* Sarah Alexander, RN; 604-469-2698 www.bellytobaby.ca; bellytobaby@ shaw.ca A comprehensive course that empowers and equips women and their birth partners with knowledge and confidence for their birth. Weekend and private courses avail. Canada’s 1st retailer for the Dunstan Baby Language. Obstetrical TENS machine rentals (decrease labour pain without medication). Twins class coming in January 2011. See ad on page 16
South Community Health Office 6405 Knight St, Vanc; 604-321-6151
Douglas College 604-527-5476 Serving Rmd, N Delta, Sry, & Langley Lower Mainland Childbearing Society 604-878-1031/registrar@childbearing.org North Vancouver Health Department 604-983-6863 St. Paul’s Hospital 604-806-8298 Public Health Services/Nurses Burnaby Preventive Health Services 300–4946 Canada Way, Burnaby 604-918-7605
38 | urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca | summer 11
Three Bridges Community Health Centre 1292 Hornby St, Vanc; 604-736-9844 Vancouver Community Health Services Evergreen Community Health Centre 3425 Crowley Dr, Vanc; 604-872-2511 West Comm Health Centre 990–22nd St, West Vanc; 604-904-6200 White Rock Public Health Unit 15476 Vine Ave, Wh Rock, 604-542-4000 Retailers–Clothing, Equipment, Accessories & Gifts Active Baby* With the largest selection of active, outdoor and green products for newborn to 4, ACTIVE BABY is a destination of active families at its Capilano Mall location on the North Shore, and online at: www.activebaby.ca 604-986-8977; info@activebaby.ca See ad on page 18
Retailers–Clothing, Equipment, Accessories & Gifts cont’d Along Comes A Baby* Along Comes A Baby is 6000 sq ft of moms’ paradise. We have what moms want! Bum Genius, Phil & Ted’s, Graco, Peg Perego, Ergo, Peanut Shell, Medela, Avent & more. Take exit 258 go east 1-1/2 blocks on L behind I-Hop. 436 W. Bakerview St., 104, Bellingham, WA www.alongcomesababy.com 360-671-5523 See ad on page 16 Baby On Board* Baby On Board sells strollers by Peg Perego, BOB, Maclaren, Mountain Buggy, Bugaboo, Baby Jogger, Valco Baby and Britax. We carry a carefully selected assortment of the finest baby products plus a complete assortment of care products. Two locations: • Richmond Ctr Mall (Rmd), 604-273-0884 • Sunwood Square Mall (Coq),778-285-8282 www.babyonboard.ca See ad on page 15 Boomers and Echoes Kids & Maternity* The North Shore’s largest selection of new and quality consigned, newborn to size 8 and maternity and nursing wear. Furniture, carseats and strollers. Serving families for over 28 years. 1985 Lonsdale, North Vancouver 604-984-6163 www.boomersandechoes.com See ad on page 19 Coco & Tini* Naturally pure hair and bath care for little ones info@cocoandtini.com www.cocoandtini.com See ad on page 6 Granville Island Toy Company, The* Providing children with unique and educational toys that engage and entertain. We have a great selection of eco-friendly toys, as well as toys that are manufactured locally, within Canada and the United States. Open 10 am - 6 pm every day. Two locations: • 3298 Main St, Vanc, 604-875-0065 •#11 - 1496 Cartwright St, Kids Market, Granville Island, 604-684-0076 See ad on page 11 HeidiKids* We provide quality wooden toys for small kids. www.heidikids.com See ad on page 29 Jack & Lola* 135 West 1st St, North Vancouver www.jackandlola.ca 778-340-5225 See ad on page 4 Kids Market* Endlessly fun and fascinating stores! 30 unique shops and services for kids and kidsat-heart. Fashion, toys, games, costumes and more. Kids’ hair salon, play area and arcade. Open daily, 10 am - 6 pm. 1496 Cartwright, Granv Is, 604-689-8447 www.kidsmarket.ca See ad on page 18
*Denotes advertiser
Retailers–Clothing, Equipment, Accessories & Gifts cont’d
Retailers–Clothing, Equipment, Accessories & Gifts cont’d
Lussobaby* Where discerning parents discover modern nursery furniture, stylish clothing for little ones, locally-made organic gifts. Plus essentials for meal time, bath time and play time. 1037 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 778-340-0648; www.lussobaby.ca See ad on page 3
Zoolu Organics* Eco-chic, stylish & sustainable clothing for kids. Zoolu proves that organic doesn’t have to mean boring and kids’ clothing doesn’t have to be cliché or cutesy. www.zooluorganics.com See ad on page 26
Moojoes Kids Gear Inc.* Quality kids gear for everyday use. Our products are useful, environmentally friendly, inspiring for kids, and free of harmful substances. www.moojoes.com 604-916-2336 See ad on page 8
Babysafe Childproofing* Helping families across the Lower Mainland create safe and secure environments fo their little ones to grow and thrive in. Babysafe offers home safety consultations, products and installation. www.babysafechildproofing.ca 604-866-8939 See ad on page 22
Odette Alfaro Jewelry* Personalized handstamped jewelry designs, perfect for everyday wear, ranging from keepsake mommy necklace to masculine military tags. All pieces can be customized to your names, dates, words or phrases. www.odettealfaro.com See ad on page 2 Room for Two* Room for Two is your best pre and post birth resource centre. Along with maternity and nursing wear, breastfeeding items such as bras and pumps are our specialty. Owner, Lorena, is a 20-year experienced doula and childbirth educator. 1409 Commercial Dr, Vancouver 604-255-0508 See ad on page 25 Stuck On You Labels* Stuck On You is personalizing the world one name at a time. Gorgeous height charts, lunch bags, water bottles and more...plus don’t forget your labels. Stylish labels that stay stuck for all your child’s belongings! www.stuckonyou.biz See ad on page 13 The Party Monkey - Your online party supplies store* Western Canada’s new store. Carrying supplies for birthdays, baby showers, bridal, themes & other special occasions. www.thepartymonkey.ca or call 778-298-1777 or email info@thepartymonkey.ca See ad on page 4 Tomato Footwear* Children’s footwear 102 - 1926 W 4th Ave, Vancouver 604-433-6448 www.tomatoesshoes.com See ad on page 11 Twinklebelle Design* Mom/kid-approved lines of products, designed by Vancouver moms: - Grow-with-me sun hats - Non-slip hair accessories - Funky bibs - Nursing covers that double as stroller sun shades - Handmade baby knits & more www.twinklebelle.net See ad on page 25
Safety
Sleep Consultants Hushababy Consulting* Teach your baby/child to sleep through the night and take great naps! Professional and dedicated to providing the best, prompt service to your family. Baby sleeping manuals also available for your convenience. www.hushababy.com See ad on page 19 Sleep Sense, Crystal DiNicolo, professional child sleep consultant* Customized plans to teach your child to sleep through the night and take superb naps! Very supportive, dedicated and compassionate service www.sleepsense.net/vancouver 604-469-7077 See ad on page 21 Support Services BC Women’s Hospital Nutrition counselling for pregnant women. Free service/no referral necessary 604-875-2330
Support Services cont’d Pacific Post Partum Support Society 104–1416 Commercial Dr, Vanc 604-255-7999 Parent Support Services Parent Support Circles Prog throughout BC. FREE service. 604-669-1616; 1-877-345-9777 www.parentsupportbc.ca South Community Birth Program 6405 Knight St, Vancouver; 604-321-6151 Surrey-Delta Parents of Multiples 604-626-4550, twinmom@shaw.ca Woman Care, BC Family Care 31-22374 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge 604-463-5513 YWCA Single Mothers’ Support Services 604-895-5789; www.ywsinglemoms.org Ultrasounds–3D & 4D 3D Mom and Baby Ultrasound* 3D and 4D ultrasound allows parents and families to witness the beginning of a new life. Visit our website at www.3dmomandbaby.com. 308 - 16088 84th Avenue, Surrey 604-507-1002 See ad on page 15
Pollock Clinics* No-Scalpel/No-Needle Vasectomy. A simple and virtually painless, bloodless 7 minute procedure done through a tiny 2mm opening requiring no stitches to close, with a better than 99.9% success rate. The procedure is performed by Dr. Neil Pollock, M.D., a wellknown expert on men’s contraceptive health. 604-717-6200; www.pollockclinics.com See ad on page 20. ]
NEXT ISSUE FALL 2011
Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre of SACS 13629 - 108th Avenue, Sry 604-584-2008 Maple Ridge Family Education & Support Ctr 604-467-6055
“ I would like to let you know that I LOVE your publication. It is fun, informative and well-written! I have been a dedicated reader for years!” “ Just the other day while I was waiting for my girlfriend in a lobby, I came across your magazine. I thought it was very informative and resourceful! Keep up the good work!” - Eddie Mai
“ Since having my daughter last September, I have found urbanbaby & toddler to be such a wonderful resource as a first time mother! My only wish is that there were more issues in the year.” “ I love your magazine and always pick it up when I see a new one out.” - Amber Arce-Starshine
Cherish Childbirth Care (formerly Vancouver Childbirth Services) www.CherishChildbirth.com 604-626-1079
Healthiest Babies Possible Free outreach programs for pregnant moms. Bby/New West: 604-659-2225 Abbotsford/Langley: 604-859-7681 Coq/Mp Rdg/Pt Coq/Pt Mdy: 604-777-8718 Sry/Delta/White Rock: 604-583-1017 Vancouver: 604-877-4672
- Vicki G
- Dalyn Szilvassy
Best Start Parenting Centre Parenting groups, seminars, tel counselling. 604-925-0831 (fees & registration)
Health Link BC 811 or www.healthlinkbc.ca
“ I think urbanbaby & toddler is an OUTSTANDING resource and a fabulous publication! I have a 3-year old little girl and I’ve been picking up your magazine since I was first expecting! It really is fabulous!”
- Crystal DiNicolo
Vasectomy
Best Babies of the Langleys Supporting at-risk pregnant & postnatal women. 100–20689 Fraser Hwy, Langley 604-530-2772
Coquitlam Pregnancy Concern Ctr 2512 Arundel Lane, Coq 604-939-2633
Reach urbanbaby & toddler’s loyal readership
Reach new & expecting parents and young families in the Lower Mainland!
“I just want to say I love your magazine, I actually had to pick up a second one because my first one was just a mess with being used to much.” - Joanna Casavant
“ I love your urbanbaby & toddler.” - Bonnie Davis, childbirth & educator/doula
featuring articles on
Health • Pregnancy Nutrition • Parenting Fitness • Education Events & more
To advertise:
info@urbanbaby.ca 604-420-8760
info@urbanbaby.ca urbanbaby & toddler | www.urbanbaby.ca| summer 11 | 39
the smart choice in education enriched curriculum individualized reading, writing, math, science, computers, music, arts, French, sports, drama, yoga, dance specialized programs traditional 3 year cefa™ Junior Kindergarten program for 2-3, 3-4 and 4-5 year olds; cefa baby™ for 1-2 year olds excellent faculty cefa™ certified teachers also licensed in ece and trained in montessori and reggio. Loving and nurturing teachers inspire children to learn using exclusive cefa™ educational methods and games full day or part-time school on-site chef, classrooms of 12-16 children, cinema, circus, art room and art gallery West Vancouver 2008 Park Royal South 604.913.7713 westvancouver@cefa.ca Canada Way 4970 Canada Way 604.299.2373 canadaway@cefa.ca Langley 100-19950 88th Avenue East 604.881.2332 langley@cefa.ca North Vancouver 402-935 Marine Drive 604.929.2332 northvancouver@cefa.ca New Westminster 725 Carnarvon Street 604.777.0053 newwestminster@cefa.ca White Rock 15300 Croydon Drive 778.294.2646 whiterock@cefa.ca Richmond 10811 No. 4 Road 604.275.2332 richmond@cefa.ca Vancouver 2946 Commercial Drive 604.879.2332 vancouver@cefa.ca Kingsway 4021 Kingsway 604.568.8808 kingsway@cefa.ca
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