June 2014 Island Parent by Island Parent Group

Island Parent Celebrating

26 Years

The Resource Publication for Vancouver Island Parents

June 2014

Yo! Papa Tips, advice & ramblings Long-Haul Flying with Kids FaceTime The new Playdate Vow to a Baby A Greener Imagination

Summer Programs

children’s boutique

mps a C y a D Half m-4pm 1p m-12pm &

Sports & Games

• Shoes • Clothing • Toys

SUMMER COLLECTIONS ARE HERE!

Newborn to 12 years

Stories

Arts & Crafts

FUN GES FOR A S 3-9 YR

DOWNTOWN

624 Fort St 250 360 2570

BROADMEAD VILLAGE

777 Royal Oak Dr 250 360 2520

TAKE A BREAK, WHILE YOUR CHILD EXPLORES INDEPENDENCE, FRIENDSHIPS & 8 BALL SPORTS IN SPORTBALL SUMMER CAMPS! CAMPBELL RIVER | NANAIMO | SHAWNIGAN LAKE GREATER VICTORIA | PENDER ISLAND

www.scallywags-island.ca

VAN.ISLAND@SPORTBALL.CA 250.590.4625 | 1.877.590.4625

WWW.SPORTBALL.CA

33 Camps (Up to) 10 hours per day of care 1 amazing summer! Call 250.412.8500 to register. www.esquimalt.ca/recreation to view our guide.

Camps start at $17/day.* *5-day Summer Playground Camps

Specialized Camps include: Build It or Break It (6-9yrs) l Digital Photography for Kids (6-10yrs) l En Français (6-9yrs) l Aqua Antics (9-12yrs) l Saltspring Island Kayaking Trip (12-17yrs)

STUDY SKILLS

M AT H

S AT / AC T P R E P

WRITING

READING

HOMEWORK HELP

of the Curve . . With Summer Learning at Sylvan Ah, summer break: Sunshine, vacation plans and R&R. But, did you know, your child can lose up to 2-1/2 months of learning over the summer? Sylvan’s got you covered. With our summer sessions, your child can beat summer learning loss, build skills, and get off to a great start in the fall. Summer sessions are filling up fast. Call today!

Sylvan Victoria

250-477-3212

directorvictoria@sylvanvi.ca

Sylvan Nanaimo

250-758-1526

directornanaimo@sylvanvi.ca

Sylvan Westshore

250-590-6211

directorwestshore@sylvanvi.ca

Sylvan Duncan

250-746-0222

directorduncan@sylvanvi.ca

SYLVAN STUDENTS SEE UP TO THREE TIMES MORE GROWTH *Visit SylvanResearchInstitute.com for complete Sylvan ﬁeld research results.

SPECIAL SUMMER PACKAGE NOW AVAILABLE. Call now for more details on our special summer package which includes the assessment, registration fee and 40 hours of instruction at a 15% discount.

Offer valid at participating locations only. Must be purchased by June 25th, 2014. Hours to be used between June 26th, 2014 and September 3rd, 2014.

SYLVANLEARNING.CA

www.IslandParent.ca

June 2014 1

Contents: June 2014 Feature

Fearless Spiritual Conversations................................................................................. 16

Articles

Where Were Your Parents?......................................................................................... 10 A Greener Imagination............................................................................................... 11 Vow to a Baby............................................................................................................ 12 Yo! Papa.................................................................................................................... 15 Fearless Spiritual Conversations................................................................................. 16 FaceTime: The New Playdate..................................................................................... 19 Struggle to Juggle?...................................................................................................... 20 Long-Haul Flying with Kids....................................................................................... 22 Summer Programs...................................................................................................... 24 Our Place in the Village.............................................................................................. 42 Finding Her Voice...................................................................................................... 44 The Joys of Owning a Dog......................................................................................... 46 Teachable Moments Through Spilt Milk.................................................................... 48

Columns

Exhibition OPENS JUNE 21

Editor’s Note................................................................................................................ 3 Healthy Families; Happy Families.............................................................................. 50 Dadspeak................................................................................................................... 52 New Parent Pages....................................................................................................... 58 Just Eat It!.................................................................................................................. 60 Maternity & Beyond.................................................................................................. 62 Book Nook................................................................................................................ 64 Is There an App for This?........................................................................................... 68 Nature Notes............................................................................................................. 70 Cut It Out.................................................................................................................. 72

Departments

Proudly supported by:

IPM Notes.................................................................................................................... 4 Party Directory..................................................................................................... 34, 35 Family Calendar......................................................................................................... 36 Around the Island...................................................................................................... 40 Family Services Directory..................................................................................... 54, 55 Preschool & Child Care Directory........................................................................ 66, 67 Business & Professional Directory.............................................................................. 69

BC Hydro

Island Parent Magazine, produced by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a monthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for families, and a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Letters (max 250 words) should be emailed to the Editor at editor@islandparent.ca. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome and should be emailed to editor@islandparent.ca. Island Parent Magazine is distributed free in selected areas. Subscriptions can be obtained by sending $28.00 (includes GST) with your name and address to the address below. Canada Post: Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement 40051398.

Westerkirk Foundation

Island Parent Magazine

Aboriginal Cultural Festival Celebrate BC’s First Nations and Metis cultures through performances and events. June 19 – 21 In Partnership with:

2 Island Parent Magazine

Suite A-10, 830 Pembroke St, Victoria, BC V8T 1H9 Tel: 250-388-6905 Toll Free: 1-888-372-0862 Websites: www.islandparent.ca, www.kidsinvictoria.com Publisher/Owner: Mark Warner Editor: Sue Fast Sales & Marketing: RaeLeigh Buchanan Publisher’s Assistant: Linda Frear Bookkeeping: Elaine Francis Distribution: Ray Cutts, Ted Dawe (Mid-Island) Founders: Jim Holland & Selinde Krayenhoff Production: Eacrett Graphic Design Printed at Black Press, Victoria Cover printed at Hillside Printing ISSN 0838-5505

On the Cover: Treya W., age 7. Cover Photo: Rebecca Wellman of Rebecca Wellman Photography, www.rwellmanphotography.com

Jump into June A one-a-day list of things to do June 1st. Create your own fish fashion at Sea-Shirt Sunday from 1-3pm at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney. BYOTshirt. Admission plus $2 for fabric paint. 2nd. Trace Captain Vancouver’s expedition as you work your way through the galleries at the Maritime Museum, gathering a new puzzle piece to complete a mystery image in this self-led activity. 3rd. Drop by Ladysmith’s Make it, Bake it, Grow it Market on Tuesdays at Transfer Beach from 2-6pm and gather ingredients for a picnic at the nearby seashore. 4th. Learn about the traders, colonizers and plunderers that we know as Vikings at Royal BC Museum’s Vikings exhibit, running until November 11. 5th. Stay out of the way at the Soap Box Derby Finals, going downhill fast on Stone Ave at 6pm during the Cowichan Lake Festival (June 1-8). 6th. Buy a stack of old comic books from a second-hand bookshop and read them on the grass, in the shade. 7th. March along with the Oak Bay Tea Party parade, leaving Windsor Park at 10:30am and ending up at Willows Beach where you’ll find a weekend’s worth of fun. 8th. Celebrate World Oceans Day, 11am-3pm, at a free event on the grass behind the aquarium in Sidney. Enjoy live performances, ocean-themed games, face painting and more. 9th. Chase the ice-cream truck. 10th. Send then receive a postcard from a random spot in the world through Postcrossing at www.postcrossing.com. 11th. Freeze something fun into your ice cubes: gummy worms, raspberries, chocolate chips. 12th. Document your day in photographs. 13th. Make like a pirate at Buccaneer Days (June 13-15) in Esquimalt where you’ll find a midway, sky divers, a kids’ play zone, races, a parade, and a pancake breakfast. 14th. Be a Hometown Tourist (June 1415) in Ladysmith, Cedar, South Nanaimo, and Chemainus with harbour boat tours, free guided mining history tours, and other activities. Visit take5.ca/hometowntourist. 15th. Do It For Dads at the Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer at Royal Roads University, starting at 10am. There’s a 3km walk or an 8km run/walk. www.IslandParent.ca

Visit www.theprostatecentre.org. 16th. Visit the library and sign up for the free Summer Reading program. 17th. Break a world record. For ideas, visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com. 18th. Make a batch of scented sidewalk paint (www.themagnoliabarn.com) and paint the town red…or yellow…or blue…

Editor’s Note Sue Fast 19th. Stop and smell the flowers amidst the 10,000 varieties of plants at Victoria’s Horticultural Centre of the Pacific where admission is free on every 3rd Thursday. 20th. Stay up late at the Ship Point Night Market from 6-10:30pm where you’ll find artists, musicians, and jugglers. 21st. Celebrate Aboriginal Day with artists, musicians, dancers and food in Pacific Rim National Park and the Tin Wis resort on Tofino’s MacKenzie Beach. 22nd. Modify your Super Soaker. To find out how, visit www.sscentral.org/mods 23rd. Swim, skate or sweat at a Saanich recreation centre with a free drop-in pass— available at your library when checked out on an adult card. Single user or any combination of: up to 2 adults and 4 children. 24th. Join the 30th Annual Chemainus Twilight Shuffle 5K, one of the Island’s only evening running events, this one at 7pm. 25th. Jump rope—the kind that requires at least three people: two to hold the ends and twirl the rope; one or more to skip. 26th. Get out the face paint—and let the kids decorate the parents. 27th. Go skimboarding at Witty’s Lagoon. Low tide is at 10am. 28th. Be dazzled by Butchart Gardens’ Saturday Night Fireworks, featuring a spectacular show with both aerial and ground displays from 10:15-11:15pm. 29th. Twirl along at the Victoria Harbour Ferry Water Ballet, a 10-minute show on Sundays at 10:45am throughout June, then on Saturdays, too, in July and August. 30th. String a hammock and relax. Happy Summer. June 2014 3

IPM Notes Scallywags & Success by 6

Summer Day Camps

Beaver Lake • Glanford • Gordon Head Lakehill • Marigold • Pearkes • Westshore June 30 – July 4 (closed July 1) • July 7 – 11 July 14 – 18 • July 21 – 25 • July 28 – Aug 1 Aug 5 – 8 (closed Aug 4) • Aug 11 – 15 Aug 18 – 22 • Aug 25 – 29 Hours of Operation: 7:00am – 5:30pm Kids Klub Centre is a VIHA licensed, non-profit, charitable organization offering quality children’s programs since 1990.

Scallywags Children’s Boutique in partnership with Success by 6 is holding its third annual fundraiser on June 1 to help raise funds to support families and young children in Greater Victoria. Success By 6 South Vancouver Island was established in 2004 to support communities working together to enhance early childhood development. Over the last several years, Success By 6 has developed strong connections to the communities it serves and has funded over 60 programs—supporting a multitude of valuable Early Childhood Development programs. Having been part of the Victoria community for nearly two decades, Scallywags understands that community is an important part of any healthy business. Scallywags works with several Greater Victoria organizations to support arts, education, sport and just plain fun for kids. Scallywags is proud to partner with Success by 6 to help support some of its programs. As part of the Community Support Initiative, Scallywags will be donating 10 per cent of all sales proceeds from June 1-15 to Success by 6. So far Scallywags has raised over $3,500 for Success by 6 by donating part of sales proceeds in the month of June. For more information, visit www. scallywags-island.ca or www.Success By6Victoria.ca.

oTENTik, a Hassle-free Camping Escape Camping is comfortable and convenient with the new oTENTiks at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, a setting steeped in history and natural beauty. The five fully-constructed oTENTiks, sleeping up to 6 people comfortably, blend a tent with a rustic cabin. Each includes a patio, fire pit, lawn chairs, and firewood. Various cooking and cleaning amenities are also on hand to create a hassle-free experience. oTENTiks take the stress out of camping for families with young children; you’ll need little more than sleeping bags and food. The grounds offer freedom to explore and with restaurants and shops close by, oTENTiks are also an ideal getaway for couples and groups. Have dinner out and then return to share laughs around the campfire. You

www.kidsklub.ca 250.881.1223 4 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

can rent multiple units for special occasions with up to 30 guests. The venue’s interpretive programs and special events offer daytime entertainment. After day-visitors depart, oTENTik guests have the historic grounds to themselves where they can enjoy woodland walks, the distant city lights or stargazing around the campfire. Stay overnight in Canada’s best-preserved West Coast artillery fort and first lighthouse. The oTENTiks are available until Sept 2. Overnight guests should bring bedding, clothing, food, drinks, flashlight, and any comfort items. Bookings are also available during the shoulder seasons for schools, Scouts, Guides and other organized groups. To reserve, call 1-877-737-3783 or visit www.reservation.pc.gc.ca.

Relay for Life 2014 Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is Canada’s biggest cancer fundraiser, giving you and the community the opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, remember and honour loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back for a future without cancer. During this non-competitive fun-filled event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps around a track for 12 or more hours. Each team is asked to have at least one team member on the track at all times throughout the event. Relay For Life 2014 is happening in various Island communities on different dates in June: Westshore on June 13-14 from 7pm7am at City Centre Park, Westhills Stadium; Cowichan Valley on May 31-June 1 from 6pm-6am at the Cowichan Sportsplex; Nanaimo on June 13-14 from 7pm-7am at NDSS Rotary Bowl; Comox Valley on June 7-8 from 7pm-7am at Vanier Track; and Campbell River on May 31-June 1 from 7pm-7am at Ecole Phoenix Middle School. Relay participants make a commitment to raise a minimum of $100 for the Canadian Cancer Society, although the average participant in B.C. and Yukon raises $335. Challenge yourself and your team—the more money raised, the bigger the impact against cancer. Funds raised help the Canadian Cancer Society save lives by investing in outstanding cancer research, offering caring cancer support services, and leading prevention initiatives. For more information, or to register as a team captain, team member, survivor, or volunteer, visit www.relaybc.ca.

www.IslandParent.ca

Panorama Recreation Panorama Recreation is excited to offer over 50 exciting camps this summer! We’ve carefully planned our programs to accommodate the interests, needs and abilities of all of the youth in our community. We’ve even included some flexible options at Greenglade Community Centre and Centennial park, where you can choose between morning, afternoon or full-day camps, and where you can also choose between daily and weekly registration! How convenient is that?!

2014 Summer Camps

www.panoramarecreation.ca 250.656.7271

S U M M E R DAY CA M P S OPEN TO EVERYONE!

Friends, Fun, Adventure!

Technology Camps

Lux Mundi Jun 24 – Aug 29

9:00am – 4:00pm* *extended care available

7:30am – 6:00pm

Field trips every day, sports, arts & crafts, theme days, scavenger hunts, and more! Suitable for ages 5 – 10

Week-long camps all summer

Lego WeDo Lego Robotics Minecraft Scratch Programming

Christ Church Cathedral School

912 Vancouver Street | 250-383-5125 luxmundi@cathedralschool.ca | www.cathedralschool.ca

June 2014 5

IPM Notes Variety Annual Boat for Hope The 10th annual Variety Boat for Hope provides children who have special needs with a fun-filled day on the water. On Saturday, June 7 in Victoria’s Inner Harbour kids can live out their best pirate fantasy. Kids of all ages hunt for treasure, fill their loot bags, and experience life as it’s meant to be…fun and exciting. The day is capped off with a land party that features a hearty barbecue, children’s activities and live entertainment. Due to lifejacket sizing, only children between the ages of 4-18 years of age can go on the boat trip, and must be accompanied by one or two adults. Siblings of participants under the age of 4 must provide their own CSA-approved lifejacket. Local skippers volunteer their time and their boats, and they collect pledges from the community to raise funds for Variety while also providing a one-of-a kind experience for children and their families. You can help by visiting your local Pharmasave until June 24 and adding $2 at the till or by donating online. The event is from 9am-2pm with sailings at 10am, 11am and noon. For information and registration, visit www.variety.bc.ca/ boatforhope.htm or email louise.duffy@ variety.bc.ca.

Heritage DanceFest Come celebrate Victoria’s ethnic energy as over 300 dancers take to the stage with vibrant costumes, traditional music, and exquisite choreography on Saturday, 6 Island Parent Magazine

June 14 from noon-5pm at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park. With over a dozen groups participating—Ukrainian, Chinese, Mexican, Scottish, Norwegian, Japanese and Irish to name a few—the Heritage DanceFest is a feast for the senses and a celebration of the multicultural communities within Victoria. Performances begin at noon with a traditional welcome from the Veselka Ukrainian Dancers. Pack a lunch, a blanket, a hat and a sweater and come for the day. Heritage DanceFest is a free event for the whole family. For more information, visit www.veselkadancers.com or call 250-475-1174.

Summer Programs at Gulf Islands National Park Reserve Looking for a family activity that gets your kids outside this summer? Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has free programs for all ages and interests. You don’t have to register. Just show up! At McDonald Campground near Sidney, make Campfire Magic on Fridays in June, July and August from 7-8 pm. Families with children 12 and under can join an interpreter for songs, stories, s’mores and more. Also at McDonald Campground, children 6-12 (accompanied by an adult) can become Junior Naturalists on Thursdays, 11amnoon in July and August. For programs at McDonald Campground, park at adjacent Blue Heron Park. On Saturna Island, choose from three programs. Join Orca News 2014, every Saturday in July and August from 2-2:30pm at East Point. Take a GPS Family Adventure on Sundays in July and August, 11am-1pm at Winter Cove. Enjoy the talents of island musicians and storytellers at Sunset Wildlife Watch on Fridays in July and August, 8-9pm at East Point. Go at your own pace and try Geocaching ( until Sept 1) or Trail Apps (starting July 1) at various locations in the park. It’s great fun for your tech-savvy youngsters. Celebrate World Oceans Day at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre on June 8; Canada Day at the Saturna Island Lamb BBQ on July 1 at Winter Cove; and Parks Day on July 18 at East Point, Saturna Island. For more information on these activities or great places to camp, visit parkscanada. gc.ca/gulfislands.

Team 4 Hope’s TOUCH A TRUCK This month, Victoria’s Team 4 Hope will host the 3rd Annual “TOUCH A TRUCK” for Pediatric Cancer Research on June 22

from 11am-3pm at Panorama Recreation Centre, 1885 Forest Park Dr, North Saanich. Children and their families are invited to get behind the wheel and explore trucks of all kinds, including firetrucks, police cars, excavators, cement trucks and more. This fun-filled afternoon also includes a host of family activities and a BBQ sponsored by Fairway Markets. In the past 2 years, Team 4 Hope’s TOUCH A TRUCK event has raised nearly $15,000 for critical neuroblastoma research. Team 4 Hope is dedicated to raising awareness of childhood cancer, namely neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is an aggressive and deadly nervous system tumor that is usually diagnosed in children age six and younger. It affects approximately 70 children in Canada per year. The chance for survival is grim, as neuroblastoma often comes back after treatment. After relapse, there is no standard treatment protocol and no cure. As of 2014, there were 10 children in the Victoria area who had been affected by neuroblastoma. Five of these children are currently in remission, two have relapsed and three have passed away. Due to the limited amount of neuroblastoma research, the survival rate has not changed significantly in the past 20 years. Team 4 Hope is hoping to initiate a positive change in neuroblastoma survival rates by raising research funds. Since forming three years ago, the team raised over $200,000 for neuroblastoma research, with an average of over 83 per cent of funds going directly to support new projects at research facilities in British Columbia, including the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (BC Cancer Agency). The team is proud to be the top fundraisers for neuroblastoma research in Western Canada. Join the Team 4 Hope at TOUCH A TRUCK 2014 for Pediatric Cancer Research to help give HOPE to children battling neuroblastoma. Tickets: $15 per family (advance), $20 per family (at the door) or $5 for individual tickets. To buy tickets, please visit www.team4hope. com or contact Melissa at melissa.drolet@ gmail.com, or phone 250-655-5009.

Summer Reading Club 2014: Funny Business! From June 26-August 31, kids 12 and under are invited to take part in GVPL’s Summer Reading Club. Whether you’re reading at home or on holidays, you can keep track of your reading and enjoy some incentives along the way. Staying in town? www.kidsinvictoria.com

You’re invited to join us for a selection of amazing library programs at branches throughout Greater Victoria. Online registration for special programs begins June 16. Beginning June 26, you are invited to drop by your local library to pick up a self-paced reading record. For more information about the club, or to register for programs, check our website at gvpl.ca. Summer Reading Buddies For children in Grades 2 to 4. Reading Buddies pairs children who need extra practice with reading with teen volunteers for fun literacy-based activities. Little Buddies and Big Buddies meet for an hour daily for one week. Week-long sessions are available between July 14 and August 22 at different branch libraries throughout the summer. Space is limited. Register online at gvpl.ca or call your local branch for more information. Registration begins June 16. Teen Volunteers Be a GVPL Big Buddy! For ages 13-18. If you like working with children, enjoy reading, and want to help struggling readers, we need you. Volunteer for one or two hours per afternoon for one or more weeks this summer. Week-long sessions are available between July 14 and August 22 at different branch libraries throughout the summer. For more information, email teens@gvpl. ca. Registration begins June 16 online at gvpl.ca <http://www.gvpl.ca/> or in person at all branches. Tech Buddies: Teen Volunteers For ages 13-18. Volunteer using your skills with computers and other new technologies, and connect with someone in your community. Teens earn volunteer hours and help adults with their questions about computers and gadgets. Register online at gvpl.ca or email teens@gvpl.ca for more information. Registration for July Tech Buddies programs begins June 16. Teen Council: Summer Edition For ages 13-18. Interested in developing content for social media? Earn volunteer hours by joining this short-term projectbased version of GVPL’s Teen Council. Registration begins June 16 online at gvpl.ca or in person at all branches. Central Branch, July 29-31, 2-4pm, 250-382-7241, ext. 601.

Ride Don’t Hide On Sunday, June 22, thousands of cyclists will gather for one of 19 Shoppers Drug Mart Ride Don’t Hide (RDH) events in communities throughout B.C. to battle mental illness stigma and to celebrate and strengthen the mental health of women and families. www.IslandParent.ca

What Moves You? Inspiring dancers since 1993

250-361-3267 info@danceunlimited.ca

St. Joseph’s

Elementary School - CHEMAINUS DEVELOP

“My time at St. Joseph’s School helped instill the moral, ethical, spiritual and family values that I have drawn on throughout my life.” BUILD

“My favourite place in Chemainus is my school (St. Joseph’s)… Kids in my school go on to do great things because of the loving and caring people who teach there.” UNDERSTAND

“The staff are welcoming and enthusiastic about their jobs...we are thrilled to be sending our kids to a school that makes a difference.” Now accepting registrations for 2014–2015 Day Care, Preschool, K–7, Before & After School Care

9735 Elm Street, Chemainus 250 246 3191 sjc@cisdv.bc.ca www.stjosephselem.ca Affordable… Accessible… Call to arrange a tour of our school

ENROLL NOW!

West-Mont Montessori School offers innovative, personalised Montessori instruction in a beautiful natural environment for students in Preschool to Grade 8. Visit our website for details about our programs, or stop by our campus and feel what it’s like to be part of a community devoted to the development of the whole child. 4075 Metchosin Road - Victoria

Tel: 250.474.2626

E-mail: info@west-mont.ca

Website: http://www.west-mont.ca June 2014 7

Inter-Cultural Association Blossoms Campaign During the upcoming months, many immigrant families will move to our community and young immigrants will start their transition into their new life in Canada. Over 1,400 new immigrants moved to our region last year, 29 per cent of whom were under 24 years old. From now until June 27(Canadian Multiculturalism Day) the ICA is running its Blossoms Campaign: a youth fundraising callout. The goal is to raise $5,000 towards two youth summer programs. Hundreds of origami pieces have been

Classes for all ages. Whether it’s your first time or you are looking for some fine tuning to racing. We have a class for everyone. Adults too!

WET FEET AGES 4-7

CANSAIL ADVANCE 2 WKS AGES 10-17

OPTI BASIC AGES 10 & UNDER

CANSAIL FAST 2 WKS AGES 10-17

• Half day $200 DND $230 non DND • $240 DND $270 non DND

• $440 DND $480 non DND • $460 DND $490 non DND

OPTI ADVANCE AGES 10 & UNDER ADULT CANSAIL BASIC EVENINGS 18+ • $240 DND $270 non DND

OPTI FAST AGES 10 & UNDER • $240 DND $270 non DND

• $300 DND $330 non DND

ADULT CANSAIL ADVANCE EVENINGS 18+ • $300 DND $330 non DND

CANSAIL BASIC AGES 10-17 • 1 wk & 2 wk options

For more information email cfsatraining@gmail.com or call program manager @ 250-857-2823 To register call PSP 250-363-1009 http://cfsa.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/1406/

8 Island Parent Magazine

Do you want to try to remain physically active after the birth of your first child? At

er!

New Parent Study

ESQ

This summ

hand crafted by ICA youth. With your gift of $25, $50, $100 or $250 you can add an origami piece to the fundraising tree in the ICA reception. The tree will grow and blossom until the end of June when the youth programs will begin. With your help these two youth programs will support 40 young newcomers adjust to their new surroundings, make friends and feel connected to our community. By the time school starts in September, the youth will feel a sense of belonging in their community. It is through these positive connections and empowerment that newcomer youth adjust, integrate, and positively contribute to our diverse communities. What we do at ICA works! Just ask the 100 immigrant youth we support annually! Together with your donation we can support immigrant youth adjust to their new life in Canada. To donate, drop by the ICA office at 930 Balmoral Rd before Thursday, June 27 and see for yourself the youth’s efforts. You can also donate online at www.icavictoria.org/connect/donations.

F SA ON

The event is inspired by Ride Don’t Hide creator, Michael Schratter, a Vancouver school teacher living with bipolar disorder, who spent almost a year and a half cycling 40,000 km around the globe, raising $100,000 for Canadian Mental Health Association. All he had was a bike, a knapsack and a determination to help create awareness and empower the 1 in 5 people who experience mental illness. Now that he has returned, Schratter is calling on others whose lives have been affected by mental illness to “Ride Don’t Hide” in community bike rides taking place across B.C. Funds raised will be used to enhance mental health for women and their families. Mental illnesses of all kinds carry a stigma. Depression in particular is something we don’t often talk about. Some people see it as a kind of personal failing, instead of a mental illness, and few seem willing to step in when they see another person struggling with depression. The RDH Family Ride takes place in four Island locales—Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, and Victoria—on June 22 and

will help raise awareness about the stigma against mental illness. The Victoria Ride will be starting and finishing at Ogden Point on Dallas Road. Three ride distances along the scenic coastline are offered, from a family ride of 6.6km, 17km to a 29km ride. All routes are on the road. Cyclists of all ages and skill levels—family, intermediate and advanced—are invited show their support for mental health by participating in Shoppers Drug Mart Ride Don’t Hide. To find out more and to sign up for the ride, visit www.ridedonthide.com.

IPM Notes

A AL T SQU

www.kidsinvictoria.com

University of Victoria’s Behavioural Medicine Lab, researchers are exploring ways that new parents can maintain or improve physical activity levels after the birth of their first child. The research team is looking for couples (ages 18-40) who are expecting their first child and are interested in remaining or getting more active post-partum. Your involvement in this research is important. Despite the known benefits of physical activity, over half of Canadian adults are not active enough to reap these benefits. Furthermore, almost half of new mothers and many dads drop their previous physical activity habits after becoming a parent. Therefore, an intervention aimed at increasing or maintaining physical activity behaviour in new parents is extremely important. If you choose to participate, you will receive information (face-to-face, by someone from the research team) at three time points. The first at two-months post-partum, the second at five months post-partum and the last at eight months post-partum. Participation in this study will include: • Wearing an accelerometer (which measures activity) for one week (three separate times)

• Completion of 3 questionnaires • One 15-minute interview • Monetary compensation for your time If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please email bml@uvic. ca or phone 250-472-5288.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Give Back Together, we can help children reach their full potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria is all about people working with community volunteers who mentor local children, and supporting families in neighbourhoods from Sooke to Salt Spring Island. BBBS supports children in building confidence, resiliency and self-esteem, engaging in positive risk-taking, and learning to succeed in school, at home, and in our community. Why Give? Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children reach their full potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships with proven results: More children doing better in school More of our communities’ children making positive life choices

Fewer children being victimized or bullied by peers More children who get along better with their family and friends Fewer children resorting to violence as a way to solve their problems. How to Participate Build a team of family members, colleagues, or friends, set a goal and raise money and/or awareness in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Fundraising can take a few minutes, a few hours, or longer—you choose the activity, the time, and your donation amount. Get creative with your ideas. Place a donation jar on your reception desk at work or collect spare change in a jar at home. Participate in a sponsored walk or run. Host a party, BBQ, or games night and sell snacks. Have a garage sale at home or at the office. Shave your hair or beard for pledges. Find art and other items to host a silent auction. Invite 10 friends to make a donation. BBBS staff will support teams and provide fundraising ideas, information, pledge sheets, brochures, challenge updates and mentoring stories to share with team members and supporters. For more information, visit www.bbbsvictoria.com or call 250-475-1117.•

Capital Regional District 2014 Hartland Open House

Sunday June 22nd, 2014 10:30am to 2:00pm, Hartland Landfill, #1 Hartland Avenue Where Where learning learning at at the the landfill landfill meets meets fun! fun! So So come come for for aa look look behind behind the the scenes scenes at at your your award-winning award-winning landfill landfill and and check check out out educational educational displays. displays.

To ensure your spot on a tour, register by calling 250.474.9613 or email hartland@crd.bc.ca. Registered tours leave from Camosun College Interurban Campus. For more information visit www.crd.bc.ca/hartlandhappening

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June 2014 9

Where Were Your Parents?

f you’ve ever visited UsedVictoria.com or read a newspaper on Vancouver Island, you’ve most likely seen Nathan Weathington’s work. However, you might not know that he left his life as an up-and-coming media mogul to pursue the untold riches of being a stay-at-home dad and publishing his first book. Now three years later, his book, Where the Hell Were Your Parents? is rapidly climbing up the charts. Where the Hell Were Your Parents? is a coming-of-age true story about what happens when you let your kids run feral—it’s half “Stand By Me,” half “Goodfellas,” and three quarters “Dukes of Hazzard.” This comic memoir is an unapologetic romp through the rural South with the Weathington Boys, the most scrumptious delinquents since Huckleberry Finn. Nathan and Brian are identical twin brothers who fight for their lives against gun-toting good ol’ boys, a sexually aggressive hyena, the FBI, and even Jesus. With a handful of illegal fireworks the boys join forces with the infamous 10-year-old getaway driver Ray ‘Corn Dog’ Womack to form an adolescent version of the A-Team. Where the Hell Were Your Parents? has been called “Hilarious Hillbilly Nonsense”, “The Dukes of Hazzard as a Documentary”, “Huckleberry Finn meets Red Dawn”, and “A cross between a Normal Rockwell Painting and an NRA poster.” This book will take you to an extraordinary time and place, filled with chaos, danger, suspense, and more than anything, laughs. “Unfortunately, all the stories are true, and the local police have a record of most of the them,” says Weathington. “But the Fire/Armed Standoff was the one that put us on the map.” For more details, visit WhereTheHellWereYourParents.com.•

Island Parent Magazine

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Rachel Dunstan Muller

A Greener Imagination Y

ou’ve got to admire a five-year-old’s ‘can-do’ attitude. My son has decided that he’s going to hire his father to help him build a cluster of small houses on our half-acre property—one for himself, and one for each of his four siblings and their future families. My son’s home will occupy the sliver of ground across the driveway. To make up for its small footprint, it will be at least three stories high. According to my son’s plan, his house will be the designated play area, and my house will be where everyone gathers to eat. With some help from his seven-year-old sister, he’s drawn up elaborate blueprints for our future estate. Like almost any parent would, I smile and admire my son’s drawings. I certainly don’t rain on his parade by bringing up building codes, density bylaws, or the unlikelihood that my children will want to settle so close to their parents. Imagination is a gift, and the sky’s the limit when you’re young. I hope my kids never lose their creativity and their capacity to dream. The premise of Anthony Weston’s book Mobilizing the Green Imagination: An Exuberant Manifesto is that more of us need to think like our children. We need to free ourselves of ‘status quo’ thinking, and begin to envision new, joyful ways of living, working and meeting our energy needs. It’s an unconventional perspective for a Professor of Environmental Studies. Most of Weston’s colleagues have only doom-and gloom scenarios to offer when discussing the resource and environmental challenges on our horizon. While Weston acknowledges the many difficulties we face, he also sees opportunities. Take my son’s idea for example. Weston argues that “suburban infilling” is the perfect response to increasing land and oil prices. He envisions two or three modest dwellings being added to standard quarteracre lots to form family or mini-community compounds. In exchange for giving up some lawn space, we could look forward to all kinds of benefits: shared child and elder care, shared domestic responsibilities, pooled www.IslandParent.ca

tools, appliances and other resources, less dependence on individually-owned vehicles, and of course, less isolation. Take it a step further and we could localize our work with small home industries, while growing some of our food in modest but intensively managed gardens. It’s not as radical a concept as it sounds; many cultures have lived this way for millennia. Weston proposes all kinds of big ideas in his book. Bioplastics that upgrade into natural soil nutrients when exposed to sun and water. Windmills for small-scale energy generation designed by collaborative teams of engineers, artists, and even biologists. Communities that embrace the realities of climate change, with well-designed subterranean homes in tornado-prone areas, and re-imagined coastal cities that welcome the rising waters. Weston doesn’t offer blueprints or feasibility studies for any of his big ideas. Rather, they’re meant to inspire a new visioning process, to motivate the innovators in our communities to come up with new, exuberant ways to face a challenging future. And for those who argue that humanity can’t adapt quickly enough, Weston points out that we’ve already lived through rapid, dramatic transformation. In the space of only five decades, cars have changed everything about our world: where we live and work, the landscape that surrounds us, even the air we breathe. And then there are the accelerated social changes that have occurred just in the last decade or so, thanks to computerization and the Internet. Societies have adapted before; we can adapt again! To lead the way, visionary pioneers in our midst are already experimenting with new—and newly-revived—ideas. O.U.R. Ecovillage in Shawnigan Lake is a perfect example. Since 1999, the 25-acre property has been the site of all kinds of planetfriendly community projects. The list to-date is impressive. Organic farming and food production. Courses and demonstrations on permaculture, natural building, and other sustainable living practices. Composting

toilets in an outdoor structure affectionately known as “The Credit Union”. A healing sanctuary, guesthouse, art studio, woodworking shop, Zero-Mile Eatery, and gathering spaces of all kinds. The ecovillage even offers a green burial program. The community’s beautiful buildings were constructed with natural, minimallyprocessed materials like cob, straw bales, timber, earth plasters, and living roofs. The structures were labour intensive to build, but have very small resource and carbon footprints. They “live and breathe” in the environment, helping to control temperature, humidity and toxins naturally. Conservation strategies were integrated into each unique building, with solar hot water, rainwater catchment, and alternative wastewater treatment. The aim is to model true sustainability—a community-based approach to feeding and sheltering ourselves that our planet could support indefinitely. One of the biggest challenges the founders faced initially was getting permission to proceed with their unconventional land-use and construction ideas. The O.U.R. Community Association persevered, working with local government and regulatory authorities to create a completely new land-use zone for the property, which has set a helpful precedent for other communities across the country and even around the world. They also collaborated with engineering and regulatory teams to get acceptance for their natural building projects and innovative technologies. All of their structures were approved with building permits. It’s an inspiring model for the future: local visionaries, governments and regulators successfully working together to bring new ideas to life. O.U.R. Ecovillage offers guided public tours two Saturday mornings a month from May through August. Pre-booking is required, and a donation of $15 per person is appreciated. An additional $10 will reserve you a mostly vegetarian, mostly organic lunch produced with produce grown on-site. Self-guided tours are also possible if arranged in advance, but offer less access to the village’s unique buildings. For current information about tours and other programs, visit ourecovillage.org. Anthony Weston’s book is published by New Society Publishers, and is available through the library. You can find more books like it at www.newsociety.com. Rachel Dunstan Muller is the mother of five, and a children’s author. Her previous articles can be found at www.kidsinvictoria.com. June 2014 11

Selinde Krayenhoff

Vow to a Baby

Why Study with a Registered Music Teacher? Because your children deserve the best ! Assurance of knowledgeable, competent and qualified instruction • Performance opportunities • Workshops and Master Classes • National, Provincial and local competitions

ot long ago I was fortunate to be invited to a remarkable celebration: a ceremony to welcome and bless a lovely baby girl, Noa-Lena. Like most powerful rituals, it included words, song, symbols, flowers, laughter and some tears. Guests of all ages were invited to write out a wish for the little girl to be included in a book she could have and read later in life. The one thing that stood out for me was the vow that Noa-Lena’s mother, Kelly, read out to her wee daughter wriggling and cooing in her arms. There was a palpable power in what she shared. I thought of the words of Goethe: “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back…The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred…all manner of assistance which no person could have dreamed would have come their way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” Parenting is not for sissies. As parents we go full-on. When we set an intention, our actions automatically yearn towards that intention. So for Kelly to set such a loving, practical and expansive intention to love her daughter to the best of her ability is inspiring and a call to a dynamic, life-serving, parent-child relationship.

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12 Island Parent Magazine

My dearest Noa-Lena, I promise to never give you reason to question my unconditional love for you. I promise to hold your hand when you are learning to walk and later in life when you are unsure about any of life’s challenges and you need guidance. I promise to give you cuddles whenever you want regardless of time, need or your age. I promise to let you run in the rain and play in mud puddles. I will even do it with you. I promise to let you play dress-up in my clothes and make-up but will also teach you how to wear it properly when you are older. I promise to teach you about the value of money and saving for your future. I promise never to do anything for you that I know you are capable and strong enough to do on your own. I promise to teach you to skate—not figure skating, but power skating. I promise to let you play any sport you want and you can play with the boys too. I will teach you to do crafts, grow a garden, sew on a button, use a drill and do the laundry…but for cooking you will have to ask your dad. www.kidsinvictoria.com

I promise to love your dad and to show you how much I love him on a daily basis. We promise to avoid arguing with each other in front of you and to do our best to show you that we can disagree without being disagreeable.

Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling •

Jump into life, one Day Camp at a time!

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CampPringle.com When you and I don’t see eye to eye, I promise to try hard to see things from your perspective and to take time to consider this before talking to you. I promise to dance with you anytime, anywhere, and in any style, and to teach you not to be embarrassed to do it. I promise to let you have at least three food fights at home in your lifetime…as long as you help clean up. I promise to respect your secrets. I promise to do everything within my power to protect you from physical harm, and everything within my power to teach you to overcome any emotional hurt. I promise to make a special moment for you, every single day to let you know how much I love you. I promise to sneak in and kiss you when you are sleeping—even when you are 18. I promise to try and be the best female role model in your life. I promise to support all your passions and the adventures they take you on. And then I promise not to complain when you actually follow them. I promise to be thankful that you are my daughter every single day, and also to show you just how thankful I am. I love you so very much. Your mother

Selinde Krayenhoff is the cofounder of Island Parent Magazine and the parent of two grown sons. She gives workshop and talks on Nonviolent Communication, Parenting, Spirituality and Midlife Transition. www.IslandParent.ca

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14â&#x20AC;&#x192; Island Parent Magazine

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Wisdom, Tips, Advice & Ramblings “The sun is perfect and you woke this morning. You have enough language in your mouth to be understood. You have a name, and someone wants to call it. Five fingers on your hand and someone wants to hold it. If we just start there, every beautiful thing that has and will ever exist is possible. If we start there, everything, for a moment, is right in the world.” – Warsan Shire Erin Wallis Photography, www.erinwallis.com

Yo! Papa

Top 10 Dad Blogs according to lifescoop.com 1. Geek Dad, “What we love as geeks and parents,” Ken Denmead (geekdad.com) 2. dadcando, “Inspiration for the next generation,” Chris Barnardo (dadcando.com) 3. Dad Camp, “Tips to navigate the parenting minefield,” Buzz Bishop (dad-camp.com) 4. Rice Daddies, “On being a dad/Asian dad,” various contributors (ricedaddies.blogspot.ca) 5. Rude Cactus, “Blogging from the right side of the dirt,” Chris Cactus (www.rudecactus.com) 6. Digital Dad, “Dad dealing with technology issues,” Pete Bernard (www.digitaldad.com) 7. View from the Cloud, “Ex-touring musician turned dad,” Jeff (www.viewfromthecloud.com) 8. DIY Father, “Practical information about parenting,” Various Authors (diyfather.com) 9. Metro Dad, “Poppy cock from a cocky pop,” Pierre Kim (metrodad.typepad.com) 10. Dad Labs “Taking back paternity,” Various Authors (www.dadlabs.com)

HOW TO GRILL PIZZA Six Very Important Rules

1. Oil everything. If the crust sticks to the grate, you’re done. Avoid this by brushing the grate and both sides of the crust with olive oil. 2. If you have an extra set of hands, avail yourself of them. When laying the crust on the grate it’s much easier to keep the dough stretched out when two people hold opposite sides and lay it down together. Or divide dough in half and grill smaller pizzas. 3. Don’t roll your crust too thin. One, it will burn too quickly, and two, it will rip as you try to move it from the baking sheet to the grill. 4. Use a cookie sheet. After grilling one side of the crust, flip it onto a greased cookie sheet, cooked-side up. This will give you time to add your toppings without rushing. (If you add toppings while it’s on the grill, you risk the crust cooking faster than the cheese melting.) 5. Pre-cook your toppings. If they need to be wilted or browned, it’s best to do it on the stovetop before you add to the pizza. Without top heat, and with such a short cooking time, you’ll end up with raw, uncooked vegetables. Cheese should be finely shredded or sliced paper thin whenever possible. 6. Three words: slow and low. This is crucial. Too much heat will wreck a pizza every time. Slow. And. Low. (From Dinner: A Love Story, www.dinneralovestory.com)

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5 Things Every Dad Should Teach His Kids 1. Winning is fun, but it teaches you nothing. Failure is the best teacher in the world. Winning is a trophy, failing is an education. 2. The key to surviving failure is to not take it personally. This is why video games make great educational tools. Mario doesn’t rage at the world when he fails to jump over a pit. He just starts back at the beginning and tries again until he figures out how to rescue that princess. 3. Ketchup is for French fries and hamburgers. Never hot dogs. That’s why the universe invented mustard. 4. Talking about abstract things is important. Having big, wild conversations about concepts like art, music, time travel, and dreams makes it much easier when you’ll eventually need to talk about things like anger, sadness, pain, and love. 5. All the best stuff happens in the dark. Fireworks, movies, trick-ortreating, roasting marshmallows, Space Mountain. Try to remember that when you hear a noise in your closet at night. From 25 Things I Think Every Dad Should Teach His Kids by Tom Burns for The Good Men Project, www.goodmenproject.com

June 2014 15

Kyla Ward

FEARLESS Spiritual Conversations

remember the night my son asked me, “Did God make the Tsunami hit Japan?” I drew in a deep breath. I resisted my urge to launch into a lecture on the reason bad things happen to good people. I stopped short of offering a scientific explanation of what actually causes earthquakes and ocean swells. Instead I began our exchange with “I wonder. What do you think?” That simple question was all the permission he needed to offer his ideas, raise his questions, and share his struggle to make sense of pain in the world. I shared in the same struggle. Sometimes we agreed. Sometimes we saw things differently. In all, we talked and listened, deepening our trust for one another along the way.

Many questions that children have are the same questions adults have. “Is God real? Is God good? Does God care about me?” I want to offer my kids concrete answers, but when it comes to questions like these, concrete answers are not easily found. In our home, many of my favourite conversations come at the end of the day, lazily cuddling with my children. This is when they reveal their thoughts, ideas and musings on the wonder-filled world they are discovering. They wonder about creation, fairness, goodness, and evil. They learn to name their own feelings of guilt, passion, love, and fear. We move easily from the stories of our day to the stories of our faith. Each topic explored is never a finished work. The understanding is that we will think about, wrestle with, and revisit our questions. Our gentle exchanges have built an open, honest, and surprisingly fearless level of dialogue in our home. Spiritual conversations, while precarious, are precious. Parents need to watch for ways to include children in their spiritual wondering. While no one ever feels truly adequate to handle matters of faith, the parent who willingly dialogues with their child will be rewarded in the end. These www.IslandParent.ca

2014

Spiritual questions from young children are a normal part of any parenting experience. More often than not, they are posed while standing in the Wal-Mart checkout, or loudly proclaimed in a crowded (yet somehow silent) doctor’s waiting room. It’s natural for questions of a spiritual nature to catch parents off-guard. Many are unsure of how to proceed. It is understandable to feel hesitant on seemingly sacred ground. Many questions that children have are the same questions adults have. “Is God real? Is God good? Does God care about me?” I want to offer my kids concrete answers, but when it comes to questions like these, concrete answers are not easily found. These spiritual conversations invite us to embrace a different approach. Learning to talk with our kids, rather than at our kids is the challenge.

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discussions actively build trust with our kids. Trust goes a long way. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you seek to have fearless spiritual conversations with children:

Ask questions more often than you provide answers. Developing a faith is not the same as learning information. It is a transformative process, and as such, one of the best ways to help children in their development of faith is to engage them in dialogue. Use “I wonder” statements frequently. “I wonder how that came to be.” “I wonder where we might see God in this.”

Name what you don’t know. It is okay to model for our children that some things remain for us a mystery. They will come to trust you when you are honest about your limitations and

Listen to your children. Children are often far more in tune with the spiritual world than adults. If you listen to their stories as well as their questions, you will often find yourself given a unique window into the heavenlies.

5 2

Say what you know. Naming the things you know to be true will offer your child the assurance they need. “I know that Grandma always loved us.” “I know that I feel closer to God when I am singing.”

wonderings. “I’m not sure what heaven is like, but I choose to believe it is good. What do you hope heaven is like?”

Read with your children. There are many great children’s books that will provide opportunities for you and your child to further explore a spiritual truth. Look for books that provide some answers, but also look for books that ask great questions.

Find your own way. Take the opportunity provided through your children to revisit some of your own spiritual questions. Check out a church, read a book, write in your journal, visit with a trusted spiritual friend. Take the time to have spiritual conversations of your own.

Take courage. Be bold. Dive in. Parenting your child to consider their spiritual nature may come more naturally than you think. You may even find yourself enjoying their company as you continue on your own spiritual journey. Undoubtedly, you will see the results of your efforts expressed in the easy, natural manner your children continue to seek your counsel.

Resources: 10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting by Mimi Doe & Marsha F. Walch. The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents: Guiding Your Children to Success and Fulfillment by Deepak Chopra. Big Questions from Little People: And Simple Answers from Great Minds compiled by Gemma Elwin Harris.

Kyla Ward serves as the Children’s Pastor at Victoria Pacific Rim Alliance Church. She is the mother of two, volunteer on-call clergy for VIHA, and is the Willows PAC Chair. She was a presenter at the 2014 Making Tomorrow Conference, offering her workshop Talking About Tough Topics.

Maxine Fisher M.Ed., RCC, MTA

Counselling for Children, Families & Adults

Over 19 Years Experience (Music Therapy Also Available) Stress & Trauma (Acting Out) • Parenting • Family Transitions Physical & Learning Disabilities • Relationships • Individuals M.Ed. | Registered Clinical Counsellor | Accredited Music Therapist

Call Today for a Complimentary 10 minute phone consultation Call 250-686-7582 maxinefisher@shaw.ca victoriafamilycounselling.com Also Playing

VIKINGS: JOURNEY TO NEW WORLDS GREAT WHITE SHARK D-DAY: NORMANDY 1944 CAPTAIN AMERICA WINTER SOLDIER 3D (June opening date pending)

250-480-4887 • imaxvictoria.com 18 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Shannon K. Auringer

FaceTime: The New Playdate

hatcha doing, Sweetie?” I asked my eight-year-old daughter as I poked my head into her bedroom. She had been playing in her room for so long that I decided to investigate what was keeping her so engaged. “I’m making bracelets on my rainbow loom,” she replied. “Oh, that’s what’s kept you playing by yourself for so long.” I laughed noticing the stack of completed bracelets. “I’m not playing alone,” she corrected, “I’m on a playdate with Kaylen.” That’s when I saw her iPad propped up in front of her, and the image of her best friend looming right along with her. Technology appears to be changing the ‘face’ of playdates with FaceTime. When I was a kid back in the eighties, there was no such thing as ‘playdates.’ If we wanted to play with our friends, we just went outside. Yes, outside—I know. Times are changing. After I had my first baby, I became immersed in a world with a whole new vocabulary of play groups and playdates. Moms no longer just got together to have coffee while their children played. Now we had to set appointments in order to have our kids play together outside of school time. As my kids got older and more involved in organized sports, there seemed to be less time for just playing with their friends. They complained that there was not enough time to just hang out with friends, yet they didn’t want to have to quit their activities either. On their one free night, I would try to either take them to their friends’ houses or have their friends come over to our home. The result was 24/7 running around and me burning out. There was no downtime. Was it possible to find a happy balance while each of us had our needs met? Parents constantly question whether or not their kids are too ‘plugged in.’ FaceTime playdates could be seen as just more time online, preventing kids from doing something more creative or constructive. But when you ask yourself what is really happening, can’t FaceTime also be seen, in some cases, anyway, as a means to an end, a way to meet everyone’s needs? Some studies have shown that couples who use social media to stay in touch with

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each other have closer relationships. Might that apply to kids and their friendships, too? When I looked at what was happening during my daughter’s FaceTime playdate, this is what I saw: my daughter was engaged in a creative activity while simultaneously having her need to socialize met. She was bonding with her friend and they were, in some sense, playing together. While she did this, I was able to get dinner ready and on the table, all while having a fairly relaxing time. It seemed like a win-win situation. As a parent, it’s easy to end up with ‘superparent’ syndrome, a condition that makes us feel like we have to keep our kids busy all the time, work full time, have an immaculate home—all while making these tasks appear effortless. There is a social stigma associated with TV and electronics and how they can become our kids’ ‘babysitters.’ As parents, we may be chastised for allowing our kids to play with electronics in, say, a restaurant so we can enjoy a pleasant meal. But we are also given the stink eye if our kids get fidgety and restless. We hear the “When I was a kid” stories from our parents and we are sometimes judged by those around us. At the end of the day, shouldn’t we be stepping back to assess what is really happening and how we can incorporate technology in a positive way? No one is suggesting hours of mindless gaming, but can’t there be more to these devices than that? Technology is everywhere. We are all expected to keep up as it becomes more of a fixture in our everyday lives. Granted, FaceTime can never replace the value of kids playing together in person, but if it makes it possible for my kids to socialize and for Mom to have some down time once in a while, I’m not going to apologize. In fact kudos to the kids who use their problem-solving skills to find a way to hang out with their friends on days when going out is not an option. Shannon K. Auringer is a freelance writer, single mother of three amazing children and fulltime student at the University of Victoria, earning her double major in women’s studies and writing.

June 2014 19

Jane Vermeulen

Struggle to Juggle? I

n retrospect, my decision to return to work when my son was three months old was foolish. I am not someone who states, “I have no regrets.” I have many regrets. I regret that my breakfast this morning consisted of two chocolate chip cookies. I regret that I paid thirty dollars for an outfit for my son that he has only worn once. And most importantly, I regret going back to work when I barely knew my son. My decision to return to work was based on several factors. I am a veterinarian working as an associate in a busy, multi-doctor practice. My husband is in the military and receives a significant employer “top up” when taking parental leave, whereas I would just receive the minimum employment insurance benefits. I was also confident in my husband’s ability to care for a young child and he desperately needed a break from his career. Finally, I felt that my clients and their pets needed me. I did not consider that perhaps my son needed me more.

My son was born through a scheduled c-section as he was in breech position. Working in the veterinary field, I participated in countless c-sections and naturally assumed I would be like a dog. I would have a c-section, not need pain control, and would then pick up my son by my teeth and trot over to my wooden box and happily and easily nurse him. What I have since discovered is that I am not a dog, and I now have a new appreciation and empathy for my furry patients. Like many new mothers, I underestimated how difficult my recovery would be and how I would struggle to breastfeed. I honestly believed that I would somehow be exceptional and I would be ready and willing to return to work when my child was not even rolling over. When I told my manager that I would be returning to work early she told me I would be coming back when motherhood was starting to get fun. I now understand what she meant. I don’t remember much from those first

few months. I have no family in Victoria and my husband returned to work one week after we came home from the hospital. Complicating matters, my mother-in-law suffered a massive stroke three weeks before I gave birth. I was told to “rest and nest” after giving birth. Instead, we travelled to Vancouver when our son was only 15 days old to meet his grandmother. I remember the nurses changing my mother-in-law’s diaper at the same time I was changing my son’s diaper. With the chaos of caring for a newborn and an ailing parent, I admit I was relieved to return to work. I missed the routine of picking up my morning mocha, chatting with my co-workers and napping during my lunch break. My son was still not sleeping well and my morning coffee quickly needed extra shots of espresso to get me through the day. I had heard so many stay-at-home moms tell me how lucky their husbands were to be able to leave the house to work that I believed my job would be some type of reprieve from the daily grind of mothering a newborn. What I discovered is that my job brings its own stresses. I have to share bad news and seem to make people cry on a daily basis. I get bitten and scratched by animals and yelled at by their owners. I

Sept 27 & 28, 2014 • Pearkes Rec Centre VancouverIslandBabyFair.com

BABY CASTING CALL! Know a cheerful, photogenic and playful baby?

From June 2 - 20, CTV Vancouver Island and the Vancouver Island Baby Fair are looking to cast a happy 6 - 18 month old baby for the upcoming Vancouver Island Baby Fair commercial. If this sounds like a little one you know, head to VancouverIsland.ctvnews.ca for details.

20 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

manage challenging medical cases that often end in euthanasia. For 12 years, I accepted the responsibilities of my job, but with the birth of my son and subsequent lack of sleep, it suddenly seemed unbearable. I kept trying to breastfeed but by the second week of work, I had completely dried up. There was no “weaning” or trying to reduce my milk production. The breast pump and pads were packed up and we purchased formula by the case. I also found my tolerance for my son’s natural “baby behaviour” decreasing. His crying seemed like a personal assault on my quiet time. I spent all day talking and listening and I just wanted to be by myself. Impossible with a four-month-old! My son is very happy and people commented about their interactions with him. I was jealous. I wanted to have those memories with my boy. I was worried I was denying him “basic baby activities” so I made a list of what I felt were essential baby socializing activities. On my days off, we went to baby group, baby swim lessons, baby library time and baby music time. I was exhausted and I honestly don’t know how much it enhanced his life. I think if I gave him a sock and spoon, he would have been just as happy. After eight months of working, caring for my son, managing the care of an elderly parent and the other chaos of my life, I cracked up. I realized that I could not “have it all.” There was no juggling of work and mothering because the balls were too heavy and I was too tired. One morning, as I was preparing for work, I told my husband I needed some time off. I think he was relieved, as he had seen me struggle. I notified my employers of my situation and gave them time to find a replacement. I requested two months off to rest and reevaluate my life situation. I am now in my first week off and have experienced periods of boredom—something new for me! A few days ago, my son fell asleep on my chest and I just sat there for two hours, watching television. My agenda, which was always so filled with activities, is bare. I wake up in the morning and let the weather decide my day. I am working on time-management strategies, as I know my sabbatical will end. But for now, I am simply a mother and that is good enough for me.

Le français

au CSF, c’est bien plus qu’une langue !

Inscrivez votre enfant dans une des écoles publiques du CSF ! Depuis sa création en 1995, le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique offre des programmes et des services éducatifs valorisant le plein épanouissement et l’identité culturelle des apprenantes et apprenants francophones de la province. Le conseil compte aujourd’hui plus de 5 000 élèves, 37 écoles publiques et dessert plus d’une centaine de communautés réparties dans l’ensemble de la province.

N O S É C O L E S P U B L I Q U E S D A N S L’ Î L E D E V A N C O U V E R Campbell River École Mer-et-montagne

250-923-3359 1102 South Alder 250-923-3359 350 Dogwood St.

M-8 9 - 12

Vallée de Comox École Au-cœur-de-l'île

250-339-1848 566 Linshart Rd.

M - 12

Nanaimo

École Océane École secondaire de Nanaimo

250-714-0761 1951 Estevan Rd. M - 7 250-714-0761 355 Wakesiah Ave. 8 - 12

Port Alberni

École des Grands-cèdres

250-723-5614 4645 Helen St.

M-6

Victoria

École Victor-Brodeur

250-220-6010 637 Head St.

M - 12

École secondaire Carihi

Jane Vermeulen is a wife, mother and veterinarian living in Victoria,BC. Her days are spent either wrestling with her son or wrestling with an angry cat.

www.IslandParent.ca

June 2014 21

Claire Hatcher

Long-Haul Flying with Kids N

ext week, Atti and I will be boarding a plane for yet another 10-hour transatlantic flight. Wish us luck. In his four and a bit years, we have made the trip seven times. The first, at 10 weeks of age, was far and away the easiest. Well, sitting for hours on end, with a baby asleep on my chest, was the norm back then. The next five times, I try not to think about: nine and a half hours walking the aisles; five hours kicking the seat in front—Atti, not me; another five ignoring the other occupant’s threatening glares; armrests that wouldn’t fold up to let an exhausted child lie down; wet nappies; wet pants; wet seats. I could go on… Then, last year, we had a perfect trip. Now, it might have been a fluke but, just in case, here are some of the tactics that we’ll be trying to replicate this time: 1. Pack a change of clothes in your hand

Art Classes COMPLETE A PORTFOLIO COURSE DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR YOU

luggage, preferably a set or two for each of you. The clothes take up a lot of space, but sitting for 10 hours in wet pants/shirt/socks (delete as necessary) is best avoided. (Pee, vomit, Evian, it makes no difference). And don’t forget a plastic bag for the wet stuff. 2. Pack plenty of snacks. Airline food is unpredictable—except in size, infrequency and lack of appeal to small children. Dried fruit and nuts are good options, but don’t forget a few treats. Smarties are a great moodbooster (and children usually like them too). 3. Pack a kid’s backpack with books and toys. Obviously, you can’t bring enough to last the whole trip, but some comics, some playdough and a bag of Lego kept Atti going for a good seven hours. Airline tables are too tiny for any serious play, but we found that standing up and using his seat as a worksurface was a decent alternative. Make (at

Bioregional Themes Wilderness Skills

least) a mental inventory of what you’ve brought and execute an SAS-style sweep of the surroundings before leaving the plane. 4. Book an aisle seat. Having open access for walking the aisle and washroom trips far outweighs any fleeting entertainment provided by a window seat. 5. Check in as late as you dare. Once upon a time I was a pathologically early person but, with a preschooler in tow, airport departure lounges have somehow lost their appeal. Check in as late as you possibly can: you’ll still have a good hour or so to hang around and 10 more to linger in mid air. 6. In the absence of fairy dust, think happy thoughts and remember that this too shall pass. Once you’ve survived the flying part, give yourself a (brief) pat on the back, because now of course there’s the jet lag. Sadly, there’s no way to avoid it: if you’re traveling across time zones, your kids’ internal clocks will be disrupted—and your own jet lag will need to take a number and get in line. But there are some strategies we’ve found to make dealing with the transition (a little) easier. 1. Try to be well-slept before you start your journey—that means you too. 2. Traveling east: • Aim to keep your children awake all day

Oak and Orca Summer Program

Multi-age Experiential Learning Twice-weekly Cycling Field Trips

A bioregional program encouraging children to connect with the natural spaces and cultural heritage of our home place.

FOR ENTRANCE INTO A VARIETY OF COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY DEGREE AND DIPLOMA PROGRAMS: Interior Design Automobile Design Architecture • Art THerapy Bachelor Fine Arts Fashion

Call Joan at

250-383-0566 www.artisticstatementgalleryandschool.com

22 Island Parent Magazine

July 2nd to Aug. 29th Located in Victoria at 2738 Higgins St. Oak and Orca School offers three certified options for children: Kindergarten to Grade 12 School Hands-On Home-Learning (K-9) Pre-primary School (ages 3-5)

oakandorca.ca (250) 383-6609 1-888-383-6619

Artistic Statement Gallery & School of Fine Art

(250) 383-6609 oakandorca.ca

www.kidsinvictoria.com

when you arrive. Easier said than done, obviously, but make sure you get outside—daylight helps to readjust your body-clocks—and get some exercise. Eat little and often and make sure tummies are as full as possible before going to bed. Everyone will probably crash earlier than normal but, as long as it’s past 5 p.m., just go with it and sleep while you can. • You might all sleep through that first night but, for the rest of the week, your children (and you) will probably wake up again an hour or so later. And will probably stay awake until “real” bedtimes. For example, Atti is usually asleep by 7 p.m. PST, so probably won’t nod off again until 3 a.m. in the UK). Put them to bed at 7 p.m. local time anyway, following your normal routine, and get some sleep yourself. • Some people say that when you wake up, don’t turn on the lights, don’t get out of bed, don’t eat. In our experience, the struggle of achieving this with preschoolers is not worth the effort. Get up and have a snack, a little quiet play, stories or TV, but keep the lighting low and don’t do anything too exciting. Night by night, sleep-time should creep forward by an hour—they say you need a day for every hour of time difference. • No matter how tempting, don’t let your children, or yourself, sleep in. Pack a (really loud) alarm clock and get up as close as possible to their usual waking time. Eat a good breakfast, get outside and move around. 3. Traveling west seems much easier on most people. Generally, follow the same guidelines as above: keep your children awake during the day, get them outside and moving, feed them frequently then put them to bed as close as possible to their usual time. And, as you’ll probably be up yourself, let them play quietly or watch TV when they wake up in the “morning.” 4. Kids are more likely to wet the bed when they’re jet lagged. So, if you don’t want to revert to pull-ups, make sure you use a mattress protector, or lift your child for a pee midway through their night—if you’re not spark out yourself. 5. Expect a little crankiness—from everyone. No remedy for that I’m afraid: just cut yourselves a little slack, and remember that this too shall pass in a week or so. Or until your flight home anyway… Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy your trip. Claire Hatcher, originally from the UK, lives in Victoria with her husband, her son, her father-in-law and his cat. She can be reached at cehatcher@hotmail.com.

www.IslandParent.ca

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Summer Camps!

Young Actor’s (A) 8–12 (B) 12–15 Mon to Thurs, 10am–3:30pm

A four day fun-filled camp working with scenes, commercials and improvisation, exploring what it means to be on a set. Recording and playback are used throughout the camp helping the young actor understand their progress. Our famous pizza lunch is provided on the Thursday, after which parents and friends are invited to watch playback.

Camp 1: July 7–10 (Ages 8–12) Camp 2: July 21–24 (Ages 12–15) Camp 3: July 28–31 (Ages 8–12) Camp 4: Aug 11–14 (Ages 12–15) Camp 5: Aug 18–21 (t.b.d) 845 Fisgard Street

www.screenactors.ca 250-595-1339

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June 2014 23

Summer Programs Here it is!

Victoria’s most comprehensive listing of summer programs for families. Included you’ll find information on everything from Art to Science & Nature and much, more. Check out the advertising in this issue for more details.

ART Art classes at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria are the ideal place for children to explore visual culture and express their own creative vision! Students experience a full “art immersion,” visiting current exhibitions to inspire their creations in the studio. Join us this Summer, as we offer a variety of morning and afternoon classes. Summer registration is now open. To view full schedule and register online visit aggv.ca/ education/studio-classes, call 250-384-4171 ext.0 or visit us in person: 1040 Moss St. Summer at Artistic Statement Gallery & School of Fine Art. One or two-hour sessions, one, two or three times per week. Age 5 and up. Drawing, painting, sculpture, cartooning and portfolio preparation. Emphasis is placed on technique and everyone works

at their own level. Register now, call Joan at 250-383-0566. www.artisticstatement galleryandschool.com.

The fun begins with Forge Camps this summer with day camps in the Westshore for ages 7-12. Camps run from 9am to 3pm and cost $75 per camp. Join us for Art Camp (July 7-11 & August 5-8), Sport Camp (July 14-18 & July 28-31), and Create Camp (July 21-25 & August 11-15). For more information, call 250-884-1734, email camps@theforgechurch.com, go online to www.theforgechurch.com/camps, or check out Forge Camps on Facebook.

COMPUTERS

CHURCH CAMPS Emmanuel Baptist Church is offering camps all summer long. We have a Vacation Bible School and Day Camps for different age groups through the summer. This year we also have one week of Reading & Recreation to encourage children to continue to read during the summer. These camps are action packed. We have competent staff and lots of volunteers, so the camper to adult ratio is very low. Preschool camps are limited to 15 children so participants are not overwhelmed. Contact Ingrid White or Genevieve Lisik if you have questions 250.592.2418. Registration forms at emmanuel victoria.ca or office@emmanuelvictoria.ca.

Byte Camp–Creative Tech Camps for Kids! Kids in our “Claymation Movie Production” camps create their own quirky animated movies, edit their own songs and videos in “Music and Video Production”. Our “2D Video Game Design” camps teach kids how to code to make fun, interactive video games. And our “3D Animation” camp will introduce the next generation PIXAR artists to the amazing world of 3D character modelling and animation. $245/ wk, 9-14yrs, www.bytecamp.ca, 1 (888) 808-BYTE for more info.

DANCE/MUSIC/PERFORMANCE Canadian College of Performing Arts– M.A.S.C.: Move-Act-Speak-Create. Ages 13-17! Join us for two weeks of intense fun and creativity! Learn in a supportive and dynamic atmosphere, taught by CCPA faculty and invited guests, and work together to create a fully staged final performance! July 21-August 1. Tuition is $495. Register with SelfDesign High, earn 4 high school credits and a reduced tuition ($245). Contact Canadian College of Performing Arts 250-595-9970 for details.

Accepting Enrollment for Sept. 2014

• preschool to grade 2

Book now for a tour!

• small class sizes

• before and after

school care

• supportive and

caring staff

• excellent academic

foundation

• Kodaly music

5575 West Saanich Rd (across from Red Barn Market) 250 592 4411 imhs@telus.net www.islandmontessori.com 24

Island Parent Magazine

program • lovely rural location connecting children to nature

Dansko Studios summer camps are a great way to introduce your child to a variety of different dance styles. Come and try our full-day or half-day dance camps in ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip hop and acrobatics for ages 3 and up in an energetic and friendly atmosphere. Please visit our website at www.danskostudios.com for our detailed summer dance schedule and our 2014/15 dance schedule. We are located at 4814 West Saanich Road. 250-475-6606. Kate Rubin Theatre & Drama Studio offers young people with a dramatic interest or passion a series of exciting summer camps to creatively explore and develop their skills.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Kate and her studio are highly regarded for running quality theatre programing for children teens and adults. This summer, experienced actors/teachers will be teaching specialized full or half week theatre camps for youth ages 5-17 years. There is something offered for all levels and each camp will have an opportunity to perform their work for an audience at the end! Groups are small for quality instruction. For more information, call 250-386-8593 or email katerubin@ telus.net. www.katerubintheatre.com. Lighthouse Academy of Dance provides pure, pleasing, positive summer camps and weekly classes for children age 4-16, and courses for adults during the summer period. Fun sessions with qualified and experienced staff! Various dance styles and abilities. Boys special, too. Wedding preparation and private lessons available. Register online at www.lighthouseacademyofdance.com for Summer or Fall 2014. Call or e-mail us to book now: 250-595-8705 or info@ lighthouseacademyofdance.com. Leap Forward Dance School. Dance classes for young children taught by a certified Royal Conservatory of Music and Royal Academy of Dance Teacher. Discounts offered to families registered at Leap Forward Childcare. Boys welcome. Scholarships available. 2758 Peatt Rd. www.leapforwardlangford.com. info@leapforwardlangford.com. 778-2655955 or 250-818-9225. Music for Young Children®. Looking for the best in music education? MYC® is a dynamic, child-centered curriculum for ages 2-11. This innovative, Canadian system combines proven music education theories into one comprehensive method of keyboard, singing, creative movement, rhythm, ear training, sight-reading, music theory and composition. MYC’s fun and imaginative environment of games, storytelling and hands-on activities engages children in learning while exploring music concepts and building concentration, self-expression and confidence. Visit us at www.myc.com! Campbell River: 250-923-6103; Colwood: 250-995-3120; Lake Cowichan: 250-7493356; Nanaimo: 250-585-6085; Shawnigan Lake: 250-929-3303; Port Alberni: 778421-4896; Sooke: 250-642-2498; Victoria (Gordon Head): 250-380-1189; Victoria (Tillicum): 250-995-0250.

www.IslandParent.ca

Summer Rocks! The Mary Winspear Centre and Peninsula Academy of Music Arts host two one-week-long Summer Rocks camps. Join Directors Lloyd English, Anna Shill and the Summer Rocks live band for a week of performance and creative arts discovery while producing an original live show. Week One is designed for Creative Kids ages 7 to 11 while week two will focus primarily on performance and the Open Stage for ages 12 to 17. The Screen Actor’s Studio Summer Camps. In our large downtown studios we stage a four-day fun-filled camp creating scenes and commercials and finding out what it means to be on-set. Video recording and playback are used to monitor progress and discovering how to work on camera. On the Thursday we do a final shoot and enjoy our famous ‘end of camp’ pizza lunch before presenting playback to the parents and guests. Some outside locations may be used. Camps are supervised at all times. www.screenactors. ca or call 250-595-1339. StageCoach Theatre Arts presents Summer Weekly Workshops for children aged 4 to 16. Join our team of experienced teachers in a fun-filled week where we visit the “Best of Broadway!” and “Broadway and Beyond!” Our young performers will be rehearsing and performing songs, dances and scenes from popular Broadway musicals while learning the value of teamwork, the importance of self-discipline and having a lot of fun! Visit www.stagecoachschools.ca/langford or call 250-743-0858. Stages Performing Arts Schools is offering a number of different summers programs through July and August. Since 1980 Stages has offered professional instruction in jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, musical theatre & hip hop for all ages & levels of experience. We believe that all students should have an equal opportunity to learn in a safe, noncompetitive environment, which fosters selfexpression, a healthy body, confidence, & encourages discipline, creativity & pride in their accomplishments. For more information, please call STAGES at 250-384-3267 or visit www.stagesdance.com. The Summer Holiday programs at St. Michaels University School offer a wide range of full and half-day camps for all children and youth in Greater Victoria ages 5-17. For 13-17 year olds, check out the Summer Music Academies—residential or day

SUMMER

CAMPS Weekly Camps All camps run Monday-Friday

June 30th to August 29th

Kinder Camp 5 - 6 Years

JDF KIDS COTTAGE

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM $135 a week*

Cool Capers Day Camp 6-8 Years

JDF CURLING RINK

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM $135 a week*

Jr. Sports Action Camp 6-8 Years

JDF CURLING RINK – FOR SIGN IN

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM $160 a week*

Fun Seekers Camp 6-10 Years

CENTENNIAL CENTRE YOUTH ROOM

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM $37 a day

Sizzlers Day Camp 7-10 Years

JDF GALLEON ROOM

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM $37 a day

Active Afternoons 7-11 Years

JDF KIDS COVE

12:00 PM – 3:30 PM $85 a week*

Sports Action 9-12 Years

JDF CURLING RINK – FOR SIGN IN

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM $160 a week*

Aspiring Artists

6-8 Years and 8-12 Years

Camp alternates age groups each week.

CENTENNIAL CENTRE CRAFT ROOM

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM $160 a week*

www.westshorerecreation.ca

250-478-8384

June 2014 25

camps that build skills through hands-on learning with expert instructors and professional musicians in three areas of focus: SummerVoices, SummerBand, and Musical Theatre. For full details, please visit our web site at: www.smus.ca/summer or call 250-370-6120. Tom Lee Music Learning Centre’s flexible summer lesson programs offer an ideal solution to get you started on or simply test the waters of a musical journey. Our famous School of Rock program, and low commitment, flexible private lessons are a perfect fit for busy summer holiday schedules. Call Elaine at 250-383-5222, or drop by the store for more information. World Music Explorers at the Victoria Conservatory of Music July 14-18 and 2125, 2014. Discover World Music through creativity, composition, movement, and innovative technology! Half-day campers age 5-7 and full-day campers age 8-10 will have a blast experimenting with dancing, singing, playing world instruments and using cutting edge technology like the Soundbeam and GarageBand. They will form Brazilian Samba groups and African Drum Circles, experiment with Asian Pentatonic

Improvisation and more. Plus meet special musical guests. Call 250-386-5311 or visit vcm.bc.ca/world-music-explorers.

EDUCATION Dyslexia Victoria Online provides assessments and teaching programs for Dyslexia, related issues and certified Irlen Syndrome screenings. We also offer workshops and manuals for parents, teachers, special needs professionals and tutors for Dyslexia awareness, indicators, teaching strategies and accommodations. We approach Dyslexia as a learning difference using methods that focus on right brain learning styles and integrating useful computer programs and digital devices. For more information please contact: Karen Hope 250-655-3034 khope@dyslexiavictoria.ca, www.dyslexiavictoria.ca READ Society, Summer Learning Camps. Join a READ Society Summer Learning Camp and discover new ways of learning mathematics, writing, and reading. One of Greater Victoria’s best ways to avoid summer learning loss and to have fun! You’ll come away having creating a memory box filled with games and strategies to share with

your family and friends. Camps are offered in July and August to kids in grades 1-4 in Victoria and the Westshore. See our ad on page 60; call 250-388-7225 for details. This one’s just for girls! Summer Camp at St. Margaret’s School provides fun activities in a supportive environment to build confidence over the summer months. Your daughter will love our weekly themes: fine arts & fashion, space, cooking, primp & pamper, wet & wild, mad science, and superheroes. Seven-week camp from June 23 to August 8 (8am—5:30pm, Monday to Friday minus stat holidays), or register week-by-week for more flexibility. Central Victoria location. Open to all girls in K to Grade 6. To register: asc@stmarg.ca. 250479-8976. www.stmarg.ca Sylvan offers summer programs to minimize summer learning loss and to help with the transition from one grade to another. Sylvan’s individualized programs prevent children from forgetting what they learned last year and help them to preview what they will be studying in the coming year. To get your child set up for summer and for success, give us a call at one of our 4 Vancouver Island locations: in Victoria 250-477-3212;

HT oTENTik - OVERNIG ! AND UNDER STARS ÉE oTENTik - UNE NUOIT ILÉ ! SOUS UN CIEL ÉT parkscanada.gc.ca/fortroddhill

26 Island Parent Magazine

250-478-5849

parcscanada.gc.ca/fortroddhill

www.kidsinvictoria.com

in the Westshore 250-590-6211; in Duncan 250-746-0222; in Nanaimo 250-758-1526.

GYMNASTICS Falcon Gymnastics, Victoria’s leader in Gymnastics, is offering 2014 Summer Sault Gymnastics camps. Starting July 7-to August 29, Falcon promises your child will have a great time! Whether on the Vault, Bars, Beam, or playing in our Foam pit or bouncing on the trampoline, your child is in good hands with Nationally Certified coaches who know how to make it fun and safe! Falcon Gymnastics—where Fun & Fitness are number 1! Phone 250-479-6424. www. falcongymnastics.com. Do you have a little girl who likes to dance, jump and juggle? Then register her for a class at Island Rhythmics. The nationally certified coaches at Island Rhythmics will provide a fun, safe, and nurturing environment where she will learn the beautiful sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnastics is an elegant and exciting Olympic sport combining dance and gymnastics and is performed with small hand held apparatus to music. Visit us online at islandrhythmics.com.

ALL FUN KARTS • CAGES • CLUBS • CAMPING at Western Speedway

s a g n i h t h c u s There’s no ! ! n u f h c u m too

Victoria Gymnastics is celebrating its 32nd year of providing quality gymnastics instruction to boys and girls ages two through adult, beginner through advanced. Over this time period, Victoria Gymnastics had gained its long standing reputation as the Island premier gymnastics club. Some of the key elements of our club’s success are our small class sizes (8:1), convenient class times (morning, afternoon and evening) and expert coaching in a well structured, fun and safe environment. 250-380-2442 or www.victoriagymnastics.com.

RECREATION Burnside Gorge Community Centre offers day camps for children and youth. Children aged 5-12 will enjoy a variety of theme weeks that include crafts, swimming, field trips and a nutritious snack daily. Regular Care: $145/ week, 8:30am-4:30pm. Extended Care: $165/week, 7:30am-5:30pm. Daily and part-time rates available. For youth aged 11-15, Camp Survivor activities range from laser tag, rock climbing, motocross, paintball, swimming and more! $159/week. Daily rate available. City of Victoria LIFE credits welcome. Call 250-388-5251 to register.

www.IslandParent.ca

GO KARTS BATTING CAGES MINI GOLF RV PARK Open: June & September on Weekends & Holidays • 12:00 noon-5:00 pm Open: July & August Every Day • 11:00 am-6:00 pm (weather permitting)

2207 Millstream Road, Victoria BC 250.474.1961 allfun.bc.ca June 2014 27

Summer Sailing Lessons at Canadian Forces Sailing Association, Esquimalt for kids and adults! Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) certified instructors. One & two week courses, all skill levels, ages 4 & up. Mondays to Fridays 9am-4pm. Learn to sail in a safe fun environment! Schedule and prices at cfsa.wordpress.com/ (follow the link to Training and Sailing Lessons). 1001 Maple Bank Rd, Victoria. 250-385-8873. Email: cfsatraining@gmail.com. Course Registration through the Pacific Activity Centre at 250-363-1009. Christ Church Cathedral School’s Summer Program provides a safe and exciting summer for your child. We have a high supervision ratio, experienced staff, excursions every day, plus all the facilities of Cathedral School. This program runs from June 23-August 28 and is suitable for ages 5-10. Technology camps are also running throughout the summer. Robotics, Minecraft and Programming themed camps for ages 9-12. Call 250-383-5125 for details or email cathedralschool@cathedralschool.ca. See www.cathedralschool.ca

June 13–15, 2014

Summer Camps for ages 5-15 at City Centre Park are packed full of fun activities this summer including skating, roller blading, water park, field sports, lake activities, pond fishing, kayaking, crafts, nature hiking, mini putt, balladium, sportball, science experiments, music, drama, art, themes, cooperative games, playzone and gymnastics. Regular camp hours will be 9am-3pm Monday-Friday every week of summer with before and after care available 7:30am-5pm. Ages 5-15. Visit www.citycentrepark.ca or call 250-391-1738 for more information. At the Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre, we know there are lots of Summer Camp choices out there for your kids. We understand that parents need safe, fun options for their kids over the summer. When you sign up your child for a City of Victoria Summer Camp, you can rest assured that we have incorporated both our own expectations and yours when planning our camp program. We’ve got everyone covered from preschooler to teen, so register today at 250.361.0732 today. For a complete camp listing visit www.victoria.ca/recservices. Spend the summer with Esquimalt Parks and Recreation! With over 30 camps to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Let your preschooler “Get Messy” while your 8

28 Island Parent Magazine

year old experiences “Nature Adventures” and your 13 year old enters our “World of Science!” With highly trained and energetic staff, and opportunities for all ages and interests, be sure to register before camps fill by calling 250-412-8500. Visit www. esquimalt.ca/recreation to view a complete listing of camps in our spring/summer guide. Kids Klub Centre offers a VIHA licensed summer day camp for children ages 5 to 12 years old. Our day camps are full of fun, active and exciting activities. Qualified summer staff work together to plan a memorable summer for your child. We offer amazing out-trips, crafts, sports as well as beach and theme days. Weekly sign up. Hours: 7am-5:30pm daily. All out-trips are included in the fees. Visit www.kidsklub.ca or phone (250)881-1223 for more program information. Panorama Recreation is excited for another action-packed summer! We’re carefully planned our programs to accommodate the interests, needs and abilities of all of the youth in our community. We’ve even included some flexible options where you can choose between AM, PM or full-day camps. We’re also excited to bring back Play in the Park for the second summer! Join us every week-day evening for family fun at local parks around the Peninsula. Live Well. Have Fun.www.panoramarecreation.ca. Recreation Oak Bay, where everyone comes to play! Explore, dream, and perform! Dance, dig and create! A variety of summer camps for all ages at fabulous locations. New for 2013 are Nature Camps, plus fun exciting theme, sports, arts & craft, theatre, dance and golf camps. Available for water enthusiasts are Aqua Adventures, Sailing and Junior Lifeguard Club camps! Daily registration available in Skidaddle and Explorers (licensed) camps. Visit recreation. oakbay.ca or call 250-595-7946 to choose your summer adventure! Royal Victoria Yacht Club offers public sailing for ages 4 and up in all levels of sailing. We were Sailing Program of the Year both 2011 and 2012 awarded by Sail Canada. We use certified instructors and low student to instructor ratios. Sailors will work towards CANSail accreditation, and will enjoy on water training, games and a beach day party. For more info, call 250-592-6113, email sailing@rvyc.ca, or visit rvyc.bc.ca. Come and join us on Cadboro Bay! www.kidsinvictoria.com

Youth Leadership in Saanich. Saanich Youth Services is committed to be a leader in building developmental assets in young people. One significant way we achieve this is through our leadership continuum. This is an opportunity for a young person to learn valuable leadership skills, be mentored in a recreation environment, gain practical work experience and have the potential to gain employment in our department. Teens In Action: Level 1 - Intro to Leadership, 13-14yrs; Teens In Action: Level 2, 14-18yrs; Youth Internship, 16-18yrs. For more information on these programs contact Jason Jones@ 250-475-5427 or jason.jones@saanich.ca. Westshore Motocross Park offers dirt bike riding, rentals and lessons for the whole family, age 4yrs & up. From 50cc auto with training wheels to 125/250cc full size bikes for Mom and Dad, dirt bike riding has never been so easy and fun. Birthday party’s are common here and with over 35 rental bikes and 50 sets of safety gear, large groups of any age are no problem. Summer camps in July and August. Open Tuesdays thru Friday 11 to 8pm or dusk, Saturdays 10 til 4, Sunday and Monday by call 250 590 8088. Located at 2207 Millstream Road in Langford. Contact www.westshoremx.com. Come explore ‘The Great Outdoors’ with your ‘Five Senses’ this summer! West Shore Parks & Recreation offers exciting daily and weekly camps for ages 2-18. Master Chefs, Aspiring Artists and Sports Stars alike will make friends, gain independence and have fun with our awesome leaders. We also offer free playground camps for school-aged children and Leadership opportunities for teens. Visit www.westshorerecreation.ca or call 250-478-8384 for information. Follow us on Facebook; www.facebook.com/ westshorerecreation.

RIDING Alpine Stables offers a variety of equestrian opportunities. Unique summer riding camps are offered. Parents can choose from: weeklong overnight riding camps, full day & half day camps. Camps involve the students in the responsibility of caring for a horse. Camps also include riding lessons, trail rides, feeding, grooming, show & games day. Alpine Stables also offers Family Trail Riding through spectacular west coast scenery. For camp dates and costs call 250-743-6641. Located in Cobble Hill 40 minutes from Victoria. www.alpinestable.com. www.IslandParent.ca

Licenced group childcare for children 6 months to 5 years Open 6:30am – 5:30pm 2758 Peatt Road, Langford 250-818-9225 or 778-265-5955 www.leapforwardlangford.com info@leapforwardlangford.com June 2014 29

S T A G E S Su m mer Pro g ra ms 2014 34th A n nual

Da nce I ntensive Aug ust 18 th - 29 th

Part-day program for dancers 10 years old & up in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop & Acrobatics

Westside Stables is located only 15 minutes from downtown Victoria. If you have a horse-crazy kid, we have a program for you. Register now for our summer riding camps or one of our spring/summer riding lesson programs.. We have many well-schooled, wonderful lesson horses and ponies to choose from. Our programs are all run with safety and fun in mind following the Horse Council of BC guidelines for advancement. We have a large indoor and outdoor riding ring offering year-round riding lessons and riding camps. Come join the fun. Call 250652-1462 or visit www.westsidestables.ca.

Plus Week-long, part day

Youth Da nce Ca mps Throughout July & August for dancers 6-12 years old in Jazz, Hip Hop & Acrobatics

A nd Week-long, morning

Preschool Dance Camps Throughout July & August for 3-5 years olds in Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre & Tap plus

Little Dancers Classes

photos by D Haggart

are running through the summer for those 16 months to 3 years old

Come Da nce With Us

For more information call (250) 384-3267 email us at stagesdance@shaw.ca or visit us at www.stagesdance.com

Children/Teen Sewing Camps Summer ¤‚⁄› Classes

Children (aged 7 yrs & up) & Teens Your child/teen can SEW! It’s SEW EASY!

Bay/Fernwood Area Fall & Homeschool classes also available

30 Island Parent Magazine

July 2-4

Aug 5-8

July 7-11 July 14-18 July 21-25 July 28-Aug 1

Aug 11-15 Aug 18-22 Aug 25-29

(3 days am, 2 days pm)

Emphasis is on sewing clothes they can wear! Andrea’s

Andrea Bailey

23 years experience

The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association (CTRA) provides equine based services for people with disabilities. Through the power of the human-equine bond, CTRA brings together individuals, families and the community in the spirit of healing, inclusion and human growth. We provide year round therapeutic riding, recreational & sport opportunity, stable management programs as well as beginner lessons & summer horse camps for all children. We also have many volunteer opportunities. 250-746-1028. info@ctra.ca. www.ctra.ca.

(4 days)

Call 250-592-7879 aseweasy@shaw.ca

SCIENCE, NATURE & OUTDOOR EDUCATION Boys & Girls Clubs offer more than a childcare solution. Outdoor Adventure Camp is perfect for kids who are adventurous, outdoorsy kids ($200/week, runs 3 weeks in July and August) with canoeing, rockclimbing, archery and more at our Outdoor Centre in Metchosin. Urban Adventure Camp ($150/week through July and August) is a licensed camp in Esquimalt where kids discover adventures outdoors and in the city. www.bgcvic.org/clubs-camps. 250384-9133 ext. 203. At FUN Camps, kids and teens become ecosuperheroes while having fun and making new friends. Each week different fun themes help your child learn about the amazing world around them in a hands-on way. Our trained educators lead FUN Campers on outdoor adventure activities like kayaking or rock-climbing, inspire them to create their own projects and guide them through innovative games that teach through fun. And that’s just the tip of the FUN iceberg. Specialized peer leader program for your teen that wants to make a difference, gain experience and have fun! For more info

www.andreasseweasy.com www.kidsinvictoria.com

and to register visit www.funcamps.ca, 778-977-5921. Since 1995 the marine Adventure Program at Glenlyon Norfolk School has specialized in running 5-6 day sea kayak camps for teens and youth. Our day camps for 1112 year-olds feature instruction, games and activities specially geared towards the unique and specific needs and interests of this energetic age group. The two leaders are qualified kayak instructors and create an ideal, safe, fun learning environment for the children, and an opportunity to gain skills and boost their confidence. Contact the Marine Adventure Program at 250-3706852 or dtyrell@mygns.ca. Come plant with us at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific. This dynamic program educates youths about horticulture, health, nutrition, environmental science, leadership and life skills using fun, creative activities. Summer Camps: July 14-18, Health & Nutrition 9:00am-4:00pm 9-12 yrs $175/child. July 28-Aug 1, Wildlife Gardener 9:00am4:00pm 6-10 yrs $175/child. Aug 11-15, Literature in the Garden 9:00am-4:00pm 6-10 yrs $175/child. Check out our Workshop Series during June and July and learn and play with your family in the Gardens at HCP. Contact us at youthprograms@hcp. ca or check our website hcp.ca for details. Mad Science: spark children’s interest in science, encourage their curiosity and build their confidence and skills. Science Sleuths, Robots, Rockets or Secret Agent are the topics of this years’ half or full day camp where children participate in scientific exploration that is so much fun, they forget they are learning! All camps include indoor and outdoor activities. Our mixed classes focus on age-specific needs and abilities. Details and registration available online: vancouverisland.madscience.org. Oak and Orca School’s Bioregional Summer Program is educational and child-centred. We offer Field Trips twice a week, Wilderness Skills, Music, Art and much more! Weekly themes include plants and animals, water, fire, ecosystems and local history. We cycle to natural destinations around Victoria and provide many fun and exciting opportunities to explore our home-place. Our program is open to all Victoria children ages 5-12. For more information, please call 250-383-6609 or see www.oakandorca.ca/summer/.

www.IslandParent.ca

SPORTS Henderson Par 3, fun for the whole family! Henderson Park is a short but challenging course where play is faster and less expensive than most courses. Great for beginners, juniors, golfers with limited time or energy, or those who want to work on their short game. Sign up for group or private lessons (all ages), drop in for a daily special or register the kids for golf camps (5-12 years). For details, visit recreation.oakbay.ca or call 250-370-7200. Learn. Move. Achieve. and have FUN! PISE (Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence) Sport Star Summer Camps are dedicated to developing fundamental movement and sport skills while having fun. PISE uses Canadian Sport for Life’s long term athlete development philosophy as a base for its programs; teaching kids how to properly run, jump, throw, catch and kick and exposing them to many different sports & activities. PISE Sport Star camps are for ages 3 – 18 and run throughout July and August. www. piseworld.com Soccertron FUNdamentals this summer! Soccertron, a well organized total fun soccer experience is 34 years old! We have designed our summer programs for ages 3 to 13, and for beginners to experienced players. Each camp includes five days of terrific teaching, endless enthusiasm and great games. If you want your child to have a lot of fun while improving their soccer skills—then it is easy. Your choice this summer is Soccertron! What a fantastic experience for a child! Fun for ages 3 to 10 years, Sportball Multi-Sport Camps are available as half-day or full-day sessions. Coaches focus on eight core sports – hockey, soccer, tennis, baseball, basketball, volleyball, golf and football – as well as arts and crafts, snack time, stories and more. Camps are run indoors and outdoors, depending on the location and weather. Visit us online at www.sportball.ca for a list of locations and registration information. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. The Sanctuary offers a wide variety of nature activities for all ages. Take part in year-round programs for school aged children. Visit with the animals in our Nature House, experience the spectacle of wildflowers in spring or discover the joys of bird watching. Enjoy a walk around the

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Eco-adventure camps for 6-16 year olds Victoria/Colwood

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www.funcamps.ca

Irlen Syndrome Screening for Children & Adults When other assessments and testing for learning disabilities have not found answers, Irlen Syndrome, a visual perceptual problem might be the issue. For information, screenings and accommodations please contact:

Karen Hope Certified Irlen Screener 250.655.3034 khope@dyslexiavictoria.ca

www.dyslexiavictoriaonline.com

June 2014 31

Come Join the Fun

Summer Programs • Year round lessons for children and adults • Safe well schooled lesson horses with qualified instructors • Indoor and outdoor riding facility

250-652-1462

www.westsidestables.ca

Kate Rubin Theatre & Drama Studio specializes

dramatic

training

CHILDREN, YOUTH, and ADULTS. Within a professional, for

experienced, learning

and

supportive

environment,

lake or a hike up the hill! Leave the urban world behind, and immerse yourself in the natural world—it’s right at your doorstep. 250-479-0211, info@swanlake.bc.ca, www. swanlake.bc.ca, Monday-Friday (8:304:00) and Saturday-Sunday (Noon-4:00). 3873 Swan Lake Road, Victoria, BC.

and with weekly registration. Island Swim Skills are open to all levels of ability and offer athletes the opportunity to maintain their fitness and enhance their skills. Discover how much fun competitive swimming can be! For more information visit www. islandswimming.com

Discover The Power of Play with the UVic Vikes summer camps. Vikes camps include Basketball, Hockey, Youth Leadership Development, Girl Power!, Mini Vikes (full and half day), racquet sports, soccer, multisport, swimming, tennis, track & field, field hockey, speed and agility, Run/Jump/ Throw, Vikes Adventurers, and Volleyball. Participants are provided with t-shirts, a camp certificate and swimming is included in most full day camps. Visit www.vikescamps. com to register.

OTHER

SWIMMING/DIVING Boardworks. Join one of Canada’s most successful springboard and platform diving clubs this summer at Saanich Commonwealth Place and learn how to dive in a fun and safe atmosphere. Boardworks OlympicGarten Camps (5-8 years) combine dryland training on the trampoline and dryboards, gymnastics and time in the water for a fun introduction to basic diving skills. FunDive Camps (9-12 years) teach beginner to advanced participants basic and advanced introductory diving skills using dryland training, gymnastics as well as time in the water. Visit www.boardworks.ca to register or for more information. Island Swimming’s 2014 Summer Skills Programs are ideal for swimmers age 6-12 looking for a new challenge. Program locations are at Saanich Commonwealth Place, Juan de Fuca Rec Center and Seaparc Pool

Andrea’s Sew Easy. Can you imagine how excited your child would be to make their own clothes? Andrea Bailey has been teaching children from the age of seven, up to teens, for over 23 years, year round! Small classes, maximum of 4, allow students to work at their own speed. One-week camps are held during July and August from Monday to Friday, either morning or afternoon sessions. For more information call Andrea at 250-592-7879, email at aseweasy@shaw. ca or visit www.andreasseweasy.com BCSPCA. Many kids love animals, whether being influenced by stories, the family pet, or an innate desire to help those who are most vulnerable. Learning ways to take this interest to the next level is what young people can experience at SPCA camps. What a great way for kids to spend a week this summer, sharing the experience with other animal lovers and fostering their passion to make the world a better place for animals. For more information, visit spca.bc.ca/camp or call us at 604-709-4679. The Cridge Sunfun day camps are packed full of exciting experiences. Our staff enthusiastically connects with kids of school age. The schedule includes group games, crafts, singing, tours, Bible stories and field trips to community events, beaches and parks on the island. Many kids return year after year and look forward to some of our events

students

flourish with improved acting skills,

confidence, CREATIVE THINKING, public speaking

stronger

skills, spontaneity, and versatility in physical & vocal expression.

Now Registering Classes • Workshops • Private Coaching for Summer 2014 Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer Terms Theatre Camps!

Kate Rubin

Theatre & Drama Studio

250.386.8593 • KateRubin@telus.net www.KateRubinTheatre.com facebook.com/KateRubinTheatre

32 Island Parent Magazine

the

gardens at HCP

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

nature adventures happen hcp.ca www.kidsinvictoria.com

such as The Cridge Olympics, swimming in Lake Cowichan and a camping trip for the older children. Contact 250-995-6407, or visit www.cridge.org to register. At IMAX® Victoria in the Royal BC Museum, you don’t just see a movie—you experience it! Home of the largest IMAX screen in BC and equipped with powerful, chair shaking, surround sound, it will take you to places you can only imagine! This summer features Sharks, Vikings, Lemurs, Trains and more! It’s IMAX—bring your family and come along for the adventure. Shows play hourly with full-length Hollywood feature films in the evenings. www.imaxvictoria.com.

Mid-Island Programs GrandKids University at VIU in Nanaimo. Create lasting memories while doing something that’s a little out of the ordinary. This isn’t your regular summer camp—it’s a chance to make learning fun while spending time together on VIU’s beautiful Nanaimo campus. Take part in GrandKids University on July 3 and 4. Kids ages 7 to 13 and their grandparents can earn “degrees” while doing fun activities including art, baking, fisheries and aquaculture, field naturalist,

chemistry, sports and wildlife. Find out more at www2.viu.ca/grankids or call 1-866-734-6252.

ronment where the fun never ends! For more information check out www.ladysmith.ca or register by calling 250-245-6424 today!

Camping and adventure at Horne Lake. Treat yourself and your family to one of the most scenic outdoor destinations on Vancouver Island. Explore the crystal-filled caverns with tours ranging from mild to wild or try a rock rappelling session. Want to stay above-ground? Then check out Canada’s only Cave Theatre and Museum with a fossil collection. Or combine all the above with “All-Inclusive” Family Adventure Camps. These weekend camps include all meals, activities and a teepee to camp in! Lakefront camping is available within walking distance.

The Raptors offers a unique learning experience for all ages that will never be forgotten. Our safe, exciting and educational summer camps keep their minds and bodies busy all day. Activities include practical and safe, hands-on experiences and flying demonstrations with many different raptors such as hawks and owls. The children, working in small groups with our fun and experience staff, learn about the birds’ unique adaptations that help them survive in the wild. www.pnwraptors.com 250-746-0372.

Ladysmith Adventure Zone Summer Daycamps (for ages 6–12, or 5 yrs. if they have attended kindergarten). Have fun and build lasting relationships at Ladysmith Adventure Zone Summer Daycamps, Monday – Friday at the Frank Jameson Community Centre with new longer hours, 8 am–4 pm, to better meet the needs of busy parents. Activities include swimming, crafts, games, outings, and more, in a safe, nurturing envi-

K-9 Distributed Learning

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville offers the most extensive resort Recreational Programs on Vancouver Island. Enjoy Kids and Family programs including: swimming and tennis lessons; flow yoga; cosmic bowling; Foodie Tour; Teen Club; Sand Sculpture Contest; Build Your Own Bear; Kids Club Drop In and so much more—we have something to suit everyone’s interests! Rediscover the natural choice for your next family getaway! www.tigh-na-mara.com. 1-800-663-7373.•

Hands-On Home-Learning for a Sustainable World - expense budget provided

The joy of learning - naturally.

http://oakandorca.ca http://oakandorca.ca 250 383 6619 888 383 6619) 250 383(1 6609 www.IslandParent.ca

- unique hands-on learning activities - support from a certiﬁed teacher - constructive feedback without grading - children can learn at their natural pace

June 2014 33

Party Directory Funtime Inflatables #1 choice for party inflatables

250-474-0597

www.funtimeinflatables.ca

We will match any competitor’s price; we will beat any competitors service!

Trust your next party or special event to the experts, Funtime Inflatables—the original bouncy castle company. Serving Vancouver Island since 1990.

New items arriving soon!!!

G Y M

FALCON

GYMNASTICS Birthday Parties

M N

Our great instructors will treat you to an action packed two hours of fun and fitness in our great facility!

S T I C S

40 sary r Annive 2013 1973–

• 2 large decorated birthday rooms • Free T-shirt for birthday child, invitations for up to 10 children • The ONLY Inflatable Climbing Mountain with trampoline in town • Party Time now offered for many different groups (schools, daycare centres)

Book Early: 250-479-6424

#208 – 721 Vanalman Ave

(Broadmead & Royal Oak Area)

www.falcongymnastics.com

S T

Book your party with us today! We now offer online booking.

All parties are held in a private party room with a dedicated staff member. Birthday child gets a very special keepsake and all guests paint their own ceramic item.

See website for details: www.firedupceramics.ca

Fired UP!

1801 Fort Street @ Richmond

Hassle Free Parties for kids & families You provide the space and food… We’ll provide an hour of fun with puppet shows and play

250 472 3546 www.puppetbooth.homestead.com 34 Island Parent Magazine

Paint your own ceramics

N Celebrate your birthday with us! A

Fired UP!

Paint your own ceramics

Now Offering Full-week and one day camps! Ages 6 and up. Birthday See website forParties! details! www.firedupceramics.ca

Now Offering Full-week andTag one day camps! ~ Laser Ages 6 and up. Balls ~ Human Hamster See website for details! ~ Booger Wars www.firedupceramics.ca ~ Video Game Theatre ~ U:Launchers ~ Foam Party

We bring the Fun2U!

Birthdays, school funfairs, fundraising, festivals, teen groups, church groups, summer camps, sports teams, corporate groups

Call Alicia 250-661-2219 Email games2uvictoria@gmail.com Global @ www.g2u.com Facebook @ Games2u Victoria

:: Gym & Bouncy Castle, themed parties: creative kids, girl power and preschool parties from Princesses to Pirates! at Henderson Recreation Centre!

Call 250-370-7200

Pool, Skate, or Soccer parties at Oak Bay Recreation Centre!

Call 250-595-SWIM (7946)

www.recreation.oakbay.ca

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Party Directory

ctoria

You’ll Flip Over Our Birthday Parties * Greater Victoria’s newest, largest and cleanest facility with hassle free parking for you and your guests * * Large private party rooms * * Experienced Qualified Fun Coaches * * 3 Trampolines & 40ft Tumble Trac * * Awesome Foam Pit *

250-383-FLIP

www.lionspridegymnastics.com Located in Langford

Gymnastics

Birthday Parties Come Fly With Us!

7 Day Rentals from $149 250-881-2680 AffordableHotTubs.ca

Party sizes up to 18 kids We supply table top cover, napkins, hats, streamers and balloons Optional character

Two certified instructors and a host Optional character

Gymnastics games and music

Par-T-Perfect

(250) 386-JUMP (5867) www.par-t-perfect.com • Indoor facility options for all your bouncy castle and inflatable requirements • School fairs/festivals and picnics • At home/indoor theme parties, i.e. Teddy Bear stuffing, craft parties • Free gift for birthday child when you mention this ad • Costumed facepainters and balloon twisters, i.e. princesses, pirates, ragdoll style clowns • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Free t-shirt

Optional character

Foam landing pit and 40' long trampoline

Optional character Optional character

Optional character

Party participants can win a FREE month

Available Sat & Sun Afternoons Corner of Store & Pembroke Optional character

www.victoriagymnastics.com

250-380-2442

Enter Our Online Contests Every month at Island Parent and Kids In Victoria you can enter to win some great prizes!

Prizes include:

• • • •

Family Getaways Gift Certificates IMAX Passes Books, CDs and More

One entry per family per week. Check out the prizes and enter the contests by visiting

www.IslandParent.ca or www.kidsinvictoria.com www.IslandParent.ca

Action-Packed Birthday Parties Supervised • 2–8 Yrs

It’s about skills, not scores.

Go to www.sportball.ca for schedules & information Call us: 250 590 4625 Email: van.island@sportball.ca

June 2014 35

June 2014

Generously Sponsored by and

Family Calendar For calendar updates throughout the month visit www.kidsinvictoria.com SUN 1 Vernal Pools, Not Mud Puddles at Uplands Park. Uplands Park “mud puddles” are actually vernal pools in the endangered Garry Oak Ecosystem. Many of the 22 rare plant species in Uplands Park are associated with wetland vernal pool ecology. Discover these pools with botanist James Miskelly and the Friends of Uplands Park, learn how they are formed, and discuss how you can protect them. Wear waterproof shoes, bring your camera and enjoy being close to some of the rarest plants ever. 1-3pm. Meet at Uplands Park sign on Beach Drive. 250-595-8084. friendsofuplandspark. wordpress.com. Sandy Shores at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. Join a CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist for an intertidal exploration and discover the strange and wonderful creatures that appear between the tides. Be prepared to get your feet wet (bring sandals or beach shoes). Meet at main beach. Witty Beach Rd access closed. Access from main park entrance off Metchosin Rd. 1.2km moderate hike, approximately 20 minutes. 12:30-2pm. 5+ years. BC Transit #54 or #55. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

TUES 3 Guys’ Night Out Baby Time at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Calling all babies and the men who love them. Join us for fingerplays, puppets, stories and songs. For dads, stepdads, fosterdads, granddads, uncles and male care-

36 Island Parent Magazine

givers with babies 0-15 months. 6:30-7pm. Register at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-477-9030.

THURS 5 Funny Business With Norden the Magician at Nellie McClung Branch Library. Knock knock. Who’s there? Norden. Norden who? Norden the Magician! Laugh your socks off with Norden’s hilarious antics and thrilling magic tricks. For ages 5-12. 6:30-7:30pm. Register at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-477-7111.

FRI 6 Centennial Spring Fair at Margaret Jenkins School. Bouncy castles, carnival games, pirate school, cupcake walk, face painting, bike rodeo, raffle baskets, dunk tank, family photo booth and live music. $20/family or $5/person (cash only). 5-8pm.

SAT 7 18th Annual Brentwood Bay Festival at Brentwood Community Hall. Food vendors, market vendors, kids entertainment, live music and comedy acts, games, face painting and more. Pancake breakfast at 8am. 7082 Wallace Dr. www.brentwoodbay.info/festival.html. Chili Cook-Off at Cook Street Village Activity Centre. 11:30am-3pm. $3/members; $5/nonmembers. 1-380 Cook Street. 250-384-6542. Kids Mega Sale at Pearkes Arena. Gently used baby and children’s clothing, toys, equipment and maternity. 9:30am-12:30pm. 3100 Tillicum Rd. kidsmegasale@gmail.com.

Variety Club’s Boat for Hope at the Inner Harbour. Skippers, pirates and families will sail the high seas on an exciting pirate adventure on the water followed by a fun-filled land event. This event helps raise funds for Variety through the skippers plus corporate and community partners. Since its inception, Boat for Hope has raised over $1.2 million for children who have special needs. Want to get involved? Visit www.variety.bc.ca.

SAT 7 & SUN 8 Oak Bay Tea Party at Willows Beach. Parade, live entertainment, air show, bathtub race, food and much more. www.oakbayteaparty. com for more information.

SUN 8 Victoria Toy Show at Mary Winspear Centre. Western Canada’s longest running toy show! Antiques, dolls, tin toys, dinky toys, robots, planes, star wars, trains, games, books, soldiers, comics, Disney, western, Barbies, cars, Lego, comics, stuffies... most anything you can think of. Great snacks, drinks and more. $3/ adults; children with an adult free. 10am-4pm. For more information call Heather, 250-4800349. 2243 Beacon Ave. victoriatoyshow@ telus.net. www.victoriatoyshow.ca. Kid’s Buddhist Meditation Class at Bodhichitta Buddhist Centre. Meditation and Buddhist philosophy specially suited for kids 8-14. Learn to calm your minds through guided meditation and use Buddhist teachings in everyday life

www.kidsinvictoria.com

through stories and games. 11am-noon. $5 drop-in per child; $10 maximum per family. meditatevancouverisland.org/kids-class. World Oceans Day behind the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre (on the grass behind the aquarium and Pier Hotel building). Live performances by the Cascadian Crusaders, kayak skills & drills, diving and creature search, ocean-themed games, face painting, food, artists, and a variety of exhibitors. Free. 11am-3pm. www.oceandiscovery.ca. The Best Nest! at Francis/King Regional Park. Bring your little ones to discover nests and look for homes of hummingbirds, robins and more. Children will experience life as a small bird through story time, a forest ramble and a nest craft to take home. Meet at nature centre off Munn Rd at 1pm. 8 years and under. 250478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

FRI 13 – SUN 15 Buccaneer Days. Pancake breakfast, parade, fair, craft and garden sale, pirates den with children’s activity area. For more information, visit www.esquimaltbuccaneerdays.ca.

sat 14 What’s That? Ask a Nat! at Island View Beach Regional Park. Come with your curiosity to explore low tide and all the marine critters it reveals. Borrow our dip nets and ask CRD Regional Parks’ naturalists to identify your treasures. Be prepared to get your feet wet (bring sandals or beach shoes). Look for the blue tent on the beach off Homathko Rd. All ages. 11am-2pm drop in. 250-478-3344. www. crd.bc.ca/parks. Music for Young Children® Free Demonstration Classes at MYC Studio. MYC® is a dynamic, child-centered curriculum for ages two through eleven that combines proven music education theories into one comprehensive method of keyboard, singing, creative movement, rhythm, ear training, sight-reading, music theory and composition. Parents must attend with their child(ren). Class sizes are limited; RSVP to reserve a spot. Contact

Jennifer Yuen at 250.380.1189 or jennifer@ JennifersMusicStudio.com.

SUN 15 What Have You Seine Today? at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. Join CRD Regional Parks’ naturalists to use a seine net and see what creatures live in the deeper reaches of the ocean. Be prepared to get your feet wet (bring sandals or beach shoes). Meet on main beach. Witty Beach access closed. Access from main park entrance off Metchosin Rd. Trail is 1.2km moderate hike, approximately 20 minutes. 10:30am-noon. All ages. BC Transit #54 or #55. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks. “Just Me and My Dad” Storytime and Craft at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Bring the kids you love for a storytime in honour of Father’s Day and enjoy fingerplays, puppets, stories and songs and a special craft. For dads, stepdads, granddads or uncles and children aged newborn to 5. 11am-noon. Register at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-477-9030. Tide Pools and Sea Birds at Cattle Point. Low tide at Cattle Point offers an opportunity to view a diverse ecology in tidal pools and sub tidal crevices. Join Melissa Frey and Gavin Hanke, curators at the RBCM and expert birder Geoffrey Newell, and the Friends of Uplands Park to learn how to tread softly on the rocks to find fish, anemones, crabs and to watch the birds interact with this foreshore ecological niche. Bring binoculars and wear water shoes/boots to investigate the tide pools using nets and containers. Last year, we found 53 species of plants and animals. 11am-1:30pm. 250-595-8084. friendsofuplandspark.wordpress.com.

sat 21 World Refugee Day Celebration at Central Branch Library. The theme of World Refugee Day 2014 is “Walking for a Prouder Canada”. Please join us for this family-friendly event in the courtyard for an afternoon of live music, food, button making, interactive activities, storytelling, walking a labyrinth and more. Presented in partnership with WUSC, VCST,

Up SOUp YOUR MEALS with savvy shortcuts that get you to a home-cooked meal in minutes.

www.IslandParent.ca

VIRCS and ICA. 1-4pm. No registration required. 250-382-7241, ext. 601.

SUN 22 Hartland Happening at Hartland Landfill. Come for a look behind the scenes at your award-winning landfill and check out educational displays. Ask an expert about waste management programs and initiatives. Take a guided tour of the landfill. Hot dogs, veggie dogs and juice available. 10:30am-2pm. To ensure your spot on a tour, register by calling 250-474-9613 or email hartland@crd.bc.ca. www.crd.bc.ca/hartlandhappening. Kid’s Buddhist Meditation Class at Bodhichitta Buddhist Centre. See SUN 11 for details. 11am-noon. $5 drop-in per child; $10 maximum per family. meditatevancouverisland. org/kids-class.

SAT 28 The Beach Rocks! at Island View Beach Regional Park. The tide is out. Join a CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist and get a glimpse of the creatures that live beneath the rocks. Be prepared to get your feet wet (bring sandals or beach shoes). Meet at grassy area adjacent to picnic shelter off Homathko Rd at noon All ages. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

sun 29 Going Batty at Swan Lake Nature House. Come celebrate our best source of natural mosquito control—bats! Explore their weird and

No Spoon Required Our soups enhance tender steaks, saucy prawn pasta, Thai curry and Moroccan-style lamb. We hope our soups inspire you to use them in other taste-filled, creative ways.

1.800.667.8280 thriftyfoods.com June 2014 37

wonderful world with games, exhibits, crafts and more. Admission by donation. Noon-3pm. For more info, call 250-479-0211 or visit www. swanlake.bc.ca. 3873 Swan Lake Rd.

ONGOING Summer Camp – Different Theme Every Week!

BABIES, TODDLERS & PRESCHOOL Parent/Tot Drop-in at Gordon Head United Church. A safe place where young children can play while parents in the community connect with each other. Lots of space and toys. Tea or coffee is available for caregivers, and a healthy snack for the children. Parents are responsible for the care of their own children. Mondays 10am-noon. More info call the church office at 250-477-4142, or Maisie at 250-477-0388.

Crafts, Games, Outings All Ages Welcome 9am–12pm and/or 1–3pm July 3 – August 29

Summer Groups

Monday to Friday • 9am–12pm July 7–11: Social Detectives, Part 1, Level 1 (Ages 5–8) July 7–11: Social Detectives, Part 1, Level 2 (Ages 6–9) July 14–18: Social Thinking® Outings (Ages 10–13) July 21–25: Social Detectives Theme (Ages 6–9) July 28 – Aug 1: Social Thinking® Sports (Ages 8–13) Aug 5–8: Social Detectives, Part 2, Level 1 (Ages 5–8) Aug 5–8: Social Detectives, Part 2, Level 2 (Ages 6–9) Aug 11–15: Social Thinking® Outings (Ages 8–10) Aug 18–22: Social Detectives Theme (Ages 6–9) Aug 25–29: Social Thinking® Lego (Ages 8–10)

Kindergym Parent and Tot at Burnside Community Campus Gym. Ride-on toys, climbers, slides, balls, hoops and various sports equipment. The program includes free play, organized games and circle time. Best suited for ages 2-4 years, yet all children under 5 years are welcome. Parent participation required. Tuesdays 9:30-10:45am. Free. 3130 Jutland Rd.

For more information or to register for a group, please contact the office at 250-386-1171 or info@mylittlesteps.net

Good Morning Rhyme Time at Sidney/ North Saanich Branch Library. Bring your littlest ones to the library for stories, songs, rhymes and movement. For children 0-5 years. 10:15-10:45am. For more information, call 250-656-0944.

CHILDREN Summer Reading Club 2014 at Sidney/North Saanich Branch Library. This popular BC Summer Reading Club encourages children to keep up and advance their reading skills in July and August. Kids and their caregivers are invited to laugh, giggle and chuckle their way to the library to join in all the Summer Reading Club fun with this year’s theme: Funny Business. Sign up starts on June 26th, with lots of fun, free events planned. Please register for individual programs at the library or by calling 250-656-0944.

COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY DENTISTRY family centered practice extended hours evenings and weekends the latest equipment and caring staff request an appointment online

YOUTH

saanichdentalgroup.com 119–1591 McKenzie Ave, Victoria

250 477 7321

info@saanichdentalgroup.com

Victoria’s favourite dentists believe a healthy smile starts early. Free first visit for children under 5.

Island Parent Magazine

Sea-Shirt Sundays at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. On the first Sunday of each month, create your own fish fashion. Be sure to bring a pillow case, cloth bag or t-shirt (or purchase a t-shirt from the centre) and your creativity. $2 donation for fabric paint. 1-3pm. 250-665-7511.

Friday Nights are Alright at Flipside Youth Activity Centre, Pearkes Recreation Centre. Play pool, ping-pong, dome hockey, foosball and two different video game systems while partaking in refreshments. Drop by Flipside between 3-6pm Fridays to pick up a free admission ticket to the Junior Braves, and show your student ID to the Receptionists to gain

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Parent Sports Drop-in at James Bay Community School Centre. Parents need time to have fun and get back in touch with their inner child. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday, 7-9pm. $3.50/person. www.jamesbaycentre.ca. Weekly Bird Walk at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary (meet in the parking lot). Every Wednesday and Sunday noon-3pm. Campfire Magic at McDonald Campground, Sidney. Share the magic of a traditional Canadian campfire with your family at this free program. Bring a flashlight and a mug for hot chocolate. Fridays 7-8pm, June-August. For families with children 12 and under. No registration required. Please park at the adjacent Blue Heron Park and follow the signs to the group campfire ring. 1-866-944-1744 or visit parkscanada.gc.ca/gulfislands.

off-leash.ca

Mindful Mamas at Lynn Wylie/Helga Beer Yoga Studio. All mothers (including soon-to-be mamas) and levels of experience with meditation are welcome. Restore and nurture yourself; please leave babies and children at home so you can be focus on you. Each gathering will include a short guided instruction to meditation followed by a 30 minute sitting, 10-15 minute audio lecture or reading on mindfulness, and 45 minutes for check-ins and sharing reflection. Chairs, yoga mats, bolsters and blankets are available, but bring your own sitting gear if desired. No registration required. Sundays, 8:30-10am. $5 donation. For information, visit www.facebook.com/MindfulMamasVictoria.

Workshops Birthday Parties School Presentations Summer Camps spca.bc.ca/kids

off-leash.ca

FAMILIES

BC SPCA Programs for Kids

free access to skating and rentals. For more information, contact Gaileen Flaman at 250475-5462 or email gaileen.flaman@saanich.ca.

Metchosin School Museum is open Saturdays 1:30-4:30pm and Sundays 11am-4:30pm. An original, one-room school house built in 1871, it is set up as a classroom with old wooden desks. Families can enjoy perusing the hundreds of artifacts on display. Free. 4475 Happy Valley Rd. Multi-Island Geocaching Challenge. Embark on a self-guided adventure to experience the park’s cultural and natural hotspots. Choose from two routes: a family-friendly treasure hunt or a more strenuous route. Each visitor to complete a route receives a limited edition geocoin. Until September. For more information call 1-866-944-1744 or visit parkscanada. gc.ca/gulfislands. Oaklands Sunset Market on Wednesdays starting June 4 at Oaklands Community Centre. Local, fresh food, live music, arts, crafts, and a chance to meet your neighbours This free outdoor market runs from 4:30-8:30pm every Wednesday from June-September and features over 40 vendors from around the city, and a variety of community events. Visit www. oaklandscommunitycentre.com/markets.•

www.IslandParent.ca

May 12 - June 29

June 2014 39

Around the Island

Visit www.IslandParent.ca for these and other events and resources for families from Cowichan Valley north to Campbell River and west to Tofino SUN 1 Shawnigan Lake Adventure at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre. New cycling and walking routes, as well as a kayaking excursion on Shawnigan Lake and the free use of GPS units for family-friendly geocaching games. Participants will also be treated to soothing foot baths and massages, free live entertainment, delicious vegetarian food, and a 10th anniversary birthday cake at the post-Adventure artisan’s market. For more details, visit www. shawniganlakeadventure.com.

wed 4 Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo. Come skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects. Regular admission rates; glow necklaces $2. 6:30pm. 250-756-5200.

FRI 6 – SUN 8 Lake Days in Cowichan. Come out and enjoy

the many activities. There is something for everyone. Soap box derby, Strawberry Tea, Grand Parade, logger sports exhibition, build and bail sail races. www.cowichanlakedays.com.

SAT 7 Ladysmith Maritime Heritage Day at Ladysmith Maritime Society Docks. Heritage vessels, LMS Heritage fleet, harbour tours, dry-land and on water displays, speakers, demonstrations, videos, entertainment, floating museum, boat shed displays and more. www.ladysmithmaritimesociety.ca.

SAT 14 Science on Saturdays at Newcastle Island, Nanaimo. So much to discover. Explore the different eco systems and wildlife with NC3. Feel free to bring a lunch and stay for a picnic after class. This is a parent participation course. For children 6-10 years old. $15/person. 9:45am-noon. 250-756-5200.

Under the Surface at Kin Hut Activity Centre, Nanaimo. Did you know that there is a mysterious world living just beneath the surface of our oceans and streams? Explore in search of these critters and learn about life surrounding the shoreline. This is a parent-participation course. 1-2pm. $8/person. 250-756-5200. Super Saturdays at the Campbell River Art Gallery. Drop-in art making program. All materials provided. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 1-3pm. Admission by donation. 250-287-2261.

SUN 15 Father’s Day in the Park at Maffeo Sutton Park. Drumming circle, music and a variety of activities to make you smile. Noon-3:30pm. Free. For more information, visit www.themenscentre.com.

WED 18 Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo. Come skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects. Regular admission rates; glow necklaces $2. 6:30pm. 250-756-5200.

SAT 21 Family Day at North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. Special activities will include a bouncy castle, bird-house painting, a craft tent, egg

Grows with Your Family Add a RumbleSeat and PiggyBack and you are ready for three!

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40 Island Parent Magazine

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3045–C Douglas St. (Rear) 386-2229 www.tjskids.com

Finlayson St. s Dougla

The Kiddies Store

Larch St.

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(Under Sleep Country in the REAR)

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THURS 26 Family Fun Night and BBQ at Departure Bay Centennial Park. Celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer with musical entertainment, family activities, science in the park, tennis and a BBQ hosted by Nanaimo Foodshare. Free. 4:30-7:30pm. 250-756-5200.

SAT 28 Super Saturdays at the Campbell River Art Gallery. Drop-in art making program. All materials provided. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 1-3pm. Admission by donation. 250-287-2261.

ONGOING PRESCHOOL LaFF at the Aggie. A safe play-based learning environment for families and caregivers with children newborn to age 6. Reading centre, craft area, Brio train station, and snack table. Indoor car and toy riding area. Monday to Friday, 9:30am-noon and Thursdays 12:151:45pm. $2 suggested donation per family (punch cards available). 250-210-0870, laffexecutivedirector@shaw.ca, www.familyandfriends.ca. Family Storytime at Cowichan Library, Duncan. Bring the whole family for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. For ages 0-5. Tuesdays 10:3011:30am. 2687 James St. krumohr@virl.bc.ca. Adventures in Early Literacy at the Ladysmith Resource Centre. A parent-child, fun-filled program designed for children ages 3 to 5 years. Participants learn and have fun doing crafts, games and singing. A book is read, lunch and snacks are provided. 9:45-noon. Space is limited, so call 250-245-3079 to get on the list. 630 2nd Ave.

CHILDREN Water Parks are open to the public 9am-8pm June to September. Hours are subject to change. It is recommended that all children use the parks under adult supervision. Departure Bay Kiwanis Park, Deverill Square Park, Harewood Water Park, Mansfield Park. Bowen Park Kin Outdoor Pool Open to the public Saturday and Sunday, June 7 to August 29, 1-3pm and everyday June 30 to August 29, 1-3pm. $3. Swim meets or other events

www.IslandParent.ca

will result in public swim cancellations on some weekends. Junior Lifeguard Club at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Build lifeguarding skills, shadow lifeguards, participate in competitions, learn about first aid, participate in community events, develop leadership and more. $3.50. Ideal for 8-13 years old. Runs until mid-June. Noon-1:30pm. 250-756-5200.

YOUTH The Youth Zone in Ladysmith. A fun and safe place to hang, meet new friends and enjoy games tables, internet kiosk, TV, movies, board games, karaoke and more. Play sports in the gym, do homework, Energized leaders will challenge you to try new activities. Mondays, 3-6pm in the Rec Room (girls only); Wednesdays, 3-5pm in the gym; Fridays 6-10pm in the Rec Room or gym. Free. 250-245-6424. www.ladysmith.ca. Youth Drop-in in Nanaimo. The ultimate place to be. This is a supervised space for youth to hang out and chill. Regular gymnasium activities and more. Program is free, but please register using barcode 124915. 7-9pm until May 14. Monday: Nanaimo District Secondary School; Tuesday: Oliver Woods Community Centre; Wednesday: John Barsby Community School. Toonie Teen Water Works at Ladysmith Parks Recreation & Culture. Come and enjoy a relaxing start to your evening and weekend—in the pool. Just hang out, or learn and play water games, sports and activities. Lots of options. For 12 to 18-year-olds. Fridays 6:30-9pm until June 27. $2.

Come Ride With Us This Summer! Dirt Bike Birthday Parties We supply everything: Bike • Gear • Riding Lesson for ages 6yrs to adults over 30 bikes to choose from

Kids’ Summer Camps (7–14) Westshore Motocross Park No experience necessary 2207 Millstream Rd, Langford

250 590 8088 westshoremx.com 2207 Millstream Road Victoria, BC V9B 0J7 Tel: 250.590.8088 Cel: 250.893.9547

Lighthouse Academy of

Dance

Learn to Ride with Us! brought to you by SG POWER

FAMILY Family Frolics at the Community Centre, Ladysmith. Bring your parent or caregiver for open gym fun. Burn off some energy with soft toys (balls and nerf-type games), mini-trampoline, ride-on toys, hula hoops and more. Tuesdays, 5:45-6:45pm. $2 suggested donation/family. 250-245-6424. www.ladysmith.ca. 8th Annual Golden Shoe Hunt in Oceanside. Find the Golden Shoe! Clues and instructions for the locations of both the shoe and geocache will be posted weekly to rdn.bc.ca/recreation and on the RDN Facebook and Twitter pages starting April 11th. So get your hiking boots, maps, compasses or GPS ready! The Bloedel Fire at BC Forest Discovery Centre. Travel along a scenic trail marked with interpretive panels, passing by the Lookout Tower and arriving at the Ranger station building, where the exhibit will be displayed. Open to the public during the centre’s hours throughout the spring and summer seasons. www.bcforestdiscoverycentre.com.•

We offer a complete line of entry level dirt bikes, 50cc, 70cc, 90cc non clutch bikes and 80cc,110cc, 125cc 4 strokes with clutches. All safety gear is supplied, from boots to helmets and everything in between. This 1.5 hour Learn to Ride with Us course includes the basics of a motorcycle orientation including safety gear and safe riding habits, stop-n-go circle riding, escorted ﬁrst laps on motocross track, and supervised solo riding sessions.

Pure, pleasing, positive.

Photo: Andrei Fedorov

hunt and lillipop draw. Some activities for a nominal charge. Live raptor demonstrations at 11am and 2:30pm—a special opportunity to get up close and personal with some residents. A BBQ lunch will be available for purchase, or bring your snacks or picnic. 10am-4pm. 1240 Leffler Rd., Errington. 250-248-8534.

Beginner–Professional • Boys & Girls • Age 2 – Adult Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Modern • Contemporary • Acro Jazz/Hip Hop • Creative • Musical Theatre • Zumba Highland Dance • Fitness Classes • Special Needs Class RAD & ISTD Exam & Leisure Courses

New Location! 934 Goldstream Ave, Langford Register for Summer Camps and Classes and Fall! We also do DANCE PARTIES for kids and adults!

250.595.8705

info@lighthouseacademyofdance.com www.lighthouseacademyofdance.com

June 2014 41

Pregnant? Pregnancy is a state of health. Midwives recognize what an extraordinary time this is in your life and we are available to support you through your childbearing year. Covered by Your BC Health Care BC’s Medical Services Plan pays for midwifery care, including in-home check-ups in labour and after you’ve had your baby. You can self-refer to a midwife.

Quality Care Studies show that midwifery clients have lower rates of episiotomies, infection, Caesarean sections, forceps and vacuum deliveries and newborns that require resuscitation.

Choice of Hospital or Home Birth Continuity of Care Comprehensive Care Breastfeeding Education & Support We would be pleased to schedule an appointment to answer your questions about midwifery care.

midwivesinvictoria.ca 42 Island Parent Magazine

Tim Collins

Our Place in the ‘Village’

s a grandparent who has arguably reached the curmudgeonly portion of my life, I sometimes look at my two nearly perfect four-year-old grandchildren and feel a troubling sense of despair. It’s not that they aren’t perfect right now—they are—but I am painfully aware that keeping them that way is going to be an uphill struggle. The world is going to offer them bad choices at every turn and I know that their parents and I won’t always be around to guide them. So that’s where I’m counting on the village. But lately, I’ve noticed that some of the village isn’t doing its part. I am, of course, alluding to the often quoted African proverb about it taking a village to raise a child. The proverb is generally credited to the Kijita tribe, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this particular nugget of wisdom has never been the sole province of that particular Tanzanian people. Folks from all over seem to have known forever that if you see some little person about to poke a sleeping lion with a stick, you should probably stop him. They also seem to have known that if you notice a child’s parent watching Junior approaching that lion with a stick and doing nothing, it is probably time to intervene. (“Hey M’Bawa! What are you thinking? Your kid’s going to get killed doing that!”) At least that used to be the case. In my day, people understood that they had a responsibility to correct the inappropriate behavior of children…any children. It was an unwritten social contract and it helped to keep kids from killing themselves—or others. It also helped in preventing them from turning into little barbarians. All of this came to mind the other day as I was contemplating the salty snacks at the Uptown Wal-Mart. A boy, about 12 years old, came zooming up the aisle on a skateboard. He barely avoided one elderly lady only to clip a shopping cart with a toddler in the kiddie seat. That’s when he ran into yours truly. I had moved to block his path, causing him to come to a rather abrupt stop. “What the bleep!” he cried, obviously distressed at his impeded progress. Okay, he

really didn’t say bleep, but this is a family magazine. “I’m giving you a choice,” I said “You can pick up that board and carry it until you’re outside, or I’ll do it for you.” I smiled as I spoke but, upon reflection, it’s true that my tone may have implied that if I carried the board outside I would see what kind of air time the board could get when I let go of it. I still have a pretty good arm. With several more bleeps on his part, the boy reluctantly picked up the skateboard and disappeared. Remarkably, my actions were the impetus for a bit of an impromptu debate in the snack aisle. A young woman challenged my behaviour, advising me that I had “no right to speak to someone else’s child like that.” The older lady who had narrowly been missed by the lad disagreed. “It’s people like you who are the whole problem,” she said, jabbing a finger at the younger woman. “Forty years ago I would have boxed that boy’s ears myself!” So what should I have actually done? Like most people these days, I looked to the internet for advice and what I found was truly disturbing. The prevailing wisdom of most parenting blogs, online magazines, and advice postings is that parents are the only people who should ever correct a child’s behaviour. This advice held even if the parents were not present or if they had already chosen not to intervene in inappropriate behaviour. Surprisingly, this sentiment also reared its head in discussions about teachers disciplining children and the limits that should be imposed there. Apparently, even talking sharply to a child is seen as abusive. Really? I’ll refer back to my example of the child, the lion and the stick. If you see a child using a couch as a trampoline and realize that he may crack his head open if he falls and that he may be confusing your own children with his inappropriate behaviour, or—and I’m saying this because I hate to see wasteful behaviour—ruin a perfectly good couch, I would suggest that it’s perfectly fine to intervene. In fact, you might want to suggest to the parents of that little

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darling that they give their own head a rattle for not stopping his behaviour themselves. As for teachers, I distinctly recall a considerable number of sharp words directed my way by a variety of teachers. Of course, in my day, it was also acceptable for teachers to peg you upside the head with a piece of chalk if you weren’t paying attention. I approve of that particular strategy’s demise, but the sharp words never hurt me or any of my classmates. I would argue that they made us better students. I say this because I realize that children are not fragile little flowers who can only handle input from their own mom and dad. They are, after all, heading for a lifetime in which they will have to deal with authority and direction from teachers, professors, traffic cops, program leaders, coaches, bosses and a plethora of others. Part of growing up is learning that some behaviour is just wrong, dangerous or inconsiderate. It also involves learning that their actions have an effect on others. If parents are not around, it’s the village’s job to reinforce that learning curve. Here are some guidelines that I think the village might want to consider. I submit that you have both the right and the responsibility to intervene in a child’s actions if: 1. They are a physical danger to themselves or others. 2. They are damaging property. 3. A child is being bullied or endangered, even psychologically, by others. 4. A child is clearly outside of socially acceptable behaviour. An example that comes to mind occurred recently when, while dining in a restaurant, I found a preschooler under my table, untying my shoelaces. I took him by the hand and returned him to his parents with the firm recommendation that they keep their little bundle of joy at their own table. Now, that being said, I’ll also offer some important advice to the village. You don’t have the right to strike a child, or threaten them in any way…ever. You also don’t have the right to bully children or say things that are intended to hurt. Finally, you need to realize that being part of the village isn’t just about disciplining bad behaviour. It’s also about giving kids credit when credit is due. A sincere compliment from a stranger can brighten a child’s day and help to shape their attitude toward life. So as part of the village, catch young people doing something right and, when you do, don’t be afraid to say so. Tim Collins is a writer and freelance journalist living and working in Victoria.

www.IslandParent.ca

Summer Holiday Programs Choose from:

Circus Circus, Summer Chefs, A Musical in a Week, Passion Sports Basketball, and much more! A limited number of bursaries are available. Visit our website for information on these and other programs: www.smus.ca/summer or call the Education Extension office at 250-370-6120.

FOR ALL KIDS IN VICTORIA AGES 5-15

smus.ca

Play & Create

Forge Camps Ages Fun & Affordable!

7-12

Art Camps Sport Camps Create Camps Registration and Information camps@theforgechurch.com

250.884.1734

TheForgeChurch.com/camps June 2014 43

Jacqueline Mays

Finding Her Voice

ast summer, my six-year-old daughter learned how to answer the telephone. It started off as a competition with her older brother, a bare-knuckled race up the stairs and over furniture to see who could beat the other. Callers were usually greeted with screams of “No, I was first!” as a tug-of-war ensued over the defenceless instrument. Eventually, my son got tired of the game, leaving Bella free to perfect her telephone voice. Lisping merrily through gaps created by two missing front teeth, she graduated from a huffy “Who ith it?” to a more dulcet greeting, politely inquiring about the identity of the caller. Her grandmothers were thrilled. My mother-in-law in England marvelled at how grown-up her granddaughter sounded over the phone. “What a young lady you have become,” praised my normally-stalwart mom, who usually disapproved of the ways Bella expressed her high energy levels. My daughter preened under the compliments. But all that changed when I warned her about strangers.

Our telephone number differs from that of the local pharmacy by only one digit, which means that many calls to our home are from strangers who have dialled the wrong number. A simple caution had seemed enough. “If you answer the phone and no one talks,” I instructed, “just hang up.” Then, as an afterthought, “And if you don’t recognize the person’s voice, or if they ask you questions or try to talk to you, just hang up.” Bella was confused. “Why?” I struggled to find words that would not induce fear. “Sometimes people think that a little girl answering the phone is cute and they might want to chat with you. But that is not appropriate for adults to do when they don’t know you. Someone might even say that they know you when they don’t, that they’re your Uncle Brian or something. If that happens, then just hang up.” My son’s head poked around the corner. “Uncle Brian?” he snorted. “Who’s that?” I threw up my hands in exasperation. “I don’t know! Uncle Brian, Uncle Rudy…it

Mini-Golf Mattick’s Farm

Challenging 18 Hole Course Fun for All Ages • Groups Welcome

 Birthday Parties  Family Reunions  Church Groups  Clubs/Teams

For more info see: matticksfarm.com 5325 Cordova Bay Road • 250-658-4053 44 Island Parent Magazine

doesn’t matter! If it’s a name or voice you don’t recognize, then just hang up!” But my response was lost in a chorus of maniacal laughter as both daughter and son began running through the house, chanting “Uncle Brian” over and over again. Six months later, “Uncle Brian” is still a source of enormous hilarity within our household. Yet it appears that Bella has taken my advice seriously, for she now hangs up on anyone she doesn’t recognize. Calls from work, my landlady or even friends go unregistered. Days later, my husband and I learn that the new fridge could not be delivered because the store could not get in touch with us by phone, or that I wasn’t getting shifts at work because I kept hanging up on my boss and didn’t return her calls. “What calls?” I asked my daughter, suddenly realizing that her technological experimentation was being applied to the answering machine. Unrepentantlywide-eyed,Belladefendedher position: “I didn’t recognithe their voitheth.” Yet that doesn’t stop her from listening in on my conversations using the extension, an embarrassing intrusion that occurs with increasing frequency lately. Last week, while my boss and I were discussing a sensitive issue over the phone, my daughter’s voice suddenly intruded. I commanded her hang up the phone, to which she replied, “Thith ithn’t Bella. It’th Uncle Brian,” then disconnected in a torrent of giggles. I’ve created a monster. Scanning the library shelves for help, I find books that deal with childhood fears, social etiquette and stranger-danger. But nothing quite fits our situation. The only place, in fact, that seems to offer concrete assistance is in the junior fiction area: children’s stories, to be exact. Audrey Wood’s The Princess and the Dragon reflects both facets of my daughter perfectly; she will be a well-mannered princess should the situation warrant, but she also enjoys shouting, getting dirty and terrorizing timid adults. While such naughtiness may attract negative attention, it will also prepare her for the instances in which she may need to defend herself. Finding hilarity in a situation will deflate the dangerous element while also allowing her to see the lighter side of things. And good manners will allow tact and empathy to develop, equally important tools for one’s journey through life. Stories are personal experience; they are the words by which we live our lives and learn our lessons. I think of Goldilocks’ disrespect of the Bear family, of Red Riding Hood’s risky tromp through the forest and

www.kidsinvictoria.com

I see that these characters, while dependent upon their families and communities for help, also had to learn how to approach problems in their own way. Learning how to express ourselves through communication fosters independence, two of the most powerful tools we can arm ourselves with. But it’s a fine line between allowing children their freedom of expression and nipping destructive behaviour in the bud. During her occasional visits to our home, my mother frowns when the kids get too talkative or rambunctious. She gets that “children should be seen and not heard” look on her face, which always makes me wonder if I should be a more disciplinary parent. Yet how can I restrict my children from expressing themselves? What is the point of teaching our children to talk if we aren’t going to listen to them? Ironically, it is my mother who is most helpful. During our most recent conversation, I struggled to be heard amidst the cacophony of Bella, who whined, shouted and cried throughout the entire 20 minutes of our call. “I’d better go,” said Mom. “Bella wants your attention.” I heard a lifetime of regret in those long-distance words, from a woman who was never taught to keep her family close. Disconnecting somewhat resentfully, I looked around for my daughter, who had retreated to the solace of her technological “babysitter.” The screen danced and hummed as Bella’s eyes glazed over and her mouth fell slightly agape. I suddenly wondered how long the television had been on. Here I was, warning my kids about strangers, yet I had invited this pervasive danger, this stranger, into our house, and given it permission to access my children’s minds. There was more at stake here than just a little girl finding her telephone voice. It was a simple matter of disconnect and connect. Switching off the TV, I gathered Bella in my arms, noting the increased length of her body and the adult incisor that was slowly filling her baby gap. Where had my baby gone? What had I been doing while my daughter was growing up? Ah, I had been talking on the telephone. Or typing up a report, or studying, emailing, and texting on a wide variety of electronic instruments. No wonder my daughter wanted to answer the phone; she was trying to talk to me in my language! Jacqueline Mays is a university student and gardener-activist who never imagined that parenthood could be such an adventure. She lives in contented chaos with her husband and two children in Duncan, BC.

www.IslandParent.ca

Glenlyon Norfolk School Marine Adventure Program Teen Marine Kayak Camps – Summer 2013 Ph 250-370-6852 Email dtyrrell@mygns.ca Day Camps: July 21–25, Aug 11–15

These popular camps (9:00–4:30) for children ages 11 to 12 cover all the basics in sea kayaking, with plenty of fun for the younger paddler. Cost: $255.00

Teen Barkley Sound: June 29–July 4 Teen Johnstone Strait: Aug 17–22 Two exciting sea kayak camping expeditions for teens ages 15–17. Cost: $625.00 + tax

Discovery Camps: July 7–11, Aug 4–8

For ages 13 to 14, sea kayaking basics, rescues, games, and a three-day camping experience on Discovery Island. Cost: $285.00 + tax

Offering marine adventure since 1995!

Summer Rocks Creative Kids

Summer Rocks Open Stage

July 14–18 • Ages 7–11

July 21–25 • Ages 12–18

8:30am–4pm • Sat Matinee 10am–2pm Registration Deadline: July 11, 5pm • Learning Songs • Painting & Drawing • Super Fun Crafts • Puppets & A Show • Performing • Outdoor Activities

8:30am–4pm • Sat Matinee 10am–2pm Registration Deadline: July 18, 5pm • Learning Songs • Songwriting • Soloing • Live Presentation & Performance • Leading a Band • Singing Harmonies 2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney 250-656-0275

www.marywinspear.ca

June 2014 45

Sarah Conley

The Joys of Owning a Dog O

ur first baby was a Boxer-Rottweiler-Lab cross. She was a beautiful bronze color with Egyptian-like black eyeliner and an adventurous spirit. Mugsy did everything with us. She was the ring bearer at our wedding and joined us on our honeymoon camping along the Washington and Oregon Coast. She passed away when she was 12 years old, just three months after my daughter was born. Mugsy’s last days were difficult. She acted embarrassed when

she soiled her bed. She whimpered to let me know when she needed lifting down the patio steps, and she had a hard time fulfilling her role as our protector. I felt torn between the screams of a colicky baby, her jealous older brother, and an ailing dog. The grief of losing Mugsy coupled with lack of sleep and hormone changes was awful. We didn’t think we’d ever be able to find another dog that we could love as much as her.

And then fast forward three years. A little Boxer puppy has come into our life and we’ve all totally fallen in love. We named her Maple. With a brindle back and a white underbelly and paws she resembles our breakfast of Maple syrup drizzled over porridge. She has enhanced our family with forgotten hikes in all kinds of weather, laughter at her adorable clumsiness, and endless puppy kisses. Our kids love being responsible for feeding Maple and praise her when she listens to commands. They are also quick to pick her side if I give her a scolding. “Aww Mom, she’s just a puppy. She’s learning.” Maple is the new X factor in our house, and we’ve all had a lesson on loosening up and shaking off things we can’t control. It didn’t take long for Sam’s Lego to go missing, only to turn up later in her poop. And Calla has learned to accept her wooden dolls with half eaten faces and missing hair. I won’t let Maple in our bed, but she sure feels good curling up next to me on the couch, even when she hogs more than her fair share. Recently we had her spayed. As soon as

Transforming disability into ability. At Discovery School, learning disabilities are transformed into valuable skills and abilities. Students work at their own pace in small classes, with focused, individualized instruction. • Experienced, highly-qualified teachers • Ongoing assessment, evaluation & feedback • Improves organizational & study skills • Boost confidence, independence & responsibility • Nurturing environment based on Christian values • For students aged 7 – 18 in grades 1 – 12 • Individual Education Plans • Low student/teacher ratio

Enrolment is limited. For more information or to arrange a tour, visit www.discoveryschool.ca, call Sherri Ko at 250-595-7765 or email principal@discoveryschool.ca 46 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

she got home the kids babied her, cooing and stroking her fur. They empathetically brought food and water to her bedside and were mindful of her stitches. The surgery also brought a lot of birds-and-bees-type questions from my seven-year-old, and for the time being seems satisfied with my fragmented answers. I love the extra trot in her step when she’s taken off with someone’s slipper or her ability to amuse herself by tossing a

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Wednesday, October 15

The Port Theatre • Nanaimo

Saturday, October 18 gardening glove in the air over and over. She’s entertained us over dinner by dropping a ball at the top of the staircase and chasing after it—replacing the last three steps with a splayed leap. And we’ve videoed her yanking on the string of a helium-filled balloon and streaking around the house with Happy Birthday trying to catch up to her. In the evening after the kids are tucked in bed and quiet fills our home, I lay down next to Maple in front of the fire. As I stroke her soft ears I ask her if she likes her new life. What I really mean is that since she’s come to live with us I really love ours. She’s added another layer to our family, something that had been missing, an extra heartbeat to love. Sarah Conley lives on Pender Island with her husband and two children. Her passions include writing, gardening, and raising her family.

www.IslandParent.ca

Cowichan Theatre • Duncan

Sunday, October 19

McPherson Theatre • Victoria

ON SALE JUNE 6! For tickets visit

Under an hour from Swartz Bay with direct daily ferries to Mayne Island

Open Year-Round 9 housekeeping cottages perfect for family getaways

250-539-2463 • 1-877-535-2424 bluevista@bluevistaresort.com • www.bluevistaresort.com June 2014 47

Island Rhythmic Gymnastics Club

Do you have a little girl who likes to dance, jump and juggle? Register her for a class at Island Rhythmics! Classes for girls 3 and up Contact us to register for our fall session

www.islandrhythmics.com 250-514-6761

Janine Fernandes-Hayden

Teachable Moments Through Spilt Milk I

t’s Tuesday morning, my day to drive the crew to school. Getting four kids out of the door on time seems the ultimate management feat and definitely a skill that I should list on my resume. For myself, I can spare but five minutes in hair, make-up and wardrobe. Then it’s down the hall where I roll my fouryear-old out of bed to a list of orders that I know she will not welcome at this time of the morning. My two-year-old on the other hand is more than eager to cooperate. She stands proudly at the bathroom counter with bed head, her underwear pulled over her pants, and her shirt on backwards. At

No, not now! This is the last thing I need! With great effort, I might be able to overlook the cereal all over the table, but not the spilt milk. It will have to be cleaned up right away. And now the milk is creeping towards the joints in the table and not even the build-up of foodstuff wedged in between will keep the milk from flowing onto the floor. All of this is an unwelcome and unplanned chore in my morning routine. I cry out in anger! The kids scatter and quickly escape to the mudroom. I have never seen them put on their shoes and jackets so fast.

least the pearly white sink, now covered in blue bubblegum toothpaste, has had its fluoride treatment for the day. Thankfully, my son’s new projector alarm clock is still a novelty. He is already up, dressed, and—along with my eldest who also knows the morning routine well—is preparing breakfast. It’s a cereal morning. No big deal…except for the full gallon of milk on the second shelf of the fridge. On tiptoes, my son precariously seizes the handle of the jug. He tries to steady himself as the jug wobbles in his hands. The milk reaches the table but then an unsuccessful execution of the “rock and pour” technique results in milk jolting out in glugs, upending the bowl of Cheerios.

I reach for the cloth and start cleaning the spill. However, as I sop up the mess, my perception changes and now, instead of feeling the initial frustration, I think of my two eldest being independent and taking the initiative to prepare their own breakfast. I think of my son being caring and thoughtful by trying to pour the milk, not for himself, but for his baby sister. A sense of service has called them to do what needs to be done to move the morning along. I begin to appreciate my children’s helpfulness and understanding of their Mama’s situation. I think of that famous optical illusion of the young lady and the old hag, and wonder whether I could have shifted my focus to see the beauty of the situation. Could I have provided my children with more positive

Performing Arts School since 1980

ch o o l S e r P r e S umm C l a s spe s & s p m a du Da n c e C onths an for ages

16 m

Even the littlest angel can dance For more information call 250-384-3267 or email us at stagesdance@shaw.ca or visit us at www.stagesdance.com 48 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

validation, focusing on what they meant to do instead of what just happened? I rub my cloth along the crack between the leaves of the table and realize that it is more than just milk that has slipped through the cracks this morning. My reaction over a few ounces of spilt milk was at the expense of a valuable teachable moment. The wise words of Ralph Waldo Emerson ring through my ears, “An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.” An ounce of milk for the ounce of empathy that I could have shown by putting myself in the children’s shoes and asking the questions, “How would I have felt in the moment?” and “How would I have wanted to be treated?” An ounce of humility to emphasize that we all fall short of perfection and that mistakes are often our best teacher. An ounce of accountability in the simple act of handing my son a cloth and saying to him, “Let’s be responsible and clean up the mess that’s been made.” Why did I cry over spilt milk? Never mind. I remember an ounce of gentleness and forgiveness for myself. Who would have thought that a few ounces of milk could have such an effect? Between stimulus and response is a space. In this space lies our freedom to choose our response. In these choices, as author Stephen Covey writes, lie our growth and our happiness. I have the ability to choose how I will react in any given situation. Do I see the milk jug half empty or half full? In the moment, what is really happening? What lessons are there to be learned and kept from slipping through the cracks? What teachable moments are ripe for the picking? Can I remember to pause, to breathe, to refocus? My children wait patiently for me in the car, but I embrace this time for myself. As I wring the cloth out into the sink, I am thankful to have been able to squeeze out a moment for greater awareness. I wash my hands, but not in absolution. I have grown yet again as a parent, grown in my “response-ability.” Life with kids can be messy and stinky. I know that I have not seen the last of spilt milk but hopefully next time, I will go with the flow, so to speak. I return the half-full milk jug to the fridge and continue on with my day. Janine Fernandes-Hayden is an educator and Salt Spring Island mum of four children. She hosts a parent and kids radio show called “The Beanstalk” which can be heard at Green 107.9 FM or online at www. greenfm.ca. She is also a trained Virtues Project Facilitator. www.IslandParent.ca

Emmanuel Preschool

2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road (by entrance to UVic)

Openings forHill 2013–2014 2121 Cedar Cross RoadClasses! (by entrance to UVic)

Openings Children learn throughfor play in2014–2015 our all inclusive, Classes! non-denominational Christian preschool. Children learn through play in our all inclusive, nonGreat facility; outdoor play area and a gym for rainy day play! Christian preschool. Greatteachers facility;to Twodenominational teachers with ECE certification plus assistant outdoor play area and a gym for rainy day play. Two help with special needs children. A competent teaching team! teachers and withcaring ECE certification plus an assistant teacher to help with special needs children. Opportunities: A competent and caring teaching team! Mon / Wed / Fri morning class Opportunities: Tues / Thurs morning class Mon/Wed/Fri morning class 5 mornings a week

Tues/Thurs morning class Phone 250-598-0573 5 mornings a week preschool@emmanuelvictoria.ca Phone 250-598-0573 preschool@emmanuelvictoria.ca www.emmanuelpreschool.ca

www.emmanuelpreschool.ca

Island Swimming 1/4H

International Nannies & Homecare Ltd. A Full Service and a La Carte Nanny Agency Full-time Nannies & Part-time Au Pairs Need flexible & affordable childcare? Full-time nannies from $ 395/week (depending on province) Part-time Au Pairs $200/week Vancouver Island Nanny Line:

250-383-9566

Childcare

Light housekeeping

Dinner started Helping families since 1996

Review profiles online www.internationalnannies.com June 2014 49

More Than Just ‘Child’s Play’ Healthy Families, Happy Families

Child, Youth & Family Public Health South Island Health Units Esquimalt Gulf Islands

250-519-5311 250-539-3099

(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)

Peninsula Saanich Saltspring Island Sooke Victoria West Shore

250-544-2400 250-519-5100 250-538-4880 250-642-5464 250-388-2200 250-519-3490

Central Island Health Units Duncan 250-709-3050 Ladysmith 250-755-3342 Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878 Nanaimo 250-755-3342 Nanaimo Princess Royal 250-755-3342 Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242 Port Alberni 250-731-1315 Tofino 250-725-4020

North Island Health Units Campbell River Courtenay Kyuquot Health Ctr ‘Namgis Health Ctr Port Hardy

250-850-2110 250-331-8520 250-332-5289 250-974-5522 250-902-6071

www.viha.ca/prevention_services/

50 Island Parent Magazine

t may not seem like it, but “baby play” is an essential part of your child’s development. From around eight months, babies start to develop the foundation for later learning, thinking ability and academic achievement. You can help lay these solid foundations with some simple games. • Games like Peek-a-Boo teach children that things still exist when you cannot see them. • To teach children about size, play with different sized plastic containers that fit inside one another. • Activities involving pouring, emptying and filling help children learn concepts such as empty and full. Try games like tipping pegs out of a bucket and putting them back in, or pouring water from one container to another in the bath. This also helps develop coordination. • Counting games or rhymes, such as “Ontwo-buckle, my shoe,” teach children about numbers. Others, like “This Little Piggy,” are favourites as they combine attention and physical affection. Rhymes and folk songs can also teach children about rhythm, rhyming words and cultural heritage. • Clapping games like “Pat-a-Cake” can help with rhythm and improve coordination. • Language skills can be taught through playing games such as, “Where is your nose? Your mouth?” • Shape sorters help children learn to recognize shapes and colours, even if they cannot say them; they also help develop coordination. • Push and pull toys help children practice walking. • Building blocks are popular from about 10 to 11 months and help with stacking skills and eye-hand coordination. They also help with concepts such as high and low, big and small, over and under and tall and short. • Any toys or games that involve parts to be pressed, turned, flipped or twisted

help your child’s coordination and physical development. Try songs and games that coordinate words and actions, like “Twinkle, twinkle little star.” • Children often enjoy games involving copying or following the leader. This helps develop watching skills and coordination.

Healthy Families, Happy Families Child Y out h & Family Pub lic Health

MATT SANDERS

• Paper and coloured crayons can be used from 9 to 10 months onwards to help develop creativity. • Musical toys help children learn about rhythm and melody. You can start with something like a wooden spoon on a box or plastic container, or some rice or pasta in an empty plastic bottle. • Encourage your child to take an interest in books or magazines with pictures. This will help their imagination and concentration, and get them ready to learn to read. • Activities involving pretend play also help develop imagination, such as dressing up in hats or adults’ shoes, or playing with tea sets, kitchen equipment, toy telephones or tools (from about 12 months onwards). As you can see, child’s play is so much more than “child’s play”; it’s a vital part of your child’s development, laying the skills and foundations for a life-time of learning. Professor Matt Sanders is founder of the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program. For more information on Triple P on Vancouver Island, visit www.triplepvip.ca or LIKE the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ TriplepVIP.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Join us for a Free ʻCelebrate Canadaʼ Event! Friday June 27, Noon‑2pm

Oak Bay Municipal Hall Lawn

Free BBQ, Entertainment, Face Painting Sneak a Peek at Your Jumping Castle, Crafts & Games! Camp Leaders in Action!

k r a P n o s r e Hend e s r u o C f l o G n for

2014 Youth Annual Pass Valid June 2014 to June 2015

Summer Fu Famil y ! the Whole

Special! Only

Good for 12 months of swimming, skating and fitness studio* drop-ins

125

*Age restrictions apply. See Reception for details.

Regular price $169

Summer Camps

(3‑12 years) Lilʼ Chippers Golf & Games! Golf & Go Swim! Grand Slam Golf & Tennis!

2‑Month Family Pass Only $198

Lessons for All Ages and Abilities too! 2291 Cedar Hill X Road • 250‑370‑7200 • recreation.oakbay.ca

www.IslandParent.ca

Oak Bay Recreation Centre 1975 Bee Street • 250‑595‑7946 Henderson Recreation Centre 2291 Cedar Hill X Road • 250‑370‑7200 recreation.oakbay.ca

Valid June 2014 to June 2015

June 2014 51

Birds Up Close

Trying on a Trampoline

T Flying daily March – October www.the-raptors.com 1877 Herd Rd. Duncan BC 250-746-0372

Falcon

Gymnastics Centre Where Fun & Fitness are #1

July 7 to August 29, 2014

Summer Sault Gymnastics Camp 2014 Call for more information:

250-479-6424

Parent & Tot Gym Bugs School Age Recreational 18 mos – 3 yrs 31⁄2 – 5 yrs 51⁄2 – 14 yrs Half Days morning or afternoon camps, Full Day camps. For more information log on to our website at www.falcongymnastics.com We also have: • The best gymnastics and most affordable classes. • The best Birthday Parties in town. 208 – 721 Vanalman Ave, Victoria, BC V8Z 3B6

250-479-6424 www.falcongymnastics.com

Parksville BC

An independent, non-denominational camp

Where adventure and imagination thrive! • Forest Adventure • Outdoor Cooking • Narnian Dramas • Mask Making

• Archery • Swimming • Unique Programming • And so much more…

Summer registration on now! Girls & Boys, Ages 6–15 • Aug 3–9, 10–16 & 17–23

www.campnarnia.com

wo months ago, my kids started a campaign to convince my wife and me to buy a trampoline. Several families in our neighbourhood already had trampolines. In fact, any day our kids wanted to they could walk to a friend’s house and bounce to their hearts’ content, but there’s something irreplaceable about having one in your own backyard. No matter how much time they spent on other people’s trampolines, our three girls wanted their own. My main concern was that they’d stop using it once the novelty wore off, but Tessa, our middle child, pointed out that we’ve had a swing set for years and all three of them still use it—even our 13-year-old occasionally sits out there and listens to music while she swings. All three kids swore they wouldn’t grow tired of it, and so eventually my wife and I agreed. Anything that gets them outside and playing is a good thing. On Easter weekend we drove to Canadian Tire. I’d done a little research online and we were clear about one thing: we needed a trampoline with a safety net. Other than that, compact was important and price won out. After Sunday’s Easter egg hunt, I gathered the kids and together the four of us cut open the box and began to set up the trampoline. It had a 20-page instruction booklet and hundreds of parts, a massive pile of springs each of which had to be pulled into place by hand. Two hours into the project, all three kids had wandered off and I was left puzzling over the instructions and trying to assemble the remaining pieces. Once the contraption was standing and starting to look like an actual trampoline, my three daughters returned. By the time I actually had the safety net up and had started clipping nearby branches to clear space, a few of the neighbourhood kids had also gathered. Eventually I backed off and let the kids have their inaugural bounce. It was 3 p.m. on Sunday. My back was sore. I was ready for a nap. My wife and I had had only one brief conversation about rules. We’d heard from a friend that big kids shouldn’t double

Join us this summer for an amazing experience! 52 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

bounce little kids. We’d also decided four kids was enough at one time. With those two rules set, we told the kids to be careful and went upstairs to rest. I was just beginning to drift off when screams rose from the backyard and Vivian, our youngest daughter, came into the house yelling for us. Not an hour into our new trampoline and Jasper, one of the neighbourhood boys, had fallen back out of the unzipped entrance, had hit the concrete of our patio and had broken his arm.

Dadspeak Daniel Griffin At the time, we weren’t sure that he’d broken it, but he was grimacing with pain. My wife picked up the phone, called his parents and tried to explain how he’d fallen. A couple of hours later we noticed their car was gone and had a feeling we knew where they were. Another couple of hours and Jasper was back from ER showing off the new sling they’d given him to immobilize his fractured arm. Two days on, our middle daughter Tessa started to complain that her back hurt. Her muscles were so sore from jumping that she could hardly run her next cross country race. She needed a massage and daily rubs of Deep Cold. Evelyn, our eldest, started to complain her back hurt. Two weeks in and Vivian was the only one left on the trampoline. She wasn’t always bouncing though. Several days in a row I came home from work to find her out there with a pile of blankets and pillows, a series of dolls leaning up against the safety netting. One evening last week I looked out from the dining room window to the trampoline, its pile of bedding and its small collection of baby dolls. All that money and all that effort and we’d ended up with a bouncy castle doll house. Daniel Griffin is the father of three children and the author of Stopping for Strangers (Vehicule Press, 2012), a collection of short stories about parents, children, brothers and sisters.

www.IslandParent.ca

New Kids Dentist

Dr. Anita Gadzinska-Myers

is a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry and has a Fellowship in Special Needs Dentistry for children • Accepting new patients now (infants to teenagers) • Referral not needed • Member of Cleft Lip and Palate Team

Special Services:

short wait list • oral sedation • hospital dentistry • nitrous oxide

Victoria Pediatric Dental Centre g We’re Movin

New Location: 205–1830 Oak Bay Ave

www.victoriapediatricdentalcentre.ca

250-383-2133

Emmanuel Baptist Church Summer Programs 2014 Register: 2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road

at the Cedar Hill Cross Road & Henderson entrance to UVic

Ph 250-592-2418 Fax 250-592-4646 office@emmanuelvictoria.ca emmanuelvictoria.ca

Date

Camp

Hours & Fees

July 7–11 July 14–18 July 21–25 July 28 – Aug 1 Aug 5–8 4 days Aug 11–15 Aug 18–22

Amazing Animals Adventure Preschool Camp Ages 3–5 Booster Camp Gr. 1–3 Reading & Recreation African Safari Age 4* – Gr. 1 Science & Soccer Camp Gr. 2–5 Creative Creatures Camp Kind. – Gr. 3 Sonrise National Park Age 4* – Gr. 5 Vacation Bible School Breaking Free Sports Camp Gr. 2–5 Basketball & Soccer

9am–Noon, $50 9am–3pm, $95 9am–Noon, $50 9am–3pm, $95 9am–Noon, $45 9am–Noon, $15 per child 9am–3pm, $95

Please register according to your child’s grade this Fall. *Children must be 4 yrs old by Dec 31, 2014 to attend these camps.

Discover the Sailor in You at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club! Our award winning sailing school will get you on the water where the horizon is the limit! Sailing to WIN! Sailing for LIFE!

Just off Beach Drive! 3475 Ripon Rd ! (250) 592-6113 sailing@rvyc.ca ! www.rvyc.ca

Early bird Register pricing until April 30th Now!

June 2014 53

Family Services Directory This directory, sponsored by Thrifty Foods, features not for profit agencies and organizations serving children, youth and families. BC Families in Transition (formerly the Separation and Divorce Resource Centre) is one of three non-profit agencies in North America that offers professional counselling, legal support and education for people who are having problems in their relationships. Each year we help 10,000 adults, children and youth through family changes, separations and divorces, remarriages, and complex family situations. Whether you wish to separate or remain together, call us at 250-386-4331 or visit www.bcfit.org to see how we can help. Some evening and weekend appointments available. Beacon Community Services is a community-based non-profit agency providing social, employment, and health services to Saanich Peninsula, Greater Victoria, and Southern Gulf Islands residents. Beacon offers: child, youth, and family services; a drop-in family resource centre; counselling; employment services for adults, youth, and people with disabilities; home support; volunteer services and opportunities; community events; affordable assisted living for seniors; referrals, information, and resources; thrift shops. For Home Support information call 250-658-6407; for all other inquiries call 250-656-0134, or visit www.beaconcs.ca. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria is a non-profit organization that provides mentoring programs for children and youth between the ages of 7 - 17. Adult volunteers (“Bigs”) are matched with children (“Littles”) based on shared interests, respect and trust. No special skills or experience are needed to be a mentor to a child, just a willingness to be a friend and commit to being a

54 Island Parent Magazine

consistent, positive adult role model. Make a BIG difference in the life of a child in as little as 1 hr./ week. Contact us at 250-475-1117 or visit www. bbbsvictoria.com or ‘LIKE’ our page at facebook. com/bbbsvictoria. Boys & Girls Club Services offer after-school and evening social, educational and recreational programming for children and youth at 4 locations. We also offer support to parents (Parents Together) and programs at our Outdoor Centre in Metchosin. For more information on all programs and services visit www.bgcvic.org or call 250.384.9133. The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides year-round, innovative, high quality sports, recreational, social and employment related programs for individuals and families living with autism, while building awareness and capacity through community networks across British Columbia. The Canucks Autism Network currently offers the following programs on Vancouver Island: Soccer (ages 5-15), Swim (ages 4-15), Family Events and Camps. To learn how you can become a member, please visit canucksautism.ca/join or call (604) 685-4049. Community Living Victoria supports people with developmental disabilities and their families by providing residential services, day and community supports (supported employment, parent support and independent living). Our Host agency provides direct supports for those with Individualized Funding and Home Share service. We also provide Autism Services for youth between 13 and 19. Our family support program offers advocacy, conflict resolution, education, newsletters, workshops,

Science Works For Kids • Educational Toys • Science Kits • Kites • Stomp Rockets

support groups and a resource library. Please call 250-477-7231 ext 233. Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society. Our Family Services offer family resource programs with a focus on early childhood development and learning, parenting education and pre and post-natal services. Our Counselling Services are free to adults and youth (12-18 years); adult and short term clinical counselling is offered for acute mental health problems. For more information call 250-385-2635 or visit 511 Constance Ave. in Esquimalt. HeadWay Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre supports families living with seizures by providing tutoring and one-on-one professional consultations to help your child live up to their full potential. We offer a parent workshop three times a year as well as education presentations in schools and community groups. Keep up to date with the latest research about treatments, lifestyle, and safety issues for your child. We can be reached at www.headwayvictoria.com, or you can contact our Epilepsy Program Coordinator directly at 250-475-6677. Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) is a service agency for immigrants and refugees. Programs offered include cross-cultural counseling, parenting programs (child care available), family violence programs, employment services, interpretation and translation, diversity workshops and training, ESL instruction, volunteering, youth programs and tutoring, as well as intercultural arts programming. 930 Balmoral Rd, 250-388-4728, info@icavictoria.org, www. icavictoria.org. Learning Disabilities Association of BC, SVI Chapter, educates, supports and advocates for children and youth with learning disabilities and related conditions. Services include a public lending library, individual/

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group support for parents and children, professional/educational workshops for parents and professionals. Child and youth programs include: reading/writing, academic skills, social/emotional skill development and Fast ForWord. 1652 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8S 5J2. Ph 250.370.9513. Fax. 250.370.9421. www.ldasvi.bc.ca. www. knowyourrights.ca Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) provides programs and services to the military family community including: 24-Hour Information Line; Deployment Information and Workshops; Short Term Counselling, Crisis Support or Intervention; Welcome/Relocation Services; Childcare and Family Support Services; Assistance for Families with Special Needs and Responsibilities. Exciting Volunteer opportunities available! Call the MFRC: 250-363-2640 (1-800-353-3329) for information or visit www.esquimaltmfrc.com. Parent Support Services Society (www. parentsupportbc.ca) provides support circles, parenting resources and referrals to all in a parenting role including grandparents raising grandchildren. Our training in peer group facilitation is open to the community. Support circles are free with child minding and transportation assistance available. Volunteers are always needed. Call 250-3848042; email parent-support@shaw.ca. 1Up, Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre (www.1-up.ca) provides support, education and resources for parents in the Greater Victoria area through free counselling, volunteer training for reception and peer helper positions, a mentoring program for single moms, and a support group for dads. The Centre also offers over 20 integrated life skills and parenting courses which are open to the whole community (fees are on a sliding scale). Child care assistance is available based on financial need. The Centre provides a bread pantry and free clothing for single parents. Donations of gently-used clothing, small household items, books, and toys are very welcome every Monday and Wednesday. Centre hours are 9–4 weekdays. 602 Gorge Rd. East; call 250-385-1114 or info@1-up.ca. South Island Centre for Counselling & Training is an affordable, non-profit, counselling and training agency serving individuals and families from all social, ethnic, and financial backgrounds. We help people with a wide range of issues including low self-esteem, depression, grief, marital and family conflict, abuse and spiritual direction. We also offer helpful “life” courses. For more information contact us at 250-472-2851; info@southislandcentre.ca or visit www.southislandcentre.ca.

www.IslandParent.ca

June 2014 55

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June 2014

Battling Burnout

here are hard days in the land of parenthood, I know. Modern mothers are expected to do it all: keep a perfect house, raise intelligent and creative children, provide their partners with companionship and intimacy and have a stimulating and productive life of their own on the job or elsewhere. Social scientists say that the gap has never been wider between what being the Ideal Mother demands and what we are realistically able to do, which brings up feelings of guilt and inadequacy. And it seems there is always some mom who appears to have it all figured out, leaving the

When you are balancing on the edge of burnout, you cannot do this alone, and no one expects you to. Enlist the help of friends or willing family members.

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rest of us feeling less than adequate for not having scrapbooked the kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; entire lives so far (oops). So we are constantly on the go and incessantly trying to make it up to everyone around and we never feel like we are doing it quite right. You used to be a fully functioning and contributing professional, but those days have been exchanged for full-time laundry duty, and you feel guilty for your feelings of resentment. You might even secretly cry in the laundry room as you realize that the daunting task of keeping clean clothes put away for everyone seems a pointless endeavor. Feeling tired and frustrated is unavoidable when you are a new parent, and there will be days when you wonder if you are cut out for this new role. With so much energy draining out of you as you adjust to being a new parent, you may find that you reach a point where you feel you have nothing left to give. Yet baby continues to need you, and you need to go on coping. Moms can become unhappy, angry, and most of all exhausted. A new mother who tries to live up to the image of Supermom is headed for trouble and www.kidsinvictoria.com

can often lead to questioning your ability to care for baby and blaming yourself for not enjoying motherhood. Being a parent is tough. There is no denying that. But there is hope. I know because I have been THAT mom. I know because I have thought all of those same thoughts. But mostly I know because I have survived. Here are a few ideas to help avoid burnout or to help you when you are on “the edge”: Remember that this too shall pass. This phase of having a baby to care for aroundthe-clock while knee-deep running a household, struggling to stay afloat, and you just need some peace, quiet and sleep—remember that these days are temporary. They grow up so fast! Believe me, the sleepless nights pacing with a screaming baby will come to an end. When a situation becomes almost unbearable, it can be a lifesaver to remind yourself that it will not last forever. When you demote a problem from “allconsuming” to “just temporary,” it loses a lot of its punch. Focus on the positive. House is a complete mess? Take that as a sign that life abounds around you. I know everyone has heard of keeping a gratitude journal. It is a simple practice of writing down a few things each day that you are thankful for. Try this for the next thirty days and you will be amazed how your gratitude does not leave much room to focus on frustrations and unhappiness. Keep it simple. Overwhelmed with just cooking and trying to feed them all? It is a big job feeding a growing family! On difficult days, stick to the basics and keep it simple. Some fruit and a sandwich for dinner is perfectly acceptable. What matters is that you feed them and love them and do what you must do to just keep going for now. Get support. When you are balancing on the edge of burnout, you cannot do this alone, and no one expects you to. Enlist the help of friends or willing family members. Hire a housekeeper when you are desperate for help with the house. You will never be Supermom, so please do not attempt it. Supermom is a mythological creature and she is not good for anyone. Focus on your relationship with your partner. Realize you are both growing and maturing and acknowledge as you are adjusting to your roles as parents that there will be good times and bad. Decide to make it through. Say out loud that you are in love with your partner, and choose to be. Recognize your partner is a priority, your teammate, your partner in raising your children together. Try to treat each other that way. If that is www.IslandParent.ca

new to you, it will take time. Take a small step each day in the right direction. Give yourself some space. Sometimes the best coping strategy is not to have to cope. When things start getting too intense, give yourself a time out. Put some distance between yourself and the troubling situation and it will be easier to maintain that

New Parent Pages

Space available for September 2014 • Parent & Tot pre-preschool for 1.5-3.5 year olds • 3’s and 4’s classes • Exciting fieldtrips • Our preschoolers go outside every day, rain or shine!

Diana Hurschler, BScN all-important perspective. Getting out of the house is great if you can manage it but just being alone in the next room can help relieve the tension. Exercise. This is not something to add to your “to-do list,” like getting to the gym to work off that baby weight. For me, a walking practice is key. All it takes is about 10 minutes of walking to clear my head. It costs nothing, and is so healthy—mentally, emotionally, and physically. I often go by myself but sometimes I will even bring my nine-year-old to connect with her. It lifts both our spirits. These times can be hard with so many needs that must be met each day. But it is temporary, and they grow up too quickly. Slow down, take a deep breath, and relax. Maybe the laundry will be piled up for a while, and you eat less than the gourmet meals you wish you could provide, but your family will know you loved them. Focus on what matters most. There will be a season in which you will have more time for keeping the home as you would like, and pursuing other interests and endeavors, but until then, do less, and enjoy knowing this is a precious season in life. In the meantime, take a big breath and step back—when you are wide awake, and not at the end of the day when you can barely keep your bloodshot eyes open. Really notice the blessings you have right in front of your eyes. Diana Hurschler, RN BscN, childbirth educator, certified breastfeeding counselor has been helping families in their childbearing years and beyond since 1998. Diana is the proud Mama of four little ones. She can be reached at diana@hurschler.com.

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June 2014 59

added, as well), to be used however you’d like. The leaves are toxic, for humans and animals alike, so be sure to trim the stalks well down if you’re taking the rhubarb from your garden. Try it au naturel, just once, if you never have—it’s well worth the tart shock for the sake of a sensory memory of springtime!

Springtime & Pie Plants

hen I was a child, one of the first signs of spring, for me, was rhubarb. Deep pink stalks would push up out of the noncommittal soil, waving their ruffled tops in the lilac-scented air. Mom would march into the garden with a sharp knife to harvest some, and then I’d follow her to the kitchen to appropriate a tender stem. I’d dip it into the sugar bowl and take a bite, then repeat. The intense tartness would raise small shivers at the back of my neck, almost but not quite allayed by the sugar’s burst of sweet. Rhubarb is actually a vegetable, which surprised none of the people I presented with that fact. (Ah, the pioneering path of the part-time food columnist can be a lonely one). A relative of celery, rhubarb has many similar health benefits to other green vegetables, such as spinach and kale. The stalks are rich in Vitamin K, which always sounds a bit like a made-up vitamin from

an alternate dimension to me, but really, it does exist, and is necessary for healthy bones and brains. It also provides us with a nice dosage of Vitamin A, to keep our skin supple and eyes sharp. Rhubarb is an excellent source of fibre, and is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a remedy for constipation, and, er, the other extreme as well. Farmers in Ontario and the prairies called it pie plant, presumably because that’s one of the most obvious uses for it, and there would generally be plenty of it around. Strawberry’s sweetness makes a natural complement to rhubarb’s tartness, and the combo is well represented in jams, pies, and muffins combinations everywhere. Baking anything intensifies the flavour, and chunks of rhubarb can be roasted in a slow oven with a bit of balsamic vinegar drizzled over, and a generous sprinkling of brown sugar. The rhubarb will turn into a jam-like compote (orange zest can be

Stewed Rhubarb (Not that this is even really a recipe, but I always forget the proportions!) 6 cups rhubarb, cleaned and chopped into 1" chunks 2 Tbsp water 1 cup sugar (I substitute honey for this, about 1⁄2 to 2⁄3 of a cup, and it’s really very good) Combine all ingredients in medium pot and heat over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce to a simmer, and allow to cook until the rhubarb chunks have separated into strands, and the general consistency is the way that you like it. Eat as-is, or over oatmeal, with ice cream, cake or yogurt, or however you want.

Rhubarb Risotto 2 cups rhubarb, chopped into small pieces 3 Tbsp butter 1⁄2 cup brown sugar

Sooke Region Museum Summer Camps

Full Week July 21—25, 9am-3pm $160 plus $7 for before & after care (7:45-9 and 3—5:30) ages 6 –9 Activities include: Exploring Natural History; Photography using historic cameras and techniques; Food Day, gathering from the wild and making your own snacks; traditional arts and crafts. 1\2 day camps July 7 Paper Marbling and Bookmaking; July 14 Basket Weaving; July 28, Print Making ; Aug 11 Watercolour Painting; Aug 18 Sculpture; Aug 25 Mixed Media Day each half day is $30 1st session 9am—Noon is for ages 6—9 and 2nd session 1pm—4 is for ages 10—12. For more information call 250-642-6351 or check our website out at www.sookeregionmuseum.com

Summer learning camps… Reduce summer learning loss while having fun! July 21–25: Victoria and Westshore August 4–8: Victoria August 11–15: Victoria August 18–22: Victoria and Westshore Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Mon – Fri Cost: $180.00 per week

Campers will create a summer memory box and fill it with games, hands on activities and stories linked to learning language arts or mathematics. Register early as spaces are limited! Minimum enrollment required. Registration deadline is 2 weeks prior to the start of each camp All camps are open to kids in grades 1–4.

www.readsociety.bc.ca Call 250-388-7225 for information about camp schedules and our remedial services 60 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

2 cups Arborio rice 4 cups whole milk 1 Tbsp vanilla more butter, if needed/wanted Heat butter in medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, pour milk into another saucepan and gradually heat up. When butter has melted, add sugar,

Just Eat It! Kathy Humphrey stirring well and constantly. Add rhubarb to the sugar mixture, and stir slowly and often, until rhubarb has softened and absorbed enough of the buttery sugary caramel mixture that it resembles jam. Pour the rice over, and continue to stir, allowing each grain of rice to be coated with the rhubarb and sugar, until the rice is beginning to appear translucent. When milk has heated enough to begin steaming, ladle one scoop into the rice mixture. Stir until milk is all absorbed, and then add another ladle-ful of the milk. Continue, going verrrrry slowly (the entire process should take 20–30 minutes), and the rice mixture is lovely and creamy. The consistency should be very creamy (this is to taste, of course). Stir in vanilla, and add another dab or two of butter to add depth, if desired.

Rhubarb Smoothie 11⁄2 cups rhubarb, fresh or frozen, chopped into chunks (note: frozen might blend more easily) 11⁄2 cups berries—strawberries are a natural fit, but blueberries would be good, as well 2 Tbsp liquid honey 11⁄2 cups almond milk (plain unsweetened; can use regular milk, or rice/soy instead) 2⁄3 cup orange juice ice, if desired (if using frozen fruit may not need it) Place all fruit in the bottom of a blender. Squirt honey over, then pour milk and juice. Blitz until blended to taste. Kathy Humphrey lives in Victoria with her husband and two children. She tries to see cooking for a family not as a chore but as a creative outlet.

. . . because love is the bottom line The Cridge Centre for the Family supports individuals and families in maximizing the opportunities and meeting the challenges of life. Children of all abilities, survivors of brain injury, women and children escaping violence, seniors, young parents, and families with children with special needs will all find support at The Cridge Centre. Call (250) 384-8058 or visit cridge.org to learn more. • Like us on facebook.com/TheCridgeCentre • Follow us on twitter.com/TheCridgeCentre •

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June 2014 61

Assessments

n third grade I had a classmate, J, who was the epitome of a square-peg forced into a round hole. I’m sure to his teachers he was challenging. To us he was just weird. He was teased, though I don’t remember any specifics. What I do remember is the day he couldn’t find a pencil in the disaster zone of his desk. Our teacher—an undeniable bully who terrified me—lifted J’s desk and dumped the contents on the floor. Somewhere atop the pile was a pencil, and J picked it up and thanked her. It wasn’t sarcasm. He didn’t do sarcasm. But she told him to “Get Out!” Moments later those closest to the windows started to giggle. J had taken our teacher’s command literally, and was perched on the garbage can by the playground. Of course we were all at the window when he was hauled back in. I’ve been thinking about J a lot lately. How hard school must have been for him, and how wrong it was that there was nothing in place to help him navigate it. People complain about the current trend of diagnosing our children—kids who would

It was Angus’s speech we were worried about. That it wasn’t really happening. That, although he knew a hell of a lot of nouns— wildebeest, for instance, and electric slide

have been considered simply different when we were young being stuck with labels that will follow them throughout their lives. But these labels can be profoundly positive. They can be the keys that unlock support for kids who really need it. They have the power to prevent a kid like J from falling through the cracks. How different would J’s school experience have been if he had had an educational assistant, an Individual Education Plan, access to services meant to reshape that round hole of our school to make a fit for him. How different would his experience have been if he had been born a generation later, when kids with different learning needs are identified and supported? Where his classmates, witnesses of this, would learn from this modelling of compassion. Where they would perhaps lend J a pencil if he couldn’t find his own. Where is J now? Where could he be? The reason I’m thinking about J these days is because of Angus. Because we have finally jumped through all the hoops necessary to secure a spot for him on the year-long waiting list for an autism assessment.

Maternity & Beyond Laura TRUNKEY guitar—he didn’t connect those nouns with verbs. He had some key phrases, but there was very little sentence construction happening. After two meetings with our family doctor, in which Angus sat silently, our doctor said he looked “normal”, and the promised referral letters never materialised. Frustrated, we called the health unit. We got placed on the waitlist for a speech assessment, and were handed our first of many questionnaires. The nurse called us after she scored it. Angus’s communication skills scored at the low end of normal, which was optimistic. But there were three other categories that were outside the normal range. It was in Angus’s assessment with

If your son or daughter has autism and is between 6–18 years old, we can help through:

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Dates

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the speech pathologist that autism was first brought up. Being told your child is not normal is complicated. It can be devastating, or heartening, depending on how you frame it. Sometimes I find myself slipping to the dark side, thinking of the hopes I have for Angus’s future, and imagining the roadblocks autism could erect. Sometimes I feel relieved. It is easier to be patient with Angus when I remind myself that his most difficult behaviours are out of his control. And it is easier to be gentle with myself now that I’ve been reassured Angus’s struggles are not the result of inadequate parenting. And of course it is comforting to know that there is help available. That aside from the assessment, Angus will soon be receiving speech therapy, his first occupational therapy appointment is on the horizon, and we have a child development specialist who comes to our home to play with Angus, to give us tips, to outline additional services available. J went to my high school, though we never had a class together and I have few memories of him from those years. The back cover of our Grade 12 yearbook supplement is a photograph of J, in the midst of a ridiculous stunt. Was he cajoled into it? Did he think that everyone was laughing with him? Ten years later, on a Facebook forum for our grad class, someone posted a theory that J had autism. I can’t recall any details of this: the wording, the context, whether J was also a member of this forum and therefore privy to the discussion. It may even have been in the context of that photograph, how it seemed to the poster—in retrospect—more cruel than hilarious. If this is true, he and I shared common ground. But I remember feeling angry at how inappropriate—how public—the chosen venue was. Maybe J had been diagnosed with autism. Maybe he was diagnosed back in high school, or before. But whether or not J was autistic, diagnosed or not, it didn’t change the way he was treated. It didn’t change who he was. And of course that is also true of Angus. When Angus has his assessment he may be affixed with a label. And that’s okay with me. I’ll use that label to pry open any door I can, to summon any support available. But I will not use it to define him. My greatest hope is that you won’t either. Laura Trunkey is mother to the amazing Angus and the author of a forthcoming short fiction collection from House of Anansi. Email laurajtrunkey@gmail.com. www.IslandParent.ca

Summer Riding Camps Weeklong Overnight Camps A unique opportunity for students to participate in the responsibility and care of horse (it’s like having their own horse for a week). • Feeding • Grooming • Riding Lessons • Trail Rides • Stable Management • Show & Games Day • Hiking • Campfires • All Meals Included

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www.alpinestable.com June 2014 63

Garfield Taught My Son to Read

f you have a child that finds reading and writing difficult, you will understand the frustration that can accompany daily spelling and home reading assignments. I have a son who loves books and stories more than anything in the world. From a very young age his favourite activity was being read to, even if it meant listening to audio books. When he wasn’t tucked into a story, he was dreaming them up himself. And yet the task of actually reading never came easily to him. He struggled to learn the alphabet, name the letters, match their appropriate sound, or write them properly. And despite loving, loving books he detested home reading. And so I set out on a mission to find materials that might actually engage him. It was a challenge to find just the right mix to hook my creative, dreaming son. As summer approaches many of you may be wondering how to support your children as they develop into readers, especially if reading isn’t something that has come easily to them. And while it is tempting to breathe a sigh of relief that we are done with home reading for the year, studies clearly indicate that summer reading loss is substantial if kids don’t keep at it. If your child is already struggling, taking the entire summer off may make starting again in the fall especially difficult. Here are some books we had great success with and that might help make your child’s process a little easier! Just remember to take a deep breath, stay patient and try to make reading a positive experience. Kids will get excited when they see your enthusiasm

over their successes, no matter how small they may be!

These poems let kids anticipate much of the language when they follow the natural rhythm in the poems, making reading a fun, sing-song activity. There are four books in the series. Another option is the “We Both Read” series where one page is the ‘parents’ page’ and the other the ‘child’s page’. For an entire listing of books, visit www.WeBothRead.com.

At the Very Beginning

I Can Read It All By Myself

The “Now I’m Reading” series by Nora Gaydos, published by innovativeKids, are leveled books that come in packs of 10 with reward stickers and tips for supporting your child. The first level is basic, with simple letter and sound recognition. The second level has a few sight words mixed with short vowel and consonant sounds. The stories in these books are fun and silly and the pictures alone will have your child giggling. Kids also get excited over picking a book out of the pack and completing the series. I found these at the Teacher’s Store. Visit www.innovativekids.com. I love “Toon Books,” a collection of easy-to-read comics especially written for emerging readers. The graphics are fantastic. The stories are developed through pictures, accompanied by simple enough language that struggling readers won’t be deterred. The books are motivational and encouraging and will make kids think they are just reading cool comics. There are enough titles to suit most readers preferences. Visit www.toon-books.com. Available at local bookstores; I found ours at Bolen Books.

This series has many Dr. Seuss books as well as many other classics like Sam and the Fireﬂy and I Want to Be Someone New. These stories have the perfect blend of quirky little tales and manageable, small words that can easily be sounded out or recognized. My son insisted that he had moved beyond readers and this series was the perfect transition. Indeed, they are not readers, but lovely classic tales with easyto-read words. Most parents will recognize them from their own childhood.

As They Progress I had great success with books designed for shared reading. One option is the “You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You” poetry series written by Mary Ann Hoberman, and published by Little, Brown and Company.

Independent Reading In the end it was Garfield that really taught my son to read. They were the first books he dared to read independently. He laughed constantly as he read them and felt like he was being ‘age-appropriate,’ reading something his peers would accept. The pictures are hilarious and sometimes he ‘read’ something that wasn’t actually there. However, I kept him stocked with more and more Garfield, made a little more lasagne than usual—a Garfield theme—and delighted in listening to him lying in bed reading aloud to himself, giggling away. The leap to chapter books from readers is huge and if your struggling reader can use comics as a bridge, they can work as a wonderful confidence builder. If it isn’t Garfield, perhaps another comic will hook your early reader, too.

The Very First Chapter Books There are many early chapter books, however, if your child has struggled to learn how to read they may be a little older than the book’s intended audience and they may find them a bit boring. It was so exciting to see my book-loving son finally tackle a chap-

Book Nook

Nanaimo's downtown destination for Children’s Toys and Books

PaisleY aiken ter book on his own, something he would never have done if he hadn’t spent all that time with Garfield. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a discouraging experience and that the story seemed suitably mature for him. In Usborne Young Readers, Series Two, they have taken classics, such as The Adventures of King Arthur and Jack London, and retold them with easy reading text. As a result, kids get to read great stories and become familiar with classics in a confidencebuilding format. My son read these aloud to me, though he needed some support, and was excited to see that he could do it. Hurray for Diana Whynne Jones! She has a ridiculously long list of published books, some of which are directed at younger kids. Earwig and the Witch was the first proper chapter book my son read to himself and it was perfect! With brilliantly realized characters, a splattering of suspense, whimsical illustrations and just the right length…it was perfect. It was such a success we rushed out and got Vile Visitors, another wonderful, magical Diana Wynne Jones book.

Up, Up and Away… After a couple of successes my son was flying. His head is now constantly buried in a book, from Judy Blume’s Fudge books, David Roberts Dirty Bertie chapter books, and Tui T. Sutherland’s Wings of Fire. He still makes mistakes and reading doesn’t flow as naturally as it does for many kids, but he sees himself as a capable reader and loves to read. I will forever be indebted to Garfield for being just the right hook! Paisley Aiken reads extensively to her three energetic young boys. She is founder of The Story Studio Writing Society, a charity that grows kids’ relationship with literacy.

www.IslandParent.ca

Books, balls, buckets and bubbles. Crayons, paints and stickers. Playmobil, trains, puppets and puzzles. For babies, kids and tweens Fully stocked with summertime fun. Something hot for everyone.

306 – 60 Commercial Street, Nanaimo 250-714-0026 childtreehouse@hotmail.com

1040 MOSS ST

Picasso was a kid once. Spark the creative genius in your child by signing them up today for our Summer Classes in the Children’s Art Studio. Register in person at the Gallery, or call 250.384.4171 ext 0, or at aggv.ca/studio-class-schedule

| aggv.ca

June 2014

Preschool & Child Care Directory CENTRAL SAANICH Almosthome Childcare/Preschool...250-590-7666 Quality childcare with a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Experienced Early Childhood Educators. Nurturing environment for ages 21⁄2 to 5 years old. www.almosthomecare.com. Chrysalis Child Care..........................250-652-0815 A nurturing and stimulating environment for a small group of 3–5 year olds. Qualified ECE promotes learning through play. www.chrysalischildcare.ca.

Colwood/LANGFORD Almosthome Childcare/Preschool...250-590-7666 Quality childcare with a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Experienced Early Childhood Educators. Nurturing environment for ages 10 months to 5 years old. www.almosthomecare.com. Caring Touch Daycare.......................250-478-4886 A warm, loving, fun family daycare in a safe, nurturing environment. Infant/toddler care for ages 1–5 years. Goldstream Co-op Preschool.................................. Learning Through Play for 3 and 4yr olds! For registration information go to our website: www.goldstream preschool.com. Jenn’s Little Bears.............................250-478-8999 A safe nurturing environment for children from infancy to kindergarten. Our Infant and Toddler Program enriches each child’s development while our 3-5 Program prepares children for kindergarten. Two separate buildings allow each age group space to grow! Leap Forward Childcare...................250-818-9225 2758 Peatt RD. Licenced group childcare for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Offering full-time and part-time care. Open 6:30am-5:30pm. For more information please contact Amber: info@leap forwardlangford.com, www.leapforwardlangford.com. Miles of Smiles Nature Junior Kindergarten..............778-265-4374 Come see why learning in nature rocks! Reggio Influenced Philosophy for ages 3-5. Have your child become a nature detective today! www.naturejuniorkindergarten.com

La Pre-Maternelle Appletree Preschool..........................250-479-0292 French immersion program. 30 months to school age. Licensed Christian centre. www.prematernelleappletree.com. Simply Fun Childcare Centre............250-881-3958 A warm, loving, fun and nurturing place for children to grow and learn. We have spaces available for registration ages 2.5 to 12 in our Licensed Group Facility. We offer extraordinary childcare, before and after school programs and a preschool. Our teachers are extremely qualified with ECE training and have lots of experience. Call Brenda to set up a tour. Let your child’s light shine bright with us!

Highlands Lexie’s Little Bears Child Care Inc...250-590-3603 Welcome to Forest Daycare! Our OUTDOOR nature program provides your child with an experience like no other...in the elements! Our Nature-lovers program boasts our own 2 acre forest, outdoor gardens and handmade playgrounds; strongly influenced by Reggio Emilia! New Infant/Toddler centre this spring! Wait list being taken NOW! www.lexieslittlebears.com. Visit our facebook page for ongoing photos and news!

METCHOSIN A Growing Place................................250-391-1133 Half day program (AM or PM) for 2.5-5 yrs. ECE educator, small class size. Our own petting farm. Summer program for July. Metchosin Co-op Preschool.............250-478-9241 Come visit our stunning natural outdoor playspace, and see how our inclusive, play-based program allows parents to grow and learn alongside their children. Exceptional ECE staff provide a warm and enriching experience for 2.5–5 yr. olds. Come Grow With Us! EST. 1960. Reg. begins March 1 @ 9am. metchosinpreschool@gmail.com.

North SAANICH In The Garden Childcare Centre.......250-654-0306 A GREAT PLACE TO GROW. Offering preschool, full day care, before and after school care for children aged 2.5 to 12 years old. Open all year.

CORDOVA BAY

OAK BAY

Carrot Seed Preschool......................250-652-2311 Where children can discover, imagine, construct and learn through play. Wondrous natural playground. www.carrotseedpreschool.com.

Creative Child....................................778-679-0076 At Creative Child, you will find a place of quality learning and care for a small group of young children in a beautiful Montessori-inspired setting. www. creativechildcentre.com

ESQUIMALT CIARA Early Childhood Centre.........250-386-7369 Education and fun hand in hand. Exceptional care for little ones ages 12 month-5yrs in an inclusive centre with Christian values. Facebook.com/CIARAEarly ChildhoodCentre. Island Kids Academy Esquimalt.......250-381-2929 High quality child care (ages 1-5). Preschool curriculum offered within a warm, caring all-day program. Character development using the Virtues Project. Access to community programs including swimming, skating, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Part-time spaces available. www.islandkids.ca.

Emmanuel Preschool........................250-598-0573 Children learn through play in our non-denominational Christian preschool near UVic. Bright attractive setting. www.emmanuelpreschool.ca. Gonzales Co-op Preschool...............250-727-1003 Children use imaginations in a Learning through Play classroom and natural playground. Reggio-Emilia inspired, focus is on art, nature and music. Nurturing, highly qualified ECE and ECE assistant. Parent participation options. Allergy aware. gonzalescooppreschool.com.

Kindred Spirits Children’s House........250-590-6966 Now accepting registration for a small group of 2.5–5 year olds in a purpose built Montessori classroom. The prepared environment stimulates and engages the children at their own pace with hands on, size, age and developmentally appropriate materials. www.kindredspiritschildrenshouse.com Oak Bay Co-op Preschool..................250-592-1922 Children Learn Through Play in this parent participation school. Our bright facility is allergy-free with a large outdoor playground. www.oakbaypreschool.com. Recreation Oak Bay..........................250-370-7200 Fully licensed, qualified ECE Daycare and Preschool with play based learning. After school care also available. St. Christopher’s Montessori School............................250-595-3213 A beautiful, warm environment, steps from beach and park in Oak Bay. We offer an enriched Montessori program – half days for 3 and 4 year olds and half or full day Kindergarten. www.stcmsoakbaybc.com.

SAANICH Arbutus Grove Children’s Centre.....250-477-3731 Formerly known as Goosey Gander Kindergarten. Half Day and Full Day Preschool Programs. Children’s learning is supported and nurtured through inquiry, exploration, play and creative expression. www.arbutusgrove.ca Cloverdale Child Care.......................... 250-995-1766 Full time daycare spaces available for 3-5 year olds starting Sept. 2014. Preschool spaces available Sept. 2014 for 3-year-olds Tuesday & Thursday 9am-noon. www.cloverdalechildcare.com. cloverdalechildcare@ shawbiz.ca. Full o’ Beans Preschool........................ 250.360.1148 Opening September 2013. We offer ‘learn through play’ programming designed to foster your child’s natural curiosity and imagination. Flexible scheduling, 2.5 and 4 hour programs, qualified staff. Registration is ongoing!www.saanichneighbourhoodplace.com. Island Montessori House..................250-592-4411 Inclusive, integrated and nurturing preschool, kindergarten, Grade 1/2 program. Located in a lovely rural setting. Extended day available. www.islandmontessori.com. Lakehill Co-op Preschool.................250-477-4141 Where children’s development is nurtured through a child centered inclusive, play based program. Come visit our out natural outdoor playground and meet our loving qualified ECE team. Multiple Levels of participation available, please enquire. www.lakehillpreschool.org. Lambrick Park Preschool & Childcare............................................250-477-8131 Gordon Head’s only parent-participation preschool and childcare centre. Flexible options, play-based learning and outdoor play. Allergy friendly. Celebrating 40+ years. www.lambrickparkpreschool.ca. Little Readers Academy....................250-477-5550 An enriched learn-to-read program for your 3-6 yearold! Reading, Writing and Math. Half-day, weekend and evening sessions available. www.oxfordlearning.com.

Looking for child care? Taking care of children?

Call your local Child Care Resource & Referral for free referrals and resources.

Child Care

Resource & Referral Your community’s best source of child care information and resources. 66 Island Parent Magazine

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 or 1-800-750-1868 Sooke: 250-642-5152 Westshore: 250-391-4324 Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 PacificCare (Ladysmith north): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 Funded by the Province of BC

www.islandfamilyinfo.ca www.ccrr.bc.ca www.kidsinvictoria.com

Preschool & Child Care Directory Montessori Educare..........................250-881-8666 Beautiful learning environments in Broadmead and Saanichton. 30 months – 5 years. Summer program available. Special needs are welcome. www.montessorieducare.com. Oakcrest Preschool...........................250-472-0668 A welcoming, nurturing environment with a large, bright facility. Learn through play with 2 caring ECEs. www.oakcrestpreschool.org. Puddles & Paints (Nature Daycare).. 250-658-6573 Introduce your children to the natural world around them! Surrounding them with nature and animals, we build on their curiosity while exploring the outdoors! On 10 acres of parkland the children lead the way towards environmental awareness! With a new ART STUDIO, and weekly lessons from the Vic. Academy of Music... your child’s day will be FULL of wonder and NATURE. Strongly influenced by Reggio. Visit our facebook page for pics of our studio, and handmade toys! Rainbows & Dreams Preschool........250-479-1966 Small classes for 3-5 yr olds in a safe nurturing environment. Children learn through play and fun–developing a sense of confidence, independence and creativity. Highly qualified ECE teacher. Ready Set Grow Preschool...............250-472-1530 Caring, quality licensed Learning Through Play environment. In Hillcrest School, Gordon Head. Highly qualified, warm ECE. heosc@pacificcoast.net. Rogers Child Care Centre.................250-744-2343 Trusted High Quality Programs since 1991. Early Learning and Out of School Care. www.rogerschildcare.com. St. Joseph’s Catholic Preschool..............................250-479-1232 ext 120 • A Christian child centre for 3–5 year olds. • A warm nurturing and challenging program • Offered by St. Joseph’s Catholic School. St. Margaret’s School Early Learning Centre.......................250-479-7171 Junior Kindergarten for girls age 3 and 4. Nurturing, play-based curriculum with art, STEM and outdoor exploration. Specialist teachers.New LEED-certified facilities on 22-acre parkland near Quadra and McKenzie. Half or full day options. www.stmarg.ca.

Castleview Child Care.......................250-595-5355 Learning Through Play & Discovery. Licensed nonprofit, qual. ECE staff. Since 1958. Preschool and full-time care. www.castleviewchildcarecentre.com. Cedar Daycare...................................250-479-2032 Community oriented, NFP Child Care facility. Wide variety of activities offered including the use of a private outdoor pool during the summer months. Licensed ECE educators devoted to nurturing children aged 30 months – 5 years. www.cedardaycare.com. Christ Church Cathedral Childcare and Junior Kindergarten...................250-383-5132 ECE and specialist teachers provide an outstanding all day licensed program for 3–5 year olds in our spacious and welcoming facility in James Bay. www.cathedralschool.ca. Downtown Y Child Care Centre.......250-413-8869 Enriched program, for children ages 3-5 years, supporting healthy child development and future school success. www.victoriay.com. Lansdowne Co-op Preschool...........250-370-5392 An extraordinary learning environment for families with young children. Parent participation. wwwlansdownepreschool.com. Moss Rock Preschool.......................250-382-2065 Join our ECEs in our play based licensed preschool which builds on the intellectual, social and emotional growth of the children through a pedagogy of listening and relationships. www.fairfieldcommunity.ca Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten...................250-595-7544 – Taking children’s learning forward – One of Victoria’s leading preschools and Junior Kindergartens. Balanced approach to play and education. Programme supports literacy, numeracy. Visit www. nightingalepreschool.com. Fernwood. Parkdale Early Childhood Centre.....250-382-0512 ECEs offer the highest quality care and positive learning experiences in our daycare and preschool. Full time or part time. Call for a tour or visit us at www.parkdalechildcare.ca.

Strawberry Vale Preschool...............250-479-4213

Rainbow Express Daycare................250-382-2314 Enriched preschool style program in a daycare setting. Visit our website at www.rainbowexpressdaycare.com.

Wiseways Preschool & Daycare.......250-477-1312

The Sir James Douglas Playschool.250-389-0500 Fun, creative and educational ECE program for 3-5 year olds to grow and develop life long skills. Come play and learn in our bright and modern centre in Fairfield.

Programs for 3 or 4 year olds at “The Little Red Schoolhouse.” Choose between full or partial parent participation. www.strawberryvalepreschool.org. Fully licensed Christian preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. Designed to meet the needs of the whole child. Subsidized fees welcome. www.wiseways. lambrick.com.

SIDNEY Adel’s Play N Discovery House........250-655-4888

Licensed childcare, 3-5 years, Reggio Emilia inspired. Mon–Fri, 7:30am–5:30pm. 2146 Beacon Avenue W. adelplayndiscovery.com, adelina.gotera@gmail.com. Positive Path Early Learning............250-655-7244

Year-round quality child care where preschoolers explore and learn in a culture of Christian values and virtues. positivepath@shaw.ca.

VICTORIA ArtsCalibre Academy........................250-382-3533 Comprehensive programs for Preschool through Grade 5, delivering academic excellence through music, dance, drama and visual arts. Outstanding educators, locations and facilities. www.ArtsCalibre.ca Babies to Big Kids Childcare............... 250-590-2722 949 Fullerton Ave. Licenced group childcare for children ages 6 months to 11 years old. Offering full-time and part-time care. Open 6:30am-5:30pm. info@babies tobigkids.com, www.babiestobigkids.com.

www.IslandParent.ca

Victoria Montessori...........................250-380-0534 Unique, innovative learning environment combining the best of Montessori and Learning Through Play. Open yr. round. 30mths–grade 1. www.victoriamontessori.com.

VIEW ROYAL A Secret Garden Preschool..............250-380-8293 Program built on Christian values. Monthly themes, weekly topics and daily activities. asecretgardenpreschool@shaw.ca. Island Kids Academy View Royal.....250-727-2929 High quality child care (ages 1-5). Preschool curriculum offered within a warm, caring child care environment. Character development using the Virtues Project. Access to community programs including swimming, skating, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Part-time spaces available. www.islandkids.ca. Little Friends Childcare Center........250-479-8423 For a creative learning environment. Licensed group facility. Infants/Toddlers/Preschool. www.littlefriends childcare.ca. Little Wonders Preschool (View Royal OSC)...............................250-744-2718 A creative and supportive program that will prepare your child for a lifetime of learning! Out of School Care is also available for school aged children. www.viewroyalosc.com.

Quails’ Nest Daycare.........................250-721-2342 At-home licensed daycare near VGH; multi-aged; all families welcome. Play-based environment promoting social, emotional, physical growth. Art, songs, story-telling, puppet shows, daily walks. $800.00 quailsnestdaycare.weebly.com. View Royal Preschool........................250-479-8067 An exciting inclusive program in an exceptional care environment. Licensed 3–5 year olds. Outside play and themes enrich this program. viewroyalpreschool@ live.com.

Mill Bay / Cobble Hill Starchild Centre..................................250-929-3240 Unique infant/toddler daycare, combines the best of Montessori and Waldorf. Our 9 acre hobby farm enables each child to have a garden plot, participate in planting trees, picking fruit, feeding animals, and other outside adventures. www.starchildcentre.ca.

DUNCAN Maple Tree Play House Licensed Family Childcare...............250-746-5060 A daycare program that provides enriched outdoor play time and activities that build on a child’s intrinsic love of nature. Healthy meals and snacks are provided. mapletreekids@telus.net. Queen Margaret’s Preschool/Junior Kindergarten..........250-746-4185 Offering a co-ed enriched curriculum in a friendly atmosphere. Morning ECE/afternoon daycare. www.qms.bc.ca. Queen of Angels Early Learning Centre.........................250-701-0433 We believe that the development of the whole child (physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually) encourages each individual to develop to their full potential. We offer an enriched full day program for 3–5 year olds based on Kindergarten readiness. Sunrise Waldorf School Preschool.....250-743-7253 A warm, nature-based rhythm where wonder is nurtured. www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org.

Chemainus Cherry Tree Child Care Centre.........250-246-9195 Preschool program nurturing creative play and engaging learning activity. 30 months to age five. Qualified and experienced Early Childhood Educator. St. Joseph’s Preschool.....................250-246-3191 An enriching preschool program allowing children to grow as individuals in a safe and nurturing Christian environment.

Qualicum Beach Children’s Discovery Centre.............250-752-4343 Our program recognizes the uniqueness of each child and provides a nurturing, safe and creative learning environment. Preschool, Groupcare, Out of School care. ECE qualified staff. childrensdiscoverycentre@ hotmail.com. Little Star Children’s Centre.............250-752-4554 Earth friendly preschool education inspired by nature. Kinder-Prep classes. Licensed group care. ECE instructors. www.littlestardaycare.ca. littlestar@shaw.ca. Thimbleberry Childcare.....................250-752-8342 A place for preschoolers to seek out adventure and exploration in a natural environment. A magical forest of 20 acres right on our door step. Thimbleberrychildcare@gmail.com

Port Alberni John Paul II Catholic School............250-723-0637 “Where children grow and learn through play.” We provide a program that will inspire development physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, creatively and spiritually.

June 2014 67

PIANO! ! Time’s a Charm Learn Third Piano! PIANO! ! D

FUN SEASONAL PRIZES!

EXIBLE

CHING

VIC

WITH MARY ROGERS!

LEARN

BMus (Piano Performance) UBC, ARCT and BCRMT FUN SEASONAL PRIZES!

WITH MARY ROGERS! BMus (Piano Performance) UBC, ARCT and BCRMT

LESSONS FOR

ALL, BEGINNER TO ADVANCED!

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• Enthusiastic, 250-744-9049! • 30+ YEARS OF TEACHING mrogersmusicstudio@shaw.ca! Flexible Lessons EXCELLENCE! LESSONS!

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MARY ROGERS PIANO STUDIO!

250-744-9049!

mrogersmusicstudio@shaw.ca!

DOES YOUR CHILD LOVE HORSES? Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Assoc. provides a highly engaging, rewarding, and fun therapeutic alternative for children with special needs. We offer year round programming, beginner lessons and summer horse camps for ALL children. Contact CTRA today!

Volunteers Always Needed!

No experience required and all training provided. Find out how you can make a difference today!

250-746-1028 info@ctra.ca

Riding Lessons Summer Horse Camps!

68 Island Parent Magazine

…or is it?

ear friend, Congratulations! I hear you are expanding your family. You survived the transition from one to two kids and now here you are, bravely attempting number three. People are probably giving you all kinds of advice; that’s what people do to pregnant women. Having recently launched my own three-kids-adventure, I feel it is my duty as your friend to demystify a few things—in order to prepare you for what you’re really about to tackle. Let’s start off by debunking the ‘easy’ myth. I guarantee that as your pregnancy progresses, you will find yourself hearing this over and over again: “Oh, it gets easier with your third one, don’t worry!” People seem to universally accept this as fact. And sadly, many pregnant women are led to believe that things actually will be easier. But I am here to tell you: these people are fibbing. Of course, we cannot blame them; remember, they are speaking from the experience of having three or more children. They only think it got easier because they’ve forgotten what easy was like. And besides, what else does one say when faced with a disheveled pregnant lady who is already chasing two unruly children? They know it’s too late for you, so they muster up the most reassuring thing they can think of. But when there are three children and only two parents, it takes fairly basic logic to realize that things cannot possibly become easier. Granted, things do become more familiar. You will be performing tasks you have done before, under conditions you have already faced. Familiarity will go a long way in helping you cope with nights, for instance. You are used to sleeping in small chunks, and adept at diapering a tiny bum in the dark. A relative piece of cake, you’d think. But remember, the game will have changed. It will no longer be as simple as re-settling the baby; you will now have to handle the added challenge of keeping your older children asleep when your newborn wails in the night. It’s tricky business, and there’s no going back—you have forever upped the ante. This holds true across the entire parenting spectrum. You have Goodnight Moon memorized, right? Good. You’ll be able to mumble it to baby by memory, while simultaneously helping your oldest child spell out the lyrics

from ‘Frozen’ and your middle child build a tower. You think baby-proofing will be a breeze? Well, it is true that anything breakable, stainable, or expensive left your home years ago. But baby-proofing for a third child is the hardest of all, since every toy your older children own has teeny tiny pieces. Lego? Marbles? Rainbow Looms? You see how this complicates things.

Is There an App for This? SARAH MILLIGAN Life will be more of a juggling act, to be sure. But what about figuring out your baby? Babies supposedly get easier, the more of them you have. What they want, how to make them stop crying, the magic formula for sleep…the answers are supposed to become instinctive. But your third baby will likely be the polar opposite of any baby you have known, so you cannot rely on any tricks learned on previous babies. Besides, the rules change all the time; chances are, the stats—on what your baby’s first food should be, to immunizations, to wether teething necklaces are safe or not—are different now, and your hard-won knowledge will have become utterly redundant. But not all is lost. There is something special your third child will give you: core strength. After managing the needs of not one, not two, but three children, you will be tougher and more capable than you could ever have imagined. The things you knew before will go out the window, surely, but in the long run this is a good thing for you. You will be forced to rely on your gut more and the books less, as a matter of survival. And the greatest lesson your third baby will teach you is how to appreciate the rare moments of peace like never before. Now if you decide to have a fourth, I hear fourth babies are when it really gets easier... Sarah Milligan lives on Vancouver Island. She is grateful to her three children for the joy they inspire—not to mention the endless writing fodder.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

South Island Business Directory Jamie Lemi Co.

•

Fun Unique Handmade Diaper Cakes

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Immigration Canada

Move to the head of the class.

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Smart Tutor Referrals.com Professional In-Home Tutorial Support

Call 250-544-1588 to learn more.

Celebrating our “Original” Outdoor Learning Program! We bring your child’s classroom…OUTSIDE!” • “Life is playfulness. We need to play so that we can rediscover the magic all around us.” – Flora Colao • Our property boasts 2 acres of forest with 2 huge natural play spaces for the children to discover! • Providing a quality Natural program through outdoor play, starting your child on the right path towards a healthy, active forever lifestyle.

New Infant/Toddler Program. Register Now!

Salt Spring Island

Summer 2014:

July 7–11 • July 21–25 August 4–8 • August 18–22

Mon to Fri, 9am to 12:30pm • Cost: $225

Mortgage Team Krista Lawless & Sherri Brown 250-656-0855 info@lawlessbrown.com www.lawlessbrown.com

Kids Horse Riding Camp

Learn and grow with us!

778-432-3600

New Pics at

www.lexieslittlebears.com

For children age 7 to 14 who would like to learn to ride a horse. Or for children who have ridden before and would like to learn more. Learn or improve how to groom, tack up, work safely around a horse and basic English riding. Limit eight children per camp. Stable management topics will include learning about grooming tools, saddlery, feeding, breeds, colours and parts of the horses and equine first aid. Last day is a games day on horseback.

Contact Geri Alton at 250 653 9648

bramblewoodfarm@shaw.ca www.bramblewoodfarm.ca

Send Us Your Stories! Island Parent is looking for articles for upcoming issues. Some of our best content comes from people just like you—Vancouver Island parents who are passionate about their families and are dealing with the day to day issues of raising children in our community. Share your experiences, your thoughts on a particular issue, your ideas on places to see or projects to do—anything related to parenting. Check our Writer’s Guidelines at www.islandparent.ca for specific information on submissions. We’d love to hear from you. Please email submissions to editor@islandparent.ca.

www.IslandParent.ca

June 2014 69

Ad Directory (The) OCEAN 98.5........... 56 Alpine Stables................. 13 Andrea’s Sew Easy.......... 30 Art Gallery of Gr. Victoria .. 65 Artistic Statement ........... 22 BC SPCA ........................ 39 BC Registered Music Teachers Assoc ........... 12 Blue Vista ....................... 47 Boardworks .................... 45 Boys & Girls Club ............ 63 Brigadoon Dance .............. 5 Burnside Gorge Community Centre ...... 28 Byte Camp...................... 19 Camp Narnia .................. 52 Camp Pringle .................. 13 Camp Qwanoes .............. BC Camp Thunderbird .......... 58 Canadian College of Performing Arts........... 71 Canadian Forces Sailing .... 8 Cathedral School............... 5 Chemainus Theatre ......... 55 City Centre Park .............. 17 Community Living ........... 62 Conseil Scolaire .............. 21 Cowichan Therapeutic Riding ........................ 68 CRD Hartland .................... 9 Cridge ............................ 61 Dance Unlimited................ 7 Dansko........................... 71 Discovery School............. 46 Duncan & Faber .............. 61 Dyslexia Victoria .............. 31 Emmanuel Baptist Church ....................... 53 Emmanuel Preschool....... 49 Esquimalt Recreation.......IFC Falcom Gymnastics ......... 52 Forge Church.................. 43 Fort Rodd Hill .................. 26 FUN Camps .................... 31 GNS Marine Adventure .... 45 Horne Lake Caves ........... 57 Horticultural Centre of the Pacific .............. 32 IMAX .............................. 18 International Nannies....... 49 Island Farms ................... 36 Island Montessori ............ 24 Island Rhythmic .............. 48 Island Swimming............. 49 Kate Rubin...................... 32 Kids Klub .......................... 4 Ladysmith Parks ............. 57 Langford Lanes ............... 23 Leap Forward Childcare... 29 Lifestyle Markets............. 33 Lighthouse Academy of Dance .................... 41 Little Steps ..................... 38 Mad Science................... 40 Mary Rogers Studio......... 68 Mary Winspear Centre ..... 45 Matraea Mercantile ......... 72 Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf .. 44

Maxine Fisher ................. 18 Mothering Touch ............... 3 Music for Young Children .................... IBC Oak & Orca................22, 33 Oak Bay Preschool .......... 59 Operation Trackshoes ...... 28 Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence ........... 4 Panorama Leisure ............. 5 Park Sands .................... IBC Rainbow Express............. 61 The Raptors .................... 52 READ Society .................. 60 Rebecca Wellman Photography ............... 43 Recreation Oak Bay......... 51 Restart Computers .......... 47 Royal BC Museum............. 2 Royal Victoria Yacht Club . 53 Saanich Dental ............... 38 Saanich Recreation ..... Insert Scallywags .....................IFC Science Works ................ 54 Screen Actors ................. 23 Serious Coffee ................ 39 Smart Tutor Referrals Soccertron...................... 62 Sooke Region Museum.... 60 Sportball.........................IFC St. Joseph’s Chemainus .... 7 St. Margaret’s ................. 29 St. Michaels University School........................ 43 Stagecoach .................... 55 Stages.......................30, 48 Swan Lake ..................... 10 Sylvan Learning ................ 1 The Children’s Treehouse .................. 65 Thrifty Foods................... 37 Tigh Na Mara .................. 57 Tillicum Centre................IFC TJ’s The Kiddies Store ..... 40 Tom Lee Music ............... 63 Toopy & Bino .................. 47 Tourism Richmond .......... 58 UVic Vikes ...................... 10 Vancouver Island Baby Fair .................... 20 Vancouver Island University ................... 57 Victoria Conservatory of Music ..................... 17 Victoria Gymnastics ......... 13 Victoria Midwives ............ 42 Victoria Pediatric Dental .. 53 Victoria Recreation ......... IBC VIHA............................... 50 Vitamin Shop .................... 8 Welcome Wagon ............. 59 West-Mont School ............ 7 Western Promotions ........ 27 Westshore Motocross ...... 41 Westshore Parks ............. 25 Westshore Zumba ........... 23 Westside Stables ............ 32

Island Parent Magazine

Exploring the Heart of Quadra Parks

ature-lovers rejoice! As of March 2014, Vancouver Islanders have a new park in our back yard. Unofficially known as the Heart of Quadra Parks, it comprises nearly 400 hectares of forest on the northern tip of Quadra Island, and connects two existing marine parks: Octopus Island and Small Inlet. Kayakers will love the sheltered anchorage at Waiatt Bay and Small Inlet, and the historic portage trail between them. For hikers, the new park now officially extends the existing Newton Lake trail all the way to Waiatt Bay, making it an athletic half-day hike or a more leisurely full-day outing with plenty of time to discover and enjoy several delightful spots.

The hiking trail starts at the aptly named Granite Bay, and the first couple of kilometres are a bit of a slog up the rocky bed of an old logging road. Once you reach the first of four small lakes, the trail becomes storybook perfect—soft and springy underfoot, pleasurably meandering, and with tantalizing glimpses of distant views to sustain the hiker in a state of happy anticipation. The trail passes through second-growth forest lush with huckleberry and salal, with trailing vines of salmonberry displaying large pink flowers, irresistible to hummingbirds, or later in the season, delicious red berries.

Soon you will reach Newton Lake, with bluffs overlooking a small island. It is a good place to stop awhile and let your breath and body find their way back to the rhythms of the land and water. Listen for the yodelling call of nesting Common Loons. This iconic sound of northern summers is not often heard on the coast, as the majority of overwintering loons return to their ancestral lakes in the Interior for the breeding season. But some pairs do stay to breed if they spot a lake to their liking, and Newton Lake has everything a loon can possibly desire—plenty of fish and a remote wilderness location free of human disturbance.

If you aren’t very familiar with the loon’s repertoire of vocalizations—wail, “laughter”, tremolo—you may wonder whether you’re hearing a wolf’s howl. And indeed you may be: there are two wolf packs on the island (although you’re much more likely to hear them at night). Black bears make a seasonal appearance in the fall, swimming across the channel from Vancouver Island to feast on spawning salmon. Past Newton Lake follow the left fork sign-posted for Small Inlet, and watch for two waterfalls on your left. Then follow a steep descent down to Small Inlet, the most difficult portion of this moderately challenging hike, and a short portage trail over www.kidsinvictoria.com

mostly even terrain across to Waiatt Bay, the site of a prehistoric First Nations village. Seeing a loon chick riding on a parent’s back, an otter playing with its young, or a black bear snacking on berries—such moments are the stuff of wilderness stories we tell and retell for years afterwards. With cellphones and cameras, the temptation is

Nature Notes ana siMeon strong to “capture” the image to share with our friends. But the true healing power of wilderness cannot be captured, and doesn’t depend on such peak moments. It comes to us through the feet sensing the constantly changing surfaces, the lungs drinking in

Full days July 21 - August 1, 2014

Instructed by faculty of the Canadian College of Performing Arts

Photos: Ana Simeon

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the green-scented air. Most of all, it comes through the many-layered tapestry of sounds: the soft background chirping of forest birds; the stillness of Newton Lake with only a whisper of air moving the salmonberry leaves, and then the buzz of a hummingbird; the exultant crescendo of the waterfall calling forth our own wildness. Thus restored to our forest birthright, when we do meet the loon, the otter or the bear, we meet them on equal terms of mutual recognition and belonging.

2014

at the Royal Theatre June 13, 7:00pm June 14, 7:00pm June 15, 2:00pm

Ana Simeon is a writer and activist in Victoria. She divides her time between working for Sierra Club BC, hiking and birdwatching. www.IslandParent.ca

June 2014

Cut It Out!

Tips from Parent Educator Allison Rees of LIFE Seminars

Undoing Indulgence

lowance so they can save for things and buy the extras themselves. When they run out of money, don’t rescue them. • Challenge the social emphasis on “good parenting” as providing everything for your kids. • Begin to meet your own needs as well. • Avoid rewarding your children for doing things around the house (don’t tie allowance to chores) or for taking on responsibility unless it is a temporary measure to teach them. • Learn to say “no” when you need to, and know that your child’s disappointment is part of maturing. See the benefits of learning to delay gratification. • Don’t use material things to buy your child’s love or ease your guilt. • Set limits with extended family as well around issues of indulgence. • Find other interests in your life as your children get older rather than being totally focused on them. • Take time for yourself and have some expectations of your child to respect your time and space.

• Decipher the difference between needs and wants. Provide for your children’s needs, but help them earn and work for their wants. • Give your children a regular, reasonable al-

LIFE Seminars has two books available, Sidestepping the Power Struggle and The Parent Child Connection. See www.lifeseminars.com.

Spoiling? Cut It Out!

iving your child too much too soon? Are you a one-person entertainment center? Do you bend over backward with your time? If you do you might want to Cut It Out! Spoiling really does ruin a child’s character. An overindulgent parent is just as damaging to a child’s development as a controlling one. The child is deprived of the opportunity to think for himself, make decisions, and develop his own ideas and preferences by the parent’s constant provision for him. An overindulged child never has to struggle or take the initiative to get something for himself. He never has to work for anything. He never has to entertain himself—perhaps with creative, imaginative play—when his parents are busy and there are no good toys. Parents need to find a balance between their needs and those of their child. It is important that the child is challenged from time to time with figuring out what to do. This challenge normally comes through not having things and entertainment provided for them all the time! It is okay to say to your child, “I’m going to sit down and

read a book for half an hour.” Let them catch you enjoying life and looking after yourself, something you would like them to be able to do, too. Now age is important here, we don’t get away with this when our children are two, but as they mature, we can start to look after some of our own needs again. We appreciate things when we work for them. Every adult knows the pain of wanting something right now and having the credit card balance to show for it. Delayed gratification needs to be learned in childhood, otherwise the adult mistakes can be huge. Often adults are still bailed out by their parents and never learn to take responsibility in this area. The overindulged child is “spoiled” into believing that life will provide for him without his own effort. As an adult, this person has to complete the childhood task of learning to direct his own life.

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www.kidsinvictoria.com

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Located on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada