BC Parent Spring Issue

spring issue 2012 www.bcparent.ca

Talking about Bullying Making Sense of Adolescence

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inside ...

4

Learning french, living french

6

Talking about bullying

Continue to connect Chatter as a defense mechanism

9

Morning madness

16 Pregnancy power food

Another day in the life of a mum

Building your food foundaton

http://twitter.com/bcparentmag

10 Designing the ultimate kid’s room…

19 Summer Camp Guide

…to nurture creativity and calmness

Publisher/Executive Editor: Forrest Phillips

Contributors: Lela Davidson, Christa Menyk Hines, Jeanne Petit Humphries, Janet J Johnson, Dr. Marisa Marciano, Nikki Renshaw, Bev Yaworski

Mail Address: Sasamat RPO 72086 Vancouver, BC V6R 4P2

Advertising Sales: bcparent@shaw.ca

BC Parent is published 8 times per year.

The Publisher reserves the right to omit advertising which is judged to be in poor taste or which does not conform to the concept of this publication.

email: bcparent@shaw.ca www.bcparent.ca

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Editor: Geoffrey Legh Advertising Design & Layout: Julie Cochrane Editorial Design & Layout: RetroMetro Designs www3.telus.net/retrometro

Spring Issue 2012 Volume 21, Number 3

15 Portrait of a junk drawer Everyone's got one!

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BC Parent Newsmagazine

12 Making sense of adolesence

bcparent.ca • spring 2012 3

Learning French,

By Jeanne Petit Humphries

LivingFrench

W

hen my first daughter was born I realized how many milDespite these French programs’ well established and proven track lions of decisions we must make as parents regarding record that refute these apprehensions, many parents struggle to every infinitesimal aspect of a child’s life. At birth, a make this decision because of one chief concern that relates to their name has to be chosen followed by many other decisions ranging own abilities. Is it possible to support and follow their child’s from breastfeeding or not to diaper brands to use. As kids grow up, progress at school if they don’t know French themselves? According there seem to be even more things to consider such as your chil- to the Canadian Parents for French, parents simply need to “[m]ake dren’s education and what they will, could, or French a part of your child’s life by providing should grow up to be. opportunities for your child to use French outside Among the myriad of decisions that I faced of the classroom.”1 They give examples of letting Another really successful regarding my children’s schooling was whether or your kids watch TV, read books and, in general, activity in my household not to register them in a French Immersion or find any and all opportunities to expose your child is cooking in French.

Francophone school program. I worried that my to French language events and activities. children would not have the necessary skills to Although seemingly easy and doable suggestions, function in English if they did all their schooling in French, that most parents still struggle to find concrete ways to help increase they would be too challenged, or not enough, that they would have their child’s fluency in and enjoyment of French. There is only so difficulty communicating complex ideas in a second or minority much Bob l’éponge a child can watch, after all. In addition, in an language. And the list goes on. I know I am not alone—these are Anglophone setting such as ours in BC, there are quite simply not qualms that keep many parents awake at night well beyond the that many places for your kids to hear French on a daily basis. So, baby years.

1. www.cpf.ca/eng/resources tools workbook.html 4 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

no matter what, you are going to need to do things both in the community and at home to encourage your child to see French as an authentic and living language.

After watching my zillionth Dora l’exploratrice show, I was suddenly and rather vehemently inspired to find alternatives to TV and videos to “support” my kids en français. After asking advice from all kinds of experts and friends and, predictably, 3:00 am musing sessions, I came up with a few ideas that I think most parents, even those who’s idea of French is to say “parley voo Frenchay tucsonarizona?” only because they believe it sounds French, could use.

If, like me, TV is not something you want to hear blaring in the background all the time, audio books (of songs or stories) are a nice alternative. Vancouver’s public library has a whopping five such books in their collection and these are certainly a good start. You could also consider purchasing some French song and book collections. If you type in “comptines chanter” in an Internet search engine or contact a local distributor of French books, you will find a great selection of these songbooks. Kids respond really well to music and will be singing before you know it “coucou hibou, coucou hibou” to the point of making you cuckoo.

Another really successful activity in my household is cooking in French. That means finding a French recipe, trying to decipher it to make sure that coq au vin is a chicken dish and nothing else, making a grocery list using the French vocabulary, preparing the food and, with any luck or cooking skills, eating your delicious meal.

Although marginally more time consuming than preparing the usual fare of mac & cheese, not only does this activity allow you to spend time with your lovely kids, but it will also have a lot of impact on their enthusiasm for learning French because they will see you make French part of your everyday life. This, after all, is the key to making French an authentic language, one that has practical and real day to day applications, and one that kids will see as being useful rather that useless.

If, after all these years of parenting you still have some brain cells left, you might consider learning a few words of French to play one of my children’s favorite car games. All you need to know is voiture (v-oh-ah-t-oo-re, car), camion (k-ah-me-on, truck), vélo (v-ay-loh, bike) and ambulance (ohm-boo-lan-ce, try figuring what that means).

This game works well when driving down a stretch of road with not too much traffic. It is also a good game to play as you watch cars unload while you are uselessly waiting for a half an hour at the ferry terminal despite having paid for a hugely expensive reservation, but I digress. The goal of the game is to guess what type of vehicle will be the next to come by. Whoever guesses right gets a point. Despite the simplicity of this game, it works really well to make long drives less painful and, perhaps more importantly, to show kids that it is possible for the whole family to have fun in French.

Deciding to put your children in a francophone or French Immersion school program is a big decision, especially in an Anglophone setting where there are very few resources and places to help you acquire a real feel for French. Although you don’t need to speak French as a parent, it is important for your child to experience French outside of a classroom. These learning opportunities can, however, go beyond simply plunking your children down in front of a screen. As parents, we can make learning French an opportunity to connect, laugh and play. That’s one decision that I certainly

don’t regret making when I registered my children in a francophone school. It might mean a little bit more effort on my part, but it’s not like I ever sleep anyways…

Jeanne Petit Humphries has a PhD in French from the University of Toronto, has taught French in schools and universities in Canada and abroad, and is the proud maman of three French speaking children. She is also the owner of an online French resource store (www.laplacefrench.com).

A Family Fun Event

Saturday, May 5th, 1–4 pm

Vancouver Bilingual Preschool’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Join the community of past and present students and their families in celebrating this special golden anniversary. Founded in 1962, VBP is proud to celebrate 50 years of providing French language childcare.

The VBP was set up as a cooperative by parents who wanted their children to have a preschool experience in French. Parent involvement continues to be key to the success of the school.

A member of Volunteer Canada and recipients of Child Care Legacy Award for over 40 years of service by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development in 2010, VBP is pleased to be acknowledged for supporting one of our nation’s official languages and for their role in creating community within our city.

Celebrations will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, Sat. May 5th at 3:30 pm at the school, 949 W. 49th Ave.

1962-2012 – Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence

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(604) 261-1221 www.vancouverbilingual.com Vancouver Bilingual Preschool 949 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 2T1

bcparent.ca • spring 2012 5

Talking about Bullying Could your chatterbox’s talking be hiding a bigger problem?

by Christa Melnyk Hines

“If children talk about something else, they are extending their sense of self and then they don’t have to go into what is really bothering them.”

ver been stuck in a car with a child who simply won’t stop talking? As much as we love our children, for many of us, listening to non-stop gab feels exhausting. But before demanding your child put the brakes on her motormouth, consider the nature of the discussion. A child, who jumps from one random topic to the next without saying anything in particular, might use talk to hide a deeper issue.

Dr. Stephanie Mihalas, a child and adolescent psychologist with The Center for Wellbeing in Los Angeles, says children sometimes chatter as a defense mechanism to avoid discussing an anxiety-provoking issue that makes them feel bad about themselves. For example, someone is invading their space at school or at home.

“The child doesn’t know how to communicate he is being bullied or teased so he uses talking to protect himself or his identity. If children talk about something else, they are extending their sense of self and then they don’t have to go into what is really bothering them,” Mihalas says.

Often, children fail to mention they are a target because they feel embarrassed or ashamed. Other children fear retaliation from the bully or don’t believe their parents will do anything to help address the issue if they tell. In fact, a 2010 study conducted

by Clemson University found as kids grow older they are less likely to discuss a bullying problem.

A child may ramble or talk too much for many reasons. Besides a possible predisposition to talk, contributing factors range from high intellectual functioning to ADHD, medications, anxiety and

E

6 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

mood disorders. Examine the complete picture. Does your child exhibit other signs she is bullied? Signs include a sudden change in disposition, physical ailments like stomachaches and headaches, anxiety about going to school or riding the bus, torn clothing, missing belongings, unexplained bruises or a sudden drop in grades.

To help your child jump off a runaway wagon of non-stop talk, grab the reins with a firm “whoa.” Ask her to explain in three sentences what she really wants to say. A child who is simply rambling may say something like: “Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you, Mom.” If your child articulates in three sentences that something, or someone, is bothering her, then you can tackle the real issue together.

When Bullying’s the Problem

Take your child seriously if he says he’s getting bullied.

“Validate their feelings, don’t minimize what is happening,” says Dianna Hall, a licensed clinical social worker with The Family Conservancy in Kansas City, KS. “For older children, ask the question: ‘What can I do to help?’ Be an advocate for your child at school, too. The school can’t help keep your child safe if they don’t know what’s going on.”

Praise your child for telling you and ask him what he has done about the bullying so far. Before contacting the school, ask your child for specifics, including who was involved, what happened, when and where the incidents occurred and if anyone else witnessed the bullying.

Discuss ways your child can deal with the bully, ways that don’t include fighting or bullying back, which can get your child expelled. For example: • Tell the bully to stop and then walk away.

• Bullies generally seek a reaction. Practice remaining unemotional by ignoring him or assuming a “poker face.”

• Hang out with friends to avoid being alone with a bully.

• Tell a teacher, school counselor, another trusted adult or a sibling. Be persistent. If one authority figure does nothing, find another.

“Same thing with parents. Be diligent in continuing to advocate for your child at school and even outside of school if needed, by contacting community resources like the police or a legal advocate,” Hall adds.

Ways to Support Your Child

Boost your child’s self-confidence by enrolling him in sports, self defense like martial arts, scouting or other groups that nurture a network of friends, a healthy body image, and leadership opportunities.

“I also encourage parents to inquire at their school about what they are doing and how to become involved. The more adults that are present and can support kids who are being bullied, the better,” Hall says.

If you suspect your child is tormented by a bully, but he isn’t forthcoming, look for other ways to broach the topic. Watch a television show or read a book together in which bullying occurs. Ask if he knows kids who are bullied or discuss a time when you suffered bullying. These tactics help a child understand he isn’t alone and bullying isn’t tolerated.

To learn more about how to prevent and deal with bullying, check out the books Best Friends, Worst Enemies by Michael Thompson and Blue Cheese Breath and Stinky Feet: How to Deal with Bullies by Catherine DePino. Additional parenting tips can also be found at www.thefamilyconservancy.org.

Keep Talking

In the end, open communication boils down to trust.

On the bright side, your chatterbox wants to talk to you, even if it’s in a round-about way. By listening to her, offering support and guidance in her communication behaviors, you exemplify how to confidently manage the many diverse personalities who will inevitably come in and out of her life for years to come.

Unable to get to the bottom of your child’s constant chattering?

Does your child refuse to be interrupted, focus on worries and fears, or get extremely agitated when he can’t finish a story?

Consult with your pediatrician or a child psychologist for an assessment to determine if your child’s talking is within the normal range of behavior or whether it could be compulsive.

Christa Melnyk Hines is a freelance writer, wife and a mother of two talkative boys.

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All Children should Have a Complete Eye Exam by Age 3

Morning Madness ur family had overslept!

I threw on my robe and dashed for the kitchen.

Pouring cereal I warned Jared, my very excited nine-year-old birthday boy, to calm down as he bounced around the kitchen.

The cat strolled across the popcorn strewn living room, a mess from the night before.

My book group was due to arrive in three hours. I had to shower, eat breakfast, get Jared to school, buy ice cream bars for his classroom, deliver them, and clean up the house before my group got here. My husband took Jared to school, so I cleaned the kitchen, and then jumped into the shower. I had just soaped up when the phone rang. Clutching a towel, I dripped globs of soap all the way to the phone.

It was Jared calling from school. “Momma?” he said meekly. “I forgot my backpack. Can you bring it?”

I grumbled good-naturedly, “Good thing it’s your birthday.”

After I rinsed, I dressed quickly and drove to the school.

Jared searched through the backpack frantically. “My math book’s not here.”

“Where do you think it is?” I asked.

“Under my bed?”

As I turned to leave, his teacher asked, “Do you have his birthday treat?”

As I ran from the building, I glanced at the clock. There were two hours left. I stopped at the store, purchased the ice cream bars, and zoomed home for the math book.

I ran for our freezer, knowing it could take awhile to find the math book. In my haste I stepped on a dustpan, which became a wheel-less skateboard.

After my body slammed into the

O

washer, I crumpled to the floor.

Trying to stand, I felt pain scream through my twisted right ankle.

The cat yawned as he watched me crawl to the freezer and fling the ice cream bars inside.

I hobbled to Jared’s room for the missing book. Unearthing his math book would require excavation. Burrowing under his bed, I shoved aside a mound of dirty socks and discovered my missing soup tureen. Something smelled suspicious. The tureen was filled with one of Jared’s “magical potions”—green shampoo with bark mulch. Behind the tureen was the missing book.

I limped to the car with the book, and raced back to the school.

“And the birthday treats?” his teacher asked with a smile.

No! I’d forgotten them.

There was forty-five minutes left.

I drove home, retrieved the ice cream and returned to school. As I made a gimpy-legged trot to the teacher’s lounge, the secretary called after me, “There isn’t room in the freezer for those.”

Oh yeah? With a powerful shove, I made them fit.

Home again with twenty minutes left I turned on the vacuum. It shrieked like a dentist’s drill. The cat disappeared under the couch. I took the vacuum apart, but couldn’t tell what was wrong, and burned my finger on the motor.

I ran for an ice cube to hold against my finger as I vacuumed.

The empty ice cube tray mocked me. Next I headed to the bath-

By Janet J. Johnson

room cabinet for a bandage and burn ointment. No bandages left. Blue painter’s tape from the garage would have to do!

I vacuumed despite the piercing sound of the vacuum cleaner.

Ten minutes left. Ambience was next.

My ankle throbbed as I started a fire in the fireplace, put the kettle on the stove for tea, and tossed a bag of popcorn into the microwave. As I lugged the vacuum to the hall closet, two smoke alarms began to shriek simultaneously. I dashed for the fireplace. All was well there.

The popcorn! Scrambling for the kitchen, I saw flames as they leapt toward my kitchen cabinets. It wasn’t the popcorn. I’d turned on the wrong burner for the tea kettle, and a dish towel was on fire.

I hopped on my good foot to the sink, and used the sprayer, but the water didn’t reach. I grabbed the flame-free end of the towel and threw it—flames and all—into the sink. Then I yanked the shrill alarms off the ceiling and ripped out their batteries.

Two minutes left. Thank goodness no one had arrived early.

The exhaust fan sucked out smoke as I wiped up the water on the floor. I quickly moved the tea kettle, put the popcorn into a bowl, took two calming breaths, and shuddered.

The doorbell rang. I calmly greeted the first to arrive.

“A fire!” said Lill as she walked into the living room.

“Fire?” I gasped.

She smiled at me oddly. “In your fireplace.”

I laughed, “Oh, that fire.”

She sat on the couch, petted the curled up cat and said, “What a serene setting you’ve created for us.” bcparent.ca • spring 2012 9

Designing the ultimate kid’s room...

Nikki Renshaw s an Interior Designer I have helped plenty of parents navigate the tricky terrain of creating the perfect bedrooms for their growing families. Metal or wood? New or vintage? Single use or multipurpose? Pink or blue?

Just when you’ve decked out the nursery in pale pastels, they’re walking and talking and demanding day-glow pink walls. How do you transform the nursery into a playroom/bedroom where they can play princess or pirate with their pint-sized pals?

At a recent dinner party a mom, who’s five-year old still wasn’t sleeping through the night, asked me if I could design a room

A

10 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

...to nurture creativity and calmness that could help her son sleep.

Loving a challenge I took on the project.

De-clutter

According to Child Psychologist Michele Kambolis clutter is the biggest de-stabilizer in the quest for a harmonious space. “Kids don’t need to be overly visually stimulated,” she says. “Piles of books or toys everywhere will keep a child’s eye jumping all over the place.”

If you don’t have large walk-in closets, invest in milky coloured plastic containers which will mask the contents enough so that they child won’t be stimulated by

brightly coloured toys but will still be able to she what is inside at play-time.

Interior Designer Carolyn Feder creates rooms for children with Sensory Integration Disorder, a condition where children are hyper sensitive to light, sound and touch.

Although the spaces she designs are for children with specific needs, she is convinced that all children can fall prey to sensory overload so even regular families can benefit from the tips and techniques she implements in her design.

“I’ve had children tell me that they feel like their rooms are screaming at them because they are so aurally and visually busy,”

she says. “Don’t cover the walls in images. If you have to hang pictures, make sure that it is limited to one per wall, framed in nonglare glass of a nature image that is soothing and calming.”

Lighting

According to Feder, light is a key factor to creating the perfect restful environment.

Fluorescent and halogen lighting should be avoided, and all lighting should be on dimmer switches and only turned on fully for specific tasks. Exposed bulbs created visual disturbances and can over-stimulate a child, so layering lighting through table and floor lamps is preferable to harsh overhead fixtures.

“Harsh lighting can actually hurt and cause distress,” she says.

Exposure to natural light is essential to regulate the circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep cycles, but unwanted light, especially at night can interrupt sleep patterns. “I recommend investing in black-out lining for drapes that fit windows properly so no unwanted shafts of light can penetrate,” she suggests.

Sound

Noise can also be a disturbing factor. If there is environmental noise like a loud television set or music in an adjacent room, this can also prevent sleep. White noise machines, fans or even sleep enhancing machines can be soothing. “Some children find complete silence as upsetting as noise pollution,” says Feder. She suggests playing classical music as a background sound, which can lull them to sleep.

Feder says they are actually too harsh and will bounce light, causing a hotspot on the wall.

Textures

If a child can stroke a fluffy blanket or cuddle a soft pillow it will soothe them. Natural fabrics are the preferred bedding material, as they won’t overheat a child while they sleep. A gentle soft repetitive pattern with gentle curves and shapes is easy on the eye according to Feder. If they can run their finger along the curve of the pattern it will calm their minds.

Metal furniture should be avoided because it can be very cold in temperature and feel. Furniture made from real wood is preferable and should be stained rather than painted to keep an identifiable grain which is once again nice to touch and restful for the brain.

According to Mary Cordaro, an Advisory Board member of Healthygreenhome.com and a sick building expert, metal furniture conducts EMF’s (electrical magnetic frequency) which alternative health practitioners claim disrupt the bodies cell activity and can cause cancers and mood disorders. To avoid EMF exposure, Cordaro recommends battery-operated clocks and baby monitors instead of electronic ones, and no television or computers in bedrooms.

Hardwood flooring with visible wood grain and fluffy rugs made from organic materials are the preferred floor covering, so that a child can sit and play on the floor, but won’t get static electrical shocks from synthetic carpets which can also harbour germs and dust mites.

Furniture Placement

Colour Choices

Kambolis says colours can have an effect on the psyche: red is associated with aggression, green can be demoralizing and pink can help calm temper tantrums and enhance sleep.

“Avoid primary colours,” she says. “They are over-stimulating.”

The tone and shade of the colour can be as impactful as the hue. “Bright pinks and purples will short circuit the brain and cause a child to be overly hyped up, followed by a crash,” says Feder. “Choose soft pastel blues, pinks, lilacs and mauves for the most restful environment.”

While plain white walls may seem like the perfect solution and look clean and bright,

Cordaro recommends that a child’s bed should be placed as far away from any electrical appliances like the fridge or microwave below or a television set in an adjoining room to reduce EMF exposure.

Kambolis recommends separate zones for different activities. “The working zone for homework should be away from the sleeping zone which should be restful,” she suggests.

Jeanine Virtue, a journalist and mother of a child with ADHD recommends a quiet zone which can be as small as a portion of a walk-in closet that is a designated relaxation space with a bean bag, a few books, colouring books or other quiet-time activities. She recommends encouraging your child to go

to this space when they become angry or out of control. “This special spot is a positive place where they can go to settle down, sort things out or just hang out when they need to be alone,” she says.

Putting it all together

I was now ready design the ultimate calming room for this little boy to sleep in.

The room was painted a gentle baby blue, with soft velvet curtains, lined with blackout fabric to keep light out at night and muffle outside noise.

His bed was moved to keep it as far away from the family room television and the kitchen appliances below. A white stained wooden bed and matching bedside tables was installed, with organic cotton bedding and pillows with different soft textures that he could stroke as he drifted off to sleep. A bean bag was placed on a fluffy rug at the opposite end of the room with a pile of books to create a reading nook. The overhead light was replaced with floor and bedside lamps on dimmer switches and a wall of closets was installed to hide all his toys, clothes and books.

Within a week, the little boy’s sleep patterns had greatly improved, but my friend then had a new problem—she kept falling asleep after story time because the environment was so soporific! I’m now researching restful rooms for busy moms and dads…

Nikki Renshaw is an Interior Designer who specializes in designing children’s rooms. She can be reached at 604 537 7050 or nikkir@telus.net

Bright pinks and purples will short circuit the brain and cause a child to be overly hyped up.

Instead, choose soft pastel blues, pinks, lilacs and mauves for the most restful environment.

bcparent.ca • spring 2012 11

Making sense of

By Bev Yaworski as your 15-year-old daughter been sneaking out of school early and hanging out at the local mall? Is your son staying out late with his friends on school nights without keeping in touch with home? Well, you are not alone, as a group of parents discovered at a recent parenting education program held in the Lower Mainland.

The transition from child to adult can be a tough time. Psychologists often describe the adolescent teen years as a developmental stage of disorientation and discovery. No

H

longer children but not yet adults, teens wrestle with issues such as autonomy and identity. Parents of adolescents may feel frustrated with how to make sense of this phase in their maturing child’s life. What can parents learn about this time in their child’s life? How can parents help their teen through this stage?

“The adolescent time period is a bridge between childhood and adulthood,” says Dr. Deborah MacNamara, counsellor and educator. “Teens will flip back and forth between being childlike or adultlike. They

have an adult body, but their brain, psychology and emotions are still under development. It’s a place of great transition, but also a wonderfully exciting time.”

At a recent parent program, Dr. Deborah MacNamara shared information on the topic of “Making Sense of Adolescence” with a group of about 50 parents. Dr. MacNamara is a Vancouver-based Counsellor and Educator who works with Dr. Gordon Neufeld, developmental psychologist and author of the award-winning book, “Hold On To Your Kids”.

Adolescents are presented with a number of challenging developmental tasks. They are seeking their capability as a separate being from their parents and finding out how they fit in the larger society. Three significant psychological changes are occurring for teens.

Their awareness is expanding as they begin to see things they never saw before. Childhood attachment to parents is separating, while teens are striving for greater freedom and autonomy.

How do parents help their adolescents navigate through this developmental time period? What practical strategies can parents use to guide their teen through this journey of discovery? Dr. MacNamara offers some valuable suggestions: • Show patience and care for your teen.

• Encourage them to have a relationship with themselves.

• Draw out and affirm what is there, while avoiding asking them a direct question.

• Create space for their discovery.

• Normalize their sadness or anxiety.

• Allow them to experience disillusionment naturally.

• Understand this is just a temporary stage they are going through.

In this developmental transition period, it is critical that a parent still holds onto Resources

KidsBestBet: Facebook Dr. Deborah MacNamara: www.macnamara.ca

Hold On To Your Kids by Dr. Gordon Neufeld CHIMO Crisis Services: www.chimocrisis.com Canadian Mental Health Association: www.cmha.ca

12 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

their teen and prevents peer attachment from replacing them. Teens need someone to listen to them. Parents should hold onto their teen by maximizing attachment behaviours, such as listening with full attention, feeding them and interacting over meals. It’s important to learn about your teen’s interests and chat with them about their interests.

“Get in their face in a friendly way,” advises Dr. MacNamara. “Minimize their peer interactions. Set limits and encourage space for their self reflection and self-expression.”

Gloria Pan, counsellor with CHIMO Crisis Services in Richmond BC, based on her experience working with families, also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a relationship with your teen by continuing to connect with them through the good and bad times. Once a child enters their teen years, the parental relationship needs to change into one of a “consultant,” advises Pan. This can involve parents actively listening, asking questions and sharing information with their child in a 2-way dialogue, in contrast to “telling them what to do.” And don’t be hesitant to ask for outside help, if a family situation becomes unmanageable.

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We need your support to be there for kids. To donate visit www.kidshelpphone.ca

WAPOS W APOS BAY: BA AY: LONG GOODBYES GOODBYES

NOT NOT JUST FOR KIDS WITH THE ALLOY OORCHESTRA RCHESTRA

DIR Dennis Jackson Canada / 2011 / 73 min

6

Talon and Raven have lived in Wa apos Bay all their lives, so when their dad takes In light of the recent success of the The Artist, and the tribute to the silent era in a job in the big cityy, the two are shocked at the prospect of leaving the place they Hugo, the Festival is pleased to offerr the Canadian Premiere of NOT JUSTT FOR have always called home. When things get out of control, they must band together

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14 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1:00 PM, VANCITY THEATRE BAGELS AND BANNOCK ANIMATION BRUNCH 11:30 AM -1:00 PM

PORTRAIT OF A

By Lela Davidson

s a kid I once opened the wrong drawer at a friend’s house. Instead of the spoons her mother had asked for, I found a broken ruler, chewed pencils, and a padlock splattered with paint.

“Junk drawer,” the mom said. “Everybody’s got one.”

What a relief. We had a drawer at home that held hair bands, restaurant matches, and inkless pens. I’d assumed this was our family’s particular shame. Learning that other people suffered the junk-sickness was comforting, but still, I wanted better for myself. When I moved away from home, I tried not to repeat the pattern, but somehow ended up maintaining my own junk drawers in apartments and houses across the country. All the while I dreamed of an organized space with cubbies for keys, picture hanging hardware, and miniature screwdrivers.

I’m not quite there.

We have two junk drawers now: his and hers. His catches manly items like lighters, electrical tape, and the occasional nut and bolt. Mine is for the stuff of daily life. I open it no less than ten times a day and I organize it over and over in my continuous effort to get it to close properly.

A

First, I root out garbage because trash gives respectable junk drawers a bad name. I don’t need an old church program or last May’s third grade spelling list. I toss cardboard boxes and brochures for $45 bottles of acai berry juice. Of course, not all trash starts out as such, but is rendered useless over time. What good is $3 off a car wash in 2004? Was I planning to time travel? I find idea notes for stories scratched off on index All the while I dreamed of an organized space with cubbies for keys, picture hanging hardware, and miniature screwdrivers.

cards: Red Explorer-leaf pile playhouse-childhood dream with circus rat. That’s useful.

Some things inspire guilt, like my daughter’s crumpled artwork. While my firstborn’s early masterpieces hold a place of honor in a plastic tub somewhere, the second child will surely need art therapy later. There is the Scalpicin I bought before I realized the itchy scalp really was lice and not just some other irritant that, God forbid, the neigh-

bors might mistake for lice. I debate where to put the telephone number to Poison Control (in case I splash nail polish remover in my daughter’s eye again).

Then there are essentials. Sure, I can live without the nutritional information for McDonald’s and Starbucks, but not my bent and faded Weight Watchers Points Counter.

That stays. Also, Post-its, Sharpies, tape, and paper clips. These are must-have supplies in a well-stocked kitchen.

I finally reach the bottom of the drawer, only to find that uncapped pens have created inkblots that inspire me to peer deep into my psyche. Not good. The ink needs covering up—quick. Back into the drawer go immunization records, pencils, candy, scissors, and erasers. Back in for binder clips, thumbtacks, and take-out menus.

Done. One little spot is relatively organized and I feel lighter. Though my drawer may not be perfect, it gets me through the day. And it shuts—for now.

Which is more than I can say for the silverware drawer.

Lela Davidson is the author of Blacklisted from the PTA, a collection of irreverent essays about motherhood and the modern family. She still has two junk drawers, unless you count the bathroom. http://leladavidson.com/

bcparent.ca • spring 2012 15

Consume More Colours

Yellow and Orange Vegetables are rich in carotenes, contain potent antioxidants, boost immune function, aid the growth and repair of tissue, and support eye and skin health. Top choices: carrots, yams, pumpkin, squash, and sweet potatoes.

Dark Pigmented Berries are also high in antioxidants and rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and flavonoids known as anthocyanins. Berries boost the immune system and reduce free-radical damage and inflammation in the body. Top choices: blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries.

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables are truly nature’s fast foods, as they cook quickly and many can even be eaten raw. They are full of vital nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, trace minerals, folic acid, and vitamin K. Top choices: kale, bok choy, cabbage, dandelion greens and swiss chard should be your go-to-food for both meals and snacks.

Foundational Fats

Pregnancy Power Foods Dr. Marisa Marciano he great thing about a great diet is that whether you’re trying to get pregnant or not—it’s going to do your body good. However, planning for a bun in the oven means aiming to choose the best ingredients, and in the best amounts. More than just adding in calories, what your body really requires is way more nutrients to carry out the unfathomable number of functions that go into forming your newborn bundle of joy.

When planning to conceive, we ask more from our bodies both physically & emotionally, and ensuring adequate amounts of key nutrients becomes crucial to keep us feeling strong and stress-free throughout the process. A good prenatal supplement is important, but optimizing nutrition through food is a deeply satisfying and natural way of supporting both yourself and baby.

T

16 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

Making wise food choices reinforces confidence in our capability for decisionmaking, while bringing us closer to our environment and our loved ones. Nutrition and nourishment are both rooted from the same word, and incorporating a few of these suggestions into your daily routine is sure to leave your mind, tummy, and taste buds satisfied.

Variety—the spice of life

Try a new ancient grain. Experiment with raw foods and new styles of cooking. Since every food has a slightly different nutrient profile, variety helps decrease the risk of missing out on some nutrients while also reducing the chance of food allergies. You may find yourself craving different foods or new ones all together. Embrace their delicious diversity.

Essential fatty acids (omega 3 & 6) are those that the body requires us to consume in the diet because we can’t make them efficiently ourselves. Both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids need to be present during pregnancy, however omega 3’s are where we more often become deficient and play a vital role in fetal brain and eye development. Quality sources of omega 3’s are found in organic animal products, cold-water fish, eggs, and to a lesser extent flaxseed, walnut, pumpkinseed, and dark leafy green vegetables.

Good Quality Protein

Pregnancy is a time of growth, and a woman’s need for protein is even greater than usual. Amino acids in protein are the building blocks for the growth and maintenance of bones, teeth, organs, and tissues. To meet protein needs, aim to have a small amount with every meal, and make them a staple for snacks when you’re on the go.

Top choices are: legumes, whole grains, raw nuts & seeds, organic yogurt with live cultures, cold-water wild fish, and freerange or certified organic meats. Freerange organic eggs are rich in protein, zinc, and vitamins A, D, E, and B12. They are also a great source of choline and betaine, with choline being necessary for the struc-

ture and function of cell membranes and neurotransmitters.

Carbohydrates: Whole Grains & Legumes

When we eat refined carbohydrates (such as a white-flour or sugar), glucose moves rapidly into the bloodstream, and can also easily cross the placenta. Without fiber being present in our grains, this sugar & insulin spike can contribute to gestational diabetes and possibly insulin resistance later in life.

Besides fiber, whole grains are superior because they have more protein, B vitamins, calcium and iron as well. Top choices: brown rice, barley, steel cut oats, corn, buckwheat, rye, millet, quinoa, spelt, amaranth, and teff.

Also, the regular consumption of legumes has shown to stabilize blood sugar, reduce obesity and high blood pressure, and relieve constipation. Top choices: black beans, chickpeas, lima beans, mung beans, aduki beans, white beans, lentils, peas, and green beans.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are high in essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and concentrated protein, all of which help influence cellular strength, balance hormones, protect nerves, and reduce inflammation. They are also concentrated sources of vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, are best consumed raw or as cold pressed oils. Top choices are: Cashews, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, and sesame seeds.

avoid fat-free or sugar-free varieties and just go fot the real thing.

When it comes to nutrition in pregnancy the take home message is choose whole foods first. Whole foods are those that have one ingredient—itself! By eating closer to nature, we choose foods that inherently contain the complete set of nutrients needed for our bodies to be able to process them with ease.

While every woman’s experience will be different, what remains constant is the pos-

sibility of pregnancy’s transformative potential. We are all unique, and a healthy diet comes from an open mind and commitment to paying attention to your personal needs. Build your food foundations and then allow room for some flow, as a bowl of chocolate coconut ice cream can sometimes be the very best choice of all.

Dr. Marisa Marciano is writer a Naturopathic Physician who specializes in Mind-Body medicine and Women’s health. She practices at YYoga Flow Wellness downtown Vancouver, BC and you can read her blogs weekly at www.doctormarciano.com.

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Plain, Organic Yogurt with Live Cultures

This fermented food enhances digestion and is a great source of complete protein, calcium, B12, potassium, and zinc. Try to Daily Portions of GreatRecommended Books on Building Resilience Selected Food Groups Protein 4 Servings Whole Grains & Complex Carbohydrates 4–6 Servings Vitamin C foods 2 Servings Calcium foods 4 Servings Dark Green Leafy Vegetables 2 Servings Yellow/Orange Veg/Fruit 1 Serving Other Vegetables & Fruit 2 Servings Iron-rich foods Some daily High Quality Fats 2 Servings Fluids 6–8 glasses

Taken from The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm

bcparent.ca • spring 2012 17

18 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

summer camp guide arts Arbutus Music Academy Office 604-736-8767 info@arbutusmusicacademy.com Join us this summer for a musical adventure! From beginner violin to musical theatre there is something for everyone. RCM theory examination preparation available.

The Arts Connection 604/241-0141 www.theartsconnection.ca Richmond Arts Umbrella 604/681-5268 www.artsumbrella.com Vancouver Arts Umbrella offers visual, applied, digital, and performing arts summer programs as well as outdoor art programs for young people ages 3 to 19.

Bard on the Beach Young Shakespeareans Workshops 604-737-0625 bardonthebeach.org/about-bard-education Professional actors lead participants through an abridged version of one of Shakespeare's great plays. Two-week interactive summer workshops for Juniors (ages 8–13) and Seniors (ages 13–18) on the Bard stages in Vanier Park.

Dance Co 604/736-3394 www.danceco.com Dance Co offers summer dance camps, workshops and weekly classes for the beginner to advanced dancer, preschool to adult.

Gateway Academy’s Summer Camp 604/247-4975 www.gatewaytheatre.com Richmond

Summer Fun! art camps at Place des Arts 604/664-1636 www.placedesarts.ca Coquitlam StageCoach Theatre Arts Summer Camps 2012 1-877-78-STAGE (78243) www.stagecoachschools.ca Vancouver/Richmond/Surrey/ Coquitlam/Langley StageCoach Summer Camps are the week of the summer they will talk about until next year! Week long Theatre Arts camps ending with a live performance for family and friends.

Camps for 4–16yrs.

Stagecraft Theatre Schools Ltd. 604-267-7287 www.stagecraft.ca Vancouver/North Shore/West Van BC’s largest family run Musical

Theatre School offers year-round programs and Summer Camps for students ages 4 to 14. Intensive yet fun training in singing, dance and drama. let your talent shine!

Summer Dance Program for Creative Kids 604/926-6535 West Vancouver Vancouver Academy of Dance 604/231-8293 www.vancouverdance.com Vancouver/Richmond. Quality dance training. Starting this July, 5 weeks of summer programs in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, breakdancin’, Chinese dance, Ballroom and Acrobatics.

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SPRING 2012

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FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL:

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bcparent.ca • spring 2012 19

summer camp guide

Vancouver Academy of Music 604/734-2301 www.vam.bc.ca Experience Vancouver’s newest summer music program, Soundfest, at BC’s most established music school, the Vancouver Academy of Music.

Soundfest combines innovative music programs for all instruments and performance levels, combined with an array of cultural excursions involving our Vanier Park partners: Space Centre, Bard On The Beach, Museum of Vancouver, and the Maritime Museum. Unleash your child’s inner-Mozart, experience our iPad orchestra, share the fun of friends and music—Soundfest will stimulate the senses and spur creativity.

Ages 4–8, 8:30–12:30; ages 8–18, 9:00–5:00. Register for one or more weeks: July 9–August 3.

Vancouver Tap Dance Society 604/253-0293 Vancouver Westside Dance Centre 604/736-1000 www.westsidedance.ca Visit our website for details on summer camps

general activities Alexandra Neighbourhood House 604/535-0015 http://campalex.com/about/overview.php False Creek C.C. Daycamps 604/257-8195 www.falsecreekcc.ca Vancouver Offers canoe/kayak camps, recreational camps and leadership camps for ages 3–14. Most camps run 8:30 am–6 pm.

In Wonderland Camp www.inwonderland.ca 604/872-4665 Creative Arts Summer Camp In Wonderland. Fun exploration of arts, music and nature in a supportive, loving and friendly environment, just a few blocks away from a park playground.

Professional approach directing enthusiasm towards learning.

Vancouver College—A Finnegan Summer 604/261-4285 www.vc.bc.ca Langara Family YMCA 604/324-9622 www.langarafamilyymca.org Ages 3–16; Hours 8 am–5 pm

Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House Licensed Out-of-School Care at Florence Nightingale School 604/879-8208 www.mpnh.org North Vancouver Recreation Commission 604-987-PLAY (7529) www.northvanrec.com Variety of 1/2 and full day summer camps for preschool through teens. Art, drama, sport, swim, out trips and more!

SFU Summer Camps 778/782-4965 www.sfu.ca/camps Sunset Community Centre 604/718-6505 www.mysunset.net Vancouver

residential camps Camp Artaban 604/980-0391 www.campartaban.com CNIB Bowen Lodge 250/519-1102 www.cnib.ca Camp Columbia 866/946-3751 www.campcolumbia.com

Why count sheep when you can count belugas?

Book a sleepover at our house.

Your kids will get a behind-the-scenes look at the nocturnal habits of marine life. They’ll nibble late night snacks. Then head off to bed with the belugas. To book call 604.659.3552.

Or visit vanaqua.org/sleepovers.

20 bcparent.ca • spring 2012

summer camp guide

specialty

Educo Adventure Camp 877/245-9191 www.educo.ca Evans Lake Forest Education Centre 604-294-CAMP (2267) www.evanslake.com Island Escapades Adventure Camp 888/529-2567 www.islandescapades.com Keats Camps 604/432-6799 www.keatscamps.com Pioneer Pacific Camp 800/784-1415 www.pioneerpacific.ca Camp Qwanoes 250/246-3014 www.qwanoes.ca Qwanoes is a youth-oriented highadventure Christian camp seeking to encourage biblical discipleship through relationship-focused, fun-oriented, and Christ-centred programs. Wild action and pure fun, real relationships, awesome counselors, great music, a world of discovery, all in one amazing setting.

Webbs Holiday Acres 604/857-1712 www.webbsholidayacres.ca YMCA Camp Elphinstone 604/857-1712 www.vanymca.org

Limited Spaces

BC SPCA Among Animals Camp 604/599-7297 www.spca.bc.ca/youth/whats-happening Camps are held in various locations around the province. Participants will learn about animal care, welfare and environmental issues in a safe and fun environment.

Register

Today!

Bricks 4 Kidz 778/822-5672 www.bricks4kids.com/vancouver Check out Bricks 4 Kidz Vancouver Lego® Summer Camps. With a wide range of themes we offer programs from robotics and stop motion animation to our ever popular space adventure and remote control mania camps.

Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art 604/733-1356 www.chistiannehayward.com Exceptional and inspiring camps for children ages 3 to 19 that focus on literature, creative writing, visual arts and the environment.

Eagle Awareness School www.EagleAwarenessonwildearch.com Join us this summer to enhance your naturalist knowledge and your survival skills. Explore the forests of Vancouver through learning edible and medicinal plants, bird identification, wildlife tracking and primitive skills like friction fire!

All the World’s a Stage And your child can be one of the players!

Our Young Shakespeareans workshops deliver an interactive, fun-filled theatrical adventure. Professional actors lead dynamic workshops on the Bard stages all summer.

Two-week workshops for ages 8 – 18.

See the Young Shakespeareans video • Get full registration details Visit bardonthebeach.org/about-bard-education Bard education programs supported by

photo by Kyoko Fierro

Summer Programs in July Get inspired on Granville Island this summer!

Visual, media and digital arts programs for children and youth ages 3-19.

Two sessions available: July 3-13, and July 16-27.

Registration available now!

www.artsumbrella.com

Arts Umbrella is a non-profit organization, dedicated to inspiring kids for life through the arts!

bcparent.ca • spring 2012 21

summer camp guide and methods, semi-private teaching environment, tropical warm water.

Dive into Summer Camp at the Vancouver Aquarium 604/659-3552 www.vanaqua.org Kids explore the intriguing world of marine mammals, fabulous fish and other cool creatures through hands-on activities, science exploration, games and crafts. They will even check out behind-the-scenes action and meet marine scientists! Remember, registration is limited and Aquarium Members save 20%. We offer camps for children in Kindergarten to Grade 8, ranging from 4 to 5 days long. Register by calling: 604.659.3552 For more information visit: www.vanaqua.org/education/camps

sports

Science Camps – HT Science Made Fun 778/737-5277 www.ScienceMadeFunBC.net

Westside Church Day Camps Cosmic City & Beyond!

604/263-2314, Kistilano www.churchonthewestside.com

Fitba—Soccer Player Development 604/340-1263 www.fitba.ca

Science World at TELUS World of Science 604/443-7443 www.telusworldofscience.com/ vancouver

YWCA Camp Fun Girl 604/895-5844 www.ywcavan.org

FUN Camps www.funsociety.ca for more info.

Jellico Station www.jellicostation.com Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre 604/990-3755 www.dnv.org/ecology North Vancouver Oxford Learning North Vancouver 604/990-8850 Coquitlam 604/464-3090 Richmond 604/233-5566 South Surrey 604/575-1494 Langley 604/534-4089 www.oxfordlearning.com

UBC Botanical Garden – Young Explorers Summer Day Camp 604-822-3928 www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/kids/camp Young Explorers is a weeklong environmental and recreational adventure for children aged 7–11. Children create connections between nature and science through games, crafts and exploration. Details and registration information on website

Writing and Book Camp (Vancouver Public Library) 604/331-4093 www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca/events/details/ bookcamp This unique day Camp lets youth with a passion for reading and writing connect with well-known authors and illustrators. Each morning features a new keynote speaker from the Canadian literary world. After lunch, campers experience a variety of different creative workshops. Ages: 11–13 and 14+.

Athletes in Action 604/514-2079 www.athletesinaction.com

Pedalheads Bike Camp 604/874-6464 www.pedalheads.ca Vancouver

Atlantis Programs 604/874-6464 www.atlantisprograms.com Vancouver

Sportball 604/688-3157 www.sportball.ca Sportball Camps for ages 3–10 years— what a fantastic experience for a child!

Available in morning or afternoon halfday sessions. Sportball camps focus on the eight core Sportball sports, arts and crafts, snack time, stories, music, cooperative games and theme days.

Camps are run outdoors and indoors, depending on the location and weather.

Cartwheels 604/275-0020 or 604/594-1555 www.cartwheelsincorporated.com Richmond/Surrey Exceleration Multisport Summer Camps 504/718-6252 www.excelerationtriclub.ca

Super Summer Soccer Camp 1-800-427-0536 www.royalsoccer.com

Jump Gymnastics 604/568-9690 www.jumpgymnastics.ca

UBC Sport Camps 604/822-6121 www.ubccamps.ca Vancouver

Langara Family YMCA 604/324-9622 www.langarafamilyymca.org Financial assistance available.

Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics 604/737-7693 www.phoenixgymnastics.com

The Little Gym 604/539-2543 www.thelittlegym.com Call for summer day camp details.

Windsure Adventure Watersports 604/224-0615 www.windsure.com

Marina’s Swim School 604/818-4650 www.marinaswimschool.com Marina’s Swim School is offering swim lessons for kids and adults of all ages and abilities. We have the unique style

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Coming May 1st 11th Annual Family Resource Guide Have your business listed in BC’s favourite resource for parents LISTINGS INCLUDE: EDUCATION 쐍 CLASSES AND PROGRAMS 쐍 FAMILY FUN 쐍 RETAIL 쐍 SUMMER CAMPS 쐍 BIRTHDAYS HOME 쐍 FAMILY HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES Don’t miss your opportunity to have your company included in this year’s guide.

For advertising and listing information EMAIL:

info@bcparent.ca 604-224-8027

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On the stands May 1st, 2012 (Advertising deadline April 10th)

To view current issue visit www.bcparent.ca