Wrap your newborn in comfort and protection so all he feels is
Wrap your baby in the blanket-like softness of Pampers Swaddlers. The wetness indicator lets you know when it might be time for a change. And for our best gentle clean, try Pampers Sensitive Wipes.
PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Katrina Ball
BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Vic Ball
ADVERTISING SALES
Wanda Brown
wanda@knbmediagroup.com
333-1925
Alicia Resnik
alicia@knbmediagroup.com
236-9218
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Picante Creative
WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Tanni Haas, Carly Seely, Alicia Resnik, BELCO, Cathy Souza, Department of OCT and Innovation, Dr. Ayesha Peets-Talbot, Julie Farnsworth, Melanie Dupres, Sheldon Maybury, Clarien Bank Limited, Caroline Dakers
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Zeudi Hinds Photography
Bermuda Parent Magazine is published four times a year. Reader correspondence, photo submissions and editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this magazine. Distribution of this product does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services herein.
CONTACT US
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www.mybermudaparent.com
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At the beginning of each year, it seems like time moves slowly. Then summer comes around and its fast track toward the New Year.
This issue excites me because of the articles focused on two young people, who are who are both passionate and driven. Acacia, on the cover and Connor reflect the beauty of our community and that we have so much to be grateful for on this Island. My hope is that these articles are an inspiration to our youth to find their passion and to give of themselves for others sake. With the Holiday’s almost upon us be sure to have a look through our Holiday Gift Guide, so that, you can find that unique gift for your friend or loved one. I want to thank all of the advertisers who support Bermuda Parent, it is a pleasure to work with you and for you. From the team at Bermuda Parent, I want to wish each of my readers a happy holiday season and prosperous new year!
Publisher & Editor
LITTLE ONES
6 Connection Between Skinny Fat and Infertility
Read about one doctor’s journey to succeed and how she is helping others.
BIG KIDS
10 Healthy Packed Lunches
Packing your kids lunch can be hard, here are a few ideas of what should be included.
12 All for the Love of His Father
Find out why Connor Stout decided to grow his hair, the reason may just melt your heart.
& TEENS
22 Focusing on the Simple Things During the Busy Holidays
Cathy Sousa shares how we can keep our mind fixed on the simple things.
24 Whitney BlueBird Box Builders at Biz Camp
Biz Camp can be just the start needed to get your child’s creative and outside the box thinking growing.
26 Is Your Child the Victim of Cyberbullying?
What you should know about Cyberbulling.
FAMILY LIFE
34 The Role of the Occupational Therapist in Autism
Find out how and what ways an occupational therapist can assist your child in their development.
38 Winter Doesn’t Have to Be Blue Because of Cold & Flu
Melanie Dupres shares how homeopathy can help us to be healthier and even prevent this cold and flu season from finding you.
40 Financial Obligations for Raising Kids with Special Needs
Raising healthy kids is costly but when they have special needs there is more to factor in and consider.
42 Energy Saving Tips
Find more energy saving tips from this Holiday season.
44 Plan for the Future
Sheldon Maybury shares how you can still dream and reach your roles after becoming parents.
46 Teaching Kids about Money
Money and kids is always on the top of parents thoughts but less so about teaching kids about money or how to. Here are some tips.
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The Select Funds are highly diversified, and flexible long-term investment vehicles that help ensure that your money is working for you.
Select Funds—Seven Portfolios, One Education Objective: Yours.
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As an office-based physician, I cannot overstate the joy I receive from spending time with patients to help them reach a better and more clear understanding of their health challenges. When I started my career in Bermuda, I was pretty confidant about my ability to diagnose health issues. However, determining successful treatment interventions and correcting imbalances proved more challenging. At that
time, I was faced with a lot of chronic disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and even some ‘mystery’ cases. The chief of medicine at our local hospital reached out to me and asked if I had an interest in Obesity Medicine as they were trying to start a program at the hospital and needed physicians to assist. To get a better scope and understanding of Obesity medicine, I agreed to attend the Annual Conference put on by the Obesity Medicine Association. I was blown away by the information I
The Playtrium is the perfect indoor recreational, social environment and physical outlet for your kids. It’s a great place for adults to socialize or relax, grab a coffee or tea and enjoy watching your kids having fun!
We have the perfect venue for parties! You supply the food, drink, decorations and we’ll handle the rest! We’ll set up, monitor the kids, serve them, clean up and pack away for you, while you entertain your guests.
Our staff are CPR certified, friendly and happy to help!
received during the conference. It was like finding that last piece to the puzzle.
I was most struck by the significant influence of obesity on one’s health and specifically its contribution to a host of medical conditions including, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, high cholesterol, autoimmune conditions, joint problems, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression. I was inspired as I gained knowledge about obesity medicine specialists whose main focus is to help
individuals control chronic disease through weight loss. Improvements in conditions could be observed after a weight decrease of only 20-30 pounds, even in cases where the person could stand to lose much more. This was exciting information. As the lecturer’s spoke, many patients popped into my mind whom I knew could make life changing progress now that I had the key to help them.
The true light bulb moment came as I listened to a lecture on “Skinny Fat”. For a few years prior to the conference, I had been struggling with vague symptoms. I had been experiencing aches and pains in my legs that bothered me all night with the only relief resulting from constant movement. Essentially, I had Restless Leg Syndrome. Because it affected my sleep, I often awoke tired and felt very fatigued throughout the day. I knew my energy had significantly dipped but I shrugged it off for more than two years. I didn’t feel ill enough to go the doctor, and to be honest, if anyone had asked me to rate my health back then, I am pretty sure I still would have told them that it was good. What I came to realize is that even though it was fairly good, it was not optimal. My husband and I were trying to start a family only I had experienced three miscarriages; it became clear that during this period my health was far less than optimal, even though on the outside I appeared healthy. Those who know me know that I am far from overweight. What I learned at the conference was that skinny fat is important and can also negatively affect your health and your ability to get pregnant. As a result of this new information, I changed my diet completely. I found that changing my diet reversed the health challenges I was
experiencing including Infertility. I also noticed that professionally, I was able to introduce more impactful interventions with my patients. Essentially, by focusing on weight/fat loss and diet, I became a more effective doctor. It was not easy making the diet switch; however having two beautiful girls is a daily reminder how much it was worth it. This is an exert from Dr. Peets Talbot’s soon to be released book “ Healing Bermuda: The Real Solution to Your Health Crisis” co-authored with Dr. Sabrina Famous and Beth Hollis. Visit www.healingbermudabook. com, today and learn more.
• Play-based screenings for 24 – 30 month old children
• Parent and Children’s Book Library
• Toy Library
ALSO AVAILABLE:
• Parent Infant Group
• Premature Infant Programme
PArEntIng wOrkShOPS:
• 1,2,3,4 Parents!
• 1,2,3 Magic
tOPICS AVAILABLE:
• Motor Development
• Developmentally Appropriate Programming
• Bonding: Early Steps to Attachment
• Behaviour Management
• Language Learning
4th Floor Dallas Building, 7 Victoria St
Tel: 295-4082 Fax: 295-5245
Email: info@islandnutrition.bm
www.islandnutrition.bm
ISLAND NUTRITION IN Registered Dietitians Hannah Jones and Sarah Williamson providing Medical Nutrition Therapy
ISLAND NUTRITION IN Prevent and manage disease
ISLAND NUTRITION IN Insurance approved (copays may be applicable)
ISLAND NUTRITION IN Ask your healthcare professional for a referral to Island Nutrition
ISLAND NUTRITION IN Paediatrics: including Poor growth, Behavioural issues, Overweight, Constipation, Allergies, Tube feeding, Weaning
ISLAND NUTRITION IN Adults: including GI, Cardiovascular, Kidney disease, Inflammation, Obesity, Cancer, Wound healing, Pregnancy, Elderly
Great
We all struggle to think about what to pack for our children to have healthy snacks and packed lunches. We want to encourage fruit and raw vegetable sticks but often, our children don’t want these healthy snacks and will opt for what their friends are having – which might not be so healthy. Let the battle commence between you as to what you would like them to eat and what they are willing to eat! We need to find middle ground and make a compromise.
We should all hopefully know that we need a variety of food groups in our diet to keep us healthy. There are 5 food groups consisting of: fruit and vegetables, dairy, protein, starchy carbohydrates and fats. We need a balance of all these food groups. When we start to eliminate a food group, because we think this will be healthy for us, we then run the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies and we become nutritionally compromised. We want to avoid this! So – there are plenty of guidelines out there that we should be following but making sense of it all can be a little difficult and confusing at times. Below is a visual representation of what our meals should look like to stay healthy:
It is also important to consider our fluid levels and the current guidelines for children aged 4-8 years 1700mls/58oz per day, boys 9-13 years 2400mls/81oz per day and girls 9-13 years 2100mls/71oz per day (American Dietetic Association).
When it comes to eating, it is essential we have balance, variety and three healthy meals per day. This is important for everyone but especially for children to support their growth and development.
If your child has a packed lunch at school, lunchtime can often become repetitive. Here are some ideas of what to think about when pulling together your child’s packed lunch: Starchy carbohydrates are packed full of nutrients (including B vitamins, iron and fiber) and you should include a little at each meal to keep energy levels up during the day.
• Keep a selection of breads in the freezer for sandwiches
• Using a different type of bread each day can make sandwiches more interesting eg. multigrain, bagels, bread roll, pitta, wraps, ciabatta, crackers
• Cook extra pasta, couscous, rice or potatoes the night before to keep for next day’s lunch, or use leftovers
• Starchy vegetables e.g. corn, sweet potato etc, also could be an option
Protein is essential for the growth, repair and maintenance of body tissues. Try to choose lean meats e.g. chicken and turkey, fish, beans, eggs or nuts.
• Tuna with cucumber, green pepper, sweetcorn or tomato (remember to use only a small amount of mayonnaise though!)
• Egg with a little mayonnaise and cucumber
• Cottage cheese
• Cooked chicken or turkey with salad
• Lentil or bean soup
• Hummus dip
Fruit/vegetables/salad contain lots of vitamins and mineral to help prevent heart disease and reduce cancer risk. It also contains plenty of fiber, which we need to keep our bowels regular and healthy. We want to aim for at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
• Add salads to sandwiches
• Chop up raw vegetable sticks and dip into hummus, low-fat cream cheese or cottage cheese
• Fresh fruit or dried fruit fresh fruit or fruit cups (in fruit juice) all count towards your 5 a day also Dairy foods contain calcium and vitamin D which help our children develop strong bones and teeth, particularly during those growth spurts!
• Low calorie yogurt (try to stick to a yogurt which is either 0%, 1% or 2%)
• Small pot of rice pudding or low fat custard
• Glass of cold fresh milk (try to stick to 2% or less)
• A cheese stick or slice would also make a nice snack
• Green leafy vegetables e.g. broccoli and kale are great sources of calcium too, not forgetting our other non-dairy sources e.g. almond milk, rice milk, fortified soy milk
Try to include one of each of these food groups into your child’s daily packed lunch to keep it healthy and balanced. Remember it’s also ok to add in a small treat, if school allows, but try to stick to sugar free jello, popcorn or a plain biscuit.
Mix your choices up every day to avoid lunch becoming too predictable.
Get your child involved with helping to make their packed lunch too – this is a great way to get them involved in their own food choices and help them understand balanced meals. When our meals become unbalanced, that is when we are likely to risk our health and may start to struggle with our weight.
If you are concerned about your nutritional health or feel you would benefit from help and support from a Registered Dietitian please contact us at Island Nutrition on 295-4082 or at info@islandnutrition.bm
Written by Caroline Dakers, BSc (Hons) Community Registered Dietitian
Education is the best investment you can make in your child. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. Our Educational Savings Plan is simple to set up. BF&M will be happy to help you get started with deposits as little as $50 a month.
For more information please call 295-5566 or visit us online at www.bfm.bm.
www.bfm.bm
‘Dare-devil’ and ‘extreme sportsman in the making’ are some ways to describe 9 year old Connor Stout. A student at Harrington Sound Primary School, Connor is growing his hair to donate to ‘Locks of Love’ in honour of his father Mr. Craig Stout. Diagnosed in April of 2017, Mr. Stout was told he has Stage IV, Diffuse Large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He’s currently seeking treatment at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester and Dana Farber in Boston, Massachusetts.
“People are always touching my hair,” says Connor whose goal is to grow and donate 10 inches of hair. He’s well on his way with over 8 inches grown already. ‘Locks of Love’ is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Donated hair is used to create hair prosthetics.
Connor was inspired to grow his hair when he saw his friends participating in St. Baldrick’s Day last year. He’d made the decision to join his friends when his father was diagnosed. “My Dad lost all his hair. Then he was growing it back and lost it all again,” says Connor.
School Counsellor, Ms. Suzette Bean hopes other students at Harrington Sound Primary will be inspired by Con-
nor. She says, “On a regular basis we empower our students to be forward-thinking and supportive of Community efforts. Last year, one of our students, of Moroccan descent, cut her hair to donate to those needing hair in Morocco. This year, we have Connor.” Ms. Bean says Connor was initially hesitant about growing his hair because he was the only young man at school with hair that length. “We had several discussions, primarily aimed at encouraging him to continue with his brilliant plan! Our latest meeting included brainstorming how he could feel less alone in his venture. This led to the idea of asking others to join him. We’ve placed signs around the school to drum up support for Connor. We’re hopeful some brave young souls will join him and not only grow their hair, but cut it in aid of ‘Locks of Love’.” They’re also working on having the event calendared by the PTA as a fundraising activity.
Connor’s favourite classes at school are math and art. He’s also a Cub Scout and member of the Harrington Sound Primary School’s Drum Line. He likes skateboarding, surfing, fishing, snorkelling, swimming, Parkour and video games. Connor also likes skiing with his father. His mom, Laura Martin-Stout, says Connor’s an avid sportsman who taught himself how to rollerblade, kayak, ride a bike and water-ski. “He’s an amazing kid. I’m blessed to have him.”
Mr. Stout is currently undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, and a rare stem cell transplant treatment. He’s started a fund raiser via Facebook for the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society, which raised over $10,000 for cancer research. Contact http://www.lls.org/ to make a donation.
For further information on how to donate to Locks of Love visit their website at www.locksoflove.org/contact/. Tel: 561-833-7332.
It’s one thing your child may never outgrow.
Obese children often become obese adults. Here’s how to help prevent childhood obesity on a daily basis.
5 or more fruits and vegetables
2 hours or less of TV/Computer
1 hour or more of physical ativity
0 sugary drinks, more water
The doctor is in at The Annex Toys! Here you’ll find Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins All-in-One Nursery – an adorable, role-play centre full of exciting doctor features and accessories to explore. Your little one can use Doc’s portable electronic patient laptop to diagnose and a light and sound stethoscope to check baby’s heartbeat. When it’s time for a check-up, the doctor can measure baby’s height and weight on the scale and once check-up is complete, give the baby patient a bandage from the sticker dispenser. Just spin the baby mobile and rock the cradle at nap time - the best prescription for sweet dreams.
Finn is his name, and he swings to the beat of his drum! Finn is a black Monkey with soft blue hair who likes to hold onto your finger and knows when he’s pet, talked to, and even hung upside down. Available at The Annex Toys, Fingerlings are adorable baby monkeys curious about the world around them. These interactive pets love to hang onto your finger, blink their eyes, turn their heads, blow kisses, swing by their tails and talk in monkey babble.
Hatchimals are favourite magical creatures that begin life inside of eggs. Kids enjoy loving and caring for these eggs as their eyes light up and they make cute sounds. Hatchimals get rainbow eyes when it’s time to hatch. With your child’s help, Hatchimals peck their way out of the eggs and then it’s time to raise furry Hatchimals through 3 stages, from baby to toddler, to kid. The Annex Toys
The Annex Toys has a fantastic selection of options for budding techies. The Little Bits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit is perfect for kids looking to create a custom Droid and bring it to life using LittleBits electronic blocks. With the free Droid Inventor app, they’ll give their R2 Unit new abilities and take it on 16+ missions. Then, they’ll level-up their inventor skills, reconfiguring parts to design any Droid they can dream up.
1 | Doc McStuffins All-In-One Nursery
2 | Fingerlings Baby Monkey
3 | Hatchimals
4 | Little Bits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit
5 | Love2Learn Elmo
The Annex Toys knows everyone loved Elmo – who couldn’t adore the Love2Learn Elmo available in-store. This cuddly plush toy works with an easy-to-use app and offers 350+ responses and 30+ minutes of unique content for little ones to play fun, learning activities with Elmo. Parents can use the Love2Learn Elmo app to deliver a personalised play experience by selecting their child’s name, desired subject, level, and favourites in the app. Love2Learn Elmo can even help with a child’s routines by encouraging little ones in real time to clean up, use the potty, and more!
6 | Brita SOHO 5-Cup Water Pitcher
This holiday, serve purified water to your guests with a festive Britia SOHO 5-Cup Water Pitcher. Ideal for entertaining, this pitcher filters like a champ with an improved locking lid to prevent spillage and an electronic indicator lets you know when to change the filter. Great-tasting water, even if you’re short on space for the holidays. The Phoenix Stores
7 | Decanter Set
More than a drugstore, The Phoenix Stores also stock all things household. The new, cost-effective line of dishes and glassware available is perfect for holiday entertaining.
8 | Cuisinart Espresso Machine
The Phoenix Stores has the perfect gift for the mom who already has everything – a Cuisinart Espresso Maker. Imagine her ability to have a cup of her favourite espresso, cappuccino or latte – hot, fresh and flavourful – anytime. This machine is equipped with a stainless steam nozzle and frothing cup sure to have your mom a barista in no time.
9 | I-Tunes Gift Cards
iTunes Gift Cards are undoubtedly the easiest gifts to give. Available at The Phoenix Stores, in a range of denominations, every card works in the App Store, iTunes Store and iBooks Store — so your recipients can get exactly what they want.
10 | Conair True Glow Heated Beauty Mitts
Relieve and reinvigorate your stressed and weary hands with the luxury and comfort of True Glow Thermal Spa Heated Beauty Mitts from Conair and available at The Phoenix Stores. Just choose the heat setting that’s right for you, apply your favourite moisturiser, cover hands with plastic wrap and slip them into the soothing heated mitts.
11 | Neutrogena Rain Bath
Find a vast array of stocking stuffers for grown children at The Phoenix Stores With its unique fragrance of spices, fruits and herbs, Neutrogena Rain Bath can easily become a family favourite providing a clean, fresh burst that awakens your senses and refreshes your entire body. A rich, conditioning lather leaves the skin in better condition and rinses clean, without any heavy residue.
12 | Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition
The ideal first tablet, the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet is specifically built for small hands with a Kid-Proof case. Find this item from The Annex Toys in a variety of colours. The resilient rubber bumpers surrounding the tablet keep it safe from bumps and bangs. You can customise the device to your child’s needs by setting up to four individual profiles. The tablet will let you do things like set bedtime curfews and block access to videos and games until your child meets reading targets and more. This kids addition of Amazon’s popular Fire 7 tablet packs all of the great features of the popular 7” inch tablet into a kid-friendly package. There’s a 7” IPS display, 16 GB of internal storage and up to 8 hours of battery life. Plus you can add a microSD card for up to 256 GB of extra storage.
cacia is a hard-working and committed young dancer and her passion for dance and performance is unquestionable. Being a part of our In Motion’s Performance Plus (P+) Class for the past two years and having exposure to local and overseas opportunities has further solidified her love for dance. Despite numerous hours of training and performance Acacia is always looking for more! I am excited to see where dance will take her and pleased to be a part of her process and training along the way!” Ms. Lizz Pimentel, Owner & Director of In Motion School of Dance.
“I’m so proud of my daughter. She’s focused, ambitious, curious and independent. Dancing is her passion,” Ms. Andresa Tucker.
It all started with a tutu. Acacia Tucker has been in love with dancing since she was 18 months old. “I thought dance was just something for us to do on a Saturday,” says her mom Ms. Andresa Tucker, an Assistant Underwriter at Markel Bermuda Limited. “I put her in a tutu and that was it. She was never interested in anything else. She loves to dance.”
Now 10 years old, Acacia has made an impression on her dance teachers in Bermuda and abroad. Ms. Annae Robinson, an instructor at In Motion School of Dance, says “Acacia is growing by leaps and bounds. There’s no doubt in my mind that her hard work and consistency will pay off. She’s a beautiful dancer!”
This past summer Acacia attended an intensive three week dance program at the Grier School in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. She also participated in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Junior Dance Experience, in New York City. Ms. Tucker says she was initially nervous letting Acacia go to Grier, but let her go because she feels strongly that Acacia’s ready to take on more challenges. Ms.
Jocelyn Hrzic, Director of the Dance Program at Grier, was impressed with Acacia’s ability. She says “I had the pleasure of meeting and teaching Acacia. For only nine years of age, her maturity and listening skills are amazing. You can see she loves dance and wants to be a dancer. Acacia’s every teacher’s dream. I would love to see her in my pre-professional company at Grier.”
At the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Ms. Tucker says the dance instructors were also impressed with Acacia’s talent. “On the first day they
told her to get her bags. Acacia thought she’d done something wrong, but they wanted her to join the class of the 11 to 13 year olds!”
Acacia enjoyed both summer dance programs. She’s decided when she’s old enough, she’d like to attend Grier as a boarding student. “She works hard. She wants to go to Grier and she’s willing to do what it takes to get there,” says Ms. Tucker.
Not a dancer herself, Ms. Tucker says she’s always encouraged her daughter to try other activities, but
Acacia “only ever wanted to dance.”
When she was 4 years old, Ms Rachel Soars, Acacia’s In Motion dance teacher recommended the studio’s summer dance intensive program. Placement in the program was by invitation. Curious, Ms. Tucker inquired what this meant for her daughter. “Candace Musselman, the Program Director, told me they see potential in Acacia. They felt she had the talent to be groomed for company status.” Ms. Musselman remembers Acacia as a talented dancer and says “For as long as I can remember, Acacia always stood out as a committed dancer. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching her for several years and noticed a change in her last year. Her performance quality sky-rocketed. She stole the stage with her joy and passion. I look forward to following her future in dance and have no doubt she’ll achieve whatever she puts her mind to!”
A Primary 6 student at Warwick Academy, Acacia doesn’t shy away from hard work. She trains after school every day for 2 to 3 hours.
She’s a dedicated student whose favorite subjects are science and humanities. Acacia was nominated student of the week, recognized for listening and awarded for being a model student. In addition to homework and dance, she participates in a Friday youth group. Ms. Tucker says she isn’t surprised by her daughter’s commitment. “Acacia’s mature for her age. She’s always done well in school. She’s determined and confident but also humble about her accomplishments.”
When Acacia grows up she’d like to be a professional dancer and possibly own her own studio. She currently dances with In Motion Dance Studio where she practices ballet, jazz, modern dance, hip-hop/street style, tap and pre-point. Acacia continues to commit herself to practicing and improving. About her daughter, Ms. Tucker says “I’m so proud of her. I thought dance was just going to be something for us to do – a parent and tot activity. It’s Acacia’s passion. I know she’s going to do marvellous things.”
MSA’s approach to learning promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, which is applicable to all aspects of a student’s life.
As an Alberta Accredited International School, MSA teaches from an inquiry-based method of learning which engages students in a collaborative and interactive approach to figuring out the desired end result.
This continuous curriculum, from pre-K to senior year, is an essential component of what fosters whole-child development and sense of belonging.
Our high school program prepares students for success in post-secondary education and life as an adult. The rigorous curriculum offers opportunities to explore subjects in depth in preparation for success in universities, colleges, and the world of work. A strong emphasis is placed on critical thinking and developing the ability to appropriately question established norms while developing and questioning our own positions as well.
The Gow School is a college prep boarding and day school for students, grades 6-12, with dyslexia or similar language-based learning disabilities. By combining a structured program and environment with flexibility, individualization, and room for fun, Gow provides a rich school experience. This is precisely what dyslexic students need to learn.
Christmas is always an exciting time for kids. We’re surrounded by Christmas ads on television, Christmas lights in town, Christmas plays, concerts, parades, and parties - not to mention the kids’ anticipation of Santa’s arrival. It’s a busy and exhilarating time for them…and us.
Unfortunately, if we’re not careful, that busyness and exhilaration can become overwhelming and stressful. And for those of us dealing with difficulties such as illness or death in the family, financial problems, disconnected or strained family relationships, or ongoing problems with depression or anxiety – Christmas can feel like we’re facing an oncoming freight train!
So, what can we do to slow things down and focus on enjoying the simple things?
1 Print a December calendar to use just for Christmas activities. Put all events and commitments on it as they come to your attention. Once on there, you can relax and know you won’t forget anything.
2 That said, try to keep your Christmas commitments to a minimum – nobody has fun rushing from one event or activity to another, least of all our kids. Don’t let unreasonable expectations ruin things for you, there’s no rule book about what you “have to” do.
3 Buy a copy of “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” or other favorite Christmas story, and read a few pages a night to your kids.
4
Talk to your kids about the “spirit” of giving, then help them make a list of acts of Christmas kindness they can do for those close to them – brothers, sisters, grandparents etc. (too often we think immediately of “helping those less fortunate” and forget that charity begins at home).
5 Download a guided meditation for kids, then set aside time a few days a week to meditate with your children – you’d be surprised at how relaxing it can be.
6 Create a gratitude list every day:- Get a sheet of colorful paper and pass it around at dinner time having each person write one thing they were grateful for that day. Then read the list aloud (yes, WRITING down your thoughts first has more significance than just saying them aloud only).
7 Create an iPod playlist with your kids’ favorite Christmas songs – then sing your hearts out when your driving in the car!
8 Go for a walk. Yes, between all the hustle and bustle take time out to go for a walk with your kids, it’ll burn energy without building too much excitement.
9 Aromatherapy - buy something lavender-scented…candles, body wash, lotion, or baby powder and use every night leading up to Christmas to help create a calming bedtime atmosphere.
10 Choose a weekend night each week leading up to Christmas and make it a movie night. Watch your favorite family Christmas movies, put on your Christmas pajamas, make popcorn, and hot chocolate - and curl up with a cozy blanket on the couch with your kids.
Wishing you and your family a warm and wonderful Christmas!
Do you know what Sky Blue 4Bs is? It’s a fresh new business, recently launched by middle school students at Whitney Institute as part of the inschool BizCamp programme.
Under the direction of the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda (YEI) , they learned the skills and to turn mere interest in carpentry into a viable business. For that, they utilize basic business finances (costs, price, revenue, profit) and learned how to effectively market and sell their products.
This programme included more than the students: school staff also helped building bird boxes.
The business is a success! The initial production run was sold at the Agricultural Exhibition earlier this year and when the Bermuda Audubon Society heard of it, they reached out for assistance to supply the Bermuda Society of Arts with 25 boxes for their bluebird box design competition.
The students build the boxes and delivered them to City Hall in June just in time for the artist to pick them up for the competition. Boxes were painted by the artists and auctioned off to raise funds for the Bermuda Society of Arts.
Joe Mahoney, Executive Director of the YEI states: “The goal is to inspire young people to become business-savvy and economically self-sufficient. In this
team-focused business approach, the students are inspired by the opportunity to turn their interest in carpentry into a revenue generating business.”
The next YEI BizCamps, usually held in conjunction with the Department of ICT Policy & Innovation, will be conducted April 2 to 6, 2018. These dates were specifically chose to coincide with the Bermuda Public School Spring Term Break.
Applications will be available after January 1 on www.bedc.bm.
BizCamps is a highly-anticipated programme, usually held in the summer by YEI. Since its inception in 2002, it has directly served over 940 students aged 13 to 19. The week-long programmes feature the award-winning curriculum from The Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship (www.nfte.com).
The YEI believe that training young
entrepreneurs is a sustainable solution which responds to the needs of market changes by creating dynamic, responsive individuals who take charge and build solutions to the problems they see. The refinement of business skills leads to the growth of leadership abilities in students, teaching them to take the initiative for change in their own lives and communities. Training, technical assistance, and mentorship are, without a doubt, the most important elements to successfully empowering a young person so that they may overcome nearly any problem they encounter.
There is no fee for students who are accepted to attend BizCamps thanks to the support of sponsors including the Department of E-Commerce, The Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Partner Re, Tokio Millennium Re, The Argo Foundation and One Communication.
No matter how much and how well you try to protect your kids, there is always the possibility that they will become the victims of cyberbullying. If that is the case, how do you know if your kids are being cyberbullied? What are the tell-tale warning signs?
It is important to know the warning signs as only about one in ten kids tell their parents about being cyberbullied. Dr. Michele Borba, an internally-renowned expert on cyberbullying, says “Do not expect your child will come and tell you about the harassment. Research says that chances are that your child will not tell which is why you need to tune in closer and get educated.”1
Kids often keep silent because they are ashamed, fear retribution from the bully, and, perhaps most surprising to parents, are afraid that their computer and phone access will be restricted or taken away which, in turn, they see as an unfair punishment of them rather than the bully. Unlike traditional bullying which often leaves physical marks like bruises or black eyes, cyberbullying can often only be identified by certain changes in a kid’s behavior. Cyberbullying can occur right in front of parents, or in the next room, without them realizing it.
According to Drs. Sameer Hinduja and Justin Patchin of the Cyberbullying Research Center, you can tell if your kids might be the victims of cyberbullying by paying close attention to their general demeanor and online behavior. Like victims of traditional bullying, kids who are cyberbullied often show signs of depression. They exhibit little interest in the things and activities that used to matter to them the most, tend to withdraw from friends and family, experience sudden changes in their eating and sleeping patterns, and complain of headaches and stomachaches. “Moodiness and mood swings are just part of being [a child],” says Walter Meyer, a well-known cyberbullying expert. “But if a child really changes – becomes withdrawn, stops speaking to friends, etc. – the parents should ask what is going on and not be satisfied with ‘nothing’ as an answer.”2
Research by the National Crime Prevention Council shows that kids who are cyberbullied often are fearful about going to school, ask to be driven to school rather than take the school bus, skip school when they can get away with it or request permission to leave school early because they feel sick, have trouble focusing and fall behind
in their school work, and may even experience a significant drop in their grades. This is often precipitated by problems with sleeping which make it difficult for them to focus on the school work.
While it is important to pay close attention to your kids’ general demeanor, pay particularly close attention to their online behavior. Kids who are cyberbullied tend to be unusually secretive about what they are doing online, avoiding conversations with their parents about which sites they are on, who they are talking to, and the topics of their conversations. If they are willing to talk to their parents about what they are doing online at all, they are likely to get defensive and give vague or dubious-sounding explanations.
Kids who are cyberbullied often quickly turn off their computers or phones when a parent enters their space, hide, clear or rapidly switch screens, or outright refuse to use their devices unless the parent leaves. They also tend to be unwilling to part with their devices, or share them with their parents, fearing that their parents might find out what is going on. This is especially true in the evening when friends and cyberbullies are most likely to be online.
When they are online, kids who are cyberbullied tend to be visibly agitated or jumpy, especially when they receive an IM, text or email from a bully. Their minds are racing with thoughts and emotions as they are trying to figure out how best to handle the situation without revealing anything to others. They are also likely to keep checking their computers and phones while going back and forth between different screens in short spurs, say they are doing homework when they are really doing something else entirely, and may abruptly shut off or walk away from their devices mid-use for no outwardly apparent reason.
Not surprisingly, kids who are cyberbullied often appear angry or frustrated after they have been online. Some
Our children now have easy access to the Internet and Social Media: it’s all at their fingertips!
Let’s make sure they use the Internet responsibly and stay safe online.
may suddenly and unexpectedly stop going online at all. Others may go online more than usual, unable to resist the temptation to check whether any new comments have been posted about them. Another possible indication that your kids are the victims of cyberbullying is that they try to cover their “online tracks” such as by erasing their user history folders every time they turn off their devices.
You know your kids better than anyone else. Look for multiple signs that seem to go together; they could be an indication that they are the victims of cyberbullying. “The key,” as Dr. Borba says, “is to look for a pattern in your child. You should not overlook a sudden change that is not your child’s ‘normal’ behavior.”3
1 Michele Borba, “11 Possible signs of Cyberbullying” (www.micheleborba.com)
2 Kelsey Sheehy, “Signs Your Teen Is a Victim of Cyberbullying“ (www.usnews.com)
3 Michele Borba, “11 Possible signs of Cyberbullying” (www.micheleborba.com)
Your daughter will learn from dedicated teachers with deep experience in educating girls. She will find role models among the older girls in every discipline and endeavour, and will explore her passions and take risks in an environment purposefully constructed to support and challenge her.
For more information, contact Mrs. Kurte Loescher, Director of Admissions & Inclusion, on 278-3047 or admissions@bhs.bm
The Bermuda High School for Girls educates young women to the highest international standards and fosters confident, resilient and responsible global citizens.
www.bhs.bm
It’s not a problem until it becomes a problem.
From the very first day, BHS students benefit from a world of opportunity in a community like no other.
This is the Girls’ Advantage at BHS.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a growing area of practice for local occupational therapists to promote and celebrate. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioural challenges. In the U.S.A. a Center for Disease Control study identified 1/68 children as having autism, 1/42 boys and
1/189 girls. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Community Report from the Autism and Developmental Disability Monitoring Network. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/autism.). It is thought, whilst figures are not definitive, that Bermuda’s prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is similar. As the prevalence of ASD appears to grow so does the demand for occupa-
tional therapy….. But what exactly does an occupational therapist do? How can a child with ASD benefit from occupational therapy services? And where can you find an occupational therapist in your child’s school?
What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapists, commonly known as OTs, assist children with ASD to develop independence with daily living skills.
Occupational therapists foster developmentally appropriate play, promote autonomy with school tasks and self-sufficiency with self-care skills. Occupational therapists also work to develop the roles of the child within his/ her family, school and within the broader community. With a background that includes child development, anatomy & physiology and mental health, OTs look at the functional ability of the whole child. Through observation and assessment they can effectively identify a child’s struggles within his/her environment and design a programme which optimizes function and independence.
How can a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder benefit from occupational therapy services in the schools?
The occupational therapist’s tool belt is a diverse one. The needs of a child with ASD vary broadly and an O.T. in the school setting has to have enough tools to be equipped to treat a range of functional deficits. Often occupational therapists work on: developing fine motor skills for handwriting, cutting and tying shoelaces; enhancing eye –hand coordination to copy from the board; and they create social stories for ‘priming’ or preparing a child for an activity or transition. Children with ASD sometimes have a poor understanding of where their body is in space resulting in clumsiness or poor coordination with movement. OTs can give activities and strategies to help a child use his body more efficiently.
Most school based OTs that work
with children with ASD have training in specialist intervention areas such as Applied Behavioural Analysis, popularly known as ABA, and Discrete trial training (DTT). These are behavioural modalities that use particular techniques and principles to bring about meaning and positive behaviour.
One of the most essential tools in the occupational therapist’s tool belt is the assessment and unravelling of a child’s sensory processing difficulties and the intervention planning for these. Sensory processing difficulties refer to when an individual (either with or without autism) finds it difficult to receive and respond to information that comes in from the five basic senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) and the two hidden senses (proprioception/body awareness and vestibular/ movement). A child, for instance, may not like the sound of a school bell and may cover his ears while making his own verbalisations until the ringing stops or a child may feel the need to jump up and down or spin like a helicopter so that her body can feel more calm and alert for learning. Once sensory difficulties have been identified a sensory ‘diet’ may be implemented. A sensory diet is a plan that helps a child meet his/her sensory needs through appropriate and specific daily activities. By helping a child to meet their sensory needs through a specific plan OTs can help them to feel calm, alert and ready to learn. This state is known as being
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Since 1998 Bermuda’s premier faith-based early learners’ program “where happy children learn for a brighter future”.
We care about every aspect of your child’s school day within a safe social environment. Happy Moments Nursery & Preschool is keen on providing our students with lots of fun-filled explorative learning experiences. We believe in our students, assist in fulfilling each parent’s dream for their child and inspire each child in reaching their fullest potential.
Curriculum encourages academic excellence, creative teaching methods for each child’s unique learning style. We offer Spanish, computer, music & EYP with BNG, BUEI and more. Teachers certified in ECE, CPR, First Aid and SCARS.
‘regulated’ and it is in this state that a child can learn best.
Occupational therapists are holistic practitioners and recognise that whilst children with ASD share a diagnosis they have individual needs and wants. When an OT provides treatment for a child with autism it is expected and acknowledged that some children will respond well to certain interventions whilst others will not. This being the reason for such a diverse tool belt for treatment.
Where can you find an occupational therapist in your child’s school ?
Within the Bermuda Public School System there is an occupational therapist assigned to each school. There are currently 5 public schools that offer a specialized programme for students on the autism spectrum and there is an occupational therapist who provides intervention for each of these pro-
grammes. Students with ASD who are not involved with an ASD programme also have access to an OT if they have been referred. If you are unsure who your school occupational therapist is then you can ask your child’s teacher, the school secretary or principal or
call to enquire at the Department of Health, Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy Community Rehabilitation Office, telephone number: 278-6427.
Private options for occupational therapy also exist where parents can reach out to these services if desired.
No one wants to be sick. A mild cold is no doubt a nuisance and flu can take us away from our responsibilities for weeks, at its worst.
We hear ‘prevention is better than cure’ ……….we can do our best to dodge the cold and flu bullet: Wash hands frequently with soap, eat whole foods, drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly and surround yourself with people that nurture you and most importantly get plenty of rest, all in an effort to keep the immune system working at its optimum. Sometimes this works sometimes, it doesn’t.
There is usually a precipitating cause to cold and flu.
• The change of season can be too much for some people
• A traumatic event (e.g. a friend of mine got flu after having tooth extraction)
• Dietary indiscretions (e.g. dairy encourages mucus)
• Emotional stress - negative thinking weakens the immune system.
• Flying and travel can take a toll on body and mind
A common scenario....everyone in the office or the classroom is sick apart from you. That is because your susceptibility lies elsewhere. It is a personal and individual affair, if you are doing the things to protect yourself it means
that you will not be knocked down at that time, your body WILL be strong and well.
• Here are some other practical things you can do to prevent getting sick.
• Squeeze lemon into hot wateralkalise the body
• Use turmeric in cooking it has anti inflammatory properties
• Supplement with Zinc and Vit C they help the body recognise foreign invaders.
• Probiotics, kefir and fermented foods increase white blood cells.
• Oregano oil is excellent for increasing resistance.
It may be that your time to be sick comes another time....if this is the case what do you do about it?
At the first sign of the cold.....the homeopathic remedy ACONITE 200 is excellent for knocking out the symptoms that come on suddenly, after becoming chilled or exposed to a draft, including sneezing, blocked nose or thin discharge, throat is sore and head hurs. 2-3 doses of this remedy usually will do the trick.
Allium Cepa is another remedy that is used for colds that have streaming eyes and a burning discharge from
the nose and maybe sneezing on entering a stuffy room. A dose every 2 hours for 5 doses may bring improvement.
Ferrum Phos indicated for colds that come on slowly symptoms including sore throat and chest cough. Giving this remedy can stop bronchitis from developing.
If the symptoms are not clear, it is helpful to get a preparation from the health food shop or a homeopathic practitioner, which is a combination of remedies labelled: COLD, COUGHS AND COLDS or something similar.
Colds usually run over the course of 3-7 days taking homeopathy can help you to get better in a day or two.
Most people fear flu, not only for how it makes them feel but also potential complications that are associated with it. There is no faster way to attract something to you than to be fearful of it!
Flu Vaccine, originally offered to the elderly is now being offered across the board even to pregnant women with the rational that it will prevent the baby getting flu once born. There is no evidence to show that this is absolutely effective.
Why take the risk when you can prevent and treat flu naturally?
HOMEOPATHIC FLU TREATMENT
ANAS BARB 200c (Oscillococcinum) at first onset of symptoms one dose as needed for 24 hours
INFLUENZINUM 30c is another for prevention of Flu….one dose taken weekly.
There are many remedies to treat flu, it is best to consult a homeopathic practitioner for best results.
ALL HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES ARE SAFE FOR INFANTS THROUGH TO THE ELDERLY.
Webster’s dictionary defines the term “special needs” as “any of various difficulties (such as a physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disability or impairment) that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations (such as in education or recreation)”.
For families with special needs children who have dis-
abilities, everyday life can be complex and completely different from the day before. When you add to that the extra financial responsibility of raising a child with special needs, it can be overwhelming.
My best friend, who lives in Australia, has a child with special needs: he is severely autistic, mentally impaired and prone to violent outbursts. I have asked her many times what her biggest concern for her son is, and she always responds that her primary concern is planning for his future and making sure all his needs are taken care of when they die. Nobody likes to attach a dollar amount to the joys of raising a child, but the fact remains that it is expensive; however, with planning and preparation, you can help to ensure your child has the help they need, both now
and in the future. There are lots of organizations and services out there that can make the cost more manageable and give you the tools necessary to make informed decisions for your child’s future.
According to a MetLife survey carried out in 2014, parents of special needs children are not adequately securing their financial future. In addition, it mentioned that nearly one-third of parents with special needs children commit more than 40 hours a week to care and spend an average of $326 per month on out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Here are four things parents of special needs children can do to create a more financially secure future for their special needs child:
1. Prepare for age 18
When a child turns 18, he or she is legally presumed competent to make their own decisions on medical, financial and educational issues. For parents of a special needs child, there are two options they can pursue
to maintain influence over their child’s care: power of attorney (POA) or legal guardianship. It is important that parents understand the procedures involved and plan to ensure their child continues to receive the support and care he or she needs in their adult years.
2. Draft a last will and testament
It is important for parents of special needs children to declare how their estate is to be distributed upon their death. An estate attorney can work with you to prevent the automatic distribution of assets to your special needs child.
3. Create a special needs trust
The special needs trust is a means to provide stability and security for special needs children should something happen to their parents or guardian. Special needs trusts can be funded through gifts, life insurance, investment accounts, mutual funds, CDs and be real property.
4. Choose an appropriate trustee
There are typically two choices when it comes to selecting a trustee: a family member or a lawyer. The appeal of a family member is that they understand the needs of the child, will have his or her best interests at heart and will not charge fees. However, administering a trust is a complex and important responsibility. A professional trustee and/or lawyer has experience in financial management and can make sound rather than emotional decisions when it comes to finances.
When raising a child with special needs, a large portion of your time is naturally focused on the child that needs the attention, but if you are a family of 4, 5 or even 6, you mustn’t forget the others. One of the greatest challenges faced by parents of a special needs child is to ensure other members of the family have enough quality time with their parents.
This was the other challenge my
friend talked about – having to divide her time between children when one child needs far more attention. However, as she put it to me, “It takes two people to create a child and it takes two people to raise a child; it’s not just the mother’s responsibility, we are a team.”
At the end of the day, it’s hard not to worry about how your child will manage if you’re not around to help support him or her. The best approach
is to address it sooner than later, understand the long-term financial commitment and create a path to secure their financial future and your own.
Carla Seely is the Vice President of Pension and Investments at FreisenbruchMeyer. If you would like any further details, please contact her at cseely@fmgroup.bm or call +1 441 297 8686.
Looking for ways to save energy and money this holiday season? Implementing energy conservation and efficiency into your lifestyle does not have to mean major sacrifice. But it can mean major savings for both the environment and your bank account.
Christmas is one of those seasons where energy usage typically goes up… whether from the use of Christmas lights and electronic decorations or from all the extra baking and cooking for family and friends.
Follow these tips and you’ll benefit both environmentally and financially:
• Switch to LED Christmas lights. They’re difficult to break, last up to 20 years and use 1/3 of the energy of incandescent mini lights.
• Remember to unplug lights before leaving the house.
• Defrost frozen food in the fridge overnight to avoid cooking time.
• Use glass or ceramic dishes in the oven, they reduce cooking time.
• Turn electric ovens off 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time, it will keep the same temperature for the remaining minutes.
• Reheat leftovers in the microwave or toaster oven, it takes less time and uses less energy.
• Check and clean the coils behind the refrigerator regularly.
• Keep the freezer full so that it works more efficiently.
• Set the refrigerator temperature between 34-37⁰F and the freezer between 0-5⁰F.
• Wash loads in cold water.
• Separate loads into heavy and light fabrics for shorter drying times.
• Avoid over drying clothes, it wastes energy and causes static wrinkling.
• Replace broken bulbs and blows fuses with correct sizes.
• Do not overload extension cords.
• Place Christmas trees away from space heaters.
Never place lights on an artificial metal tree, it may become electrically charged by faulty lights.
From all of us at BELCO, we wish you your happiest, safest and most energy efficient holiday yet
Being a parent brings new light into our lives – but it also brings a whole lot of extra responsibility!
You are not just a mother and father, you are the guardians of your child’s future, responsible for their upbringing as model citizens, their education – their future
It is busy, between you, you are holding down two or three jobs, the bills keep coming, you are trying to help your children with their school work, not to mention running them to football or cricket matches. It is difficult for two people to manage, let alone one.
And while none of us want to dwell on the unthinkable, what if the unthinkable happens and suddenly your
husband, wife or partner dies, how will you manage to fulfill your responsibilities? How will you pay those bills? How can you afford that education? Will that college dream turn into a nightmare?
It is easy for me to say that you need to carve out some time in your hectic schedule to think about the future, isn’t it? But I am going to say that and I am going to repeat it, over and over.
Life insurance is like a comfort blanket, it protects you and with it, you know that the dreams you have for your children are achievable if the unthinkable happens.
People don’t really understand all the uses life insurance can have. It is not just there to provide burial funds after a person’s death, it can pay the mortgage
or it can ensure that the person’s business can continue to run.
It can also provide a lump sum that will ensure that there is no stressing over finances. At the time, it may be of little comfort but as time passes, those bills can be paid, those education dreams can be turned into reality.
Without the life insurance comfort blanket, it will be a challenge, to say the least, to be able to afford everything you want to achieve for your children.
Our financial responsibilities can mount up quickly, people get married, they buy a house, have children and the most unfortunate things can happen at any time.
Carve out some time to think about the value of life insurance.
You are married
You are married with children
You are a single parent
You are a stay-at-home parent
You have grown children
You are retired
You are a small business owner
You are a home owner
You are single but supporting aged parents
Money doesn’t grow on trees!” Many exasperated parents have uttered those words when their child demands yet another treat or the latest gadget or toy. But for children, understanding money – what it is and where it comes from – can be a hard concept to grasp. For them, the ATM can seem like a magic machine that dispenses an infinite amount of cash whenever you need it.
Learning about money and how to manage it is an essential life skill and it is one of the most valuable lessons parents can teach their children. Teaching
them good money habits early on and allowing them to make mistakes when the stakes aren’t so high will help them become self-sufficient, confident and better equipped to deal with financial challenges later in life.
The sooner you start their financial education the better. Once your child starts primary school and begins to learn basic math, he or she will be able to grasp fundamental financial concepts. The best way to start teaching kids about managing money is to give them some, whether it’s a weekly allowance or small rewards for helping around the house.
Putting their “earnings” in a jar and teaching your child that they can only spend what is in there is one way to help them learn that money is a finite resource, but giving your child their own savings account can teach them so much more. Showing them that by not spending all their money at once they can earn more through interest helps instill good saving habits.
Successful personal finance depends on budgeting so learning to save up for that new bike teaches a child delayed gratification that can help curb impulse buying and a “buy now, pay later” attitude that could saddle them with credit card debt later in life.
Children learn best by example so consider involving them in planning, budgeting and shopping for groceries, for example. It’s also a good idea to have your kids donate a small portion
of their allowance to charity. They will learn that money can also be used to help people, not just for buying things.
As your child grows, use their savings account to further their financial education and take more responsibility. Encourage them to track their transactions and statements online and teach them how to use a debit card. This will help them learn how banking works and be more able to understand things like borrowing and credit cards when they reach 18.
Clarien Bank’s Iron Kids savings account, which is available for children from birth to 18, allows account holders to have a MasterCard debit card from age 8 that can be used to make purchases in-store or online and withdraw cash in Bermuda and overseas. Accounts require an adult signatory who can set limits on the amount of cash their child can withdraw from an ATM or spend using their debit card at any one time. Iron Kids account holders also have access to iBank, Clarien’s internet banking platform, which enables them to view their balance, transactions and statements 24-7, but not make transfers or payments.
As most children have access to iPads and smartphones from an early age, being able to view their accounts online can make money management more visual and easier to grasp. Internet banking is a good way to introduce children to online security issues and educate them about safeguarding their personal information against theft and fraud, especially if they are using their debit card to shop online or purchase apps.
For some parents, teaching their kids about money can seem intimidating, especially if they have difficulty managing their own finances. Don’t panic. Just take it one step at a time – and don’t hesitate to ask your bank or a financial planner for advice and guidance.
The important thing is simply to start. So instead of just giving your kids money this Christmas, think about giving them a savings account – the lessons it can teach them will last a lifetime.
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