Special Features - West Shore Family

family

Spring 2019

WEST SHORE

The Market Stores Colouring Contest My Teen is Driving Me Crazy Ten tips to help your relationship with teens

West Shore

Spring Events Calendar

Surviving Spring Break Mommy’s Inside Voice special feature

GAZETTE GOLDSTREAM NEWS

Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 1

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PAGE 2 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

CONTENTS 6

Surviving Spring Break!

8-9

Three fun ways families can get fit together

18-19

10

How to help your teenager

Combining fantasy and fun while crafting

21

Creating kid friendly spaces

11

22-23

The Market on Millstream Colouring Contest

Spring break events listings

12

awesome & Easy recipes on pages 4 & 20

Identifying pet poisons in your home

14-15

Surviving vacationing as a family

16-17

Encouraging kids to love music

GAZETTE GOLDSTREAM NEWS

family WEST SHORE

Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 3

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Spring break is upon us!

When I was young, I welcomed the break from the school routine. But it always meant the return to class and the stories from friends about their break.

Both my parents worked and they didn’t get time off in March, meaning my spring breaks didn’t include a trip.

family WEST SHORE

Spring 2019 Publisher Michelle Cabana publisher@goldstreamgazette.com Advertising Joan Stiebel joan.stiebel@goldstreamgazette.com

My friends stories almost always involved a trip. It might have been to a neighbouring province, or the one that has haunted my dreams ever since: Disney World. I was a little envious of those friends.

Layout and Design Leslie Eaton

March breaks mainly consisted of playing in the neighbourhood, watching our collection of VHS tapes, or increasing my cassette collection recording the top hits off the local radio station. There were trips to the library and exciting movie nights to the Hanover theatre.

Contributors: Aime Jay Balancedmealprep.com Lori Frank Drs Dialogue

To assist those of you already planning your break this March, we’ve combed through the events happening in the West Shore and selected our favourites (Page 22/23). In addition to March break activities and events, this issue also looks at Kid Friendly Spaces, and how to cope with teens driving you crazy.

As the temperature heats up, we should all take the opportunity to get outside and appreciate why we live here. Visitors from around the globe get a taste of what is so wonderful about Vancouver Island and Victoria, but those of us who call it home should never take it for granted. Clean air, cool water, fresh sea food, a vast ocean, delicious food, and genuinely kind people are at our doorstep. This spring break I hope you take a step back from the wonderful moments that fill your days and join me in thinking … I live here!

Enjoy!

Michelle Cabana Publisher PAGE 4 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

Circulation Mellissa Mitchell

West Shore Family is distributed with the Goldstream News Gazette and is also available in our office, around town in local businesses and online at www.goldstreamgazette.com/e-editions

GAZETTE GOLDSTREAM NEWS

@GoldstreamNews GoldstreamNewsGazette

#goldstreamgazette

#205-774 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, B.C. 250-478-9552 www.goldstream gazette.com

Peanut Butter Banana Protein Muffins

A great and healthy snack! A commonly found recipe on the internet that many people love. It’s super easy to make and has only few key ingredients, is gluten free and vegetarian.

Can substitute flax meal and water for egg to make it vegan.

Peanut Butter Banana Protein Muffins Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients: 2 large ripe bananas 1 cup natural peanut butter 2 medium eggs ¼ c molasses or honey ¼ c protein powder (vanilla or chocolate flavour) ½ tsp baking powder ½ chocolate chips (milk or semi sweet) Method: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a muffin tin with liners. Using a fork, mash the bananas in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add all ingredients except chocolate chips. Mixture should be still lumpy, as mixing too much will make the muffins denser.

When mixed, fold in chocolate chips.

Using a 2 oz ice cream scoop, portion out mixture evenly into liners.

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY BALANCEDMEALPREP.COM

Placing on middle rack of oven, bake for 12-15 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool.

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Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 5

Spring “To you it looks like mom-guilt threw up in your living room, to them it is still going to be fond memories of being home from school and hangin’ out with Mom. “

Amie Jay

Mommy’s Inside Voice

Excitement! Adventure! The starting point of gorgeous weather – flowers starting to sprout their buds, trees with sticky little lime green blooms, the produce aisle finally resuscitated into colour. If you’re young enough that having more fruit options doesn’t excite you, then spring break probably means something else to you entirely.

For some, it’s a break from homework, a breath after exams, connecting with friends, recharging the batteries, abusing the liver. You know, just spring break stuff.

Unless you’re a parent.

Particularly a parent of tiny ones or multiple tiny ones, that two-syllable term probably inspires sheer panic, chills up your spine and a sweat bead moustache.

Oh, I’m sorry. Did you forget to reserve a spot in a spring break camp back in April of last year? Then you’re S.O.L. Looks like you’ll be swapping those vacation days at work for two weeks of Peppa Pig and watching the cherub-cheeked lights of your life methodically vandalize your home.

We all love our children. We love them so much that it hurts – sometimes. We have these daydreams about all of the picturesque activities we could plan with this abundance of time together. Picnics in the park, going to the fair, taking a road PAGE 6 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

trip up to see Grandma. And, with the help of caffeine and optimism, we will probably rally up the courage to try some of those adventures – make memories and have a happy childhood. Hooray!

See, it’s lovely…

Until you’re sitting in the middle of the fairgrounds with two screaming children and a poop-filled pull-up problem, trying to craft makeshift baby wipes out of used mini donut napkins and lemonade. Why does it always have to end with poop and crying?

Deep breaths. Don’t cry. You’ve got this.

Contain the poo, herd the kids back to the car, buckle them. Then you can shove your face into the pile of random trunk clothes and scream.

It’s hard. You want to be the mom that you always thought you’d be, you want to build these beautiful experiences for your babies because they deserve them. But it’s overwhelming. They’re too little, it’s too chaotic, there are too many of them. And again, there’s poop and crying.

Listen up, because this is important.

Every kid is different. Stop comparing you and your children to ‘Perfect Pam’ with her clean, multiple language speaking, piano playing kids that go for family hikes three times a day. They are incredible, of course, but they are dealing with their own things. They may get more sleep or have more potent coffee. The children may be much more easy going, or maybe they just don’t tell anyone about the poo meltdowns.

It doesn’t matter.

What matters is that you acknowledge that you’re doing the best you can. This is a super intense chapter in your life where you are juggling a lot and have so much expected of you. But it won’t always be this way. This isn’t who or how you are. You are allowed to have situational coping mechanisms in place to get through these intense years to a place where there’s a little more rest, a little more quiet, and not so many meltdowns over non-existent ice creams.

For some, those coping mechanisms are keeping busy, being outside, lots of crafts. For others, it’s staying home. It’s tablet time when mommy has had too much. It’s fort building in the living room, splashing in the kiddy pool and maybe even two straight hours of Paw Patrol.

These days may not always be ideal, but there is no right or wrong way to manage them. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your kids are loved. Your kids are safe, fed and healthy. To you it looks like mom-guilt threw up in your living room, to them it is still going to be fond memories of being home from school and hangin’ out with Mom. All you have to do during spring break is survive and snuggle. Which was also kind of the motto of spring break during those party years as well.

Mommy’s Inside Voice is a bi-weekly column in the Goldstream News Gazette by Amie Jay, a local mother of three.

A CULTURE OF CARING… RIGHT HERE IN THE WEST SHORE

“Through our mom’s time with you, we were constantly impressed with the gentle and compassionate approach that was on display every day. Your front office staff are amazing… this culture of caring is everywhere, from the dining room staff to the activity coordinators and beyond” — The Harrhy Family

Compassionate full-service carefree senior living—The Cherish Way! From $2,795 per month

L i f e . Yo u r Wa y.

Call for a Personal Tour 250.478.4431 917 Avrill Road, Langford | cherishvictoria.ca Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 7

3 fun ways families can get fit together

“Parents and their children are as busy as ever, so it makes sense to schedule family exercise.”

PAGE 8 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

“Routine cardiovascular exercise has been linked to reduced risk for

”

heart disease...

The buddy system is widely used to help men and women get in shape. Friends can encourage their workout partners to get off the couch on days when their motivation might be waning, and partners can return that favor when the roles are reversed. And the benefits of the buddy system are not exclusive to adults, as families can rely on it to make sure moms, dads and kids each get the exercise they need.

Ongoing exercise can help people of all ages control their weight, improve their mental health and mood and reduce their risk for various diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. And the benefits may go beyond those normally associated with exercise, particularly for young people. A 2009 analysis of the fitness records of 1.2 million Swedish men born between 1950 and 1976 found that the more exercise they had during adolescence, the more likely they were to be professionally successful as adults.

Getting fit as a family can be easy. The following are just a few ways parents and their children can get in shape together.

1. Start dancing.

Dancing isn’t just a fun activity, it’s also a very healthy one. While dancing might often be categorized as a recreational activity, such a categorization overlooks the many health benefits of cutting a rug. Dancing is a great cardiovascular exercise that works multiple parts of the body. Routine cardiovascular exercise has been linked to reduced risk for heart disease and other ailments. In addition, a 2009 study from researchers in South Korea found that hip hop dancing can boost mood and lower stress.

2. Schedule daily exercise time.

Parents and their children are as busy as ever, so it makes sense to schedule family exercise time just like you schedule family meals or outings to the museum.

Kids who compete in sports may already get enough physical activity each day. The CDC recommends children participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, so kids who ar-

en’t playing sports can spend an hour each day sweating alongside mom and dad.

3. Walk after dinner.

Families who routinely dine together can delay doing the dishes to walk off their meals. A walk around the neighborhood after dinner provides solid family time, but it’s also a great way to stay healthy. A 2017 study from researchers at the University of Warwick found that people who took 15,000 or more steps each day tended to have healthy body mass indexes, or BMIs. Getting fit as a family can be fun and pay long-term dividends for parents and children alike.

Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 9

Combine fantasy and fun!

Spring is a season of rebirth marked by flowers pushing through the soil and tender green leaf buds appearing on trees.

a spring craft!

PAGE 10 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

As adults begin tinkering in their gardens and clearing away the vestiges of another winter, children also can get into the spring gardening spirit — with a touch of whimsy mixed in. A fairy garden is the perfect project.

Fairies are mythical beings of romance and folklore that appear in ancient stories passed down by various cultures. Diminutive in size, fairies are often depicted as spiritual or supernatural beings in possession of magical powers who live in close proximity to mortals. Fairies tap into the imaginations of children, who may be enticed by fairies’ mischievous and/or magical attributes. A desire to capture fairies can inspire a great spring crafting project.

Fairy gardens can be constructed in just about any container and make an enchanting addition to a home landscape, patio or child’s bedroom. It’s easy to get started today.

Begin by collecting the materials needed. Materials will vary depending on each individual project, but some good suggestions include: • a container, such as a flowerpot, basket, wine barrel, or another vessel that will hold soil • potting soil • stones, pebbles and glass baubles • pea gravel • small plants, such as clover, moss and succulents • twigs • miniature garden accessories and figures Begin by filling the container with the soil. Then arrange the plants as desired while still in their individual potting containers to get an idea of the layout. When the design is established, use a spoon or small trowel to plant the greenery.

Now is the time when the whimsy can set in. The child can create a fairy home, a garden, walkways, and much more with natural materials. Many craft stores even sell ceramic and plastic fairy furnishings. Gravel and stones can add color and extra appeal. Some peat moss or trailing Spanish moss can serve as the finishing touches.

Once completed, it’s time to wait to see if the fairies will come for a visit.

Colour & Win!

Spring Prizes 3-5 $25 Gift Basket Colouring Ages Ages 6-8 $50 Gift Basket Contest Ages 9-12 $75 Gift Basket Prizes awarded as listed in each age category

Enter & Drop off at The Market on Millstream

2401 Millstream Rd. Langford

Bonus Prize

Random draw

All colour & win entries in all age categories will be entered for a chance to Win a $25.00 Wild Play Giftcard.

The Market

on Millstream

Name: ......................................................................................................

Age: .............. Phone: ..............................................................................

Address:....................................................................................................

City: .. ............ ........... Email: ....................................................................

Contest Sponsored By: The Market on Millstream, 2401 Millstream Rd.

SPRING COLORING CONTEST RULES

Prizes awarded as listed in each age category! Be sure to include your name, age, address and phone number on your entry! 1. Contest open to children ages 3-12. Only one picture may be submitted by each child. 2. Pictures may be colored using crayons, markers or colored pencils. One winner from each age group (3-5, 6-8 and 9-12) will be awarded prizes. Decision of judges are final. 3. All submissions become property of Peninsula Co-op and Goldstream News Gazette and may be published by Goldstream News Gazette in print and online. 4. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on March 15th, 2019 hand-delivered to the Market on Millstream store listed on entry form 5. Winners will be notified by phone by March 20, 2019.

Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 11

PET POISONS that may be lurking in your home

One of the best things prospective pet owners can do before welcoming new pets into their families is to conduct a poison audit throughout their homes.

Pets are often vulnerable to common household items that may not pose a threat to adults. That’s especially true for curious pets anxious to explore their new surroundings.

The Pet Poison Helpline, a licensed animal poison control center dedicated to preventing poison-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities to pets, offers this room-by-room breakdown to help existing and potential pet owners find items around the house that could pose a threat to their furry friends.

Various products around the house can pose a threat to the health of pets. Make products as inaccessible to curious pets as possible by keeping them locked away when not in use. More information about protecting pets is available at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

ATTIC & BASEMENT

LAUNDRY ROOM

Mothballs Rodenticides Insecticides Paint

Fabric softener Bleach Detergents Dryer sheets

BATHROOMS

Medications, Prescription drugs Over-the-counter drugs Vitamins / Supplements PAGE 12 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

Cleaning supplies Soap / Body wash Shampoos and conditioners Cough drops

LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

Plants Potpourri Batteries

Chocolate Grapes, raisins, currants, onions, garlic and chives Caffeinated products, such as coffee and tea Chicken bones Unbaked yeast bread dough Alcohol Table salt Kitchen cleaning products

GARAGE AND SHED Automotive fluids Ice melt products Search Results Dictionary Insecticide, herbicides and rodenticides Paint and glue Mothballs, fertilizers Bone, blood and feather meal Compost

Keep us safe!

Let Us Do The Cooking!

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www.bettermeals.com Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 13

A Griswold Free Break Without Confusion, Crying or Conflict When Relationships Matter Special to The Gazette

by Drs Dialogue Advertising feature

Traveling with our relatives, friends, or family can make or break relationships. Sometimes things go sideways and tempers flare. Traffic, line-ups, and irritations will happen. Group holidays can also be exciting and fun. Here are a few tips to create a vacation that will be remembered for its fabulous destination, great food, and activities. Avoid a blow-up or tears at the Happiest Place on Earth.

As humans, we easily express our needs, fears, wishes, and worldviews. We also communicate our attitudes and past grudges that can surface at inappropriate times. This can happen more frequently when we travel with those we love.

People get cranky when they are tired, hungry or stressed. This is not a good time to make decisions.

You will avoid hurt feelings and disappointment if everyone has input and the plan is clearly communicated. Hidden grievances may be simmering beneath those smiles. Overwhelming situations can

Victoria Royals

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VictoriaRoyals.com tickets@victoriaroyals.com

1 2 3 4 5 6

Communicate

Breathe

Consider

Don’t avoid conflict. Use a “Let me help” approach, teamwork allows space to resolve issues.

Consider how you typically respond, what would make this better? A tone of voice matters.

Respect

Listen

Assume

Respect the other person/ people in the conflict.

Listen more than you talk, no blaming or shaming, own your feelings.

Assume the person had good intentions. Stop, think, talk and resolve.

cause emotional outbursts at the least convenient time.

Gather suggestions and expectations of the group then create a comprehensive trip plan. People don’t like or expect surprises when they have a clear vision of their perfect holiday. Decide what arrangements are necessary and create a list of things that need to be done. Who is responsible for: insurance, air and ground transportation, passports, accommodation, visas, maps, tickets to attractions, food, and packing?

Delegate tasks to share the load so that the planning process goes as smoothly as possible. Don’t exhaust yourself.

Make sure everyone has the necessary travel documents and immunizations well in advance of your departure date - pets too. If you intend to leave BC while traveling with a minor, you may require a permission letter from their other parent.

Before you leave – have an open, honest discussion about budget and finances. Is everyone able to afford the side trip to Six Flags? Be willing to sacrifice, compromise or split up

for a day or two. Determine in advance who pays for what?

Consider things like: How will you split meals, flights, hotels, driving, gas, rental cars? What will the accommodations and sleeping arrangements be?

Book rooms with breathing space for everyone. Although the youngest may have called shotgun, switch up seats to keep things fair. Remember, those who are introverts will appreciate alone time and extroverts are often social butterflies who will need less time to recharge. Plan accordingly.

Be a considerate, reasonable, and mindful travel companion. Flexibility and patience go a long way. Balance being laid back and sharing control. Try to see things from the other’s perspective before getting defensive. Know when to ‘go with the flow’ and don’t get caught up in the drama.

Let things calm down before checking in, then encourage face to face conversations to clear the air. Adjust plans if needed. Have a trip pact, on this airplane, boat, car, canoe trip we TALK it out.

Make time for yourself so that resentment doesn’t build

Communicate clearly – I feel (What emotion?), when (what happeed in a neutral way) because (What effect does it have?) and I want (What would you like to see happen?)

up. A little space can work wonders. Go for a swim or walk. Read a book. Do yoga.

And don’t forget, time-outs and naps, benefit ALL ages.

Having a plan to deal with conflict will keep people calm and make the trip enjoyable for everyone.

Are you going through a separation and want what’s best for your child?

Learn how to co-parent effectively!

Our Peaceful Co-Parenting program will help you: • Understand how the “best

interests of your child” applies to your life.

• Shift from a marital relationship to a business-like co-parenting one • Prepare for mediation so you can get the most out of it • Build new co-parenting skills, including:

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Awareness of conflict patterns in your co-parenting relationship How to keep calm when conflict happens How to communicate through conflict How to separate marital issues from co-parenting ones in the best interests of the child

Cost of series $100 per person, reduced rate for our mediation clients. Subsidies available.

Call us at 250-383-4412 or email office@dialogueandresolutionservices.ca Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 15

How to encourage kids to

love music Music education can have a profound impact on children. According to PBS, research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects, enhancing skills children will inevitably use elsewhere.

The benefits of music education might be even more tangible than that. A 2004 study published in the journal Psychological Science found that six-year-olds who were given weekly voice and piano lessons benefitted from small increase in IQs. Groups that received drama lessons or no lessons at all experienced no such increases.

Additional studies have linked music education to other benefits.

The Children’s Music Workshop notes that research has shown that musical training physically develops the part of the brain associated with processing language.

♫ Cut a rug with your kids.

Children are bundles of energy who want to expend as much of that energy as possible. Dancing along to music is a great way for kids to use it up. Kids might not be able to waltz or dance an Irish jig, but many love to jump up and down. If they begin to associate music and dancing with jumping up and down, they’re more likely to smile when mom and dad crank up the stereo.

PAGE 16 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

These are just a handful of the ways music education can positively impact young minds. Parents who want their children to reap these rewards and more can take these steps to encourage a love of music in their children.

♫ Sing and encourage kids to sing along.

Kids won’t know if their parents are classically trained opera singers or performers whose vocal talents are best restricted to the shower. Singing along to favorite songs may encourage kids to follow suit, allowing them to learn words and language. Singing also is a fun activity kids are sure to embrace, making them look forward to daily music sessions.

♫ Let kids be the DJ.

When you start playing music, keep a close on children to see how they react to different types of music. If they seem to favor one style over another, play that favorite style more often. If they tend to like it all, continue to expand their horizons, which many even open your eyes to musical styles and acts you’d never consider otherwise.

♫ Let kids participate in music.

Especially young children might not be able to pick up a guitar and make it sing, but that doesn’t mean they can’t participate. Purchase age-appropriate instruments for your children the moment they start playing with toys. Their curiosity might compel them to embrace musical lessons as they grow older. In addition, look for children’s musical events in your community, whether it’s a sing-along at the local library or an introduction to musical instruments at a nearby community center.

Music can enrich kids’ lives in various ways, and it’s never too early for parents to encourage a love of music in their children.

Your Colwood Summer Playlist Beach Food Fridays & Saturdays Every Friday & Saturday through the summer, hit the beach in Colwood between noon and 7pm for local food trucks and live music by the ocean.

Eats & Beats at the Beach Saturday, July 20, 2019 it’s the biggest beach party of the summer! Live bands, the best local food trucks and FREE fun activities on sand, sea & sky.

Westhills, Langford

Children’s Music Classes FOR AGES 1 - 5

WESTHILLS, LANGFORD

1314 Lakepoint Way 778.265.5355 DOWNTOWN VICTORIA

Register today for Musical Storytime and Orff classes at our Westhills location!

Next session starts April 2.

900 Johnson Street 250.386.5311 VCM Funding Partners

www.colwood.ca

VCM.BC.CA/FUN Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 17

Ten tips to help with teens.

My Teen is

DRIVING ME

CRAZY!

Lori Frank, Mediation and Consulting Special to the Gazette Advertising feature

MODERN SOLUTIONS FOR SEPARATION AND DIVORCE Separation is hard on a family. The stress of litigation can make it even more difficult.

Separation Mediation • is much quicker and more affordable • puts your kids ahead of the fighting • lays the foundation for coparenting • lets you move on with life

Lori can help you to achieve resolution quickly, comfortably and affordably.

Call today for a free phone consult and to learn about flat fee packages.

VICTORIA & WESTSHORE LOCATIONS | 250-516-4234 LORI@LORIFRANKMEDIATION.COM | WWW.LORIFRANKMEDIATION.COM PAGE 18 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

If you have teens in your home then I’m sure you’ve had at least a few moments of frustration. Small frustrations may lead to big conflict between you and your teen. Here are some tips about how to communicate more effectively with your teen when it comes to some common issues such as getting homework done, screen time, using the car, staying out late or not getting chores done.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Using these tips isn’t going to magically transform the teen years into sunshine and rainbows.

But it will lead to less stormy days.

TIP #1: Understand the teenage brain.

The teen years are an awkward time. Our expectations may not be realistic based on their cognitive and emotional development. The teen brain is still developing and skills like setting priorities or being organized are very difficult. It’s not that we can’t have these expectations of our kids but we need to recognize that in order for them to be achieved they need to be supported in a variety of ways.

TIP #2 - Pick your battles Avoid unnecessary conflict. It’s easy for us to fall into a pattern of arguing over every little thing. This is exhausting for both of you so save it for the things that really matter.

TIP #3 - Check your own temperature Going in hot never works. Wait until you’re cooled down and can think rationally about how to approach the problem.

TIP #4: Be curious. Ask open questions When in conflict we often make inaccurate assumptions about the cause of the conflict. Get curious. Open questions require an answer other than yes or no and will help you get to the heart of the matter.

TIP #5: Build empathy Lots of times our teens have no idea what we’re going through as parents. Talk about how their behaviour and choices impact you, but not in a guilt-trippy kind of way. Empathy needs to be a two-way street. Ask what’s going on for them.

the consequences of not meeting a deadline. That’s a natural consequence. Step back and give them room to succeed or fail while you’re still there to catch them. Their brain requires opportunities to make mistakes, it’s how they learn to be an adult.

TIP#10: Don’t abuse your authority.

There will be times when you need to use your authority.

But don’t abuse it. If your “go to” response for everything is “I’m the parent, do what I say,” you are going to get stuck in a perpetual cycle of conflict and rebellion.

TIP #6: Be a role model Role model the language and behaviour you want to see.

The adult world will demand they deal with conflict so model a positive way of dealing with it.

TIP #7: Identify what you need from the solution.

Let’s take getting homework done. Your teen may need to be in charge of setting their own homework schedule and you may need to be able to see that things are getting done. There’s your criteria for the solution you come up with together.

TIP #8: Write it down.

Create an agreement and write it down. After a period of time review it to see if it’s working or requires some adjustments.

TIP #9: Let natural consequences be the consequence.

Bonus Tip! When a conflict is done, it’s done.

Don’t hold it over their head for years to come.

As an adult, if I don’t get my work done no one takes my phone away or tells me I can’t go out. Instead, I have to live with

Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 19

This is a balanced soup with tons of flavour. Will keep everyone warm through these cold days. You can use any strength of curry you like, heat wise. This recipe is gluten free and can also be made as vegan.

Just substitute vegetable stock for chicken and omit chicken breast and you will still have a protein source with the lentils and chickpeas.

Curried Chicken Chick Pea and Red Lentil Yield: 6 portions Ingredients: 1 cup Red lentils, rinsed and put a side 2 tbsp Olive oil 2 Chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces 3 Carrots, peeled, washed and chopped 2 Tomatoes, washed and chopped 2 Cloves garlic, minced 1 lg Yellow onion, chopped 2 tbsp Curry powder 1 14 oz. can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 litre Chicken stock 2 cups Water 2 cups, Fresh spinach, rinsed

Curried Chicken, Chickpea & Red Lentil Soup

Method: Wash lentils and place on the side.

Meanwhile in a large pot, combine olive oil, chicken, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, onion and curry over medium heat. Cook until chicken has reached an internal temp of 165°F. Add chickpeas, stock and water and bring to a boil. Cook lentils until soft.

Add spinach and remove from heat. Serve and enjoy.

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY BALANCEDMEALPREP.COM

LET’S GO DIRT BIKING

Family Fun - All Ages

LEARN TO RIDE PROGRAM For Ages 4 years and Up Includes Dirt Bike Rental, Safety Gear and Riding Lesson * Great Birthday Parties for kids * Weekly Drop In riding and Rentals * Group and Team Parties * Open 6 days a week * Spring and Summer Riding Camps * Motorcycle Sales and service

Westshore Motocross

2207 Millstream Road

At the back of Western Speedway in Langford

250-590-8088

info@westshoremx.com

PAGE 20 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

Do yo u l ike wo rking w i t h ch i ldre n?

Be co m e MAD SCIENTIST! Jo in o u r team, apply o n-l in e; Have t he be s t job o n t he plan et!

Create kid-friendly spaces

at home “Be sure the keep cubbies, containers and coat hooks at a child-friendly height.”

Maintaining a home that is welcoming and kid-friendly can be challenging. Kids are full of energy and oftentimes put fun ahead of tidiness. But no matter how energetic their youngsters are, parents can still employ several strategies to ensure their homes are both sophisticated and child-friendly.

• Look for high-traffic rugs. Rugs designed for high-traffic areas will be more forgiving when children march across them several times per day. There are no rules that say you can’t bring an outdoor rug inside, and these rugs tend to be easier to clean.

• Consider an open floor plan. Rooms that flow into one another make it easier to keep tabs on children. Such rooms also allow residents and guests to mingle in separate rooms but not be too far away from one another.

• Think outside pink and blue. For children’s rooms, make sure they’re colorful, but consider other hues to give the rooms some personality. Focus on a hobby or activity and borrow the color scheme from the accessories used for decorating.

• Choose washable fabrics. Upholstery will need to stand up to the abuse kids can dish out. Sofas and chairs with slipcovers can be advantageous because many slipcovers can be easily removed and laundered. Patterned fabrics will hide some stains, while treated fabrics may resist liquid spills for easier cleanup.

• Hang whimsical artwork. Employ framing and lighting to make kids’ artwork look like professional pieces. Routinely change the pictures when a new look is desired.

• Create a catch-all spot. Special bins or other organizational tools in the entryway can help to cull clutter when children come in the house from school or play. Be sure the keep cubbies, containers and coat hooks at a child-friendly height.

• Ensure there is plenty of seating. Sectionals give children ample room to spread out. And ample seating ensures there is enough room for kids to invite their friends over to hang out.

• Designate a place for play. Devote an entire room or a nook in a house for imaginative play. Store toys here so these items will not create clutter in individual bedrooms.

Creating child-friendly spaces while ensuring a home maintains a sophisticated feel is easier than parents might think.

Spring 2019 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• PAGE 21

Events Calendar It’s okay if you can’t head out this Spring Break to Mt. Washington or Whistler for some skiing or to Mexico for some beach time. We’ve got family fun you can enjoy in and around West Shore!

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN Feb 22-March 3

Information and tickets attractionsvictoria.com/ be-a-tourist RUGBY CANADA March 1, 2019

Rugby Canada presents AMERICAS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP featuring your team Canada! Catch all the action as the Canadian boys battle it out on the field against Argentina XV at Westhills stadum in Langford.

Seating capacity limited.

Tickets rugby.ca 2019 WEST SHORE LOBSTERFEST March 2, 2019 6:00 pm

Enjoy an evening out while supporting the Sarah Beckett Memorial Playground.

The Tom Morrissey Band will be back to provide musical entertainment throughout the evening.

There will be a silent auction, balloon pop, dessert auction & the popular Screech-In ceremony! Tickets* are now available online at www. westshorerotary.org or call 250-478-3357

VANCOUVER ISLAND PARENT CONFERENCE March 2, 2019 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Belmont Secondary School 3041 Langford Lake Rd. Langford “Change: It’s Here to Stay” will feature keynotes by Alyson Schafer and Ann Douglas. Come enjoy a day of connecting with other parents over important, of-the-moment issues. Learn useful tools and hear fresh perspectives from leading experts..

Information VIPC.ca EARLY SIGNS OF SPRING March 2, 2019 1–2:30 pm

Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park Free Join CRD Regional Parks naturalist on a walk down to the beach. Look for wildlife, plants and all things Spring.

Meet at the Witty’s Lagoon Nature Centre off Metchosin Rd. BALLET VICTORIA’S “CARMINA BURANA” March 5, 2019 7:30 - 9:30pm

Royal Theatre | 805 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1E5 Victoria

PAGE 22 ••• WESTSHORE FAMILY ••• Spring 2019

Tickets starting at $30.00 Carl Orff’s epic choral masterpiece with dramatic texts sung by the 140 voice choir of the Victoria Choral Society and played by musicians of the Victoria Symphony under the baton of Maestro Brian Wismath..

Ballet Victoria Phone250-380-6063 ROYAL BAY SECONDARY THEATRE PRESENTS: PETER AND THE STAR CATCHER

Don’t miss Royal Bay Secondary School’s latest theatre production, Peter and the Starcatcher is a whimsical tale that tells the story of how an orphaned boy becomes Peter Pan. This Tony Award winning play (that contains lots of music) promises to be an adventure for the young, young at heart, and those determined to never grow up.

Shows: March 6, 2019 - 7:00 pm March 7, 2019 - 7:00 pm March 8, 2019 - 7:00 pm March 9, 2019 - 2:00 pm

Call or go on website for Tickets are available at the Royal Bay School Office, 250-474-2377 http://royalbay.web.

sd62.bc.ca/departments/ teechamitsa-theatre/ JUAN DE FUCA SKATING CLUB PRESENTS “IMAGINE” SHOWS: March 9 , 2:00 & 7:00 pm March 10, 1:00 pm

Imagine is a 2hr professionally produced ice show at JDF Arena transformed into a theatre like setting. Experience spectacular lighting, sound, choreography, set and costume design. Come and let your imagination run wild!

Tickets on Sale at Main Reception Desk, JDF Rec Centre and JDFSC Members juandefucaskatingclub.ca SAFARI JEFF: INTO THE WILD! March 16 - 19 Daily 11:30 am & 2:30 pm

WestShore Town Centre Join Safari Jeff on his North American tour entitled Into the Wild, an exciting and educational live show, featuring rare and beautiful reptiles, full multimedia displays, original artwork, a new bamboo forest, and new high intensity stage lighting. We are thrilled to be welcoming Jeff and his

friends to Westshore Town Centre for daily shows over four days beginning Saturday, March 16!

SPECIAL QUIET SHOW – SAFARI JEFF: INTO THE WILD! March 17, 9:30am

Come join the Superheroes of Victoria at Ruth King Ementary school in the westshore on Saturday, April 15th from 11a.m. to 2p.m for a family friendly Easter egg hunt!

Join Safari Jeff on his North American tour entitled Into the Wild, an exciting and educational live show, featuring rare and beautiful reptiles, original artwork, a new bamboo forest, and new stage lighting.

This very special “quiet show” is specifically for children who are sensory sensitive.

SPRING CRAFT & GARAGE SALE Sunday March 24th

10 am - 2 p.m. Prince Edward Legion 761 Station Ave, Langford

A Passion for Skating Promotional Feature

by Juan de Fuca Skating Club The JDFSC was established in 1972 and maintains a passion for skating by encouraging skating instruction, practice, enjoyment and advancement of its members in all aspects of skating. Our coaches are qualified professionals who also have a passion and dedication to train skaters to help each skater achieve individual skating goals.

The club skates at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre for fall, winter and summer, and at Westhills arena for spring.

We offer the Nationally recognized learn to skate program “Canskate” as well as Canpowerskate for hockey players. Starskate programs for Pre-Junior, Junior, and Intermediate as well as competitive levels on our Senior session, along with a synchronized skating program.

We offer many fun activities and events throughout the year both on and off the ice which makes the JDFSC a great place to skate!

Juan de Fuca Skating Club in Colwood, B.C. proudly presents ‘Imagine…’

Imagine is a 2 hour professionally produced ice show at the JDF Arena which is transformed into a theatre like setting. Experience spectacular lighting, sound, choreography, set and costume design.

One of British Columbia’s and Victoria’s largest and best ice shows of the year which is suitable for all ages.

Imagine the British rock invasion of the 60’s, Under the Sea, or in New York City. Just some of the imaginative places we go. Come and let your imagination run wild!

It was in 2017 that the JDFSC had sold out performances to their last show “Skating in Colour”. This year is bigger and better as more special effect lighting has been added, a new 180 degree set design and a special on ice stage that will be used periodically throughout the show. Once again, we will be providing an amazing experience for the talented skaters of the JDFSC as all levels can have the opportunity to perform in this show.

We have a cast of over 160 skaters performing in this show and we are proud to say our club is the largest on Vancouver Island with close to 180 members!

Powerful Youth provides transformative youth leadership training, building the confidence, leadership skills and global perspective youth need to successfully lead change within themselves and their community Our program locations near Cambridge England as well as Victoria Canada Ages 12-14: Junior Leadership Academy Ages 15-18: Global Leadership Academy + Ph.D./MBA Designed + Youth Lead Projects + 60 Total Service Hours + Experience-based & Fun + 18+ Nationalities + 6 Months of Coaching + DREAM Projects

Transformative Youth Leadership Training Spaces Available for our June and July Leadership Academy Sessions Contact David Charron, Director of Impact dcharron@powerfulyouth.com

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