Island Parent Holiday 2023

HOLIDAY 2023

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years

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Inside:

EDUCATION GUIDE Approaching Expectations

Holiday

Gift Guide

Island Catholic Schools Catholic Education on Vancouver Island is a system rich in tradition and history dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Island Catholic Schools is a dynamic community of schools having a strong reputation for academic excellence, instilling Catholic values and building community. We are committed to educating the “whole” child in a Christ-centered community of learning.

St. Joseph’s

(Pre-K to Grade 7) 757 W Burnside Rd, Victoria 250-479-1232 https://stjosephschool.ca Email: sjv@cisdv.bc.ca Open House February 7. Please contact the school to book a tour.

St. Patrick’s School

(K to Grade 7) 2368 Trent St, Victoria 250-592-6713 https://stpatrickselem.ca/ Email: sp@cisdv.bc.ca Open House February 6 11am to 2pm and 3:30 to 6:30pm.

St. Andrew’s Regional High School

(Grade 8–12) 880 McKenzie Ave, Victoria 250-479-1414 https://standrewshigh.ca/ Email: sarhs@cisdv.bc.ca Open House February 1 beginning at 6pm.

Queen of Angels

(Pre-K to Grade 9) 2085 Maple Bay Rd, Duncan 250-746-5919 https://queenofangels.ca/ Email: qa@cisdv.bc.ca Kindergarten Open House December 14 at 5pm. Please contact the school to book a tour.

St. John Paul II

(Pre-K to Grade 7) 4006 8th Ave, Port Alberni 250-723-0637 https://stjp2school.ca/ Email: jp2@cisdv.bc.ca Please contact the school for a private tour.

Call today for registration information K to 12, Pre-school, Day Care, Out of School Care for September 2024 2

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250-727-6893 or visit cisdv.bc.ca

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Holiday 2023

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INTHISISSUE

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Holiday Gift Guide

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Expectations

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H O L I D AY 2 0 2 3

I Love Christmastime

Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@islandparent.ca Stacie Gaetz Editor editor@islandparent.ca

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New Year with Grace

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Remember This

Education Guide

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The Ways of Winter

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The GOAT & the HHGG

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Sharing with Food

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January Reset

Erika Palmer Associate Editor erika@islandparent.ca RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager raeleigh@islandparent.ca Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@islandparent.ca

Island Parent Magazine, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a bimonthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for Vancouver Island families. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Island Parent is distributed free in selected areas. Annual mail subscriptions (7 issues) are available for $21 (GST included). Canadian Publication Mail Product Sales Agreement 40051398.

ISSN 0838-5505.

For distribution inquiries, please email publisher@islandparent.ca

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Education Options

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Independent Schools

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518 Caselton Place Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 250 388 6905 A proud member of

Education Paths

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Homeschooling

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Redshirting

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PA R E NTI N G

Creating Magical Memories

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et’s sprinkle some magic into this busy holiday season and make it a memorable one for you and your family.

You need a secret recipe for not letting yourself get too stressed out and overwhelmed!

Presence trumps presents. Your kids crave your time more than any gift (even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time). So, have some holiday movie marathons, cookie baking extravaganzas, goofy dance-offs and snowman-building contests (okay, maybe it’s wishful thinking we’ll have a white Christmas on the island). These times are where the magic moments are made.

Play the prioritization game. It’s likely that not everything on your holiday to-do list needs to be done. Pick the traditions that truly make your family happy and focus on those. Simplicity is the key to surviving the holiday hustle without feeling like you’re going to scream.

Give yourself a giant dose of self-compassion. You’re not aiming for a perfect gingerbread house, you’re aiming for having a fun day baking and decorating with your kids. Take lots of breaks, sip that hot apple cider and remember, self-care isn’t a naughty word, it’s a must-do!

Don’t forget to embrace the messy moments! The crooked tree decorations and the not-so-perfectly wrapped gifts? Those are the pictures that make your family’s holiday album fun and memorable.

Learn that it’s okay to say no. You didn’t really want to watch your coworkers drink too much at the holiday party anyway, did you?! And you know you don’t want to stand in that cold line with your friends for an hour to save a few dollars at a special shopping event.

Involve your kids in holiday prep. Let them decorate the tree, wrap the presents or assist in the kitchen. They may make a mess, but memories will be made.

Say thank you! Gratitude is the magical ingredient for getting through busy times with ease. Count your blessings and try to learn to appreciate the chaos that comes with the holiday season.

Oh, and never forget about the spirit of giving! Teach your children the joy of sharing. Let them join in on spreading kindness—whether it’s donating toys or delivering cookies to neighbours.

Wishing you and your family a magical season filled with memorable moments!

A FEW HOURS A WEEK EQUALS

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N E E DTO KN OW

Festival of Trees One of Victoria’s favourite holiday events has been set up once again this year at the Bay Centre! Visit the Festival of Trees on the second and third floors of the Victoria Bay Centre during shopping hours between November 16 and January 3, 2024 to see over 70 festive trees uniquely decorated by local businesses and other organizations. Vote for your favourite tree and help support the BC Children’s Hospital to raise muchneeded funds for oncology research. thebaycentre.ca/events/ festival-of-trees

Open Mind Growing up can be tough, and it can be easy for your teens and young adults to feel lost in the crowd during the busy season. Open Mind BC offers resources to let your kids know they are not alone with what they are feeling and thinking, reduces the stigma of mental health issues. The website aims to reduce the stigma of mental health issues and provides information on local support services Have your children bookmark this site if they ever need guidance. openmindbc.ca/youth-young-adults

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Island Parent would like to welcome Stacie Gaetz to our family Stacie is the managing editor of Island Parent Magazine and the proud mama of a delightful daughter and silly son who fill her days with love and chaos.

She thoroughly enjoys supporting, connecting with and informing parents through interesting articles. Reach her at editor@islandparent.ca.

Snow Pass Is family skiing or snowboarding on the schedule for this season? If you have a child in Grade 4 or 5, they are eligible for a snow pass! With a one-time application fee of $29.99 plus tax your child can use their pass to ski or snowboard for free twice at every participating ski hill across Canada. Mount Washington is a participating resort, and you’ll find many others in BC and across Canada. Discover new ski hills, return to your favourites, make some fantastic family memories and save some money at the same time. snowpass.ca

VITALY: AN EVENING OF WONDERS

Mind-boggling illusions! Brace yourself for the unexpected!

“One of the most unique and innovative illusionists in the world”- Chicago Tribune

SATURDAY

DEC 9

7:00 PM

www.eveningofwonders.com

250-721-8480 | tickets.uvic.ca | IslandParent.ca

SUITABLE FOR AGES 8 AND UP

@UVicFarquhar Holiday 2023

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Gift of The Nutcracker Seeing a performance of The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for many families. Ballet Victoria is proud to present The Gift of the Nutcracker at the Royal Theatre from December 28 to December 30, 2023. The Victoria Symphony plays Tchaikovsky’s timeless score in this enchanting show. Get your tickets online and close out the holiday season with this fun performance appropriate for the entire family. balletvictoria.ca/the-gift-of-thenutcracker-2023

White Hatter The online world can be a scary place at times. The White Hatter is an organization of current and former law enforcement, technology specialists, mental health advocates and many more professionals who are creating content and providing workshops for parents on digital literacy and internet safety. Book a workshop, check out their podcast or take a read through the free information they have on their site so you can feel more empowered to protect your kids while they are online. thewhitehatter.ca

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Holiday 2023

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SHOP

Holiday Gift Guide

Melissa & Doug Play-Time Produce Set

LEGO 3-in-1 Exotic Pet

Toddlers love to help in the kitchen, and you can get them started with this awesome realistic produce set.

It even comes in its own crate so kids can pretend it came right from the farm!

LEGO has been a great gift for children—and adults—for decades now, and with the new 3-in-1 exotic pet line, your child can get creative and learn new things about these fantastic exotic animals.

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Barbie the Movie Doll

MINTiD Dog-E Robot Dog

Based on the super successful feature film, Barbie has made a movie version of their iconic doll. If the child, teen, (or even adult!) in your life was a fan of the movie, or simply loves Barbie, picking up this collectable doll is a must.

This interactive dog walks, sits, sings, dances and does so much more simply with your child’s command.

If your child wants a dog, or loves a companion who will dance and interact with them, this makes a great gift.

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Crayola Inspiration Art Case This portable art case provides anyone from young children, right up to adults, all the tools necessary to express their creativity with colours and art. Every kid needs this epic art kit in their collection.

Wild! Science My First Magic Science Show If your kid loves magic and science, this would be a terrific way to allow them to experiment in a safe, fun way. This kit comes with tons of magic ideas—all with the science behind them explained. Get ready for them to put on a fun show!

GeoSafari Jr My First Microscope

Hot Wheels Track Set

This sturdy STEM toy magnifies everything by 8x so your budding scientist can explore all the little things in their world. Perfect for toddlers and young school-age children.

Generations of children have had hours of fun with Hot Wheels, and your child can too with their Track Set. This set allows your child to use their imagination and creativity skills to build a fun track to race their Hot Wheels cars on.

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Taco vs Burrito

Lite-Brite

This popular game was created by a seven-year-old and is fun for the entire family! This strategic card game is a must-have for all children and their families. It’s easy to learn and fun to play.

Get your food fight on!

The ultimate classic art creator board is now bigger and brighter with an enhanced screen, even more pegs and four different light-up options! This gift is perfect for children, teens or adults, who like to be creative and make art.

Race to the Treasure!

Board Game Peaceable Kingdom creates fun, co-operative board games that families of all ages love playing together. Work together and strategize to beat the ogre as you race to the treasure in this fun board game.

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National Geographic Geodes Have your young scientist break open these geodes to reveal a variety of awesome crystals inside.

The kit comes with a detailed guide so your child can learn all about the crystals they’ve received. Kids of all ages will love the process of revealing and learning about their finds.

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Family traditions baked into gingerbread. Sweet!

See you in the lobby at the Hotel Grand Pacific, where celebrating with your family helps support ours.

Tap to donate and vote for your favourite.

New location! Hotel Grand Pacific Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s

Nov 25, 2023 - Jan 4, 2024

|

donate & vote for your favourite

habitatvictoria.com /gingerbread

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H E A LTH

Approaching Expectations I

am not a perfect mom. There, I said it. The truth is out there and I almost don’t care who knows this. I can’t keep the charade going anymore.

To be clear, no one has ever thought that I was a perfect mom. It is rather I have spent many years trying to be one. I have diligently read, listened and watched all the memes, podcasts and Instagram videos expounding the magic recipes to be the most Zen, organized, caring and supportive mom. I have done the classes, been to more counseling sessions than even I, an over-sharer by trade, cares to admit. I have attempted to do the working mom/super mom juggle for over a decade, trying to be at every one of my children’s gymnastic classes while earning enough money to pay for said classes.

The realization that I will never achieve the level of perfection that I was aiming for came to me like a ton of bricks the other day when I finally admitted to myself a couple of cold hard truths: my kids don’t read and they don’t play the piano.

I have failed as a mom. You can judge me if you want, because I sure do.

It is not that playing the piano is something all kids should do, I know that some parents feel that becoming a pro soccer player or exceeding expectations in all subjects at school is far more important for their child. For me, playing the piano has always been the symbol that I have successfully created welladjusted, incredibly talented, magnificent children. A sign that they have a mom who has driven them to weekly piano lessons and somehow found the time to encourage them to practice 30 minutes a day. Clearly, my children have not had that mom.

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Rather, they’ve had a mother who could barely find the time to play two milleseconds of piano a week herself, despite over a decade of lessons, let alone bribe her kids to practice. If the symbol of my success as a mother was to have my progenies play like Martha Argerich, then I have very clearly failed.

An even more devastating admission, at least for me, is that I haven’t even managed to pass on the wonders of reading to my children. Sure, when they were young, I used to spend hours reading a gazillion books a day, but as they grew older other seemingly urgent tasks took up that time. Solo-parenting and making lunches every darn school night, for example, or helping a child learn their multiplication facts while attempting to make a nutritious dinner and drink a much-needed full goblet of white wine, all after a very long day of work, has definitely taken precedence. There just hasn’t been the time, or the energy, if I am totally honest, to convince my recalcitrant children to read. Because the reality is that despite my best efforts in their early years, my children don’t appear to like reading. To make them read, I would have to pin them down, metaphorically of course, and take the time to follow every single word with them. I am too tired; watching TV has just seemed easier on most nights. So, despite all I know about the importance of reading, my kids don’t read and I can very easily believe that it is all my fault.

Recently, a wise person in my life, it was my therapist in case anyone is wondering, invited me to be kinder to myself. She questioned whether my perception that I had failed as a mother was more a reflection of the current state of our world than

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my own shortcomings. For a few lucid seconds, I agreed with her. If I look around, I see signs that my children are perhaps not the only human beings not to walk around with a book in hand. In fact, quite the opposite reality presents itself at every bus stop and coffee shop and, gasp, in every high school class.

It made me wonder who really guides my children these days.

Clearly, someone is influencing how they spend their time, but I don’t think it is my voice my kids are listening to. I am starting to realize that there is a much more powerful voice out there that has the mega-bucks and the time to advance its causes, something I have clearly not had.

That’s probably why parenting today feels like fighting against a tidal wave of other influences. Social media has made it very obvious that I am way less knowledgeable about most things than are all the influencers who, make no mistake, are more keen to sell their wares than help our children become good human beings. They are not telling or showing our children how cool reading is, even I have to admit that that would make for very boring videos and memes. Teaching our tweens to twerk to sexually explicit and misogynistic song lyrics is way more entertaining. Cell phones and video games with their bells, rewards and incentives, are all built to provoke a huge

upsurge of dopamine in our kids’ brains at levels that no book, piano scale or, for that matter, excellent math test result could ever match.

Perhaps my children’s unwillingness to grab a good book is not a reflection of my failure as a mom, but rather of our society in which billionaires are tirelessly trying to transform our youth into mindless consumers.

In being kinder to myself and recognizing the many influences that vie for our children’s attention today, I also need to be kinder to my children. I am realizing that I should focus on the fact my children are pretty darn okay despite not being voracious readers or concert-level pianists. Recognizing that my kids are very decent humans should help me accept that approaching my expectations as a parent rather than meeting them is perhaps a sign that I am doing a pretty good job after all.

Jeanne Petit-Humphries is a mom of three children, an educator and a writer. She is learning to embrace all aspects of her life from the (mostly) wonderfully good to the (occasionally) terribly ugly.

see me before

a t t u o I’m here!

last chance to visit rbcm.ca/sue SUE: The T. rex Experience was organized by the Field Museum and is part of the Griffin Dinosaur Experience, made possible by the generous support of the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund.

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PA R E NTI N G

I Love Christmastime!

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hristmastime! This is by far my favourite time of the year!

But let me be clear—it’s the Christmas season I love, not so much the actual day.

Like most Moms, I love to see the excitement on my daughter’s face as she opens her gifts, and our time as a small family on Christmas morning is great. But then before I know it, it’s time to get into the kitchen to start the madness that will be Christmas dinner. And that’s usually when the fun ends.

No matter how much I prepare, delegate or try to scale down Christmas dinner, it still makes for a stressful afternoon in the kitchen—and an even more stressful time once the extended family starts to arrive for dinner.

So, let’s get back to the part I do enjoy—the entire month leading up to Christmas, as well as the week after it. The activities around town, the celebrations put on by our school and friends, and even simply driving or walking around the city to see the creative yard displays our neighbours have come up with. I am one happy girl during the Christmas season!

We start pulling our Christmas decorations out of storage in

the last week or two of November and then it’s ON! We certainly won’t be putting our neighbours to shame with our yard decorations—a simple set of lights across the roof and around our door is enough for us. It’s the inside of the house where our magic happens. Our house may not be all that big but for six weeks of the year, it looks like a Christmas bomb went off.

Get back to your favourite activities.

Registration is open for City of Victoria winter recreation. victoria.ca/recreation

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But my favourite part of our décor is our Christmas village!

If it were up to me, the Christmas village would stay up all year. Unfortunately, my husband disagrees. What started as a few houses and figurines placed on a shelf has grown to take over almost half of our living room—with several tables in place to hold it as well as some wooden pieces added as levels.

It truly is a magical sight.

Our extended family is quite divided, mostly by distance, but also by varying levels of animosity over the years, so the extended family aspect of gathering for Christmas has always been a bit stressful. I even remember as a kid realizing there was a tense feeling around the Christmas Day celebration. So, when I had my daughter almost 10 years ago, I realized it was a fresh start to create some new traditions to make the day and entire season more memorable. I haven’t been as successful in altering the Christmas Day stress as I had hoped but we still have a lot of fun during the magical Christmas season.

So, I’m off to sit in our living room, otherwise known during December as our Christmas Wonderland, to enjoy the season with my family while I rest up for the craziness of Christmas Day. Our tree is filled with decorations from mine and my husband’s childhoods as well as fun and unique finds we’ve added over the years. The last decade has provided even more ornaments bought for my daughter’s first years as well as creations she has made at school and Christmas events. I’m surprised our tree hasn’t yet fallen down from all the weight of our décor.

Erika Palmer is a writer living in Victoria with her husband and daughter. She believes most problems can be solved with a good cup of tea and a huge piece of chocolate.

DEMOCRACY & ME Art Contest

Calling young artists!

The Democracy & Me Art Contest is now open to all children and youth in British Columbia.

Co-sponsored by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, the contest encourages K-12 students to create visual artwork that explores the importance of community and democracy.

Contest winners will receive a trip to Victoria and their work will be displayed in the Parliament Buildings.

Artwork must be submitted by January 31, 2024. Scan the QR code for contest details. Remember to get creative!

We acknowledge and respect the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, on whose traditional territories the Legislative Assembly stands.

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Deadline to apply January 31, 2024 Parliamentary Education Office 250-356-0823 artcontest@leg.bc.ca

leg.bc.ca artcontest@leg.bc.ca

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HOME

Starting the New Year with Grace

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his past summer as I rummaged through some papers (so many papers), I uncovered a beautiful journal that one of my students had gifted me. I flipped it open and saw that only the first few pages were written on. In January of 2020, my eyes bright and with a head full of confidence and dreams, I’d inscribed goals for the new year ahead.

Most of them were specific creative goals in writing and music.

Well, we all know what happened in 2020.

Three years later, as I stared at those carefully, naively written aspirations, knowing that paltry few of them had been reached or even started, I felt anger boiling up inside. But this rage wasn’t about the truly crappy circumstances of the past several years—I was livid with myself for dropping the ball in such a spectacular way.

I ripped those hopeful pages out and crumpled them into the recycling bin

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while my inner voice spewed a torrent of chastisement about how lazy, incapable and disorganized I was. To be honest, I kind of took myself aback with the strength of this diatribe. And no, it did not make me feel good.

I would never, ever use these words against someone else. Every day I dig deep to exercise patience (my husband calls me a saint) with my son and I strive to foster his confidence and positive growth mindset skills. Outside of home, I try to assume that other people are doing the very best they can in this world and cut them slack. So, why is it so hard to use this simple kindness with myself?

Possibly some of this can be attributed to my innate perfectionistic tendencies, but regardless of the cause, it needs to stop. It’s harmful. When we know better, we should try to do better. This applies in parenting and should also apply to ourselves.

Beating myself up after perceived “failures” is not helpful—in fact, it’s as counterproductive and damaging as it would be to apply this approach to any child.

True, I didn’t complete 95% of the creative goals I set out for myself, but I did do other things during this period with my time and energy. I poured my essence into doing my best to keep our family safe in a difficult time, and into the great “pivot” of figuring out how to educate children and continue my music teaching job meaningfully online.

Since the days of lockdown finished, I’ve continued homeschooling my son, because it turns out that this is the best fit for him. I continue to teach music and try my hardest every day to cultivate studio, home, and family atmospheres conducive to thriving.

Keeping all these balls in the air has come at a cost, which is my creative goals, but that is not a failure. It simply means my priorities shifted.

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Now that things are (relatively) settling, I find that I miss the spark of excitement that comes with working on creative endeavours. I want to thrive, too.

My current dilemma as the new year draws closer: I feel like having clear goals gives me a sense of direction, yet I don’t want to set myself up for “failing” again and fall into another self-deprecatory spiral.

So this time I’m going to go about this differently.

I’ve observed that instead of writing specific goals for the new year, some people write general intentions, and some even pare it down to a single word that encapsulates their desired area of focus and growth. My word for 2024 is “grace.”

Synonymous with kindness, opportunity and understanding, “grace” encapsulates the mind- and heart-set I want to cultivate for not only my son and others, but especially for myself—to give myself the grace in other areas of my life in order to create space and energy for more creativity. Also, to give myself permission to not always have to produce a tangible product. Small steps instead of lofty ambitions; understanding upfront that somedays I won’t take any steps or perhaps even take a few backward. And that’s okay.

I would be remiss if I didn’t include that grace also refers to gratitude, and I am immensely grateful that I have the choice to even be making these kinds of goals. It is a privilege that too many in our world do not have.

My wish for all of the parents out there is that, whatever your goals and intentions for 2024 may be, you can strive toward them with energy, support and also grace. You are worth it.

Kelly McQuillan is a writer, musician, teacher and fledgling mother living in Comox, BC. Writer: kellymcquillanwriter. weebly.com; Music Teacher: kellymcquillan.com.

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LE A R N

The Ways of Winter

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hen we first moved to Victoria from Ontario, my husband and I kept our winter shovel. The movers brought it into the house and jokingly asked “what is this?” before assuring us that we would never need it again. We laughed too, after all, Victoria is known for its cherry blossoms, gardens and balmy weather. But I’m pretty sure we’ve pulled out that snow shovel every single year. So, this year for winter, I decided to highlight some books that celebrate that fluffy stuff and the fun things you can do when the weather turns cold.

The first book, Snow Song by A.K. Riley and Dawn Lo (Kids Can Press, 2020), is a love poem about snow. The adorable pictures and evocative phrases work together to remind (or introduce) your children to the beauty of snow. The book captures the way it feels to watch snow swirl through the trees, blanket a frozen creek or create deep drifts that we have to waddle through as it chills our cheeks. For ages 4 to 7.

When you and your children have finished reading Snow Song, if you find yourselves wondering about snow and why it looks the way it does, you should check out The Story of

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Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson with illustrations by Nora Aoyagi (Chronicle Books, 2021). As you can guess from the title, this is a nonfiction book that delves into the science of snow. Cassino and Nelson discuss why snowflakes have six sides, and teach you all sorts of fun tidbits, like the fact that snowflakes can be twins and columns. This is an easy to read book, that gives detailed answers to different questions without being overwhelming. For ages 4 to 7.

Even if it doesn’t snow this winter, we can still have fun in the cold. But, as PK learns in The Hockey Skates by Karl Subban and illustrated by Maggie Zeng (HarperCollins, 2023), it might just take some patience. Now that hockey season has arrived, PK is so excited to lace up the brand new skates his parents promised him and zip around on the backyard rink. But there’s just one problem: every time the store sends him the skates in the mail, they are the wrong pair. By the time the rink is ready, PK wonders if he will ever get the right skates. For ages 4 to 7.

PK isn’t the only one who is ready to lace up and get out on the rink. Beaver, Moose, and Bear are also super excited

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for the cold weather in Hockey in the Wild by Nicholas Oldland (Kids Can Press, 2020), because they want to play hockey. But these three friends don’t have to wait for their skates to arrive, they have to wait for the water to freeze, and it takes forever. Follow along with these three friends as they impatiently wait for the ice to be safe enough to skate on. For ages 4 to 7.

Perhaps winter isn’t your kid’s thing. Maybe no matter how much you cajole or encourage them they are not going to find beauty in the cold snow, or entertainment on the ice.

Maybe they perpetually ask you when it will be spring. If that’s the case, then I recommend picking up Only the Trees Know by Jane Whittingham and illustrated by Cinyee Chiu (Kids Can Press, 2022). In this tale, a little rabbit is tired of winter. He wants to know when it will be spring. But, when he asks his parents, they just tell him it will happen eventually. Since that is not the answer he wants, he goes to ask his grandmama, because she is the wisest rabbit in the woods.

Grandmama rabbit tells him that spring will come but only the trees know when, so he should ask them. He tries that

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but they don’t seem to answer. Like several other books in this list, this delightfully illustrated book will help your child learn about being patient, hopeful, and noticing the world around you.

Regardless of whether or not we get snow this year, I hope you are all able to stay warm as the weather turns cold. Perhaps you can climb onto the couch together, or cozy up in their bed and read some stories about snow, skating and the soon-to-come spring.

Christina Van Starkenburg lives in Victoria with her husband, children and cat. She is the author of One Tiny Turtle: A Story You Can Colour and many articles.

To read more of her work and learn about her upcoming books visit christinavanstarkenburg.com.

Facebook: facebook.com/christinavanstarkenburg and Twitter: @Christina_VanS.

Holiday 2023

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E AT

Sharing with Food

G

ifts don’t always have to come wrapped up in plastic packaging with batteries and blinking lights.

And they don’t always have to come from a store. The best gifts are ones that children have helped make themselves; especially where teachers, Grandparents and neighbours are concerned.

Here are three recipes that are perfect for setting you up for the holiday season.

They can be made in advance and will last for several weeks without any issues.

That way you’ll have them ready for whenever you need a gift or something to serve at a party.

Giardiniera (Prep time: 20 min)

as canning, but Giardiniera is Italian-style pickled vegetables themselves. This isn’t the same that are traditionally quite spicy. I've taken out they'll last longer in the fridge.

2. Wash the vegetables. Slice them into the hot pepper for this family-friendly version. ized pieces. Pack them into the jars. serving-s the For a red, white, and green version replace to divide everything evenly between sure Make beans. carrot slices with green the jars. If you’re using two large jars put two bay leaves and two sprigs of thyme in each. If Half a cauliflower, separated into florets you’re using four smaller jars, make sure to put 2 sweet red peppers, thinly sliced half a clove of garlic in each. This is a perfect 2 carrots, thinly sliced job to do with your children. They can layer into bias the on sliced stalks, 2 celery the everything by colour or mix it all up. Get bite-sized pieces creative!

1 medium onion, thinly sliced 3. Mix the vinegar, water, salt and sugar half in 2 cloves of garlic, sliced medium-sized sauce pan. Bring to a boil a in leaves 4 bay and stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Using a 4 sprigs of fresh thyme funnel to help prevent spilling, divide the hot 2 cups apple cider vinegar liquid between the jars.

1 cup water 4. Top each jar with one to two tbsp of olive sugar 1 tbsp oil. Put on a metal screw-top lid and leave the 1 tbsp salt jars on the counter to cool.

4 tbsp olive oil 5. When the jars are cool, store in the fridge. the pickles age for at least one week beLet two fill to enough makes recipe 1. This fore serving. They’ll last for several months, quart-sized mason jars or four pint-sized jars. unopened in the fridge. Once you’ve opened Use traditional canning jars with new snap them, use up within a week. seal naturally will lids, because then the jars

Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her two busy children. You can find more of her recipes in her recently released cookbook Fermenting Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com 22

Island Parent Magazine

Herb Marinated Cheese (Prep time: 10 min)

Marinated cheese is a simple yet fancy dish. You can use any kind of cheese you want, even vegan cheese will work. It is also a fun project for young children. They can help cut soft cheese with a butter knife and fill the jars. Just make sure they’ve washed their hands before handling the cheese.

500g of cheese (feta, mozzarella, cheddar) 2 sprigs of fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, bay, oregano or basil) 1⁄2 cup olive oil, enough to cover 1. This recipe will fit two two-cup jars or four one-cup jars. Feel free to use reused jars as the lids won’t seal with this recipe.

2. Cut the cheese into bite sized cubes.

Place the sprigs of herbs in the jar, then fill the jars with cheese. Try to fit the cheese cubes in tightly, otherwise you’ll need a lot more olive oil. Pour over the olive oil. The cheese should be completely covered.

3. Cap the jar with a lid, then place it in the fridge. Let the cheese marinade for at least 24 hours before serving.

4. Marinated cheese will last for up to a month in the fridge.

IslandParent.ca

Pfeffernusse (Prep time: 15 min; Baking time: 15 min)

Pfeffernusse are deliciously spiced cookies that last really well without going stale. This recipe is the one that my mother made to give away to our neighbours every year. It’s a large batch that makes about 60 little cookies.

Dry Ingredients 1 cup of flour 1⁄4 tsp baking powder 1⁄8 tsp baking soda 1⁄8 tsp salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1⁄2 tsp ground cardamon 1⁄4 tsp ground cloves 1⁄4 tsp ground nutmeg 1⁄8 tsp black pepper Wet Ingredients 1⁄4 cup of butter 1⁄2 cup of sugar 3 tbsp molasses 1 egg 1⁄4 cup ground almonds 1 tsp lemon zest For Finishing 1⁄4 cup icing sugar 1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

2. Melt the butter in a medium-sized bowl in the microwave. Stir in the sugar and molasses. Beat the egg into the melted butter mixture, then add in the ground almond and lemon zest.

3. Mix the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. It will be quite a firm dough so knead it a few times until it is smooth.

Cover the dough and refrigerate for a few hours to blend the flavours.

4. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two baking sheets.

5. Either roll individual balls about two cm in diametre, or roll the dough into a long log and use a butter knife to slice off a cookie every two cm. Place the cookies on the baking sheet, about two cm apart.

6. Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, until lightly browned. Let them cool slightly then roll the still-warm cookies in icing sugar.

Learn a new sport or refine your skills: come join our rock climbing teams!

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Holiday 2023

23

PL AY

GREATER VICTORIA

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas Capriccio Vocal Ensemble presents The Night Before the Night Before Christmas ON the night before the night before Christmas (Saturday, December 23) at Christ Church Cathedral. Special guests Festive Brass will also make an appearance at this family friendly event. Get your tickets for this holiday musical-spectacular soon. capriccio.ca

COWICHAN VALLEY

Sweet Meadows Christmas Makers Market The Sweet Meadows Market in Mill Bay hopes to see you on Saturday, December 16 from 10am to 4pm. Shop with local artisans then take your kids on a Christmas storybook adventure through the market before you make a craft. And don’t forget to bring your camera since Santa will be available for pictures from noon until 4pm. facebook.com/SweetMeadowsFarms NANAIMO & AREA

Winter Wonderland Free Family Skate On Saturday, December 23 from 12pm to 1pm, plan on taking the family to the Winter Wonderland Free Family Skate at the Oceanside Place Arena in Parksville. Not only is it free admission but you can get your skate rentals for free thanks to the Parksville Lions and Save-On-Foods. rdn.bc.ca/skate-schedule

COMOX VALLEY

Breakfast with Santa Don’t miss out on having breakfast with Santa Claus himself on Sunday, December 17. Bring the family to the Crown Isle in Courtenay for a buffet breakfast specially made by Chef Dan Vogt then visit Santa in the ballroom for pictures and a chance to tell him what you would like for Christmas. crownisle.com/event/breakfast-with-santa

Need help with the Affordable Child Care Benefit?

Looking for child care? Taking care of children?

Need child care training?

Call your local CCRR for free referrals and resources.

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 Sooke: 250-642-5152 ext 239 West Shore: 250-940-4882 Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 PacificCare (Ladysmith North): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 gov.bc.ca/ChildCareResourceReferralCentres 24

Island Parent Magazine

Your community’s best source of child care information and resources.

Funding for the CCRR is provided by the province of B.C.

IslandParent.ca

PRESCHOOL&CHILDCARESPOTLIGHT Half Day Daycare 9:15–2:15 Mon–Fri

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4-year-olds: Mon/Wed/Fri 3-year-olds: Tues/Thurs For information visit:

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Half Day Daycare 9:15-2:15 Monday-Friday Families can register for: Monday-Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Tuesday and Thursday

Preschool 9:30-1:30 4-year-old Class Monday. Wednesday and Friday

3-year-old Tuesday and Thursday

For more information please visit our website: www.cloverdalechildcare.com register please email: cloverdale@shawbiz.ca

Licensed child care facility with spots available for children aged 3-5 years. Contact us to book a tour today!

Victoria Social Innovation Centre: 1004 North Park St

3427 Quadra St Victoria BC V8X 1G8

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director@littlephoenixchildcare.ca 778-269-2273

Ready Set Grow Preschool.....250-472-1530 Join our learning through play preschool located in Hillcrest Elem. Our caring ECEs offer an enriched Program for 3-4 hour, 2-5 days a week and help with kindergarten transition. heoscmanager@gmail.com

SEEDLINGS Forest Education

Where nature becomes the Teacher!

Seedlings Forest Education is a Nature based program that includes After School Care, Nature Preschool, Parent Workshops, Saturday Seedlings, Summer Camps and more!

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Thriving Roots Wilderness School Thriving Roots provides hands-on, wilderness education and counselling services for youth and adults.

Our year-long programs and summer camps are immersive in nature, fostering connection to land and community through earth-based skills, play, music and more.

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Nestled on 4 acres of lush west coast forest, our Award winning, Nature based program will not disappoint!

While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy our dedicated team of educators use the environment as the third teacher as we encourage your child throughout their day.

Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the trees from our forest. Come take a virtual tour on our website!

lexieslittlebears.ca Waitlist: 250-590-3603 BC Award of Excellence in Childcare & Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

IslandParent.ca

Holiday 2023

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PA R E NTI N G

Remember This

D

ear Little One: I wonder what you will remember about this time. What will become part of you and what won’t.

Which one of my precious memories will slip away as you become different versions of yourself over and over again.

I love this five-year-old version of you with soft skin that I stroke during our “Five-minute sleep with me” time before bed.

How you always say “too tight mommy” when I wrap my arm around your waist. I love the version of you who insists on putting jewels on your face the day after Halloween and asks if we can leave the pumpkins out “for just a little bit longer.” I love the version of you that runs amok trick-or-treating and says over and over “this is so much fun!” I love the version of you whose entire body jumps and whose smile cracks wide open when I tell you Nanna is coming. I love how you decide your doll, “Dancing Lucas,” is your brother one day, a dad another day and a classmate the next. I love hearing you talk about your big buddy and watching you pack the friendship bracelet and card you made for her. I loved seeing the shock on your face when I surprised you on hot lunch day.

I think back to what I remember at your age—walking to school with Meredith Clark. Fighting with Meredith over who could partner with Oliver Shumer when we were asked to walk two-by-two from our portable to the gym. Seeing my name above my coat hanger in the cloakroom and feeling like it was a secret spot just for me. I remember my teacher telling us we had to ask to go to the bathroom in French and teaching me “ou sont les ciseaux?” I remember sitting in circle time and singing the alphabet. But there is a lot I don’t remember—I don’t remember who picked me up from school, what I had for lunch, even what we did on the weekends. I only remember my lopsided smile and freckles because of my school photo.

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And sometimes I wonder, if that story about me naming the cat, the one I called “lover because I love her so much” is my own memory or one I made up from hearing the family lore so often. I do remember my mom rubbing my back when I was upset and making me eggs every morning. I remember my dad making roast and Yorkshire puddings on special occasions and fishing for compliments the whole time. But there are vast swaths of childhood that this version of myself hasn’t retained.

When I think back to kindergarten, my most vivid memories are about school and friends with surprisingly few memories of my parents. This is of course, a bit disconcerting from my current vantage point as a mom. What if you don’t remember our family outing in the snow to the Forestry Museum last Christmas? What if your memories of daddy-daughter Costco trips, where you pick out a bouquet of flowers for me, disappear?

What if you never remember the little fox vase beside your bed that I fill with gerbers. But also, what if you remember how I snapped at you for trying to “help me” by pulling out a flower by its head instead of the stem, crushing the petals as you tried to yank the brightest flower for yourself? What if you remember seeing me crying on the toilet during Covid or how I bad mouthed Nanna after she cut your bangs?

But of course, I can’t control what you keep as your memories, good or bad. I only have my own mom-memories to treasure: looking at you, not being you. As a parent, I try to create memories for you—taking you to see mall Santa, visiting your cousins overseas, stopping to see the full moon on the drive back from Grandpa’s. Memories, in many ways, are our legacy as parents—once you’ve grown up and left, you’ll be able to look back at the childhood we “created” with fondness.

But what if you don’t? What if, like me, you remember most vividly the parts of childhood that didn’t involve us? What if all those late nights making special lunches and hiding elves on the shelves melt away with the fallibleness that is remembering? Or what if you only remember my shameful parenting moments?

Then I remember, my job isn’t to give you good memories, although that would be really, really nice. My job is to make sure you’re okay. Make sure you learn how to navigate the world.

Watch me fall down and get back up. Know you are loved.

Know how to feel anger without hitting, feel sadness without hopelessness and be happy in a troubled world. Show kindness.

Develop empathy. Offer gloves to a friend when it’s cold out.

Despite my scattered memories, my parents made me feel safe in the world, they let me be myself and those things are no small feat. I’m sure they have their own memories of watching me grow up that I will never have. Instead, I’m sure they remember being a living, feeling human who did their best. After all, that’s all any of us can do.

Julia Mais is a policy and communications professional in Victoria. She looks for beauty in the everyday through writing, photography and the outdoors. She lives in a messy, cheese-filled home with her husband and preschooler.

IslandParent.ca

For some kids, mobility isn’t a given —it’s their biggest holiday wish For little explorers like Liam, a specialized stroller is more than a gift.

It’s a key that unlocks access to the world. Born with autism, Down syndrome, global development delay, and respiratory issues, Liam needs help to walk, run, and play.

Like most families, the cost of health care equipment can be a struggle.

But thanks to community support, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is able to be there for Liam and provide the specialized equipment he needs to enjoy movement and engage safely with the world.

Your contribution can be the turning point for children like Liam. Let’s come together and make a lasting impact.

Please make a holiday gift so every child can live their life to the fullest. Donate at island kidsfirst.com/ donate or scan here

IslandParent.ca

Holiday 2023

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H E A LTH

The GOAT & the HHGG

R

ecently, after learning that I have facilitated sexual health education classes for nearly two decades, a high school student asked me, “if you could choose to answer only one question for us [high school students], which question would you choose?” “Only one?” I clarified. “Yup, one. You know, the GOAT (greatest of all time) question?” While 99.9% of the questions that students ask are great, there is one question that is undisputedly the GOAT and it’s “how do I know if I am ready to have sex?” It’s not the frequency with which I am asked this question that makes it the GOAT, it’s the fact that within the answer lies other essential questions to explore.

So now you know what the GOAT question is, here’s a summary of the answer (and more questions!). A person knows that they are ready to share a sexual experience when their decision is made using the heart, head, gut and groin. The head, heart, gut and groin (HHGG) is a formula sexual health educators use with youth to explore the depth of sexual decision making.

The first H is for Head—this is where our youth hold the practical knowledge that they need to keep themselves safe, comfortable and healthy if they make the choice to share a sexual experience. Some of the questions they need to be able to answer: Does the relationship have a need for safer sex methods (ALWAYS!) and is it the type of sexual activity that requires

birth control? Do they know that most birth control methods are free in BC as of April 1, 2023? If so, where/how will they get these resources? Does everyone involved know how to use

the resources correctly? Do they know when and where to follow up after sex—if so, where can they access testing? Do they have a safe and respectful place to share this experience? Who

THE WEDDING YOU EXPECTED. THE GUEST LIST YOU DIDN’T. Call to learn more about discounts on school programs (250) 479-0211

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Island Parent Magazine

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vative t no

Jennifer Gibson, MA, is also known as “The Sex Lady”—for close to 20 years in Greater Victoria!—to the thousands of amazing youth and adults she is lucky to educate and learn with through her job as Coordinator of Community Education at Island Sexual Health.

She’s passionate about making sexuality education as positive, fun and non-cringe-able as possible.

IslandParent.ca

ne

in

g

At Home (OL) Province-Wide

local i

On Campus in Victoria

at re he

*I have intentionally used the pronoun they throughout this article with the thought that you can replace it with any pronoun that represents the youth in your life.

Through a balance of inquiry and structure, Oak and Orca offers inclusive, supportive, personalised K–12 education for a diversity of learners.

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are their trusted adults and/or community resources to connect with? Do they understand the details, process and laws of consent?

The second H is for Heart. The heart is where their values, beliefs and emotions are found. Some of the questions they need to be able to answer: How do they feel about the possibility of sharing such a personal experience? Does this choice align with their values and beliefs? Do they understand and accept each other’s religious, cultural, family and/ or personal beliefs about sexuality? How do they feel about their partner and what are their expectations about how this experience will shape the relationship? Can they speak confidently about their expectations of each other?

The first G is for Gut. The gut is where their instinct/ intuition resides. Their gut feelings are often the truest sense of whether this is a positive choice for them. If they can pay close attention, their gut will often give them a visceral clue about how they truly feel about a situation. Some of the questions they need to be able to answer: Does sharing a sexual relationship create feelings of excitement and energy?

Does it create feelings of fear and stress? Is there a mix of excitement and fear? Do they find themselves trying to talk themselves or their partner into or out of a choice?

And finally, the second G is for Groin. For anyone who has ever experienced sexual attraction, you’ll recognize its power which is anything but subtle! Attraction is also often very difficult to talk about in a comfortable, confident way.

This is especially true for our young folks with their emerging feelings. Some of the questions they need to be able to answer: Do these feelings take the lead in this decision-making process? Are there ways to share sexual attraction that will help it to be a respectful, pleasurable and safe experience? Do they know their own boundaries and are they ready to share them out loud with their partner long before the situation is going down in real time? Do they have a plan about how to check in with each other to ensure they don’t get caught up in the power of the groin?

Ultimately, it’s only when youth can answer the many questions that the head, the heart, the gut and the groin formula hold that they’ll be able to answer the GOAT question for themselves.

ver bor

visit skama.cya tod Holiday 2023

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LE A R N

January Reset

T

he New Year is a time to reset for many. While fitness, career and travel goals are on minds, there’s another reset that is guaranteed to happen and that’s your registered account contribution room.

These accounts are beneficial when saving for big goals like retirement and education because they each offer either tax-free or tax-sheltered growth. With the cost of living increasing and incomes lagging behind, Canadians are wise to take these advantages wherever possible.

As Canadians, we have access to several different registered accounts to help us pay less tax while we grow our wealth such as the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) and the brand new First Home Savings Account (FHSA).

Here’s a quick breakdown of how those resets occur: TFSA—each January all eligible Canadians will grow their contribution room by $7,000. This makes the total room $95,000 for those who were born prior to 1991. Any money withdrawn in a previous year can now be recontributed with this reset.

RESP—these accounts can receive up to $2,500 of contributions each year. If you have not reached this maximum in past years, you can still do that by contributing two years worth, up to $5,000, in any given year.

FHSA—these brand new accounts have only been offered since late last year. Once opened, you can add $8,000 per cal-

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Island Parent Magazine

endar year to a maximum of $40,000 in contritions over 15 years .

RRSP—while these contributions limits do reset each year, this won’t happen until you have received your Notice of Assessment, this is typically in the spring. However, each person’s limit is based on their income the previous year(s) and you can begin contributing in January for 2024.

In addition to the accounts mentioned above, the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for those who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is also resetting for new grants and bonds. RDSP accounts are tested on family income (2023). $106,717 and below can receive $3 in grants for every $1 contributed up to $500 of contributions and $2 in grants for every $1 contributed up to $1,000 of contributions. For family incomes above the threshold, the match is $1 for every $1 up to $1,000. These contributions grow tax deferred and are taxed in the hands of the beneficiary. Contributions can be made up to age 49.

Planning ahead and sticking to your strategy are the best ways to accomplish your long-term savings goals! Try to save 10% of your gross income each month and increase it 2% per year until you reach 20%.

Lindsay Plumb is an Accredited Financial Counsellor (Canada) and founder of Pretty Money Club, Black Is the New Red and MOOLA Financial Coaches & Advisors.

IslandParent.ca

The need for decent and affordable housing has never been greater. With rising rents and inflation, families are under more strain than ever before. Yet our goals remain the same – to give more families the opportunity to change their lives through affordable homeownership with Habitat.

Visit HabitatVictoria.com/Legacy to start planning for the future today.

IslandParent.ca

Holiday 2023

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G R A N D PA R E NTI N G

22 Activities to Do with the Grandkids

T

here is nothing quite like the bond between some children and their grandparents.

Grandparents are a world of wisdom, a safe space and usually a lot more fun than mom and dad.

However, the age gap can pose some challenges when trying to come up with ways to fill your time.

Whether you are planning a weekend together or just an afternoon, there are many ways your family’s generations can spend quality time with each other (and you can each learn a little something along the way!)

Around Town

1. Christmas/holiday markets. There are dozens of exciting holiday markets in the area and this activity has the added benefit of killing two birds with one stone. Get your shopping done and spend quality time with your grandkids. This is also a great opportunity to help your grandkids pick out a gift or two for mom and dad or each other.

2. Go to the theatre. If you want to introduce a new generation to live theatre, there is no better time to do it than the holidays. Kids will be mesmerized by the lights, colours and sounds of the performance and ask to go again.

3. Local attractions. The island is full of year-round attractions that kids love.

Check out Royal BC Museum, Victoria Butterfly Garden, The Museum at Campbell River, Victoria Bug Zoo, BC Aviation Museum or Hatley Castle.

4. Go to the movies. Get back to the basics and take in a flick. What’s better than a movie and popcorn with your favourite little people?

5. Play in an arcade. Arcades have come a long way but many still have retro games that grandparents may remember from when their kids were young. It’s not unusual to see Whack-a-Mole and PAC-MAN at today’s arcades or “gaming lounges” as they are sometimes called.

6. Hit the lanes. Lace up your bowling shoes and show those kids how it’s done.

Many young kids have never been bowl32

Island Parent Magazine

ing and who better to introduce them to the sport than their grandparents?

7. Go out to eat. Whether you dress in your best and visit a fine-dining establishment or roll to a drive through for some burgers, fries and ’shakes, go to a restaurant together. Kids are more likely to try new foods with people other than their parents so get ready to broaden their culinary horizons.

The Great Outdoors

8. Get moving. Take your grandkids for a walk, hike or bike ride. This can be around the block in your neighbourhood or through the forest, depending on your time and mobility. Getting out in the fresh air is a great way to spend time together.

9. Go ice skating. If it is cold enough to go skating outdoors, get out on the ice.

If not, go to a local recreation centre and glide the day away.

10. Picnics are not just for summer.

Bundle up and pack your basket with some of your favourite foods and treats.

(Don’t forget the hot chocolate!). Walk or drive to your favourite spot and dig in.

11. You can’t lose with playgrounds.

Watching your grandkids climb, run, jump and explore a local playground is a great way to spend an afternoon. Think of the smiles on their faces if you took a trip down the slide or climbed the rock wall.

12. If the snow has flown in your area, take the kids to your local toboggan hill. Whether you are brave enough to go down with them or just watch from the top, they will love showing you how fast they can go.

13. Hide and seek. This classic never gets old. In your backyard, a local park, on a walk around the neighbourhood, seeking and finding each other is fun for everyone.

14. Take in the magic of the season at outdoor holiday festivals like The Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens (December 1 to January 6) or Winter Lights Across Canada (December 8 to January 8).

15. Nothing keeps grandparents young like seeing the lights of the holiday season reflected in the joyful eyes of their grandkids.

At Home

16. Hit the deck. Grab a deck of cards and teach the kids a game you used to play. Children rarely play cards anymore and most love the games once they learn them. From bridge to war, they will go home wanting to teach their friends how to play.

17. Read with them. Depending on the age of your grandchild, you can read to them, or they can read to you. Share some of your favourite books from your childhood or when your kids were little.

Kids love to learn about what their parents were like when they were young and books can help jumpstart those conversations.

18. Video games. Pick up a controller and let your grandchild introduce you to the world of gaming. Or maybe you used to school your kids at early video games and can show the next generation a thing or two.

19. Board games never get old. There are hundreds of new ones on the market or you can stick with the tried-and-true classics like Snakes and Ladders, Checkers and Scrabble.

20. What’s better than spending quality time together and eating delicious food? Nothing! That’s why kids and their grandparents have been cookIslandParent.ca

GIVE THE GIFT OF MENTORSHIP ing and baking together for generations.

Pick up your cookbook and get cracking!

21. Colour. Dig out those pencil crayons, markers or crayons and grab a colouring book. Colouring is incredibly relaxing and fun to do together. It can also lead to some great conversations.

22. Learn together. Kids are inquisitive. They ask tons of questions and grandparents have the answers. Even if that answer is “I don’t know but here’s my experience with that…” Share your hobbies with your grandchildren. Teach them about the things that are important to you, and they will do the same. Take turns learning from each other. Tell them about your time overseas while they teach you the latest dance move.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what you do when you are with your grandchildren, what matters is that you are spending quality time together to create beautiful memories you will both cherish.

Stacie Gaetz is the managing editor of Island Parent Magazine and the proud mama of a delightful daughter and silly son who fill her days with love and chaos. She thoroughly enjoys supporting, connecting with and informing parents through interesting articles like this one. Reach her at editor@islandparent.ca.

IslandParent.ca

When you invest in the potential of youth, you never know who they might become because of you bbbsvictoria.com

emma.kirkland@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

(250) 475-1117

I am proud to continue my support of parents, families and youth in Oak BayGordon Head.

MLA Murray Rankin Oak Bay – Gordon Head Murray.Rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca

250-472-8528

Holiday 2023

33

Create a Lasting Legacy

A gift in your Will to UNHCR means your generosity can provide vital services and supplies to those who need it urgently, wherever an emergency strikes.

Children, women and men forced to flee their homes have made extraordinary efforts to survive. For as long as people are displaced, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, will continue to answer the call to support millions of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people—today, tomorrow and for years to come.

Leaving a gift in your Will is a meaningful way to help provide emergency assistance for the world’s most vulnerable refugees.

Contact Kudzai Riva, Director of Planned Giving, at rivak@unhcr.org or (416) 926-7974 to learn more about the impact of leaving a gift in your Will.

unhcr.ca/gifts-in-wills

For over 70 years, UNHCR has been dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of people forced to flee all over the world. With your help, we provide shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance. We help safeguard human rights by offering safety, documentation and access to education. And, we develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home and can build brighter futures.

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Island Parent Magazine

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Education Guide

Independent Schools Directory

Education Options Ready for Homeschooling?

Is Redshirting the Right Choice for Your Child?

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Holiday 2023

35

E DUC ATI O N

Education Options for Your Child K

ids between the ages of six and 16 who live in British Columbia must attend school. Kids don’t necessarily have to attend public schools, or even private schools, which are the two school systems most people think of first. As long as schooling follows the BC provincial curriculum, any type of schooling is accepted. So, what options do you have?

Private School

Private schools are another option that has been around for years that many parents think of when considering schooling. There are several different types of private schools available throughout the province, all with different focuses.

Private schools typically receive little to no government funding, so parents must pay for their children to attend. Just a Public School few of the many private school options Public school is the traditional type are religious schools, Montessori Schools, of schooling that most kids in the provboarding schools and single-gender ince attend. Public schools are available schools. A lot of parents feel these types in most communities across BC and of school fit with their values more than run from kindergarten right through to other types of schooling. Some private Grade 12. It is free for any child to attend schools are elementary only, high school as it is government funded. only or offer all grades.

Cl as se

s Be g i n

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an option that has become a lot more popular in the last decade or so. Homeschooling means that you are teaching your children at home, using your own methods and materials, as long as the BC curriculum is followed.

Many parents join up and teach all their children together, each handling different subjects. However, other parents prefer one-on-one styles with their own children. You will now find homeschool meetup groups, swim lessons and other options in most neighbourhoods as this type of schooling grows in popularity.

Homeschoolers typically must register with their local public school and can gain access to curriculum and possible funding to purchase teaching materials.

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Distance Education

Distance Education is offered through most school districts for little to no cost as it is typically part of the public school system. It is like homeschooling as students are given the curriculum, must go through the materials and learn it themselves. However, they will receive some online education from teachers and typically turn to online resources and educators to assess their work and ask questions. Support is available via online chats or email, and exams are typically completed in a central location or online via a supervisor. Distance education is offered for all levels of schooling, but it tends to be more popular with the middle or higher grades.

Nature & Forest-Based Schools This is another type of schooling that has become a lot more popular in the last few years. Many cities now offer at least one forest or nature school option for their young people to learn. The curriculum is taught all or at least mostly outdoors, using a hands-on nature-based

approach. Nature schools receive little to no government funding, so the parents must pay for this type of schooling, however many are co-op based and have lower fees if the parents are involved in the teaching process. The goal of most nature and forest schools is to give students time to connect with nature, explore their creativity and create meaningful connections with their communities. Nature-based preschools seem to be the most popular in most cities, however, you’ll find some schools that are elementary-based, and even ones that offer all levels of schooling.

Specialty Education

Some children with physical and/or learning limitations may benefit from specialty education programs offered in the community. Depending on the school district, some of these schools may be offered as a public-school option, however, many of these schools will rely on the parents to pay for all or some of their child’s education. Specialty education schools are usually offered for all levels of schooling, but depending on the learner’s needs, school may not be offered full time.

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Education Guide

Independent Schools Directory Artemis Place Secondary ArtsCalibre Academy

LOCATION

GRADES

PHONE

WEBSITE

Victoria

10–12

250-598-5183

artemisplace.org

Victoria K–12 250-382-3533 artscalibre.ca Imagine a School...where music, dance, theatre and visual arts are infused into all aspects of an outstanding curriculum. We did...and we created it!

Brookes Westshore

Victoria

4–2

250-929-0506

westshore.brookes.org

Christ Church Cathedral School

Victoria

K–8

250-383-5125

cathedralschool.ca

Discovery School

Victoria

4–12

250-595-7765

discoveryschool.ca

Victoria K–12 250-370-6821 mygns.ca Glenlyon Norfolk School An inclusive family-driven community whose members care about each other and the world around them.

Dedicated teachers and staff deliver the International Baccalaureate Program in a co-educational environment from Jr. Kindergarten to Gr 12.

Lakeview Christian School

Victoria

K–9

250-658-5082

lcsvictoria.ca

Lighthouse Christian Academy

Victoria

K–12

250-474-5311

lcawestshore.com

Maria Montessori Academy

Victoria

K–12

250-479-4746

mariamontessoriacademy.net

Victoria K–12 250-383-6619 oakandorca.ca Oak and Orca Bioregional School A compassionate, personalised, and flexible balance of inquiry and structure for home learners (province-wide OL) and in-person learners in Victoria. Inclusive special ed supports available.

Pacific Christian School

Victoria

K–12

250-479-4532

pacificchristian.ca

Victoria 9–12 778-433-3409 learningstorm.org Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry is an independent school that employs a unique inquiry-based method as a means of offering a personalized, interdisciplinary learning experience for those in grades 9 through 12.

Regent Christian Online Academy

Victoria

K–12

250-592-1759

rcoa.ca

Selkirk Montessori School Victoria K–8 250-384-3414 selkirkmontessori.ca Come see how Selkirk Montessori School puts contemporary best practices into action.

Alongside engaging staff, students are solving problems, building capacity and enjoy the work of learning.

St Andrew’s Regional High

Victoria

8–12

250-479-1414

cisdv.bc.ca

St Christopher’s Montessori Victoria K 250-595-3213 stcmontessori.ca Offering an enriched and nurturing Montessori program. Competitively priced independent school education.

Half day for 3 and 4 year olds. Full day kindergarten. Now receiving the new CCFRI. St Joseph’s Catholic

Victoria

K–7

250-479-1232

cisdv.bc.ca

St Margaret’s School Victoria K–12 250-479-7171 stmarg.ca Since 1908, St. Margaret’s School has been the spark to cultivate a spirit of independence, self-reliance and confidence in all of our students. SMS provides personalized learning designed to enable the girls who want to change the world in becoming the leaders who do.

St Michaels University School Victoria K–12 250-592-2411 smus.ca SMUS is an international day and boarding school known for its excellence in academics, arts, athletics and outdoor education, with a focus on character development and preparing students for life.

St Patrick’s School

Victoria

K–7

250-592-6713

cisdv.bc.ca

VI School of Innovation and Inquiry Victoria 6–8 250-883-1667 visii.ca Inquiry learning for Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 in a small centre where interdisciplinary questions engage all dimensions of a child’s life. admin@visii.ca.

Victoria School for Ideal Education

Victoria

K–8

250-383-6654

vsie.ca

West-Mont School

Victoria

K–12

250-474-2626

westmontschool.ca

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LOCATION

GRADES

PHONE

WEBSITE

Shawnigan Lake

Shawnigan Lake

8–12

250-743-5516

shawnigan.ca

St John’s Preparatory Academy

Shawnigan Lake

4–12

250-220-4888

stjohnsacademy.ca

Salt Spring Centre School

Salt Spring Island

K–7

250-537-9130

saltspringcentreschool.ca

Arrowsmith Independent School

Qualicum Beach

K–7

250-752-2722

arrowsmithlearning.ca

Haahuupayak School

Port Alberni

K–7

250-724-5542

haahuupayak.com

John Paul II Catholic School

Port Alberni

K–7

250-723-0637

cisdv.bc.ca

Discover Montessori School

Nanaimo

K–9

250-591-4450

public.dm-school.ca

Nanaimo Christian School

Nanaimo

K–12

250-754-4512

ncsnanaimo.com

The International High School @ VIU

Nanaimo

11–12

250-740-6317

viu.ca

Brentwood College

Mill Bay

8–12

250-743-5521

brentwood.bc.ca

Aspengrove School

Lantzville

K–12

250-390-2201

aspengroveschool.com

Stz’uminus Senior Secondary

Ladysmith

8–12

250-245-6650

stzuminus.com

Beachcombers Academy

Fanny Bay

K–7

778-427-4007

beachcombersschool.ca

Duncan Christian School

Duncan K–12 250-746-3654 duncanchristianschool.ca An interdenominational school educating students from preschool to Grade 12. Our school property includes an elementary campus (preschool–Grade 7) and a secondary campus (Grade 8–12).

The first steps in your child’s education. Building on Faith, Family and Community.

Noorunissa Montessori Academy Queen Margaret’s

Duncan

K–6

250-737-1119

intmontessori.ca

Duncan K–12 250-746-4185 qms.bc.ca QMS is an inclusive community where every student finds personal success. Nestled on 30 acres in the Cowichan Valley, QMS offers an exceptional education that encourages curiosity, bravery, kindness and for students to be true to themselves.

Queen of Angels School

Duncan

K–9

250-746-5919

cisdv.bc.ca

Sunrise Waldorf School Duncan K–8 250-743-7253 sunrisewaldorfschool.org With a strong emphasis on student well-being and genuine care, our mission is to educate and inspire students to reach their full potential through a rich and artistic Waldorf curriculum.

Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy

Comox

K–12

250-339-1200

gaglardiacademy.ca

Evergreen Independent School

Cobble Hill

K–7

250-743-2433

evergreenbc.net

SelfDesign Learning Foundation K–12 1-877-353-3374 selfdesign.org A technology-driven organization that supports learners of all ages and abilities in authoring their own lives and designing their own learning. We are a leader in K–12 programs and e-learning initiatives that foster personalized and life-long learning for thousands of learners each year.

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Education Guide

Should Your Children All Follow the Same Education Path?

D

eciding whether your children should take the same educational journey or follow different paths involves weighing various factors, each holding its own important advantages and considerations.

Of course, the idea of siblings attending the same educational institution presents a range of benefits and may seem to be the ultimate option. There’s a sense of familiarity and emotional support that comes with sharing the same school experience. Siblings understand the dynamics, share inside jokes and act as confidants for each other.

And there’s no denying that it’s also convenient for parents to have all their children attend the same school(s). Having siblings in the same school streamlines schedules and creates a sense of uniformity in family routines. Shared transportation, similar calendars and common extracurricular activities can make life significantly easier for everyone involved. Plus, your school, along with the other parents and the teachers, will likely start to feel very familiar and comfortable.

However, the need for having your children take individualized education paths may be too important to deny. Every child possesses unique strengths, weaknesses, interests—not

Soar at SMS.

Confident Learners.

Inspiring Leaders.

Creating a Thriving World.

Discover the magic of a girl-centred education in Victoria. stmarg.ca

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St. Christopher’s Montessori School

Now Receiving the New CCFRI

(Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative) Preschool $478.50/month | Kindergarten $376/month

Offering an enriched and nurturing Montessori program

Competitively priced independent school education Half day for 3 & 4 year olds Full day kindergarten

stcmontessori.ca to mention how learning needs differ between students.

Opting for different educational routes allows each child to explore and excel in an environment that suits their specific needs. One child might thrive in a larger, more diverse school setting, while another might find their niche in a specialized program or a smaller class setup. It’s also possible that the special education classes one of your children may need aren’t offered at the school your other children attend.

Another major consideration for providing different education paths is the avoidance of comparison. When siblings take different educational paths, it can help prevent the often unfair comparisons that can occur when children attend the same school. This is especially important if your children are very different and have different learning skills and interests.

Each child can develop their identity without the pressure of living up to their sibling’s achievements or experiences, fostering a healthier sense of self and individual growth.

The decision on which educational paths to send your children on must come down to understanding what suits each child best. Engaging in open discussions with them about their preferences, aspirations and concerns is crucial.

While shared experiences can create strong familial ties, individual paths offer the chance for self-exploration and tailored growth. Both scenarios have their merits, and the decision should revolve around what best serves the unique needs and aspirations of your children.

250-595-3213

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Education Guide

Is Your Family Ready for Homeschooling?

M

ore families than ever are homeschooling their children. So, you may also be thinking about taking this route. It’s a big decision that involves your entire family—not just the kids—and you should think about a few things before making your final decision.

First of all, think about your family setup. Do you have a space for learning and studying without distractions? And, more importantly, is everyone on board with this idea? It's not just about finding a spot for books; it’s about making sure everyone is willing to roll with the changes.

Then there’s the teaching part. You don’t need to be a certified teacher, but are you ready to plan lessons, research and guide your kids’ learning? Patience is key here, along with a knack for adapting when things don’t go as planned. You may be able to team up with other homeschoolers to trade off education plans or even share teaching duties, but you need to ensure you are all on the same page about learning objectives as well as values.

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Figure out your finances. Homeschooling can mean shuffling finances around. Are you okay with potentially losing an income to focus on staying home to teach your kids? There’s also the matter of buying learning materials and resources to think about.

What about the curriculum? Are you alright with choosing or even creating a curriculum that fits your family’s goals? You need to ensure you follow the BC curriculum in some way, but you have plenty of flexibility in how to teach it.

And the big social question: How will your kids make friends and learn those social skills? You'll need to find groups, clubs or community activities to fill that gap. Luckily a lot of neighbourhood recreation and community centres now offer daytime swim lessons and other activities to support home learners.

Don’t forget about your kids. Are they up for homeschooling? Some kids love the personalized attention, while others might miss the buzz of a traditional school. You really need to take the time to think about your kids and the environments they thrive in, as well as if they will take you seriously as their teacher.

So, before taking the plunge into homeschooling, think about your family dynamics, your teaching skills (or your willingness to learn), finances, curriculum, social opportunities, your kids’ readiness and your flexibility. It’s a big deal, but with some thought and prep, you'll figure out if your family is ready for this adventure!

Be curious. Be kind. Be brave. Be you. admissions@qms.bc.ca IslandParent.ca

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Education Guide

Is Redshirting the Right Choice for Your Child?

R

edshirting is the term commonly used when you delay your kindergarten child entry by one year. So, instead of having them enter kindergarten the year they turn five, they enter the year they turn six. In the Province of BC, kindergarten is a full-day program, so it can

Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

be too much for some young children to handle. Redshirting has become increasingly popular in North America over the past few years, and you may wonder if it’s the right choice for your child.

time. However, if your child is significantly lacking some important basic skills such as sharing, using words to express basic needs, the ability to follow simple directions or do simple things themselves, it may be worth considering giving them

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Island Parent Magazine

We know that deciding if your child is ready for kindergarten can be tough as registration occurs months before the start date, and as we have all seen, kids can learn and mature in short periods of

another year to practice these skills before they start kindergarten.

What Does Your Daycare or Preschool Suggest?

If you’re unsure if you should redshirt your child, it may be worth having a con-

versation with their current daycare provider or preschool teacher. They likely see a lot of children the same age and may be able to share their thoughts about your child being ready to start kindergarten.

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What Does Your Elementary School Suggest?

You may also want to talk to the administrators at the elementary school your child will be attending. They may have guidelines to consider or allow your child to be evaluated by staff to see what they suggest.

How Old Is Your Child?

Since children are allowed to start school the year they turn five, this can mean anyone with a birthday from January through to December can start. As we know, all kids develop at different rates, however, a child born in the beginning of January will have had longer to develop important skills than a child who is born at the end of December. Many parents who redshirt have children born later in the year.

Can You Afford to Delay Your Child?

Many families have two working parents, so paying for another year of daycare or preschool may simply not be an option for you. You may have no choice but to enroll your child in kindergarten the first year they are eligible.

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receiving more than an education

Preschool – Grade 12

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Christ centred, community focused education.

Uncovering God-given talents in everyone.

Is Your Child a Boy?

Integrating new educational technologies.

Research shows that boys typically benefit from redshirting more than girls.

Boys tend to show slower social development at this age and may have some trouble keeping up during kindergarten.

It is important to note that boys do catch up with the girls within a few short years, no matter when they start.

Giving back through service learning projects.

Serving a diverse student body with extensive support programs, academics, athletic teams, trades and hands on apprenticeships for those near graduation.

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Don’t Stress Too Much About It!

While there are advantages and disadvantages of redshirting, studies show that even if kids struggle in their first year or two of elementary school due to maturity or skill level, they often catch up and are at the same level as their peers by Grade 2 or 3. Make your decision based on what you feel is right for your family and everything should work out fine.

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sportsart art sports academics music music academics Get Connected!

sports art academics music Get Connected!

Learn more and stay informed Learn more and

These are just a few of the reasons you may want to join the DCS family

Preparing youth for life beyond the school doors . . .

CALL FOR A TOUR TODAY! 250.746.3654 495 Beech Avenue l Duncan, BC, V9L 3J8 office@duncanchristian.com

www.duncanchristianschool.ca

stay informed

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Get Connected!

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Education Guide

Connect with After-School Activities

D

oes your child have a hard time adjusting after school?

If so, they are not alone. Many children find it difficult to make the transition from the bustling environment of school to the often-quieter landscape of home.

Some kids seem to explode in a mess of feelings, frustration, and fights, while others appear to shut down and become mute other than to answer questions with almost-whispered oneword answers.

How can you help your children shake off this confusing and frustrating mixture of emotions after a long day?

Decompress

We all decompress in different ways. Some children will need a quiet activity to “come down” after the excitement of a loud, friend-filled day at school. Others need to move their bodies and get their energy out after sitting for most of the day.

Some will want to be alone, while others may want you to be near them but not berede them with questions about their day. An activity that can tick all these boxes is yoga or stretching. Searching for a yoga video on YouTube and acting out the moves allows kids to “reset” their bodies and minds.

Get moving

If a relaxing yoga session isn’t enough for your Energizer Bunny, try going for a walk with your child. If you didn’t walk home from school, now is the time to get those legs moving and increase your endorphins. This is proven to improve mood, decrease stress, improve self-esteem and may even give your immune system a boost (which we all need this time of year!).

If your kiddo still needs more, try some quick and revitalizing exercises like burpees or jumping jacks to get the blood flowing.

Eat together

I have never met a kid that isn’t famished after school. Making and eating a snack together can be a good way to slow down and relax after a big day. The process of coming up with ideas of what to eat and recipes of how to make it can be a fun way to bond.

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Island Parent Magazine

The silences that often occur while eating together can also encourage your child (or tween or teen) to open up about what went on during their day. Just remember to sit back and listen and resist the urge to blurt out the solutions to all their problems with a mouth full of banana bread.

Be silly

Sometimes we all just need to blow off some steam! Why not let your child choose what fun and silly thing they want to do with you every day after school.

A sing-along or dance party; tell jokes or ask each other ‘Would you rather?’ Play make believe with younger kids.

Dress up and put on a play for their older siblings or the other parent when they get home.

For some, the best way to unwind is to get their giggles out.

Connect

Whatever you decide to do, after school is a great time to connect with your kids.

Even if they want to be alone for a while to regroup, you can let them know that you will be downstairs if they need you.

If their room is their haven when they walk in the door, do something nice to surprise them. Pick up their favourite candy during your grocery run and leave it on their nightstand or choose some fresh flowers for their dresser.

If your children do tolerate your presence after they get home, try not to rush that time. We all have extracurriculars to get to and dinner to put on the table (and some days it will inevitably be complete chaos!) but when you can, take the time to truly be present with them after school. They have been away from you all day and a lot can happen in that time. Being there for them can encourage them to open up to you later.

At the end of the day (literally!), try to remember that transitioning from work to home life can be difficult for you too.

Consider having them take part in some of the activities that help you decompress like getting out in nature, reading or taking a bath.

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