ParentsCanada magazine - Winter 2017

REAL TALK

REAL CHOICES REAL LIFE

WINTER 2017 $4.95

OUR

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FINDS THE 26 FOR FAMILY

STAY POSITIVE HELP FOR YOUR GLASS-HALF-EMPTY CHILD

SPOUSE or KIDS:

Who comes first?

COOKIES! 5

DELICIOUS RECIPES YOU HAVE TO TRY

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F L I P OVE R

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contents WINTER 2017

FIRST & LAST 4

53

EDITOR’S LETTER The ups and downs of winter.

TODDLER MELTDOWNS During a full-blown meltdown, what is happening inside a toddler’s head? We take a guess.

H E A LT H 14

THIS HAPPENED TO ME: STUCK IN THE ER You’ll need patience, snacks, a phone charger and...more patience.

T R AV E L 16

DISNEYLAND!

D E V E LO P I N G CHILDHOOD CHAPTERS 38

BABY Shame shame: The last thing new parents need is shaming from others.

40

TODDLER No problem: Find a new way to say “no”.

42

PRESCHOOL All is quiet: One girl’s experience with selective mutism.

43

SCHOOL-AGE Prognosis negative: Turn your glass-half-empty kid into a positive thinker.

45

TWEEN Page turner: Reluctant reader? Here’s how to raise a bookworm.

Notes from a first-timer.

U P FRONT PARENTING 5

TRENDING NOW...

Books to kill boredom, favourite things about winter and hosting duties.

7

ASK THE EXPERT Are cold sores caused by colds?

8

TOUCHY SUBJECT Who comes first, your partner or your kids?

10

TIME OUT eTalk’s Danielle Graham discusses her mom skills, plus must-buy fragrances.

12

HELP ME SARA What to do when jealousy rears its ugly head.

page

G IV IN G 22

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE We have 26 awesome gift ideas for everyone in the family.

E AT IN G 30

COOK ONCE/EAT TWICE Turn a butter chicken dinner into a delicious side dish the next day.

33

CHEW ON THIS The nutritional value of eggs and two new cookbooks.

34

PC COOKS: SMART COOKIES Five delicious recipes you’ll need this holiday season.

33

CAN I SERVE EGGS TO MY FAMILY EVERY DAY?

page

page

page

34

5 DELICIOUS RECIPES YOU HAVE TO TRY

10

ETALK’S DANIELLE GRAHAM TALKS PARENTHOOD

22

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY REAL TALK

REAL CHOICES REAL LIFE

WINTER 2017 $4.95

OUR

22

HOLIDAY

43

STAY POSITIVE

GIFT GUIDE FINDS FOR THE 26 FAMILY

HELP FOR YOUR GLASS-HALF-EMPTY CHILD

8

SPOUSE or KIDS:

Who comes first?

34

COOKIES! 5 PC_COVER_WINTER_17_F.indd 1

Looking for a quick read? Check out the trivia along the bottom of every page, courtesy of The Bathroom Readers Series & All-time Great Canadian Quotations.

DELICIOUS RECIPES YOU HAVE TO TRY

!

F L I P OVE R

10/24/17 1:50 PM

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1

AND THE WINNER IS...

Amy Bielby Jane Bradley EDITOR

Amyb@ParentsCanada.com Angela Rotundo DIGITAL EDITOR Julie Van Rosendaal FOOD EDITOR

Catherine McKenny

ART DIRECTOR

S. Dale Vokey

CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR

GROUP VICE PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER

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Marla Shapiro, M.D.

FOUNDING EDITOR

Our Expert Contributors Contributors

FINDING CHILDCARE CAN BE STRESSFUL, SO WE DECIDED TO HELP OUT ONE LUCKY FAMILY.

Dr. Janine Flanagan, Sara Dimerman, Liz Bruckner, Astrid Van Den Broek, Bonnie Young, Rosie Schwartz, Shallon Cunningham, Heather Reynolds, Kristi York, Shandley McMurray

ParentsCanada.com

Christine T. Chambers, PhD., RPsych DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS AND PSYCHOLOGY & NEUROSCIENCE, IWK HEALTH CENTRE, HALIFAX

Pediatric-pain.com Dr. Nicky Cohen

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND SLEEP SPECIALIST

Kidsleep.ca Bev Deeth

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Longlivekids.ca Anaida Deti

Amy Bielby EDITOR

WE WERE THRILLED TO PARTNER WITH KIDS & COMPANY TO AWARD ONE LUCKY PARENT THE GIFT OF A FULL YEAR OF DAYCARE!

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editor’s letter

in this

ISSUE

FAMILY LIFE Who comes first?

In your life, who comes first? Your kids or your partner? Liz Bruckner and Astrid Van Den Broek debate on page 8.

Paging George Clooney! Stuck

in the emergency room with your kid?

Here are nine ways to make things easier.

Page 14

Smart cookies. Winter and holidays calls for cookies! Try our five delicious recipies. Page 34

Grab your passport Did you

happen to notice that if you turn this magazine over, you’ll see Kidcations? We have partnered with Sunwing this issue to bring you the latest and greatest in family travel. Bon voyage!

Flip the magazine over!

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! Survey responses are included in every issue, plus you’re automatically entered to win great prizes. Go to ParentsCanada.com/contests to see what you could win!

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Welcome, winter I admit it. I’ve never been a big fan of winter. I suppose if I didn’t have to commute to work or shovel snow, I might be a little more fond of the season. Plus, I have no coordination when it comes to winter sports, which leaves me yearning for summer baseball games.

But there is something I do enjoy about the winter – the coziness. During the spring, summer and fall, it seems like days are busier and there is less chance for downtime.

The winter weather, however, tends to bring people close with some quiet togetherness (unless, of course, your family is full of aspiring NHLers and you’re up at the crack of dawn every day).

For me, winter is the perfect time to cuddle up and watch movies I missed during the summer months. Or do some much-needed colouring catch-up with the kiddo. And, while I am not a baker by any means, I do tend to spend more time in the kitchen in the winter months.

My favourite thing to bake is Beligian cookies (some people call them empire cookies).

You know the ones I am talking about. They are basically shortbread and raspberry jam sandwiches, topped with icing and a cherry. They are delicious and ridiculously time consuming. I usually make them once a year, just during the holidays, and I am reminded of my grandmother every time.

My daughter gets very excited about helping me, just as I was always excited to help my grandma. And then she realizes that the process takes hours and the excitement fades (also, reminiscent of her mother). I’m eventually left in the kitchen alone, elbow-deep in flour, with my grandma’s hand-written recipe card in front of me. But it gives me a warm, cozy feeling when I finally bite into a cookie.

The lesson here is that cookies make everything better, even winter.

$4.95 WINTER 2017

REAL TALK

REAL CHOICE S

REAL LIFE

OUR

AY HOLID GUIDE T GIFFINDS THE 26 FOR FAMILY

Amy Bielby, Editor Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @amylynnbielby

STAY POSITIVE HELP FOR YOUR MPTY GLASS-HALF-E CHILD

SPOUSE or KIDS:

Who comes first?

COOKIES! 5 ER_17_F.indd

PC_COVER_WINT

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DELICIOUS RECIPES YOU HAVE TO TRY

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The sun shrinks five feet every hour.

No nonsense parenting ideas that really stick

P

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Winter is coming

IF YOUR CHILD WOULD RATHER BE INDOORS THAN OUT IN THE SNOW, HERE ARE SOME ACTIVITY BOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME.

WE ASKED OUR READERS:

What are the best and worst parts of winter?

The worst is getting your child all ready to go outside and THEN your kid decides it’s time to pee – even though you asked 500 times before you got their boots and gloves tucked perfectly into their snowsuit. The best part is making snow angels with my daughter.

– JESSICA

Ultimate Slime

By Alyssa Jagan Quarry Books, $16

Shutterstock.com/© Pavlova Mariia/©Romrodphoto/©Tancha

The guide to all things slime was written by popular instagram slimer @CraftySlimeCreator, who is a 16-year-old native of Toronto! In this book, she gives instructions on how to make all kinds of slime – crunchy, fluffy, avalanche, confetti, foam, you name it! There are 100 different slime recipes and projects to experiement with. You can add colours and mixins to put your own spin on slime.

And don’t worry; everything is safe, kid-friendly and borax-free.

Mom & Me: An Art Journal To Share

By Lacy Mucklow and Bethany Robertson Race Point Publishing, $17

61% yes 39% no

By Dana Simpson Andrews McMeel Publishing, $12

Together, mom and kid can explore their thoughts and feelings through art. Each page invites both parent and child to “draw what scares you,” for example. It really opens up the lines of communication, while being creative. Bethany Robertson’s artwork and lettering is paired with insightful prompts from art therapist Lacy Mucklow.

H O ST with the most!

DO YOU HOST A FAMILY MEAL OVER THE HOLIDAYS?

Rainy Day Unicorn Fun: A Phoebe and Her Unicorn Activity Book

Winter means plenty of holiday gatherings.

We asked our readers about their hosting preferences.

“The best part about hosting is you get to decide what OF READERS ASK time dinner GUESTS TO CONTRIBUTE happens and TO THE MEAL. set the menu.

Also, you can % put the kids to bed on time.”

61%

39

COOK THE WHOLE MEAL THEMSELVES.

Who wouldn’t want to spend a day with a unicorn? This book is filled with a variety of challenging crossword, wordsearch and sudoku puzzles – all featuring Phoebe and her unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. And even though the book is made for “rainy days”, we are sure the fun will translate to cold, snowy days, too.

“I like hosting because you don’t have to pack the whole family into the car and be somewhere at a certain time.”

-KARLA

-SUSAN

The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. Shaved eyebrows were the fad when she was painted.

“The worst part about hosting?

The chaos.

The dishes.

The guests never leave!

Just kidding.

But for real, the dishes!”

-CRYSTAL

“Hosting means you have to stay up until everyone is gone. You can’t suck out if you’re tired!”

-KENDRA

For me, it is laying in bed in the afternoon reading and watching the snow fall. That’s the best.

The worst is having to drive in the falling snow.

– ÉMILIE The best: skiing, snowshoeing and maple syrup popsicles. The worst is taking off all those wet cold clothes and getting your socks wet from the snow on the floor.

– KARLA The worst part is having to remove winter coats before putting the kids in their car seats.

The best part is watching them make snow angels.

– TOM The worst is getting all the kids dressed in their winter clothes and hearing the words, “I need to go pee.”

– KELSIE The best is that first snow that stays on the tree branches and looks so beautiful! Worst... fighting a child to wear all that winter clothing!

– ANDRA The best part is ski and snowshoe season. The worst part is cold cars on dark, cold winter mornings.

– KATHY

.com

5

UP FRONT PARENTING

Ask the expert

DR. JANINE FLANAGAN

COLD SORES: Are they actually caused by a cold?

Cold sores are tiny fluid-filled blisters that typically show up on the edge of the lip. In the first infection, other blisters/ulcers may occur inside the mouth on the tongue and gums.

Cold sores are common, occurring in 30 to 60 percent of children before the age of 10. In fact, 40 percent of children are born with the virus and lesions may not become visible until much later in life (Alberta Health and Wellness Disease Management Guidelines).

Despite their name, cold sores are not caused by a cold virus, but rather they are caused by the herpes type 1 virus, which spreads mostly through saliva or after contact with someone who has an active cold sore.

They can, however, also be spread via hands, utensils, lip balm, face towels, drinking glasses and other items.

For most, cold sores are just a nuisance and they go away on their own within seven to 10 days. After starting like a blister with some fluid inside, they rupture to reveal a red area, then dry up, crust and heal with no scarring.

Sometimes they can last longer and be painful especially if they are in the mouth. Treatment for pain is helpful to avoid dehydration.

Applying cold packs or zinc cream can promote healing. Other creams with docosanol (like Abreva) are available over-the-counter, Medical term for earwax: cerumen.

which may shorten the duration of the virus while also protecting others from getting the virus. Occasionally, oral prescription antiviral medications are prescribed to further shorten the outbreak especially if it is more widespread or painful.

There is no cure for cold sores. Once you contract the virus, the virus then remains dormant on the nerve in the area and can recur when triggered by a fever, illness, stress, fatigue, trauma, or even sun and wind exposure.

Using sunscreen balms in hot and/or windy environments can be helpful. Older children may describe a ‘tingling’ feeling foreshadowing the arrival of a cold sore. Starting an oral antiviral at this time may divert an outbreak.

If your child has a cold sore, remind them to avoid skin-to-skin contact and not to share personal items that can spread the virus.

Remind them to keep their hands clean and to not touch their mouth area with their hands as they can spread it to others via their hands or through objects. Touching or picking at their own cold sore is discouraged as it can cause a secondary infection, which may require additional medications.

Read more about children’s health at ParentsCanada.com/health

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UP FRONT PARENTING

Touchy Subject

WHO SHOULD YOU PUT FIRST:

your spouse or your kids?

FINDING THAT PERFECT BALANCE CAN BE TOUGH. SO WHO TAKES PRIORITY? LIZ BRUCKNER :: As a mother to three young boys, time and experience have taught me this: that loving my husband and giving our relationship top billing is the best way I can nurture my sons, meet their needs and ensure they grow up feeling secure, confident and loved. Let me explain.

Following the birth of my eldest son, it quickly became apparent that if we wanted to stay married while navigating the murky, exhausting, emotional waters of new parenthood, my husband and I would have to make our relationship a priority. It wasn’t easy to carve out time for each other, but with determination and a lot of late-night stroller walks, snuggling while the baby slept, and scheduled evenings out while family watched our boy, our relationship managed to survive and even thrive.

Many years and two additional fellas later, we’re still consumed with the logistics of running a household, juggling work and caring for our boys, but we’ve made a conscious decision to do all we can to put each other first.

Of course, that’s not to say we’ve perfected the marriage/child-rearing dance. It’s incredibly easy to get distracted – extracurricular activities for the boys monopolize so much of our time, as does playing chauffeur, maintaining the house, preparing meals, and serving as a homework quality-assurance checker – and shamefully, we often are. But when my husband and I notice that we’re barking at each other or starting to feel an emotional divide, we see that the kids react in kind. Our lack of dedication to making our relationship important translates into them running much lower on patience with each other, and has even lead them to question our family’s overall stability.

If we want our children to see what a happy, connected family looks like – and ultimately find a partner to one day replicate the same kind of love and respect we hope they’ll give and receive – it’s our responsibility to create that relationship reality.

Expert Advice

dinner,” I text my husband. “Maybe quarter bowl left?

Other stuff in fridge.”

That’s pretty much the nut of it – it’s not exactly Ward and June Cleaver around here. See, I made a family pot of pasta for dinner and didn’t quite make enough. And given that work schedules usually have me eating dinner solo with our two kids, well, Dad’s left to fridge forage for himself.

But that quarter bowl of pasta? That lonely, cold bowl is a metaphor for the balance of attention in my house. Honestly, it’s kids first. Dad’s left with sloppy seconds, whether it’s pushing his laundry aside to make sure their baseball uniforms are washed or having enough dinner or even mental energy at night to reconnect after the kids are in bed.

Of course it didn’t start out this way. I firmly planned, as much as a pregnant woman could plan, that our household would be a vision of equals. None of this no-dad-gets-left-behind business once our daughter, and three years later, our son, arrived. It’s not healthy role modelling, I decided. My role as a wife was as important as it was as a mother.

Except that my husband could dress himself. He could scramble a pan of eggs should we run short on dinner. He could toss in a load of t-shirts and Tide on his own. With pressures on both time and energy as a parent, I had to prioritize who in the family would receive these evaporating resources. The kids are still making their way in the world – I have to help feed them, clothe them and more. If that leaves me short on time and energy, I know my partner can feed and clothe himself with perfect competence.

Yet, I still don’t want it to be like this. As my kids get older, I’m hoping the scale rebalances as the physical duties somewhat subside. I do still hope for a household where the adults are paid as much attention as the children. So if you’ll excuse me, I have a bottle of wine ready to split with someone on the couch.

Heidi Greenfield, a family counsellor in Ontario, weighs in:

The importance of prioritizing your partner and staying connected to one another is critical for both partners’ emotional well-being and absolutely resonates within the family as a whole. However, there will be times when a child’s needs will have

8

kids

ASTRID VAN DEN BROEK :: “Spaghetti and meatballs for

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to take priority for both partners in a relationship.

Whether it is illness, an accident, mental health issues, school or friend problems, there will and should always be times in any relationship where kids need to come first.

If you set the standard there permanently, the marriage and the kids will suffer in the long run. So the answer is: it depends. The dial needs to be flexible.

Did this spark a conversation? Read more at ParentsCanada.com/touchysubject

A praying mantis can catch and eat a hummingbird.

Shutterstock.com/© NadezhDA222

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UP FRONT PARENTING

Time out

MAKES Scents Searching for that perfect gift? Well, look (or smell?) no further.

THAT’S WHAT

Said.

Tiffany & Co. Tiffany has released their first fragrance, a floral masterpiece that, of course, comes in the iconic Tiffany Blue Box. Available at Tiffany Boutique, Holt Renfrew, Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, $120 for 50 ml

DA N I E L L E GRAHAM As an anchor of CTV’s eTalk, Danielle Graham spends her days around celebrities, but the biggest star in her life is oneyear-old daughter Beatrix. › Best thing about working on an entertainment show:

The fact that every day is different at eTalk, and you never know what the next interview or assignment could be.

Signature by Shawn Mendes Your tween or teen will love this new unisex scent from Canadian singer/songwriter/heartthrob, Shawn Mendes. Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart, $60 for 50 ml

› The celebrity I still want to interview: Bette Midler. Beaches is my favourite movie of all time.

› My thoughts

on#askhermore: I feel like we at eTalk have always “asked more”.

Our focus is to ask smart and insightful questions. We are a show that regularly celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of women.

› My latest binge-watch: The Night Of

› Date night for us looks like:

Top right image: courtesy of CTV

We’re simple people. My husband and I love good food and great cocktails.

I will always choose a taco spot or my favourite Italian restaurant. He’ll typically choose a steak house. And we’ll inevitably end up talking about Beatrix (and how she’s The G.O.A.T) and spend the night looking at pictures of her on our phones.

› The beauty product I can’t

› Favourite country to visit: Thailand

› People would be surprised

to know that I: Can’t cartwheel.

I’m an excellent parallel parker. I hate wind of any kind (fans, open windows, air vents). I had never seen Star Wars until I met my husband six years ago.

› What I wish someone had told me about motherhood:

That breastfeeding can be really difficult and it’s not as “natural” as we’re led to believe. I had a very tough time with Beatrix. It was a painful experience for me both physically and emotionally.

live without: Tinted Moisturizer.

I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder.

› Words of wisdom for moms

› My morning drink/my

but it gets a little easier each day. And that holding your baby at the end of the day is the greatest feeling in the world.

evening drink: A.M.: Water, then

coffee. P.M.: Wine then water.

10

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going back to work after baby: That the first day is the hardest,

› The parenting task my

husband does better than I do:

Definitely not dressing her! He’s really good an anticipating when she might barf. And catching it when she does. It’s a skill unique to Randall (a.k.a “The Barf Whisperer”).

› My must-have baby

products: Cocoonababy Sleep Nest

and Keekaroo Peanut Changer. The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit was a game changer for sleeping through the night and I adore our Bugaboo Cameleon 3 stroller.

Artisan Blu by John Varvatos Refreshing and crisp, this limited edition men’s fragrance has citrus and woody notes. Read: smells great!

Available at Hudson’s Bay, Jean Coutu, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, $89 for 75 ml

ETALK AIRS WEEKNIGHTS AT 7 P.M. ET/ PT ON CTV AND THE CTV GO APP.

For more fun with famous parents go to ParentsCanada.com/ celebrities

The word hitchhike was coined in 1926.

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UP FRONT PARENTING

Help me Sara THROUGH THE AGES ❯ PRESCHOOL Preschoolers may be less likely to identify their emotions, even after you help to label the emotions. This doesn’t mean that there is no point in helping kids identify what they are feeling. In fact, you are helping them build their emotional vocabulary.

Does your child have trouble sharing you with others?

BY S A R A D I M E R M A N :: A mom recently shared her concerns about the way in which her seven-year-old daughter behaves when she or her husband divert their attention towards other children. An only child, she is used to being the centre of her parent’s universe and having the undivided attention of one or the other at all times. So, it stands to reason that the behaviours the mom described – pulling at her sleeve to get her attention or asking her parents if they like the other child more than her – are related to feelings of jealousy.

Although most parents worry about not giving their children enough attention, giving too much attention (which is more likely to happen when you have just one child) has its drawbacks too. This is amplified if the child is the first grandchild in the family. This only child, lucky to be showered with so much love and attention, learns to expect this all of the time. So, when she and her parents are in the company of others – particularly other children – the child is more likely to feel hurt or insecure about her parents paying attention to them.

First-borns (especially those who are three, four or more years older than the second-born) may feel greater effects of attention being diverted away from them because they have gotten used to being in the limelight and not sharing their parents with other children.

Over time, even a first-born who is more than a few years older than the second child, will accept their new normal, especially if her parents have helped her adjust – partly by acknowledging her jealousy as being normal.

The same rule – that of acknowledging the child’s feelings (rather than feeling you need to fix the problem), also applies to an only child who is envious of her parents paying attention to other children, even if they’re not siblings. So, if you’re out with your only child and notice that she’s particularly clingy or demanding when you’re giving another child praise or paying attention to a baby in the park, for example, try this: Divert your attention back to your child as soon as possible, get down to her level, look into her eyes and say something like “I can tell that when I paid attention to that baby you didn’t like it. Maybe you were feeling jealous that I stopped playing with you to talk to him. Its

Does your child get jealous when you give your attention to other kids?

Yes, all the time:

Once in a while:

Never:

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normal to feel that way because you are used to me giving you my full attention.” I would leave it at that for the moment since its typically difficult for young children to absorb too much at once.

Later that day, go back to talking about that moment in the park. You might say something like: “I want to talk to you a little bit more about what happened. I know you were feeling jealous, but I am sometimes going to give my attention to someone else. Let’s talk about other ways for you to behave when you’re feeling this way.” The idea is to get your child to problem solve and brainstorm solutions.

No suggestion should be minimized. So if she says, “You can ignore the baby in the park,” you could respond with, “Yes, that’s one idea, but it may be hard to ignore everyone around me when I’m with you. Can we come up with other ideas?” Ideally, you want to guide your child towards being able to share you with others, especially children who she feels in direct competition with. You might even want to let her know that if she pulls at you or behaves in a negative way when she wants your attention, that you will ignore her.

As a way of preparing her for sharing your attention when out in public, you may begin by practicing at home.

So, if you’re talking to your spouse and she’s demanding your attention, help her to wait her turn and distract herself for a while, interrupt respectfully and then wait for you for a specified period of time. These are all good ways to prepare her for life outside the home.

By doing this, you are also helping her cope with situations in which one adult will be sharing his or her attention with many children, including herself, such as in a classroom setting.

So, although it’s typical for children (especially only children) to want their parent’s full attention all the time, you can help them deal with their emotions by identifying, acknowledging and naming them and then come up with solutions that meet both of your needs.

Sara Dimerman is a psychologist, author and parenting expert in the Greater Toronto Area. Read more at helpmesara.com.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH YOUR CHILD’S JEALOUSY?

“I try to give them special oneon-one-time, but also explain that we can’t always have all the attention all of the time.”

–MARIE

“I reassure my child that I’m his mama and that he’s my number one dude. No one will take that away from him. I play with him for a little bit until he feels better and less resentful to another child.”

–DIANA

❯ SCHOOL AGED School aged children may be better able to transfer their understanding of how certain bodily sensations relate to certain feelings.

So, if you help your school aged children understand that they are feeling jealous when their body experiences certain internal changes, they may be better able to identify the feeling of jealousy the next time they have the same bodily sensations. ❯ TEENS Teens also benefit from having their feelings identified and acknowledged.

However, if they are not ready to hear what you are saying, they may react in a defensive manner. This is why identifying emotions is best done in a way that allows the child to negate what you are offering. So, it’s best to say “it looks like you may be feeling jealous” rather than “you’re feeling jealous.” Teens are also less likely to experience jealousy when you divert your attention away from them – in fact, they may welcome it.

For more on behaviour: ParentsCanada.com/ helpmesara

“I recently had my second child and my five-year-old was having trouble adjusting to sharing his mama. He was acting out a lot. We agreed that if he felt the baby was taking up too much time he could ask me for ‘Grayson time’ and as soon as I was done with the baby, we would do something just me and him, like a puzzle or craft. It really helped.”

–JACKIE

What is a “suriphobe”? Someone who is afraid of mice.

Shutterstock/©wavebreakmedia/©terng99/ ©Rosie Parsons

JEALOUS MUCH?

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3

A refillable water bottle and change to buy more water. As I mentioned previously, there are no vending machines selling healthy options, not anywhere, not ever.

Our last trip to emerge, my daughter made a game of timing me as I ran out to the car for more water. On the plus side, it gave me time to stretch and my daughter stayed hydrated. If you don’t drink water, before long, your body will feel like you’ve been on a long flight except all of the passengers are sick and when you land, you’ve only made it as far as the X-ray department.

THiS HAPPENED TO ME

4

A fully charged cell phone.This might be the most important reminder in case you can’t find a spare wall outlet behind the vending machine. This is your only contact with the outside world. This is your lifeline.

Have the kids and spouse you left behind send you pictures of things like your apple tree to remind you what season it was when you left the house. You will feel like you are in a prison cell receiving letters on Sunday but without the conjugal visits.

9 things to improve your waiting room experience

BY LIZ HASTINGS

Our first trip to the emergency room was after receiving a call from the school that our then-nine-year-old daughter had fallen doing a cartwheel and was complaining of a sore arm. I headed to the school to witness the first ever broken-arm-by-recesscartwheel. Three weeks after this cast was removed, we received a similar call. The same daughter had broken the same arm in a game of tag. It was Ellie, our middle daughter, now age nine, who got us thinking about how we could make these emergency room visits a little less stressful on everyone with just a few minutes of preparation.

Ellie had torn a ligament in her ankle but thought running a 10k for charity might offer some magical healing power. Instead, it landed us back at emerge. Here are nine things I wish I had considered prior to our hospital visits.

1

Snacks. Most parents are thinking about snacks 24/7 (or is that just me?), but in an emergency situation, it might slip our minds. Even if your emergency happens immediately after a meal, a healthy snack will come in handy. Protein bars, fruit and foods that aren’t emitting ripe odours are best. Having visited several emergency rooms with our three kids, I have yet to find a food item in any vending machine, kiosk or counter that won’t make you sicker. It’s all cinnamon buns, brownies and sugar-laden drinks.

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2

Clothes for all seasons. You might leave your house on a hot, summer day wearing shorts and tank tops, but when you emerge from emerge, it’s a different temperature. Layers are key. Throw a sweater in your bag for you and your child and a pair of socks if you are in bare feet. A pillow and a favourite book can go a long way. We spent a few hours in the first waiting room wearing sandals. A pair of socks to keep things a little cozier as the hours passed would have made things much more tolerable.

5

6

Games. This is one time a handheld device might be a welcome distraction for your child. A piece of paper and pen also makes it easy to play games like tic-tac-toe and hangman, plus you can use the space in between to jot down notes from the doctor.

7

Make sure it’s your most patient kid who needs the doctor. If it’s your other less patient kid(s) who are injured, ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Your calmest most adaptable child is the best guinea pig for your first emergency room experience. (OK, you might not have control over this one.)

8

Diapers. Even if your kids haven’t worn diapers for years, someone else in the waiting room might run out because they had no idea they would be in the waiting room for two weeks. Go ahead, be a hero.

9

Avoid reading magazines with pictures of green pastures and sunsets because you may never see either again. On one of our hospital visits, I started reading a recipe that required fresh strawberries. By the time we were discharged, it was raspberry season.

For more on hospital waiting, go to ParentsCanada.com/survivinghospitals

Amphibians see no colour; they perceive only black and white.

Shutterstock/ © A. and I. Kruk

I’m in the ER, but where’s George Clooney?

Unscented hand sanitizer. We all carry around salted caramel and ripe raspberry sanitizers, but strong scents can upset those around you or make a sick child even more nauseous. On our last trip, we had mint-scented sanitizer that was less offensive than the pumpkin spice flavour we had left in the car. You can even offer it to your chairmates to help diffuse the spread of unwelcome germs.

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TRAVEL

❯ B Y D A V I S B O D D E N (as told to Jane Bradley)

Finally I’m Davis and I’m 12 years old. I have wanted to visit a Disney park since I was small, and thanks to my Aunty Jane and the nice people at Disneyland, I have finally had my first adventure.

They say that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. It is! It began with my mom, my aunt and I flying to Los Angeles, California (LAX airport) and arriving mid-September to stay at the Disneyland Hotel, one of the three Disney properties. It was perfectly located so we could easily walk to the two parks that connect through Downtown Disney. At the hotel, we were welcomed by Goofy – that was cool.

I had a quick swim at the hotel with its many awesome slides and then we were off. We walked through Downtown Disney with all its shops, thousands of decorated pumpkins and every variety of restaurants before I saw what I had been waiting for… the big entry gates to both parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Which one first? Disneyland Park won out for our first day.

I have no interest in princesses, hugging Mickey (okay, maybe a little hug) or having my face painted.

I wanted the rides! All of them.

Disneyland Park took our whole day and we still wanted more, so we went back in the evening for their seasonal Mickey’s Halloween Party. It was a highlight for all of us. It’s a special nighttime event where Disneyland Park transforms into a spooktacular evening.

The Frightfully Fun parade with the headless horseman started the fun as he rode down Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. Everyone was dressed up as they visited trick-or-treat stations scattered throughout the park.

Halloween Screams, a supernatural firework display is all part of the adventure. At Disney, they call their staff “cast members”. Some of

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MY FIRST TRIP TO

them gave us the inside story about what goes into making Disneyland so Halloween perfect. It’s called “overdressing”, which means the decorations are layered for each particular season.

They are given two weeks to transform both parks into Halloween and then Christmas. It’s all done at night when the park is empty. They have special items you can buy for each season, such as ugly Christmas sweaters, which I couldn’t wait to buy for my mom.

Once Halloween is over, out comes 10,000 poinsettias, 150 Christmas trees and hundreds of thousands of lights. The Disney hotels are part of the fun with a life-size gingerbread house (200 pounds of gingerbread) that sits in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Day one was so perfect, I couldn’t imagine that day two would be as great, but it was. On day two we visited Disney’s California Adventure Park and concentrated on the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! ride. It was outstanding, and even better at night when they have a Monsters After Dark sequence – it’s the elevator ride that goes up and down. My stomach did well, my mom’s, not so much but that’s okay cause she’s old. My aunt wouldn’t go on, at all.

Both parks are so different.

What really surprised me was that the rides weren’t everything the way they are in other amusement parks. It was all the other things that blew me away. The decorations, the shops, the theme of Halloween everywhere.

So, here’s my take-away: Disneyland is mind-blowing. The attention to every detail, the smells (all good), the rides, the decorations, the music – such a great experience. I will remember it always.

DISNEYLAND

Davis's “Must Experience” Ride List: DI S N E Y L A N D PA R K ❯ Jungle Cruise ❯ Indiana Jones Adventure ❯ Pirates of the Caribbean ❯ Disneyland Railroad ❯ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ❯ Splash Mountain (you may get wet, sit at the back for less wetness) ❯ Haunted Mansion (at nighttime it’s extra spooky)

Mickey’s Frightfully Fun parade; Disneyland Park, California led by the Headless Horseman

❯ Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ❯ Star Wars Launch Bay ❯ Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters ❯ Matterhorn Bobsleds

DI S N E Y CA L I FO R N I A A DV E N T UR E PA R K : ❯ Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark (do this ride at night) ❯ It’s Tough To Be a Bug! (my aunt’s favourite, not really a ride, but a show)

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! Disneyland California Park

❯ Radiator Springs Racers (best ride and Cars Land is amazing) ❯ Grizzly River Run (be prepared to get wet) ❯ Toy Story Mania! (we all loved this ride) ❯ California Screamin’ (a roller coaster)

Main Street U.S.A., Mickey’s Halloween Party, Disneyland

DON’T GET THE DISNEYS CONFUSED! The Disneyland Resort in Southern California is in Anaheim California (about 40 minutes from LAX, Los Angeles' airport). It is the original Disney park. It boasts two theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Disneyland has three on-site resort properties. Disneyland Hotel (where we stayed), Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, which has just been renovated with hotel rooms that have thought of everything (yes, loads of plugs for your devices) and showers instead of bath tubs. All are attached to Downtown Disney and all are walking distance to the parks (no buses required).

Walt Disney World Resort is in Orlando Florida. It hosts four theme parks and is larger than Disneyland. In fact, the whole area of Disney World is the size of Ottawa.

It has more than 20 Disney Resort hotels, ranging from Value to Deluxe.

LINEUPS ❯ Use the new MaxPass app to schedule your rides or use the kiosks at the ride itself. It will print out when you can use your FastPass. We also lined up in the singles line. You don’t ride side-by-side but your wait time is a lot shorter.

FOR US CANADAINS please visit Disneyland.ca for everything Disney from a Canadian perspective.

Swallowing uses 25 muscles.

A WORLD OF FAMILY-FUN AT

When it comes to family vacations, few activities compare to zooming down waterslides and perfecting the cannonball in a massive pool. From toddlers to tweens to teens, every type of kid has a blast at a waterpark.

MEMORIES SPLASH PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Sunwing makes it easy for families to choose their ideal splash vacation with SplashWorld, a collection of family-friendly resorts that benefit from a waterpark located right on site or conveniently nearby. All you have to do is look for the SplashWorld logo when booking your vacation. If you’re not sure which resort has the right amount of splash for you and the family, we’ve helped narrow things down to some of our favourite SplashWorld resorts.

Splash Time at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Eco-friendly families looking for a stronger connection to nature will fall in love with Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

This Rainforest Alliance Certified resort has a sprawling aqua park and splash area with 29 crazy slides, a centrally-located poolside snack bar with tasty treats and three different areas for every size of family member to enjoy, from toddlers to tweens to adults.

The aqua park is incredible, but knowing that the resort has implemented numerous sustainable initiatives to protect the indigenous environment, makes all the fun more fulfilling. There is a water treatment plant, alternative energy sources and a “Plant a Tree” program. Additionally, no jungle or mangrove areas were uprooted during construction of the park – in fact, the few palm trees that were in the way were simply moved to another area. You’ll never feel so proud of yourself for having so much fun.

Slide City at MEMORIES SPLASH PUNTA CANA

If your family craves an adrenaline rush, Memories Splash Punta Cana boasts the largest on-site resort waterpark in the Caribbean. The Monster Waterslides section, for kids aged 10 years and up, features seven heart-pumping rides, all with their own unique personality. The Kamikaze offers breathtaking resort views before a gravity-defying 15-metre vertical drop, while the Roller Coaster has all the speedy twists and turns of a regular rollercoaster. The entire family can race down the Multi-Lane Chute for bragging rights, and the title of king or queen of Splash World.

The complex also has plenty of splash pads, spray grounds and pools. There is even a separate splash park for children aged two to eight, where the little ones won’t stop smiling as they twist through The Falls or zoom down the Ramp into a kids’ pool. The Snakes Waterslides provide great training grounds for future thrill-seekers.

Ride the Waves at JEWEL RUNAWAY BAY BEACH AND GOLF RESORT

Although it is home to Montego Bay’s largest waterpark with the requisite thrill rides for everyone, Jewel Runaway Bay Beach and Golf Resort adds some Jamaican laidback spice to the endless family fun. Nobody will feel left out, as toddlers splash around the zero-entry beach lagoon with gentle gushing geysers and tweens check out the multi-level slides in the splash zone, older kids and parents can psych themselves up for dizzying drops.

After an afternoon of high flying excitement, a float down the lazy river, framed with rock grottos and waterfalls, provides a relaxing reprieve for everybody to enjoy. The family can then reenergize with a snow cone dessert at the Pirate Ice Hut, before hopping back in the pool for a “Dive-In Movie”.

With rides and attractions suited for all ages and tastes, from playful toddlers to daredevil teens and parents looking for relaxation, the entire family is in for an unforgettable experience at these SplashWorld resorts.

PARENTING IS HARD WORK AND YOU DESERVE A REWARD!

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PARENTS CANADA

b

Gift Guide

GIFT GUIDE

Our top gift-giving ideas for the whole family, from A to Z.

a

c d

A Alphabet Zoo The Leapfrog Spin & Sing Alphabet Zoo lights up, plays songs, makes animal noises and spins. It’s basically hours of fun for any baby. 6–36 months AVAILABLE AT: Toys R Us, Amazon, Mastermind ❯$25 B Kamik Boots Provide some stylish warmth with these comfy boots for kids or moms! They are 100 percent waterproof and feature Thinsulate insulation. AVAILABLE AT: kamik.com ❯ $105–$160 C Cozmo This little bot has a big brain. His personality actually evolves the more he is played with, making him one of the more sophisticated robots out there. AVAILABLE AT: Best Buy ❯$250 D Maplelea Doll Maplelea is a distinctively Canadian play experience featuring a collection of 18” dolls with story journals and accessories that celebrate our country’s spirit and identity. AVAILABLE AT: maplelea.com ❯$7–$125 (accessories and dolls) E Energy Lights by Skechers You’ve never seen shoes like this! These classic high-tops feature colour-changing lights in the soles, and are rechargeable! AVAILABLE AT: Skechers, skechers.com ❯$85 F Fingerlings These sparkly little monkeys will steal your heart with their happy chatter and adorable eyes. They come to life with over 50 animations. 4+ AVAILABLE AT: Mastermind Toys ❯$25

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Drunk ants always fall over onto their right side.

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G Get a Grip Game on! All you have to do is complete drawing and sculpting challenges. Seems easy right? Here’s the catch: you can’t use your thumbs! Super fun for all ages. 8+ AVAILABLE AT: mass retailers ❯$25 H Hexbug Nitro Circus Capture It Kids can launch their stuntmen over the ramp, plus add special effects with the Nitro Circus app and record each awesome trick. 8+ AVAILABLE AT: HEXBUG.com and mass retailers ❯$39 I Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart by Leapfrog With eight scoops of ice cream and six toppings, little ones can take orders and then build cones in correct sequence. 2+ AVAILABLE AT: Toys R Us, Amazon, Mastermind Toys ❯$50 J Q and A a Day Journal Every date comes with a specific question to answer. After you fill it in for a year, start over! There is room for five year’s worth of answers, which allows you to look back and compare your responses. AVAILABLE AT: Indigo ❯$19 K Party Ball Bluetooth Karaoke Machine The speaker connects wirelessly to any Bluetooth compatible device, the disco ball lights up, and the party begins! Perfect for a family sing-off. (Bonus points if you throw in some dance moves.) 6+ AVAILABLE AT: Mastermind Toys, mastermindtoys.com ❯$60 Injured fingernails grow faster than uninjured ones.

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PARENTS CANADA

Gift Guide

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L L.O.L. Surprise Tots Inside every ball is a little doll – but you never know which one you will get! Plus, she might cry, change colour or come with fun accessories. Surprise! 6+ AVAILABLE AT: Toys R Us ❯ $10–$14 M Magic Scene Creator by Crayola Kids can turn still pictures into animated scenes by using special action cards. The kit comes with 70 cards, but kids must provide their own creativity. 3+ AVAILABLE AT: mass retailers ❯ $28 N Nintendo 2DS XL Lightweight, powerful and perfect for gamers of all ages, the 2DS XL is compatible with Nintendo 3DS and most Nintendo DS games. AVAILABLE AT: major retailers ❯$200 O Olympic Red Mittens These cozy Hudson’s Bay mittens have become a Canadian tradition.

A portion from each sale supports athletes through the Canadian Olympic Foundation. AVAILABLE AT: Hudson’s Bay ❯ $15 P Photo Books Choose from a variety of themes and select up to 300 photos to design a custom book. Smart autofill helps to create the perfect book of your memories. AVAILABLE AT: Walmart ❯$30+ Q Quilted Weekender Bag With an extra roomy interior, this bag is ideal for a frequent flyer. The removable strap can be used for shoulder or cross-body carrying. AVAILABLE AT: Indigo, indigo.ca ❯$60

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Virus means “poison” in Latin.

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R Reebok Floatride Run Ultraknit These lightweight runners feature a low-cut design for freedom of movement. They are ridiculously comfortable. AVAILABLE AT: Reebok.ca ❯$180 S Sphero Get interactive with your favourite characters. Spider-Man and Ultimate Lightning McQueen are the newest additions to the Sphero line of app-controlled toys. AVAILABLE AT: Best Buy ❯$200–$400 T TomTom Touch Cardio Fitness Tracker Track your heart rate, activity and sleep, and set goals to improve upon your fitness level. AVAILABLE AT: TomTom.com ❯$130 U Under Armour Golf Umbrella A true golfer won’t let a little rain get in the way, but it’s always nice to have a trustworthy umbrella on hand. AVAILABLE AT: UnderArmour.com ❯$45

PARENTS CANADA

Gift Guide

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y x z

w V VTech 4-in1 Stroll & Grow Tek Trike

This trike transforms through four stages: from the parent-controlled stroller mode, to training mode, to trike mode and, finally, drifting mode. It features an LED screen with kid-friendly content for each stage (like left and right directions and road safety). 9 months–6 years AVAILABLE AT: Toys R Us ❯ $150 W Who’s The Dude? Take charades to a new level. Each scene must be acted out – along with your blow-up, life-size Dude. Teens and adults will love this one. 12+ AVAILABLE AT: Toys R Us ❯ $30 X Xbox One S Gamers will love the visual depth of this system. With backwards compatibility, Xbox One S gives you more ways to play.

AVAILABLE AT: Microsoftstore.ca and electronics retailers ❯$300 Y Yvolution Neon Flash Scooter Along with the sharp performance handling and the lightweight frame, this scooter comes with motion-powered LED lights in the wheels. 5+ AVAILABLE AT: Toys R Us ❯ $130 Z Zoomer Enchanted Unicorn Who doesn’t want their very own unicorn? She moves on her own and has a light-up horn to share her feelings. When she’s hungry, her interactive apple will do the trick. 7+ AVAILABLE AT: Toys R Us ❯$120

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Take a guess: How many muscles are there in your ear? Answer: nine.

EATING ›

cook once /eat twice BUTTER CHICKEN

QUICK CHICK: butter chicken Who doesn’t love butter chicken? It comes together more quickly than you might think, making it perfect comfort food for a busy weeknight.

If you really want to streamline things, start with a deli roasted chicken; chop up the meat (discarding the skin) to use in the curry, and save the drumsticks for lunch the next day. If you don’t have these spices on your shelf, swap in a curry blend or paste. Quickly steamed green beans or broccolini make an easy side, and the leftovers can be stretched to serve atop baked potatoes. B Y J U L I E V A N R O S E N D A A L

If you like a chunkier butter chicken, swap canned diced or plum tomatoes for the crushed tomatoes. canola oil, for cooking 1 onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup chopped cilantro stems (optional) 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 tsp grated ginger 6–8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (or a deli roasted chicken) 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp garam masala 1/2 tsp turmeric (optional) salt, to taste 2 cups crushed or pureed tomatoes 1/4–1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream cilantro, for garnish Set a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and sauté the onion for 3–4 minutes, until soft. Add the cilantro, if you’re using it, the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute. Add the diced chicken and if you’re starting with raw chicken, cook until opaque. Add the chili powder, cumin, garam masala, turmeric and salt to taste.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and cream and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until slightly thickened and smooth. If it seems too thick, thin with a little water, tomato puree or cream.

Serve over steamed rice, topped with cilantro.

Serves 4.

P E R S E RVI NG : 241 calories, 11.3 g fat (4.7 g saturated fat, 4.4 g monounsaturated fat, 2.1 g polyunsaturated fat), 106 mg cholesterol, 10.7 g carbohydrate, 23 g protein, 3 g fibre.

eat twice!

BUTTER CHICKEN BAKED POTATOES Bake russet potatoes by scrubbing them, then rubbing with a mild vegetable oil, such as canola. Poke once or twice with a fork and place directly on the oven rack to roast for 45 minutes to an hour at 350˚F. (You can do this alongside something else in the oven.) Split and fill with warmed leftover butter chicken.

If you like, top with grated mozzarella cheese and/or torn fresh cilantro.

For more leftover ideas go to ParentsCanada.com/quickmeals

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The biggest turkey on record weighed 39 kilograms.

We soak to unleash the goodness of the grain

The new T-fal Multicook & Grains is the only multicooker that lets you soak and cook your healthy, high protein grains in one pot, and do it ten times faster.

It preserves more nutrients and offers the benefits of multiple different appliances; all in one single pot.

To learn more go to: www.t-fal.ca

@tfal.canada

@tfal_canada

EATING

Chew on This

ASK A DIETITIAN I keep hearing conflicting information about eggs. Should I be limiting the number of eggs I feed my children or are eggs actually a healthy choice?

The confusion over the downside of eating eggs is based on old scientific research about cholesterol from decades ago.

Shutterstock/ © Maria Shumova

ROSIE SCHWARTZ, REGISTERED DIETITIAN, RESPONDS:

Eggs are not only packed with nutrition, but they’re also convenient and economical, making them smart choices to include on a regular basis on your menu. The confusion about the downside of eating eggs is based on old scientific research about cholesterol from decades ago and is a misconception that simply won’t go away.

It’s key to keep in mind that nutritional science is an evolving science, meaning numerous studies together over time can lead to a change in thinking about the status of a food or a particular nutrient. That’s what has happened with eggs. The current consensus, for most people, is that eggs can be eaten on a daily basis. This includes eating the whole egg, not just the whites, as most of the egg’s nutrition is found in the yolk.

Eggs offer a bonanza of nutrients including protein and assorted vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, D, folate, B12, iron, zinc and choline. Protein is critical for your child’s growing body and muscle development while vitamin B12 and iron contribute to healthy red blood cells. Low iron levels can go hand in hand with learning difficulties and behavioural problems, while research is also pointing towards choline in playing a role in brain development for young children through to adolescence. (A side note if you’re pregnant: there’s even more research pointing to the importance of choline for the brain development of the fetus.)

There’s even more, though, on the learning and behaviour front. Omega-3 fat is a healthy fat that’s all too often in short supply in all our diets but for kids, the shortfall can impact attention spans. The expression, “You are what you eat” also holds up when it comes to chickens and the eggs they lay. For example, when chickens are given feed containing omega-3-rich flaxseed, the eggs they produce are higher in these fats.

If that’s not enough to persuade you to cook up eggs regularly, consider that kids who don’t eat a balanced breakfast are likely to learn less at school through the morning than those who aren’t hungry. And then there are the behavioural consequences. Have you heard the term “hangry”? It describes someone who is feeling aggressive and angry due to being hungry and having low blood sugar.

While eggs are an any-time-of-day food, because of their staying power, they’re an especially great way to start the day. If you’re rushed in the morning, keep hard boiled eggs in the fridge or leftover egg dishes that can be zapped in the microwave or served cold.

Rosie Schwartz is a Toronto-based consulting dietitian in private practice and author of The Enlightened Eater’s Whole Foods Guide (Viking Canada). Visit rosieschwartz.com for more.

CO O K B O O K

noo K

b y B O N N I E YO U N G

The Redpath Canadian Bake Book Redpath Sugar Ltd. Think of a sweet treat from your childhood – and The Redpath Canadian Bake Book will have you covered.

Whether it's a classic chocolate chip cookie or your mom's banana cream pie, or even your grannie's hot cross buns – you'll find them all here in clear, concise, easy-to-follow instructions. The photos in this book are lovely and inspire one to bust out the measuring cups and create something wonderful for the family to enjoy.

I stepped away from sweets of my past and tried something new: the Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake Cookies, which ended up being even better than you are imagining right now. The Orange Chiffon Cupcakes were light as air and made a fresh dessert after a big family Sunday dinner. And while Cinnamon-Raisin Bread and Tiramisu rounded out my official testing of this wonderful book, my husband keeps encouraging me to do more 'testing' everyday. You know, for research purposes.

The Simple Bites Kitchen

by Aimée Wimbush-Bourque This author, mom and seasoned cook writes a blog that is all about gathering around the family table on a daily basis – not just for special occasions. Every meal together is an opportunity to share wholesome foods and family stories. My family and I loved her simple, yet delicious, recipes – Skillet Zucchini-Chicken Parmesan and Mild Chicken and Chickpea Curry were easy to make and utterly delightful. Then there were some surprises: Fig, Rosemary and Pistachio Crisps are the perfect accompaniment to a cheese board (if they make it that far) and the Spiced Pear Jam with Bourbon makes an outstanding hostess gift (if you can stand to part with it).

This book is beautiful to look at, easy to use with clear and concise instructions, plus it encourages us all to get into the kitchen to celebrate the seasons by making meals for our families to enjoy. The Simple Bites Kitchen has found a permanent place on my cookbook shelf.

For more cookbook reviews go to ParentsCanada.com/cookbooks

What do grape juice and the blesbok antelope have in common? Same colour.

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EATING PC Cooks

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JU L IE VAN RO SENDAAL , FOOD ED I TOR

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SH ALLON C UNNING H AM

smart cookies

PUT YOUR OWN SPIN ON THE CLASSICS.

Cookies are the unofficial sweet of the holiday season – classics that might only emerge from your recipe box once a year. This collection of five simple, must-have recipes can be dressed up or down, flavoured and shaped as you like, providing a limitless variety of cookies you’ll feel confident baking for years to come.

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EATING

PC Cooks

CLASSIC GINGERBREAD COOKIES

Gingerbread is a holiday staple; to make chocolate gingerbread, swap cocoa for 1/3 cup of the flour, or add the grated zest of an orange to the butter-sugar mixture for orange gingerbread that will make your house smell divine.

To make hangable ornaments, cut a hole close to the top with the end of a straw just before baking, and loop a ribbon through afterward. These keep well, and are perfect for shipping.

1/4 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 cup dark molasses 1/3 cup cold water 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger 1/2 tsp allspice 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground cloves In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, molasses and water until smooth. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, salt and cloves.

Add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture, stirring by hand just until you have a soft dough. Divide the dough in half, shape each piece into a disc, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour or up to a few days, or freeze for up to 6 months.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece of dough at a time about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into your desired shapes and place on a parchment-lined sheet.

Bake for 12–15 minutes, until slightly deeper golden around the edges and set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough, re-rolling scraps just once to get as many cookies as possible. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

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CRANBERRYORANGE WHITE CHOCLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Soft, chewy drop cookies are always a hit, and are easy to make, especially with kids.

Chocolate chip is the most well-known, but think outside the bag: try cranberries, orange and white chocolate for a festive-tasting combo without the need for decoration. Or make sticky toffee cookies with chopped dates and chunks of chocolate, or dark chocolate and orange, or white chocolate and a shake of sprinkles for cookies decorated from the inside out.

3/4 cup butter, at room temperature 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup sugar finely grated zest of an orange 1 large egg 2 tsp vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup chopped white chocolate or chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries Preheat oven to 350˚F. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugars and orange zest until pale and light. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Add the flour, baking soda and salt and stir or beat on low until almost combined; add the chocolate chunks and cranberries and stir just until blended.

Drop dough by the spoonful onto a parchment-lined sheet and bake for 12–14 minutes, or until golden around the edges but still soft in the middle.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

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BISCOTTI

Use this as a blank canvas to create your own biscotti; add grated lemon or orange zest, chopped nuts or chocolate, dried fruit like apricots, cranberries, cherries or figs, candied ginger, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom – anything goes! You can make longer biscotti by shaping a wide log, or smaller biscotti by dividing the dough into two smaller logs.

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 1 large egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until pale and light; beat in the egg. Add the flour, baking powder and salt (along with any additions you like) and stir until the dough comes together.

Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and with dampened hands (if it’s sticky), shape into a 12–14-inch-long log. Flatten until it’s 3–4 inches wide. Bake for 25–35 minutes, or until pale golden and set.

Reduce the oven temperature to 275°F and let the log cool.

Slice on a slight diagonal into 1/2-inch thick slices and return to the baking sheet, sitting them upright, spaced at least an inch apart. Return to the oven for 30 minutes, or until crisp, pale golden and dry. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen biscotti.

CHOCOLATE CRACKLE COOKIES

Rolling dark chocolate dough in icing sugar before baking allows them to decorate themselves as they spread and crack; these are divine as is, but you can make them chocolate-mint by swapping mint extract for the vanilla, or chocolate espresso by adding a spoonful of instant espresso powder. Or if you’re a fan of chocolate and orange, add the finely grated zest of an orange to the butter-sugar mixture.

1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cocoa 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt icing sugar, for rolling Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until light. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.

Add to the butter mixture and stir just until the dough comes together.

Place a few spoonfuls of icing sugar into a shallow dish. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and roll the balls in icing sugar to coat. Place them a couple inches apart on a parchmentlined sheet. Bake for 12–14 minutes, until just set around the edges but still soft in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

TRADITIONAL SHORTBREAD

Shortbread has limitless variations – try adding grated citrus zest, spices or fresh herbs, finely chopped nuts or chocolate, loose leaf tea, a scraped vanilla bean or maple extract. Play with the base dough by swapping brown sugar for white, or 1/4 cup cocoa for 1/4 cup of the flour.

The dough can be shaped into a log, chilled and sliced, patted into a pan and baked, then cut into wedges, rolled and cut into shapes, or rolled into 1-inch balls and flattened with a cookie stamp.

3/4 cup butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar pinch salt 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and salt with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, until pale and light. Add the flour and stir just until you have a soft dough.

Shape the dough into a log and chill, or roll and cut, or pat into two 8-inch cake pans.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350˚F. Slice or shape or roll and cut the dough, place on a parchment-lined sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until pale golden around the edges. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Makes about 2 dozen shortbread cookies.

Lubberwort is another word for junk food.

BABY ›

parent support

Shame, shame Let’s stop the shaming of new parents and offer some support.

Parent shaming. It’s a real thing and in many cases it begins right from the moment a baby is born. Heather Peters, mom of one from Maple Ridge, BC, says the mom shaming started prior to actually giving birth. “I was shamed for having a c-section. Mutiple times. I was shamed for breastfeeding. Multiple times.

Then I was shamed for bottle feeding. Multiple times. Then I was shamed for formula feeding.

Multiple times. I was also shamed for using a stroller, shamed for babywearing. I couldn’t win. I was shamed for introducing solids ‘too soon’, then shamed for waiting ‘too long’ to introduce solids. I was shamed for co-sleeping and bed sharing. Shamed for putting the baby in a crib/bassinet. Everyone had an opinion on everything.”

These negative comments and unsolicited opinions make the already difficult transition of becoming a mom or dad even more challenging for new parents. When innocent opinions turn into comparing parents to other parents or judging parenting styles, that’s when shaming begins. This creates unneeded stress on the newbies.

Jenelle Thiessen, a DONA trained Doula from Red Deer, says a mother’s hormones and body changes greatly after childbirth and when faced with judgements and comparisons it can cause a mother to begin to doubt herself, which can ultimately lead to feelings of frustration or even postpartum depression.

“Every new mom struggles with opinions and wanting to fit into the cliché good mom,” says Jenelle. “Postpartum depression is on the rise and it has a lot to do with mom guilt.”

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Nicole Kloss gave birth to her daughter in September, 2017. She says she has already had to face some judgements on her parenting choices. During her transition into motherhood, she found the best support is not in the form of an opinion but merely as a listening ear when she needs someone to talk to. “The best thing has been hearing stories and being able to bounce my ideas off of other moms,” says Nicole. “It is nice to hear from other moms that things are normal.”

New parents need others to relate to what they are going through in order to ensure that they aren’t alone. While most of parenting comes naturally, it is important to note that a lot of it is learned through trial and error.

So let’s stop the shaming. Instead, here are some ways you can help new parents: • Listen. Be quiet, and listen.

• Give them a break. Offer to come hold the baby for an hour while Mom has a relaxing bath or maybe a nap.

• Create a list of chores or errands that friends and family can help with. Email it around and have everyone take on a task.

Cook meals, walk the dog, mow the lawn – whatever gives new parents some time to relax.

• Give them some space. Sure, your intentions may be good, but you may not be needed to help 24 hours a day. Pop by, leave your frozen lasagna on the table, cuddle the baby and then hit the road.

Learn more about your baby at ParentsCanada.com/Baby

Each eye of a dragonfly has about 30,000 lenses.

Shutterstock/© michealjung

BY HEATHER REYNOLDS

TODDLER ›

discipline

No problem How to avoid overusing negative words with your toddler.

During her daughter Abby’s second year, Laurel Lavell felt like a Negative Nelly. “I found that I was saying ‘no’ to her all the time,” confides the mom of two from Waterloo, Ont. “I was trying to guide her behaviour and keep her safe, but it was becoming tiresome and irritating for both of us.”

Laurel was also concerned that constantly using the word “no” would make it lose its effectiveness. “I wanted to save ‘no’ for urgent and emphatic situations,” she says. “And I certainly didn’t want my daughter to start tuning me out at one year old!”

As a high school English teacher, Laurel decided to expand her vocabulary and employ a new strategy. “I realized I was relying on ‘no’ in every situation, so I started choosing more specific words,” she explains. If Abby approached the fireplace or stove, Laurel would firmly say “danger” and lead her away.

If Abby pulled on the necklace Laurel was wearing, she’d respond by saying “gentle” and guiding Abby’s hand to touch it softly instead.

Finding alternatives to “no” can be worth the effort, according to Dr. Sandra Wiebe, associate professor of psychology at the University of Alberta, and director of the Alberta Brain and Cognitive Development Lab. “Constant negativity is frustrating for both the parent and the child,” she says. “Parents may feel ineffective if the child doesn’t comply, and children may feel as if they are only receiving negative attention.”

A first step to cutting back on the need for “no” is to assess the home environment for potential safety risks. An age-appropriate play space that is free from hazards such as stairs, sharp corners and exposed electrical outlets

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helps keep toddlers safe and gives parents a break from having to verbally rein them in all the time.

In addition to choosing the right words, parents can also communicate more effectively through tone of voice. “Babies pick up on parental emotions through tone of voice and facial expression before they understand what the words mean, and this carries over into the toddler years,” explains Dr. Wiebe. This means that parents should pay attention not only to the words they’re saying, but how they say them. For example, saying the word “slowly” in a warning, measured tone will communicate the idea of proceeding with caution.

As with most behaviour strategies, positivity and praise are key components to help little ones learn to make good decisions. “Ultimately, parents want children to internalize their standards and regulate their own behaviour, even when mom or dad isn’t around,” says Dr. Wiebe. “A factor that seems to promote this process is a warm, positive relationship with the parent. One study found that toddlers who had more positive interactions with their mothers were better at complying with their mothers’ instructions not to play with some attractive toys, even when unsupervised.”

Cutting back on “no” isn’t about monitoring your toddler any less; it’s about using more meaningful words to direct her behaviour.

Laurel applied this tactic with Abby and was able to avoid the “tuning out” effect – hopefully for good, or at least until the teen years.

Learn more about your tot at ParentsCanada.com/toddler

Roughly 44 percent of junk mail goes unopened.

Shutterstock/© MIA Studio

BY KRISTI YORK

PRESCHOOL ›

mental health

GET TALKING Dr. Annie Simpson, registered psychologist, says there are ways parents can encourage more verbal interaction.

Is your child “so shy” that they won’t even speak? It may be selective mutism.

BY A MY B IEL BY

I remember taking my daughter to my first baseball game of the fall season.

Other kids were there, including four-year-old Natalie, daughter of my teammate, John Corbett. All the kids immediately began playing with each other, except Natalie, who did her own thing. I can recall John saying, “I wish Natalie would play with the other kids, but she is just so shy.”

Being shy around strangers is nothing out of the ordinary for kids.

However, when Natalie began junior kindergarten, John realized there might be more to it than just shyness.

“She didn’t say anything on the first day. Or the second. Or the third,” says John. “We just chalked it up to the fact that she was shy, and hadn’t been exposed to a classroom setting through preschool or daycare. She would eventually warm up, right?

After a couple of weeks, and then a month of not talking at school, we knew that something wasn’t right.

Keep in mind, when she was home, we couldn’t get her to stop talking.”

It turns out, Natalie was suffering from a childhood anxiety disorder

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called selective mutism. According to Dr. Annie Simpson, a registered psychologist and director at Cornerstone Child and Family Psychology Clinic in Vancouver, signs of selective mutism are commonly shown at the preschool age.

“This is often the age when they are taking their first ‘steps’ into the world – a music class, preschool or other situations where they are expected to talk,” says Dr. Simpson. “We think that children develop selective mutism from a combination of genetic vulnerability and how the world interacts with that child. Specifically, children with selective mutism may have genes that predispose them to an anxiety disorder, and they may be behaviourally inhibited.”

This doesn’t mean that every kid who shys away from a new friend is a selective mute. Dr. Simpson says to watch for these signs: • Your child speaks in certain settings but stops talking, either completely or almost completely, when other people are around even after they’ve warmed up to a new situation or person.

• Looks frozen or paralyzed (like a “deer in the headlights”) or even angry when asked questions by strangers or when she feels uncomfortable.

• Uses gestures like pointing, nodding or funny facial expressions to get her needs met despite knowing how to talk.

Natalie, thanks to a game of “telephone” at Sparks, discovered that whispering in the ear of a friend or teacher is a great option for her. John now tells all teachers, coaches and activity leaders that if they’d like to communicate with Natalie, ask for a whisper – she will oblige after she has earned their trust.

“Natalie doesn’t want to be like this, but she can’t help it,” says John.

“Imagine how scary it is for a child.

Every new encounter, new class, new teacher, new extra-curricular activity, new coach – she is scared to death of new people and new situations. It’s a helpless feeling for a parent.”

Learn more about mental health at ParentsCanada.com/mentalhealth

• Once your child is more comfortable, ask questions that require specific answers.

Stay away from questions that have a simple ‘yes or no’ answer because kids are likely to nod or shake their head instead of using their words.

• Give your child time to respond. Five seconds may seem like a long pause in a conversation, but your child may need that extra time.

• When your child answers, repeat their answer back. It lets them know they are being heard.

• Practise “brave-talking” skills like this daily, in different situations, with different people.

• Explore one-on-one behaviour therapy if things continue to be difficult. There are also therapeutic camps dedicated to helping kids with selective mutism.

• Visit selectivemutism.org for more information.

Hardest substance in your body: the enamel in your teeth.

Shutterstock/© Olha Odrinska

All is quiet

• Allow your child some time to warm up to new situations before asking them questions.

Teach others to do the same.

It’s really common to ask kids lots of questions when we first meet them: “What’s your name? How old are you? Do you want to play?” For a child with selective mutism, this can be overwhelming. Instead, comment on what your child is doing to connect with them without increasing anxiety.

For example: “I see you are drawing with the yellow marker.”

mindfulness

SCHOOL AGE

BE POSITIVE, LIVE LONGER Several studies have proven that negative thinkers live shorter, unhealthier, more stressful lives than their more joyful counterparts. They are more likely to develop chronic conditions like coronary heart disease, diabetes and depression. “Negative emotions provoke an assortment of physiological effects that can be deleterious to health in the long term,” says Charles Carver, Distinguished Professor of psychology at the University of Miami.

Positive thinkers, on the other hand, live longer, healthier lives. They boast lower blood pressure, better weight control and a decreased risk of certain diseases. “Optimists have a more favorable balance of positive to negative emotions,” says Charles. “[They] believe that things will work out well.”

As a result, they are better able to solve problems and deal with hardship and stress.

Prognosis negative

Ten ways to turn your pessimist into a positive thinker.

“What was the best part about school,” Diana Stanwell* asked her 10-year old son, Miles*.

“Nothing,” he grunted. “Come on,” she pushed, “there must be one good thing that happened.”

“I didn’t die,” he shrugged before chucking his backpack into the trunk.

As an optimist, Diana sometimes struggles with the fact that Miles sees his glass as half empty. He is at the top of his class academically, has loads of friends and shines on the baseball diamond, but his constant negativity concerns her.

Luckily, there’s a bright side for Debbie Downers. According to a study in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, genetics only account for 25 percent of a person’s risk of becoming a pessimist. That leaves kids like Miles with a 75 percent chance to break out of their funks. And researchers have found that we can re-train our brains to become more positive.

Here’s how: 1. Listen and validate. When bad things happen, validate your child’s negative feelings, says Vancouver Psychologist, Dr. Erika Penner. “These are normal and typical emotions. We don’t want to promote the idea that the only acceptable emotions are happiness or positivity,” she says.

The metal prong on a buckle is called the “chape”.

If your son sat alone at lunch, try saying, “I’m sorry you were lonely. Let’s try to figure out why that happened.”

2. Catch kids being good. Boost your child’s self-esteem by recognizing good behaviour. “[We tend to] pay more attention to kids when they’re behaving badly as opposed to when they are doing well,” Dr. Penner says. Congratulate good deeds so they can feel proud of their actions.

3. Go outside! Slow down and have everyone take notice of things they hear, see and touch when playing outdoors. Kids will become more in tune with their environment and reduce stress in the process.

4. Model balanced thinking. Children are awesome mimics. If you’re down on yourself, they’ll notice, Dr. Penner says. If you make a mountain out of a molehill, they will, too. Don’t be selfdeprecating around them; and the next time you burn dinner, stay calm and say something like, “I’m frustrated that dinner is ruined, but now we can order in from your favourite restaurant.”

5. Set achievable goals. Help your child set a specific and realistic goal. If she remembers to pack up her homework every night for a week, commend her for reaching her target.

6. Talk about your day. Set aside family time to share the best and worst parts of the day. “It’s important to have kids feel safe when talking to you,” says Dr. Penner. “Sharing emotions as a family allows you to celebrate mistakes and challenges in the same way you celebrate success.”

7. Focus on the positive. Have your child log a positive event or share something she’s grateful for. She can write it in a journal, tell you about it, draw a picture or record a voice memo.

8. Find a personal strength. Encourage your kid to practise positive self-talk by finding one of his strengths and thinking about how he can use it to make himself or someone else happy.

9. Pay it forward. “Our behaviour influences our feelings and thoughts,” says Dr. Penner. “Doing something good tends to make us feel and think better.” Pick flowers for an elderly neighbour or donate toys to a kid in need.

10. Meditate. Have your child sit in a quiet place and breathe slowly in through her nose and out through her mouth. Ask her to think about something that makes her feel happy. *Names have been changed Learn more about positive thinking ParentsCanada.com/mindfulness

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Shutterstock/© wavebreakmedia

BY SHANDLEY M CM URRAY

60% OF WOMEN WEAR THE WRONG SIZE PAD. 100% OF THEM CAN CHANGE THAT. Introducing Always My Fit™ - a range of pads for every shape and flow.

Look on the top of any Always pack to find your fit with My Fit.

© Procter & Gamble, 2017

TWEEN ›

reading

HOWEVER YOU SLEEP, YOU’RE PROTECTED.

Page turner

Reprogram your reluctant reader.

Shutterstock/© MJTH

BY K R I ST I YOR K

Harry Potter is too heavy. That was the opinion of Rochelle Hutton’s nine-year-old son Nolan when it was suggested that he start reading the series. Rochelle, an elementary school teacher in Waterloo, Ont., suspected that Nolan was not intimidated by J.K. Rowling’s story, but by the high page count and sheer thickness of each book. To ease the perceived burden, she downloaded the first few books to an e-reader.

“He embraced it right away because it was high-tech, and it meant that he didn’t have to hold or carry around a big, bulky book,” Rochelle says. “It also freed him from the worry of how many pages were still ahead of him.” Nolan quickly became hooked on the Harry Potter series and the movies, although Rochelle insisted he read each book before seeing its corresponding film.

This kind of outside-the-book thinking is effective in getting tweens engaged (or re-engaged) in reading. “To start with, follow their interests,” says Isabelle Hobbs, a teacher-librarian with the Durham District School Board in Brooklin, Ont. “If they like superheroes, suggest comic books or graphic novels. They may be drawn in by a humourous series like Captain Underpants. Perhaps they would prefer facts, such as the Guinness Book of World Records. If they have a limited attention span, try joke books or short stories.”

Another way to promote reader engagement is through the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading initiative. There are four main age categories, all named after trees – “Silver Birch” titles are intended for ages eight to 12. Every year, 10 Canadian books are

chosen for each of the three Silver Birch Award nomination lists: non-fiction, fiction, and express (specifically geared toward reluctant readers). Local and school libraries from across Canada can opt in and participate. Nominees are listed online and the books are tagged with a special sticker for easy identification on the shelves. The intent is for students to independently read as many nominated books as they can and cast a vote for their top choice. Some schools form reading clubs where students can gather to discuss the books.

“This year, we had almost 2,000 individual schools and libraries participating across Ontario,” says Isabelle, who is also the Forest of Reading co-chair. “Because students have a voice in deciding the winner, they become invested in their favourite books and authors.”

Isabelle advises parents of tweens to be open to a variety of genres as legitimate reading choices. “Books are great, but reading material comes in many forms,” she says. “Help them find something that appeals to them, whether it’s a traditional novel, a nonfiction guide, a graphic novel, a magazine or an article from an age-appropriate website.”

Despite his initial misgivings, Nolan finished the Harry Potter tales. Rochelle says he is happiest when he is working his way through a new book series. In her school library, Isabelle has witnessed the same phenomenon.

“A favourite series can be as comfortable as revisiting some old friends,” she says. “Give your child a chance to meet those friends.”

Encourage a love of books.

Learn more at ParentsCanada.com/reading

Technically speaking, a female “dude” is known as a “dudine”.

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A 75% larger back* provides up to 10 hours of protection, so you can sleep through the night. *vs. Always Ultra Thin Regular with wings © Procter & Gamble, 2017

THIS IS WINTER LIVE IT OUTSIDE Whether you’re looking to plan the ultimate family getaway, or an unforgettable weekend with your closest friends, Blue Mountain provides the ideal setting for your winter escape.

DEALS ON WINTER PACKAGES AT BLUEMOUNTAIN.CA

Shutterstock.com/© Syda Productions

AboutTOwn

Compiled by Angela Rotundo

Ontario Science Centre 770 DON MILLS ROAD, TORONTO ontariosciencecentre.ca There’s a lot to see and do for all ages at the Ontario Science Centre! Celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial at their brand-new installation, Canada 150: Discovery Way.

abou wn

Don’t miss International Science Centre and Science Museum Day on November 10. Check out a variety of films playing at the IMAX Dome including A Beautiful Planet and Amazon Adventure! Kids will love getting hands-on with tons of exhibits. Ticket prices and exhibit dates vary.

Blue Mountain Resorts COLLINGWOOD, ONT. bluemountain.ca Whether you’re a skier or just want to enjoy the winter wonderland, a trip to Blue Mountain in Collingwood has lots to offer.

From October 10 to November 30, take part in

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Fallicious where families can shop, dine, stroll and play. Tour the village in a horse-drawn wagon during their Jingles & Joy festival from December 2 to January 6. This festival includes fireworks every Saturday night, music, family activities and even Santa!

for everyone. Enjoy productions such as Huff and Peter Pan. To get your family in the holiday spirit, be sure to see A Christmas Carol on stage December 7, or A Very Soulpepper Christmas on stage December 15. Online ticket sales end 90 minutes prior to performance.

Courtyard Marriott Niagara Falls

Canlan Sportsplex Mississauga

5950 VICTORIA AVENUE, NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. nfcourtyard.com This four-star hotel is just minutes from Niagara Falls, Clifton Hill and major Niagara Falls events, making it the ideal choice among Niagara Falls getaway destinations. Take part in the Winter Festival of Lights during their 35th season from November 18 to January 31. Courtyard by Marriott is one of the few family hotels in Niagara Falls who offer such complete and inexpensive Niagara Falls packages that let you explore the spectacles of the city during your family vacation.

MISSISSAUGA, ONT. canlansports.com/Mississauga FLASHFIT Kids camps are three-day camps designed to introduce fun sports and games that will create a base for lifelong enjoyment of physical activity and teamwork. Sports and activities vary each week of camp so that kids will participate and learn a variety of sports skills and stay motivated (and not bored!). Save $50 by registering for multiple Winter Break Camps.

Soulpepper Theatre TORONTO, ONT. soulpepper.ca Support from charitable donations allows Soulpepper to thrive and takes their work to new heights. This season there’s something

characters. Their public skates are open to skaters of all ages! Leave your sticks and pucks at home and enjoy a leisure skate. Session dates vary.

Black Creek Pioneer Village 1000 MURRAY ROSS PARKWAY, TORONTO blackcreek.ca Take a step back in time to experience what it was like to live during Canada’s Confederation.

In addition to the regular attractions, like the heritage buildings, farm animals and hands-on discovery stations, Black Creek will be hosting Family Christmas Weekends, beginning November 18. Tap your toes and try Victorian dancing, visit the decorated homes and workshops, and enjoy a mincemeat tart with apple cider.

Tommy Thompson Park

Canlan Ice Sports Etobicoke

TORONTO tommythompsonpark.ca Get outside and get moving! This urban park is located on a man-made peninsula, known as the Leslie Street Spit, which extends five km into Lake Ontario and is over 500 hectares in size. There are hiking and nature trails to explore, and while they are not maintained

1120 MARTIN GROVE ROAD icesports.com Breakaway from boredom and unleash your child’s inner athlete by adding some excitement to their vacation at Canlan Ice Sports. For nearly 20 years, their camps have built great athletes, skilled players and strong

Beginner to Elite Level Hockey Training 20 Years of Hockey Training in the GTA Register at icesports.com/camps

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abou wn in the winter, they are great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Keep an eye on their calendar for bird walks, eco-health walks and family nature walks.

Niagara Falls Festival of Lights

Shutterstock.com/© Aleksei Potov

NIAGARA FALLS wfol.com From November 18 to January 31, enjoy the illumination festival featuring over two million lights. The displays include tributes to Canada, favourite characters and holiday scenes. The family will also be excited to see firework shows over the Falls (Friday nights and over the Christmas holidays). And, of course, you’ll want to walk along the Falls – during the winter months they become a glistening, magical (and somewhat slippery) sight. The Festival of Lights is free, but a donation is suggested.

Skating in Toronto NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE & HARBOURFRONT CENTRE toronto.ca and harbourfrontcentre.ca Want to get the whole family outside and active this winter? Then head downtown for free outdoor skating all winter long. There

are two rinks to choose from: Natrel Rink at Harbourfront Centre on the waterfront and Nathan Phillips Square in front of City Hall. You’ll find locker rooms, washrooms and rental equipment (in case you don’t have your own) at both locations. The ‘Toronto’

Fun #RealPeople #RealMoments #RealFun

sign at Nathan Phillips Square is perfect for the instagrammer who loves selfies and on Saturdays through February 18, Harbourfront’s Natrel Rink features DJ Skate Nights from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the family who loves to dance (and skate) the night away.

r e t n Wi rams! g o Pr Learn to Skate & Hockey Tips for Tots

We randomly asked some of our guests to share highlights of their Niagara Falls experience with us.

Check out their genuine responses and start planning your own family traditions in Niagara Falls this Winter.

We’re just footsteps from the fun: Niagara Falls, Winter Festival of Lights and major Niagara Falls Attractions. ® ®

NIAGARA FALLS

REGISTER TODAY icesports.com

Enter to win a ‘Day of Fun‘

Make room for a little fun.™

5950 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3L7 www.nfcourtyard.com/RandomActsOfFun

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abou wn Evergreen Brick Works

cirquedusoleil.com/volta Here’s a show the whole family will love!

The Cirque Du Soleil: VOLTA show tells a spellbinding story about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail.

Inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of action sports, the show weaves the adrenaline rush of acrobatics into a visually striking world driven by a stirring melodic score. VOLTA would make a great gift for the fun-seekers in your family. Tickets start at just $49. The show runs until November 26.

550 BAYVIEW AVE evergreen.ca Come and explore Winter Village, where there’s something fun happening every weekend at Evergreen Brick Works. Take the kids to play at the Children’s Garden (complete with art and nature lessons) or try a scavenger hunt. Then, stop for a bite to eat at the Street Food Market. You can also enjoy skating, hiking or biking through the Evergreen trails.

Winter Village hours are weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until February 28.

MARKETPLACE

Cirque Du Soleil: Volta

Toronto Marlies RICOH COLLESEUM, 45 MANITOBA DROVE, TORONTO marlies.ca Even if you’re not a hockey player, you’ll love sitting in the stands, cheering on the Marlies.

The regular season runs until April 15, so there is plenty of time to catch a game or two.

Family Fun Packs are available, which include tickets for the family, along with food vouchers for pizza or a hot dog and a soft drink. Ticket prices vary, but start as low as $10 per seat.

Suites are available for rent for birthdays and other special events.

AGES 5 - 12

OntarioScienceCentre.ca/Camp

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55 MILL STREET, DISTILLERY DISTRICT, TORONTO torontochristmasmarket.com Lose yourself in the whimsical holiday spirit as you stroll through the distillery district.

Get cozy by a roaring firepit as you sip mulled wine (or maybe hot chocolate for the kiddos).

Children can pop by to see Santa (pets are welcome to visit, too), sing carols and marvel at the giant Christmas tree and fantastic lights and decorations. Plus, you might be able to check off some items on your shopping list as you visit dozens of vendors and local shops.

The market is open from November 16 to December 23 (closed on Mondays). The Market is a non-for-profit, but there is a $6 entrance charge. The money rasied goes toward growing the festival and supporting various charities.

For more fun in the city go to ParentsCanada.com/Toronto

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Shutterstock.com/© XiXinXing

Toronto Christmas Market

QUALITY

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INNOVATION

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www.lagostina.ca

DESIGN

A M Y BI E LBY

COMIC Relief

TODDLER THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY MELTDOWN STORY: TODDLER “REALITY” VERSUS PARENT REALITY.

Sunsets are so beautiful.

I wanted to share the experience with my family – you know, have a special moment. But my mom told me there was no sunset.

Come on. I wasn’t born yesterday, Mom.

I am so confused! Do I sleep? Do I stay awake?

I feel so lost!

-EMMERSON, 2

-HEATHER, MOM OF COOPER

-COOPER, 3

The sun and the moon were both visible in the sky. Cooper’s life fell apart.

It was 4:30 in the afternoon.

-JEN, MOM OF EMMERSON

I don’t know if my mom was trying to embarrass me by not dressing me properly, but I looked ridiculous. I kept reminding her, “Arms! Arms!” and she did nothing to help.

There is another baby in my house trapped in a cage. No one will let him out. I am his only hope.

-ETHAN, 1

-GRACE, 1

Ethan could see his reflection in the oven window and thought it was another child.

Ponchos don’t have armholes. This concept is lost on toddlers.

-MELANIE, MOM OF GRACE

-JULIE, MOM OF ETHAN

When a stranger stole my mom’s bag, I will admit that I lost my temper.

I screamed: “That’s Mommy’s bag!” I’m very protective of my mother. © Shutterstock.com

-JAXEN, 2

Today I tried something new with my hair and I nailed it. I showed my mom how pretty I was, but she disagreed and ruined my hair.

Jealous, much?

-KAYDENCE, 2

No. I am not jealous of a kid who styles her hair by rubbing yogurt through it. She lost her mind when I washed it out.

-AMANDA, MOM OF KAYDENCE

My bag was being checked as we went through airport security.

-SYDNEY, MOM OF JAXEN

A misomaniac is someone who “hates everything”.

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