Read books

If Brother and Sister Bear move from a cozy cave high up in the mountains to a big tree house in the heart of bear country then your kid can too. Books can be a great resource when preparing your young children for a big change in their lives. The written word and illustration have the ability to explain that unfamiliar things have rewards and benefits. Reading takes the pressure of a parent to come up with the ‘right’ words. Your biggest difficulty may be consoling the kid when they find out your new house isn’t in a tree.

Talk about it

Moving to a different home is not like getting a vaccination. This move will inject more change then an itchy red sore. Your conversations with them should reflect their developmental age. A school age child might be comforted in knowing that friendships can continue despite the distance. Get them scrapbooking about their big move and encourage them to email or even snail mail their buddies. My 3 year old thought that when we sold our house it included the contents. I could see her relief when she understood that CareBear would be in the moving truck with us.

Pack with Purpose

Start to pack early and methodically. Why start in the kid’s bedroom when you can start in the hallway closet? Children are comforted by their familiar surroundings. Sort toys ahead but wait until the last possible moment to put them in a box. Give your child a box to decorate and allow them to fill it with their most precious items. This box will travel in your car and be the first box unpacked in your new home.

Continue with Life

Preparing for a move can be time consuming. Just remember to make fun a priority. Take a break from wrapping glassware to dance in your uncluttered living room or get outside and play tag in the sunshine. Your kids will feel more secure if your routine remains consistent. Try to avoid excessive amounts of take out and instead focus on easy one pot or quick prep meals to fill your tummies. There will be plenty of time to sample take out from every restaurant within 5 km of your new postal code.

Whether you are upsizing or downsizing keep these simple tips in mind. So you can spend less time adjusting and more time enjoying your new home.

Stephanie Raposo

Muddle Blueberries and mint with lime juice and simple syrup.  Shake over ice.  Top with soda or sprite if you want it sweeter.  Garnish with extra blueberries.

Recipe created for UrbanMommies by Oru Restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.

Photo: Bopomo Pictures.

- Combine first three ingredients and bring to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Mix with cooked noodles of choice.
- Add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.

Original recipes by Chef Jordan Wagman, reprinted with permission from Sweetpea Baby Food and Organic Snacks.

1. Read to your child as soon as they can focus on a book in front of them.  Although they may not understand the finer points of the story, they are learning concepts of print:  how to hold a book, how to turn the pages, where to start a book.  As they grow older, they’ll begin to understand that the words on the page carry a message which is linked to the pictures in the book.

2.  Allow your child to turn the pages and touch the book – books with different textures or flaps they can open will increase their interest and allow for their need to move and explore.

3.  Expose your child to the cadences of language – read with expression and try different voices when characters are talking.  If you’re reading a rhyming book, let your child guess the word at the end of the line (ie. I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them, Sam I…..).  If there is repetition in the book, let your child recite the repeating lines (”Bang, bang, rattle, bang-bang, gonna make my noise all day!”).

4.  Do not limit reading to bedtime.  Seek out reading experiences in the real world – read signs and posters around the neighbourhood.  Children can recognize “stop” on a stop sign or the name of favourite restaurant.  Have them read cereal boxes, shopping lists, price tags and toy store flyers.  You may even want to make labels with your child for things around the house like “chair,” “window,” “fridge” etc.

5.  When your child is beginning to read simple books, let them use the picture to help make sense of the words on the page.  Many parents make the mistake of covering up the picture, but at this early stage, children need to use a variety of different strategies to figure out the text.

6.  Allow your child to read many different types of texts:  fiction, non-fiction, magazines, the internet, comic books etc.  Boys, especially will appreciate outside the mainstream books like Captain Underpants or The Day My Butt Went Psycho.  And don’t worry if they’re just looking at the pictures.  Think about how adults browse at the bookstore – we flip through the pictures, read a few captions – it’s a very real way of reading.

7.  When your child is reading by themselves, listen to them read out loud, but be cognizant of when it is becoming too difficult or they’re getting tired.  Offer to finish reading, or share the reading.  And once they’ve started reading books by themselves, don’t give up on you reading to them.  Choose books they might not be able to read independently, like novels, and read a little bit each night.

8. If you find your child is struggling to read the books they’re bringing home from school, talk to the teacher.  Children will learn to read and enjoy reading if they read books that give them some challenges (figuring out a few new words), but they may become discouraged if they are spending most of their time decoding words and therefore will lose the meaning of what they are reading.

Steph Dawson is an elementary school teacher in Toronto with a specialist qualification in Reading.

UM: Katherine, considering how profound role modeling is at this age, what do you look for in a new teacher?
KD: First and foremost, I look for a positive minded person who full of enthusiasm – someone with an authentically loving, joyful nature. I also look for someone who respects others and treats others the way they want to be treated.

If I was going to make a shopping list of qualities, I say joyful, loving, positive, patient, understanding, compassionate, confident, creative, encouraging, enthusiastic, forgiving and respectful

UM: What do you think makes a good role model?
KD: A good role model needs to be able to make mistakes and recover confidently. Nobody’s perfect. We want people to know that everyone makes mistakes and it’s not the end of the world. So I look for someone who embodies forgiveness as well.

A good role model also demonstrate confidence in themselves and in the people they are inspiring. I still remember teachers who believed in me and encouraged an expression of myself without judgment. I hope that I hire teachers who help children to celebrate who they are.

UM: Elisa, as a new teacher, what makes a good role model?
E: Putting positivity into a learning experience and offering a positive influence to those you’re in contact with. It’s also important to provide a safe environment where it’s ok to make mistakes and take risks. I salute the parents who come in allow themselves to be vulnerable and model for their children and share their experiences with the group. I think a role model needs to be supportive.

UM: Who have been good role models to you?
E: Well it might sound cliché but my Mom has been a good role model to me because she’s always made learning fun and allowed me to feel supported and confident in the choices I made. My mother taught me that making learning fun is the best approach – learning without knowing that you’re learning!

UM: What qualities about you make you a good role?
E: I sincerely like to have fun. I’ve had a lot of experience around children and everything I’ve done seems to involve kids so it’s easy for me to bring out my fun, enthusiastic side and find those qualities in myself that kids will look up to. And I think of my mom and what she’s taught me about learning.

I also think I’m good at putting people at ease when they walk in so that they feel comfortable being there and participating.

While it is important to have a good role model in the teacher, the parent is the best role model for any child, which is why classes with active parent participation are an excellent choice for families with young children. The teacher becomes not only a good role model for the child, but also for the parents.

UM: Parents need support and encouragement too!

Talk is one thing. Actually being involved is far more powerful. Kids start to feel, ‘this is what our family does’ which is much more profound learning than this is what I do once a week for fun. Role modeling is a powerful force in any young child’s life. Planning these kind of character building activities will draw the family together and create a common ground for social and emotional development.

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
- James Baldwin, an American novelist, writer, playwright, poet, essayist and civil rights activist.

Space still available at in the West Side Music Together’s fall session and registration begins starting August 2nd.  Classes take place at St. Stephen’s church across from the new West Vancouver Community Centre.

WestSideMusicTogether.ca

Provide lots of free play, minimal structured activities and lots of snack foods for the kids.  Be mindful of possible food allergies and stick to basics.  Don’t forget the adults when planning your shopping list, though. Parents will need lots of nourishment to keep up with their little balls of energy!

Also try to keep the guest list small with similar aged kids.  This will keep them occupied and reduce the variety of activities needed.  Be sure to pack away any treasured toys that will cause a tug of war between tots as well as having multiples of all toys around.  Remember, this age group is not known for their sharing abilities.

Some possible theme ideas include:

1) Zoo / Old Macdonald’s Farm – A visit to a zoo or farm would fit this theme nicely.  Or you could make your own zoo by placing stuffed animals around the room.  An easy cake choice would be a simple slab cake with plastic animals neatly placed on top.

2) Colors- Decorate in all things primary colors…banners, streamers, balloons.  Cupcakes could be decorated brightly and placed on a blue tray (sky) with ribbons attached under them (balloons) all collating into a big bouquet.

3) #1- Use trophies filled with snacks for interesting table décor.  How cool would it be to fill a trophy cup with goldfish crackers and label it Catch of the Day???  Or maybe a large basin trophy filled with hot dogs could be labeled TOP DOG! Loot bags or prizes might include medals made of gold coin chocolates attached to a ribbon with a #1 written on top.  A simple cake idea would be to cut a slab cake into a #1 shape.

4) All About Me- Decorate the room with a 12-flag banner or poster collage of pictures of your little one from each month of their first year.  Choose all your child’s favorite foods and display all of his favorite toys…remember the multiples!  Perhaps you could even read the group his favorite book?  The obvious cake choice would be one of those cool photo cakes that most bakeries are now making.

5) Messy- Picture magic mud, flubber, finger paints, dirt/sand to dig, and of course bubbles to wash them all off!  Food choices could include jell-o jigglers, puddings, popsicles and ice cream sundaes instead of cake.  You may even get adventurous and have children decorate their own cupcakes or sugar cookies in lieu of a loot bag.  Or, bypass all of these and serve the kids individual dirt cakes in a mini flower pot. Attach a small packet of seeds for them to plant after they’ve eaten their treat.

6) No theme- In the summer, this could involve baby pools, sprinklers and water toys.  Don’t forget the bubbles and the sidewalk chalk!  In the winter, stations of mega blocks, small balls, books and puzzles would work nicely.

If all else fails, hire entertainment. Clowns, magicians, face painters, balloon artists and bouncy castles are likely not the best choice for this age group.  You might consider hiring a room at a local play area (think Crash Crawly’s, Koko’s, etc), or you might want to rent a table at the train at Confederation Park.  These places cater better to an older group, though so this would be a better option if the guest list is mostly older children.  For children of all ages, look into Music Together Musicians to lead a fun sing-a-long or Sportball Coaches to instruct a bouncy ball session.

If older kids have been invited to the party, be sure to leave out stations for them to enjoy as well.  Things as simple as laces and beads to loop, coloring pages, music makers from recycled materials will do wonders to entertain them.

Loot bags are a little trickier at this age.  Dollar store items are not the best option as they are easily broken and usually contain many small parts.  Instead, go for small board books or coloring books.  Stickers are also a sure fire hit.

If you still need inspiration for a cool theme or cake, check out this website.

Remember the point is to celebrate baby’s first year.  Don’t go overboard with too much planning and be sure to enjoy your little one’s special day.  Be sure to take loads of pictures of baby’s first cake smash!!  And, most importantly, plan for some down time at the end of the party because you’re all sure to be exhausted!

For more ideas, see Jill’s One Year Old Birthday Party Article.

- Lauren

Photo: Anatoliy Samara

Lets face it; we go great lengths to keep the sign of time off our faces. Some of us follow intricate step-by-step beauty regimes, pump every antioxidant into our bodies and even inject poison into our faces. Botox is the last will-and-testament that we will virtually do anything to look younger. It’s Amanda Beisel’s mission to “save the world from Botox.” The owner of Yaletown’s new SKN Holistic Rejuvenation Clinic practices a kinder, gentler approach to visage fatigue—cosmetic acupuncture. We all know aging is inevitable, “but we can choose, even direct and guide the speed at which we do,” the witty young blond insists. TCM is based on an integral mind, body and spirit connection. “Lines developing on the face are simply a reflection of the aging process originating internally in the organs and by balancing out the whole system, the skin becomes nourished and its natural health surfaces,” she explains. “A more even toned complexion is the first sign of balance within the body.” The beautiful Beisel believes that cosmetic acupuncture is the “only true anti-aging medicine because it works intrinsically both from the inside out. Boosting the internal system increases the results seen externally.” After the full 8-10 recommended treatments, expect to see fuller cheeks, relief of under eye circles, diminished fine lines and wrinkles, a more radiant and youthful appearance, smaller pores, even color, brighter eyes, improved collagen production and muscle tone and a lifted brow and chin line. But even after one treatment, expect to see brighter skin, slighter lines and an all-over glow. You’ll also experience a sense of overall rejuvenation after just one visit. SKN is the only spa in Vancouver who addresses anti-aging concerns with cosmetic acupuncture in conjunction with luxurious exotic spa services like hot jade stone massages and jade and ginseng facials using Jadience, a organic skincare line made from crushed jade. SKN facials are not just about the face, they incorporate scalp, neck, ear, décolletage, hand and arm massages. Here’s a hint: If you start with a cosmetic acupuncture session and end with a facial, your total relaxation is a euphoric 2-plus hours and the bliss will be all over your face. (Need I say more?) Before any session, Beisel takes an intense health intake. She asks me to stick out my tongue. An odd request, but I oblige. “Do I worry,” she asks after studying my tongue. “Of course, I’m a mom,” I reply. Apparently, the colour of the tongue is a telltale sign of ‘spleen deficiency.’ In TCM this correlates to emotions, particularly worry and anxiety. Later, while I rest on her table, she treats my condition by inserting fine needles into a trigger point on my shin. She then moves upward towards the face. I am here for a cosmetic acupuncture treatment, but Beisel first works to bring my body back to balance, and then tackles the lines on my face.

Cosmetic acupuncture has recently come into the spotlight for anti-aging as Lucy Lui, Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna are all major fans. But don’t expect drastic changes on the face like the aforementioned celebrity. “Cosmetic acupuncture is far from Botox where results are purely superficial, making everyone look kind of kittycatish,” Dr. Pardeep Dherari tells me in his bright Kerrisdale clinic. “Cosmetic acupuncture is more of an overall approach to wellness that begins within.” The Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine clearly has a command of the human body. Dherari, too, treats specific conditions rather than just the symptoms. “Many meridians begin and end on the face while others have branches leading to the face. By first establishing and treating the underlying problems in the body, the beautifying results appearing on the face are just responses to balance brought back to the body,” he informs me. After another intense health intake, I relax and lay on the table, completely giving my face up to his mercy. He inserts roughly 10 tiny needles in my feet, knee and shin areas, each point corresponding to a specific organ. “This will keep you grounded,” he advises before moving to my face. Next he begins to firmly roll my cheeks and jaw line. It feels like he is manually pinning my skin back. He then inserts 50-75 needles in my face, scalp and ears. Aside from a few sensitive pricks, the entire 10-minute procedure is virtually painless. “Just relax,” he instructs as he closes the door. “That’s likely,” I think. But I lay so still as not to move a single needle that surprisingly I do fall asleep on the table only to be woken when he returns 20 minutes later to remove the needles. “Taking the needles out are as important as placement, he says. “Slow and precise to avoid any possible bruising.” He finishes up with a brisk facial massage. I feel relaxed but energized, happy and strong. My steps are lighter, my breath easier. I look in the mirror and immediately notice a glow. My complexion is even. I am shocked, the deep laugh lines near my lip have faded, lines on my forehead have smoothed, my brows higher and any evidence that I was up all night with 2 sick toddlers has vanished. I am super impressed. I like how I look, and love how I feel. Cosmetic Acupuncture is my new addiction. Hey, we all have a vice.

Both Amanda and Pardeep acknowledge that everyone reacts differently, but for maximum, long lasting results they recommend between 8-10 visits and then monthly maintenance. For these results, to me this is effortless.

Our faves:

SKN Holistic Rejuvenation Clinic
150-1152 Mainland Street
Vancouver
604.568.6333
sknclinic.ca

Dr. Pardeep Dherari
260-2025 West 42^nd Avenue
Vancouver
604.264.9921
dherarihealth.com

- Alyssa Schottland Bauman has been inspired to write about wellness and living a healthy lifestyle. Her work has appeared in NY, FITNESS, Pregnancy, InStyle, Food and Wine, Coastal Living, Spa, Seattle, Nuvo and Montecristo magazines.

1. Go to your favourite park on a sunny day and chances are you’ll get some live music. A saxaphone, choir or impromptu dancers can often be found in Urban parks.
Cost: money in the hat.
Kid-Friendliness: Kids can run, and you can stay for as long as you like.
Effort: Take a walk in the park.

2. Stick a tot in a stroller and do an Urban Hike, You can each grab a notebook and pen, and have some fun. Depending on the age of your child, you can find shapes, images in media billboards, graffiti tags, or colours.
Cost: Free
Kid-Friendliness: Excellent.
Effort: Minimal. Making up a ‘game’ that is age appropriate.

3. PWYC. Get to know your city and what is offered. If you can ‘Pay What You Can’, a play or ballet where little ones may only last one act isn’t a big financial loss. Art galleries often have free dates or times, and rush (last minute) tickets for performances are often available at a huge discount.
Cost: What you can Afford
Kid-Friendliness: Great if you find something with an intermission that will hold your child’s interest.
Effort: Search the net (or UrbanMommies Events) and find out when the deals happen.

4. Student Exhibits. Art colleges often have exhibitions of student work, theatre schools offer free performances, and musicians can be heard from outside conservatories. Walk by some day and a cacophony can be heard.
Cost: Free
Kid-Friendliness: Dart whenever you must.
Effort: Walk home a different way to hear some music practice.

5.  Festivals.  Look in your local paper for times and dates of Folk Music Festivals, Exhibitions, Festivals of Dance and Theatre.  Summer is always a great time for these.  February?  Kiwanis music festivals also offer great performances by youth and when your little ones see their peers with a cello in hand, they may beg to learn an instrument.

Enjoy, and ‘Viva La Vie Boheme!’

- Jill Amery loves the arts.

1. Make sure you get dressed and put on lip gloss every day. It’s a slippery slope.
2. Evaluate your email address. Recently we’ve gotten job applications from ‘sexyfox’, ‘jennluvs69’, and maria1977. Do you think your private life and your age should really be out there for all to see? You are a mom now, woman.
3. Get a sexy pair of flat, rubber-soled shoes or boots.
4. Make sure your bra fits.
5. Ensure your wardrobe includes a killer black dress, a white blouse, and a nice belt.
6. Throw away all socks with holes, hose with runs, dead lipsticks, pilled sweaters and stained t-shirts. Oh, college sweats too. I bet Stacy London’s list would be even longer but we can start with these.
7. Find out what your husband/partner finds attractive as sleepwear, and make sure you have some.
8. Don’t put on something that has spit-up on it. EVEN TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.
9. Keep a few garbage bags in the car so you can toss the trash each time you think of it. Someone tweeted us recently that sprouts were growing in their car. Ick.
10. Get a good diaper bag/purse that makes you smile and shows your style. It will be with you for longer than you can imagine.

- Jill Amery is a grownup.