Paula Says...

The Government of Canada releases a 'Recalls Widget'

2011-07-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Government has had the excellent idea of creating a widget that can be added to websites, blogs and some social media pages, that shows all the consumer, health and food product recalls within Canada. It can also be customized to show only the type of recalls you, or your readers are interested in.
It's a great way to stay up to date on important information, quickly. I will be adding it to my blog and website!

Mother's Day

2011-04-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I've had many changes to me personally, physically and emotionally by being a mum. Life changed from the time I found out that I was pregnant. As I watched and felt my body change, my clothing had to change, the only thing that did not change was my socks! Even my shoe size changed and never went back.

I often describe the difference between motherhood and fatherhood as the difference between bacon and eggs for breakfast. One is a commitment and the other is a contribution.

Mother's day represents the commitment made by women everywhere. Its a day of celebration, just for you.

So figure out what you want to do for the day, tell your family specifically what you want to celebrate.

Enjoy the day! I toast all of you moms out there. You are an amazing group of ladies. You have made quite the commitment!

Kind regards,

Paula

Children's Theatre

2011-03-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

There is a play coming up that might be of interest to parents of children aged 5-12. Put on by University Theatre of University of Calgary, The Queen, The Bear and The Bumblebee happens on Sunday, April 10th at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door (cash or cheque only) - adults $15 and $12 students(children)/seniors. Tickets are available through tickets.pumphousetheatre.ca or 403-263-0079.

From the Pumphouse Theatre website, "In this whimsical tale, three friends realize that wishes can lead to grand adventures - ships that fly, magical crowns, fire-breathing monsters and the best adventure of all - discovering yourself!
The Queen, The Bear & The Bumblebee is written by Dini Petty and features The Bumblebee Symphony Orchestra.
Originally written and performed as a poem to entertain children at Toronto's world-famous Hospital for Sick Children, The Queen, The Bear & The Bumblebee features a rich collection of classical orchestration and delightful songs to bring the magic of this enchanting story to life for the entire family."

There will also be a milk and cookie reception.

When unparented activites risk your children's security!

2011-02-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

I remember when the first time I could have my kids in "unparented" activities I squealed with delight! Finally I could run and grab a quick coffee, or do a quick errand, or make a phone call.

I've had a recent event that has caused me to rethink unparented activities for my children and thought that forewarned is forearmed for all of you and your precious children.

My kids were at skating lessons at Heritage and Macleod trail, near the Heritage LRT station. I had a phone call and found a quiet corner in the public area to complete my call. During this time, my son had a minor injury during the skating lesson. He was startled and the instructor said he did not have to continue skating. She took Declan off the ice, out of the skating rink and out to the main lobby and apparently tried to find me. Since she could not find me, she then left him by the front doors since he said that he was okay (He is 7!). The coach was not informed, I was not contacted despite having provided an emergency number in the registration program. I found him quite distraught about 20 minutes later after I finished my phone call. I spoke directly with the instructor (herself a minor) who indicated that Declan seemed to be okay by himself. She realizes his age, but thought he would be 'fine'.

I approached the skating club about the incident. They indicated that they have no policies once the child is off the ice. They believe the skating volunteer made a mistake. They will not implement policies or procedures to ensure that this incident does not happen again. They advertise this program as unparented and have no obligation for parents to stay at the rink during the lesson. Their resolution to the situation was a full refund, or take the program as is. They were not about to change any policies or procedures. They felt there was no harm done.

Frankly, children under 12 should not be left unattended. They should be in the care of the instructors, until the parent returns. Any incident where the child is physically or emotionally unable to participate should require the instructor to contact the parent to ensure that the parent is aware of the situation and can come to collect the child. Children who are not able to skate during a lesson, should be "supervised" on the bench in an area that is not accessible to the general population.

Lessons learned:

If you are dropping off your children at "unparented" events, check the policies of the organiziation running the event for the following incidents.
a) Late pickup. Will your child be supervised until the caregiver arrives? Will your child be left in a public place unsupervised? Will the emergency contact number be contacted if the child is not picked up after 10-15 minutes?
b) Accident/illness/injury during the activity. If your child is unable to perform the activities, where does the child stay until the end of the activity? Will they be supervised? Will the parents be informed, and the emergency contact called?
c) Are all of the staff AND the volunteers aware of the obligations and are they trained in their responsibilities?
d) Are underage volunteers or staff trained in the area of child supervision?

According to Interpol, in 1999 there were 52 non-family abductions in Canada and 184 children abducted by a parent without a custody order. Abductions are real and caution needs to be exercised. Ensuring that all activities that your children are involved in is critical to ensuring your child's safety and well being.
Child Safe Canada offers a free course entitled "Child Safe Abduction Prevention Seminar" - http://www.childsafecanada.com/pubcategory.aspx?ProID=78&CatID=5
Check out the policies of your children's unparented activities. Reconsider your enrollment in activities that do not have policies nor enforce the policies.

So we're now looking for other skating lessons that do provide some form of protection by guidelines and policies for my children, or alternatively ensure that I am supervising them while they are having their lessons. (No bathroom breaks!)

Stay safe!

Paula

Fall is Community Sale Time

2010-09-22T21:48:00.000-07:00

Hello there,
It has been a busy summer, or what we call the middle months of the year. Not much warmth this summer.

We've just finished dealing with 300 pounds of apples from our two trees in our back yard. Apple sauce anyone? ;-)

I've just updated my website for a listing of all the community sales in Calgary and area. Make sure you check them out as they have fantastic bargains. I usually head there early and bring either a blue Ikea bag or a laundry basket with me. Stay warm while you wait in line, bring a coffee and some mitts. Click here for a link: www.babyguidetocalgary.com/events/sales.htm

Also, I am currently updating the book to the third edition. So I have a little competition for you if you are interested. The first two people to provide me an update for the book to info@babyguidetocalgary.com will win a copy of the latest Sarah Deveau book entitled "Money Smart Mom, Financially Fit Parenting". This is an awesome book. You can get this at most stores around Calgary and across the country. http://moneysmartmom.ca/default.htm

Keep warm and I'll let you know how the third edition is working out.
Kind regards,

Paula

Finally Spring is in the air

2010-04-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am not foolish enough to believe that we will not get any more snow, but I do feel that spring is in the air. And with that comes COMMUNITY SALES! Yeah. This is the time of year that I go through all the kids clothing and cull those that are too small. You may hear the children calling "But Mum it's my favourite, couldn't I wear it just one more time?" So the clothing fairy comes and takes the clothing away when the kids are not around and somehow it all gets tagged an ready for the spring and fall community sales. That clothing fairy needs a latte!

So this year there are over 12 sales in Calgary and the surrounding region. This means that there is lots to choose from and surely there is one that is close to you.

I've posted all of the community sales on my website so that you don't have to spend hours and hours trying to figure out when and where they are only to have potentially missed some great savings. Don't mention it ;-) Check it out at www.babyguidetocalgary.com and click on "Community Sales"

A lot of people ask me which community sales are the best. I find that they are all of good quality an usually the organizers are great and ensuring that the quality of the items for sale are of suitable quality.

There are two community sales that stand out in terms of the organization. These two are centrally coordinated and organized so that you can go to one area for clothing and it is sorted by age etc. These are the TTMAC April 24 and the Wildwood Little Tykes sale on May 1. Check them out as they are definitely worth the trip.

Fundamentally I have a hard time paying full retail price for any piece of clothing for kids. Also, I have think we could all use the savings that come with community sales, whether you are buying or selling. I shop each year at the community sales and probably save about $800 per year. I figure that this helps me head to Mexico for a weeklong vacation when it is -35C outside! The clothing savings certainly makes the trip more justifiable! So what are you going to do with your savings this year?

Here are a few tips to help you get the most of the community sales:

1) Find out when the sales are on. Check out www.babyguidetocalgary.com and click on Community Sales.

2) Know your sizes. Come with your kids shoe sizes as well as clothing sizes.

3) Inventory the kids clothes at home. Come knowing what you are looking for.

4) Prepare your list and bring your cash. Most places only take cash.

5) Bring a large cardboard box or laundry basket for your stash of clothes.

6) Leave the kids at home. You will all be happier for it.

7) Get there early (about an hour before opening), dress warmly for the line up, bring a coffee.

8) Enjoy yourself. You will likely meet some neighbors while you shop.

IF YOU KNOW OF ANY COMMUNITY SALE THAT I DO NOT HAVE LISTED, PLEASE SEND THEM TO info@babyguidetocalgary.com

Blog soon,

Paula

Love is in the air... or not!

2010-01-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

You've had quite the ride!

So you have just brought a new life into the world (probably about 12 hours of active labour or a C-Section), started lactating (probably a big adjustment) and started getting used to sleeping for only 1-2 hours at a time.
You have had multiple visits from family , friends, relatives and your lovely in-laws.
In your free time, you struggle with the decision to eat, sleep or have a shower.
It is likely that you have a case of the post partum blues if not post partum depression.
The house is turned upside down and the laundry machine as a constant hum in the background.
You are into the routine now, but part of you is struggling with the transition you just made.
You probably really should not be driving with the few hours of sleep you have had!
Your relationship with your spouse is likely not at its strongest, best or most romantic it has ever been. A little bickering, a lot of bickering, we're all just so tired. Issues seem bigger than they are, or do they? Need some perspective here.

It is a tough time in any new parents life. It is all exacerbated by lack of sleep and a huge transition physically, hormonally, and psychologically. With February 14 (Valentines Day) coming up, you might want to consider doing a little investment in the relationship with your spouse.

There is a new company that focuses on relationships during this massive transition. The name of the company is The Relationship Resource. www.therelationshipresource.ca Amy Marshall operates this program and has extensive experience working for Alberta Health Services specializing in therapy and mental health. (Something we all need!) She has worked with individuals, couples and families at all ages and stages of development.

I found motherhood to be a really tough transition. It impacted the foundation of who I am. I now had multiple relationships to manage as well as trying to develop a new and different sense of self while sleep deprived. This changing relationship with my spouse was akin to walking across a field of landmines. It would have been handy to have a 'metal detector-equivalent.' We invested heavily in our relationship and have never looked back. I found the period when my children were between 3 - 6 months to be the worst. So for this valentines day, why not invest in your spousal relationship. Check out her website and give her a call. Amy Marshall can be reached at 403-461-6488.

Skip the roses... invest in the course!

Chat/blog soon,

Paula

Paula Says...My very first Blog

2010-01-04T18:48:00.000-08:00

So I was having a coffee today with a friend at Phil and Sebastians new coffee abode in Marda loop and felt very 'uber hipster'. We talked about 'A Baby Guide to Calgary' and my website www.babyguidetocalgary.com. She effectively said;

'Paula, get with the program, websites are so... 2005. Blogs are it! It is time you came into the 2010s.'

She continued waxing poetic about all blogging, twitter, apple TV, something-ware, avi files and used may words that I had rarely ever heard before. it felt like a moment out of Back to the Future. I've been living in a little glass box in 2005! Frozen in time from when my kids were born. There is another world out there that I am not really familiar with. I guess I have been too busy with kids, family, book, and making a living. This new world is like a new mountain to be conquered.

I have had a transition like this before with cars. My first car was a light blue 1970 Honda Civic that spit black smoke out the exhaust. Each day on my commute to University, I would pull into a garage and take out each spark plug and clean off the oil and gunk and put them back in. Now as I gaze into my own car, I am really not all that sure where the spark plugs are located! It appears that I skipped the evolution and am now dependent on hoping that the car works as it should. As for televisions, DVD's PVR's and oh so many remote controls, I am now a victim of the technology and so dependent on others for assistance to turn on the TV. I remember as a teenager putting a calculator in place of the remote control and watching as my mother tried to turn on the television with the calculator. Perhaps this is life getting me back for those terrible laughs I had at her expense.

So here it is... my first Blog! I am coming in to the 2010s in style. Here is a new way to help new moms and dads navigate their new roles as parents of babies and toddlers. I hope to keep you up to date with some of the services, resources and activities around Calgary. Also, perhaps we can touch on some of the softer issues of motherhood/parenthood in Calgary. A way of reaching out to support one another.

Join the fun and I hope to blog again soon.

Cheers!
Paula