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Mom-Made on Vancouver Island

resources for pregnancy & parenting

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The Unplanned miracleThe Mommy Consultant Answers Your Questions

Fall 2010 Volume 5 Issue 22...brought to you by a proud mommy

of an Island Child...________________________________________________________________________________________________

EDITOR & SALES Lisa Reda

DESIGN & LAYOUT Lisa Reda

RESEARCH & REVIEWS Michael Lahay

COVER MODELS Owen ~ 8 years

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Sheri Jackson Photography www.sherijacksonphoto.ca

GRAPHICSLindsey-Lea Mercer

Identity Graphic Services 250-732-5505

Michael Lahay Gecko Green Living Ltd. 250-537-1151

WEBMASTER Alisha Baker Innnersight Multimedia 250-483-6927 www.innersight.ca

Opinions expressed by contributing writers may

not necessarily reflect those of the Editor.

CONTRIBUTORSJulie BernhardtSarah BurnhamJoanne CerazyJohn CloseKevin FlescherMinnow HamiltonAlisa HarrisonMichael LahayKerry McLoughlinCarmen ScottRoxanne Weech

Distribution is from Victoria to Courtenay with a

mid-island centre.

Island Child Publication T: 250-597-3552 E: islandchildmag@shaw.ca www.islandchildmag.com

Subscription or Advertising information: email us

4 issues per year for $10 delivered to your door

Island Child is publishedfour times per year.

Copyright 2010Island Child Magazine

Table of Contents

3 ~ Forming Friendships from Toddler to Teen 4 ~ The Mommy Consultant 5 ~ Long Live the Queen 6 ~ Facebook Status Updates get you in Trouble 7 ~ Space Pirate Lands on Vancouver Island 8 ~ Mr. Sensitivity 9 ~ How Street Smart are your Kids? 10 ~ New Business Venture 11 ~ Lawns Are Worth It 12 ~ Mixing Kids and Fitness 14 ~ Over the River and Through the Woods 15 ~ Spotlight on Business 15 ~ What’s New in Business 16 ~ Lunch Commandments 17 ~ Feed Your Kids for Success 18 ~ Today’s Must Haves 20 ~ Resource Directory 20 ~ Resource Directory

Ella & Lisa

I just wanted to start out by saying a huge thank you to all the dads who picked up the very special summer issue we put out, which was 100% written by men, and dedicated to dads. It was a huge success and we had tons of awesome feedback on

how fun it was to read a man’s perspective on parenting. Lots of you asked for some follow-up and here’s what we have for you ...

Aleasha said ‘yes’ to Rob and they got engaged as she was reading his article. It was a total surprise to her and Ryelee! They are planning a Mexican wedding in 2011 (or thereabouts, as they have a little bundle of joy on the way). We are so so happy for the newly engaged couple!

Secondly yes, Ed is still single. He has met a few more women, and even some who emailed us to get in touch with him! The struggles of dating with kids is still an obstacle but one he will overcome!

And lastly, Dr. Nielsen has indeed be inundated with new referrals for vasectomy consultations, as many men did not realize they could have this procedure performed locally in Duncan. You’re welcome Tanya for the extra load of phone calls!

Happy Fall everyone, enjoy this issue!

Island Child Page 3

Forming Friendships from Toddler to Teen:Kerrie McLoughlin

Continued on Page 19

As parents, we want our kids to make good friends, friends who they have fun with and can confide in. Of course

not all kids are social butterflies, so how do you encourage friendships at every stage of the game from toddler to teen?

Toddlers and PreschoolersI envy the easy way in which the tiny crowd makes friends. They can plop down next to any random kid at a park, daycare or preschool, start chatting and … BAM! … they are instant pals. Taking your child places and providing chances for him to be around other kids is what it takes for her to make new friends during this special time. Playdates for instance, are a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to try out their social skills.

Never underestimate the power of play! By taking turns and sharing through activity and play, children are beginning to build friendships. It is important to help a child learn this through built-in fun and play-oriented activities that promote taking turns, sharing and caring about their new friends. Having children learn these at a young age helps them build a foundation for successful relationships as they mature into adults. It may seem a little early to be thinking ahead to friendships during the teen years, but don’t forget that your child is watching you and how you interact with them and with others (friends, family, your spouse or partner) right now.

Elementary Age KidsIf your child attends school, making friends should be easy with so many kids to choose from. Other ways for your child to make friends at this age include: groups like Cub Scouts or Girl Guides; sports (organized through the school or through a parks and recreation department), or clubs where your child can meet kids who share similar interests. If you homeschool, chances are there are many groups in your city where you can attend events and where your child can make friends. When your child reaches elementary school age, you will want to make sure you are still modeling what makes a friend because she’ll learn a lot from you based on how she sees you interact with your spouse, family, co-workers and friends and how you work out disagreements. It is also important to talk about what makes a friend (eg. a friend is someone who doesn’t tease you or try to hurt you; someone who doesn’t talk badly about you behind your back; someone who comes to your birthday parties, listens to you, shares their things, offers to have you over to their house or do things with them, etc).

As with the toddler and preschooler period, parents are the ones who model friendships. Ask “what if” questions like, “What if a third kid wants to play with you and your friend?” because you want your child to think about how to treat existing and new friends. Talk to your child about sharing, teasing and playing fair; play board games with them; teach them not to get physical or retaliate. While getting to know your child’s school friends by having them over often is important, it’s also helpful for kids to have friends in their own neighborhood that they can visit easily and spend large amounts of time with. Rachel Elvin, mom of 2, says, “It’s great that my kids have friends who live in our neighborhood. After getting to know the parents, we now just let our sons walk across the street or ride their bike a block up to hang out at their friend’s house.”

Tweens and TeensDrama rules during the tween and teen years, and you have the added challenge of helping your child learn how to deal with strong peer pressure along the lines of music, drugs, sex, drinking, how to dress, how to act and more. This season of parenting can make chasing after a marker-wielding toddler seem like a piece of cake.

Island Child Page 4

The Mommy Consultant: Sarah Burnham

Q: We are expecting our second child in a few months, an unplanned miracle. There is going to be a six year gap between our first and second child. We gave away all of our toys and baby items to friends and family after having our first child. Would it be inappropriate to ask for some of the items back?

A: A miracle like that is exciting! I am going under the assumption that you gave away the items as you did not expect to be using them again. I don’t see anything wrong with inquiring with those families, however you have to understand that six years is a long time and those families had no expectation of returning anything to you. Some of those items may have been further passed on or disposed of since then.

Two other things to consider are expiration dates and the treatment of those items. For example, car seats have an expiration date (usually seven years), for safety reasons. They should not be used passed those dates. If money is the issue and to be safe, my recommendation is to purchase the big items new (like car seats, mattresses and cribs), then look for your closest baby consignment store for any other items you need. Otherwise, enjoy this miracle and take pleasure in baby shopping; a lot has changed in six years. _________________________________________________

Check out The Mommy Consultant’s new website: www.mommyconsultant.ca as we help train you for motherhood.

Sarah can be reached at mommyconsultant@shaw.ca.

Write in to Sarah with your questions, stories or experiences because the more you know the better choices you can make for

your family. Maybe your question will be featured in the next edition of Island Child Magazine.

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The ultimate interactive guide for kids activities in Victoria and beyond.

www.childsplay101.com

Island Child Page 5

Long Live the Queen: Roxanne Weech

There definitely aren’t as many pictures of my pregnant tummy this time as there were the first time around.

But now the ones I do have for baby number two all have something strangely similar about them. Of course the subject of them is all the same ... my grinning mug and my ever expanding mid-section ... but there is something else, something in the lower corners of all the photos. It’s not exactly a menacing presence, but neither does it give the viewer the warm fuzzies.

The ‘presence’ I speak of is my soon to be 3-year-old daughter Ava. She is scowling, frowning, and/or arm-crossing in most of the pictures we have taken of my baby bump. There we are on the ferry to Vancouver: scowling face. Here I am on our veranda: arms crossed and scowling face. And here we all are at a family function: full on temper tantrum caught in full-bloom.

The second question people ask about my pregnancy after ‘when are you due?’ (September 26th, thank you very much) , is ‘how is Ava going to take it?’ To this I answer you all: not well! And time I tell her that I can no longer pick her up or lean down to tie her shoes I am met with the cold reality of what is to become of my fate once our new baby is brought into the world.

We tried to address the problem at the beginning of my pregnancy by including Ava in conversations and decisions regarding the baby: “What kind of wash cloth do you think baby would like?” But that always led to demands from her about what kind of baby gear SHE would like instead.

The situation got even uglier when we decided to find out the sex of the baby. Apparently Ava did not want a baby brother (not much I can do about that sweetheart, sorry.) If she was going to have anyone playing with her toys, sleeping in her old crib, and eating from her old dishes, the very least I could have done was produce a baby sister for her to play with. Well, I guess I just can’t win.

From here on in, my partner and I have decided to leave the baby talk for times when we are alone. With Ava, as is best with most 3-year-old conversations, we focus on the present, with occasional forays into the past via Ava’s baby scrapbooks and stories we have about her as a baby. I guess only time will tell ... wish me luck!________________________________________________

Roxanne Weech is full-time career counsellor and mother of a precocious toddler with another on the way.

She and her partner are raising their little family in the

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Don’t Let Facebook Status Updates get you in Trouble

... what NOT to post on your Facebook page ...

Facebook status updates let your friends know what’s going on in your life. Be careful what you post though,

because anything you write can be used against you. All that anyone really needs to do is take a screen shot of their page - with your post on it - to create a permanent record of whatever you’ve said. Of course you’d like to think that none of your Facebook friends would do such a thing, but it’s best to be on the safe side and just avoid posting anything that could be misinterpreted or used against you.

Examples of questionable Facebook status updates:‘If he thinks he’s taking the kids this weekend, he has another thing coming!’

‘I wish my ex had picked up the kids. They’re driving me crazy!’

Why it’s important to draft your Facebook status updates carefully:* Facebook status posts can be used against you in court.* They can easily be misinterpreted.* They can be used as supporting evidence in an attempt to prove what your ex or someone else is trying to say about you.* Your Facebook status updates can also cost you your job if your boss or company finds out that you’re posting negative messages related to work.* Your Facebook status updates include the date and time too, so they can be used to prove that you were online at a certain time of day.

How to make sure your Facebook status isn’t questionable:* Think about what you are writing when you post a status update on Facebook or any other form of social media.* If your update could be considered snarky, or if it implies a negative message about your ex, your children, your boss, or your workplace, do not post it.* If your Facebook status update reveals more information about yourself or your children than you’d like, don’t post it.__________________________________________

Jennifer Wolf is a writer with About.com. She has a great column for single parents at www.singleparents.about.com.

Island Child Page 7

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Space Pirate Lands on Vancouver Island

CPTN THNDRPNTZ is an intergalactic space pirate who was accidentally marooned on our planet when his space galleon was shipwrecked in a cosmic squall. While he has been stuck here on our planet repairing his ship, the SS Kookamunga, the captain has been learning traditional folk songs and folk stories from around the planet.

He has taken up singing these songs and telling these tales to earth children to pass the time and pay for rum and sweet potatoes, (the special fuel on which his space ship runs). We recently caught up with the captain and asked him a few questions.

IC: So, why do you spell your name with no vowels?CT: Shiver me timbers! Vowels be for sissies, yaaarrrrgh! I know ye be barking at me when ye be barkin’.

IC: What instruments do you play?CT: Well blow me down! I be playin’ the guitar, the squeezebox, the tin whistle and the marimba, but most of all, me loves the kazoo. The finest noisemaker on yer planet.

IC: Why do you like these old songs and folk tales, and why do you pass them on?CT: Well, number one, me likes ‘em, singing and storytellin’ makes me not so homesick for me own galaxy. Number two, these songs are like precious booty that must be shared to be appreciated from generation to generation, and lastly I need to earn enough rum and sweet potatoes to get me space galleon flying again! IC: So, where can we catch one of your performances?CT: Well, I be playin’ here and there y’know, schools, parties, concerts, libraries, festivals and such, I sometimes play at the Wanderin’ Moose café in Cumberland.

IC: If somebody wanted to book you to perform at an event, how could they get a hold of you?CT: Well I’ll be keel-hauled! The surest way would be to cook up some sweet potatoes and click your heels together three times and yell “CPTN THNDRPNTZ!!! Come git some booty!” As loud as ye can. If that don’t work, ye can email me earth friend at kevin.flesher@gmail.com and he’ll hook ye up!

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Island Child Page 8

Mr. Sensitivity: Julie Bernhardt

“Let’s play baby,” my 3½ year old son Nicholas, says to me as he crawls into my lap. It is a favourite game of his since

his younger brother Myles came along a year ago. “Sing me a song.”

I am used to this, so I hold him close, in a cradle. “That’s not very comfortable,” he says a few times, until I adjust him into a satisfactory position. I begin singing Rock-a-bye Baby. When I get to the last line, I sing, “... and down will come baby, cradle and all,” just to see what he will do.

“No! And down will come Nicholas!” he corrects me.

So I sing it through again, ‘properly’ this time. He is a little too wired, bouncing around in my lap and not acting at all baby-like. I recognize it as the wind-up before the crash so I suggest we read instead.

“No, I’m your baby! Waah! Waah!” He ‘cries’ through slitted eyes, watching me carefully to see what I will do.

I am tired of Rock-a-bye Baby, so I try a different song. “Hush little baby, don’t say a word. Mama’s gonna buy you a mockingbird...” The baby stops crying. It’s been a long time since I’ve sung this song to him; probably since he was a little baby himself. So I rock him and hold him tight, and sing it softly to him. His expression turns serious as he listens. When I finish the song, he is silent.

“Did you like that song, Nicholas?” I ask. He nods slowly. “Would you like me to sing it again?” Another nod.

“Hush little baby, don’t say a word...”

As I sing the last line of the song: “You’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town...” his lower lip sticks out a little bit. We sit in silence for a few seconds, and then he gives a little sniff, and his lip sticks out a bit further.

Uh-oh.

Suddenly the ‘baby’ lets out a full-blown cry, big alligator tears streaming down his cheeks. “I NEED A NAP!” he cries through his tears.

I am cradling him for real this time, and I carry him upstairs and tuck him in for his much needed nap. I know it is partly the fatigue that did him in, but it is also because he is one of the most sensitive kids I know. He gets that from yours truly. I remember crying in class because I was told, quite nicely, that my answer was incorrect. Prone to tears, we are.

So when I ask him later why he was crying, I’m not surprised by his answer. The mirror breaking, the horse and cart falling down – it made him sad. It makes perfect sense, except why doesn’t he get upset about the baby falling out of the tree branch, cradle and all?

But I hold my tongue, give my beautiful son a hug, and tell him I will stick to much ‘happier’ songs from now on._________________________________________________

Julie Bernhardt lives in Victoria with her husband and two boys. You can visit her blog at: www.julie-momandwife.blogspot.com

1010 Broad Street, Victoria250.388.3977

Island Child Page 9

How Street Smart Are Your Kids?: Carmen Scott

With the days getting shorter and the nights getting cooler, I can no longer ignore that quiet whisper in

my head ‘fall is here, school has started’. And with this change, I have recently started to ask myself, is my daughter prepared to get to school without me ... is she street smart?

Here is a list of tips to help street smart your child.

1. Before and after schoolAlways know where your child is going before and after school. Will she be going straight to school or stopping at a friend’s house, and what route will she take? It is important that your child understands that she is not to take short cuts to or from school, but to use the agreed upon route.

2. CommunicationIf possible, have your child carry a cell phone.

3. Walk with othersTell her not to walk alone; the larger the group the safer. (Start a walking school bus program in your neighbourhood: www.walkingschoolbus.org)

4. Stay alertTalk to your kids about staying alert while they’re walking. This means no music, video games or books - you want them to notice what is happening around them and who is walking near them.

5. Stranger dangerNo stopping to talk, or to answer any questions from people that she does not know. Always remember to stay two arm lengths away from a stranger. You should talk to your child about the types of stories that some people will use to get their help, ie lost dog, your mom has been in an accident etc.Remind her that adults don’t ask kids for help, they ask other adults.

6. Names on clothesDon’t put your child’s name on jackets or hats. If someone is calling your child by her name, she might think that she knows this person. 7. AnxietyFor those children who might be more anxious about walking to school alone, try walking a block behind them until they feel more comfortable. You can also talk to them on a cell phone while they are walking to school.

It is never too early to talk about street smarts. Even if your child is very young, you can talk about issues such as how and when to cross the street, and how to behave when approaching an animal.

Remember that when you are not with your child, your child is in charge of their own safety and security. They need to understand that with freedom comes responsibility. Some children will rise to the occasion while others might need a little encouragement.

The most important rule is to let your child know that nothing that they carry with them is more important than their personal safety. If someone should try to take their backpack, you need to let your child know in this kind of situation they are to give up the pack and run for safety. So with practise runs and tons of ‘going over’ the rules, my daughter is going to school on her own for the first time. ________________________________________________

Carmen Scott is a wife and mother to a pre-teen daughter. She has a bachelors degree in clinical psychology and is the

co-founder of two community service websites, ChildsPlay101.com & GreyPlay101.com.

Carmen can be seen weekly on CHEK News - Island30 as the resistant parenting expert.

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Island Child Page 10

New Business Venture:

Sweet Unique Little Boutique jennifer burgin

Looking for the perfect alternative to sending flowers to the new mom and baby in hospital? Look no further than Special Delivery. The

brainchild of Kristen LeClair, formerly of Pancia Bella Maternity, Special Delivery allows you to send diaper cakes to many of the hospitals and birthing wards on Vancouver Island. You can choose from ‘pre-baked’ diaper cakes, or ‘create your own’. The menu consists of both fat-free cakes (simply decorated and made of diapers), as well as deluxe cakes (decorated and made of diapers - but also containing products inside). They also make Special Delivery baskets which are filled with great items that can be delivered as well. The inside contents range from shampoos and creams to receiving blankets. Special Delivery cakes and baskets are also available for pickup for baby showers or personal hospital visits. Order online at www.panciabella.ca.

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A TRULY UNIQUE BOUTIQUE

The idea behind Sweet Unique Little Boutique is to combine fun, bold and contemporary patterns with classic baby clothing from a period in time when women made their clothing for

their children. All of the clothes are handmade by two loving mothers using new and re-purposed materials to create unique pieces for wee ones.

Boutique founders, Nathalie and Jennifer, hand select all of their materials, and also upcycle materials into something new; what was once a man’s shirt becomes an elephant appliqué on a soft bib, or a pair of socks becomes little leggings with a hand knitted flower accent piece. All designs and patterns are their own, and they do all the cutting and sewing. Production occurs during nap times, when hubby comes home from work, or late in the evening when the little ones have settled. Garages have doubled as workshops; dining room tables as cutting tables.

You’ll find bibs, dresses, tutus, skirts, overalls, leggings, headbands, shirts, t-shirts and blankets online at www.sweetuniquelittleboutique.com. Be sure to check out their new fall line, which includes dresses in a soft cord or cozy flannelette, and warm pajama pants.

pecialDelivery

Calling all mid-Vancouver Island Mammas!Mother’s Morning Out is a group that meets weekly for coffee/tea, chats, crafts, guest speakers, and more.

Childminding is provided by the ladies of the Duncan United Church. This is a fabulous way to meet other mom’s in the community.

Mother’s Morning Out : Duncan United Church : Tuesday’s from 9:30-11 : Cost is $2 to cover tea and coffee costs : email mmoduncan@gmail.com for more info

Island Child Page 11

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Lawns Are Worth It:John Close

Lawns have been a symbol of the modern family for generations. Beginning in Britain, they surrounded the

homes of rich noblemen as testaments to their wealth and power. It was not long before wealthy Americans caught on and began to have rolling greens of their own. As with most new things, grass eventually became accessible to the common man and in a few short decades, a house without a lawn would be a strange house indeed.

As you can imagine, this new found green created a massive business opportunity. Armed with albeit fl awed N-P-K research (those little numbers on the bags of fertilizer), many lawn care businesses became successful in convincing the world that in order to have a lush lawn and garden you needed to apply large amounts of chemical fertilizer - in some cases as many as six applications a year! It didn’t stop with fertilizer as companies also sold their weed killers, Miracle Gro for plants, and even their own soil. This resulted in a multi-billion dollar ‘green’ industry, but the average lawn and garden were far from healthy.

Decades later, the chemical addiction remains, even in the midst of numerous studies proving that chemical fertilizers sicken plants and disrupt life in the soil, and weed killers endanger far more than just weeds. Unaware of a better way, many still chemical bomb their landscapes to their hearts content. Others try to act more responsibly by practicing IPM - only using chemicals ‘if they have to’. Still, others think lawns are the problem and would love nothing more than to see every lawn ripped out and replaced with something ‘less toxic’.

I believe lawns are worth it. Take away the lawn and you take away kids soccer, outdoor weddings, family picnics, amazing naps, and your dog’s favourite place to squat. Poison the lawn and you do even worse. The fact is, it is quite simple to have a lush lawn that isn’t toxic. It just takes education and commitment. Some people assume organic lawn care will be extremely expensive so they don’t investigate it any further. The truth is, it may cost a bit more money initially but it is FAR LESS COSTLY over time - in many, many ways.

Take a look at your own lawn. Now what will you do?_________________________________________________

John Close is the owner of Lush Eco Lawns and is about to celebrate his fi rst year in business as an organic lawn specialist.

Visit www.lushecolawns.com for more information on organic lawn programs, fall treatments, friendly weed killers & much more.

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Island Child Page 12

Mixing Kids and Fitness: Alisa Harrison

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When my youngest was a baby, I loved bundling her into the carrier for power walks, and later the jogging

stroller while I ran. She’d drift into sleep and I would work-out in the fresh air. Bliss. Then it happened: my happy, snuggly baby became a writhing, wriggling child who made it eminently clear that she did NOT want to sit still in a stroller while I got to move around. The days of calm and quiet jogs were over. It was time to figure out what else to do.

Giving up exercise was not an option, and I wanted a routine that didn’t depend on other people for childcare. But in the haze of mothering, finishing a graduate degree and working, my creative juices weren’t exactly flowing. So I took the easy way out by joining a gym with on-site babysitting.

I can see now that there were lots of other ways I could have mixed fitness with parenting. Don’t get me wrong - there is a unique reward in exercising alone, enjoying the intensity and relaxation of a workout that responds only to your own needs. At the same time, fitness and family don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Having kids can be a real fitness boost, if we follow their lead.

When I surveyed some friends about how they mix kids and fitness, the consensus was clear: play! They shared the experience of being climbed on, wrestled with, and otherwise interrupted while trying to do at-home solo workouts. But when they opened their ideas about fitness to play, and became the ‘mommy monster’ chasing kids around the house, or threw a dance party with a kid deejay and partner moves that redefined the meaning of resistance training, they found a new world of options to get the sweat pouring and muscles firing.

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Island Child Page 13

Older children often show interest in ‘our’ fitness activities, too - and their antics may be enough to keep stroller-bound younger siblings entertained for the duration of a workout. Even my ornery toddler loved the jogging stroller when she got to watch her big sister bike circles around us while I ran. My kids, now 3 and 13 respectively, still love to ‘dance’ together (and make fun of me when I practice new fitness choreography or do aerobics videos).

A friend’s sons lift colourful 1.5lb hand weights while she strength-trains at home. Another invites her kids’ friends for hikes: a baby in a back carrier adds a fitness challenge for the adult wearer while groups of children motivate each other to keep going in harder terrain, and everyone gets a great workout.

Kids of all ages love to move, with each other and with us. Let their natural energy inspire you to move in new ways._________________________________________________

Alisa Harrison is a mom of two, BCRPA-certified Pre and Postnatal Fitness Specialist, research consultant and

writer. As the owner/operator of Fit 4 Two Mid Vancouver Island, Alisa teaches classes that make fitness fun for moms-to-

be, and moms and babies throughout the Cowichan Valley. Contact Alisa at alisa@fit4two.ca or visit

www.fit4two.ca/area/duncan-vancouver-island.

FREE TRIAL prenatal fitness class by Fit 4 Two Pre and Postnatal Fitness on Tues Oct 26 from 7:30 to 8:45pm at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre. RSVP to alisa@fit4two.ca or call 250-701-8634.

Connect with other moms-to-be and enjoy the benefits of staying fit throughout your pregnancy! This class combines cardio and strength training, specialized core work for pregnancy, gentle stretching and

relaxation. Regular weekly classes begin Nov 2.

Island Child Page 14

Over the River and Through the Woods:Tips for Family Hikes

Fall is a great time to explore your city’s parks and trails, but you need more than sunscreen, water and high-energy

snacks to enjoy a family hike. To maximum the fun and keep the cries of ‘are we there yet?!’ to a minimum, try these suggestions. Ready, Set, Go!Taking the time to plan your family’s next outdoor adventure can mean the difference between an okay experience and a great one. Here are some steps you can take before you hit the trail:

Choose a trail that matches your family’s hiking skill and experience. Always pace your outing to the youngest or slowest walker in your family and build in time for breaks. If your family is new to hiking, choose a short, easy, circular trail. No matter how short or long your hike, remember to pace yourself and take frequent breaks.

Familiarize yourself with the trail before you go. Use your local library and the internet to gather resources about the area you’ll be exploring. Determine what is the best time for your hike, based on your family’s routine, and plan around nap-time, if necessary. A good rule of thumb is to double the estimated time you think the hike will take.

Use shady trails or hike in the morning when temperatures are cooler. Boardwalks along a beach or river are excellent places for a family excursion but, because they are often exposed to the elements, they can really heat up. Start out early so you can beat the heat and get on the trail before other hikers have had a chance to spook the wildlife. Most animals are more active in the morning and many cold-blooded critters - reptiles, amphibians, and insects - are trying to warm up and might be sitting right out in the open.

Out on the Trail! The key to kid-centered hikes is to focus on exploring and enjoying, not on a distance to cover or destination to reach. Try these ideas once your family is out on the trail:

Lift up or roll over a log or rock and investigate what’s underneath. A magnifying glass or box is useful for holding and observing small creatures. Just remember to release any creature next to where you found it and take care not to crush any plants or insects when you replace the log or rock.

Fill up a small bag or jar with objects you find along the way. Try to use objects with a distinct texture or smell - a pine needle, a feather, a seed pod, for example. Ask your children to close their eyes and to guess what each object is using only their sense of touch or smell.

Plant a fake item along the trail and challenge your children to spot it. Choose objects that are small and easily overlooked - like a pipe cleaner animal, artificial flower or toy insect – so that your kids develop their powers of observation.

Stop walking, close your eyes and listen for a minute. Then invite everyone to name, describe or imitate what they heard.Encourage children to move in different ways. They can take giant steps, small steps, skip, pretend the ground is quicksand, play red light/green light, or imitate animals.

We made it! The fun and learning don’t have to end when the hike does. Encourage your family to savor the moment and create memories with these activities:

Record your hikes in a journal. Family members can take turns recording the sights, sounds and sensations of your outings. Even younger children who can’t yet read and write can glue in trail maps, make leaf rubbings, trace natural stencils or draw pictures.

Use a real map or Google Earth and invite your children to recount the high and lows of the experience. For example, ‘Here’s where we walked over that log bridge.’

Whether it’s a half-mile stroll around the neighborhood park or a day-long excursion, hiking is something the whole family can enjoy. Keep this in mind and your next hike will be a walk in the park.

Island Child Page 15

Spotlight on Business

Crave Boutique

Pancia BellaAfter 3½ years at her Station Street location in Duncan,

Kristen has decided to close her storefront and move to online sales. You can visit her at www.panciabella.ca where you will find nursing bras, some maternity wear, and more of her personal hand made collection of girls hair bands, childrens hats, pillowcase dresses, jewellry and much more.

What’s New in Business

Kinderbeez

Gecko Green Living

La Mama MaternityLa Mama Maternity & More has relocated. Still in the

downtown core of Victoria, you will now find this family owned and operated business at 1010 Broad Street. La Mama has been serving the needs of moms and moms-to-be since 2003. Joanne can be reached at 250-388-3977. La Mama is online as well at www.lamamamaternity.com.

Also loving life in a new location are the guys at Gecko Green Living on Salt Spring. Mike and Claire moved

to the more central area of Ganges this past summer. All their organic and eco friendly goods can be found at 103 McPhillips Avenue in the heart of the town. Hours are Mon to Sat from 10 to 5:30 and on Sun from 11 to 4.

Kinderbeez Children’s Consignment Store in Duncan has some exciting changes in the works. They will

be launching their new Fairy Dust Boutique in November, featuring fun ‘do it yourself’ stations for girls aged 3 to 13. Kids will delight in the chance to create their own fairy dust sparkly lotions, yummy ice cream inspired bath scrubs, lip gloss fun stations, and more. Although fairy dust is geared towards little girls, they will also have ‘create your own’ critter bath bubbles for the boys.

The entire fairy dust collection will be featured in this new addition, giving some exciting, never seen before in store fun, take home gifts and even ‘DIY’ fun stations to add excitement to your own lipgloss birthday parties. Expect this new and inspiring addition to Kinderbeez to dazzle the imagination of your little fairy princess!

Crave Beautique opened it’s doors on Station Street in Duncan just over three years ago now. Make-up artist

and store owner Cortnie Clarke had a vision to design a place where women of all ages and lifestyles could go to get professional, helpful, and honest advice on make-up and skincare. Crave soon became the place for women to get their makeup done for the big events, be it weddings, grads, or just a night out on the town.

When Cortnie first opened, she just sold makeup and skincare, and did makeup applications and lessons. Her dream was to expand her space into selling clothing, shoes, and accessories and throughout this pst year, she has been able to reaps the rewards of that hard work. At any given time you will find Crave stocked with the most current, cool, classic and chic clothing, footwear, jewelry and accessories. A-list shopping is now in Duncan ladies!

Once inside the pink walls and curtains, you will notice the fun and girly atmosphere with the generous and helpful sales ladies, and likely you will hear the current episode of Y&R on the big screen. Crave is the only beauty and fashion boutique that combines everything - designer clothing, shoes, and bags, fashion jewelry and professional make-up - all in one, relaxed and fun environment.

Cortnie divulges her best sellers here ...

1. Hunter Boots, every woman needs a pair!2. Fluxus tops3. Jeggings by Black Orchid and Domino4. Classified spray-on foundation5. Freeze 24-7 lip plumper6. Mineral makeup by Stript7. Cor soap, once you use it you will never use anything else!

Visit Cortnie at Crave Beautique at 162 Station Street in Duncan. Her number is 250-748-1919.

Crave is open Mon - Wed 10am to 5pmand Thurs - Sat from 10am to 6pm.

Know of a great business that you would like to see profiled here? Call or email for details!

250.597.3552 or islandchildmag@shaw.ca

Island Child Page 16

Lunch Commandments: Packing Lunchesmaking Island Moms Savvy Moms

Packing lunch five days a week every week for the next 9 or 10 months is a task of biblical

proportions. It should be homemade, but easy; tasty, but nutritious enough for the Canada Food Guide; sensitive to classmates’ food allergies, but sensitive to your kid’s likes and dislikes; sanitarily packaged, but eco-friendly. Have faith and obey a few of our lunch commandments; you’ll be saved from the sin of lunch frustration.

Thou Shalt Not Go It AloneInvolve the kids - even the young ones - in what they are taking for lunch and they’ll be more likely to eat it. They can help with the shopping list or choose their favourite snack to take. If you keep all the lunch-approved snacks in one place, just ask them to go and choose one for that day. With older kids, try keeping a container in the fridge full of sandwich fixings - sliced tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, cheese, meat - and get the kids to make up their own sandwiches.

Thou Shalt Not Assume a Sandwich Is the Only Kind of LunchA whole sandwich can be daunting for little ones, while bigger kids can get distracted easily by all their friends (and forget to eat). A variety of ready-to-eat finger food often goes over better than a sammie. Offer bite-size bits from a few different food groups, and they probably won’t come back home in the lunchbox:

• Fruit - fresh fruit cut into cubes, wedges, balls or segments (removing pits, stems and skins as needed), dried fruit (fruit bars, cranberries, apples, raisins, apricots) or apple sauce (in tubes or single-serve cups).

• Vegetables - cut into slices or spears if needed, sent along with a small container of salad dressing (try carrots, cucumber, sugar-snap peas, grape tomatoes or edamame).

• Dairy - yogurt (tubes, tubs or drinks), cheese strings or other pre-portioned cheese or cubes of cheddar.

• Grains - crackers, air-popped popcorn, mini-muffins and rice cakes are a nice change from bread. Leftover rice or pasta (heated and stored in a wide-mouth thermal container) is good for a cold day. • The ‘meat’ - slices of pepperoni sticks or turkey hot dogs, cubes of lean ham or turkey breast, bean dips, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, leftover pizza or quesadillas (cut into small wedges).

• The ‘dessert’ - a few animal crackers, oatmeal cookies or a granola bar.

Thou Shalt Limit Your Eco-ImpactReduce the use of disposable wraps and containers by stocking up on a variety of reusable containers. Make sure that the lids can be easily removed and replaced by your kids (or they will quickly turn into disposable containers). Rather than using individually packaged juices, fill a reusable drink container such as a Kleen Kanteen from a larger juice container at home.

And just like that, you’ve got lunch in the bag. And we say amen to that._________________________________________________

SavvyMom Media is the publisher of SavvyMom Today, the trusted voice for moms, covering a broad range of topics,

‘from diapers to dinner parties and everything in between’. SavvyMom Today speaks to a wide audience of moms who seek

pin-point solutions to the daily dilemmas their time-crunched lifestyles present.

Sign up, get savvy ... visit www.savvymom.ca.

Winter 2010 issue ... book your ad space todayemail or call to book

250.597.3552 or islandchildmag@shaw.ca

Island Child Page 17

Feed Your Kids for Success: Joanne Cerazy

Rhyming words, learning the alphabet, spotting similarities and differences, following directions, and

paying attention are just a few prerequisite skills that school-aged children are expected to have in order to do well in school. The facility to perform proficiently in these areas is a good indicator that the brain is functioning properly and that a child is developing typically. But not all children follow this regular path and some struggle with acquiring these foundational skills.

It is a researched and documented fact that exposure to lead causes problems with paying attention, academic learning and behaviour. This toxic metal affects virtually all cells in the body, but its most critical effects are in the brain, impacting cognition and behaviour. Lead plays a causal role in the development of such conditions as learning disabilities, ADHD, behaviour problems, increased IQ and autism.

Once lead enters the body, some of it becomes eliminated and some remains in the blood system and is later stored in the brain, bones, organs and tissue. Unlike essential metals such as iron or zinc, lead serves no purpose in the human system. Unfortunately, since it mimics calcium, our bodies are tricked into hanging on to this nasty toxin.

Since the 1970s, some major sources of lead have been eliminated and it is easy to be misled into thinking that because of these high-profile initiatives, the risk posed by lead has been eradicated. On the contrary, we must not be deluded into thinking that the dangers of lead have been removed. Even today, lead can be found virtually everywhere, often in the least likely locations. It is as prevalent as ever.

How does lead actually get into our homes and our bodies? It finds its way into our homes in our food supply, water, personal care products and in the toys we give to our children. It can be found on dinnerware, silverware, brassware and older pewterware. It lurks in crystals and plastics, in artwork and craft materials. It is used in the production of stained glass, jewellery, printing ink, dyes, candlewicks and cosmetics. It is found in bullets, shot, fishing nets and sinkers, in yachts and diving suits, curtain weights and emblems, in pipe organs and player pianos, in caulking and sound proofing materials, in ships, and in planes. The ever-growing electronics industry makes use of massive amounts of lead. Few people have any idea that a computer screen may contain as much as four pounds of this unwelcome metal.

The good news is that while the damage lead causes is irreversible, it is preventable, and each of us can make small steps to ensure that this neurotoxin stays away from our children’s bodies. Nowadays, no one needs to be exposed to lead and to suffer its harmful effects. Our children can be protected from the cycle of lead’s damage. Making small changes such as ensuring that your tap water is clear of this metal, removing objects that might be laced with it, wet-wiping surfaces instead of using a feather duster are effective preventative strategies. Nutrition also plays a key role in how much lead is retained by the body. Lead is absorbed more readily on an empty stomach, hence teaching our children the importance of consuming regular, healthy meals each day is not just good parenting, it is a primary step to lead exposure prevention.

While we all know that eating a diet low in fat is good for maintaining a healthy weight, it is also a lead avoidance measure. Some fat is necessary for good health but foods that contain high amounts of fat encourage lead absorption. Teach your kids that fast foods, fatty meats, chips, pastries, bacon and butter need to be eaten in moderation.

Well-nourished children tend to have better school attendance, fewer behaviour problems, and a better chance of reaching their full academic potential. Encouraging your children to eat a diet low in fat and rich in fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains will help protect your children from lead exposure, and help increase their success at school._________________________________________________

Joanna Cerazy is the co-author of a timely and empowering book “Lead Babies: How Heavy Metals Are Causing Our Children’s Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Low IQ

and Behavior Problems.” For more information about “Lead Babies” or lead exposure prevention, visit www.enoughlead.com

or www.nomoreleadbabies.com.

Island Child Page 18

Today’s Must Haves:...a sampling of some of the many

fantastic new products and services in our marketplace these days...

Aly Dahl Designs - eye candy jewellryPOP ROCK (below): This stunning piece of icandy is made of the most beautiful pink, blue

and green druzzies, the crystals in the stone catch the light like diamonds. This is a great conversation piece. Each stone is set in sterling silver and hangs from a handmade sterling silver chain. Pair this item with a little black dress, or white flowing top and jeans, dress it up or down. This piece will make any outfit truly Pop and Rock.

TURQUOISE BRACELET (right): This large piece of turquoise is framed in brass and plated with gold. The silk is adorned with real gemstones and pearls. These bracelets sell out quickly and have been seen on the wrists of celebrities all over hollywood. Kate Hudson is often seen wearing two.

My good friend Aly Dahl makes this amazingly stunning jewellry. Visit www.silverfingerprints.ca

to see her whole collection.

Pretty Frilly Things - hair wear for girly girlsEvery little girl needs pretty frilly things! We have found (right here in Duncan!),

top quality, modern, stylish hair clips for little girls. Masika Allan, mom of two babes under two, has found her niche creating hair wear for girls, (clips: left), and

adorable crocheted hats, (right). Pretty Frilly Things hair clips have heat sealed ribbon to prevent fraying and do not slip out of even the finest of new baby hair. Hats are adorned with flowers and ribbons and fit girls up to five years. We recently discovered her clips showcased front and centre at Indigo Children Consignment on Station Street!

Visit Masika in her virtual Facebook store at www.facebook.com/prettyfrillythings. You can now shop online through your Facebook account. Huh.

The Question Journey - inspirational book, authored by Trish BishopThe Question Journey - Re-discovering YOU

The journey of parenthood is one that is often a combination of absolute joy, unconditional love, frustration, and stark fear. As parents we want the best for our children while we simultaneously want the best from our children. When our children are infants, we tend to put our own needs by the wayside to focus on being everything we can be for these new little beings. This balancing act brings up our own memories of childhood. “Oh man, I just sounded like my mother!” The Question Journey provides a safe place for you to explore the inner workings of YOU. How you feel, what drives your behaviours and decisions, what makes you react in anger versus laughter, and so much more. Use this beautiful book to find yourself again. Put yourself first.

We recently discovered The Question Journey at a local Women’s show in Duncan. An amazing look at yourself as a parent, and as a person. A great find. Visit www.thequestionjourney.com to purchase.

Island Child Page 19

Forming Friendships from Toddler to Teen... continued from page 3

Teenagers who have received the love and support that they need at earlier ages will stay connected to their parents and at least consider their opinions. Make sure you pay attention to who your child is hanging out with. Get to know her friends by inviting them over and being the ‘Mom Taxi’. Talk to your child about things like making good choices, how to get out of sticky situations, what a “good” friend looks like and how you expect to know where they are at all times. Teach your child some ways for her to make friends. Listening to others, smiling at people, keeping the gossip and cattiness to a minimum, talking to people first, being themselves, trying to have a good time, inviting someone new to sit with them at lunch ... these are all good ways.

Other ideas include: trying out for a school play, participating in a sport, joining a club at school, attending church youth group activities, going to summer camp and so on.

What if your child is hanging out with some kids you don’t approve of? Tweens and teens are like ships that need a lot of steering in the murky of waters of hormones and peer pressure. One fellow mom offers this advice. ‘When my kids want to hang out with kids that have questionable behavior, we encourage the friends to play at our house so we can monitor what goes on. Then we treat them like we treat our kids and correct their behavior. If they don’t like it, they leave.’ The friendship groundwork you lay when your child is just a toddler impacts how she’ll handle friendships when she’s a teenager and beyond. Teach her how to get along with other kids her age (and of other ages) so she can hold onto friends and make new ones throughout her life._________________________________________________

Kerrie McLoughlin is a freelance writer and the seasoned Mom of five. She blogs at TheKerrieShow.com.

Cowichan Valley Women’s ExpoOctober 23, 2010 10am to 5pm

at the NEW Cowichan Exhibition Hall7380 Trans Canada Highway (corner of Mays Rd)

All Day Stagefeaturing fashion shows by

Suzannes, Sheer Essentials, and more!

Nearly New Fashion Shows & Clothing Saleall proceeds to the Cowichan Valley Autism Society

$5 admission up to 50 exhibitorstickets available at Curves Duncan or at the door

Chocolate Lovers Beware! Indulge in your

taste buds and help support

Cowichan Family Life

High Tea Luncheon$10 per plate

All proceeds to Cowichan

Independent Living

Island Child Page 20

Adoption_____________________________________

Choices Adoption & Counselling Serviceswww.choicesadoption.caT: 888-479-9811Licensed non-profit adoption agency in BC.

Sunrise Family Services Societywww.SunriseAdoption.comT: 888-984-2488Creating the joy of family by adopting.

The Adoption Centrewww.adoption-bc.comT: 800-935-4237

Art Therapy_____________________________________

Liz McKnight, Registered Art TherapistT: 250-713-8857Creative counselling for children and families.

Beauty for Kids_____________________________________

Beaners Fun Cuts for KidsCountry Club Centre39A - 3200 North Island Hwy, NanaimoT: 250-758-2444Where kids can be kids and Moms can take a load off!

Lizzy Lee & MeShelbourne Plaza3655 Shelbourne Street, VictoriaT: 250-590-5568www.lizzyleeandme.com**See ad page 19

Birth Announcements_____________________________________

Animal Cracker Announcementswww.animalcrackersonline.comCustom made birth announcements.

Breastfeeding Clinics & Support_____________________________________

VARIOUS COMMUNITIESHappy Tribe ConsultingT: 250-739-3146Karyn-grace Clarke is a registered lactation consultant offering in-home and clinic-based consultations for breastfeeding, parenting and relationship issues.

DUNCANPublic Health UnitT: 250-709-3050

La Leche League SupportT: 250-746-1601, ChristyE: christydurnion@hotmail.com

NANAIMOLa Leche League SupportT: 250-754-5853, Bridget

Nanaimo Breastfeeding CentreT: 250-755-3388Individual breastfeeding counselling and support.

Breastfeeding Clinics & Support_____________________________________

The Nanaimo Mother and Baby SocietyT: 250-754-5090

PARKSVILLEParksville Health UnitT: 250-248-2044

La Leche LeagueT: 250-390-5184, Lesleywww.LLLC.ca

Kathy DuttonCertified Lactation ConsultantT: 250-951-9886

VICTORIALa Leche League SupportT: 250-727-4384

Child Care - Daycares, Preschools, Nannies

_____________________________________

International NanniesT: 800-820-8308Free instant access to 100s of nanny profiles

Supreme Nannies CanadaT: 250-483-5222Your one-stop source for nannies and caregivers across Canada.

CHEMAINUSSt. Joseph’s Early Learning and Child Care CentreT: 250-246-3191W: www.stjosephselem.caWe believe that all children have the right to a healthy spiritual, social, emotional, physical and intellectual environment, that respects and plans for their individual interests and needs.

COWICHAN BAYTreetops DaycareT: 250-748-5716Daycare full and part time, preschool program in the morning, after school care.

DUNCANArcadian Day Care CentreT: 250-748-3922Happy, safe and caring environment. Ages birth to 5. Early Childhood Educators. New infant & toddler centre.

Kidzco Learning CentreT: 250-746-4027Stimulating environment that includes each child’s uniqueness. 30 months to 5 years.

Kingdom Treasures Christian PreschoolT: 250-746-0110

Sunrise Waldorf SchoolT: 250-743-7253Parent & Child, Nursery and K to 8.

LAKE COWICHANKaatza Child CareT: 250-749-6422

NANAIMOFour Seasons MontessoriHammond Bay Road, NanaimoT: 250-758-8979

resource directory Child Care - Daycares, Preschools, Nannies

_____________________________________

Nanaimo Montessori SchoolWaddington Road, Nanaimo T: 753-0649Empowered children who model behaviours that contribute to better communities.

QUALICUMLittle Star Children’s CentreT: 250-752-4554Earth friendly philosophy with an inspired, academic curriculum.

Morning Glory Childcare CentreT: 250-752-6777E: mgs@shawcable.comwww.morninggloryschool.caWarm and caring Waldorf based programs in a lovely rural setting minutes from Qualicum Beach.

Oceanside Montessori SchoolHoylake Road W, Qualicum Beach T: 250-738-0305Providing your child with a beautiful Montessori environment, both inside and out, so as to generate a curiosity and zest for life! Self-paced learning to build confidence and independence. Ages 3 to 5.

SALTSPRING ISLANDSaltspring Daycare and PreschoolT: 250-537-2114

Tree Frog Daycare T: 250-653-4998

SHAWNIGAN LAKEPrecious Beginnings Early Childcare CentreT: 250-743-4477

VICTORIAGoldstream Co-op PreschoolT: 250-474-3011E: goldstreampres@shaw.cawww.vicpa.ca/gspsA parent-participation preschool with programs for 3 & 4 year olds.

Miles of SmilesT: 250-298-7374www.milesofsmileschildcare.com**See ad page 12 Nightingale Preschool and Jr KindergartenT: 250-595-7544www.nightingalepreschool.comTaking children’s learning forward, balanced approach to play and education.

Chiropractic _____________________________________

Discover Chiropractic Family Wellness CntrDr. Erin Anderson16 - 1594 Fairfield Road, VictoriaT: 250-386-9355

Valleyview Family ChiropracticDr. Vanessa White11 - 1400 Cowichan Bay Road, Cobble HillT: 250-743-3775

Counselling_____________________________________

INSITEwww.greatrelastionships.caT: 250-751-0111E: info@greatrelationships.caINSITE at Edgewood is a six-day, therapeutic process that integrates mind, body and spirit to help you achieve the life of wholeness and authenticity you seek.

Shore Counselling Societywww.shorecounselling.caT: 250-716-1888E: office@shorecounselling.caProfessional counselling for individuals, couples and families.

Doulas_____________________________________

COMOX VALLEYJesse BuchananT: 250-334-2815Birth & Postpartum doula

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder_____________________________________

Nanaimo FASD SocietyT: 250-758-6317E: danielle@nanaimofasdsociety.orgCharitable organization providing information sessions and workshopsand community events aimed at sharing education and awareness for the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the mid island region.

Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization T: 250-753-1133Autism and FASD.

Foster Parent Support__________________________________

Foster Parent Support Services SocietyT: 1-888-922-8437, 250-598-1500www.fosterhope.caInformation for those interested in becoming foster parents.

Health and Wellness_____________________________________

Apples to Oranges ConsultingT: 250-516-4234, Loriwww.applestooranges.caDifference through diet for autistic kids

USANA Health Sciences T: 250-709-9086, Tarawww.tarablackstock.usana.comExceptional, science-based nutritional and personal-care products.

Dr. Amy WellsNaturopathic Family Physician1 - 2311 Rosewall Crescent, CourtenayT: 250-871-2600

resource directory Island Child Page 21

Home Schooling / Tutoring_____________________________________

Wondertree Homelearners’ NetworkT: 250-754-1227, Suzannewww.wondertree.orgProviding homeschooling registration across BC; supporting self-directed learning.

Academic Advantage TutoringT: 250-483-5496 (Victoria and Western Communities)T: 877-787-5854 (Comox Valley and Campbell River)www.schooliseasy.comHelp your child get a head start! Certified teachers can help your child excel at reading, writing and math in the convenience of your own home.**See ad page 12

House Cleaning & Maintenance_____________________________________

Clean Choice CleanersT: 250-929-8381, TraceyGiving you back the luxury of time and a naturally clean home to enjoy it in!**See ad page 12

Lush Eco LawnsT: 250-597-0408, JohnE: lushecolawns@shaw.caGas-free lawn mowing, seasonal organic soil treatments, and environmentally friendly lawn maintenance.**See ad page 7

Midwives_____________________________________

Midwives Association of BC/College of Midwives will provide a list of midwives in your communityT: 604-736-5976

VARIOUS COMMUNITIESMid-Island MidwiferyT: 250-246-4083, Laurie UntereinerProviding holistic care during the childbearing year. Serving communities from Crofton to Nanaimo. COWICHAN VALLEYCowichan Midwifery GroupT: 250-709-2040

SALTSPRING ISLANDCommunity Midwifery CareT: 250-537-2243Offering experienced care for low-risk local moms. Will consider clients from communities with no Midwives.

VICTORIAAccess MidwiferyT: 250-380-6329Serving Esquimalt, Western Communities & Victoria

Music, Dance & Exercise_____________________________________

Adage StudioT: 250-709-4048www.adagestudio.comClass for children and adults

Music, Dance & Exercise_____________________________________

BC Boys ChoirT: 1-888-909-8282www.bcboyschoir.org

Island Kung FuT: 250-701-0222www.islandkungfu.com

MoonDance Dynamic Arts SchoolT: 250-743-5846www.MoonDanceArts.caWest African Dance & Drumming, Dance from India, Hip Hop & more! **See ad page 9

Nanaimo Conservatory of MusicT: 250-754-4611www.ncmusic.caKindermusik, a good beginning never ends.

Peninsula Academy of Music Arts1662 Mills Road, North SaanichT: 778-426-1800www.PeninsulaAcademy.caMusic lessons for all ages, all instruments. Accredited teachers, instrument rentals & sales, lots of parking.

Salsa Babies and Salsa TotsT: 604-461-7827www.runnersandbootiesfitness.comDance back into shape with baby as partner!

Steps Ahead DanceT: 250-701-0203www.stepsaheadbc.comQuality dance instruction for children, RAD ballet, ISTD Modern, ISTD Tap**See ad page 3

Vancouver Island Symphonywww.vancouverislandsymphony.comNoteworthy Kids: A free community outreach program sponsored by the Vancouver Island Symphony, Nanaimo.

Victoria Suzuki Piano SchoolT: 250-385-8355www.VSPA.caMontessori-styled music environment for young children.

Online Resources_____________________________________

www.westcoastmoms.ca**See ad page 4www.canigettherecipe.comwww.childsplay101.comwww.cowichanvalleykids.comwww.dinnervibe.comwww.kidsinnanaimo.comwww.kidsinvictoria.comwww.MyBabyStuff.cawww.savvymom.cawww.smalltownchicks.com

Optometry_____________________________________

South Cowichan EyecareChemainus Family EyecareT: 250-743-8899, 250-246-3405www.myeyecare.ca

Optometry_____________________________________

Salt Spring EyecareDr. Andrea N. Varju, Optometrist158A Fulford-Ganges Rd, Salt Spring IslT: 250-537-4356**See ad page 4

Party Planning_____________________________________

99 in the Shade Balloons & Morewww3.telus.net/99intheShadeOver 70 kids party themes, party favours and pinatas, online ordering available

A Perfect Party by CodyT: 250-384-6266, Kriswww.perfectpartybycody.com/VictoriaBCParty supplies for all occasions delivered to your door.

A Piece of Cake! Children’s PartiesT: 250-715-0286, Nicolewww.childrensparties.caChildren’s party planning consultant.**See ad page 7

Giggle Box Party RentalsT: 250-882-1865, Kimwww.gigglebox.caSpecializing in children’s party theme rentals.

Goodies GaloreT: 250-510-1522, JohannaGoodie bags - birthdays, holidays, baby showers, incentive for students / children.

Photography_____________________________________

Crystal Clear Photographywww.crystalclearphotography.comT: 250-792-2575, CrystalBabies, boudoir, maternity, weddings and portraits.

Donna Budd Photographywww.DonnaBudd.comT: 250-248-4985, Donna Newborn, Baby, Family, Headshots. See proofs first...Love what you see.**See ad page 14

Greg Howard Photography www.greghoward.caT: 250-954-4253, Greg & VanessaE: vanessa@greghoward.ca

Mary Jane Howland Photographywww.maryjanescamera.caContact: Mary JaneBabies, bellies, family & wedding photography; all photos provided on CD.

Nancy George Photography, NG Designswww.ngdesigns.caT: 250-748-8006, NancyE: nancy@ngdesigns.caMother and creative portrait Photographer serving southern Vancouver Island.**See ad page 11

Natural Moments Photographywww.naturalmomentsphotography.caT: 250-818-5708, BerlePortraits, landscapes, special occasions captured in a session designed for you!

Photography_____________________________________

Rebecca Joy Studioswww.rebeccajoystudios.comT: 250-727-1453, RebeccaSpecializing in capturing the fleeting moments of childhood and families with a fresh look, creating images that are forever.

Sheri Jackson Photographywww.sherijacksonphoto.caT: 250-740-5904, SheriArtistic, babies, kids, families, maternity, weddings.**Cover Photo Photographer**See ad page 6

Play Therapy_____________________________________

VARIOUS COMMUNITIESNancy McDougall, RN, CPTT: 250-744-8879, NancySupporting children and their families.

Poison Centre_____________________________________

Your Poison CentreT: 800-567-8911The BC Poison Control Centre provides accurate up to date information about potential hazards and recommends treatment as needed.

Prenatal Classes_____________________________________

Beautiful BirthBirthing From Within classes and Certified Doula Care T: 250-597-2770, Catherine Quaglia CD(DONA)www.beautifulbirth.ca

Victoria HypnoBirthingT: 250-888-5995E: victoriahypnobirthing@gmail.comwww.victoriahypnobirthing.comHypnobirthing is based on the belief that severe discomfort does not have to be a natural accompaniment of birthing.

Pre and Postnatal Yoga, Massage and Fitness

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COWICHAN VALLEY T: 250-746-0327, Lilian Bianchiwww.namasteyoga.caPrenatal and Postnatal (moms and babies) yoga classes.

VARIOUS COMMUNITIES Belly LoveT: 250-748-6080, Kris LangPrenatal & Postpartum massage and yoga instruction.

Fit 4 Two Pre and Post Natal Fitnesswww.fit4two.ca

Mambo Moms: Fitness Fun For Baby & MomT: 250-754-7090, Susanwww.MamboMoms.comClasses in Nanaimo, DVD for fitness fun at home or a unique baby shower gift.

resource directory Island Child Page 22

Pre and Postnatal Yoga, Massage and Fitness

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Shop ‘n StrollT: 877-479-9429www.runnersandbootiesfitness.comClasses run year round - Mayfair Mall and Woodgrove Centre.**See ad page 12

VICTORIAMothering TouchPrenatal Yoga taught by specialized perinatal yoga teachers. Monday and Thursdays from 5:30-7 Sundays from 2:30-4

Mommy-and-Baby YogaThursdays from 1:15-2:15

Mommy and Toddler YogaMondays from 10:30-11:30

Prenatal FitnessWednesdays from 5:30-6:30

Baby-Bootie Camp - postnatal fintessWednesdays from 10:30-11:30

Reiki_____________________________________

Crystal Clear ReikiT: 250-743-9259, Cathy SimonsE: crystalclearreiki@shaw.cawww.crystalclearreiki.comReiki for everyone, kids love it! Healing & Training, wonderful for Pregnancy and Birthing.

Retail ~ CONSIGNMENT:Clothing & Accessories

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COWICHAN BAYGigi & Lulu’sWhippletree JunctionT: 250-737-1715Quality fashions for newborn to kids sz 10, maternity wear, accessories, toys, books & much more!

CUMBERLANDPolka Dot Pants2720 Dunsmuir Avenue, CumberlandVery cool consignment clothing for women and children.**See ad page 16

DUNCANIndigo Childrens Consignment131 Station Street, DuncanT: 250-709-2042Toys, clothes, car seats, furniture, maternity **See ad page 6

Kinderbeez Children’s Consignment2755 Beverly Street, DuncanT: 250-748-2345

LADYSMITHIndigo Childrens Consignment436 First Avenue, LadysmithT: 250-245-2042Melissa & Doug, Robeez, Bumbo, Padraigs**See ad page 6

Retail ~ CONSIGNMENT:Clothing & Accessories

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LAKE COWICHANIzzy & Ollie’z Children’s Consignment104 South Shore Road, Lake CowichanT: 250-749-3229

NANAIMOKit n’ Caboodle Quality Childrens Consignment36 - 1925 Bowen Road, NanaimoT: 250-585-KIDS (5437)

PARKSVILLEAnd Tiger ... Two!138 Middleton Avenue, ParksvilleT: 250-954-0051

VICTORIAA to Z Kids801 Goldstream Avenue, VictoriaT: 250-474-7769

Clothesline ClothingRoyal Oak Shopping CentreT: 250-479-0800www.clotheslineclothing.ca

Little Treasures Children’s Consignment1606 Stanley Avenue, VictoriaT: 250-590-4228www.shoplittletreasures.ca

Retail ~ MATERNITY:Clothing & Accessories

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VICTORIABellies in Bloom Maternity104 - 4489 Viewmont Ave, VictoriaT: 250-479-0803www.belliesinbloommaternity.com

La Mama Maternity1010 Broad Street, VictoriaT: 250-388-3977www.lamamamaternity.comMaternity wear, nursing wear, diaper bags & more!**See ad page 8

Mothering Touch975 Fort Street, VictoriaT: 250-595-4905www.MotheringTouch.caThe place for new & expectant parents.**See ad page 13

Retail ~ ONLINE:Children’s Clothing, Shoes, Toys

& Accessories_____________________________________

Aly Dahl Designswww.alydahl.comHandcrafted bespoken jewelry created from reclaimed pure silver.

Apples ‘n’ Orangeswww.apples-n-oranges.comYour online shop for childresnwear 0 - 5.

Bare Organicswww.bareorganics.caOrganic skin care products for mama and baby, new baby and new parent gift baskets.

Retail ~ ONLINE:Children’s Clothing, Shoes, Toys

& Accessories_____________________________________

Bealoo Kid’s Decorwww.bealoo.etsy.comFun and funky art decor for babies and kids

Bermuda Babies Baby Gearwww.bermudababies.com

Big Fat Henwww.bigfathen.com

Booties in a Boxwww.bootiesinabox.comGenuine leather baby booties, 0-2 years.

Continuum Familywww.continuum-family.comYour source for natural parenting essentials

Doodlebabywww.doodlebaby.caAffordable, handmade baby gifts, custom orders welcome.

Dragonfly Distributingwww.tiptoeyjoey.comTip Toey Joey Baby Footwear

Hip Melonwww.hipmelon.comFunky, stylish, exclusive SLINGS.

Kissed Babywww.kissedbaby.comCanada’s fashionable, comfortable, unpadded baby slings (and more!)

Milk Factorywww.milkfactory.com

Momo Design Housewww.momodesignhouse.comDurable linen baby slings, silky bamboo bedding, organic cotton onesies. Free shipping offer.

my Kidsquarterswww.mykidsquarters.com

My Life Storybookswww.mylifestorybooks.comPersonalized children’s storybooks

Oma Gosh! Designswww.omagoshdesigns.comCustom products, blankets, superhero capes, storybook pillows and more!

PerryWinkles Kidswww.perrywinkleskids.comSpecializing in hand-smocked dresses for girls.

Po Po’s Ponchoswww.popoponchos.comJackets your kids WILL wear!

R Little Babewww.rlittlebabe.comTrendy and funky baby gifts with unique flair! Saltspring Island’s online boutique

Saplings Sustainable Kids Decorwww.saplings.caCreating ‘green’ spaces where children play, sleep & dream.

Snug Bug Clothingwww.snugbugclothing.com

Retail ~ ONLINE:Children’s Clothing, Shoes, Toys

& Accessories_____________________________________

SOXYwww.soxy.caFabulous, affordable sox for women and children.

Tot-To-Gowww.tot-to-go.comT: 604-523-9339 E: info@tot-to-go.comBaby slings, nursing covers and essentials.

Water’s Edge Organicswww.watersedgeorganics.comT: 250-947-5362Eco lux for baby, child and mom.**See ad page 7

YOU Pillowswww.YOUpillows.comA must-have for mom, baby and the whole family!

Retail ~ ONLINE:Products and Services for Mom and Baby

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AB CorpThe Identakey - create custom ID cards, all stored on a USB flash drive.www.abcorp.ca

Cards by Kidswww.cardsbykids.caOne-of-a-kind greeting cards by your favorite artists ... your KIDS!

CARES, Kids Fly Safewww.kidsflysafe.comFAA certified child aviation safety device.

Craft Caravanwww.craftcaravan.comNew crafts every month, fun mail for kids!

Easy Daysieswww.easydaysies.comMagnetic schedules for kids.

Fun Passwww.funpass.caSilly stuff, smiles and giggles online.

Happy Island Diaper Servicewww.happyislanddiapers.comT: 866-922-7377 or 250-591-7000The ‘BEST’ way to cloth diaper your child.**See ad page 13

Mabel’s Labelswww.mabel.caLabels for the stuff kids lose.

Mamma Mia’s Coupon Bookwww.mammamiascouponbook.comT: 250-597-3552Coupons and discounts for expectant and new parents. Partial proceeds to BC Children’s Hospital.

Our Baby Impressionsno webT: 250-724-6881E: joannawillis@hotmail.comPreserve the actual size, shape and lines of your baby’s tiny hands and feet in a 3-dimensional casting, mounted on a classic antique-style frame.

resource directory Retail ~ STORES:

Children’s Clothing, Furniture, Shoes, Toys & Accessories

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COURTENAYfirefly : new beginnings435 5th Street, CourtenayT: 250-703-2848Maternity, baby, kids & now consignment!

Kradle’s Baby Boutique226 5th Street, CourtenayT: 250-703-9516Spoil Someone Special

DUNCANIndigo Childrens Consignment131 Station Street, DuncanT: 250-709-2042Toys, clothes, car seats, furniture, maternity **See ad page 6

Kinderbeez Children’s Consignment2755 Beverly Street, DuncanT: 250-748-2345

LADYSMITHIndigo Childrens Consignment436 First Avenue, LadysmithT: 250-245-2042Toys, clothes, car seats, furniture, maternity **See ad page 6

NANAIMOKool & Child208 Wallace Street, NanaimoT: 250-716-1777Educational toys for children.

Pumpkin Pie Kids Wearwww.pumpkinpiekids.com411A Fitzwilliam StreetT: 250-754-3933Quality items for baby and older; clothes, toys, shoes, layette.

QUALICUM BEACHHard Candy Baby Boutique12 - 221 Second Ave W, Qualicum BeachT: 250-752-4769Cool kicks and clothes for kids!

SALT SPRING ISLANDGecko Green Living364 Lower Ganges Rd, Salt Spring Island T: 250-537-1151Organic and eco-friendly clothes, bottles, bibs, and more!

TOFINOTuff Kids Boutique381 Main Street, TofinoT: 250-725-3290www.ukeebaby.caClothing, toys, accessories.

VICTORIABellies in Bloom Maternity104 - 4489 Viewmont Ave, VictoriaT: 250-479-0803www.belliesinbloommaternity.com

Clothesline ClothingRoyal Oak Shopping CentreT: 250-479-0800www.clotheslineclothing.ca

Island Child Page 23

Retail ~ STORES:Children’s Clothing, Furniture,

Shoes, Toys & Accessories_____________________________________

Dreamland Kids3194 Douglas Street, VictoriaT: 250-381-5437Furniture, room decor, toys and more! **See ad page 13

JamTots Baby & More Store748 Goldstream Avenue, VictoriaT: 250-478-1737, 1-888-703-8687www.jamtots.com

Scallywags624 Fort Street, VictoriaT: 250-360-2570www.scallywags-island.ca

Sprouts Kids202 - 536 Herald Street, VictoriaT: 250-388-9525www.sproutskid.com

Scrapbooking_____________________________________

Creative Memories Consultantwww.mycmsite.com/dawnportmanT: 250-591-3672, Dawn PortmanE: dawnportman@shaw.caOffering solutions for everyone’s style of celebrating photos and memories.

Sexual Health_____________________________________

Power Up Work Shopswww.powerupworkshops.caT: 250-248-5053, KerriE: kerri@powerupworkshops.caPower Up workshops provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere where individuals can increase their knowledge, motivation and skills to achieve optimal sexual health.

Single Parents & Step Families_____________________________________

Single Parent Resource Centre of Victoriawww.singleparentvictoria.caT: 250-385-1114E: lhinda@singleparentvictoria.ca

Sleep Consultants_____________________________________

Cheeky Chopswww.cheekychops.caT: 778-552-0069, Dawnn Whittaker Baby Contentment and Sleep Consultant

Ultrasound 3D_____________________________________

3D Baby Vision, fetal imaging202 - 4489 Viewmont Avenue, VictoriaT: 250-744-2234E: victoria@3dbaby.ca

Newly renovated 3 bedroom1 bathroom house for sale.

Modern, updated colours,new floors, stylish kitchen,functional living room andwood burning stove.

Adventure playground inthe back yard.

Friendly neighbourhood.

Quiet street.

Level road for learning toride a bike.

Parks and trails just downthe road.

Move in condition.

$289,900

Call Danielle Strom orVanessa Rocchio to view.

250.746.6621

MLS# 303104

Modern

•N

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Renovated•

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