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New Babysitting Site Means You Might Actually Be Able to Leave the House

September 2, 2010 | 7:56 AM

Photo by Ruth L via Flickr (CC)

Picture this: Friday night, you come home exhausted from another week of running errands, shuttling kids and doing a million different things. Then, your husband shows up with tickets for tonight to that thing you love (fill in the blanks here).

But wait. Dilemma. You have children! You’d have to leave in a couple of hours to make it on time, but you can’t get a babysitter that quickly, nor do you know anyone who’s trustworthy on such short notice!

Looks like plans are cancelled and it’ll be another evening of Disney flicks while you enjoy a microwaved helping of whatever’s left in the fridge.

Now, take out the last paragraph and replace it with you going out and enjoying yourself.
No really, it is possible.

SOSsitter is a website designed for the busy-too-much-to-do parent. It is in short, a database for babysitters for you to find in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec (SOSgarde). On the site there is a database of over 4,000 babysitters who are all over 18. Also, many of these sitters are trained with children with special needs. But the site isn’t for just “baby” sitting. It’s also available for those who’d like a sitter for the elderly and for their pets.

The site was started by a single Canadian mom who simply wanted a solution for herself and the many other parents who need a good review of babysitters.

Each sitter profile includes distance to your home (based on postal code), third party recommendations, references and whether or not the sitter has had criminal background check, so you know what you’re getting when you begin the interview process. The only thing that would make the site better is if it was free, but it is at the moment a paid site. Membership ranges from $20 to $80 depending if it is monthly, quarterly or annually.

Whether you’re looking for a night out, or for a couple-of-days-a-week care, with so many sitters you’re bound to find one that fits your schedule.

We all need a break sometimes and you deserve a night out…without the kids.

Tags: Ages 0 to 1, Ages 1 to 2, Ages 13 to 16, Ages 3 to 5, Ages 6 to 8, Ages 9 to 12, Babysitting, Elderly, Pets
Posted in Advice, Parenting Solutions | No Comments »

The Great Canadian Summer: How To Master Fatherhood

August 16, 2010 | 1:21 PM

Photo courtesy of *clairity* via Flickr (CC)

Being a father is not what you think. Here are five truths about fatherhood that need to be told:

1. Ignore all parenting advice They’ll tell you when to wean (do they not know that fathers can’t nurse?), how to nap them and what to feed. Every night before going to bed stand in front of the mirror and practise your “I am so grateful for the advice” smile and an “I am so agreeing with you” nod.

2. Be patient There was a three-letter word that started with “s” and ended on “ex”. Then you had a baby. This is nature’s birth control. If she doesn’t want it, then she doesn’t want it. (She’ll come around; give her time.)

3. Control your urge to make grand statements about punishment I have been known to say: “If you touch the TV one more time I swear to God I will move your bed into the garage and you will live there forever.” The only thing that happens after that is that you have to pretend you did not see him touch the TV.

4. Master multi-tasking My three-year-old, when he was being potty-trained, would whip his pants off whenever nature called and relieve himself right then and there. By the end of it, I could wipe his behind with one hand, keep the cat away using my feet and clean the floor with the second hand, all while having an important meeting on the phone.

5. Accept that you will use television as a babysitter once in a while (like a few times an hour) It will not banish your children to a lifetime of behavioural issues, and it does not make you a bad parent. Remember, you are only using it to think of more ways to be an even awesomer father than you already are.

By Zeeshan Hamid, dad of three and blogger behind hairdontgrow.com

Tags: Advice for Dads, Ages 0 to 1, Ages 1 to 2, Ages 13 to 16, Ages 3 to 5, Ages 6 to 8, Ages 9 to 12, Dad, Father, Fatherhood, Guest Blogger, Hairdon'tgrow, Stay-At-Home Dads, The Great Canadian Summer
Posted in Advice, Guest Blogger, Parenting Solutions | No Comments »

Cute Craft: Create a Decked Out Boo-Boo Box

August 2, 2010 | 8:03 AM

Photo Courtesy of crafttestdummies.com

Scrapes and bruises are the most common wounds of summertime (well, maybe even year-round). And although—after the fact—your child may show them off like battle-wounds while serving up dramatic stories of survival, they probably aren’t so chipper when the injury is first acquired. That’s why Mom, AKA household nurse, is always on call, ready to whip out her disaster kit at any moment’s notice.

But a first-aid kit doesn’t have to consist of the standard Red Cross appearance—it can be stylish too!

This is especially handy when your kit spends more time outside of the cupboard than in. That’s why we love this tutorial from crafttestdummies.com, which transforms a plain cardboard box into a pretty boo-boo kit using mod podge.

To make this kit for your household, you will need to salvage a cardboard box and purchase scrapbook paper.

After you have selected your scrapbook paper, cut:

- 2 pieces for the top and bottom (trace these and cut about 1/8 smaller than your traced line.)

- 1 piece for the bottom edge

- 2 pieces for the sides

Then, using Mod Podge Matte, piece the scrapbook paper on the cardboard box. For more detailed tips and tricks, continue to follow the tutorial.

Once your revamped kit is complete, fill it with all the necessities and make sure to keep your “nursing” skills updated by registering for a basic or emergency first aid course near you.

Tags: Ages 0 to 1, Ages 1 to 2, Ages 3 to 5, Ages 6 to 8, Ages 9 to 12, Boo Boo Box, Bruises, Emergency, First Aid, Mod Podge, Scrapes
Posted in Health & Safety, Parenting Solutions | No Comments »

Summer Sleepsaver: How to Keep Your Kids in Bed in the Early Hours

July 21, 2010 | 11:21 AM

Through July, the sun rises at about 6 a.m., which, depending on your outlook, may or may not be a completely uncivilized time to get out of bed.

But for wee ones who are used to thinking that sunlight means playtime, it can be quite the battle to convince them to stay in bed during the summer. Likewise, convincing them to sleep when there is still full sun is also a struggle. When pleading, explaining, negotiating and bargaining all fail, try the Good Nite Lite.

This ingenious little night light can be set to your wake up and bed times: a sweet little sunshine will tell your tyke it’s time to be awake, and a softly glowing moon help her understand it’s still bedtime. Just pre-set it to whichever times you like, and the visual cues will help your child know when its time to start and end the day, ideally without any coercing from mom and dad.

The Good Night Lite is $35, and can be ordered online.

Tags: Ages 3 to 5, Great Finds, Parenting Solutions, Products, Sleep
Posted in Great Finds, Parenting Solutions | No Comments »

Search Soundly with Safe Kids Canada

July 14, 2010 | 11:29 AM

safekidscanada.ca

Looking for the latest information on car seat, helmet or swimming safety?

Skip Google and visit the revamped Safe Kids Canada website for credible and up-to-date information.

Founded by a surgeon from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children in 1992, the site covers child safety in all kinds of situations: around backyard pools, at the playground, on the farm, walking down the street, you name it.

In addition to practical information on product safety, you will find personal stories that reveal why injury prevention is so important (and what can happen when you are caught off-guard) and useful safety guides for all ages and stages.

You can also follow Safe Kids Canada summer safety tips on Facebook and Twitter!

Tags: Ages 0 to 1, Ages 1 to 2, Ages 13 to 16, Ages 3 to 5, Ages 6 to 8, Ages 9 to 12, Child Safety, Facebook, Guides, Hospital for Sick Kids, Safe Kids Canada, Summer, Twitter, Website
Posted in Advice, Education, Parenting Solutions | No Comments »

How to Bridge the Gap With Out-of-Town Family Members

July 6, 2010 | 2:45 PM

image courtesy of Jon Ovington via Flickr (CC)

There are days when I curse technology. I’ve been known to sulk when the PVR cuts off the last five minutes of Modern Family and don’t even get me started on the digital thermostat control that requires a degree in computer science to be able to stop me from seeing my breath when I wake up in February.

But then there are times when I find myself marvelling over some technological advancement that I’ve taken for granted until that point. On those days, I whisper a little thank-you to the unsung heroes who sit in small rooms writing codes that will impact my life in a most positive way.

Let me tell you about one such occasion:

My in-laws, like many Canadians of their generation, spend a good part of the year at their place in Florida. We had a nice family visit over the Christmas holidays, but then we didn’t see them again for another four months. My daughter, Ava, who was 14 months old by that point, spent most of the visit clinging to me and making strange with her grandparents who she wasn’t used to seeing. Luckily, my in-laws took it in stride and managed to get her to warm up a little bit by the time they left.

Fast-forward to a month later when Ava’s uncle (my brother) returned home from Germany, where he lives, for a brief visit. Ava was doing her best work, removing every utensil from the kitchen drawer, when she heard a tap on the window at the front door. She peeked around the corner to see who was there and then bolted for the front door, shrieking with glee.

Like her grandparents, Ava hadn’t seen her uncle since Christmas but the recognition was instantaneous and the two of them wasted no time launching into a tickle fight of epic proportions.

The difference? Weekly Skype dates with her far-away uncle during which the two of them would play peek-a-boo, share a favourite book and finish off with a few rounds of Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes. And while her attention span, much like that of a fruit fly, doesn’t always hold the course of an entire conversation, there’s something to be said for hearing a person’s voice and seeing their face—even when it’s just idle chit-chat about the weather and the latest shenanigans at the local bier garden.

Since then, we’ve made a pact with the in-laws to schedule our own weekly video conferences. What’s not to love? It’s free, it’s easy and creates a bond that bridges thousands of kilometres

—Christina, CF’s managing editor

Tags: All ages, communication, Family, long distance, phone, Skype, Technology
Posted in Advice, Parenting Solutions | 1 Comment »

Expert Tips for Blending a Stepfamily

June 16, 2010 | 7:30 AM

Photo by Kevin N. Murphy via Flickr (CC)

Yvonne Kelly is the founder and co-director of The Step and Blended Family Institute in Tottenham, Ont. She is also the founder of the Stepdating Teleconference Series, a stepfamily coach and counsellor with The Stepfamily Foundation and a relationship coach with relationshipcoachinginstitute.com.

Below are her seven tips for common concerns about blending families:

1 Be mindful that kids are central to the problems, but not the cause of them. The younger the child, the easier it is for him/her to adapt to the new family situation, if supported by caring adults.
2 Don’t try to parent the other person’s children, especially in the early stages.
3 It’s human to negatively talk about your ex, but try to keep that kind of stuff away from kids. It does a number on their self-esteem and cuts right to their core. “If Daddy hates Mom, does he hate me too because I’m part of her?”
4 Convey a sense of optimism. Any custody arrangement can work. It’s all about co-parenting and communication. Kids will cope if the parents cope.
5 Don’t feel you need to have an emotional bond with your stepchild. That’s okay. It’s not a prerequisite and nothing good comes from forcing a feeling. But remember, you can still be a fabulous role model.
6 Wait at least 12 months post-divorce before dating again, date for at least six months before introducing the kids, and give it two years to see if the fit is there. If you cut corners, prepare for resistance later.
7 Choose a potential step-parent carefully, because people don’t change that much. Now’s the time to be picky.

For a closer look at different styles of step-parenting, check out Step-Parenting Know-How: Making a Blended Family Work.

Tags: Family, step-parenting, step-parents, stepdad, stepmom
Posted in Advice, Parenting Solutions | No Comments »

How to Enjoy the Great Outdoors…With a Toddler

June 15, 2010 | 7:58 AM

A basic camping screen house doubles as an al fresco play house when camping with toddlers.

My husband and I love to camp. Or, rather, we used to love to camp back in our footloose and fancy free days before becoming parents. Granted, our version of camping involved a variety of coolers (it seemed wrong to allow the farm fresh goat cheese to mingle with the low-brow six-packs) and close enough access to our car to seek refuge from man-eating chipmunks (true story, I swear!). But, still, to us it was a far cry from our pampered life in the city, so we called it camping.

Last summer came and went with us bumbling around the house, trying to care for an infant while figuring out how to also clothe and feed ourselves. Needless to say, camping was the furthest thing from our minds.

Fast forward to this summer with all of the shiny, new camping gear jockeying for position on store shelves. I felt a pang of regret that we hadn’t booked a site for our first family camping trip even though my husband and I swore, after discussing the insane logistics of keeping a 15-month-old safe from the fire/water/forest/road/sun/bugs/man-eating chipmunks, that we’d put off any camping plans for at least a few more years. Bah.

But then I got to thinking…we were already metaphorically sheltering our child from the elements, so why not just physically shelter her so we could get the heck out of Dodge, after all? I recalled a conversation with a friend a few years back who ingeniously took a camping screen house (typically used to enclose the picnic table at a camp site) and turned it into a an al fresco play area. After laying down a ground sheet and a comforter, she filled it with toys and a couple of energetic toddlers. Voila. The kids stay out of harm’s way, while the adults get a moment to kick back.

Do you have any camping survival tips? Let us know!

–Christina, CF’s managing editor

Tags: Ages 1 to 2, Ages 3 to 5, Camping, Outdoors, Summer, Tent
Posted in Parenting Solutions, Travel | 1 Comment »

Student Falls Asleep During President Obama’s Speech

June 10, 2010 | 7:40 AM

Buah ha ha. Here’s a kid that needs more sleep–he’s so exhausted that he nods off, repeatedly, through a keynote address by President Obama.

If you have a snoozy teen, check out our teen sleep quiz here and find out if she’s not getting enough zzzzzs.

Tags: Ages 13 to 16, Funny, President Barack Obama, Sleep, Video
Posted in Parenting Solutions, Video | 1 Comment »

Summer City Commuting is No Picnic: Our Family’s Tasty Solution

June 4, 2010 | 1:51 PM

Olivia would have a much fuller belly, if she'd stop sharing dinner with passing strangers.

It begins when we leave work, pick up toddler from daycare, pile into car, and try to rationalize with said toddler during the burdensome drive home in bumper-to-bumper traffic. This is followed by our failing attempts to squeeze valuable family time in-between dinner’s prep, dishes, bath, clean-up and an 8:30pm bedtime. Seems impossible, no? But we make do. Or at least we did.

Once the busy city of Toronto began it’s May marathon of sun, we decided that our schedule wasn’t good enough. Wasting precious hours of sunshine in our little VW Rabbit was clearly out of the question, so we devised a proactive plan of picnicking our weekday dinners.

As daunting a task as it sounds, it’s surprisingly easy and entirely rewarding. Our exhausted post-office brains relax and enjoy a fully prepared meal, while our 21-month-old daughter, Olivia, runs freely around the picnic blanket.

And the dinner prep? Delving into Canadian Family’s recipe archives has proven itself invaluable. Next up on the menu? We’re whipping up some Wicked-Good Pizza Muffins and the über-clever Inside-Out Sandwich Wands.

If you’re looking for us after 5 p.m., we’ll be the cheery family-of-three frolicking in one of Toronto’s countless parks. (Trinity Bellwoods Park remains the family favourite.)

—Jenn Dunstan, CF’s senior designer

Tags: Balance, Commute, Daycare, Dinner Solution, Juggling, Picnic, Work
Posted in Food Ideas, Parenting Solutions | No Comments »