Star FM and Today's Parent bring you the Family Room. Check back each month to read news and tips to help you and your family. For more articles like these, go to www.todaysparent.com
Camping begins at home:
Flashlights, sleeping bags and running water. Have a practice run — and a whale of a time — sleeping under the stars right by your doorstep. Then, when it’s time for the real deal, your kids will be old hands.
Websites for reserving campgrounds:
National parks: pc.gc.ca
Private campgrounds: campcanada.com
Provincial parks: each province has its own website
Books for wee campers:
Curious George Goes Camping by H.A. Rey
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
Clean feeding:
We love: That the Burp Armor’s corduroy backing gives a stay-put grip that ensures this burpie cloth won’t go anywhere. No more soggy shoulders!
Kids love: The cushy feel of two layers of absorbent organic cotton fleece that’s kind to baby’s skin.
Age: newborn and up
Cost: $25 US plus shipping
Available: burparmor.com
Readers Tip:
HOW DO YOU HELP A LITTLE ONE GET USED TO THE WATER?
“We sat our kids on the edge of the pool with their feet in the water for about 20 minutes, then sat in the water with them in our laps. The key was to go slowly. My son, now two, loves to ‘wash,’ as he calls it, and is really excited to swim!” Amanda Gizowski, Edmonton
Last Hurrahs:
What are your family’s end-of-summer rituals?
Share them with us and we’ll print a selection in our September issue. To contribute, visit Todaysparent.com/tips.
Please include your full name, phone number and address.
First roots, then seeds:
Talk about keeners: Babies are teaching preschool! The Seeds of Empathy program (little sister of Roots of Empathy for school-agers, subject of book above) has infants and their moms making monthly visits to child care centres in Alberta and BC. Learning about babies’ feelings helps young kids understand their own. “Little children are much closer to their emotions than older kids, but they don’t have the language,” says founder Mary Gordon. “Giving them names for their feelings eliminates a lot of frustration and creates a climate of support.” For more info, check out seedsofempathy.com.
Green Tip:
Wiggle Room
To “vermicompost,” you need two plastic bins, organic soil, moistened newspaper (or leaves) and a posse of red wigglers. The worms will happily gobble up a daily dose of perishables from your kitchen, producing fertilizer so rich gardeners have called it “black gold.” It’s cheap, easy and odour-free (you can keep the bins indoors or out).
For more details, see:
greenventure.ca/vermicomposting
Web daddies
Rebel Dad
Former stay-at-home dad Brian Reid keeps close tabs on all things daddy: the best time of year for a vasectomy (March Madness), a “Do daddies need support?” debate, and thoughts on the real reason why “choreplay” promises better sex with your wife. rebeldad.com
Dad Bloggers
A gang of 15 papas post poignant (though not earnest) narratives about the unexpected:
fear of the tooth fairy, questions about birth parents and the wide-eyed suspense a made-
up story can inspire. dadbloggers.com
Man and his Baby
A brand new dad chronicles adventures with umbilical cords, breast pumps and
poop. Cute pictures and truncated posts (with the option to read more) are easy
on the eyes. manandhisbaby.com
New blog!
Get the inside scoop from a new dad-to-be! Today’s Parent
online editor Lisa van de Geyn and her husband, Peter, share their journey
to parenthood as they await the arrival of their first child this fall.
Todaysparent.com/tummytalk
Gone with the wind:
Take to the skies on a windy summer day with colourful kites
Dragon fly; A six-foot wingspan and three-dimensional body with inflatable legs make this an impressive kite, yet it’s surprisingly easy to fly. Go Fly a Kite; 3D Dragon, ages 6+, $70, Touch the Sky (call 1-800-268-8844 for stores)
Free as a bird; This pretty bird of paradise has a fluttery tail that dances in the wind.
Go Fly a Kite Bird Kite, ages 8+, $28, Touch the Sky (call 1-800-268-8844 for stores)
Rainbow connection; A good basic kite with cool rainbow colours for the little kite flyer in training.
Rhombus Breezy Kite; ages 4+, $12, thetoyshop.ca
Air supply; Little pilots will love this plane kite with spinning front propeller.
Go Fly a Kite Airplane Kite; ages 8+, $30, mastermindtoys.com
Ahoy, matey! It’s smooth sailing aboard this pirate ship; it’s easy to assemble and even comes with an eye patch for little pirates. Go Fly a Kite Pirate Ship Kite, ages 8+, $50, mastermindtoys.com
