Continued from our post about RIU Montego Baby

Again, as is the standard with RIU Hotels and Resorts, we were greeted with a cold and refreshing glass of fruit punch and lemonade upon or arrival at the front desk for check in which again went as smoothly as before.  Once our suitcases were brought to our Deluxe room with a magnificent pool facing/ocean facing view, we prepared for dinner at one the 5 a-la-carte restaurants at this location.  Tonight, we decided to experience Japanese cuisine complete with sushi, sashimi, tempura, and a teriyaki steak entrée.  The evenings’ entertainment consisted of live music, followed by a performance that chronicled the history of Jamaican music from merengue to dancehall and everything in between.  After that, the dancefloor opened up and the more adventurous and energetic of us (namely our 22 year old adult daughter) spent the night at club, our 16 year old stayed in the room with the younger children giving us a chance to try our luck at the on site Casino.

The next day began early with a full breakfast on the patio to replenish our energy, followed by an excursion through the Jamaican countryside to visit the Bob Marley Mausoleum in 9 Miles which is the birthplace and final resting place of the late great Reggae Music icon.  It was quite a fascinating place to learn about the early family life of the Robert Nesta Marley whose family maintains and curates the mausoleum.

On our final day, we took the time to say goodbye to our home away from home for the duration of our trip, the fabulous RIU Ocho Rios.  We had just about enough time for one final excursion and ventured to the famous Duns River Falls where we got the chance to climb the falls and traverse the rocks, the rushing waters as it makes it way from higher elevations to the mouth of the river as it returns to the sea.  It was the experience of a lifetime which we all thoroughly enjoyed. 

We bid Jamaica a fond adieu as our vacation had come to an end; however what I think we’ll miss most is our luxury 5 star accommodations provided by the RIU Montego Bay and the RIU Ocho Rios.  I can truly say that the staff of the RIU Hotels and Resorts took excellent care of our family and I thank them for going above and beyond in making sure our family trip to Jamaica was a joyous and memorable experience all round.  One day hopefully (and without the kids) we would love to experience the RIU Negril which we hear is fabulous.

Written by Roger Grubb. Husband, and father of four kids. 

Our family (all 6 of us) embarked on a whirlwind trip to Jamaica for a 6 day getaway over the winter break.  Granted 6 days is hardly enough time to take in the many varied sights, sounds, tastes and thrills of this tropical paradise, but given the fact that we had to plan our activities to coincide with the winter school break as many parents with school aged children have to, we did our utmost to make sure we incorporated as many experiences as possible in the short amount of time we had. 

Our family consists of my wife and myself, our adult daughter who is 22 years old, our teenage son who is 16 years old, our 9 year old daughter and our 7 year old son.  In planning what may be our last trip where we all travel together, we wanted to make sure that we found a resort that not only offered A-1 accommodations, but amenities and activates on the property that is engaging, enjoyable and entertaining for ALL of us.

We had the opportunity to stay at the RIU Hotels and Resorts and boy, what an experience it was!  We split our time between the RIU in Montego Bay and the RIU in Ocho Rios and we received first class service at BOTH properties.

Upon our arrival at the RIU Montego Bay on January 02, 2017, we were welcomed with a cold refreshing glass of fruit punch and lemonade while engaging with the attendant at the front desk who helped make the process a breeze.  The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and was willing to accommodate our request.  We arrived several hours earlier than the regular check-in time and no problem.  Our luggage was marked and brought up to our room once it was ready.  In the interim, we made our way to the Mobae Café where we enjoyed a lunch and started to unwind enjoy the scenery and the beautiful weather from the 2nd floor patio.  I was especially fond of the Red Strip on tap.

After lunch and when our suitcase arrived, we changed and hit the beach, which was a mere 50 feet across a white sandy beach from the building housing our double room (again, family of 6) for a dip in the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Although (or maybe because) we were in the section of the property designated for families, there was plenty to do.  From the kids club which entertained the younger ones in the clubhouse with crafts, activities, games and water fun in the shallow pool and poolside games.  Adjacent to the shallow pool, was the deeper pool with the customary swim up bar; which helped lift everyone’s spirits.  If lounging poolside soaking up the rays of the Jamaican golden sun is not to your taste, then how about poolside entertainment presented by the RIU staff or a relaxing massage at the Renova Spa?  Work up a sweat with an aerobic workout in a RIU Fit class or a game of beach volleyball? If you’re into watersports then there are activities galore from paddle boats, to wind surfing, to SCUBA diving (there is a certification course that’s offered to help to get you familiar with breathing with the equipment before you can be taken out into the ocean).  There are also Catamarans tours that takes you further out into to waters of the Caribbean Sea where it stops and the adventurous have opportunity to go snorkeling and see up close, the many and varied species of fish and coral that inhabit the waters of the Caribbean up close.

The activities don’t end there, in addition to the Café’s, Grills, and Bars abound, the space is transformed at night for a-la-carte dining where depending on your taste (Steak, Chinese and Italian), you can enjoy fine dining before adjourning to the main stage and for nightly entertainment consisting of dancing, bands, choreography and more artfully presented by the entrainment staff of the RIU on a rotating basis to keep things fresh.  The entertainment team goes all out to make sure that the energy level is high and the guest truly enjoy themselves.  If that wasn’t enough, the dancefloor opens up and the resident DJ spins the latest hits until the wee hours of the night/morning to help you dance the night away.

On this trip, we were able to take advantage of much of the properties on site amenities; however, we also wanted to venture out and experience more of the local culture.  Thanks to the on-site travel consultant, we were able to arrange several outside excursions effortlessly.  From the RIU Montego Bay we arranged an excursion to Montpelier in the hills of St. James parish where we engaged in a thrilling Zip Lining adventure through the trees and about 3,000 feet about sea level.  Wow….what a rush!

From the resort, we arranged for a taxi (Neville was our driver) who took us to local open air seaside restaurant in nearby Hopewell where we enjoyed the most delicious and mouthwatering Escovitch fish dinner.  We selected the fish (a Red Snapper) which was freshly caught and it was cooked to perfection on the spot with locally grown herbs and spices to bring out the flavor and tasted in a word, delectable.

Our stay at the RIU Montego Bay came to an end on January 4th, 2017 but resumed at the RIU Ocho Rios later that day.  As we drove onto the property in Ocho Rios with it majestic palm trees lining the long drive to the main building from the gate on both sides, we know we were entering into a world of tranquility.  The grounds, full of lush greenery, and meticulously manicured lawns and gardens was quite stunning by day but by night it is illuminated for romantic walks and picturesque backgrounds straight from a postcard.  


Written By Roger Grubb, Husband and Father of 4.

I’ve only been a mother for five months. But I already feel like I’ve changed so much as a person. The lessons I’ve learned in this short time could fill a book.

I know what you’re thinking. Talk to me when you potty train, send your kid to school, or he talks back to you. I haven’t experienced any of those things yet (the last one, I hope I never have to), and I’m sure that when I do, the lessons I learn could fill subsequent books!

Still, each day I experience something new – the first time my baby smiled, grabbed my finger or rolled over. I’ve battled sleep deprivation, missed meals, missed showers, and experienced zero privacy or “me time.”

Being a mother has taught me how to be unselfish and put someone else’s needs before my own, laugh when I feel like crying, and not to sweat the small stuff. The laundry didn’t get done today -a year ago I wouldn’t have been able to sleep, staying up until it was done. Now I know that tomorrow is another day and another chance to tackle that task.

But above all else, being a mother has taught me patience. And this virtue is one that I can honestly say I’ve lacked all of my life. I recall as a kid, teenager, and even young adult, my mom would always warn me to have patience. I’d be in line at the grocery store, begging my mom to open the chocolate bar we had yet to pay for so I could eat it now. “Patience,” she’d say. “The chocolate bar isn’t going to disappear.”

As a teen, I would scarf down dinner because I was in a hurry to meet friends. “Patience,” my mom would say. “Eat slowly. Your friends can wait.”

And as a young adult, I’d be driving over the speed limit, in a rush to get to wherever I was going. My mom, in the passenger seat, would put her hand on my arm and say, “Patience. If you’re late, it’s not the end of the world.”

I didn’t understand back then why she would always remind me that my lack of patience would be a huge obstacle for me later. I know now. Those days when my baby kept me up all night, I needed patience the next day so that I could properly care for him. The times when he spit up all over both of us, I needed patience as I cleaned us up. And I also need to be patient as he learns new things. He can finally roll over with support, but it took him weeks to get there. He’s now learning how to eat solids. I obviously can’t rush him through a meal. It takes him time to eat each bite, and I relish each of those tiny spoonfuls he takes.

As a mother, I appreciate my own mom more than ever. The challenges she faced and experiences she had are ones that I couldn’t understand until I went through them on my own. And it heartens me to say that I’ve finally learned the one thing she was always trying to teach me.

By Suzanne Yar Khan

Suzanne Yar Khan blogs about her adventures as a mom in her spare time. Visit www.mission-mom.com for more. 

When I found out I was expecting my first child, I had no idea how important breastfeeding would become to me. I knew very little about it, no one in my family had breastfed. My grandma told me once she didn’t "believe in it," as though it were Santa Claus. But as all new mothers do, I read all the baby books to educate myself the best I could for our impending bundle of joy. I learned, to my surprise, that apparently "breast was best" and that was an actual saying! My midwife backed this up telling me all the benefits of breast milk and all the wonderful things it can do. So I decided to be blindly optimistic and take a leap of faith, I also secretly stocked up on formula samples.

I swear my son was born hungry. At a whopping 8.10 pounds, he came into this world via c-section and immediately tried to latch onto my face while the doctors were stitching me up. I remember thinking how natural breastfeeding seemed, and I remember wondering how anyone had a hard time doing this- it was so easy! Ha!

Fast forward to about a week later when we had our first check-up at the midwife office. My midwife told me that my son had dropped a dangerous amount of weight, in fact, if he lost any more weight he might have to be hospitalized. I was devastated. I felt like I had unintentionally failed my newborn. I couldn’t believe my body was letting me down. After a brief sobbing meltdown in the car I called everyone and anyone who might be able to help. Doctors, Lactation consultants, etc. I joined every breastfeeding group on Facebook; I read every article; I went to meet-ups. The more knowledgeable I became, the more determined I was to make this work. And so it started. I threw out my secret formula stash and became a passionate advocate for something I had known nothing about only a few months earlier.

After parading my son from appointment to appointment we learned, we were dealing with a variety of issues: lazy latch, cracked nipples, low milk supply, overactive letdown, the list goes on. For months I tried  anything and everything anyone recommended: pumping, prescriptions, supplements, lactogenic foods and even donated milk. By six months I was exhausted, mentally and physically. I obsessed over my son’s weight constantly; I found myself googling wet nurses at 3 am! My bewildered family watched all of this unfold and “not so gently” suggested I try formula. I scoffed their ideas many times before, but this time, I was defeated. My well-meaning grandmother dropped off some formula at the house, and I made up a bottle. Before I knew it our breastfeeding journey was over. Again I felt like a complete failure. And yet…so relieved. Being exclusively responsible for a tiny human’s substance is a major responsibility, and to be honest, I wasn't handling it very well.

When I found out I was expecting again, I immediately began to have anxiety about breastfeeding. Why? I was much more knowledgeable, I had all the tools to be successful this time, but I couldn’t shake the feeling.

Ready or not, 19 months after giving birth to our son we welcomed our daughter. It wasn't long before I found myself falling back into my old pattern of daily weigh-ins and the flurry of lactation appointments. The doctors weren't concerned about her weight - but I was. I was becoming consumed with it. When she didn't settle immediately, my first thought was "she's starving, I don't have enough milk." This was the only way I knew how to breastfeed – with worry. My mental health was taking a toll.

I wish I could say I had a very clear "A-HA" moment, but I didn't. Somewhere along the line, I came to the realization I had to stop my anxious behaviour. I was missing out on so many sweet moments with my daughter, who may realistically be my last baby. I still have to remind myself of this daily; it’s still something I am working on. Despite what the books said, I realized that ultimately "fed is best." Formula is amazing. It saves babies lives when a mom can’t (or chooses not to) breastfeed. It wasn’t the enemy I was making it out to be. I wish I had realized with my son that I could both breastfeed and give formula. It didn’t have to be all or nothing. I don’t believe this option is presented enough to new moms.

My baby girl is four months old now, and we are still exclusively breastfeeding. My goal is to make it to one year. We are facing many of the same challenges we did with our son so we may not make it. Not exclusively anyways, and that's okay.

Breastfeeding is hard. It might be the hardest thing I have ever done. I am hoping by sharing my story I might offer some peace to another mom who is up searching for answers at 3 am.

Whether a baby is formula-fed or breastfed all that matters is that their tummy is full. 

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, an initiative from Bell Canada to raise awareness on mental health.

It would make sense I write something.

I’ve been living with chronic depression since childhood, probably as early as 7 or 8 years old, but not formally diagnosed until 15 years old.

You could say I’ve lived with depression most of my life, and that it’s a part of who I am, what makes me the person that you know as Sandy.

I don’t discuss it openly on social media, not because I don’t want to, or because I’m ashamed of it. If someone asked me about it, I’m more than open to discuss what I go through. I think a part of me doesn’t regularly post about my condition is because I don’t want sympathy. The type where people look at you differently, as if you are substandard of a human being. I also don’t post openly when I’m suffering a relapse because most people would have a very tough time understanding how is it that I’m in the deepest of depression at the moment, and yet I’m telling jokes and making others laugh? Naturally, people assume that if you’re in depression, then you can’t function. Most importantly, I don’t post because, sometimes, I just don’t need ignorant bullshit from people.  

The problem, for someone like myself that’s lived with depression for such a long time, is that you learn to adapt, and you become a high functioning chronically depressed human being. Most people don’t know when I’m suffering a relapse, even my own mother, who was the first to understand that it was not normal for a child to cry for no reason at all, and when I was formally diagnosed, did not shy away nor ignore my illness. Today she has become somewhat out of tune when I’m relapsing, because most of the times I just work through it on my own.

For those of you that might have wondered why I’d been MIA for a couple of months with writing, well, that’s because I’ve been in relapse.

What does it feel like?

First of all, please don’t take my experience as the standard for everyone else. I’m not a medical professional, but I know myself well enough to recognize when I’m relapsing, and have enough understanding to seek medical treatment on my own. Mental health is complex, because it affects everyone differently. The basis are the same, but once you get through the first level, then it becomes “customized”. What I go through is not what you might go through.

For me, I’m 95% of the time able to function daily. You probably won’t notice much of a difference in my performance. But what goes on inside me, is a very challenging battle being fought, and the mental battle can sometimes be extreme and epic. The mere task of actually waking up in the mornings is a battle. There have been a few times where it took 45 mins just to brush my teeth. My stress levels are high because I’m trying to figure out in my brain if I should take the advice that are being presented in my depressive state or not. Is what I’m thinking logical because it really is logical, or if it’s depression pitching in and playing the part.

The biggest cue for me to recognize I’m relapsing, is when I have “suicidal” thoughts. I’ve never hurt myself directly, but ideas come in a lot more aggressively. Thoughts like being injured or being diagnosed with something start floating in, and that’s my main check point of a relapse taking place. During my second pregnancy, I knew I’d relapsed hard because the thought of aborting my fetus came, and I recognized that it was not a normal thought I was having, so I had my doctor help and we monitored me while taking an anti-depressant during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum.

My brain is in chaos and it hurts when I’m relapsing. The best way I can explain is that my brain is full of junk, and I’m trying to sort it and put it into order, but I can’t because my concentration is severely compromised. This is one of the biggest reasons why I hadn’t written for a while, not because I have nothing to say, I have plenty of thoughts, but because those thoughts are so damn hard to put out, it’s like trying to translate into a different language when you absolutely suck at the language you’re trying to translate into.

Even writing this piece at the moment, is pretty tough, I’ve thought about throwing in the towel on it many times today, since 10:00am this morning, but I’m fighting hard to make sure I say something, because I know I have to. I need to.

Bell Let’s Talk Day, thank you for raising awareness. Let’s continue to work on wiping out the stigma of mental health.

I’m gonna reward myself with a box of cookies now for actually having finished writing this.

And yes, weight fluctuations is also a factor when I’m relapsing…

So your little one is still not nighttime potty trained and it's causing you some stress. Well, the important thing to think about here is that Kids Have Stress Too. And unless there is a medical concern, you should not be stressing out about this AT ALL!

Consider this: Did you know that 15% of five year old kids experience nighttime wetting?

While you may be feeling some stress because you think your child "should" be nighttime trained, know that the best thing you can do is to be supportive and let go of any pressure. Your little ones can feel your anxiety about it which may prolong the issue.

Here are some things you can do manage the situation.

1. Talk to your child's doctor. If your doctor is not concerned, you shouldn't be either, until the child is at least eight years old. (Even then, talk to the doctor before hitting the panic button.)

2. Manage the situation. Your child needs to be dry and comfy at night to sleep well. You need them to sleep well so that you sleep well too. There's no reason for you both to be waking up throughout the night when your child's body is not yet ready.

3. Understand some of the stressors that may be affecting your child's bedwetting. If your child who was trained at night is suddenly wetting the bed again, it might be due to a change to routine. Did they recently start school, did you move, was there a significant change at home? Any of these reasons or even something as simple as a new child in the class can cause stress in a younger child.

If you're looking for more tips, click here for some tips from GoodNites to help you and your little one manage. 

We recently visited the Ritz-Carlton Toronto for a special occasion, and it exceeded our expectations in every way. For your next special occasion, if you are looking to treat yourself to a luxurious getaway or staycation, this is one of the places to go. I'm going to give you five reasons why a visit to the Ritz-Carlton Toronto should be top of your list for your next special occasion.

The Spa

Whether you book a few treatments, a couples massage, or just use the spa day pass. You will enjoy spending a few hours in this space. Don't feel like getting treatments but want to relax? Get the all day spa pass. The spa pass gives access to the Salt Water Lap Pool, Hot Tub, Sauna, Experience Showers, Eucalyptus Steam Room, Green Tea Infused Vitality Pool, Fitness Centre, Relaxation Lounge and Co-Ed Sanctuary. The co-ed relaxation room has a huge skylight which gives you beautiful views of the city. Imagine sitting down with your love, with the views of Toronto surrounding you with a cup of tea, or glass of wine in hand.

The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level

The club level takes your relaxing and luxurious vacation and wraps it in indulgement. One of the benefits of the Ritz-Carlton Club level is the continuous complimentary culinary offerings throughout the day. This includes breakfast, light lunch, hors d' oeuvres, alcoholic beverages and sweets. Imagine sitting with your love with a glass of champagne and the best views of Toronto & The CN Tower. Go ahead, spoil yourself. You deserve it! 

Toca

There are many dining options at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto, and my recommendation for a special occasion is definitely Toca. From their collaboration with Chef Oliver Glowig, one of Rome’s most celebrated culinary leaders, to the feeling that surrounds you immediately upon entering, this place is designed for special occasions.

Another reason I love Toca is the TOCA Cheese Cave which offers 35 varieties selection of perfectly aged local as well as international cheeses. You can see their upcoming cheese cave events here. Toca offers special occasions menus throughout the year; you can see their Valentine's day one here.

Customized service

There are many hidden gems at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto, and all you need to access them is call or email, and the staff will create a personalized experience for you. Whether that is a private dinner at the Chef's table or a romantic dinner for two in the wine cellar, your special occasion can be as unique as you want it to be.

Location

We visited for our 10th Wedding anniversary in December, and once we checked in, we didn't leave the hotel until check out. With all the great options like the spa, the club floor, dining we didn't need to leave. But if you are looking to explore the area, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto is right in the centre of it all. Steps away from Roy Thompson Hall. Which is great for people watching in the summer. The Red Carpet for TIFF is literally in front of the lobby doors. The hotel is walking distance to many great attractions like the Air Canada Centre, TIFF Bell Lightbox, CN Tower and the Entertainment District.

If you are looking to spoil yourself in Toronto, this Ritz-Carlton Toronto is a great choice.  Happy celebrating! 

Recently, I went on my first solo vacation in almost 15 years. No friends, no hubby, no kids. Just Me. I spent five glorious days in Atlanta. It was Fall in Canada, but after just a few hours I was able to step back into summer! Since I was traveling on my own I wanted to stay somewhere that was close to the action, but also had a nice boutique feel. I stayed at The Ellis Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel, situated on Peachtree Street in that sweet spot, where it's downtown, in a safe neighbourhood, steps from the Subway (MARTA) and close to everything you need. Of everything I loved about the Ellis Hotel, my favourite is the women's only floor which is accessible only with your room key. Traveling on my own, it gave me added bit of comfort.

There are so many things to do in Atlanta; the main challenge is choosing what you want to do, and what works for the people you are traveling with. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or with kids, you must pick up the city pass. The city pass gives you access to five of the seven most popular activities in Atlanta. Be awed as you walk through the Georgia Aquarium or the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Be humbled, be inspired, and feel just how far we've come as you walk through the Center for Civil and Human rights. Tickle your taste buds at the Coca-Cola Museum, and on a side note marvel at their marketing genius.

Getting around in Atlanta is very easy. I was surprised at the many options that I had. While I was there, I used Uber, the MARTA, the Atlanta Streetcar, and my own two feet. One of the things I love to do when visiting a new place is to explore by foot. Since I was on my own, I was a bit reluctant at first, but after two days I adjusted to the area and was comfortable walking from my hotel to many of the activities within 45 minutes from my hotel. Thank you, Google Maps! From The Ellis Hotel to the Atlanta Aquarium, and many other activities was only a 15-minute walk. Exploring by foot gave me a chance to see more of the city, walk through the Centennial Olympic Park, which is stunning, and a great place to go if you have little kids.

On the topic of walking, there are quite a lot of places to explore. My favourites are:

The Beltline Eastside Trail: Home to Paris on Ponce, a 46,000 square feet space with art, antiques, furnishings, and that authentic feel.

Westside Provisions District: Lots of fun to walk around; it's the hub for home decor, clothing, and culinary boutiques. When you are there, you have to check out JCT Kitchen & Bar.

Ponce City Market: Housed in the largest brick building in the southeast and features a central food hall, leading retail brands, and skyline park which is a retro amusement park fitted with carnival games and panoramic views of Atlanta. This one is great for the whole family.

For the kids, you want to go to Historic Fourth Ward Park. Lots of green space, a playground, splash pad, an outdoor theatre, and a two-acre lake.

There is so much history in Atlanta, and being the birthplace of the civil rights movement, there are lots of tours that teach you about the movement. Take one of them. Atlanta is also known for its food, so I was delighted when I was able to combine Food and history together. Check out the Atlanta Food walks for delicious soul food, barbecue, Lowcountry cuisine and Creole-style candies. Seriously YUM! And the reason you want to pair it up with the walking tour is you get to burn off some those calories. Win/Win 

Please do not go to Atlanta without visiting the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling of standing on the street he walked, standing on the ground that this great man existed. There were moments of tears, too because it is a very emotional place, but The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is one of the most inspirational places I've ever stood.

If you've read Gone With The Wind, you'll enjoy the Margaret Mitchell House tour, and you can use your Atlanta History Centre ticket to enter, so it's a great deal. The Atlanta History Center houses 50 of Atlanta's most revered objects. Treasures such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech manuscript, Georgia Tech's famous 1930 Model A Ford, a 1915 Coca-Cola bottle mold, among others. You'll need about two hours to explore fully, and I wouldn't recommend this activity for those traveling with little kids.

When it comes to places to eat in Atlanta, there are too many places even to list. No matter what you feel like, you’ll find some great spots minutes from wherever you are standing. So many places to eat in Atlanta, and I tried quite a few.

My absolute favourite for taste and experience is Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint. Not only was this place steps from my hotel, the food is delicious, and they play live music. One thing to know about this spot is there will be lines; the line will be quite long. Call ahead to see if you can get a reservation.

My next favourite is The Sun Dial, a revolving restaurant on the 73rd of the Westin Peachtree Plaza also steps from The Ellis Hotel.

For breakfast, I enjoyed the Farm-to-table cuisine at the Terrace Bistro Restaurant & Lounge, at the Ellis Hotel.

When it comes to places to eat in Atlanta, you have options galore! But for places to have a great time with friends, the #1 is WildPitch Music Hall. It’s a new project from the incomparable DJ Pierre. You are definitely in for a treat for great music, and a great night out.

I was in Atlanta for five days and I still feel like I only got a glimpse into all that Atlanta has to offer. Even though I had a full itinerary each day, I left feeling like there is so much more I want to explore. 

When it comes down to hosting play-dates and meet ups most moms can be a little apprehensive about taking it on. I think the thoughts of food planning, spending money and having to clean your house are what keep us from jumping at the opportunity to be the hostess.

I know when I am planning a play-date I am one of those who over-think it all and end up going a little above and beyond the usual duties. At the end of it all, sure it’s nice to have my place smell like fresh baked cookies and for my shelves to be well dusted, but I know the other moms could care less about the ‘staging’ and care more about socializing, getting to know other moms, and having the opportunity to get out of the house and have their kids interact with others.

Joining Life With a Baby has helped me and other moms do just that. LWAB encourages their members to meet up for various activities such as stroller walks, park dates, activity centers, coffee chats, home dates, and more without the added pressures of worrying about providing food or having spotlessly clean homes. Since more and more moms are creating play groups and meet ups through LWAB, we wanted to make sure everyone knew how easy it was to be what we are now calling a Mommy Greeter!

A Mommy Greeter is someone who loves to get out there and meet other moms and kids; someone who is welcoming and enjoys striking up conversations about everything from teething to date night.

All a mommy greeter needs to do is show up at the meeting spot of the play-date/meet up, at the scheduled time, and welcome all the moms and kids who show up to join in on the fun! It’s that easy!

Being a new mom can be a lonely and isolating experience at times, but by being a mommy greeter you can get out, meet other moms, exchange tips, and advice and start some wonderful friendships that can last a lifetime.

If you are interested in being one of our mommy greeters, please email bhavishree@lifewithababy.com

If you would like to arrange your own meet up with moms and connect with other members in your area, visit http://www.lifewithababy.com/Member_Meetups

Written by : Madeline Soleil Alaouze 

As you step into this Manotick based Montessori-BrightPath Early Learning & Child Care school you are transported into the wonderful world of Harry Potter and all of Hogwarts.  Everything from the colours on the walls to the round library and the clock tower on the roof capture the wonderful and mystical world of the imagination.  The spacious classrooms are decorated with beautiful flowers hanging from the ceilings and the cozy library provides a sanctuary for learners.

The Manotick Montessori program provides an environment where children between the ages of 18 months-6 years are free to respond to their natural drives to work and learn. The school incorporates the Montessori philosophy with an extensive creative program which includes anatomy, creative arts, and music. Children are encouraged to learn through opportunities to engage in spontaneous and meaningful activities under the guidance of their teachers while developing concentration, motivation and discipline skills. Within this framework of order, the children progress at their own rate and rhythm according to their individual capabilities during the crucial years of development. For the toddlers program the teacher to student ratio is 1:5 and for the Casa program it is 1:8.

The school’s extensive creative program includes Body Movement taught in the adjoining dance studio through Yoga, Music, Drama and Dance classes. The centre also encompasses 15 acres of outdoor space complete with a rope climber, sandboxes and basketball court. The school truly prides itself in their ability to guide children in their own learning experience through the use of natural materials and the Montessori philosophy. To further accommodate the growing needs of the students, the school offers prepared hot lunches and snacks in their sizable kitchen. The school’s seasonal menus are rotated regularly and can be adapted to meet the needs and concerns of children with allergies.

The school also places great emphasis on Two-Way Communication (TCH) between the school and the parents. This mobile application enables teachers to connect in real-time with parents of the children with messages, developmental reports, daily routines, and even share photos. This allows parents to have up to date information on the child’s well-being and development. The school also organises monthly newsletters, report cards, Curriculum Nights, parent-teacher interviews, and open houses on a regular basis to highlight what the children are learning.