Blog

This blog is about life with a baby. It's not always what you expect and there is definitely no job description. Every baby is different and unique which is why motherhood can be so scary, fun, terrifying, exciting, and rewarding all at the same time.

Be sure to also check out our Travel Blog where you can share and read stories about travelling with the family.


We encourage you to share your experiences - by sharing your experiences and commenting on other posts, you may be helping other moms.


  • Saturday, May 09, 2009 10:45 AM | Claire (Administrator)

    Hello, Moms
    Happy Mother's Day to you all!


    Intuition Concierge, our new sponsor, is offering this wonderful gift to each one of our members. Please read the e-mail below for details.


    A Note: When you sign up to receive your gift, the form is set up to ask for your invoice format. You may ignore this and leave it as is because you will NOT be charged. There is also no expiry date to this offer.


    Enjoy!


    Joanna


     Happy Mother's Day!

    IntuitionConcierge is giving every member of Working Mama's and LifeWithBaby.com in the GTA a Mother's Day gift that they can really use!


    One Hour of Free Concierge Service!


    Thats one free hour from our concierge team for you to use any way you please! Want your groceries picked up? Done!  Take the car in for service? Done! Pick up dinner and your dry cleaning? Done and Done!


    No catch, no hidden fees, just a gift from us to you!


    Our List of services is endless, so no matter what your needs, let Intuition be the only number you need to call ... ever!


    Simply fill out the information form below, and our concierge will contact you and you will be on your way!

     


    Also, as a bonus for registering with us, you are able to take advantage of our 1 week complimentary HomeSafe service. We will check on your home while you are away on business or vacation, and make sure that everything is safe and sound for when you return!  That's right, more free stuff!


    This Mother's Day, get a gift that everyone can really use, free time!

     


    Use the link below to register, and your done!
    http://intuitionconcierge.wufoo.com/forms/intuition-membership-application/


    So Happy Mother's Day! And enjoy your free time!


    Intuition Concierge
    www.Intuitionconcierge.com
    416.619.0207


     
     

  • Monday, April 13, 2009 12:16 PM | Marina

    Toddler's Day Out
    Tips for Summer Playgroups
    By Jacqueline Bodnar
    An article from iParenting Media

    Spring and Summer are filled with all the things we love and cherish each year: the aroma of backyard barbecues, the laughter of children playing outdoors and the slower pace we get to enjoy for a few months. This time of year is perfect for getting children outside for some fresh air and keeping them active. While most people think of getting the older children outside to play, some may overlook the smallest children, those ages 3 and under.

    This spring, plan some fun playgroups for your toddlers and get them in on all the fun this season has to offer. With a little bit of planning, you can all take part in and get something out of summer playgroups for the little ones. Playgroups for children this age not only are good fun for the kids – parents benefit as well.

    Playgroup Dynamics
    While children this age generally engage in parallel play, rather than being interactive with other children, groups can still be beneficial for them. Children need to learn how to get along with other people, and playgroups are a great way to get them on that path. The children get a chance to practice their social skills and have fun at the same time. However, that doesn't mean it will be all fun and games.

    "Parents need to have realistic expectations about little ones getting along," says Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a psychologist and author of the book The Unwritten Rules of Friendship: Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Make Friends.
     "It's normal for very young children to ignore each other, to snatch toys and to cry when they don't get what they want."

    Understanding that there may be problems can help you work to prevent them from happening and deal with them if they do. Although children this age may have a hard time sharing, they may be able to understand the concept of taking turns. Groups like this are great for helping children begin to understand the concepts of taking turns and following directions. When toddlers get frustrated, they may resort to hitting, pushing or biting. Preventing such problems before they start is the key. When you see a child getting frustrated, try to step in with a new activity, provide a healthy snack or physically separate the children.

    "Parents can definitely benefit from play dates for young children," says Kennedy-Moore. "Besides having the camaraderie of other parents, play dates are also a great opportunity to observe other children. Seeing that everybody else's kid does it, too, can help parents feel more confident in their own parenting abilities and more accepting of their child's developmentally normal behavior."

    Playgroup Planning
    It's a good idea to plan the playgroups for children this age. Having fewer children wll help keep things calmer. Another good way to avoid meltdowns is to keep the visits short; a good range for this age would be no more than two hours at once. When it comes to deciding what to do during that time, keep in mind that the activities should be something that will involve all the children and should be kept age-appropriate.
    "At this age, children in playgroups have the opportunity to explore new areas in their environment," says Suzanne Reszka, the lead teacher at People's Church Preschool in East Lansing, Mich. "As they explore these new areas, they become more independent. Their emotional, social and language skills develop, and their feelings of self-esteem increase."

    For children 3 and younger, Reszka recommends planning events around sensory activities such as water play, textured blocks and playing dress-up. Other areas that are good for this age group are activities that involve large motor skills as well as playing with music and finger play.

    No matter what type of playgroup you plan, make sure you have fun. If your child sees you getting frustrated at some of the behavior, they will pick up on that and become frustrated, too. Have fun and they will have fun, too.

    "Play dates are very exciting for young children," says Kennedy-Moore. "But focus on keeping them short. Shorter play dates work better."

    Summer Playgroup Ideas
    When it comes to putting together a playgroup that young children will love, you are limited only by your imagination. Here are a few ideas you can use or adapt when creating your own theme:

    Field Trips: Summer is a great time to plan field trip playgroups. You can visit the zoo, the beach or even the library for story time and finger play. Other great field trips include going on a nature walk or meeting at the park for a picnic and play date.
    Gym Class: Planning a gym class is a great way to keep the kids active – and they should take a great nap afterward! This can be set up outdoors or indoors on rainy days. Just create a gymnasium and have all the kids follow along with the routine. You can set up a small balance beam, create a floor routine and help them do tumbling.
    Treasure Hunt: It doesn't have to be Easter for children this age to have a blast running around and gathering up treasures. You can create a treasure hunt in your backyard that will keep them busy looking for summer treasures.
    Art: All year long, you've thought about pulling out some finger paints and other messy things for the kids to play with, but you have dreaded the thought of it getting all over the carpeting. Take the paints outside and set them up at the picnic table or on the ground. Well-supervised, the children will create their own little masterpieces.
    Sidewalk Chalk: Find a safe area in your driveway or on the sidewalk to give the children colored sidewalk chalk and let them draw. You can also create and introduce them to different games, like hopscotch.
    Beach Bash: You don't need to have a big swimming pool for children this age to have a beach bash. Just get a small wading pool for children and help them have some water fun. Throw in a picnic lunch and you have a perfect day at the beach – right in your own backyard.
    Themed Play Dates: To make it a little more fun and creative, you can have a theme for each playgroup. You can concentrate on characters that the children like, sports or even animals.
    Ice Cream Party: Summer means ice cream for kids of all ages. A simple yet tasty ice cream party can be thrown for the children.

    Source: http://www.toddlerstoday.com/articles/your-toddlers/toddler-s-day-out-4115/

  • Tuesday, April 07, 2009 2:26 PM | Claire (Administrator)

    We travelled to the Grand Sirenis with Katelyn and the manager there was very gracious and answered some questions that other parents travelling with young children would want to know. 

    Overall I loved this resort, the selection of food, the rooms, the staff and the service. Everything was five stars!

    What happens in an emergency?

    In case of an emergency, how far is the hospital?

    There is a hospital in playa del Carmen about 20 minutes away. There is 24hr medical service at the resort with a doctor and two paramedics.  The doctor can prescribe antibiotics and the staff will bring it to your hotel room.

    What is the procedure at the hospital?

    Hotel guests especially children are given top priority. The ambulance will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the hospital. There is always a pediatrician on site in case there is a need for one. If you have insurance, the hospital will arrange it so that the charges are to your insurance provider so you don’t have to pay anything.

    Babysitting on site:

    How are baby sitters trained?

    If the child is under 4 , the  babysitters have paramedic training and have taken a baby sitting or nanny course.   We used the babysitter one evening and she was very good. We were only gone for 2 hours b/c we were a bit nervous about leaving her, but when we came back the babysitter was holding her and she was asleep on her stomach. The baby sitter we requested is a certified babysitter who was a nanny in France and had a certificate for CPR training.  The rate for babysitting is 10/hr

    For children 4 and up, there is the kids club. The sitters at the kids club all have basic paramedic training. The kids club is equipped with books, toys and other activities and the day is structured with sleep time, play time and eating time.  Parents can leave their children at the kids club if the child is over four is your child is younger you can stay with them at the kids club for some of their activities.  Another great thing about the kids club is the kids take part in the show during the evening and there is a separate show for kids during the entertainment portion of the night.  The kids club does not take the children to the beach.

    Feeding your infant

    Do you have a baby food section for infants?

    If you need pureed food, you can ask the chef to make your baby food on the spot. Just pick the foods that you would like and the chef will blend or puree for you.  There is also a selection of yogurt and fresh foods such as bananas and avocados that are excellent for infants as they are easy to puree.

    In regards to milk for infants, you can ask room service and they will send a container of milk to the room for your baby. You can ask for the milk to be cold or warm depending on your preference. You can also keep ask for a few days supply of milk and keep it in the in room refrigerator.

    Day Activities for the whole family

    What are some suggested activities for families with small children?

    Xcaret is a great place for families with children as it has a small zoo, pool and river activities.

    Tullum – has a gorgeous beach with lots of sand area and the ruins

    Akumel – Great for snorkeling, a lagoon with different colours and habitat for turtles

    Went went to Tullum and Akumel, the beach was amazing at both beaches and much longer and calmer water than at the resort, my husband went snorkeling and saw turtles almost as big as out dining table at Akumel. 

    Travelling off the resort

    What is the best way to get around?

    The safest way for get around is by taxi. When you leave with the taxi, security at the hotel takes your information and the information of the driver, the driver will wait for you wherever you go and if you are not back by the time you specified you would be back, the hotel will then make inquirers as to where the driver is.

    We travelled by Collectivo which is by far the cheapest way to travel, about $2 where the taxi would be $20. The collective is also very safe but mostly the local people take the collectivo and I felt safe with Denys, but if I was travelling without Denys I would only take the taxi.  Taxis are good for groups of up to four, for bigger group you can request a van.

    Restaurants.

    There are seven restaurants included in the price. You are allowed to eat from 4 a la carte restaurants per week. The French restaurant is an extra $40.  Children can go to all the restaurants except for the French.  The French restaurant is a romantic experience and for adults only.  Our favourite restaurants were the Brazillian, the Japanese and the Itallian.

    No smoking in public resort areas or rooms.  There is a new government law of no smoking in bars or restaurants. The theatre also have a no smoking section, rooms are all no-smoking.  There is a smoking room for people who want to smoke.

    Entertainment:

    The evening shows are great and really family friendly. At 9:30 there is a show for kids and 10 the regular show. The kids from the kids club get to take part in the show. One night was the Lion King and all the kids got to dress up in costumes and have their faces painted and play on the stage. This was very fun for the parents whose kids were in the show and made it a more memorable experience for the kids.

    You can see more of the resort at www.sirenishotels.com

  • Tuesday, March 31, 2009 3:01 PM | Marina

    Here is a cool freebee offered by Toronto Library.

    With the Sun Life Financial Museum and Arts Pass (MAP), you and your family can explore the best of Toronto's arts and cultural treasures for free.

    With a valid adult Toronto Public Library card, you can borrow a MAP for your family at any Toronto Public Library branch. Quantities are limited and borrowing rules apply.

    For deteils check here --> http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/spe_ser_museum_arts_pass.jsp

  • Tuesday, March 24, 2009 11:25 AM | Marina

    Hi dear mommies.

    Some of us got it by mail, but those who didn't or didn't have time to look into it, here is some info:

    The NDDS is currently being offered completely free of charge to residents of Ontario, as part of an initiative with the Ministry of Children & Youth Services.

    Screening tool that proactively identifies problem areas in a child's development. Early identification is the first step in early intervention.

    The NDDS was compiled by a multi-disciplinary team. This easy to use tool examines thirteen key developmental stages: 1 & 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 30 months, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years and 6 years.

    The Screen explores a child's skills in the following areas: vision, hearing, speech, language, communication, gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, social/emotional and self-help.

    When you go to the website click on "Ordering" and then you will get instructions on how to receive Developmental Screen that will be sent to your email address.

    I found it pretty interesting.

    http://www.ndds.ca/

    Good luck!

     

  • Friday, March 13, 2009 10:44 AM | Claire (Administrator)


    Do you ever see another family and think, oh look at that, “They look like such a nice family, look at how much he helps her with the baby”… then the comparisons begin.

    We compare our husbands to others we see at the grocery store, at the parent and tot programs, walking along the sidewalk!  To a first time mom other dads always seem to be more involved… well, things are not always what they seem.   Just last week another mom commented to me that Katelyn, Denys and I are the perfect family.  We always look so great and like we are having so much fun.  The funny thing is I was thinking that she looked so great and her husband must be so happy that she gets herself all dolled up before going out.  I mentioned this to her and we got to talking.  In the end, it was the same story all over again. He (dads who are not at home with the baby) will never get it.   Well the truth is they will not get it. They cannot understand what it is like to get pregnant and give birth so guess what!  They will not get it a 100% and that is OK!!!

    As the founder of Life With A Baby, other moms constantly ask me questions about my marriage.  One of the most common is “Do I like my marriage”?  The answer is yes; in fact I love my marriage! Just not all the time J  is my marriage perfect? Absolutely not!   But marriage takes work; a good marriage is very, very hard work.  All relationships take work, the question is not whether or not I like my marriage – the question is “Is my marriage worth all the hard work”.  So far the hard work seems to be adjusting to the new dynamics of our family.  One of the biggest challenges that marriages face is the birth of a first child, the stress of caring for a newborn is overwhelming, add in sleep deprivation for both mom and dad and that is the recipe for a very difficult situation.   There has been a few times when I’ve said” that’s it – it’ too difficult! Maybe I should get a divorce.  Do I want a divorce? Of course not, it’s just my frustration talking and feeling like things are better for the next family.  I had such romantic notions about what parenting would be like and the reality is very far from my fantasies and extremely different from the perfect images of family on TV.  Being a mom is the best feeling in the world.  I love my daughter more than I could ever imagine.  The shock of my life is just how different it was when there was just the two of us.  It takes some time to adjust to life with a baby.  The fact is all first time parents have a difficult time adjusting to parenting.  So when you look at another family it is definitely OK to admire what a great family they are, or how well daddy and baby are playing, but do not go down the comparison road.   You know the saying love the baby you’ve got! Well we all love our babies unconditionally no matter what – so let’s try to love the husbands we’ve got and appreciate him for who he is - the truth is you do not really know what is happening inside the home of another family, so appreciate your husband for the things he is doing and try not to compare him to the perfect image of so and so next door J

     

  • Tuesday, March 10, 2009 2:51 PM | Marina
    Toronto Grocery Deals: March 6 - March 12
    At Loblaws:
    • AAA grade strip loin steak, $5.99/lb
    • Fresh cod fillets, $5.99/lb
    • Neilson chocolate milk (1L), Ultimate chocolate milk (500ml) or MooJo milkshakes (325ml), $.99
    At No Frills:
    • Cashmere bathroom tissue (2-ply, 8 double rolls), $3.99
    • Allen's juice or cocktails (24x200ml), $3.33
    • Gallo extra virgin olive oil (1L), $4.99
    At Real Canadian Superstore:
    • Boneless centre cut pork loin portions, $1.99/lb
    • Seasoned pork back ribs, $2.99/lb
    • Kraft Delissio pizza (627-927g), $3.99
    At Valu-mart:
    • Lean Cuisine or Stouffer's entrees (196-340g), 3/$6
    • Kellogg's Corn Flakes, All-Bran Flakes, Raisin Bran or Rice Krispies (475-775g), General Mills Curves or Fiber 1 bars (168-175g), 2/$5

     

  • Friday, February 20, 2009 9:31 AM | Marina

    Hi mommy here is a nice freebee,

    Free Phyto Berry Food Supplement at Vaughan and Bayview locations. Offer is valid until Sunday, Feb 22.

    http://www.planetorganic.ca/sites/all/themes/planetorganic2/goodness/coupons/coupon-febbayview09.pdf

    PhytoBerry is a highly concentrated whole food supplement loaded with natural antioxidants
    and phytonutrients. It features a comprehensive blend of over 40 highly antioxidant
    fruit concentrates, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids and herbal extracts.
    PhytoBerry offers whole body antioxidant protection by using a harmonized and synergistic
    combination of nutrients that in concert target and protect each organ and key
    body system. PhytoBerry has been professionally formulated, energetically tested and
    does not contain artificial ingredients.

    Enjoy!

    Marina

  • Wednesday, February 18, 2009 11:14 PM | Joanna
    I didn't have any particularly big plans for Family Day. But I did want to take Naomi to the Markham Museum Children's Winter Carnival. It was a simple enough plan, get up early (well, we're always up early anyway because my little one wakes up between 6 and 7), have breakfast, and then leave. Be at the carnival by 10 or 10:30, maybe have some pancakes at the pancake breakfast if we weren't late for it, and then on to activities. Wagon rides, a lounge full of toys, watching older kids ice skate-- sounds fun, right?

    We found ourselves still home at 10:50. But at least, we are rushing out the door, with snacks for us and Naomi's lunch packed. Then Isak, my husband says, "Maybe we should eat first". And I'm like, "No, it'll be nap time soon." I give in with much reservation only because I thought maybe it would indeed be better if she ate lunch at home rather than at the carnival.

    So I fed Naomi quickly and we scarfed down some sandwiches. And then we rushed out.

    The carnival is about 15 minutes away from our home. Directions are really simple. It's a no-brainer. We get to the main intersection where the carnival is located. And then we take a wrong turn.

    For crying out loud. I did look at Google maps quickly but didn't retain any information (hey, I'm a mom with other things on my mind). I assumed Isak took note. But I guess not.

    We finally get back on track. We get to the carnival, and we suddenly feel so lucky because we get the one remaining parking spot.

    Excitedly, I turn to Naomi to say "We're here!". She's asleep.

    AAAAARRRGH!

    I was so mad at the whole situation. (and at Isak, well, because I had to blame someone for the delays.) We play the blame game for a while on the way home. It's my fault because I took too long to get ready. It's his fault because he decided we should eat first.

    By the time I we arrived back home, I was calm, though still a bit disappointed, after my dear husband convinced me that all Naomi really cares about is to be with mommy and she won't miss the carnival. SIGH... I guess it's true. But it was a bit of a let down anyway. On the upside, she slept for more than 2 hours and we got to relax.

    Sometime in the afternoon, the three of us went for a walk. It was a beautiful sunny day (for a winter day, it was). We strolled through a park with a pond and watched the ducks. We also discovered a path we didn't know existed. It was perfect. Well, almost. :-)

    ==============================
    joanna
    http://theworkingmama.blogspot.com/
  • Wednesday, February 18, 2009 12:01 PM | Joanna
    Like most new moms, my husband and I debated whether to place my child in daycare or hire a nanny once I returned to work (when Naomi turned a year). We didn’t really start thinking about it until Naomi was about six months. We considered the pros and cons of both options, and eventually, decided to put Naomi in daycare.
    Immediately after making the decision, we visited many, many daycares, and interviewed their staff until we found one that met our expectations.

    For the first four months after I returned to work, Naomi was part-time at daycare, and part-time with my mother-in-law. We were lucky that we had family who wasn’t working and was willing to take care of Naomi (in fact, she volunteered!). Today, at 17 months, Naomi is in a daycare full-time, well cared for and enjoying herself.

    Frankly, choosing daycare over having a nanny wasn’t all that difficult for us. Yes, we did think seriously about each option, but it was more difficult finding and deciding on which daycare to out our child in was the hard part. The following were my lists of pros and cons, which we considered during the nanny/daycare decision process.

    NANNY (PROS):

    • Dedicated one-on-one attention
    • No need to wake baby up at an ungodly hour every morning
    • No rushing to drop-off baby
    • No rushing to pick up baby (and get stressed in traffic). Did you know that daycare fines for being late are $1.00 a minute?!
    • Baby is in a comfortable and familiar environment from the beginning. Less transitioning needed.
    • Extra help with caring for baby (ahhh.... maybe we can eat dinner in peace)
    • Visions of a super tidy house and dinner waiting came to mind. (Of course there's no guarantee nanny will do all that.)

    NANNY (CONS):
    • Potentially quite expensive (“potentially” because the fees of certain daycares are shockingly expensive too)
    • Would require us finishing the basement of our home (sounds like a lot of money and work but we were prepared for this option)
    • Not enough social interaction - this is a really big deal to me
    • No stimulating activities (Maybe Nanny will be boring and Naomi will end up watching T.V. all day.)
    • Nanny could be serial killer (I get really paranoid when it comes to my child!)
    • But seriously, how do I know if the nanny is hurting or being mean to my child?? I don’t want to have to put nanny cams everywhere. And do I really want to live like that where I can’t trust my caregiver? This was a drawback I couldn’t get over.

    DAYCARE (CONS)

    • Well, opposite of all of the above pros for the Nanny option. Also:
    • People tell me kids in daycare get sick more often (unfortunately, for the first 2 months, this was true)
    • Potential neglect due to lack of staff (The daycare we eventually decided on bragged about always having extra staff. And you know what, it seemed Naomi got extra attention on the days she needed it.)

    DAYCARE (PROS)

    • Lots of fun activities including circle time with songs and reading, arts and crafts (yes, they do it for infants), indoor and outdoor play, and various other programs
    • Will learn to be more independent and become comfortable with another caregiver other than mommy (At the time, I really, really hoped this would be true.☺)
    • Social interaction with other kids. It drives me crazy when people tell me that young children (under two or three) don’t need to interact with other children. Okay, so a child may turn out “ok” being alone at home but believe me, children do benefit from playing and being around other kids their own age! It would take another blog post for me to list all the benefits (maybe another time) but don’t take my word for it—do your research.
    Naomi has learned from other children by trying to imitate what they do. It has motivated her for example, to try and stand/walk sooner rather than later. I do know that Naomi loves being around other children. I’m sure this could be partly genetic (being a social creature) but it’s also because in her first year, I took her to my mommy and baby get-togethers, classes, arranged frequent playdates, and I just always tried to find opportunities to have her be around other kids.

    Hence, my fear was that if I left Naomi with a nanny, she would miss the social interaction, perhaps get used to it, and become one of those kids that get overwhelmed when around other children. As well, I wanted her to benefit from children’s activities in the same way she did when I took her to music and play classes.

    But my biggest fear is not knowing how my child is truly being treated by the nanny. Until my child can speak and tell me what goes on, I will never be comfortable leaving her alone with one person who is not family. And this is the same reason, we decided against home daycare. I’ve heard too many horror stories of overcrowding and children being abused in private homes.

    I know there are good nannies; I know there are good home daycares. In the end, it’s really what you’re comfortable with, and you do what you believe is best for your child.

    What about that list of disadvantages for daycare?
    • Well… it is a bit hectic in the mornings. But Isak (my husband) has flexible hours so he doesn’t have to be at work by 9am sharp. Not even 10am, actually.
    • Naomi is not woken up at an ungodly hour— she wakes us up earlier than we would like ☺.
    • Yes, transitioning week was hell. I cried. But we all got through it.
    • I don’t have to kill myself trying to make it home by 6pm because mom-in-law picks up Naomi between 4 and 5pm (HUGE help).
    And what about visions of a super-tidy house? Well, that still remains *just* a vision.

    (first published in The Working Mama on Feb. 17, 2009)

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