Back to the Slog...er...Blog

I've been away from the ParentTalk Blog for some time.  Our little one, Lily, has been sick with a cold and cough for a week but is still the most cheerful, happy toddler around.  Our 5-year-old, Kash, is not quite as cheerful.  We (mostly me) are having problems with Kash. He's an extremely smart, funny little boy but can be incredibly stubborn and willful.  I know this will serve him well later in life but it's often frustrating for us as his parents.

This morning Kash told me he's going to look for another family because he's "tired of doing chores." Please! The child does no chores whatsoever.  Perhaps that's part of the problem; I don't know. I'm trying to get him to be more responsible, to appreciate what we have, to appreciate his sister and his parents and friends.  Sigh...it's so exhausting to be a parent sometimes.  It really is the hardest job.

But, being Thanksgiving in the States, I'm trying, really trying, to focus on the good; our First World problems are so trivial in the grand scheme of things.  I know that. So, Happy American Thanksgiving, Canadian parents. Let us forge on.

The Friendly Skies

I had a thought-provoking conversation with Marc Sorenson, Ed.D this week. Dr. Sorenson is a fitness/health expert in Utah and he was in the GTA to give a talk and promote his book which focuses on vitamin D deficiency.

So, what's the big deal about vitamin D deficiency? you ask. That's what I wondered, too, and I want to preface this entire post now by saying that I am not a medical professional and this information comes directly from a chat I had with Dr. Sorenson.  Now, that aside, I found our conversation and his revelations about sunlight, autism, sunscreen, cancer and the like quite shocking.

According to the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Marc Sorensen from October 21 to 23, 2008, 97% of Canadian Women Don't Know Vitamin D Levels:

"All Canadians should be asking their doctors about vitamin D and check their levels. This research shows us that Canadians continue to be misinformed and uneducated about the importance of vitamin D - and not knowing vitamin D levels is like not knowing your cholesterol levels, it can create any number of health issues down the road," said Sorenson. "Over 105 diseases, including breast cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease, are correlated to low vitamin D levels and the best source of vitamin D is the sun."

Dr. Sorenson has done a lot of research on this topic and advises that lack of vitamin D in pregnant women may also be associated with the onset of autism and that sunshine (not supplements or foods) is the BEST way to increase human stores of the vitamin. 

We also chatted about the dangers of sunscreen - that's right: the DANGERS - where some studies show that the chemicals in sunscreen may prove to be more damaging to kids' and adults' health than the risk of skin cancer.  All of this deserves a much longer, stronger look but as a mom and a journalist, I am very concerned and intrigued. 

If you're interested in checking out Dr. Marc Sorenson's books, visit his blog. There's a related Globe and Mail article here which supports the theory on vitamin D and the real importance of sunshine in our lives.

Please watch this special video.

I'd already been working on a blog post about a fantastic charity event for children with special needs when an email about The Teya Fund and an associated fundraiser pinged in my mailbox. I'm so glad I read the release and investigated further.  Please take the time to read about these charities, their fundraisers and the amazing people behind the stories.

First, I offer a snippet of insight from Randy Spiegal, the excutive director of Zareinu Education Centre of Metropolitan Toronto about the challenges facing kids (and parents of kids) with special needs.

Q: What are the most common challenges that parents of children with special needs face?

A: [Such] parents often find themselves outside their community.  When a child is born with special needs, the family [sometimes] retreats and focuses on putting one foot ahead of the next.  Parents need support, encouragement and access to the appropriate resources to deal with the challenges that they face.

Q: What challenges do children with special needs face?

A: With autism spectrum disorders (ASD) numbers now 1 in 160 children, there is a pressing need [to take action].  These and all children with special needs require access to therapy and education in centres that are non-judgmental and geared to their particular challenges.  All children want to be included and, more than anything else, need to be recognized simply for who they are. 

• On November 20th, the Zareinu Education Centre is hosting the Sunshine & Lollipops Fashion Show to raise money for the Centre. Visit Zareinu Education Centre of Metropolitan Toronto for more information and to purchase tickets.

________________________________________

I dare you to watch the video on the homepage of The Teya Fund and not be affected in a profound way. I'm feeling pretty choked up right now and in awe of Teya and her mother.

"Teya R. is an 11 year-old girl, who apart from being born profoundly deaf, was also diagnosed at the age of six months with an extremely rare neurological disorder called Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Basically this means Teya was born with limited neurological connections between her brain and her body. Her mother, Jeanette R., a young woman raising Teya on her own with little financial support, was told that Teya would never walk, and the first part of her life was spent on a feeding tube as she was unable to self feed. Teya’s prognosis from the medical community was that of a life confined to a wheelchair or walker, with little to no independence. Her mom, refusing to accept this bleak outlook, and recognizing a unique determination in her daughter sought an alternative for Teya."

• If you're in the Toronto area and have the time, please think about attending this fundraiser at the Bier Markt:

This cheery fundraiser is being held on Sunday, December 7th at the Bier Markt on The Esplanade in Toronto, to help an inspiring deaf and special needs girl to receive life changing physical therapy. Steamwhistle beer, snacks and entertainment are on the menu. There will be a special appearance by Bill Carroll from CFRB and the event will be hosted by Global news anchor Leslie Roberts.

I hope to be there. What about you?

World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is November 13th, a date conveniently close to Remembrance Day (November 11th).  I first heard about this annual occasion a few weeks ago via a communications rep @ The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. The museum is hosting a very creative event called Warm the Sole which kicks off on World Kindness Day:

An online auction will feature socks knit by Casting Off the Cold and decorated by celebrities including CBC's Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman and Ralph Benmergui, Degrassi: The Next Generation stars...So You Think You Can Dance, Canada host Leah Miller...and others.

I'm always searching for ways to involve my kids in volunteering or just to teach them about the world around us and to appreciate what we have. This PDF document from the World Kindness Day web site (which, to be honest, is a rather confusing site) showcases all kinds of inspiring ideas including:

• Donating books to grade-school children with little personalized notes inside the books
• "Drive-by" flowering where a few teens got an idea to leave wildflowers on their neighbours' car windows
• An aunt and uncle who gave their nieces and nephews $10.00 each and asked them to perform an act of kindness and report back on the results
• A post office worker who secretly paid the extra money needed to speed up the delivery of an elderly woman's holiday package

Do you celebrate World Kindess Day? What do you do yourself or with your kids to showcase this imporatant event? If you've done something in the past or are planning to start this year, please let me know. Enjoy this special week.

Mama Cards and Midwives

Just a quick "service-y" post today...

You know that situation where you're at the park, your kid befriends another child, they bond, play, laugh and have a great time. Then, at the end of this impromptu playdate, you find that you have no paper, no pencil and no chance of reconnecting with the mommy-child duo you've just met? Mabel's Labels has come out with these super cute "mama cards" that'll save you from those situations.

Pick one of their funky designs, add your contact info (including, "mom of..."), and voila! You've got a playdate-ready biz card you can keep in your pocket or the stroller. $29.00 CDN for 100 cards.

On another note...

I received an email from a TV producer in Edmonton, AB who's looking for a midwife to appear on an early morning talk show.  If you are a midwife (or know someone who is) in the Edmonton area, please contact me if you're interested and I'll pass on the details.

 

How do you do it?

I'm a WAHM (work-at-home mom) for the most part.  Even with my extremely flexible lifestyle, we're still pushed to the brink in terms of time almost every day. Our mornings involve making (and encouraging the eating of) breakfast, diaper and clothing changes, making lunches, cleaning up as well as remembering those niggling little school or pre-school related details: "Is it 'music day' today? We need to include your music folder." Or, "Your school picture money is due TODAY?" Or, "Where did we store those winter boots and hats again?"

Amidst this early morning chaos, my husband needs to shower, dress and eat breakfast so he's ready to drop the kids off at a morning program AND get to work on time.  Meanwhile, I'm still in my PJs (most days) and I don't shower, eat breakfast or start working until everyone's left the building. How do families with two parents who work out of the home do it all?

Just today, I was talking to a fellow freelance writer and we were contemplating the seemingly undo-able scenerio where both parents work out of the home (or a single parent does it all) and have to contend with:

• making and attending dentist and doctor appointments,
• preparing dinner,
• cleaning the house,
• getting paid work done,
• helping with homework,
• cutting the lawn,
• caring for sick kids,
• booking vacations or holidays,
• caring for kids on PA days
• arranging playdates or fundraising activities
• booking and planning birthday parties
• grocery shopping
• ...and the list goes on and on...

If you're a family with two working parents (or a single parent) how do you do it all? I'd love to know!

Well, must go: I'm off to pick up child #1 from one program and drop him off at his regular school for the afternoon!