Category: Lifestyle

October 31, 2017

Will’s Jams Live! in Toronto Giveaway

Children’s musician and JUNO nominee Will Stroet and his Backyard Band will be live in Toronto on November 12th.

Who is Will Stroet?

JUNO nominee Will Stroet, the star of the TV series here and Kidoodle.TV, inspires kids to be active, healthy, creative and engaged in the world through educational music in English and French. Will discovered his talent for writing kids music while completing his education degree at the University of B.C. After releasing his first album in 2005 and playing shows around Vancouver, Will knew he had found his calling. In 2009, he took a leave from teaching to pursue music full-time and has never looked back.

Over the years, Will has performed more than 1,500 shows at major festivals, schools and theatres across Canada and in China. He has garnered national recognition for his six albums in English and French including a 2017 JUNO nomination for his latest album, “Wordplay,” six WCMA nominations, two from the CFMA and two from the Sirius XM Indies. In 2015, UBC’s Faculty of Education honoured Will in their top 100 Alumni awards.

In addition to being a devoted dad of two girls, Will is passionate about his work as an artist, educator and board member with here, which supports art and creativity in BC’s young people.

About Will’s Jams Live! Show

This interactive concert, which first toured in China during the summer, integrates video content with live music based on his popular TV series that airs on CBC Kids and feature sin-along favourites including Jam, Eat a Plum Yum Yum, Stampede and Chuggada Choo.

The Details

Date: November 12th, 2017

Time: Doors open at 10:15 AM. Come early to enjoy the JCC’s Jungle Gym for free
from 9 AM-12 PM when you buy tickets to the concert. You can also meet Will with CBC
Kids TV host Janaye from Studio K and get your photo taken from 10:15-10:45 AM and
following the concert from 11AM-12 PM

Location: Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC

Tickets: Tickets are $15 each or $55 for a four pack and can be purchased here.

You can now receive 10% off tickets by using code: WorkingMommy here.

The Giveaway!

My readers that are around the GTA area or who are willing to drive, can now enter to win a four pack of tickets to Will’s Jams Live! in Toronto on November 12th. Please remember travel and accommodation are not included when you enter this giveaway. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a Will Stroet Brand Ambassador and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

September 19, 2017

Simplify the Birthday Planning Process #StreamTeam

I love love love party planning. I look forward every year to planning our boys birthday parties. They are both summer babies so it gives me quite a bit of flexibility with the themes, planning and execution of their parties (not to mention we have generally had great weather). We usually only include family and close friends but every year I like to come up with a new theme and recipes to try out.

While I love planning birthday parties from the pre-planning to the actual day of, trust me I do still get overwhelmed.

As parents, we have a huge amount of pressure on our shoulders to throw the most memorable and fun party ever for your child. But really it shouldn’t be like that! The focus at the end of the day is your child and them reaching another important milestone. Sadly though, 2 out 3 parents feel pressure to be party perfect with 69% wishing that birthdays could be easier to make special.

So how do we simplify the birthday planning process and make the day special for our child?

Don’t invite every person your child has ever known or come in contact with. Keep it simple – family and a few friends. The day becomes easier and a lot less stressful when there are fewer people. The bonus? Family love helping out – use this to your advantage, maybe have a few family members bring over a special dish, ask for help with the clean up and help with supervision during the party. Every year we keep the invite list low and put the focus on our son and ask everyone to come prepared to get wet in the pool. My family gets to play with our boys and I have the pressure of direct supervision off of my shoulders so I can focus on having everything ready for our guests.

Keep the meals simple – think hot dogs, burgers and pizza. One year I went all out making exotic dishes but really and truly all my children and their cousins wanted was the basics. Funny enough, the adults felt the same too. If you plan ahead a couple of months, you can take advantage of sales and stock up on hot dogs and meat.

Instead of doing elaborate decorations, choose one focal point for the party. For us, that has always been the loot bags. For a Spider Man theme one year, I wrapped up the loot bags in spider webs and the kids loved it (although it was quite a pain to put together). We also did plastic fish bowls one year for a Nemo themed party and filled them with treats. You really don’t have to go over board when choosing loot bag items, some parents purchase a gift card whereas I like to include water balloons, plastic bouncy balls and candy.

Start the morning of your child’s birthday off with an extra special birthday wish from the characters from some of their favourite shows on Netflix, including LEGO, Troll Hunters, My Little Pony, Skylanders and much more! What child wouldn’t love a special birthday song going out to them from their favourite character to watch on tv?

Check out this quick trailer to learn more about Birthdays On-Demand on Netflix.

Above all else, enjoy each and every moment of the planning and the actual day. Your child is one year older and wiser! Cherish every moment on their special day.

What do you do on your child’s birthday to make it memorable?

Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

September 6, 2017

Common Forgotten Back to School Preparation Items + Giveaway!

My boys had their first day of school yesterday. It was full of excitement and nerves – they were excited to see all of their friends again but nervous for the changes and the new expectations. We had a lot of must do items on our back to school list that we are still working on that extends well beyond shopping for school supplies, new clothes and shoes.

So, what are the most two important items that you should include on your back to school preparation list besides the obvious?

Book important medical and dental visits.

It is so important to book an appointment with your family doctor for a general check-up for your child. As they get older and are healthier, we tend to visit the doctor less frequently. Use back to school time as a chance to re-connect with your family doctor, make sure they are meeting developmental milestones as well as being up to date with vaccines. You should also book an appointment to have their eyes checked. This is a service that is covered by OHIP and if they are struggling seeing the boards in class, this could cause other health and behavioural problems.

One of the most overlooked visits is to the dentist. Good dental hygiene is so important for your child as they learn to develop good habits now for later on in life. Unfortunately, some children can develop a fear of the dentist early on which can stop them from visiting the dentist and could cause complications like cavities and plague build up. Ensuring you take them for their regular dental checkups will help to feel comfortable at the dentist’s office. Just like a visit to the doctor’s office, you want it to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. Choose a dentist and hygienist that your child feels comfortable with. Our boys have long and hilarious conversations with ours – from talks about soccer, school all the way to their friends and what they like to eat.

Help your child return to their school routine at least a week in advance.

Trust me, the earlier you start the routine, the better it will be for you in the long run. During the summer we tend to relax on our rules, spend more time outside and stay up later. This is harder to do once school starts up again and your child needs all of the sleep that they can get.

Start getting them into the habit of waking up at a set time, making their bed and brushing their teeth in the morning. The same goes for bedtime – set a realistic bed time that will be the same during the school year and follow your routine of bath, brushing your teeth and reading a good book.

Children can easily become bored with routines, so keep it fun! Allow them to choose their own toothbrushes – from beloved characters like Spiderman to My Little Pony, from Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ and Orajel™ will make brushing more enjoyable!. I have always loved the battery-operated brushes, it helps to ensure that each tooth is properly cleaned even when your child is not in the mood to brush properly. While they are brushing, play music or dance – get silly! All kids love being silly, no matter what their age.

As we return back to school, the most important thing that you as a parent can do for your child is keep an open line of communication. This is a stressful time for everyone, when your child knows that they can confide in you about their emotions and fears they will be more confident.

Are you ready to help your child get back into the dental swing of things with a prize pack from Arm & Hammer™ and Orajel™?

My Canadian readers can enter now to win a Dental Prize pack including three Arm & Hammer™ Kids Spinbrush™ Battery Brush and Orajel™ Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste . Enter via the rafflecopter form below – good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What is the most important back to school preparation item that you do in your house?

Disclosure: I received Arm & Hammer dental products. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 31, 2017

Make Moving Simpler with these 5 Easy Tips

Moving into your first (or second or third) home is an exciting adventure full of anticipation, hopes and dreams. It can also be the busiest and most overwhelming time of your life, especially for first time home owners. There are endless changes that need to be made, items to be purchased, paperwork to be signed and the list can go on and on.

How do we make this time just a little bit easier so we can truly enjoy this special moment?

Here are my five easy tips to help make this time in your life easier:

Create a Spreadsheet

Everyone that I know laughs at me and my Google spreadsheets but honestly they are the biggest lifesaver. You can download the Google drive app onto your smart phone so you can have instant access to your spreadsheets. Use the spreadsheet to track your to do items, mark off items as you complete them (especially when it comes to transferring addresses and booking utility appointments) and use it to jot down reminders as they come to you. I think we have all had those moments when we were at a store and we remember an item that we must complete when we get home, only to forget it by the time we get there. This eliminates the forgotten to do items. It will help you keep your sanity and give you a stronger sense of control during this busy time.

Hire a Mover

While it is nice to try to save money and count on friends and family, this can sometimes back fire on you. Not everyone may come out or the ones that do come out to help may not be physically able to do the required moving. You don’t want to ruin friendships and family relationships over an unsuccessful move. It is worth it to splurge on a mover to help ship the big items and boxes, while having friends and family help sort and unpack at your new home. Your friends and family will thank you! If you do have friends and family to help you, make sure you thank them with a meal and drinks after the work is done.

Ensure You Pack and Have Easy Access to an Essentials Box

Your new home will be full of unopened boxes and clutter for the first week or two, so it is so important you pack not only a box but also a bag with key essentials for the first week. You should include items for the kitchen and bathroom as well as personal toiletries.

Label, Label, Label!

While I can say that I am the Queen of Labels at home, this is so important. Boxes can easily be misplaced and put in the wrong location in your new home. What might have made sense on the outside of the box when you first packed it, may not always be clear two months later when you go to find something. Use a location label first (kitchen, basement, laundry room, etc..) and then a couple of lines indicating what is actually in the box.

Out with the Old and In With the New!

Moving is a great time to go through all of the items that you may have accumulated over time and donate unused items or even have a garage sale.

Inspect your furniture – is it in good shape and will it fit in the new home?

Inspect your mattress – most people forget about their mattress. Yes you might have the best memory foam mattress in the world, but ask yourself…is it worn and definitely time for a new one? Make this a time to upgrade these important household items and treat yourself with a new mattress your body will thank you especially after all of the lifting and moving!

Moving into your new home is a special time in your life and you should enjoy as much of it as possible. When it starts to become too much, remember to step back, take a deep breath and give yourself a moment to re-group. If it still feels like too much, head out for a walk with your partner or even to your favourite restaurant or store for some much-needed down time.

What is your number one tip to help making the moving process simpler?

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

August 24, 2017

Monkey See, Monkey Do #SmokeFreeMovies

I grew up in a household where my Dad smoked both in the house and outside. To me this was normal, it was part of my every day and it was socially acceptable. One day, my Dad took all three of us kids to the Doctor’s office. As he struggled to get my younger sister out of the car, he asked me to hold his cigarette while he pulled her out – be forgiving with this action, this was the 80s!! Not realizing what I was doing, I started to put the cigarette to my mouth and smoke, thinking how cool I looked and that I was just like Dad. It was the first and only time my Dad got mad at me! He smacked the cigarette out of my mouth, yelling at me about how bad smoking was for my health and that I was still a child. But to me, as a child, I had a hard time understanding: if it was so bad, why did the people who I loved and looked up to smoke? Wasn’t this normal? And it seemed odd coming from my Dad’s mouth that smoking was bad for me, but okay for him. The signals that I was receiving were confusing and contradictory.

Our behaviour is learned from watching others – we learn about norms, how to model correct (and incorrect) behaviour, and what is accepted socially, all from watching our family members, our peers, and those whom we admire and respect. Children and young adults are susceptible to these learnings and may have a harder time deciphering what is healthy and normal and what may be viewed as “cool” and “admirable” is actually unhealthy and detrimental to their health. As a parent, I have learned that it is my job to help guide them as they mature and begin to learn what is normal, what is right and how to make good decisions for their own health and well-being. For my youngest, this may mean restricting what he hears and sees, while for my eldest talking about the ‘why’s’ behind the decisions we are making.

Seeing a person smoking everyday or even casually in a movie or advertisement normalizes smoking. Our most vulnerable population, children and teens, see their idols and celebrities smoking, want to copy their behaviour, to be just like them. They don’t have the skills or the maturity to understand the consequences of smoking and starting so young. My husband started smoking when he was fourteen and struggled to quit at the age of 30 (he has now been smoke free for six years!). One of his greatest regrets, is that he had started so young.

Smoking in movies is now shockingly widespread; and some of the statistics surprised me! 86% of movies with smoking were rated for kids and teens in Ontario. That’s 37% of Ontario youth smokers begin to smoke due to seeing smoking in movies. Scary right? Even scarier is the fact that smoking has become so normal despite the high number of health campaigns showing the risks of smoking. I bet many of you like me, haven’t even noticed this happening during movies.

So how do parents help protect their children when movies aren’t rated to let us know that smoking is in the movie? Public Health Units across Ontario are encouraging parents to sign a petition that will influence movies to be rated as 18A if they feature tobacco at any point throughout the movie This small step helps us to wisely choose our movies for family time, as well as encouraging movie producers to just not include smoking at all in the film.

As parents, we know first-hand how quickly our children pick up habits (how many of you have said one bad word in the car and that’s it, they are like parrots repeating it everywhere) and we would do anything in our ability and power to protect them and keep them healthy. Signing the petition is one small, but positive step that we as parents can take to help ensure our children are not exposed to unhealthy life choices.

If you are curious about movies titles that may or do contain tobacco, visit the Smoke Free Movies page or the Thumbs Up Thumbs Down page for a complete listing of both tobacco free and tobacco containing movies. To keep up-to-date with all the latest information and status of the petition, make sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and The Smoke-Free Movies Campaign and have received compensation for this post. All opinions in the post are my own.