Tag Archives: parenting

Make your parenting resolutions fun (for you) or you won’t follow through

Posted on January 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

I know it’s a bit late to be penning parenting resolutions for 2012, but I keep coming across blogs from other moms who have vowed to make 2012 the year they unplug from technology, let their kids try new things, or visit more museums during family field trips. So initially I thought I could resolve to be more present with my kids, practice patience, visit Michaels regularly for crafting supplies, and spend more time cavorting in golden meadows with them.

Cavorting with Bennett.

But then I thought, who am I kidding? I am already present in body (even if my mind is zooming ahead to happy hour), I’m already fairly patient since I have a four-year-old who still isn’t potty trained, I actually really hate crafts, and it’s way too cold to frolic outdoors. So why not make some resolutions I’ll stick to? They may be hard on my kids, but they’ll make my life easier and more fun.

1. No more crafts. I just don’t get cutting and pasting and glitter and googly eyes that make a mess and a craft that gets tossed two days later. Seriously, what’s the point? Sure, it helps kids hone their fine motor skills, but can’t they just do this stuff at school?

2. Cook less rice. Note to Asia: this grain is really messy! Pasta is way more manageable. Also, stop buying Rice Krispies. When they mix with milk and fall on the floor, if you don’t clean it up right away it forms an unbreakable bond that will never come off.

3. Make the kids do more chores. This will be hard to institute, but think of the rewards! They are old enough to set the table, unload the dishwasher, clean their rooms, fix their own  snacks and feed the fish. So why I am I still doing everything?

4. Take them skiing and hiking more. We live so close to the mountains, so why do I spend so much time at playgrounds and the Calgary Zoo? 

5. Travel to cool places. We used to backpack in South America and Asia. Since having kids we visit all-inclusives and rent condos in Hawaii. These trips are fun, but kind of meh. It’s not like I want the children to get dysentery from a street vendor, but a little global adventure could add some spice to their pasta life.

What do you think? Are these resolutions I can keep?

Leave a comment

Posted in Parenting

Tagged , ,

Surviving a long car ride with little kids

Posted on January 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

A year ago I never would have believed my children would become long car drive champs — it was all we could do to journey the three hours to Fernie without a tantrum or constant whines of “Are we there yet?” But this past summer we took them all the way to Vancouver, stopping mid-way in Salmon Arm, with nary a sniffle. So when we were invited up to Jasper and Marmot Basin ski area in Jasper National Park for a Jasper in January ski weekend, I didn’t blink at the five-hour drive. The secret to our road trip success? A portable DVD player.

A portable DVD player: Don't leave home without it.

While technology is indispensable, I try not to rely on it as a crutch. Instead, I employ many of the same techniques suggested in this pre-Christmas story about getting through holiday family road trips. My tips include:

1. Pack non-messy snacks. Things like apple slices, granola bars and nuts are great. Refrain from bringing items such as apple sauce, but then forgetting a spoon (you can see how this scenario might end badly if your apple sauce-obsessed four-year-old spots the circular tub). Also, try and keep the eats out of their reach, or your kids will be forever pulling food out of the box and eating constantly during the duration of the drive. This could result in a lot of smelly gas.

2. Bring their favourite music CDs. As you listen to the chorus of The Wiggles’ “Hot Potato” yet again, you may curse this suggestion. But on the plus side, you’ll soon be able to sing along with Murray and the gang, and you won’t feel guilty because they’re listening to music while taking in the jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies and simultaneously spotting moose, instead of rotting their tiny brains with repeat viewings of The Rescuers. I also like the idea of bringing story CDs, a tip from Direct Travel Insurance.

3. Make time for pit stops. While it’s tempting to make your six-year-old squeeze into one of her little brother’s pull-ups and power straight through from Calgary to Jasper, this strategy is ill-advised. There’s something about long periods of sitting confined in a small car with a steady supply of processed snacks (hence the gas) and Barney videos that makes children go a bit wiggy. Try and find a place to use the bathroom, where kids can run around. We spent 30 minutes at the Lake Louise visitor info centre, which is like a small museum complete with a stuffed wolf, bear and caribou; faux rocks to climb on; and a video of grizzly bears. Avery and Bennett spent most of their time running through the dark theatre shrieking, “A monster’s gonna get you!” Better there than in the car.

4. Pack a few surprises. It’s amazing what a new colouring book or stickers can bring you: five minutes of silence during which you can read your People magazine.

5. Don’t forget new media. With still an hour to go on the Icefields Parkway, it’s wonderful to be able to pull out the LeapPad and Leapster Explorer and know you’ll complete the family road trip safely (though I can’t vouch for your sanity). 

Next post: family adventures in Jasper.

Leave a comment

Posted in Parenting, Travel

Tagged , , , ,

Piggy bank availability could solve the debt crisis

Posted on December 28, 2011 | Leave a comment
Bennett recently broke Avery’s big piggy bank, a pre-Christmas catastrophe that provoked tears, wailing on her baby brother, and last-minute pleas for Santa to bring her a new one. Since Santa didn’t deliver, Blake went to Walmart looking for one today. No luck. 

Maybe if Walmart sold piggy banks there'd be no debt crisis.

 
“They were sold out of piggy banks?” I asked, rather incredulous this simple money-saving device could cause a run at Christmas. “I don’t think they carry them,” Blake answered. “Well, maybe they should. It could solve the debt crisis,” I said, to which Blake countered: “You know, Walmart wants you to spend your money on plastic crap, not save it for a rainy day.” How true. It must be a conspiracy amongst retailers: remove piggy banks from circulation so another generation can grow up without any money sense.
 
We are trying to instill basic economic principles into our daughter, like how you need money to buy things like food and clothes and books and toys. After reading several stories about kids and money we started giving Avery an allowance. Problem is, she wants to spend it as soon as she gets it. She wants things like plastic animals, knock-off mermaid “Barbies” or jewelry from Dollarama — ugly cheap stuff that either breaks promptly or will give her lead poisoning if she puts it in her mouth. Now that her money rests in plain view, without a piggy home, it constantly tempts her to spend it. But, as another article counsels, parents are supposed to let their kids practice spending their money on whatever they want, so they can (hopefully) learn that cheap toys from Dollarama are not good value.
 
This explains how Avery came home with a set of kids’ makeup from the farmers’ market last week. It’s tacky and totally inappropriate for Grade 1. I won’t allow her to leave the house in it, lest she be mistaken for a child prostitute.
 
So I guess it’s not just Greece. Our six-year-old is having her own mini debt crisis. That’s the real reason she cried when Bennett broke her piggy bank — it revealed she was out of toonies, loonies, quarters, dimes and nickels. But not pennies. She’s donating those to charity.
 
 

Leave a comment

Posted in Parenting

Tagged , , ,