New MTAV Contest!!
We are excited to announce our new alternative therapies contest!!  This one is really simple and we hope that by entering you will all be able to help each other find new (or old) ways of keeping your family healthy.

Our last blog was written by one of our guest bloggers Dr. Angela Foran of Meridian Flow Acupuncture. As a doctor of traditional chinese medicine Angela got us thinking about the ways we incorporate alternative therapies into our approach to healthy living and we decided to have our readers share the naturopathic, ayurvedic, homeopathic and other alternative practices that they (or their parents) have used over the years. This can be anything from acupuncture to using a spoon full of honey to soothe a sore throat, basically anything that falls outside the scope of typical western medicine.

So all you have to do to enter is share an alternative approach to health and wellness in the comments section below.  You are allowed to enter a maximum of three times so think of all those "Old Wive's Cures"  and share with the rest of us. For each comment you will be entered in the draw for a free consultation and treatment (acupunture or herbs or tuina massage) from Dr. Foran!!

Labels: acupuncture, alternative medicine, Chinese herbs, contest, therapy

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Traditional Chinese Medicine & Kids
Looking for alternatives to keep your child healthy? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a safe and effective option. Acupuncture is often the first treatment that comes to mind but TCM incorporates several more therapies. Some of which can involve both parent and child in the treatment and prevention of common ailments as well as fostering long term healthy habits.

Acupuncture can be used to treat children as the needles used are very fine and retained for a shorter time compared to adults. If the child (or parent) is apprehensive about needles Tui-Na, Chinese massage, is a good alternative. Tui-Na uses the same principles as acupuncture, with specific techniques used on different points or areas of the body. Some basic techniques may be taught to parents to use at home for milder conditions such as cough or stomachache.

Cupping and moxibustion are two more therapies which can be used separately or in conjunction with acupuncture. Cupping is the application of glass cups over parts of the body. The suction inside the cup helps increase circulation to the area, draw out fluid if there is swelling or clear out heat in the case of sore throat or feverish sensations.

Moxibustion is a therapy that uses burning herbs, which sounds dangerous but is actually very safe. The most common herb mugwort can be used in a stick, low smoke form which is then lit on fire and held over top of the needle or points on the body. It produces a warm, relaxing sensation which can be used to ward off colds, soothe an upset tummy or sore back. I often give one to patients for home, without the needles of course!

The last therapy but one of the most common for kids is the use of Chinese herbs. Herbal formulas, which come in tincture form, are easy to administer and very effective in treating common childhood ailments, such as allergies, asthma, cough, skin rashes, sore throat, upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation. Herbs are just an extension of healing foods, which can be very simple to prepare and often taste better than the formulas. An easy recipe to help with a cough is steamed pear with honey. The honey soothes the throat while the pear can help eliminate phlegm and ease the coughing.

~Angela

Angela Foran is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists. She is also a member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of BC. Angela opened her own clinic in Vancouver in 2009 (www.meridianflow.ca).

In addition to her community work in Vancouver she has also been involved with the Pan African Acupuncture Project. In 2008, she made two trips as a volunteer to Uganda to train health care workers to perform acupuncture on those suffering from HIV, TB, malaria and related illnesses.

Labels: acupuncture, Angela, childhood ailments, Children, Chinese herbs, cupping, illness, kids, moxibustion, sick, TCM, Traditiional Chinese Midicine

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Positive Discipline
Discipline is a process by which we teach our children to become self-disciplined. Our discipline style can teach them many things. For example punishment can teach children to resent and fear us. While positive discipline can teach children those mistakes are experiences to learn from rather than experiences where they should feel accused or judged.

Positive discipline is a way to discipline that does not include yelling, threatening, spanking or hitting. It involves showing respect, providing encouragement, applying logical consequences, being firm, consistent, providing choices and teaching problem solving. It is neither permissive nor punitive.

Positive discipline teaches children to respect themselves and others, concern for others, problem solving, cooperation and that they are capable.

Last month I wrote about our decision to eliminate the word ‘No’ from our vocabulary. This month we are taking it a step further and eliminating “Don’t” and trying to get rid of negative talk all together. Why you ask? Well try this (or try it on your partner); clear your mind completely. Now imagine anything you want, but what ever you do don’t picture a pink cow! Don’t think of a pink cow, anything but. Now, what did you see? A pink cow, right? That is because our brains cannot picture negatives. So when you say to your child, “Don’t stand on the chair”. All they can picture is standing on the chair.

It has certainly been a challenge. Each and every time I go to say “Don’t” I have to stop myself and think of a way to say it in positive terms. So when Parker is standing on his rocking chair, I say, “Parker, chairs are for sitting, please sit down”. Thus far I have found this new way of communicating to be effective and it has really made me feel happier. There is something about speaking more positively that really lifts your mood.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes.


~Sarah

Labels: disipline, Parent Ed, parenting, positive discipline, respect, Sarah

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Clean up your plate!
My husband, David, and I have had many conversations about what our parenting styles and beliefs are/will be when we have children and, on most fronts, we agree. However, his parents were more strict than mine and the difference in how we grew up rears its head when we get to the subject of meals.

David was raised in a house that definitely followed the “clean-your-plate” model for meals and, while it didn’t affect David much as he was an extremely unfussy eater, it did affect his sister and she found dinner time to be less than enjoyable. My parents on the other hand were of the “try-a-little-bit-of-everything-and-if-you-don’t-like-it-you-don’t-have-to-eat-it” school of thinking. As such, our view on how to approach mealtimes is quite different.

Personally, I think it’s wrong to force children to eat things they hate or, worse than that, clean their plates when they are already stuffed. I don’t think that teaches them healthy eating habits. Also at a food and nutrition class in University I learned that children actually taste things in food that adults cannot. This is particularly true of dark green vegetables, which often have a very bitter taste to children because they are able to taste a paticular element present in those types of food, an ability that our tastebuds lose as we get older. David however, worries about them becoming wasteful and not understand the value (or luxury) of food.

I think there must be a happy medium here. I am sure we can find a way to instill our “waste not” values while still allowing for more freedom at the dinner table. Perhaps we can encourage our children to take smaller portions of everything to begin with and then top up later if they are still hungry. I guess all of this depends on how picky our children are when it comes to food. Every child is different but the one thing I do know is that I want family dinners to be fun and a time to connect not stressful for our kids and a time for epic battles about finishing their brocoli.

~Laura

Labels: Children, eating, food, Laura

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The Internet & Your Child
If you are reading this blog you are likely pretty comfortable with the Internet, the Internet/texting lingo that is an integral part of computer culture and are aware of the possible dangers lurking within it. But what about your children? Do they use the Internet yet? Do you know what sites they are visiting and who they are talking to? In this day and age, talking about Internet safety with our children is just as important as talking to them about strangers.

Our children will grow up texting and Instant Messaging more often than talking on the telephone. Entertainment, social networking, learning, and everyday living will be thoroughly integrated with the Internet. Our children’s use of the Internet will be central to who they are. Thus it is important that we make time to learn about the websites that our children are using and the Internet/texting lingo they communicate in.

Of course there are programs that filter and block certain sites but these programs have limitations; a filter inside our children’s heads is always going to be work better. Children who have rules about their Internet use have a significantly decreased chance of risky Internet behaviour. Experts recommend holding a family meeting where you discuss and agree on a few fundamental rules about Internet use.

Things you can do to encourage safe Internet use:

1. Set Basic rules. Key rules can include;
• Have children agree to never make plans to meet with someone that they have met on the web unless parents agree to go with them.

• Posting with respect; talk to children about the impact that their words might have, and whether their jokes will be considered funny to absolutely everyone

• Have children agree to ask parent’s permission before using their full name, address, telephone number or school name anywhere on the Internet.

• Have children agree to never give out a credit card number or passwords on-line.

• Encourage children to not respond to messages that make them feel uncomfortable or uneasy

• Encourage children to tell you or another adult they trust if they see something online that is scary or that they don’t understand.

2. Show and Tell: have your kids show you what they do online and talk about their online interests and experiences with them

3. Computer Location: put the computer in a room the family uses often, like the kitchen or living room. This way you’ll have more awareness of their online activities.

4. Encourage Questioning: teach your children that they cannot always believe what they read or see online. Encourage them to ask questions, to doubt and to think critically about what they see/read. Teach them how to use other resources to recognize truth from fiction.

5. Keep Things in Perspective: remind yourself, and your kids, that although there is plenty of danger lurking on the Internet and that rules are important, there is also lots of useful information online.

Resources – Websites:

Internet/texting lingo: http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php
http://www.netlingo.com/top50/acronyms-for-parents.php

Safety: http://www.safekids.com/safety-advice-tools/
http://www.safecanada.ca/link_e.asp?category=3&topic=94

Labels: Children, internet, Parent Ed, safer internet day

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Craft Ideas for you and your kids
When I was a kid I loved doing crafts with my mom so I thought I’d share a couple ideas that are from my childhood and my experience as a teacher.

Idea 1: Pasta Art

This is the one from my own childhood. You’ll need construction paper, different types of pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, spirals, etc), some crayons or markers and glue. Then you can break up the pasta in different ways and glue them to the page to make a house and garden or a race car or whatever. Encourage them to use their imaginations and have them add colour and extra touches using their markers

Idea 2: Found Art

At More Than A Village we are always trying to be conscious of our impact on the environment and I really like the idea of using objects found in nature to create works of art. By using items that your child has found on the beach or in the forest and creating something from those you not only cut costs on art supplies but create art that is biodegradable.

So take a trip to the beach and bring home treasures to make a spaceship from seashells or head into the forest and collect items to make a sculpture or a miniature version of your home. The possibilities are endless and an activity like this encourages your child to view objects in a new light and see not only what the objects are but what they could become.

Idea 3: Valentine ’s Day Cards

Well, this may not be very creative but it is timely. It’s almost Valentine’s Day so why not take some time and encourage your child to make a card for someone they love?

Try to make it a bit more fun than just handing them some paper and crayons. Use different materials to make it more interesting; cut red hearts out of felt, use lace as a border, if your child is older work together to come up with a funny /cute phrase for the inside of the card, make a heart mobile instead of a card...the sky’s the limit!

~Laura

Labels: crafts, Laura, valentine's day

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Entertaining a Sick Kid
For the past week Parker hasn’t been feeling well and I’ve stayed home from work to take care of him. It got me thinking; what do you do with a sick kid? You can’t send them to school, daycare won’t take them, so unless you are fortunate enough to have a retired or stay-at-home relative in the area or be a stay-at-home parent yourself a parent has no choice but to stay home from work.

The up side of all this could be that the parent gets to spend some one-on-one time with the sick child (if there isn’t a younger sibling lurking about that is). Here are a few things you can do to get through the day together:

Cuddling – there is no better medicine than the human touch! Plus as kids get older they want to cuddle with us less so it’s smart to take the opportunities to do so when they come up.

Games – play a board game or card game. It takes little energy and can entertain a bored child for a bit.

TV/Movies – cuddle on the couch and watch a favorite show together.

Books - read a book together. If your child is old enough a chapter book would be a great way to entertain them. You can put it down and pick it up again later. 

Fresh Air – go for a short walk. Fresh air and exercise is good for you even when you’re sick. And in this case it might have the added bonus of relieving some stir-craziness.

Nap – forget about getting stuff done around the house while your little one is down for a nap. Get some rest too; you’re going to need it because, as you know, sick kids tend to be up all night.

Fluids – you’ve heard it before, make sure to push lots of fluids. Why not make this fun? Prepare a smoothie together, or add some food colouring to water to make it your child’s favorite colour or buy one of those looping straws.

How do you keep your sick child entertain? Have any tips you’d care to share?

~Sarah

Labels: Children, Daycare, kids, parents, Sarah, school, sick

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Separation Anxiety
This week marks my first week of going back to work full-time. Five full days of being away from my little angel. It is brutal. I thought that my going back for a few days last month would prepare me. But it didn’t. Last night I broke down. And that was only Wednesday.

The hardest part is that by the time I get home from work, Joshua’s only up for about two hours before he goes to bed for the night. I wake up at 6:30am, head out the door by 7:30am and don’t get home until 5 or 5:30pm.

I get to visit with the baby for about 20 minutes in the morning, but I’m usually rushing around, trying to get out the door. And when I get home, he’s usually still napping and doesn’t get up until 5:30. Two hours a day is just not enough! I’m scarred we’re going to loose our close connection.

And because of the new schedule, I hardly get a chance to breastfeed. I think I’m going to have to stop early. He is almost one and there’s no real reason to continue breast feeding. But I thought we’d continue for a little longer. Although his five teeth are really starting to get in the way….

I cannot imagine what this process must feel like for so many moms who have to leave their children with childcare providers. I am so lucky that Joshua’s at home with his Dad. At least I’m the only one that seems to be suffering. Joshua’s having a blast with his Dad, and it’s an excellent bonding opportunity for the two of them.

I’m still convinced that this move is best for my family. I just wasn’t prepared for the pain of seeing so little of my baby. I guess it’ll diminish over time and I’ll get used to being away from him so much. I’d rather just win the lottery and get to stay home full time though!

Any words of encouragement or stories of your experiences would be great to hear. I really appreciate all of you who read my blog entries, and especially those of you who comment. This blog is very therapeutic!

~Michelle

Labels: baby, Breast feeding, childcare, dad, Michelle, working

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Bedtime songs
It fascinates me that once I became a mom I lost whatever inhabitations held me back from singing in public, making ridiculous noises and just plain acting silly. I suddenly didn’t care what the average person thought of me as long as I was comforting my baby enough to stop the crying or make him smile.

It recently dawned on me that, as moms, we get to also become songwriters, play directors, actresses, and many other exciting things we probably had no idea that motherhood had in store for us. Recently Rebecca from A little bit of Momsense shared the lyrics she has made up to the tune of Baa Baa Black Sheep that she sings to her son at bedtime. I’ve been thinking about sharing Parker’s bedtime song for a while and after reading Rebecca’s I finally have the courage to share.

I started singing Parker John Lennon’s Beautiful Boy soon after he was born. However, I didn’t know all the lyrics so I started making up my own. Each time I sang it came out as something different, to the same melody with Beautiful Boy’s chorus. Eventually I ended up with the lyrics below.


Beautiful Boy

Before you close your eyes
Say a little pray
That you’ll sleep through the night
With out a care

My beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
My beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy

Tomorrow will come
And the sun will shine
We’ll go to the park
And it will be so fine

My beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
My beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy

So now close eyes
And say good night
Mama sang to you
made you feel just right

My beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy
My beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy

~Sarah

Labels: a little bit of momsense, baby, beautiful boy, bed, bedtime, john lennon, mother, Sarah, songs

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The decline of the babysitter
So, when did babysitters become so passé? Why has there been such a huge shift in people’s attitudes towards them and the people that use them? Really, I don’t get it.

I’ve been aware that babysitters have been on the outs for a while now but it was really driven home the other day when an acquaintance proudly proclaimed that her children had never, EVER had a babysitter. I thought it was strange to be so proud of that and, I have to say, there was more than a hint of judgement in her tone. Her tone clearly indicated that she thinks something is wrong with using babysitters.

Her comment irked me so I told her how much I loved having babysitters when I was a kid, which is 100% true. It was always great fun to “hang out” with an older kid and I genuinely got excited when my babysitters were called to duty. I am sure that my experience wasn’t an anomaly. So when did our attitudes towards babysitting change?

I can’t help but think the decline of the babysitter is related to a similar phenomenon in childcare. From 1994 to 2003 there was around a 20% decline in people using non-relatives for childcare (this is outside of daycare services).

The shift away from community-related childcare services is interesting to me. Is this just because the current generation of baby-boomer grandparents are more amenable to taking care of their grandchildren than previous generations? Or is it symptomatic of a growing sense of distrust for “strangers”?

I would wager it’s a little bit of both and frankly I think it’s a bit sad. In the neighbourhood I grew up in, I was occasionally taken care of by neighbours and babysitters from the area and, as a got older, I was a babysitter for a number of families that lived around me. I believe that because we were connected in that way, it gave our little area a greater sense of community, belonging and security.

I can’t help but wonder if protection has turned into paranoia and if our distrust of people outside our extended family is affecting our children’s perception of the world. I want to teach my children to exercise caution in dealing with strangers but I certainly don’t want them to fear new people and instill a sense of distrust in people generally. Instead, I hope to give them the tools to deal with the few people out there with bad intentions (who they will hopefully never meet) because I truly do believe that most people are good people.

~Laura

Labels: baby, babysitting, belonging, childcare, community, Laura, neighbourhood, neighbours

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Keeping Time with BabyTime
Being a first time mom, home with your new baby, alone, can be . . . boring. That's not to say that I don't love my little boy to itty-bitty pieces. And truthfully, he is getting more interesting and fun the older he gets: smiling, chatting, kicking and almost rolling!! But sometimes the days drag on. And into each other. Is it Tuesday? No, I'm pretty sure it's Wednesday . . . pretty sure.

In the early days while I was still recovering from this massive change in my life, I was relieved to have nothing more do other than stay home in my p.j.s and feed this baby. But soon I started going stir crazy. How many rounds of If You're Happy and You Know It? can one woman sing - despite the multiple funny voices - before even the baby gets bored?

So I got online and started searching for groups and classes that my son and I could go to together. And let me tell you, they exist out there in abundance! And many of them are totally free!!

Local community centers and libraries are a fantastic place to start. Almost every public library has some sort of Babytime group where a facilitator reads short books and guides the parents and babies in nursery rhymes and songs - actions and bouncing included. The first time I went to one of these groups I felt rather silly. The beautiful thing is that everyone else is probably feeling silly too. And the benefits for our kids' are numerous.

Babies love looking at people, especially other babies. So exposing them to new people is an endless source of entertainment for them. The songs and rhymes help babies develop their language skills (even if they are far from starting to talk themselves), and the actions and bouncing help them work on their coordination and rhythm. Storytime groups held in libraries are also a terrific way to start exposing our little ones to books early on. By reading to our children often and letting them handle books from a young age, we are giving them the essential tools for reading readiness once they are in school.

So now we go to Babytime groups at least once a week, and rather than feeling goofy while I dance and make up little nonsense songs for my son in the privacy of my own home, I can do this publicly in front of complete strangers. It's a great way to get out of the house so my son socialize with other little babies, and it helps me keep my days of the week straight.

Check your local community centre and library's websites for groups you and your baby can enjoy. The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program also has groups all over Canada.

~Jamie

Jamie and David are proud parents of their new baby boy, Sam Barrett. When not changing diapers or reading to Sam they run Skratch Publishing Inc. - A company that promotes children's literacy through SkratchTrack.com, the website that rewards kids for reading more books!

Labels: baby, babytime groups, Jamie, library, Skratch Publishing Inc., SkratchTrack.com

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