 |
|
The snow will be flying soon and that means the holiday season will be here before we know it. Our November newsletter features some ideas to warm up winter, tips to keep you safe, amazing contests, family events and a delicious soup recipe we begged the Chef at Taig-na-Mara Resort to give us so we could share it with you.
It's Parents' Choice Awards time, please take a few minutes to vote so together, we can recognize the businesses in Calgary that go above and beyond for our families. Our new issue is out, it's on stands everywhere and you'll find a link to our digital edition below.
Enjoy your November!
Ellen
|
|
Read it here first!
Our Nov/Dec 2015 is packed full of our go-to guides, features and trusted content that Calgary's families LOVE! We have help to celebrate the holiday season, keep your families safe and healthy, and develop your home school educational plans for the new year. This issue also includes our 'Wish List' holiday gift guide and our annual Parents' Choice Awards ballot. There's something for everyone!
Click here to read on online edition
|
|
2016 CALGARY'S CHILD PARENTS' CHOICE AWARDS
|
VOTE For Your Favorites and You Could Win Too!
Where is the best place to take the kids on a crummy day?
Who has the best swimming pool?
Where can you find the best kids' clothes?
Calgary's Child Magazine wants to know who your favorites are in these and other family friendly categories.
Vote online now for your favorites, and you could WIN a one-night stay at the
Delta Lodge at
Kananaskis!
Voted the best family resort in the Canadian Rockies, the Delta Lodge at
Kananaskis is your base camp for outdoor adventure.
Please take a moment to vote so together we can recognize those businesses that truly make Calgary a wonderful place to live.
The final deadline to cast your ballot is December 31. 2015.
|
|
|
Everyone's Talking
We asked:
"Would you give up handing out candy this Halloween? What do you think, good idea, or bad?"
You answered:
Andrea S
. My kids love getting the candy. They hardly keep any of it. 95% is left out for the Good Witch and she takes the candy and leaves a small gift. They look forward to this all year. The witch leaves a mess of candy wrappers every year.... It's fun. We do give out playdoh and some healthier stuff with a bit of candy. Balance is a great lesson too.
Carol S B.
for heaven's sake, it is 1 day! It is possible for parents to control the consumption of the candy; also, if children only go to homes where they REALLY know people they won't get soooo much candy!
Sarah E.
NO! stop ruining every wonderful thing about childhood. ENOUGH!
Like us on Facebook and join the conversation ...
almost 11,000 fans and counting
  
|
|
Don't Let Old Man Winter Get You Down! Get Out and Enjoy Winter
Written by Nanica Brown; Photo: Fotolia.com
Ahhh... Walking in a Winter Wonderland! Whether you want a simple stroll somewhere close or a bit of a day trip, there are some great areas to investigate. Many parks throughout Calgary, such as Bowness and Fish Creek Park, are open year-round. Activities are available within the parks such as cross-country skiing, skating and just simply walking the trails and observing the wildlife.
If you're looking for something a little farther afield but still suited to the whole family, try Heart Creek Trail just 45 minutes from Calgary, Grotto Canyon and Johnston Canyon in Canmore. These are great choices for intermediate hikes your family are sure to enjoy.
Take your trip to the next level! A really great activity you can do this winter is geocaching, which turns a regular day on the trails into a unique treasure hunt!
Or try strapping on some snowshoes and heading off the beaten path. You can rent snowshoes from many outdoor stores in Calgary, Banff and Canmore, and then really see what the 'wild side' of winter is all about.
Looking for More Family Fun Getaways?
Warm up your Winter in Banff and Kananaskis
|
|
Kids Get Stressed During the Holidays, Too
by
Dr. Susan Bartell
If you are a family that celebrates American Thanksgiving, the holidays are starting sooner than you think! It's stressful for parents - the shopping, wrapping and entertaining guarantees that we're exhausted by the time it's over. But, guess what, the holidays are also stressful for your child.
To begin, in order to accommodate parties and rehearsals for the holiday show the school routine becomes upturned during the holidays. This is fun, but for most children routine is comforting and they look forward to the post-holidays when their school day gets back to "normal."
The holiday season often means sleep deprivation. Parties and events typically run later than bedtime and can be overstimulating. Even one or two late nights can trigger the stress hormone, cortisol, to elevate, causing your child to feel moody, anxious or tense. In addition, frequent demands placed on kids to be on their 'best behavior' at gatherings may be difficult for them - especially when there are few familiar faces. Finally, hours spent tagging along with you to shop for gifts and supplies is not fun for children. They find it boring, and inevitably behave badly. Then, of course you become frustrated and yell - not a great cycle for anyone!
While it is difficult to completely eliminate holiday stress, it is important to do your best. Try the following FIVE tips to improve your and your child's holiday experience and behavior:
Are You Already Caught Up in Holiday Stress
? We Can Help.
|
|
Yielding to Emergency Vehicles
Provided by Alberta Health Services - EMS
Time is the enemy in any emergency. For everyone's safety it is important for motorists to understand how to correctly yield right of way to emergency vehicles with lights and siren activated. You can help EMS, police, and fire get to the scene quickly and safely by following these rules of the road.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren activated:
- If you're in the middle of an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren activated, safely clear the intersection.
- On a one or two lane road, motorists should move to the right side of the road, slow down, and then stop. Remember to signal.
- On a road with three or more lanes, motorists should move to the nearest side of the road and stop. If driving in the centre lane, move to the right side of the road and stop. Remember to signal.
- Come to a complete stop and wait for the emergency vehicle to pass. Shoulder check for more emergency vehicles (there is often more than one!) before re-entering traffic flow. Remember to signal.
- Emergency vehicles might use any available road space to maneuver. This could include the shoulders or left hand turning lanes in order to pass other traffic.
When operating a vehicle:
- Drive attentively and defensively at all times. Be cognizant to sirens and be prepared to yield the right of way.
- It is Alberta law for motorists to slow down to at least 60 km/hour (unless a lower speed is posted) when driving past a stopped emergency vehicle. This includes EMS, police, fire, and tow trucks with their lights activated.
- Do not break the rules of the road in order to give right of way to an emergency vehicle. This could include proceeding through a red light or making an illegal turn. Actions such as these jeopardize all motorists in the area.
- Drivers must place their full attention on the roadway and toward the safe operation of their vehicle at all times. The fine for distracted driving in Alberta is $287.00.
- Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an emergency vehicle should it be required to stop suddenly.
|
|
Don't Play With Fire This Winter - Tips on how to Prepare your Fireplace for the Season
Provided by Napoleon Fireplaces
Whether you have a wood burning or gas fireplace it is important to properly prepare them for the fall and winter seasons to ensure both their functionality and your safety.
Napoleon Fireplaces (www.napoleonfireplaces.com) have provided some helpful tips to consider when preparing your fireplace for the season. Most of the simple inspections and cleaning can be done by the average homeowner, however, if you have any doubt at all, contact your local fireplace installer or chimney sweep.
Wood Burning:
- Have the chimney cleaned before starting your wood burning fireplace, stove or insert. The leading cause of fires from wood burning appliances is the result of creosote (unburned fuel) that has accumulated in the chimney.
- Have any gasket material inspected and replaced as required, such as the gasket sealing the door, the door glass and in some cases the ash dump. If an airtight appliance is operated without these gaskets effectively sealing the openings, excess air can leak into the firebox creating an over fire condition, which may permanently damage the appliance.
- Clean the blower if your wood burning appliance is equipped with one. Unlike your furnace blower, these blowers do not have a filtering system to prevent the buildup of dust and hair on the blower.
- Replace any broken or deteriorated brick lining in the wood burning appliance. While cracks in the lining are not a concern, if the brick lining is deteriorated to the point that the steel body is exposed, the heat from the fire can cause permanent damage to the appliance.
- Replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to ensure these defense monitors are operating properly.
Gas Burning:
- Have the appliance serviced by a qualified technician. A properly maintained fireplace can look as new as the day it was installed and a proper cleaning can help prevent permanent damages from occurring. Even the glass must be cleaned annually to keep it looking clear. Although gas fireplaces appear to be maintenance free, like a car engine, these combustion systems are affected by problems such as dust and insects which will impair performance. The airways of both the pilot and main burners should be regularly cleaned to ensure that they are operating correctly and a general inspection of the entire system including the safety controls is also beneficial.
- Clean the blower if your gas burning appliance is equipped with one. Unlike your furnace blower, these blowers do not have a filtering system to prevent the buildup of dust and hair on the blower. As the dust accumulates on the blower blades, the balance of the blower will change causing premature wearing of the bearings. The dust also insulates the motor; preventing it from being cooled and can eventually cause the motor to cease up.
- Replace the batteries in any optional remote transmitters and in some cases, in the receiver as well. Even when not being used the power held in a battery is slowly depleted.
- Replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to ensure these defense monitors are operating properly.
|
|
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Courtesy of Cedars Restaurant, Tigh-na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort; Photo: Ellen Percival
1 large butternut squash, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp clear honey
3 rosemary sprigs
600ml chicken stock
150ml white wine
100ml whipping cream
juice 1 lemon
25g toasted pumpkin seeds
Heat oven to 350° F. Put the squash, onion and garlic in a large roasting pan. Drizzle the honey on the squash and add the rosemary sprigs. Roast for approximately 30 minutes, turning squash halfway through, until cooked, tender and golden brown.
Remove from the oven, remove the rosemary and discard. Transfer the contents of the roasting pan to a food processor. Add the stock, wine, cream and lemon juice. Season to taste and then blend until smooth.
Transfer mixture to a large saucepan and reheat. Divide soup between individual bowls and top with a drizzle of cream or sour cream and sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.
|
|
Are You Invading Your Child's Right to Privacy Online?
by Parenting Power
Social media posts often happen in the moment - "This is a fun thing, let's show other people what's going on." Posting pictures of kids is often just about sharing that moment with others. So what's the big deal? Why are we even asking this question?
1. Many parents set guidelines for their kids around what pictures or information they are allowed to post online. Often, the posts from the parents, directly contradict these guidelines. This sends a very mixed message to children.
2. We know that once a photo is on social media, it is there to stay and is no longer private. That picture can end up anywhere, in the hands of anyone. We hear from parents that they are posting photos or news about their kids so that relatives or other friends and family can see what's happening. Internet safety experts tell us that the safest way to do this is to send photo attachments in an email to people who would want to see them (relatives, close friends).
3. What are parents saying when they post about their kids successes (good marks, winning goal, recent performance?) Why the need to let your closest 250 friends know about this? Is it about the parents' self-esteem? Do all those people really care?
Isn't it just about the child's success? Can they have their success and enjoy it with the family without feeling that every event, grade, or cartwheel needs to be perfect so that it can make it onto mom or dad's Facebook page? That's a lot of pressure.
What happens when kids fail a test? Are parents going to post that too? Success and failure are all parts of the child's life. Where do you draw the line with regards to your child's privacy?
You need to answer these questions for your family. You may well answer them differently than either of us do (and we each have different answers in our own families too). There's more than one right way to parent. Choose the one that works for you!
|
|
| THIS MONTH ON CALGARYSCHILD.COM |
Contests
Master Play over the Holidays with Mastermind Toys
®
!
Mastermind Toys® Exclusive Ice Castle Play Tent:
This easy-to-assemble castle is generously sized to fit two or more little princes or princesses! With a flap front door, two mesh windows and sturdy material, this Playhouse is ready for hours of play!
Mastermind Toys® Exclusive Lamborghini Luggage:
This awesome and stylish "Lambo" luggage has a durable plastic shell and two retractable handles. Perfect for travel, but also perfect for everyday use and storage.
Play & Trace Boogie Board:
Here'
s the first Boogie Board e-Writer model to feature a translucent LCD writing surface. It's shaped like a painter's palette, which makes it comfortable to hold for hands of all sizes, and the translucent LCD allows 2- and 3- Dimensional objects to be traced for hours of creative fun! A free Play n' Trace activity centre mobile app includes structured learning exercises, games and drawing templates.
Mastermind Toys® Exclusive Ravensburger Star Wars Universe Puzzle:
Ravensburger bringsStar Wars fans a new line of colorful and detailed jigsaw puzzles depicting scenes from the newest film installment in theStar Wars saga: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. The exciting world of Star Wars is enhanced by Ravensburger's dedication to quality and results in a totally unique product!
For your chance to win this bundle of great toys and master the art of play over the Holidays,
enter here
(contest code: Mastermind.) Entry deadline is Monday, December 7, 2015.
Philips AVENT Natural All-in-One Breastfeeding Set
The ideal set for moms who want to start expressing and feeding in a clean and simple way!
This set contains all the products needed for sterilizing, expressing milk and feeding: a 3-in-1 Sterilizer; 1 Comfort Manual breast pump; 2 Natural feeding bottles (4 oz.); 2 Natural feeding bottles (9 oz.); 3 orthodontic pacifiers; 2 Natural Newborn flow nipples; 2 disposable breast pads; 2 disposable night breast pads; 1 bottle and nipple brush; and 1 sealing disc.
For your chance to win the Philips AVENT Natural All-in-One Breastfeeding Set
enter here (contest code: Avent.) Entry deadline is Monday, December 7, 2015.
It's Gonna be a Really Big Show!
Join the party of the year with all of your most cherished characters! Koba Entertainment is proud to bring families across Canada Koba's Great Big Show featuring characters from Canada's #1 preschool channel, Treehouse, including The Backyardigans, Max & Ruby, Franklin the Turtle and Mike the Knight™.
Koba's Great Big Show takes place at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on March 6, 2016, at 1pm. For more information, visit the website.
For your chance to win a Family Pack of 4 tickets to Koba's Great Big Show on March 6, 2016, enter here (contest code: Koba). Entry deadline is Monday, December 7, 2015.
|
|
Free Live Webinar - "Every Child is Gifted: Understanding Multiple Intelligences
November 19, 8 to 9pm MDT;
Brought to you by Professional Parenting Canada and
Calgary's Child Magazine
. Presented by Judy Arnall.
|
|
WHAT'S COMING UP IN CALGARY?
|
|
Starts Nov. 12; All of the holiday merriment, the shimmer of lights and culinary delights of the season come together for a month-long jubilee at the Winterstart Festival! Come see why there's no better place to get in the spirit than Banff National Park.
|
|
|
CALGARY'S CHILD MAGAZINE ON GLOBAL
|
For parenting tips and updates from the experts, don't miss our
Calgary's Child Magazine segment on the
Global Morning News show on Mondays and Saturdays.
Each segment has a different guest and topic, from Halloween to health & safety to how to become a foster parent!
|
|
|
|
Want to know what's up in Calgary now that the leaves are falling?
No matter the age, stage or size of your family, we can find you something to do!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
