Winter Car Seat Safety With Global Morning News
Winter weather has arrived, so that means it’s time for a little reminder about the importance of winter car seat safety. Lucy (my 6 year old) and I joined Jennifer Valentyne at Global News to chat about what products to avoid putting on our kids in their car seats, and what some safe options are. Learn how to ensure you’re keeping your kiddo warm, but most importantly secure in their car seat this winter.
Winter weather has arrived, so that means it’s time for a little reminder about the importance of winter car seat safety. Lucy (my 6 year old) and I joined Jennifer Valentyne at Global News to chat about what products to avoid putting on our kids in their car seats, and what some safe options are. Learn how to ensure you’re keeping your kiddo warm, but most importantly secure in their car seat this winter.
Make sure to check out my winter babywearing essentials and my other car seat safety videos for more info. Plus subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date on my new videos. Feel free to ask any questions below.
- Care
In this video:
Buckle Me Baby Coat | Clek Liing Car Seat | Britax Frontier Car Seat | Skip Hop Car Seat Cover
*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.
*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about car seat safety. Please always read your vehicle manual and car seat manual to ensure compatibility and proper secure installation and use. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such.
Halloween Safety Tips For Families With Global Morning News
Halloween is so much fun, but having a ton of hyped up kiddos walking the streets and climbing stairs in costumes in the dark does pose some risk 😜 In order to keep our kids safe while trick-or-treating we should keep some simple safety tips in mind. I joined Jennifer Valentyne and the team at Global Morning News to chat about my top Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters, and some important tips for home owners. Watch this quick video to learn how to help make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for every child! (please note: one tip I didn’t get to fit in was to make sure all animals are well contained. Some pets will not react well to large groups of kids in costumes)
Halloween is so much fun, but having a ton of hyped up kiddos walking the streets and climbing stairs in costumes in the dark does pose some risk 😜 In order to keep our kids safe while trick-or-treating we should keep some simple safety tips in mind. I joined Jennifer Valentyne and the team at Global Morning News to chat about my top Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters, and some important tips for home owners. Watch this quick video to learn how to help make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for every child! (please note: one tip I didn’t get to fit in was to make sure all animals are well contained. Some pets will not react well to large groups of kids in costumes)
Please share this with anyone you think could use the tips. If you need any help and support keeping your kiddos safe, grab a spot in one of my Upcoming Family CPR & Safety Workshops.
I hope everyone has a very safe and Happy Halloween!
- Care
Starting Solids & Baby Led Weaning Basics with Motherhood Uncorked
A few weeks ago (during the most epic snowstorm of the season!) I sat down with Cortney, mother and creator of Motherhood Uncorked, to talk all things Starting Solids. We had such a great time covering all the basics including: when to start, how to start, what baby led weaning/feeding really is, food allergies, and how to feed your baby safely. This is a must watch for all of the parents out there who aren’t feeling confident about starting solids. I know how scary this transition can be, and always love to be able to offer some support and advice for parents. Watch Video
A few weeks ago (during the most epic snowstorm of the season!) I sat down with Cortney, mother and creator of Motherhood Uncorked, to talk all things Starting Solids. We had such a great time covering all the basics including: when to start, how to start, what baby led weaning/feeding really is, food allergies, and how to feed your baby safely. This is a must watch for all of the parents out there who aren’t feeling confident about starting solids. I know how scary this transition can be, and always love to be able to offer some support and advice for parents. Watch Video
If you’re needing more help and support please Register for one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops, or reach out (care@with-care.ca). My 2 hour workshop is jam packed and always leaves parents feeling so much more confident in their approach to starting solids and progressing through textures with their baby. Workshop covers:
Purpose of Mealtimes
Signs of Readiness
1st Foods & Foods to Avoid
Updated Allergy Evidence & Guidelines
Spoon Feeding & Baby Led Feeding
Choking vs Gagging *How & when to safely intervene
Food Progression & Motor Development in the 1st Year
Meeting Nutritional Requirements & Healthy Recipes for Baby
Cooking & Preparing Food for Your Baby
Real Food Demos, so you can feel confident preparing and serving food at home
Space is extremely limited in each session to allow for individual questions, so don’t wait to Register!
You can also check out my Starting Solids videos on YouTube. More to come very soon!
Feel free to ask any questions below and don’t forget to check out this video.
- Care
*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about starting solids. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual baby.
How to Care For Your Kiddo’s Teeth + An Important Teething Safety Notice: Oral Health Month With The Bloor Clinic Kids
Caring for your little one’s teeth can be really hard. Not all kids love to brush and floss, and knowing how to keep their smile healthy is difficult for parents. Especially as you navigate the exhausting world of teething. That’s why I’m so excited to team up with The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Oral Health Month this April.
Caring for your little one’s teeth can be really hard. Not all kids love to brush and floss, and knowing how to keep their smile healthy is difficult for parents. Especially as you navigate the exhausting world of teething. That’s why I’m so excited to team up with The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Oral Health Month this April.
With the help of one of their board-certified Paediatric Dentists, Dr. Regina Revuelta Perez, I’m answering 3 Frequently Asked Questions. Plus I’m discussing a very important safety notice for all parents with teething babes, and giving you one of my simple tricks for making teeth brushing fun for the whole family!
1. When Do I Need To Start Cleaning My Baby’s Teeth?
You can begin wiping your babies gums with a cloth (damp with water) wrapped around your finger at a few months old. This gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned, gets parents in the habit of focusing on baby’s daily oral hygiene, and provides a clean environment for their primary teeth to erupt into. As soon as your baby’s first teeth arrive you should wipe their teeth and gums down with a wet cloth at least twice daily. Eventually you can switch to parent-led brushing with a paediatric size toothbrush (with water), and then supervised child-led brushing. Around 3 years old (or when your child can spit) you can begin using a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride. Even older children, who seem capable of brushing their own teeth, should be supervised and assisted to ensure all surfaces of the teeth are being cleaned properly. A lot of parents assume that baby teeth don’t matter because they will eventually fall out, but some primary teeth, like our molars, stay until around 12 years of age. So it’s very important to keep them clean and healthy.
2. When Should I Take My Baby To See The Dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends the “assessment of infants, within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth, or by one year of age. The goal is to have your child visit the dentist before there is a problem.” Meeting with a dentist can provide important education for parents, so they know how to care for their child’s teeth, and when to reach out with any concerns. It also allows children to get used to visits to the dentist.
3. Why Should My Little One See A Paediatric Dentist? *Includes Our Personal Experience
Paediatric dentists do an extra 4 years of specialist training, which makes them very well equipped to care for infants, children, and people with special needs. They are trained to work very quickly, something that’s important since most kids have little to no patience ;) They also have special sized equipment needed to assess and treat your little one’s small mouth and teeth properly.
When we took our son Ben (now 7.5 years old) in for his first dental checkup we went to our regular dentist. They did his cleanings for 5 years, however when it came time for x-rays we started having problems. Our initial dentist’s office didn’t have the appropriate size equipment for paediatric x-rays, and the large pieces would cause my son to gag and almost vomit. After several failed attempts to get the x-rays done I saw my son’s anxiety and fear about the dentist rising. I didn’t like the stress it was causing him. I was also feeling a ton of anxiety as a mom, because no successful x-rays had been done. I decided I needed to find a better option, so I reached out to The Bloor Clinic Kids, a new full service Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics clinic at Bloor & Islington.
The staff answered all of my questions, helped me get a predetermination done with our insurance company, and booked our 2 bid kids in as new patients within a few days. I was amazed that they were successful in getting all the x-rays we needed in just 1 quick appointment. Ben even raved as we were leaving the office “this is the best dentist ever!” I was so relieved that it went so well and that there wasn’t a single cavity for either kid. However, we did find out that our daughter Lucy is missing her adult incisors (which my dad and I are also missing, thank goodness for modern day dentistry!). We know she will have a very long dental journey ahead of her, so I’m very relieved to know that we have the amazing team at The Bloor Clinic Kids to help us along the way. Especially since they provide orthodontics on site too. It’s nice to know they’ve got us covered for it all. If you need some help with your little one’s smile reach out to their incredible team info@thebloorclinickids.com or (437) 774-8225. They will be more than happy to help answer all of your questions, and get your dental needs sorted out.
Teething ***IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE!***
Teething can be a long a hard process for some babies. Click here to read about 6 of My Favourite Teething Remedies. Please always remember that Orajel/Baby Orajel teething products should NEVER be used. The presence of benzocaine in these products can lead to a rare but fatal condition called methemoglobinemia (Health Canada Warning). In addition any local numbing agent could numb their throat making it difficult to breath, or increasing the risk of choking. There are many other remedies that can help with the discomfort of teething without being dangerous.
Finally, I want to share with you one of my parenting tricks that helps make teeth brushing fun in our home. We love to sing Brush Your Teeth by Raffi in a very jovial way. Our kids absolutely love it. Check it out if you don’t know the song. Wishing all the parents good luck brushing teeth tonight.
- Care
In This Post: The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is located at 3250 Bloor St West Unit 112 in Toronto at Bloor & Islington. Contact info@thebloorclinickids.com or (437) 774-8225 with any questions.
*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend.
Grow A Butterfly! Buy Your Caterpillars NOW for Junction Wings 2019 - Community Fundraiser
It’s officially spring, so that means it’s time to place our orders for Junction Wings 2019!! If you’ve never heard of this incredible community fundraiser, you need to check it out. Basically for $10 you get an adorable little caterpillar in a container with food and instructions on how to care for it. You take it home and watch it grow into your very own special butterfly. It truly is magic.
It’s officially spring, so that means it’s time to place our orders for Junction Wings 2019!! If you’ve never heard of this incredible community fundraiser, you need to check it out. Basically for $10 you get an adorable little caterpillar in a container with food and instructions on how to care for it. You take it home and watch it grow into your very own special butterfly. It truly is magic.
My family has been taking part in this fundraiser for several years, and every single year I am amazed at this process and how much our kiddos learn from it.
Check out my post from a few years ago for a super simple Ikea Hack Butterfly Habitat, so you’ll have the perfect home for your little friend to emerge into as a butterfly.
Don’t wait! Place your caterpillar orders by this Friday April 5th! ***ORDERS EXTENDED TO APRIL 8TH AT 5PM*** ( I always recommend buying a few, since some won’t work out. Think of it as a good insurance policy.)
Caterpillars will be available for pickup in the West End on Saturday May 11th & Wednesday May 15th. The pickup location and all details will be sent out via confirmation email with each caterpillar purchase. You can arrange for someone else to pick up your caterpillars on your behalf, but please let the Junction Project know in advance. Full Details & Buy Caterpillars
I hope you and your family enjoy this as much as mine does every year. Maybe it’ll become one of your spring family traditions, like it is in our home.
- Care
Summer Camp GIVEAWAY!!! Enter NOW for a Chance to WIN a Week at Westside FUN $400+ Value!
The polar vortex has finally left us behind and this brief warm spell of weather has me craving summer. Since I’m dreaming of summer bliss, I thought I would make one parent’s summer dreams come true. So I’ve partnered with Westside FUN Day Camp to give away a week of summer camp!! This giveaway is Valued at $390+HST! So if you have a little one 4 and up, don’t wait to ENTER! #sponsored
The polar vortex has finally left us behind and this brief warm spell of weather has me craving summer. Since I’m dreaming of summer bliss, I thought I would make one parent’s summer dreams come true. So I’ve partnered with Westside FUN Day Camp to give away a week of summer camp!! This giveaway is Valued at $390+HST! So if you have a little one 4 and up, don’t wait to ENTER! #sponsored
Last summer our big kids Ben and Lucy attended Westside FUN for 2 weeks each. They both absolutely loved it! I think the best part is that this camp offers such a wide variety of activities, so kid’s get to try out some new stuff, and don’t get bored doing the same thing over and over again every day. Plus, as a mom with pretty high standards, I was very pleased with the staff at Westside FUN. The counsellors always had the kids moving and having fun, exactly as summer camp should be. The kids came home absolutely exhausted every day, as evident by this photo of Lucy last summer passed out after a long day at Westside FUN.
A few weeks ago when I asked the kids if they wanted to go back to Westside FUN again this year, it was a resounding “YES!!” from both of them. Yay! Makes my mom job at a lot easier knowing they love where they spend their summer days.
So without further ado, I give you an Epic Summer Camp Giveaway valued at over $400!! Feel free to Enter all 3 ways to increase your chances of Winning!
To Enter Via My Blog: Simply Like this post & Comment below with your name and email (you must include your email so I can contact you if you win. If you prefer to keep it private, please comment with your name below and send me a quick email so I have your contact info.)
Head over to my Instagram and Enter!! ** Unlimited entries with tags!
Head over to my Facebook Page and Enter!! ** Unlimited entries with tags!
That’s it. So easy, and if you win, you can check one thing off your never-ending parent to-do list. You can thank me later ;)
Contest is open to all Canadians* 18+ and closes Thursday February 14th at 10pm EST** A winner will be chosen at random and contacted within 24 hours. *Westside FUN Day Camp is located in Toronto Canada. No travel or accommodation costs will be covered. Camp registration dates are subject to availability and age restrictions. Updated to Note: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Learn More about Westside FUN's Programs & Register Here. Please note that Westside FUN only runs programs in July, so space in their programs is Extremely Limited. Don't wait to register! Use code CARE for $25 OFF Westside FUN! Multi-week and sibling discounts are available, so make sure to check those out!
Good luck and let’s hope the groundhog was right. An early spring sounds pretty lovely right about now.
- Care
*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend.
Join Me At The Total Mom Show + 2 Ways To WIN Tickets! + 15% OFF
As a busy mom it’s so easy to get caught up in placing our children’s wellness ahead of our own, and forgetting to give ourselves the time and attention we need to thrive. That’s why I’m so excited to be taking part in The Total Mom Show this February. An incredible local event that is geared toward educating, supporting, and celebrating Moms. Sounds pretty amazing to me!
As a busy mom it’s so easy to get caught up in placing our children’s wellness ahead of our own, and forgetting to give ourselves the time and attention we need to thrive. That’s why I’m so excited to be taking part in The Total Mom Show this February. An incredible local event that is geared toward educating, supporting, and celebrating Moms. Sounds pretty amazing to me!
There’s so much going on at this show that I thought I would break it down and give you all the details, plus a chance to WIN some tickets, and get a sweet discount!
The Total Mom Show is unlike any other out there for moms. The 2 day festival will feature immersive activities, expert speakers, vibrant panel discussions, and two interactive floors of local vendors focussing on all things mom. Participants can indulge in some epic pampering in the Face Forward Zone. Simply pre-book your appointment via the Total Mom Show App and enjoy a treatment at the show. Once you’re sufficiently relaxed you'll want to check out the Recipe For Life Zone for a variety of healthy and delicious eats. Then head over to the Mom Life Hacks Zone to learn how to make your busy mom life a little easier.
Another amazing part of The Total Mom Show is The Total Mom Pitch Contest! If you have a great business idea, or could use some help with your small business start up, you need to apply. The contest will take place on day 1 (February 9th) and will give 5 chosen applicants an opportunity to present a 5-7 minute pitch to a panel of successful entrepreneurs. The winner will receive a cash prize, as well as complimentary services from the amazing panel of judges. This is an incredible prize, so make sure to enter & let your mompreneur friends know, so they can apply for a chance to WIN!
Tickets to The Total Mom Show are on Sale, but don’t wait too grab yours! There are a limited number of VIP BAGS left + Limited spots available in the Face Forward beauty Lounge. Use Code @with_care15 for 15% off your ticket.
After telling you all these amazing things, I thought it was only fair to give away some tickets! I’ll be doing a giveaway for a pair of tickets (valued at over $100!) on my Instagram, so head over and ENTER for your chance to Win! Plus come to Movies for Mommies at the Humber Cinema on Monday January 14th (Aquaman) & 21st (The Upside) to be entered for a chance to WIN Tickets to The Total Mom Show. Movie starts at 1pm and doors open at 12:30pm.
Hope to see you on Monday at the movies, and at The Total Mom Show in February.
- Care
How To Use A Ring Sling With A Newborn
Getting the hang of a ring sling can take some practice, but they’re such great carriers once you do. I love ring slings because they’re super lightweight and fold up small making them perfect for tossing in my diaper bag or purse, so I’m always prepared while we’re out and about. Kind of essential with 4 kids ;)
Getting the hang of a ring sling can take some practice, but they’re such great carriers once you do. I love ring slings because they’re super lightweight and fold up small making them perfect for tossing in my diaper bag or purse, so I’m always prepared while we’re out and about. Kind of essential with 4 kids ;)
Join me and my 5 week old baby Freddy to learn how to use a ring sling safely and comfortably. In this video I’m featuring a linen ring sling by Potter & Pehar. I absolutely love the soft neutral colour of this Elora sling, but to be honest it’s hard to choose a fav from their gorgeous collection. Potter & Pehar products are beautifully designed to simplify motherhood, and I love that they’re all made locally in Toronto. Plus the business is owned and run by two kick ass women (Shelley & Tina), who are always available for customer support via email, facebook, and instagram. I have several Potter & Pehar slings, and have personally used them with my babes and while teaching at my monthly Free Community Babywearing Drop In. This is definitely a biz that feels good to support. You can use Code WITHCARE10 for 10% off Potter & Pehar.
I hope you enjoyed my video. Please comment below with any questions, and let me know if you have any topics you would like me to cover in the future. Don’t forget to Subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date of all of my new videos.
- Care
In This Post:
“Elora” Ring Sling: Potter & Pehar *Use Code WITHCARE10 for 10% Off | How To Thread A Ring Sling Video
*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend
*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about safe babywearing. There are many ways to safely use a carrier, but I demonstrate how I typically teach ring sling use. Please always refer to your particular baby carrier manual to ensure proper and safe use. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such.