April, 2012

Mother's Day thanks - How Mom inspired my love of cooking

momstown is thanking our moms for all the world to see, right here on momstown moments for Mother's Day. For six weeks leading up to Mother's Day we're connecting our moms and their lessons with our six program pillars, because we realize how our moms were our first early educators.


momstown nutritionThis week we're highlighting Nutrition. Share your 'moment of thanks' for your mom right here, and there's a $100 Chapters-Indigo gift card up for grabs for one lucky commenter.  All you need to do is comment on this blog and check back next Sunday to see if the winner is you! There is one gift card up for grab each week!


Congratulations to Melissa Archdekin-Bonney, last week's winner! Please contact us to claim your prize.

This week, Ann-Marie gives thanks to her mom this week as she recalls her early experiences in the kitchen with her mom!

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I grew up in a house where dinner was on the dot of 6pm every night of the week.  At 5:55pm we kids were called to the kitchen to set the table and pour the milk. There was always a salad on the table (back in the old days before prewashed greens!) and a hot, nutritious meal prepared by my stay-at-home mom. We held hands for grace and then we dug in. Conversation surrounded our day, we may have mentioned the delicious meal in front of us but likely we just took it for granted.

 

By all accounts, it was a very traditional Norman Rockwell type setting.  Not once did I ever question it until I grew up. Never did it occur to me that I had no idea how that food made it to the table.


Our kitchen was an open, welcoming space but I did other things than actually cook in there. It was a place to confide in my mom, to spread out a school project, to catch my mom if I needed to ask her permission for something, to talk on the phone (anchored into the wall!) and regular family dinners.


Our kitchen wasn’t just a place to cook, it was the place to be.


momstown nutritionAs a very young child, I have many memories of “helping” my mom. Washing, ripping and spinning salad greens. Rolling cookie dough for treats.  Measuring ingredients for muffins.  As kids we were involved in the food process;  touring grocery aisles, visiting farmers markets, growing tomatoes in the garden, and reading labels.


But our actual meals? They simply appeared. As involved as we were, the kitchen and cooking was totally Mom’s domain.  It’s not that we were unwelcome, but I’m pretty sure we would have slowed down the process and besides, our mom was, and still is, a great cook. A fabulous cook actually.


My mom nourished me both in food and in mind.


It wasn’t until I left home that it suddenly hit me - I had left home without knowing how to cook anything other than boil pasta and make toast!


When it was time for me to learn, I had a palette for food that wasn’t basic. The university dining hall was the first time I had a fried chicken finger which shocked my residence friends. When everyone else was boiling water for Kraft Dinner I was taking it one step up with pasta and figuring out how to make tomato sauce on a one burner stove.


During second year university, I was distracted and couldn’t study for Christmas exams.  It’s didn’t feel like the holidays so, I made my first independent batch ever of sugar cookies, rolling the dough with a 1L plastic water bottle because students don’t own rolling pins! My roommates made fun of me up to my armpits in flour but how could it be Christmas without baking smells?


When I phoned home to brag about my cookies, that’s when my mom realised I now had an interest and drive to learn to cook. I arrived home that holiday to find a little black book ready for me. On our old dot matrix printer, my mom had typed and printed out all her famous recipes and step-by-step instructions how to create them myself  and even included little Mom tidbits on how to serve them (ie: “serve with crusty rolls for a crowd”).


recipe book 

Mom’s black book became my guide to culinary growth. It included a recipe for making Rice (probably the same as the side of the bag!) but I sorely needed that. I’d feel homesick, 8 hours away from my Montreal home, and I’d crack that book and make something like Grandma’s Stay in Bed Stew or Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.


That book kick started something inside me. I began to cut out recipes from the paper or magazines and glue them in. I glued in homemade tabs scrawled with labels like "vegetables" or "main course" to organize the recipe chaos. I’d scribble down tips I learned or someone else’s recipe like my Grandma’s Easy Banana Muffins, Carrot Ginger Soup or Rhubarb Crisp.


It turns out, while perched on the kitchen stool, I had absorbed things in my mom’s kitchen through osmosis. I inherited an appreciation for both good food and the process associated with creating it.


That black book is now almost 20 years old. And it’s still my go-to collection of recipes. It’s marked up, has egg spills and shows poorly. I use other cookbooks too, but when I have a food question, I still flip to that book or call my mom 3 hours away to ask.

 

Thank-you Mom for inspiring not just my love of cooking but for creating an atmosphere where food is appreciated and an understanding of what the family dinner really means.  I’m so grateful for the black recipe book and for teaching me to cook from a distance as it has always felt like you’re right here in my kitchen with me, perched at my own island. xo

Posted by momstown mama on 04/29/2012 - 17:29
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The "Other Firsts"...

Baby Book

Okay, so we all know about those special “Baby Book Firsts” – you know, the ones you ‘ooh’ & ‘aah’ over… the ones you ‘share’ & ‘tweet’ to all your friends, family, followers & fans… the ones that makes their way into the infamous Baby Book. Agreeably, these are true milestone moments and will be remembered and cherished for a lifetime.

 

But what about the “other firsts” – the ones that don’t seem to have a special page in the ‘scrapbook of love’? The ones with a little less “Aww” value? Don’t they deserve their 15 minutes of fame too??

 

BABY BOOK FIRST:    Baby’s First Word – melting your heart the very first time your little angel gazed lovingly at you and called out “Mommy”

OTHER FIRST:    The 87th time you hear ‘MommyMommyMommyMommyMommy’ at the exact time you’re trying to finish a phone call or get dinner on the table.

 

BABY BOOK FIRST:    Baby’s very first tooth – documenting the very moment the first little pearly white comes poking through

OTHER FIRST:    The very first time those chompers are taken out for a spin – on a playmate, the dog, or even on you! (NOTE: Bonus first – if this “first bite” happens to occur while breastfeeding - OUCH!)

 

BABY BOOK FIRST:    Baby’s First Food - the first time your precious little one opens his or her precious little mouth and enjoys the wonder of pureed carrots

OTHER FIRST:    The first time this delicacy you’ve so lovingly prepared is less than a huge hit and you are, thus, forced to catch the remnants of said meal in your napkin, hand or plate. (Bonus first – if you are actually able to salvage something out of the regurgitated meal and eat it anyway!)

 

BABY BOOK FIRST:    Baby’s First Step – who can’t remember running for the camera/video camera/iPhone to capture those first uncertain little strides away from the safety of the coffee table?

OTHER FIRST:    The very first time those steps are all strung together to result in an impromptu Olympics hurdling event running through your living room, ending in an overturned footstool, a broken lamp, and a skinned knee.

 

BABY BOOK FIRST:    Baby’s First Independent Mealtime – watching with wonder and pride as your little one manages to manoeuvre those Cheerios into his or her mouth all by themselves (more or less!) for the first time

OTHER FIRST:    The very first time you watch your little sweetheart skillfully pick out every diced onion, grated carrot, corn kernel or other offending food item from the meal in front of them.

 

BABY BOOK FIRST:    Baby’s First Mess – you know the drill, open the diaper bag, take out the extra diapers, shift the spare clothing out of the way, dig down beneath the spare pacifier, bag of Cheerios and special ‘lovey’ to carefully extract the special non-toxic, organic, handmade baby face wipes to gently clean away that offensive speck of dirt.

OTHER FIRST:     Some spit in your hand and a swipe with the thumb oughtta get most of whatever the heck is on there! (You know you’ve done it!)


BABY BOOK FIRST:    Baby's First Successful Sleep Through The Night - no additional words needed... *Sigh*...

OTHER FIRST:    The first time you close your eyes to count to 10 while playing Hide & Seek and promptly fall fast asleep! (Bonus first – your kids think you’re actually looking for them and keep hiding, allowing you to stretch out that impromptu nap!)

 

So, does anyone else think their Baby Books might need a few extra pages added on to them?

 

What's your "Other First"?

 

Posted by Christy mama of... on 04/28/2012 - 17:59
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Red Cross a key partner in emergency preparedness - do you know what your household needs?

We know how to protect kids from bumps and bruises, but how do we keep them safe when a disaster strikes?
 
red cross logoWe’ve spent a lot of time talking about this at the Canadian Red Cross. In fact, we focus just as much on preparing for disasters as we do responding to them. We have families too, and we know that if an emergency disrupts a family’s schedule it would likely lead to even more chaos.

Disasters come in different forms - some are widespread and affect an entire community like the tornadoes in Goderich or wildfires in Slave Lake, while others affect a single family, such as a house fire.

If a disaster happens in your home or community, a little preparation can alleviate stress and help your family be more resilient and ready to face any situation.
 
Preparing for emergencies is easy and there are lots of online resources. It all starts with knowing the risks in your particular areas (a river that’s prone to overflowing, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc). From there, you can develop a plan that works for your individual circumstances.


Then comes the fun part, and you can even get children to participate: building a household preparedness kit. Many people already have the makings of a disaster kit in their home, in kitchen drawers and among camping gear. It’s just a matter of pulling it all together. When planning your kit, to remember that you should be prepared to sustain your family for 72 hours in a situation where there may not be electricity, or limited food and water. We’ve got a great checklist you can use to help you get started. 

It’s really important for parents to consider their children’s needs, such as diapers, toys, blankets and other essential items. You know your child best so customize and update regularly as kids get older.


We encourage you to keep it fun. Disasters are challenging for everyone involved, but preparing for the worst doesn’t have to be a chore. The Sesame Street website also has great info to help families prepare for emergencies, including videos.



In communities across the country, the Canadian Red Cross has partnered with momstown to offer preparedness workshops for its members.

Posted by admin on 04/27/2012 - 20:19
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mom entrepreneur profile: Cheryl Yakem of Monkey Doodlez®

Welcome to the momstown moments mom entrepreneur profile! In this ongoing feature, we bring you some of the best and brightest mompreneurs - and find out what really makes them tick. We hope to inspire mompreneurs-to-be and support mom-based businesses across Canada and around the world.


Today's featured profile:

monkey doodlezCheryl Yakem of Monkey Doodlez®

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheryl is a busy mother to four young children who turned the desire to find a trim, yet absorbent cloth diaper into a thriving company with a range of products. Monkey Doodlez® was one of the first companies to market with a reusable swim diaper and not only are they adorable, they are approved for use in public pools. Their patent pending Tuck and Go system is a hit amongst dads and daycares – no more handling soiled inserts and their two-size system saves money without compromising fit.

 

1.    Why did you become a mom entrepreneur?

After the birth of her eldest daughter, Cheryl wanted to find ways to reduce her family’s exposure to toxins such as those used in disposable diapers and wipes – but she couldn’t find a diaper she was happy with. So, she started developing her own. Now, 7 years later, Monkey Doodlez® has grown to include a range of products including All-in-One Diapers, Reusable Swim Diapers, Wipe Cubes and the patent pending Tuck and Go Diaper System.

 

According to Cheryl, the best part about owning her own business is that she gets to develop products that are not only healthier for babies, but ones that save families money – especially during these challenging economic times. “I just love hearing from happy customers who’ve discovered just how easy it is to use cloth diapers when they try our products,” she says.


2.    What’s your biggest challenge working for yourself?

Cheryl believes that the biggest challenge in owning her own business is the same challenge that all moms face – regardless of their profession – finding a balance for herself, her family and her career.

 

Cheryl laughs when people say, "Oh you’re so lucky to have your own business – you can take time off whenever you want." The truth is, having your own business means you get to work whatever 24 hour shift you want and that you have to be a master multi-tasker. You quickly learn to cook dinner while planning marketing campaigns, answer emails while refereeing fights between the kids, fold laundry and design new products. The neat part is, all those efforts result in YOUR own success and rewards.

 


3.    What advice would you give other mom entrepreneurs?

Her advice to moms thinking of running their own business is to “find your passion, because you’ll be devoting more energy to it than you can ever imagine. There’s no time off because even when you’re away from it, you’re thinking about it.” That being said, Cheryl wouldn’t have it any other way – she loves being the CEO of her own company.

 

Cheryl and her team are excited about the future of the company. “As parents become aware of the dangerous chemicals in products like disposable diapers and wipes, as well as how easy it can be to go reusable, I see only great things ahead for this industry,” says Cheryl. “We love being part of the movement,” she jokes.

 

Monkey Doodlez® is known for its commitment to producing high quality products in Canada and to employing professional sewers who work from home. Join them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check out their website for full product details.

Posted by momstown mompreneur on 04/27/2012 - 12:57
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Come Sail Away

My kids are far from spoiled, and I myself had a wonderful upbringing, but every once in a while I look at their lives and say to myself “In my next life, I want to come back as one of MY OWN kids”.


It happened last week. We had cousins visiting from overseas and it was all kinds of crazy fun. After several late nights, I allowed them to sleep in and be late for school one morning. This is something I’ve never done before and certainly something my mother never allowed. If we wanted to stay up and party like it’s 1999, I can assure you my mother had us up bright and early to greet that first sunrise of 2000. That makes sense to me – why protect them from natural consequences?

But I let them sleep in last week. That one time.

 

julie cole oakville ballet class
They are currently experiencing something else that makes me think I should come back as them in my next life. They are on a cruise ship performing with their dance troupe. Yes, it’s rough – I know.


I managed to finagle my way in as “Stage Manager” because there was no way these privileged tweens were going without me. So, you’ll have to excuse me – I have to meet Gopher on the Lido Deck for a cocktail. Can’t wait to see what Isaac is serving up!

 

isaac from the love boat
What about your kids – do you see them experiencing things and having opportunities that were completely off your radar as a child?

Posted by Julie mama of many on 04/26/2012 - 20:24
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A Mother's Day moment - Discovering Nature in Algonquin

momstown is thanking our moms for all the world to see, right here on momstown moments for Mother's Day. For six weeks leading up to Mother's Day we're connecting our moms and their lessons with our six program pillars, because we realize how our moms were our first early educators.


momstown science and discoveryThis week we're highlighting Science & Discovery. Share your 'moment of thanks' for your mom right here, and there's a $100 Chapters-Indigo gift card up for grabs for one lucky commenter.  All you need to do is comment on this blog and check back next Sunday to see if the winner is you! There is one gift card up for grab each week!


Congratulations to Krystene, last week's winner! She shared how her mom started her early on in activities and how the two of them shared fitness together. Please contact us to claim your prize.

This week, Ally gives thanks to her mom this week as she recalls her early experiences with Science & Discovery.

 

I don't think most of us who left science class behind at the age of 16 would consider themselves 'scientists'. But you can bet we start discovering again once we have little scientists of our own. Scientific inquiry is in all that they do:

 

Look at the bird, mom!

Why can't we fly?

Why is the sky blue?

Who eats the butterflies?

Can I keep this stick forever?

 

Thank goodness for google or I'd never be able to answer half the questions my kids ask. So much of what they ask stems from being outside - walks home from school, walks in the woods, digging in the garden. And the ultimate for our family is that every summer, we can have experiences as close to nature as you can get - in Algonquin Park.

 

And this is where the link to my mom comes in. Her father built a family cabin in the woods in the 1950's, back when you could lease a tiny piece of land in one of Ontario's most famous provincial parks. As long as I've been alive, I've spent part of my summer in Algonquin.

 

algonquin park photo

 

There, we can be truly unplugged. We have no electricity, no telephone line. It's basically our family, a roof over our heads, the lake and the woods (okay, well now there's 3G, but stay with me here). As children, my sister and I spent countless hours playing in the trees, in the lake, on the dock. We didn't have anything but our imaginations to entertain us.

We loved it. And now that we have families of our own, our kids do too.

 

Algonquin ties generations together in my family. My grandmother trekked up to the cottage well into her 80's. She hopped in the canoe (our cabin is boat-access only), and bathed in the lake with the rest of us.

 

My mom grew up spending all of her childhood summers in Algonquin. When her own kids came along, she single-parented her way through countless weekends bring us to the cottage, driving for hours to corral us into a canoe, paddle us across, load and unload groceries, and do all the cooking. She never complained.

 

Because as she says when she's there - there's no place like it. It's worth the long drive, city traffic, the hassle getting across the water (no matter what the weather) and the knowledge that you're a good hour from the closest grocery store. It brings us all back to nature and reminds us how we played as kids, enjoying the outdoors rain or shine, warm or cold.

 

Now that my own kids get to enjoy Algonquin, it means even more to me each year that we go and get back to nature. Our world is changing so quickly. Ipads, smart phones, video games, DVD players - they're part of our lives, there's no stopping it. So it's truly wonderful to have a place where kids (and parents) can get away from it all.

 

algonquin park photoTo be mesmorized by a campfire.

To rock endlessly in a hammock.

To push a stick into sap and throw it in the lake - and see the 'magic' rainbow.

To play baseball in the water.

To dig and dig and dig in the sand.

To pick blueberries for hours.

 

 

All of these things, my family is lucky enough to do each summer. And I thank my mom for keeping Algonquin in the family, for building a bunkie for her ever-growing grandchildren, for teaching us to canoe and tie up boats and take care of a slice of heaven that is growing more special by the day.

 

In Algonquin, my kids don't get to google - and the only surfing they do is in the water. They get to enjoy and experience the beauty around them, to ask and to wonder, and to really feel part of the natural world. There is no better place.

 

Posted by momstown team on 04/21/2012 - 19:07
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10 Things You Never Thought You'd See as a Mom

Before I was a mom, I was an expert on child rearing and development. Of course, I planned that my kids would never misbehave or test my patience. Nope, I know I had it all figured out and would birth complete angels. 

 

Now that I have 3 angels of my own, I realise that kids have their own way of doing things and I've been surprised over and over. Here are some the best surprises either I've experienced or what I've heard from other momstown mamas. Beware, don't chuckle too loudly, karma has a way of coming to get you!



1. The Red Sharpie Artist
A marker was liberated from our office by a certain toddler and made its way into my then 2 year old’s room during naptime.  Well, what I assumed was “naptime”. Red sharpie on the walls, door, sheets, chair and ALL over herself.

 

2. Vaseline Monster
You hear about this one often enough, but do we lock away the slippery cream? My 3rd child just taught me that lesson, as she smeared petroleum jelly all over herself.


3. The Black Eye
Yes, that horrible blue bruise that covers his face, the one from the moment when the clumsy toddler tipped into the stone fireplace. The just one centimetre out of grasp moment. Then your little bruiser walks around for a good week looking like he’s been in a huge fight and you feel like a horrible mama.

 paper unrolled
4. The Toilet Paper Hog
I’m sure I thought I could “train” my child not to overuse the toilet paper. Yeah, cuz that’s possible when the paper is on a fun bouncing roll! These days, I’m so darn happy the kids actually use the toilet properly (usually) that I don’t care about the toilet paper useage anymore. And well, the plunger stays within arms reach now.


5. Random Poop in Unknown Places
I’m not talking diaper changing, gosh poop in a diaper is a dream! But the blueberry poo that gets spread around his crib. Or poop in the bath. Or poop accidents beside the potty when training. Don't forget the never flushed toilet either with unclaimed contents - that's a fun part of parenthood too.


6. She’s Past the Chokeable Stage
Oh really? Then where’s that nickel gone? Never assume a ‘stage’ is gone, just when you do that, it comes back and a 4 year old will eat something not edible and you’ll find yourself in the ER with an xray to discover a metal coin lodged in your child’s belly. Been there, done that. See Random poop for what happens next…


7. Curious Nose Sticker
We all hear stories about raisins or nuts making their way up our own noses when we were kids. But we were from a generation of “unsupervised” children, this won’t happen to my child. Yes it will. In the middle of a supervised Thanksgiving dinner, my son shoved a pea up his nose, only to have it sucked out at the ER. It happens.


8. I-left-them-alone-for-only-2-minutes Giant Mess
The kind of mess where the shredded paper is dumped everywhere or maybe the flour is spread all over the living room floor. Or perhaps, the sticky mess of a sensory Oatmeal experiment when curious minds decide to add water to their “baking”? Ya, those messes… You don't really have eyes in the back of your head, do you?


9. I Don’t Know Where He Heard that From…
Yes. Yes, you do. It’s tough to be an angel and a parent at the same time.  Kiddos have keen ears and sharp eyes that pick up words, tones and gestures like an uber spy. Admit you said it, don’t blame it on the other “kids” he plays with. (Yes, I’ll admit, it’s happened here too)


10. Stealing at the Store
Buckling in a child into the carseat when you realise there is something in their hand from the grocery trip that was not in your cart. Something you didn't pay for! Ugh, the ethics debate of dragging back in all those kids, versus figuring you overpaid for those darn seedless grapes anyways...

 

This is only a list of 10 things - what have you seen or heard in motherhood that you never thought you would?

Posted by momstown mama on 04/19/2012 - 21:58
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Bullying: Do you know any Mom Bullies?

No one likes to be hurt, emotionally or physically. One of the very first words we as parents teach our babies is “Gentle!”  as soon as they start to reach and grab. Then,  as they explore more, we change our language to “no hit” and “play nice”. We instruct our toddlers to use their words instead of their bodies and then when they do use those words to shout or say something unkind we reprimand them for speaking poorly to their friend. Because really, neither hitting or unkind words are good options.


We try to teach empathy and  emotions  by asking  “how would you feel is someone said that to you?” hoping the child understands it’s nice to be nice. Even if they don’t want to be. Rough behaviour isn’t tolerated and neither are rough words.


Social graces are taught next. No whispering  about people, that’s not nice. Be inclusive, don’t leave a friend out.  Share your toys, be friendly, use your manners.


Somewhere down the line, the word “bully” makes it into our vocabulary. Often it’s school age since bullying is a bigger problem when the adult-child ratio is smaller and there aren’t parents at every playdate to solve every scuffle. We worry about our children being bullied and attempt to raise non-bullies.


Here’s some food for thought – do adults follow the same rules we set for our children? Are adults empathetic? Inclusive? Friendly? Sharing and Polite?


Nope. Not always.


We’re all guilty of some poor behaviour sometimes, it’s human nature but I’ve noticed a growing trend and it’s Mom Bullies.


Schools reference The Bully, The Bullied, and The Bystander to teach kids that bullying is bad, but those who don’t stop it, are just as bad. If the Bystander stands up to the bully then we set an example to police one another’s poor behaviour and raise the confidence and support system of the person being bullied.


Why don’t adults do that? Where there are Mom Bullies there are also Mom Bystanders, too nervous of what others will think to intervene. So many of us were taught to avoid conflict, better just to look away and ignore it.   Or more likely, unsure of how to  deal with bullying as a third party. 


Mom Bullies are out there – in the playground, at ballet lessons, on Facebook and yes, even sometimes appear in momstown.  As in any mostly female group, the unfortunate stereotype is true, women can be mean to one another. We are also hugely loving and supportive but the worse element, gossip, perpetuates bullying. Exclusive activities/parties/groups versus inclusive organizations provides an arena for bullies to thrive and continue to reign.

 

How to deal with Mom Bullies? Address them. Use your words (just like you tell your kids!) and stand up for yourself. Explain how their behaviour makes you feel, regardless if you are the bullied or the bystander.

 

The #1 reason moms don't seek out supportive networks of other moms is because they fear being judged. They're concerned they won't fit in. They believe all moms are competitive, bragging, know-it-all bullies. We know that's not true, all moms are not bullies, most moms are wonderfully open-minded parents also seeking support and friendship. Especially in a supportive and moderated real life community like momstown. Isn't that an unfortunate misconception? A few negative bad apples who bully, ruin it with an example set for others??

 

Have you been bullied by another mom? Have you been a ByStander? What actions have you taken?

Posted by momstown mama on 04/15/2012 - 00:17
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Mother's Day Moment: Creating a FISH

momstown is thanking our moms for all the world to see, right here on momstown moments for Mother's Day. For six weeks leading up to Mother's Day we're connecting our moms and their lessons with our six program pillars, because we realize how our moms were our first early educators.


momstown fitness and adventureThis week we're highlighting Fitness & Adventure. Share your 'moment of thanks' for your mom right here, and there's a $100 Chapters-Indigo gift card up for grabs for one lucky commenter.  All you need to do is comment on this blog and check back next Sunday to see if the winner is you! There is one gift card up for grab each week!


 Congratulations to Annabel Gills, our second week's winner! She shared her memories of her mom instilling a love of reading in her as a young child. Please contact us to claim your prize.

 

This week, Krista, momstown's running mama, gives thanks to her mom this week as she recalls her early experience with fitness and adventure.

 

Swimming

When I was 10 years old, people called me FISH – if I could have, I would have lived in the lake or pool, not much could get me out of the water. We didn’t even have a pool in our backyard, I grew up swimming in Lake Huron and our summers were spent at our trailer where pools were my first stop on arrival.

I still love to swim, I'm not 100% sure if it is because in the water I still feel like that 10 year old FISH with not a care in the world, however I think it is more likely mixed in with my need to exercise. When I am swimming, it doesn’t feel like a workout or hurt like a 16km run does – heck, I have even crazy enough to race in the open water to feed my competitive spirit!

 

But I didn’t always feel like a strong swimmer, like most kids my mom dutifully enrolled me in swimming lessons each summer at the town pool. She would line up on an early Saturday in June to secure my spot at the only pool in my small town (no online registration system back then!). My mom is not a swimmer, oh she can doggie paddle effortlessly, but she is the type of person who refuses to step into a boat without a life jacket on! My mom loves being around the water and it was a priority for her that both my sister and I would to learn to swim.

I can remember it clearly, I had mastered the “water bob” – no fear of putting my face in the water. I could jump in, no problem and I could happily shriek the motor boat song with my other 5 year old swimmers in class – but you could NOT get me to backwards float. Nope, I wasn’t trusting the water to hold me up, frontwards floating was not an issue, but I was sure on my back I would sink. This meant I wasn’t going to pass, graduating from lessons on the stairs to where my big sister had her lessons wasn’t even enough of a motivator to get me to back float.

It was my non-swimming mom that convinced me just to try, she brought me to the pool everyday, there was no discussion of failing or quitting, never did she pressure me or compare me to other kids ... all she focused on was getting me keep trying on my own and practicing what I was learning. I figured it out finally the day before my last summer lesson, I was so very proud of myself – I happily surprised my swim instructor on the last day and passed my class! My mom taught me some important lessons growing up and this was a lesson in the importance of keeping trying and practicing. However, I think it was building confidence that I could figure out how to do it on my own that was the most important thing she taught me that summer – I think that is truly one of the amazing gifts participating in sports can give a young child still today.

Fast forward 30 years, my youngest loves the water but you think I can get her to back float? This summer, I just need to apply what my own mom taught me - believe in her, keep giving her the opportunity to try and most importantly, the space to figure it out on her own!

Future Fish

Thank you mom, for both the life lessons you taught me (look forward to passing on to next generation) and for allowing me to find the joy of swimming!

Posted by Krista running mama on 04/14/2012 - 16:40
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Just Two More Minutes

Two minutes

Have you ever heard the phrase “the gift of time”? I recently had one of those moments that caused me to reflect upon exactly what that meant. As a society we generally walk around with a sense of both entitlement and infallibility when it comes to time. Whatever we don’t get to today can always be tackled tomorrow. Too busy answering emails to play with our kids at the park? Not in the budget to take a family vacation this year? So preoccupied with getting dinner on the table that we can’t listen to the same knock-knock joke for the 187th time? No worries. Tomorrow we’ll do a better job and be a better parent.


Last night as I hurried home from a class to crawl into my son’s bed for a goodnight cuddle, I can admit that even though I love feeling his little arms wrapped around my chest – and I was happy to be there – my mind was already jumping ahead to my ever-so-important to-do list – Make his lunch for the next day, check my emails, change the laundry, run over my presentation for the next day’s training session, remember to get gas the next day…..  Pretty typical stuff. When I went to leave he held on a little bit tighter and asked me to stay for just two more minutes. With a sigh, I thought about everything else I needed to get done that night. Besides, he should already be asleep, it was already far too late, and it’s not like I hadn’t already cuddled him. As I stood up to leave I took a moment to really feel his little fingers wrapped around mine and truly see his beautiful little face and decided right then and there that just two more minutes was not too much to ask.

 

Christy & Evan

There are 1440 minutes in a day – how many of those do you spend really being present? Not shuttling kids to another sporting event or dance class. Not bribing them to eat one more green bean. Not making sure that their teeth are brushed & their hair is combed. Not explaining to them why beds really do need to get made. I’m talking about really being with them.

 

Not responding on autopilot with another “Yes, I see…” or “Uh huh…” or “Sure, great somersault”. I’m talking about absolutely unplugging from the rest of the world and being completely present in whatever is happening during those two minutes. Not checking email while watching them run around in the backyard. Not commenting on another Crayola-inspired masterpiece while making sure the dishwasher is loaded. Not cutting a hug short because dinner is on the table and getting cold. I’m talking about truly appreciating the fact that the gift of just two more minutes with those who live inside of your heart is truly a gift beyond compare.

 

How many people would kill to have just two more minutes with a loved one? What if we changed our perspective to see that the number of minutes we have with our families is actually a finite number, and not an unlimited amount? What if we reminded ourselves that the next two minutes we spend with our kids are just as important as the last two minutes we have with them? What if we remembered that in our final days it won’t be our iPhones, clients or dirty laundry that we’ll be thinking of – it’s much more likely that our minds will be full of visions of sticky fingerprint hugs, sun-kissed smiling faces, sounds of happiness emanating from full-on belly laughs, the quiet beauty of a sleeping child…

 

Aren’t these the things that are worth taking just two more minutes to appreciate while we have them? The days are long but the years are short. Kids grow up fast… too fast. That “tomorrow” we’ve all been banking on may hold something completely out of our control. Those two more minutes we’ve all been banking on and putting off until tomorrow may become the moments that mean the most.

 

So today I challenge you to put down the iPhone, close up your Inbox, step away from the dirty dishes… then pull up a chair and truly be with your loved ones for a full two minutes. Truly appreciate that artwork, share a belly laugh, listen to that knock-knock joke (again), stay for that extra cuddle... You may find that those two minutes turn to five or even ten. You may find the world will actually keep turning while you step away from your daily routine for two minutes. You may even find that those two minutes will end up equalling a lifetime of memories for you and your loved ones.

 

Think about it. What could you do with just two more minutes?

Posted by Christy mama of... on 04/13/2012 - 19:40
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Fisher Price Real Mom Moment - Introducing our April winner

fisher price joy of learning

Each month, Fisher-Price recognizes an every-day mom, nominated by her peers, with the Real Mom Moment award. It's their way of  honouring the moments that make motherhood so special. This month, we honour Ramona from momstown Kitchener-Waterloo. She is thrilled to be receiving this honour and will be enjoying the Fisher-Price Kid-Tough digital camera with her daughter.

 

Fisher price real mom moment

Ramona was nominated by her peers for being one of those moms who always helps out, has a smile on her face, and brightens the day of those around her. She's quick to offer support and advice to other moms, and her suggestions have helped make momstown Kitchener-Waterloo the amazing community it is. She recently took over organizing a momstown event at the last minute - and pulled it off with ease and professionalism that made our chapter owner Paula extremely grateful.

 

momstown moments chatted with Ramona about her experiences with motherhood. She had lots to share with us.

 

MM: What did you find to be the biggest change to your life when you had your first child?
 

Ramona: The biggest challenge was the planning it took to go anywhere.  The spontaneity was gone, instead I had to anticipate how long we would be gone for and how many diapers, etc. to bring. An overnight getaway always involved a very full car!.
 
MM: What has surprised you the most about motherhood?
 

Ramona: The intensity of my love for this little person. You can't prepare yourself for that kind of emotion and it's different from any other kind of love I have felt towards another person.
 

MM: Can you tell us about one of your favourite moments with your children so far?


Ramona: My favourite moments are always the unprompted hugs and kisses.

 

MM: What are you most looking forward to with your family as your children grow older?


Ramona: I'm excited to be able to travel and introduce my daughter to different environments and cultures.
 
 

MM: What advice would you give to a woman who is about to become a mother?


Ramona:  Enjoy each moment, especially those late nights when you're rocking your baby to sleep; before you know it those days are gone.

 

fisher price kid tough cameraWe thank Ramona for her honesty and advice - and hope she and her daughter capture lots of memories with the Kid-Tough Digital Camera!


Want to nominate a mom in your momstown community? Email us and tell us about her Fisher Price Real Mom Moment - she might just be our next winner!

Posted by momstown team on 04/10/2012 - 13:00
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Mother's Day Moment: Creating an imaginative reader

momstown is thanking our moms for all the world to see, right here on momstown moments for Mother's Day. For six weeks leading up to Mother's Day we're connecting our moms and their lessons with our six program pillars, because we realize how our moms were our first early educators.


This week we're highlighting Literacy. Share your 'moment of thanks' for your mom right here, and there's a $100 Chapters-Indigo gift card up for grabs for one lucky commenter.  All you need to do is comment on this blog and check back next Sunday to see if the winner is you! There is one gift card up for grab each week!


We were thrilled with the response  that poured in from our readers in week one, commenting and thanking their own moms - many making connections to Art & Music.

Congratulations to Marjori, our first week's winner! She shared her memories of her mom listening to ABBA and the BeeGees! Please contact us to claim your prize.


This week's entry is from Ann-Marie, our main momstown mama:


I am a reader. My parents, interestingly, are not, in the traditional 'bookworm' kinda way.  I grew up in a house with access to many children’s books, but not so many adult books. Two newspapers arrived daily along with Macleans magazine weekly so my parents were reading, just not novels.  Regardless,  that didn’t stop them from appreciating the written word or from raising a pasionate reader.


My mother had a very modest,  one-parent childhood where owning books for fun was not a reality. A library card was available but not a priority. Mom grew up very fast in that environment and when she became a mother herself, provided the opposite learning environment for her own kids.


Mom was a proud stay-at-home mom who trucked us to the library on a regular basis in our huge family station wagon. We had storybooks at home but most new books came from the library, allowing for different adventures and ideas to flow in and out of our house based on the interest of the week.

 

momstown literacy picture

2 year old me on my Papa's lap

 

Mom (and Dad) read to us frequently and especially at bedtime. I have fond memories of Busytown Mysteries with Huckle and Lowly worm, of Mom’s voice softly reading while I cuddled under my quilt. When I read these stories to my own kids now, I’m transported back in my head to that feeling of comfort, serenity and bliss of being with the person I loved and doing the thing I loved – reading.


As our family legend goes, I was the first child in kindergarten to learn to read (likely due to lots of practise at home). Soon, I was devouring chapter books faster than I could get my hands on and my love affair with the written word exploded. I became the bookworm in our house,  dragging a novel with me everyone, slurping cereal every morning with a nose in a book, and spending countless afternoon hours flopped on my bed in another world.


One of our momstown pillars is LITERACY and when we hear that word, people  often associate it with ’just’  reading. In fact, it’s much broader than that.


“Literacy has been described as the ability to read for knowledge and write coherently and think critically about the written word.”

When I think in those terms, my head nods vehemently in agreement that Mom created a literacy lover. When I consider literacy, my mind explodes with continual examples of my mom’s teachings. Whether it was talking about the book I was reading, drawing connections through play about a bedtime story, encouraging puppet shows or writing our own stories. 


Mom encouraged the use of our childhood imaginations and developed critical thinkers and creative children. Mom understood that if learning was made fun, we’d learn more. Our minds would be more open to ideas and opportunities.


I’m old enough to remember when encyclopedias in homes and libraries were the norm. We had a subscription to the World Book, big heavy, glossy books divided by alphabet letter. I used to run my hand along the firm row of spines and admire their burgundy colour and the knowledge they represented.  These books were special.


When we took car trips, the encyclopedia also took a field trip. Wherever we were going, mom packed the appropriate letter. V for Vermont, M of Montreal and she’d read in the car about the state flower or key tidbits about the place we were visiting. (did YOU know the state flower of Vermont is the Red Clover??)


The same process would happen with school units, if one kid was studying the solar system, the letter S came out and a discussion happened at the dinner table. Probably jokes were made about ‘Uranus’ too which has etched these experiences in my memory.

 

Did my mom raise a reader who values the written word, spoken word, creativity and imagination? YES! And that's totally based on my upbringing where time was taken to teach the respect of books, storytelling and overall literacy skills. I dare say there would be no momstown if Mom had not created such a compelling example of literacy and education.

 

Research says that parents need to model appropriate behaviours and if we want our kids to read, we should read too. But it doesn't have to be novels. Modeling can be discussion, play and literacy based. The most important thing is to take the time to teach and value our language and the freedom it represents when we can master it.

 

Thank-you Mom for these life lessons. xoxo

Posted by momstown mama on 04/06/2012 - 08:08
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