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Travel

Last Minute Weekend Vancouver Getaway with Expedia

November 14, 2016

Visiting Canada’s west coast has always been on my travel list, and I’m finally going to be able to check it off. I’m so excited to be visiting Vancouver next weekend thanks to #BigWorldExplorer and Expedia.ca for a Last Minute Weekend Vancouver Getaway.

While my kids have hockey games, and my husband is going on a hockey tournament, I decided I would whisk my mom away for a mother-daughter getaway. I’m planning our weekend trip on Expedia.ca through their easy-to-use website and app. You can easily search for flights, hotels and cars in one swift search, and find the best deals on hotel rooms, flights and rental cars.

Where to Stay in Vancouver

There are too many choices for hotels in Vancouver! The first few searches popped out some amazing choices, such as the Fairmont, Four Seasons, and the Sutton Place Hotel.

The search results are easy to read, with the hotel star rating visible, and prices and deals on the right side. The searches show the full price per person with the flight included, and whether it is non-stop.

Flights to Vancouver on Expedia

Booking a flight separately would be much too expensive! But booking flight and hotel together on Expedia.ca and the price is significantly lower.

The options are also abundant, with various departure times and non-stop flights – I was able to easily choose. The trip prices shown are per person and include Flight + Hotel, taxes and fees, which is helpful when it comes time to book as there are no surprise costs.

We’ll be able to make the most of our weekend by flying out first thing Friday morning, and returning late on Sunday evening.

Flights and Hotel to Vancouver on Expedia

After some searching and pricing, I “settled” on the Four Seasons.

I’ve also booked a 48-hour hop-on hop-off trolley tour so that we can easily tour the city, without having to walk it all (my mom can’t do long distances).

On my must-see list so far – Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, Gastown, Railtown, Little Italy, Granville Island Public Market and if we’re able, Capilano Bridge. My mom is an avid gardener, so we’ll have to drop by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Where else should we visit? Make sure to follow along with the hashtag #BigWorldExplorer!

parenting

What is Unschooling and Who Does That?

November 8, 2016

What is unschooling? Is unschooling the same as homeschooling?

Unschooling is a term that seems to have been coined by John Holt, a pioneer in the movement for an understanding of why public school is not the best option for our children’s education. If you homeschool, the name John Holt should ring a bell, if not, it is worth looking into as his ideas are many and varied.

Holt was a Yale graduate who wrote many of the pioneering books of the modern homeschooling movement. The “unschooling,” term coined was from the idea that child-led, unstructured learning is the most optimum action plan for education. Its basic premise is that a child will learn what they need to learn, when they need to learn it so they will be that much more engaged in the process.

Unschooling students learn through their natural life experiences including play, household responsibilities, personal interests and curiosity, internships and work experience, travel, books, elective classes, family, mentors, and social interaction.

How do kids learn in ‘unschooling’?

Learning occurs sometimes as a side effect of exploring one’s own natural interests. What this can look like is a child who is in high school, for example, may not be explicitly taught geometry. However, the idea is that when the child has a need to understand and learn geometry, say while building a catapult, they will be engaged in the process and eager to learn, sometimes as a means to an end, because they need the information.

Is unschooling the same as homeschooling?

It is interesting to note that unschoolers, though lumped in with more traditional homeschoolers, are often a subset unto themselves. Traditional homeschooling families often do not understand the thought processes around “unschooling”, and therefore have a tendency to downplay it as a legitimate source of education.

Unschooling contrasts with other forms of home education in that the student’s education is not directed by a teacher and curriculum.

Many homeschoolers who defect from the public school system have enough trouble wrapping their own heads around not just replicating the public school at home and having more freedom to complete the school day in say, 2-3 hours. Therefore the thought of completely removing all the structure of a daily routine seems completely a foreign concept, much as would be learning a new language with an entirely new alphabet.

So, if the concept is child-led, non-scheduled, and completely unstructured, who does that?

Who would do unschooling?

It would seem that often the parents who allow unschooling are ones that understand individualism to a whole new level than most. There are highly educated college professors who employ this method with their own children after becoming frustrated at the lack of individualized thought they see in their collegiate classrooms. There are entrepreneurs who do not believe in the institution of mass learning of facts and who walk to the beat of their own drum. In fact, many proponents would argue that unschooling as a whole produces the kind of young adults who are attracted to being entrepreneurs, unique thinkers, self-starters, skeptical of institutions, and confident in their own learning abilities.

Though many of the rest of the homeschoolers may look on at this brand of education as being too far from what we would consider for our own families, its roots have a clear and valued premise, especially if you look at very young learners. Most homeschool families probably even employ some sort of “unschooling” in the early years as we allow our preschooler to forgo worksheets for hands-on finger painting, or we abandon formal science lessons for nature walks. The pure curiosity of a child’s natural drive to learn will often sift out the chaff and allow them to glean very important concepts, and all without a book specific to that topic

Dawn is the homeschooling mom to 5 (soon to be 6) of God’s blessings and the wife to a husband she counts as her best friend. She and her husband enjoy life on a small family farm where they strive to grow their own food, raise their own livestock, and homestead to the best of a modern day family’s ability. When not chasing chickens and toddlers Dawn loves to write on her own blog, freelance for others, and cook from scratch. You may well find her sitting on the front porch and sipping a glass of tea while flipping through the latest seed catalog, stop by sometime at Incidentalfarmgirl.com.

Contest

Things to Know When You’re a Hockey Parent

November 2, 2016

Yep, hockey season is in full swing! Whether your children are playing house league, or competitive hockey, they’re no denying that being a hockey parent is a busy job.

Between driving your little hockey player to practices and games, organizing fundraisers, and maintaining equipment, there are some things to know when you’re a hockey parent. Like how expensive it can be… the higher level your child plays, the more expensive it will be. From several hundred dollars in house league, to thousands of dollars in competitive, hockey isn’t a cheap sport! Hockey tryouts are a whole other story!

But the rewards are tremendous. The team camaraderie is infectious, and seeing your little one’s determination on the ice is priceless.

Things to Know When You’re a Hockey Parent

Smart Scheduling

If your child is playing house league, be prepared for 7:00 a.m. weekend games. Make sure your child goes to bed early enough so you have no trouble waking them up! Go to the rink with coffee in hand.

If your child plays competitive hockey, scheduling is crucial. With two boys playing rep, I have two schedules on my cell phone and I still managed to miss two practices so far this season! Tip? Print out your kids’ schedules and post in the kitchen so they can also check to see when they have games and practices.

Hockey is a religion

For some… it is. Some parents live and breathe hockey, so be prepared to meet parents who will yell at refs, bang on the glass, and get super loud and crazy.

All kids are superstars

Please don’t put your child on a pedestal and think he/she is the superstar of the team. Of course we all think our kids are the best! We’re their parents, after all! A parent can’t objectively evaluate their own child’s performance most of the time. Some parents may be disillusioned about their children’s level of skill, and unfortunately, that’s detrimental to their game.

Don’t be that parent who is trying to live through their child’s successes in order to feel good about themselves. Remember that this is your child’s turn now, and no matter what level, it’s his/her experience, not yours.

Don’t be a trouble-maker

Don’t be that parent who complains to the coaches about their kid not having enough ice time! And don’t be the parent who complains to other parents about the coaching! The last thing you want to do is get a reputation as the “trouble maker hockey parent.”

Hockey gives parents a social life

If you weren’t very sociable before joining hockey, you’re in luck! You will get to know your fellow hockey parents more than you ever imagined. Spending hours every week together means you’re creating new friendships. But wait until hockey tournaments to really get to know them! If you’re lucky enough to have a great group of kids and parents, you’ll soon realize you have a “hockey family.”

Remember it’s a game

Playing youth sports for kids is as a social experience as it is a competition. The kids want to win, of course! But what they truly want is simple – to play hockey and have fun! That’s what it all comes down to in their eyes – not the politics or how many goals they scored. While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, parents often need this reminder.

Be positive and supportive

How you deal with the hockey team, the coaches and your child’s performance will leave lasting impressions on your kids, and they will see how you react to the process. If you’re anxious and stressed, your children will feel the same. If you’re positive and focus on trying your best and having fun, your child will echo that sentiment.

Try not to compare your child’s performance to that of his or her teammates, especially in front of the child! It can cause a negative effect on your child’s confidence.

While parents may thing they’re doing a favour by critiquing their child from the stands, or in the car on the way home, leave the criticism to the coaches. Your job as a parent is to tell them to put their full effort into the game, and offer positive feedback. Tell them how proud you are of them – no matter what the outcome.

Your kids’ equipment will stink

It’s always surprising how such a big smell can come from a small kid! Hockey equipment is bound to collect sweat when your kid is skating their heart off on the ice so make sure you stop odors before they start. First, air out all equipment after each use. We have a handy hockey drying rack for the kids to hang their equipment on to air dry. Do not – I repeat, do not – leave everything in a zipped up hockey bag!

Second, regularly wash items that can be machine washed, like jerseys, socks, neck guards and… jocks. Ew. Use a detergent that’s up to the challenge such as OxiCleanTM HD Liquid Laundry Detergent and Arm & HammerTM Plus OxiCleanTM Cold Water Power Paks – they are my go-to favourites!

Giveaway

To help ensure you’re ready, we’re giving away some great hockey season essentials for at home and on the road games:

OxiCleanTM HD Liquid Laundry Detergent
Arm & HammerTM Plus OxiCleanTM Cold Water Power Paks
Arm & HammerTM Baking Soda
Arm & HammerTM SpinbrushTM battery powered toothbrush The Ultimate Spider-Man TM
OrajelTM Spider-ManTM Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
Total Value: Approx. $35

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter! Open to Canada only. Giveaway ends November 13, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

lifestyle

Teaching Kids About Money by Age

November 2, 2016

Being raised by Greek immigrant parents, I learned at a very young age the value of a dollar. I remember how hard my parents worked to earn, and more importantly, save their money.

Now having children of my own, I know the importance of teaching my children about money, and the value of money.

But money is still considered a taboo topic by one quarter (27 per cent) of parents! Only one-third (33 per cent) of Canadian parents first talked to their children about money management before they turned 10 years old. That number seems low, doesn’t it?

It’s never too early to talk to your children about money and financial responsibility. Start as soon as they’re able to count and make money the topic of regular family discussions. Who better than parents to start the money management conversation to help their children develop smart money skills that can set them up for a more secure financial future?

With more young adults finishing post-secondary education with huge student loans, or saving up to buy a new car or house, it’s important to teach kids about spending, saving and personal finance.

Compared to our own parents, today expenses seem to be at an all-time high. Children see their parents opening their wallets more often, but they also need to realize money doesn’t grow on trees! Far too often I see parents giving their kids everything they ask for – don’t feel guilty about saying no!

This is the perfect chance to teach them the difference between needs and wants, and that they may have to wait to buy something they want. This will help encourage them to budget and save their money, make sensible spending decisions. They’ll feel the joy and sense of reward when the money they’ve saved can finally be used on an item they’ve been wanting to purchase.

For Financial Literacy Month this November, Paul Orlander, Senior Vice President of Personal Savings and Investing at TD Canada Trust, and co-chair of TD’s Financial Education Council, offers the below guidelines to help parents tailor money lessons to each child’s age and developmental stage.

Teaching Kids About Money by Age

Under 6 years old

At this stage, children are interested in the different shapes and colours of money. Handling real money can help them learn more about it. So, give your child some shiny coins they can put in a jar or piggy bank to watch their savings grow. Although preschoolers may be too young to understand the concept of money, they are learning to count, and have a basic knowledge of quantities. Make the experience of adding to the jar a big deal and as the number of coins grows, swap them occasionally for the equivalent amount in crisp bills.

6 to 9 years old

Generally, seven- and eight-year-olds understand the concept of saving, but they might not yet understand what’s fully involved in paying for all the latest and greatest toys they want. The balance of saving and spending can be reinforced by giving your children a small allowance, perhaps earned through set chores, explaining to them how long it will take to buy something they really want. Children at this age have usually grasped basic math skills like addition and subtraction, which can help them learn the value of money.

10 to 15 years old

Teach pre-teens how to use their bank account, such as making deposits and withdrawals, and responsibly use a debit card. They might start to earn their own money through odd jobs or babysitting, so now might be time to ask them to cover some of their own expenses. Teens are often developing their plans for the future – looking ahead to college, university or a big trip – so it’s a perfect time to introduce them to the concept of setting financial goals and investing early to take advantage of compound interest. It is also important to teach teens about the importance of credit and how a credit card works.

16 to 18 years old

Your child may be less financially dependent on you now, especially as they start earning more money through a part-time or summer job. They also may be taking on more responsibility to pay for regular bills, such as monthly mobile payments, and saving for bigger purchases, such as a car. Sharing the family budget will help your teen learn about real-world costs and keep their expectations in line with your family’s financial reality. Furthermore, sit down with your child and help them set up their own budget tracker, so they too can track where their money is going and how to set spending priorities. Saving for retirement early and for a rainy day are other topics of discussion to consider having at this age.

Check out TD’s Smart Money Toolkit for more tips and resources to help them educate their children on smart money management practices!

Disclosure: This post is proudly sponsored by TD Canada Trust. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.

Christmas

2016 Holiday Gift Guide Submissions

November 1, 2016

I will be featuring fabulous gift ideas in my annual Holiday Gift Guide so amotherworld is now accepting pitches for products to review, give away and/or feature in our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

Categories include:

Gits for Him
Gifts for Her
Gifts for Kids
Gifts for the Home/Hostess

We offer several options available to suit your needs.

Gift Guide Listing

Your product will receive coverage in our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide in the appropriate gift category, as well as social media promotion.

Product Feature with option for giveaway

A product review with giveaway will receive its own blog post with contest running for at least one week as well as social media promotion. amotherworld is not responsible for shipping prizes.

Please contact us for rates and administration fees.

Submissions deadline is December 1. Giveaway prizes must be shipped by December 15.

To have a product reviewed and included possibly in editorial coverage in our gift idea roundup, and/or featured in a giveaway, please email amotherworld@gmail.com with subject line “2016 Holiday Gift Guide Submission”.

Travel

Must-See Places to Visit in Indonesia

October 28, 2016

There is more to Indonesia than just Bali! When I was researching a trip to Indonesia (to add to my ever-growing list), I discovered that this country is much more than one popular beach tourist destination.

With more than 17,000 islands, of which 8,000 of them inhabited, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It’s the world’s most populous country, with 255 million people speaking over 300 languages among them. A land of so many cultures and customs, sights of nature, deep and rich cultures have evolved.

Indonesia is home to 167 active volcanoes, far more than any other country. Beaches are also a large attraction, and aside from the obvious like Bali and Lombok, there are many other wonderful beaches to visit.

Indonesia also has some of the largest remaining tracts of tropical forest anywhere in the world. Sulawesi’s coastline offers stunning white-sand beaches and diving spots, while Sumatra is lined with dozens of volcanoes.

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, would likely be your first or last stop while visiting. With millions of residents, the capital has upscale shopping malls, restaurants, street food and shops.

Here are the places to visit in Indonesia:

Bali

Bali is one of the world’s most popular island destinations. Its tropical beaches, lush terraces, varied landscapes and rugged coastlines are why Bali is always voted one of the best islands in the world. The combination of diving and surfing, beautiful beaches, and friendly people have made Bali the most popular tourist destination. While you could spend your days on the beach or at one of the island’s famous spas, you could feed your active side and visit Monkey Forest, or go on a wildlife adventure at the Bali Safari and Marine Park, and the Bali Bird Park. Get in touch with your spiritual side at Pura Tanah Lot, one of the most sacred temples in Bali.

Lembang

Lembang Bandung is the main destination for nature lovers in Indonesia. After visiting the bustling capital and the beautiful beaches, trek into the mainland composed of hills and mountains. Mount Tangkuban Perahu is the most famous mountain vacation in around Bandung. It’s accessible with cars until the top of mountain. For a nature and mountain vacation, stay at the Grande Paradise for the Grand Paradise Lembang best deals. Vipassana Graha Theravada Temple is also a must-visit. The Buddhist monks stay here, and you can have meditation class in the area.

Photo: CHJL

Komodo Island

Komodo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the Komodo Dragon, the largest living carnivorous lizards that can reach up to 10 feet long. The reptiles roam freely over the islands, and visitors rely on experienced tour guides for sightings and to keep them safe. Komodo National Park is also famous as a world-class scuba diving destination.You may even catch legions of flying foxes (large fruit bats) in the star-filled night sky.

Photo: jon hanson

Lombok

Lombok has the same kind of beautiful beaches and volcanic scenery as Bali, but with less commercialism and fewer tourists, making it one of the best places to visit in Indonesia.The island’s northern area of Gunung Rinjani has a volcano, a tourist destination. The three Gili Islands off the northwest coast are the most popular beach destinations.

Mount Bromo

Standing tall at 2329 m, Mt Bromo at Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park is one of the most iconic mountain in Indonesia. Climb the 7000-foot volcano to the top to catch one of the most stunning sunsets over the blue misty volcanic craters. Covering an awesome area of 800 square kilometres, there are many things to explore. You can trek across the desert on a pony, or rent a jeep.

Photo: Thomas Hirsch

Raja Ampat

Known as one of the best diving destination in Indonesia and the world, Raja Ampat is estimated to host over 75% of world’s coral species with more than a thousand tropical fish species. A diver’s paradise, Raja Ampat is made for those who love marine life.

Photo: Jonathan Chase

News

Embryo Adoption Solution to Couples Trying to Conceive?

October 27, 2016

Elizabeth and Marty wanted to have another baby of their own, but struggled with conception. Elizabeth says she and her husband “were late to the game of parenthood.”

“We met and married in our mid 30s and never felt rushed to start a family. I was 38 when we decided we’d try to have a child.”

“By age 41 we were trying for a second child, which is when we realized we had problems. I had low egg quantity and low egg quality, and we were given very little chance to conceive. I had an unending desire to bring another child into our home as well as be pregnant again, but using an egg donor wasn’t for us.”

Their doctor recommended the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption program, which matches embryo donors with couples desperate to start a family.

Elizabeth and Marty jumped at the chance to adopt an embryo. Within two months, Elizabeth was pregnant at 39.

The embryo transferred to Elizabeth had been frozen for 17 years! And on June 3, 2016, Marley Jade was born.

Marley Jade’s biological parents (who are unnamed) had unused embryos that they decided to freeze 17 years ago, rather than having them destroyed. They later then donated the embryos to the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption program.

Today, Marley is a healthy girl, and her parents are thrilled to share their embryo adoption journey with other couples going through infertility issues.

But the embryo adoption process raises many ethical questions. Is it ethical to save and freeze embryos that other people can use in the future? Should any embryo be frozen for this amount of time, and is it safe?

The idea that embryos are frozen for over 17 years is a little concerning. While helping people have babies is ethically commendable, there is something very odd about using the term of “adoption” towards embryos. Children get adopted, but … embryos?

On the one hand, I can see embryo adoption as being a beautiful experience for parents who can’t conceive to go through a pregnancy on their own, and give birth to a child who has different biological parents.

But on the other hand, it’s strange to think that a frozen embryo could be thawed and then implanted into someone else. It’s a little Twilight Zone for me, and could be worrisome. How much should science be involved in “creating” children?

A commenter on Babycenter says: “Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. Imagine growing up knowing your parents had you created, then left you in a freezer for 18 years because they got their wanted baby. “

Elizabeth and Marty spoke to BabyCenter about their experience.

“Our first and only match came four months after we entered that phase of the process. Then came contracts, then getting the embryos to us and the preparations for transfer. The process from paperwork gathering to embryos being in our possession took 17-18 months,” they said.

The couple did not have information about the sex of the baby, and didn’t pursue to find out. “We let the doctor lead the way on selecting embryos to thaw and handling all the details leading up to the transfer.

“I remember the day of transfer was very exciting, but I remember also being very nervous, so nervous I was actually shaking. There was so much running through my head the day of the transfer — the hopes of finally getting a positive pregnancy test, the idea of disappointment if the embryo didn’t implant in my uterus, the excitement that our long awaited for baby could actually be in our arms in 9 months.

So many thoughts were running through my head. I also remember giving it all to God, which I had done months and months earlier in this process, but I had another round of it leading up to the transfer. I knew I had done absolutely everything I could to prepare for successful transfer and pregnancy. Realizing that anything can happen, I, at least, prepped myself for the best possible chance of achieving our dreams.

“As we hold our snowflake baby and look back on everything we did to achieve this dream, we see a pathway of peaks and valleys, persistence, hard work, and dreaming. We never gave up and kept the dream alive. It was worth every minute of the time we put in, and we could not imagine expanding our family any other way. Marley is as much a part of our family as our first born biological daughter.

The surprising part is that Elizabeth and Marty do know the biological parents.

“We have not met the donating family in person, but we love them and think about them just about every day. Our agreement is that we’ll exchange letters (emails and cards) and pictures once per year at a minimum. Both sides have already exceeded that. We’ve also agreed that if the children on either side want to meet down the road, we’d be open to that idea and help guide the process.”

When asked whether the couple has plans to use another embryo, they said they haven’t yet decided but they do have three embryos remaining.

“For families considering donating their embryos, you will help another couple realize their dreams of starting or expanding their family. Snowflakes is a wonderful option to consider because the embryos are already created and waiting.

Elizabeth and Marty’s doctor was not concerned about the length of time the embryos were frozen because the egg donor that the genetic family selected was young, and the mother was in good health.

“Marley is perfect in every way. Marley was created and saved for us before my husband and I even met, and before I even knew I would want children one day. It shows God has the perfect plan.”

But is it God’s plan, or should Elizabeth be thanking science?

Contest

Why Your Home Needs a Dyson Humidifier

October 19, 2016

Fall is here, which means that winter is just around the corner! Soon, we’ll be turning on the furnace, which creates dry air. I suffer from dry skin and eczema due to the cold, winter months, and a dry home doesn’t help.

We also find our home is dry during cold season, and no matter whether we use a humidifier with our furnace system, our bedrooms are still dry. We usually wake up with stuffy noses from the dry air, and sinus-related issues. The change in seasons also marks the start of cold and flu season, and if you are an allergy sufferer, you feel worse.

So when Dyson asked my family to test the Dyson Humidifier, I jumped at the chance.

Some humidifiers actually create bacteria because of the water, and then spread it around your home, causing illness. Dyson has created a humidifier that stops the breeding of bacteria before it can spread.

Dyson Humidifier kills 99 per cent of bacteria with its Air Multiplier™ and its patented ultraviolet cleansing technology. The water in the tank is exposed to an ultraviolet light that destroys almost all of the bacteria that lurks there.

Assembling the Dyson Humidifier was easy. Once assembled, the Dyson Humidifier was really easy to use. The remote control is user-friendly, and the settings are simple. You can choose whether or not you’d like the machine to emit mist, or no mist at all. There is also an auto timer, which is helpful during the night – in increments of 15 minutes, and then every hour. But if you forget to use the timer, the unit will automatically shut down after 18-hours of continuous use.

Also, the humidifier wasn’t loud during the night. I’ve kept the humidifier running on low, at a 1 or 2 when the kids are sleeping. At a higher setting if used during the day, it does run louder but not excessively.

Dyson’s Intelligent Climate Control allows us to control the feel of the room this machine was operating in. The unit is great at measuring temperature and humidity, and accurately controlling the climate.

Since this humidifier can also be used as a fan, it would be great to use during the summer months because our second level tends to be warmer than the first.

Air Multiplier™ technology also allows for the air it created to be dispersed evenly around a room. You’ll feel it more in a smaller space such as a bedroom, but you can also notice a difference in a larger area like a family room.

If you suffer from dry air, sinus issues, dry skin and/or eczema, and allergies, or are prone to catching the cold or flu, the Dyson Humidifier would be a wonderful addition to your home.

Giveaway

The BabyTime Show will be held November 11 to 13 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and Dyson would love for you to stop by their booth!

Enter to win two tickets to The BabyTime Show by sharing a tweet explaining how you and your family would benefit from humidified air, tagging @amotherworld, @Dyson and referencing the hashtag #DysonHumidifier in your social post.

Here’s an example:

I’d like a new #DysonHumidifier to help moisturize my skin for the winter ahead. Please send one my way @amotherworld @Dyson!

@amotherworld, @Dyson: I need a #DysonHumidifier for my nursery so my little guy can sleep like the baby he is!

Disclosure: I was provided with a Dyson Humidifier to help facilitate my review. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.

Food

The Benefits of Cooking with Kids

October 18, 2016

When you think back to memories of your childhood, do you remember baking cookies with your mom? That feeling of comfort and warmth, working together to creating something from scratch, and then enjoying it together? Not only is cooking with your child a wonderful bonding opportunity, the benefits of cooking with kids are substantial.

One of my hobbies is cooking – huge bonus for my husband and kids! But sometimes mom needs a break from the kitchen. Also, as a mom of boys, I feel it’s important to teach them how to do household tasks, like cooking, early on.

Cooking is one activity that my boys seem to both enjoy. And it’s an important life skill to learn! One day when they’re living on their own, or married with kids of their own, they’ll need to be able to cook up a delicious meal.

Benefits of cooking with your kids

But right now as they’re still kids, they can learn quite a bit from cooking hands-on in addition to what they are learning in math class. Cooking helps kids learn about math in a real-world way – using skills like counting, following directions, and measurements. It’s a fun and practical way for them to learn about measuring teaspoons, millilitres, and cups, volume and capacity. Kids also learn about temperature (hot and cold), floating, sinking, dissolving, melting, and freezing – lessons that are covered in science.

But with busy weeknights, how can parents take the time to teach (and learn themselves) some new cooking skills?

Kitchen Confidence Survey

New research from the UNCLE BEN’S® Brand shows that less than half of Canadian parents feel confident in their own ability to cook, limiting their confidence to pass this important life skill onto their children.

The research, dubbed the Kitchen Confidence Survey, asked more than 4,000 parents of kids under 18 in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom about their family’s cooking skills and traditions. The Survey led to surprising results:

98 percent of parents in Canada feel it is important that their children know how to cook or bake. However, only 36 percent cook with their children weekly, while 29 per cent cook with their children monthly or less
Seven in 10 households eat together as a family five or more nights a week in Canada
Only a third of Canadian parents feel highly skilled in their abilities to create a balanced meal, season, and pan fry
Two-thirds of parents in Canada do not have a high level of confidence in their children’s ability to follow a recipe

International Cook with Your Kids Day

So that’s why UNCLE BEN’S® Brand has launched the first International Cook with Your Kids Day on October 15, 2016, to prompt parents in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom to set aside time to learn to cook together.

My son had the opportunity to meet and cook with ET Canada’s Rick Campanelli! Together, they prepared Cheesy Rainbow Rice with Ground Beef, a recipe that has detailed instructions on the new website, Beginners.UncleBens.ca.

cook-with-your-kids-day-measuring — Learning how to measure

The Benefits of Cooking with Kids — Learning how to peel carrots

The website and BEN’S BEGINNERS™ program offers great interactive lessons on peeling, chopping, and measuring in terms they can understand. With photos and easy instructions to follow the recipes, your child will soon learn how to be a master chef!

Contest

Three Canadian winners will be awarded a Grand Prize of $10,000 CAD which may be used towards a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)!

To enter, submit a photo featuring your child(ren) accompanied by an adult in the kitchen preparing a rice-based dish together.

Full entry details can be found at beginners.unclebens.ca.

Disclosure: This post is proudly sponsored by UNCLE BEN’S®. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.

Halloween

25 Scary Movies on Netflix

October 18, 2016

There’s nothing like a scary horror, thriller or paranormal flick to get you in the Halloween spirit!

For all you fans of horror movies and psychological thrillers, here are 25 scary movies you can stream right now on Netflix in time for Halloween.

Even if you’re scared of horror movies, October is the month to watch a few! I’m recommending a few scary movies although there are a ton more on Netflix’s horror genre page.

25 Scary Movies on Netflix

Annabelle (2014)

A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.

Sinister (2012)

A young mother and her twin sons move into a rural house that’s marked for death.

Texas Chainsaw (2013)

After picking up a traumatized young hitchhiker, five friends find themselves stalked and hunted by a deformed chainsaw-wielding killer and his family of equally psychopathic killers.

Insidious Chapter 2 (2013)

The Lamberts believe that they have defeated the spirits that have haunted their family, but they soon discover that evil is not beaten so easily.

Oculus (2013)

A woman tries to exonerate her brother, who was convicted of murder, by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon.

Deliver us from Evil (2014)

New York police officer Ralph Sarchie investigates a series of crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rites of exorcism, to combat the possessions that are terrorizing their city.

The Possession (2012)

A young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The girl’s father teams with his ex-wife to find a way to end the curse upon their child.

Dark Skies (2013)

A young couple believe an extraterrestrial presence has been haunting their home and terrorizing their children, but they’re having trouble getting anyone else to believe them.

The Uninvited (2009)

Anna Ivers returns home to her sister Alex after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother. Her dismay quickly turns to horror when she is visited by ghastly visions of her dead mother.

Housebound (2014)

When a woman is placed under house arrest by court order, she’s forced to return home to live with her strange family. She soon becomes convinced a malevolent spirit is haunting her childhood home.

Children of the Corn (1984)

A rural town deals with a serial, ritualistic murderer in this supernatural thriller based on a 1977 short story by Stephen King.

Hush (2016)

A deaf writer fights to survive when a masked killer appears at her window in this psychological thriller.

Cape Fear (1991)

A convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a fourteen-year sentence, stalks the family of the lawyer who originally defended him. Stars Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange and directed by Martin Scorsese.

Awakening (2011)

In this British horror film set in 1921, a young woman who works as a supernatural hoax debunker starts seeing unexplained things.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Johnny Depp stars in Tim Burton’s retelling of the Sleepy Hollow legend. Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of 3 people with the culprit being the legendary apparition, the Headless Horseman.

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

In this found-footage horror film, a team of filmmakers make a series of horrific discoveries while shooting a documentary about a woman with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Babadook (2014)

A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.

Dream House (2011)

Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz star in this psychological thriller about a couple who make some disturbing discoveries after moving into their seemingly idyllic New England house.

The Exorcist (1973)

When I watched this film, I was barely 13 and it gave me nightmares for days, weeks… When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.

Creep (2014)

When a videographer answers a Craigslist ad for a one-day job in a remote mountain town, he finds his client is not at all what he initially seems.

Pay the Ghost (2015)

A professor frantically searches for his son who was abducted during a Halloween parade.

Hellraiser (1987)

An unfaithful wife encounters the zombie of her dead lover; demons are pursuing him after he escaped their sadomasochistic underworld.

The Amityville Horror (2005)

The classic remake stars Ryan Reynolds, which I have absolutely no problem with. Newlyweds are terrorized by demonic forces after moving into a large house that was the site of a grisly mass murder a year before.

You’re Next (2011)

When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back.

Grave Encounters (2011)

For their ghost hunting reality show, a production crew locks themselves inside an abandoned mental hospital that’s supposedly haunted – and it might prove to be all too true.

About

Hi I'm Maria! I'm an author, lifestyle and travel writer, rock-concert-goer & gluten-free foodie. Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year: Because Moms Need a Little TLC, Too! is available at Chapters/Indigo, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon!
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