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House & Home

Kitchen and Laundry Will be Easier with Maytag

October 13, 2016

I have a busy family of four, and with two boys and one man in the house, we need all the help we can get in the kitchen and laundry room!

It continues to amaze me a) how much my three dudes eat, and b) how many clothes they go through. I spend most of my time in the kitchen, preparing meals for the family, and then often separate meals for myself since I am gluten and soy free.

Last week, Maytag launched a new line of kitchen appliances featuring a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior, as well as an extra-large capacity laundry pair.

Kitchen Appliances

The new kitchen line will resist fingerprints and has the added bonus of being extremely easy to clean when streaks and smears from food do arise… you won’t have to wipe down the fridge daily due to sticky, greasy little fingers!

The new fingerprint-resistant finish will be available across the entire line of free standing stainless steel kitchen appliances including a Four Door Refrigerator, Top Control Pocket Handle Dishwasher and Front Control Range.

The new collection is as hardworking on the inside as it is good looking on the outside, with a number of powerful features across this new line of appliances, including:

PowerCold® option which quickly chills down the refrigerator with the touch of a button… I’m guilty of leaving the fridge door open while I’m cooking!

Power Preheat feature on the range that has your oven ready for cooking faster. Since we don’t use a microwave, this would come in handy for re-heating food for my hungry monsters.

PowerBlast® Cycle is a dishwasher feature that removes stuck-on food with high pressure spray jets, increased temperature and hot steam to keep my dishes looking sparkly and spot-free.

The refrigerator is especially a winner because of its middle drawer, convenient for storing drinks. The oven has an industrial feel, with the controls right in front, rather than taking up space in the back. And the dishwasher has powerful high pressure spray jets, giving dishes a proper clean… because who enjoys washing dishes by hand?!

Laundry Washer and Dryer

I’ll be in the market soon for a new washer/dryer, and absolutely love the look and feel of the Maytag® Top Load Washer and Dryer. I’m old school; not a big fan of the front load washers personally. The extra-large capacity of this washing machine means hefty loads can be washed in one cycle to save precious time and energy. They’re big enough to wash my sons’ hockey equipment!

The Extra Large Capacity Top Load Large Washer features:

The PowerWash® System using the PowerWash® cycle, PowerSpray, and optimal dispensers to deliver the best clean

Power™ Impeller which attacks stains with additional spray action that keeps clothes thoroughly saturated throughout the cycle. I can’t count how many of my kids’ shirts have permanent stains…

Extra-large capacity with 7.1 cu.ft.

The Extra-Large Capacity Dryer features:

The PowerDry system with the PowerDry cycle, Advanced Moisture Sensing, and an extra interior fin to keep clothes moving for effective drying. My current dryer usually clumps up the clothing, especially bed sheets, which means I have to run another cycle to ensure they’re properly dried.

Steam Refresh which reduces wrinkles by using a fine mist in the heated dryer drum to refresh clothes with steam as they tumble. This would come in handy for a quick re-fresh of one of my son’s hockey jersey!

Extra-large capacity; with 9.2 cu. ft., it has the space to dry 26 towels at once!

The Maytag® Top Load Washer and Dryer come with a 10-year limited parts warranty (on the drive motor and drum), which means they are built to last.

Maytag has partnered with big families, such as Rachel and Joe Di Fonzo who have six adult sons living at home, and designer Lisa Canning who has five children and another on the way! If they can depend on Maytag so can you!

Kitchen appliances range in price with an MSRP of $1,199.99 to $4,199.99 and are available at retailers across Canada.

The Maytag® Top Load Washer and Dryer are available now at retailers across Canada in metallic slate and white, with a starting MSRP of $1,799.99 and $ 1,699.99 respectively.

Disclaimer: This post was brought to you by Maytag. All opinions are strictly my own.

Contest

5 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts

October 12, 2016

Are you already missing the beaches and summer weather? I know my family is! My boys and I are dreaming about our next family vacation. And with a family of four, all-inclusive family resorts are best.

Now is the time to start thinking about, and booking, your next trip. Booking early can save you money, as many sunny destinations offer great deals, especially on all-inclusive family resorts.

What are some of the most popular family all-inclusive family resorts right now?

Here are 5 best all-inclusive family resorts to book now:

5 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts

Maui, Hawaii – Grand Wailea Resort

Maui is known for its stunning natural beauty, as well as its high-end luxury resorts and popular tourist attractions. Nicknamed “The Valley Isle,” due to the great valley that lies between its two major volcanoes, the island is among the world’s top vacation destinations. Maui tops the TripAdvisor’s international list of most beautiful islands in the world for 2016

Grand Wailea Resort is one of the best family resorts in Hawaii, with a lazy-river pool, waterslides, rope swing, water elevator and faux volcano. Great for families, it has a 20,000 sq. foot Camp Grande kids facility, and kids stay free.

Fronting the spectacular Wailea Beach on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens, Grand Wailea is a world-class resort experience from the Waldorf Astoria Collection. The resort features fine dining, a luxury spa and seven pools with waterslides, caves, waterfalls, Jacuzzis and the world’s first water elevator.

Riviera Maya, Mexico – Royalton Riviera Cancun

The Riviera Maya is a stretch of Caribbean coastline on Mexico’s northeastern Yucatán Peninsula. It’s known for its numerous all-inclusive resorts, such as those in the town of Playa del Carmen, and its long beaches. To the south, Tulum is home to yoga retreats and the preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city, perched on an outcrop above a white-sand beach.

Perched on a dazzling strip of powdery white sand is the 5-star Royalton Riviera Cancun. This all-inclusive resort features a selection of luxury suite accommodations, reservation-free gourmet cuisine at 10 restaurants, and 16 bars. . Parents will enjoy the age-appropriate activities to keep children entertained throughout their stay. Kids aged 4-12 can play in the on-site splash pad and the supervised Kids Club featuring popular kids’ characters, games, cartoons, and a playground, while teens aged 13-17 can lounge in their very own Teens Club with video games, billiards, table tennis, and free Wi-Fi.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica – Beaches Ocho Rios

A former fishing village, Ocho Rios is now a resort with a cruise ship harbor and a busy bay beach that’s lined with hotels. Called “Ochi” by the locals, Ocho Rios is known as the “Centrepiece of Jamaica” and is truly the centre of everything you could ask for in this glorious island.

Set where the mountains meet the sea, Beaches Ocho Rios is the ultimate family vacation spot. Kids love the Pirates Island Waterpark, themed Sesame Street® character activities, the Xbox 360® Game Garage and the endless water sports.

Adults can enjoy complimentary greens fees, 5 restaurants and 6 bars plus a full-service Red Laneï Spa.

Hard Rock – Punta Cana

Punta Cana, the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is known for its 32km stretch of beaches and clear waters. The Bávaro area and Punta Cana combine to form what’s known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive resorts. It’s popular for zip-lining, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

The Hard Rock Punta Cana is a large resort with over 1700 rooms and 9 pools, casino, disco, shopping and a ton of dining options. This resort is an excellent choice for couple, families and singles a like.

Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba – Melia Las Dunas

Cayo Santa María is an island off Cuba’s north central coast in the Jardines del Rey archipelago. The island is linked by road and bridge to the town of Caibarién on the main island. Cayo Santa María is well known for its white sand beaches and luxury all inclusive resorts.

Ranked as one of the Top 5 Resorts in Cayo Santa Maria Cuba, the Melia Las Dunas offers a great balance of fun and unpretentious luxury. The resort offers two different environments: one for families and the other for adults. There is a Family swimming pool, a kids’ swimming pool, and one just for adults.

Escapes.ca is celebrating their 15-year anniversary with a brand new user-friendly website so that sun-seekers can easily research, find, and book their dream vacation.

With the new Escapes.ca Reward Points Program, avid jet-setters with enjoy rewards, perks and points for their next travel adventures.

ENTER TO WIN

To celebrate 15 years, Escapes.ca is giving away 15 fantastic travel prizes! Prizes include:

All-inclusive getaways to Cancun, Ixtapa, Los Cabos and Cuba
Trips to Las Vegas
A weekend getaway to Whistler
Escapes.ca Travel Vouchers that can be used towards any package, cruise, hotel or tour

Prize partners include Sunwing Vacations, Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations, Transat Holidays, AMResorts, Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts, Bellagio Hotel & Casinos, MGM Grand Hotel & Casinos, Barcelo All-Inclusive Resorts.

The contest ends November 6th. Winners will be announced every Monday to Friday following contest end.

ENTER HERE

Good luck!

Beauty

Fall 2016 Hair Trends

October 12, 2016

What’s a fall season without a change in your hairstyle? Celebrities are known for making big hair changes often, and this fall is no exception. We’re seeing some stylish and sexy hairstyles coming from the stars.

Nina Farrauto, official Stylist for Batiste™ Dry Shampoo Canada, has predicted the top three fall hair trends, and shares her trade secrets on how you can get the look at home.

Hint? Ditch the hair straightener – this fall, it’s all about simple, elegant looks you can master in the comfort of your own home.

Loose Waves

“Loose, sexy waves used to be seen as a more casual look, but we’ve seen celebrities rocking more glamorous waves at recent award shows and I’m sure we’ll continue to see lots of waves on the red carpet this fall” – Nina Farrauto, Stylist for Batiste™ Dry Shampoo Canada

Photo Source

How to get the look:

1) Part hair down the centre.

2) Section hair (two inch wide sections) and wrap pieces in alternating directions around a curling barrel. Pull curl from the bottom while hot to create a relaxed, wavy curl.

3) After hair is styled and set, flip hair over and spray Batiste™ Original Dry Shampoo at the roots (30 cm away) to keep hair looking and smelling clean and fresh, and remove any excess oil. Don’t forget to massage Batiste™ in with your fingertips, and lightly brush your hair through.

Short and hassle free hair

“Actresses are giving up their long, heavy hair for a ‘no hassle’ style. The look is easy to do for every day, or when you’re looking for a little extra volume at the roots” – Nina Farrauto, Stylist for Batiste™ Dry Shampoo Canada.

Photo Source

Get the Look:

1) While the hair is still a little damp from a fresh wash, part hair to the side

2) Evenly apply a texturizing spray or mousse and ‘scrunch’ hair into your hands, and make a fist. Do this repeatedly with random sections of hair, and make sure you get all of it.

3) Once the hair has dried, lift sections of the top layer of hair and apply Batiste™ XXL Volume Dry Shampoo to the roots (30 cm away). This will provide an instant lift at the roots, and give you some volume. Don’t forget to massage Batiste™ in with your fingertips, and lightly brush your hair through.

Creative side swept braids

“The Met Gala is always a great predictor of looks for the remainder of the red carpet season, and this year we saw many unique and intricate braids. A loose side swept French braid is one of my favourite looks and I’m positive a few people will rock it on the red carpet this September” – Nina Farrauto, Stylist for Batiste™ Dry Shampoo Canada

Photo Source

Get the Look:

Begin with your hair in a deep side part.
With your hair all brushed to the side, take a section at the front of your hair and part it into three sections.
Begin to French braid the front of your hair following your hairline, gathering hair into the braid only from the side away from your hairline. This will allow the French braid to lay around your face.
Once you have French braided all the way down and collected the hair, finish the ends with a regular braid and secure with an elastic.
Massage the French braid and braid with your finger tips to create more volume and fullness.
For day two, simply remove the braids and use your favourite Batiste™ Dry Shampoo for revitalized and beautiful waves – just spray 30 cm away, rub in with fingertips and lightly brush the top before styling.

Who says only celebrities get all the glitz and glamour? Which hairstyle will you try out first? Happy styling!

Fall 2016 Fashion Trends

Food

What to Do With All The Turkey Leftovers? Leftover Turkey Cakes!

October 11, 2016

You brined the turkey for two days, then stuffed it up the wazoo, roasted it for the entire day, basting every half hour, and then y you sit down and feast on what seems to be a tiny portion. Then, you have all this leftover turkey!

What to do with all this leftover turkey? After a huge Thanksgiving or holiday feast, these recipes uses leftover turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes into yummy leftover turkey cakes for an easy day-after (or more) meal.

Leftover Turkey Cakes

Ingredients

1 cup stuffing

1 cup mashed potatoes

1 cup shaved or cubed turkey

1 egg

1/4 cup cooking oil

Breadcrumbs for coating

Method

In a large bowl, with hands mix together the leftover stuffing, mashed potato, and turkey along with the egg. Form small cakes, and dip into breadcrumbs to coat. Warm cooking oil in a frying pan. Place leftover turkey cakes in the frying pan. Turn sides once browned.

Place on a paper-towel-lined plate. Serve with leftover cranberry sauce, or gravy. Makes about 8 – 10 cakes. Double the recipe if you have more leftovers!

Beauty

Fall Fashion Tips for Back to Work Moms

October 7, 2016

Heading back to work after maternity leave or a few years as a stay-at-home-mom can feel like moving from the Midwest to Paris. There’s culture shock, for sure, but what’s truly jarring could easily be referred to as fashion shock.

Before you signed that contract, dressing up was a matter of finding clean yoga pants. Now you need to present a professional face to the world five days a week, and that one maternity dress that still looked kind of passable just isn’t going to cut it.

So it’s time to assemble your work wardrobe! The easiest way to build a new professional wardrobe is to think capsule.

The modern capsule wardrobe is usually based around neutral tops and bottoms in a dark color like black or navy and accessorized with lighter or printed accent pieces that can be combined hundreds of ways to make different outfits.

Here is what you need to get started this fall.

Fall Fashion Tips for Back to Work Moms

A Tailored Blazer

A well-tailored black blazer that’s been fitted perfectly to your body can be worn with a pencil skirt or jeans with mile high heels. If you don’t have time to have your blazer tailored, opt for a size smaller than you think you need.

The Iconic Button-Down Shirt

A simple, crisp, well fitted white shirt is so versatile that no working mother’s closet should be without one. Dress it up with a statement necklace, pencil skirt and heels for a no-nonsense power look or pair it with new skinny jeans and flats for casual Fridays. It’s a staple that can be the focal point of almost any look.

Dark trousers

Sleek dark trousers aren’t trendy, but they’re never out of fashion, either – and they rival the LBD when the measure is utility. For a trendier look for fall, opt for a cropped cut that showcases the fall-hued heels and flats that will be replaced by ankle boots soon enough.

Basic black pumps

Black pumps add polish to any look and tend to take on the characteristics of whatever they’re paired with, so a LBD will dress them up and a pair of cropped jeans will make them feel casual chic. Don’t assume you can’t wear bright, funky footwear to work but splurge on some black pumps to keep on hand for those occasions when less is more.

A Sophisticated Shift

Autumn is the season of cold mornings and hot afternoons, so layering is the order of the day. A comfortable shift in a neutral color is a lifesaver for working moms because it can be paired with a blazer or cardigan when there’s a chill (or the AC is cranking), and then worn alone as the day warms up.

Grown-Up Sunnies

The sun is getting lower in the sky, which means that your commute may be hard on your eyes. The drugstore sunglasses that were perfect for the beach don’t always wear as well when you’re walking into work, so invest in fall-friendly sunnies that gel with your new professional look. Ray-Ban has a mix of sunglasses that are the perfect match with feminine fall coats and will last forever.

A Bag with Power

Moms are almost always the ones fielding calls from babysitters and the school nurse, so it only makes sense to have a fully charged phone at all times. New, fashionable bag-plus-battery combos are making it easier to stay in touch. Everpurse (with its Kate Spade collaboration) and the Mighty Purse from HButler are two stylish options for mamas working the 9-to-5.

Fresh Makeup

A lot of women don’t know that makeup has expiration dates just like groceries do. Using your old makeup probably won’t do any serious damage, but don’t forget that pregnancy can cause changes to skin color, texture and sensitivity. A trip to Sephora for a consultation with their experts and some new makeup bag staples ensures not only that your skin will stay in tip-top condition but also that you’re using the right palette.

But, let’s back up. The first step is simply identifying your workplace’s uniform. If you’re still interviewing, make sure to take a peek at what your future colleagues are wearing and if you’re ever in doubt, no one will fault you for simply asking how employees are expected to dress on any given day. Remember that a killer haircut can make up for a multitude of wardrobe sins, and good quality basics will give you more bang for your buck than cheaper trendy pieces.

Finally don’t forget to have fun! If you can handle night feedings and teething, you can crush this, too.

Samantha Rivers is a freelance writer who lives in Chicago (Go Cubs!) and loves writing anything in the lifestyle,travel, and parenting realm both online and print. When she’s not running the Upward Onward blog, she enjoys reading, finding new restaurants, being active outside, and indulging in a glass of wine or two. Follow her on Twitter!

Appetizers & Soups

20 Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes

October 6, 2016

Fall is the time of year when our yearning for comfort food grows stronger. There’s nothing like the scent of comforting slow cooker meals. So we’ve perused some of our favourite blogs and bring you 20 comforting slow cooker recipes to enjoy.

Slow cooker recipes are easy; throw in all your ingredients, and wait for them to simmer all day long to enjoy for dinner. Slow cooker recipes come in handy, especially for those busy nights filled with parent/teacher meetings, extracurricular activities, and fall festivities.

20 Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Creamy Dairy-Free Tomato Soup by Real Food Whole Life

Baked Potato Soup by Thirty Handmade Days

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Mexican Tortilla Chicken and Quinoa Soup

Slow Cooker Steak Soup by Plain Chicken

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup by Spend with Pennies

Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cheese Soup by Well Plated

Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Chowder

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup by Creme de la Crumb

Slow Cooker Pork Ramen

Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Barley Stew by Chew Out Loud

Tomato Soup Basil Dumplings by Pics and Pastries

Chicken Noodle Soup by My Natural Family

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup by Tastes Better from Scratch

Easy Crock-Pot Chili

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Three Bean Chili

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup by Pip and Ebby

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Quinoa Chili Soup by Kristine’s Kitchen Blog

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup by That Oven Feelin

parenting

Get Your Toddler Excited for Potty Training

October 5, 2016

If you’re a parent going through potty-training right now, I feel for you! Teaching your active, rambunctious toddler to use the potty for #1 and #2 is no easy feat!

When both of my boys were toddlers, I tried the whole potty-training routine; I read the books, researched online, and was ready to go!

But they weren’t.

When my eldest was two years old, I was pregnant with my second son. I was a little stressed about having two boys in diapers, so I decided to start potty training. I tried letting my son run around naked, which was comical in itself, and the perfect photo opp! But eventually, he would end up peeing on the floor.

After trying the brand spanking-new shiny potty, and later the soft “big-boy” toilet seat, I soon realized that their bodies weren’t ready. There was major resistance.

The potty-training books really did nothing for my boys… they stared blankly at the pages. I’m sure they were thinking, “now why would I go on the toilet when I can squat in the corner and go in my pants?!”

I also tried to bribe them with toys. That failed miserably. My eldest would just run away and scream, “I don’t want to go on the potty!” To his wild imagination, it was as if the toilet was a scary giant shark mouth with sharp teeth, ready to clamp onto his bum and never let go.

So the boys spent a lot of time running around in training pants. Oh sure, they enjoyed pulling them up, and tearing them off!

I attended an event recently to learn more about the new and improved Pampers Easy Ups Training Underwear which are designed to help little ones and their families during potty training.

Pampers Easy Ups training pants are made to look, fit and feel more like underwear, while providing leak protection. The new Easy Ups have a 360 degree stretchy waistband for an underwear-like fit, that’s easy for toddlers to pull up and down. They’re also super soft, like cotton underwear, to keep your active toddler feeling comfortably. They also tear easily at the sides, which your toddler will definitely find amusing.

Easy Ups are the only training underwear with Pampers exclusive Extra Absorb Channels, which provide outstanding protection against leaks during the day AND night. Dual Leak-Guard barriers around the legs help prevent leaks that can happen when toddlers are on the move.

Easy Ups have cute Thomas the Engine, Dora the Explorer, and new Hello Kitty designs, which is great for kids to pick out on their own, and get excited about wearing “big kid” underwear.

Share your potty training tip!

News

Should Schools Tell Kids What to Eat?

September 30, 2016

Parents who hate packing kids’ lunches, raise your hands!

School lunches for kids isn’t as easy as it used to be when we were kids… peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were a main staple for many of my peers growing up.

But nowadays, there are allergies to consider, and a slew of picky eaters among our little ones. How can we, as parents, ensure our children are eating healthy meals and snacks, and enough of it, during school?

We just do it. Moms spend mornings cutting out cute little shapes for their unadventurous child’s toast, another mom sneaks in carrots and zucchini in the banana chocolate chip loaf she made from scratch.

Sometimes, parents decide to also pack a little treat, either fruit gummy snacks, or chocolate chip cookies. Healthy meals plus a treat didn’t hurt anyone.

You’d never think your school would be involved in dictating what your child is and isn’t allowed to bring into the school – other than foods containing serious allergens, like peanuts and tree nuts.

But parents in Durham say schools are policing the food kids bring into school, telling students they aren’t allowed eat snacks that are deemed unhealthy. Some kids have had their entire lunches withheld and sent home!

Is this acceptable? No!

One mom says her son in junior kindergarten was not allowed to eat banana bread for his morning snack because it contained chocolate chips. Elaina Daoust of Whitby says she was “infuriated” when he was instructed to eat grapes out of his lunch instead.

“He came home with a chart (listing healthy snack ideas) and told me he and the teacher talked about it and healthy choices. She also sent a note to me. I was really, really, really mad for several reasons,” Daoust told the Toronto Star.

Her son is a picky eater, and that she bought the snack-size banana bread because many teachers discourage home-baked treats, and these were labelled as being nut-free and safe for school.

“It’s not like he had chips or a chocolate bar,” Daoust says, noting that she has sent the banana bread to her children’s new school this year with no issues so far.

And if he did have chips or a chocolate bar? That’s up to the parents to decide!

If I know that my kid has had a full breakfast of eggs, toast, and fruit, and plan on a healthy dinner, don’t we as parents get to choose if our kids can have a snack during school?

Healthy eating is now a large part of Ontario’s health and physical education curriculum with student learning about the food groups in Canada’s Food Guide – which is also a topic for debate!

How healthy is the Canada Food Guide? The guide is outdated and full of misinformation, in my humble opinion. The guide advises adults to eat six to eight servings of grain products a day, and to limit saturated fat, which occurs naturally in animal products such as eggs, dairy and meat as well as in some vegetable oils like coconut and palm oils.

It also tells Canadians to trim visible fat from meat, limit butter, and cook without or with little added fat. It also advises consuming only two to three tablespoons of unsaturated fat — often described as the “good” fat that is found in plant-based foods and oils — daily.

The fixation on carbohydrates and grain products, and the lack of “good” fat is what is driving obesity and related medical conditions. For decades, governments and scientists in the U.S. and Canada have warned of the harmful effects of saturated fat on the heart and cardiovascular system, urging consumers to shun butter, eggs and red meat. But recent research shows that these foods contain healthy saturated fats.

The “war” against saturated fat was based on bad science. It was never really proven that it caused any harm. In fact, recent studies suggest that there is no association at all between saturated fat and cardiovascular disease.

After the Toronto Star contacted the Durham Catholic District School Board, it’s evident that these food policing decisions are not recommended by the board.

“There is nowhere in our policy or procedures that says our staff is allowed to take food away from a student,” says James MacKinnon, a teaching and learning consultant with the DCDSB.

The school board does not direct teachers or lunch assistants to monitor whether the food a student brings is healthy. Durham District School Board officials declined an interview, however Superintendent Luigia Ayotte issued this statement:

“We understand there may have been some issues with regard to certain foods students bring for snacks and lunches, but food preferences and choice remain with students and parents unless they pose an adverse allergic danger to other students.”

Common examples of food discouraged in their children’s classrooms include:

Goldfish crackers, Bear Paws cookies, granola bars, string cheese, Jello, juice boxes, pudding cups, gummy fruit snacks, raisins, Animal Crackers, chocolate milk and Sun Chips.

parenting

How Can I Get My Child to Focus?

September 27, 2016

Family expert Sara Dimerman is here to answer any questions you may have. If you need to submit a question, please email amotherworld@gmail.com.

How can I get my child to focus?

Focusing is a topic that comes up often when I’m talking to parents about their parenting concerns. They say that their children have no issue focusing when it’s on something the likes, such as the ipad or TV. The problem is when they’re not excited about the topic at hand and feeling bored.

I’m thinking mostly as a result of our ability to easily flit between one screen and another, we don’t allow ourselves to be bored for more than a few seconds at a time. Our children are no different.

When they get to high school and mostly have cell phones on their desks at all times, for example, they really don’t need to feel bored. The minute their mind wanders because the unit is not especially interesting, they turn to their phones for entertainment.

When I grew up, we turned to our peers at the table alongside us or wrote notes and passed them on until the teacher spotted what we were doing and confiscated the note, to our embarrassment.

So, of course we were distracted and lost focus too, but I’m thinking likely not as quickly as what parents are seeing today.

The trick perhaps is to be mindful of not introducing technology to young children too soon, and when you do, to make sure that they are not entertained for hours on end by fast flickering screens. Also, it may be a good idea to gradually help them develop longer attention spans by exposing them to an activity for longer periods over time.

Another idea is to ensure that your child takes breaks according to what is reasonable for his or her age. So, for example, a four year old may not be able to focus on any one activity for more than a half hour. So, take a break – even for five minutes – before going back to what you were doing.

The bottom line is to understand what a reasonable expectation regarding focusing is at any given age or stage of development and then to help your child develop an increased tolerance for not being entertained every minute of the day.

Sara Dimerman is a psychologist in the Toronto area who has provided counselling to individuals, couples and families for more than twenty-five years. She is the author of four books – two for parents and two for couples – the most recent of which is “Why Married Couples Don’t have Sex….at least not with each other!” and is a columnist and podcast producer/host for sites and print media across North America and internationally. She is a regular guest on radio and television and is interviewed frequently for articles online, in newspapers and magazines. Sara is married and has two daughters. Visit Sara‘s website: www.helpmesara.com or follow her on Twitter @helpmesara.

Fashion

Fall Fashion Trends 2016

September 21, 2016

While this gorgeous summer doesn’t want to end, there is a little bit of room for a few transitional fall pieces.

What are some of fall’s hottest trends? You’ll see a lot of ‘90s inspired looks including mini-skirt suits, lingerie, and bulky sweats.

Athleisure

Athleisure is still alive and well, with pieces such as hoodies and bomber jackets, to menswear-inspired silhouettes in the form of wide-leg trousers and strong-shouldered blazers. It’s an infusion of streetwear with athletic influences and a cool attitude – think bomber and puffer jackets, oversized hoodies, logo sweats, and boxy sweatpants. Weekend wear is bound to be very comfortably and cool.

A great shirt

A simple staple in fall 2016 wardrobe is a great shirt. A great shirt is the most versatile wardrobe pieces. You can’t go wrong with a menswear-inspired oversized white shirt, or one with a feminine touch like ruffles or in silky-satin fabrics.

Ankle Boots

What better way to transition to fall than with a killer pair of ankle boots? Trade in your go-to basic black pair for something with a little pizazz! From high heeled to casual lace-ups, you should definitely have several pairs for every occasion. I love these Lullabelle Fjord boots from Shumaker.

Lingerie

You’ll see all things lingerie-influenced. Think lace, silky satins, rich velvet, and ruffles are key fabrics and details that that will add a feminine touch to this season’s fall fashions. While you’ll see slip dresses, camisoles and pyjama-style tops and bottoms on the racks, I doubt I’ll be buying into this trend.

Fall Fashion Trends 2016 Slip Dress — Free People

The Miniskirt Suit

The ‘90s mini-skirt suit is back and shorter and more streamlined than ever. Think of Cher and Dionne in Clueless – more school girl than structured.

Turtlenecks

I used to countdown the days at the end of summer so I could pull out my collection of turtlenecks. Now, they choke me! I’ll skip on this trend personally, but you’ll see anything with a high neck including dresses. For a layered look, put a turtleneck under anything… including a slip dress.

Moto, Puffer, Patent Jackets

Moto jackets, short puffer jackets and leather jackets are back again for another season. But this fall, you’ll see more patent leather. What is it about the shine? High patent leather shine meets a crackled texture in this cute moto jacket.

Fall fashion trends 2016 | amotherworld.com — Express

Fall fashion trends 2016 Biker Jacket | amotherworld.com — H&M

Fall Fashion Trends Moto Jacket | amotherworld.com — White House Black Market

Fall Fashion Trends 2016 Puffer Jacket | amotherworld.com — Zara

Velvet

Rich velvet will be seen in everything from blazers, to shirts, dresses and even pants. I’m not sure about the whole velvet look in athleisure – remember JLo? I had a few track suits in velvet.

Shearling

Every season, shearling is “in” style, but this season it’s bigger and fluffier.

Deconstructed Denim

Denim is always en vogue, but this season you’ll see more patches, patterns and cutting up and sewing different pairs of jeans together for an artsy look. Wear with your favourite ankle boots.

Fall Fashion Trends 2016 Denim | amotherworld.com — Urban Outfitters

Bohemian

It’s Coachella and Osheaga all year – the trend you’d wear all music festival-season long. Printed maxi dresses are dressed up enough to wear to an evening event, but throw on ankle boots to dress them down for daytime.

Fall Fashion Trends 2016 Bohemian | amotherworld.com — Free People

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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