Mom Chat: Tell us Everything

April. Aren’t we just so relieved to see it, every year? The snow melts, the days lengthen, and brighter skies seem to reassure us, that yes, winter is over and spring lies just ahead. We feel lighter, more energetic – as though winter was a weight we have set down at the curb.

With all this comes a yearning for the lighter step we had in years past, the one that comes with fresh air, fresh food and a fresh attitude. We are ready to embrace spring and all the goodness that comes with it. It feels easier to care for ourselves and to reach for good health. It’s a perfect time to take stock of our routines, our habits and find ways to help our bodies, minds and spirits feel rejuvenated.

All week we’ll be talking about Everything to do with nurturing our wellbeing and boosting our vitality. We all have our little tips and secrets, our own wisdom on what to do to feel healthier and more alive. What if we all shared our experience, our inspirations?

Come back each day and add your thoughts! We will add a new idea or question each day to help inspire the conversation and to boost our brainstorming. This conversation will run for one week, and at the end of the week we will do a random draw, from everyone who participated in the discussion, for a Mulitbionta better health prize pack worth $250 - a three month supply of Multibionta, a food diary (you have to keep track of what you're eating!), Nutritionist Theresa Albert's new book entitled Ace Your Health, a stylish and functional tote bag and free coupons for friends.

And remember, each unique idea or tip you add gets you an entry, so think of all the things you do to refresh in spring and share them here!

Tell us Everything!

This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is only open to Canadian residents and ends April 10, 2001. After that, one (1) EverythingMom member will be randomly choosen to win one (1) Mulitbionta better health prize pack (approx value $250 Cdn). Please see full contest details.

As parents we always have to be one step ahead of the calendar page. In many areas kids are just starting to wear rubber boots, while in other areas there is snow still fighting with puddles for top billing. But just as we turned our clocks forward so must we move our thinking ahead to spring…and summer.

Believe it or not, summer thinking in many households begins in February and March. Parents start to reserve holiday time and yes, it is camp registration time again! Some of the most desirable facilities and programs book up very early in the year so if you want a fun, fulfilling summer for your kids to look forward to, now is the time to act!

Besides, spring will bring all kinds of new priorities as it always does, why not get this off your plate now? When the warm weather finally returns, how happy will you be to slip into a pair of sandals and hit the patio, or maybe dive into the first greenings of your garden rather than being stuck indoors fretting over already booked camps?

All week we’ll be talking about Everything to do with preparing for camp. We’ll talk about things you need to remember, concerns you might have and sharing tips and suggestions to make your whole camp experience better and easier.

Come back each day and add your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. We will be adding a new idea or question each day to keep the conversation current and exciting. This conversation will run for one week and at the end of the week we will do a random draw, from everyone who participated in the discussion, for two Mabel’s Labels Colourful Essential Combos valued at $48 each!

And remember, each unique idea or tip you add gets you an entry, so let’s really put our thinking caps on!

Tell us Everything!

We can all agree that family time is important, but with hectic schedules, it can be difficult to find time to bring the family together during the week. Meal time is often one of the only times that families are able to come together to share stories, reflect on their day and enjoy each other’s company. How high is family meal time on your list of priorities?

Weekends offer more family time, with quiet Saturday afternoons and lazy Sunday mornings, but there are days during the week that dinner is the only time the family can come together in the same room for an hour.

Family dinners are an important part of the day, but can be a challenge to make happen. With this in mind, we want to spend some time sharing ideas, tips and stories that will help us all fit more family time into each week.

Come back each day and add your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. We will be adding a new idea or question each day to keep the conversation current and exciting. This conversation will run for two weeks and at the end of each week we will do a random draw, from everyone who participated in the discussion, for a $50 Swiss Chalet Gift Card! And remember, each unique idea or tip you add gets you an entry, so let’s really put our thinking caps on!

The Question: How high is family meal time on your list of priorities? How do you make it happen during the busy week and do you have any suggestions on how to make it easier?

Tell us everything!

This contest is only open to EverythingMom members. Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join. Contest is only open to Canadian residents. Two (2) $50 Cdn e-Gift Cards will be given away (1 February 23 and 1 February 28, selected randomly from qualifying comments). Please see full contest details.

It’s those dreaded words spoken by a well-meaning family member or friend: “Why don’t we all go out for dinner? Bring the kids, it’ll be fun!”

It’s not that they don’t like you. It’s not that they really want you to have a miserable evening. It’s just that perhaps they lack the imagination to picture what dining out with your kids might do to you.

Oh, sure, there are those children that do well dining in public, and if yours do, go ahead and have yourself a nice time. The rest of us? Need a little help pulling off dinner in a restaurant – because even children who are well-behaved during supper at home find dinner out to be challenging indeed.

The expectations are different. They are distracted, yet we want more from them. The seats may be uncomfortable, the food unfamiliar, the glass too full and the chair too tippy. The tall menu bumps into things when they try to hand it to you, and the bathrooms are a long walk away.

High stakes. So what can you do to ensure smooth sailing when you have your kids accompany you for dinner? First, pick a restaurant that shows signs of welcoming kids. Second: order food for the kids as soon as you can so they don’t wait for food. And last: practice, practice, practice. This means introduce the manners you expect at home, not when out for dinner the first time!

What are your tips for dining out with kids? We’ve all been there when things go bad, and we’ve all been things when dinner out has been a real treat. What makes the difference with your kids? What are your tips and tricks? Is there an age where it gets easier?

Tell us Everything!

Think back to when you were a kid. When rainy skies threatened, or when winter brought darkness before dinner – what did your family turn to for entertainment? Yes, certainly we had our occasional tv or movie nights, but I’ll bet some of you grew up like I did, where a stash of board games was always within arm’s reach. Officially, or unofficially, many of us grew up with family game nights.

We played for fun, we played competitively, we took our wins and losses personally. We took turns, learned, laughed and occasionally were sore losers. But most of the time we had a great time and we did all of it together.

Maybe you enjoyed amassing money in Monopoly. Perhaps you liked strategizing during Scrabble. Risk, Life, Clue, Payday, Sorry, Pictionary – they all were ways to engage in a little friendly competition and pass the time together.

In this day and age of families seeking ways to connect, simplify and reduce how much they are relying on high-tech toys, a family game night could be just what we all need. We need families sitting around a table together or couples digging out the Trivial Pursuit after a dinner party. Maybe we need a game of chess and a glass of wine with our significant other or to hear kids giggling over Operation and Candyland.

If none of the above are happening in your home…don’t you wish they were? What board games are favourites in your home? What do you remember loving as a child? What brings out the fiercest competition? Do your kids already have a stash of board games?

Tell us Everything!