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Calling all parents and caregivers of kids under 14! Yes, you! This is one of those articles you won’t want to glaze over. Let’s talk about supplemented foods… Did you know that these colorfully labelled drinks, bearing dramatic names, promising the energy to fly you from one end of the earth to the other (ahem, caffeinated energy drinks), along with other supplemented foods, aren’t recommended for those under 14? Let’s dive into what every parent needs to know about supplemented foods. Supplemented foods are foods or drinks with one or more supplemental ingredients added to them.  Exampl ..read more

You’re finally in bed at the end of a long day, when your furry family member happily plops beside you. Too tired to force an eviction, you scratch absent-mindedly behind a floppy ear as both of you begin to drift off. Then, suddenly, your fingertips lock on a small, smooth, solid bump. Gross, gross, gross! You think to yourself, Please don’t let it be…   The covers fly off and you drag your dog into the bathroom. As the fluorescent light blinds your sleep-starved eyes, you sift through fur until your fear is confirmed. It’s a tick! What now? It’s the middle of the night and you know th ..read more

A developmental delay is not a single disease, more so an umbrella term or grouping of disabilities that can develop in children. There are various types of developmental disabilities that can occur in the pediatric population, ranging from delays in physical abilities, speech, cognition and socialization. Every one of these components is equally essential to a child and how they grow and develop over the course of their life. March is developmental disability awareness month and we wanted to bring to light what you as parents can do if your child is atypically developing with regards to their ..read more

Welcome to a place where creativity knows no bounds and individuality shines! Merlot Moon Marketing was born from a dreamer, who envisioned a space where unique ideas could flourish, communities could thrive and where every voice could be heard.  A little bit about the dreamer… I’m Mackenzie. Thanks for being here! If you asked my family and friends, they’d tell you that my spirit as a young girl was untamable and I was always in need of a creative outlet. They’re not wrong! My (as some would say) “loud” spirit, combined with the desire to build something from the ground up, has been the ..read more

Why did no one hand us a survival guide for this rollercoaster called adulthood? We’re given instructions for every other aspect of our lives. When the tables suddenly turn, and you find yourself caring for aging parents, it’s as if you are being punked, but Ashton never jumps out of the bushes. And the exhaustion, who knew? Your stamina hasn’t worked this hard since parental leave. Why didn’t anyone ever warn us that our parents weren’t superhuman? It’s a sobering realization when the tables turn, and suddenly, we find ourselves the caregiver for those who once cared for us. It’s a role rever ..read more

Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of mental processes such as thoughts, feelings, and motives. When my father died, my close family members suggested I look into a psychologist. This was supposed to help me cope with my feelings. I really had this negative connotation towards psychology. I felt like it was for the weak or insecure. How can I be strong and vulnerable at the same time? I was only 16. But the thought of opening up to a stranger and telling them my deepest darkest feelings, then paying them for the perfect response was ..read more

If you could only eat one food from now on, what would it be? Lander – Steak. Adi – Fruit. What is a food you find really disgusting? Why is it so bad? Lander – Brussels sprouts because they taste awful! Adi – Broccoli because I just don’t like it. If you were making pancakes for your family on a weekend morning, what would you put in them to make them even more delicious? Lander – Toxic waste candy in pancakes would be the best! Adi – Candy cane pancakes would be delicious! What is the best thing mom or dad pack in your lunchbox? Lander- Ritz crackers are my favourite in my lun ..read more

During times of heightened emotions, meltdowns and tantrums may arise, impacting the bond you share with your child. Your immediate response may be to yell, ‘Stop it!’, hoping this will allow you to quickly move on with your day. However, it’s crucial to prioritize connecting and empathizing with your child during these emotional moments  One effective strategy for fostering connection is to incorporate ‘refresh’ into your resource toolbox – much like hitting ‘refresh’ when your computer is bogged down and not functioning properly. To illustrate the effectiveness of using ‘refresh’, let m ..read more

How do you know that someone is a good friend? Lander – I can tell by their personality. Adi – If they are kind to me, they are a good friend. What makes someone a great babysitter? Lander – Someone who is kind and caring.  Adi – Someone who plays with me!  How do you think kids learn to be kind? Lander – Their parents teach them. Adi – Starting at home they learn to be kind. Who is the funniest adult you know and why?  Lander – Uncle Cal – he makes funny jokes! Adi – The funniest adult I know is mom because she makes funny jokes.   ..read more