Having meaningful connections helps people to live longer Stock photo “Having good relationships and good friendships is the best thing you can do to live longer.” That’s according to Sue McGarvie, an Ottawa clinical sex and relationship counselor. “Study after study indicates that people who live the longest have a community and friends they can rely on,” McGarvie says. “Basically, loneliness kills.” The pandemic just magnified how lonely people really are, says McGarvie. “People got used to being alone. Then inertia set in and isolating became easy. And if you aren’t using your friendship ..read more

The toy that does it all — helps grow a healthy brain; teaches language development, motor skills, independence and self-confidence; and promotes curiosity and self-regulation — has been around since the beginning of time Dino Toddler Moon Sand Kit. Photo Courtesy Kai’s Sensory Kreations A few years ago, Caroline Sutherland was looking at safe options to entertain her two-and-half-year-old son while she was working from home. The Arnprior resident began experimenting with sensory play — water, moon sand and a sensory bottle for “calm-down time.” Sensory toys remain a hit with Samuel, now six ..read more

If this summer will mark your child’s first time at a sleepaway camp, take heart — we have the tips to help them thrive Stock photo   With summer fast approaching, you may already be searching for residential camp options with input from your children, or making the drive to check out facilities. After all, research is key to a good camp experience. Camp is a wonderful learning and social experience for children and can create memories that will last a lifetime. To ensure your child has the safest camp possible, we scanned our archives for tips to keep your kids well while away from hom ..read more

Studies show that workers under the age of 25 are four times more likely to be injured during their first month on the job than at any other time. This is where First Job Safe Job comes in Mother and daughter having a talk about workplace safety at home. Photo Credit Getty Images (Courtesy of WSPS)   Pamela Patry remembers when her son, now 17, was looking for his first job. “He was so excited when he got his first invitation for an interview,” says the mother of two. “As a parent, it should have been a red flag that in the 10 years of living in this community, this business had always ..read more

Carefully crafted in the Ozark Mountains, Purveyor 15’s Montessori-inspired beds create space for sleep… and adventures Full-sized Glacier teepee bed. Photo Courtesy Purveyor 15 Humans spend about one-third of their lives sleeping. Because of this, mother of two Taylor Frost-Smith believes that beds should be of the best quality possible. Many people, she says, aren’t aware of all the chemicals being put into furniture today. “Formaldehyde, arsenic, and fire retardants are very common,” she says, adding that “we’re breathing in whatever that bed is made out of.” It’s especially important to ..read more

Physical education goes beyond keeping kids fit, experts say Stock photo A physical education class offers more than just physical benefits, says Andrew MacNeil — it also supports mental and emotional health. “And not only that, it’s also a great time with friends,” says the athletics director at St-Laurent Academy Teachers tell MacNeil that students are calmer and more attentive in class after a phys. ed class. Students at St-Laurent Academy, from kindergarten to Grade 12, have gym every day. “Our classes echo the sports seasons our school teams play in,” says MacNeil. That means soccer and ..read more

Local schools are putting mental health at the forefront, and students are more successful for it Stock photo For Cheryl Ward, the impact of the pandemic has been multifaceted. “Like many learning institutions, we saw a surge of students grappling with mental and physical health challenges,” says Ward, the principal of Heritage Academy. “And because our students have learning exceptionalities, that abrupt transition to remote learning and an upheaval of regular routines was a real challenge. Many found that shift difficult to navigate.” More than four years after the start of the pandemic, W ..read more

Chris Hunt and son Riley find the easy way through a hay maze. Photo Credit Angela Jacques Recently, I went to see my doctor for the first time in about four years or so.  I normally avoid doctors like the plague, if only because people with the plague are more apt to be found at a doctor’s office than anywhere else. I had to go because I bought a new-fangled smart watch that monitors your vitals as you go about your day. I thought mine was broken when it asked me if I was working out within minutes of me first putting it on. Seems my heart rate was such that what I was doing was physic ..read more

Jon Willing and his son, Miles. Photo Courtesy Jon Willing   One of the best bits of fatherhood advice I received was from a friend, a more experienced father, who applauded me for taking a couple of quiet minutes to run recycling to the garage.  The praise wasn’t actually framed as advice, but I took it as an incredible bit of wisdom. “You have to steal away those moments,” he told me. The tip came early in my son’s life when my wife and I were adjusting to the new daily demands of parenthood. Exhaustedly fussing over every moment of the baby’s day — the eating, the crying, the na ..read more

Caring for yourself is not a once-in-a-while endeavour Take a relaxing warm bath, if that floats your boat. We often hear the phrase: “You can’t take care of anyone else unless you first take care of yourself.” This speaks volumes as far as parents and caregivers are concerned. Today, the challenges are acute, and it is especially important to understand where you sit on the stress meter. “I can deal with this,” you say, and much to your surprise, the overwhelm has crept up on you. Personal fatigue, burnout and frustration can unintentionally bleed out onto partners and children causing conf ..read more