This afternoon I pre-registered my baby Lucy for junior kindergarten with a very nice woman with an English accent.

She will likely go Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday. Seeing as she already does three days a week of daycare, this will not be a huge transition for her. I will more than likely send her to daycare on the Tuesday and after school so I still get a full work day and work week.

(Even though Lucy suction cups herself to me upon pick up from daycare, she has informed me that when she goes to kindergarten, she will be a bigger girl and will no longer miss me. Or, only a little bit.)

There was much hoopla in the media, on my friends’ blogs and Facebook pages the past few days regarding the Province’s implementation of full-day kindergarten at select schools. See this list for public schools here, and Catholic schools here. Traditional introduction into the school system has been what Lucy will experience, and in the beginning, staggering kids in over several short days, as opposed to full days right off.

While five days seems like a bit much for a 3 or 4-year-old, the rather angry backlash has surprised me. I’m hoping y’all can enlighten me as to why some parents are so upset about this. I have friends on all sides of the spectrum: One is disappointed her son will not get the same amount of schooling as those kids in the full-day program, and will thus be behind his peers. Another is upset her daughter — having almost no formal daycare/large group programming/other kid exposure — will struggle to transition into full-day school. Another is thrilled that her daycare costs will come down and her daughter will not have to be shuffled around from school to daycare and more.

Thoughts? Whether your child is starting school this year or not?

On Friday, the Toronto Star’s Family Issues Reporter Andrea Gordon interviewed me on a really interesting topic: As a parent, do you feel supported by your neighbours and the community at large?

The survey (see story, below) says most parents do not. I was rather shocked by that, and said so. There are so many more resources for parents today, as well as change tables, family rooms, hell — even parking spots for expectant and new parents. I do agree we are a more insular society in that we don’t communicate with our neighbours as much as past decades. But — I also feel your world and parenting experience is what you make it.  Things are not going to land in your lap.

That’s one of the reasons I started Durham Region Baby, to pull all of those fabulous resources together, and join together the fabulous community of parents here.

Thoughts?

Parents feel community support lacking

January 11, 2010
Andrea Gordon, Family Issues Reporter

They say it takes a village, but a survey of 2,500 Canadian parents has found that only a quarter feel they have a high level of support from their community when it comes to raising their children.

“The challenges for parents have never been greater, yet they do not experience the support they need,” says Carol Crill Russell, senior research adviser with Invest in Kids, which conducted the detailed online survey in early 2007.

She says the findings are critical because mothers and fathers who feel valued and encouraged in what they consider the most important job of their lives make better parents.

“Parenting behaviour is strongly related to the support they feel,” she says.

The full report will be released in the next couple of months, but Crill Russell shared some highlights Friday at a Toronto symposium on early childhood.

Invest in Kids, a non-profit devoted to research and public education, has done studies showing that the more parents feel confident and the more they understand child development, the more positive their behaviour towards their kids. They are more inclined to praise, laugh and play with their children than scold, punish or shame them.

Crill Russell notes that income and education made no difference.

The latest survey, which included a cross-section of parents from different regions, social classes and ethnic backgrounds across the country, underlines that community supports are also key.

It asked parents about the support they received from four sources: their partners; their own parents; other family members and friends; and the neighbourhood community.

Among its findings:
Read the rest of this entry »

So, did you get the H1N1 shot?

We, guiltily, have not yet. No excuse except we keep forgetting (OK, and maybe another reason, but I put it below in a lame attempt to hide it).

But.

Last week Alice had the flu. Albeit it was short — 24 hours — she still had it. To feel her shaking in my arms with the chills and watch her face turn red as she choked while vomitting in her crib at 2 a.m. was enough of a reminder that we must get the damn shot. I’ve been on second child flu watch ever since, too, just waiting for Lucy to get something.

(Tangent: Why do kids always throw up in the middle of the night? Why not at 9 a.m. when I’m completely awake and not half nekkid clutching my bathrobe? And why always in bed? Why not on the hardwood floors that are at least easier to clean? They’re born programmed this way, aren’t they?)

• Flu clinics are now open to everyone, and the Region of Durham has a full list of local clinics here (many doctor’s offices are administering it, too)
• No matter where you live in Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has links to every health unit in the province here.
• They also have a really neat self-assessment tool for parents to determine if your child under five or youth/adult over 5 actually has the flu. Check it out here.
• Pregnant? Here’s info on the unadjuvanted vaccine and why it’s so important to get the shot

We have a doctor’s appointment Thursday and will finally get this done and over with. I feel terrible admitting this, but I’ve also been subconsciously avoiding going because I’ll have both girls on my own. How have those of you with two done this? I figure I’ll have to get Lucy done first, ’cause I know Lucy will bolt once she sees Alice freak out. But then do I leave Lucy upset while Alice gets done? Do them both at once?

Help!

The Moms Fight the Flu blog tour is organized by Mom Central Canada to spread the word among Moms about the H1N1 virus & vaccine and what you should do if you think your child has the flu. By making sure Moms have access to reliable information we can help everyone stay healthier this season!

I hope you notice the new site additions we’ve been working on today!

• The parent directory — where you will find everything from local playgroups to CPR teachers to daycare listings — is now beside the (new!) logo
• Added colour to the background to soften the site and make tabs @ top stand out more
• About is now at top
• Added Durham Region Baby’s Facebook (become a fan!) and Twitter (follow us!) info to right sidebar
• Moved search and Photo Friday info on sidebars around

Hope these liven things up and help you navigate our blog and resource site a little easier. Any feedback or suggestions are always appreciated!

I’m working on Alice’s one year post, to go up tonight — my baby turned 1 this weekend!

Lucy’s idol is getting a makeover.

I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I’ve always loved that Dora was, well, so toddler-like: chubby, bobbed hair, socks pulled up, running shoes, durable and basic clothes (could do without the belly hanging out, though).

Now Matell & Nickelodeon have…made her grow up. She’s got hair down to her arse, highlights (!), eyelashes, is skinny and — I will NEVER forgive them for this — wearing leggings.

How is she supposed to climb tall mountain, ride in Benny’s hot air balloon or dance with the troll under the bridge in that get up? Have you seen those shoes? Ballet flats? Gimme a break.

I feel like she’s lost some of her innocence. But is it just a natural progression and growing up of a character? I’ve been rather happy that Archie and the gang have remained in high school for, oh, 60+ years.

Thoughts?