HRM Parent Blog

by guest blogger Katherine VanBuskirk

 I’ve got this.

Sometimes it’s easy to think that I’ve got this thing. You know? The parenting thing. I’ve done it now for seven years. I know about ear infections and rashes. I don’t darken my GP’s door unless it’s valid. I negotiate bedtimes and treats. I settle arguments and ration snacks to ensure peace. Between my own knowledge and that of my network of Mom friends, we’re covered. Thanks.

Then out of nowhere, just when I’m getting comfortable, I realize that every single day represents a new chance to be thrown under the parenting bus. It’s like being on call. Chances are it will be predictable - easy. Then you sit down at your favourite restaurant or settle into a good movie. Bam.

That’s kind of how I feel lately. G is seven. And he’s an old seven - a kid with a bright future in litigation I suspect. So these days the dynamics at our house are in flux. It became really obvious during February Break when he spent some time in NB with grandparents. Suddenly we were left with one child - a two-year-old, compliant, velcro baby named LL. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a feisty little diva. But at this stage she’s relatively easy. For example, she doesn’t have a strong opinion about what we eat, where we go, what movie we should watch, whether it is dessert night or not or how many days it’s been since she last bathed.

What I realized was that, though I joked about how nice it was to have little LL on her own for the week, the seven-year-old “opinions” are our new parenting opportunity. G isn’t being difficult when he tells us what he likes (or doesn’t), he just has preferences. And that’s okay.

That’s okay!

It’s up to us to decide which ones he get’s to weigh-in on and which ones are not up for discussion - like bathing regularly. It’s a hybrid approach - choose your battles meets UN peace talks.

So while we didn’t do a fancy vacation this February Break, I think we can say it was a success on a bunch of levels. Fun was had all over the place. G got some alone time with the grandparents and cousins, LL got some alone time with us. And I once again, got taken to school on this parenting thing.

But you know what? I remember being seven. I remember wanting to be heard. Now I have a chance to give that to G. I suspect that we’ll both be better off. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’ve got this thing. At least for now.

Katherine VanBuskirk is a communications professional in Halifax. She is rarely without a latte, a list and at least one of her two children. 

What kid doesn't love noodles and cheese?  This time, ditch the box of KD and try our homemade version - it's almost as easy and much better tasting!

What you’ll need:

3 tbsp butter or margarine

3 tbsp flour

3 cups milk

3-4 cups of elbow macaroni noodles

2½ cups grated cheddar cheese

¼ tsp dry mustard

½ cup bread or cracker crumbs

 Directions:

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.     Lightly grease a 9x13 pan or casserole dish

3.     Boil noodles according to package directions

4.     In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat

5.     Whisk in flour until well blended

6.     Gradually add milk and continue stirring until it thickens

7.     Add 2 cups of the grated cheese and dry mustard, stir until fully melted (reserve rest of cheese for top)

8.     Add (drained) macaroni to sauce.  Stir to thoroughly coat noodles

9.     Pour into baking dish and sprinkle with ½ cup of grated cheese

10.   Sprinkle with crumbs

11.   Bake for 25-30 mins

Enjoy!

In this week’s post, I am issuing my first HRM Simple Family Challenge, which will increase your family’s long-term health and wellness.  Up for the challenge?  Then read on!

Superfoods are whole foods that do more than just provide energy -- they also have the amazing power to turn regular kids into Superkids!

A diet rich in Superfoods boosts immunity, energy and overall wellness and supports healthy development.  Introduce these nutrient-dense foods to your children early so they develop a taste for them and can make them a lifelong habit.

Your challenge is to introduce at least one new Superfood to your family’s diet and educate your kids about the specific health benefits of that food.  Give your kids the credit they deserve:  their sharp little minds are capable of making good, informed choices - it’s your job to give them the information they need to do this.

There are so many Superfoods to choose from, I can’t possibly list them all in this short post, so for this first challenge I’m giving you three “easy sells” to choose from:

1. Wild Salmon:  This one is an easy sell to kids because it’s “brain food, and makes you super smart”.  I told my kids I can actually see their brains growing when they eat it, which prompted a chorus of:  “Is my brain growing now, Mommy?”

Wild Salmon is lower in mercury and higher in healthy Omega-3 fats than farmed salmon.  Omega-3s boost brain development, counter depression and reduce inflammation throughout little (and big) bodies.  Baked or broiled, sauced or naked, whole or canned, salmon’s a winner!

 2. Sweet Potatoes:  Also a pretty easy sell, they can be prepared any way kids like to eat regular potatoes:  baked, roasted, mashed, or in soups and stews.  They can even be sweetened with maple syrup and cinnamon to satisfy a sweet tooth.  Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta carotene (kid speak: “supersight”), potassium, iron (“superstrength”), fiber and vitamins E & B6.

3. Berries:  Blueberries are highest in antioxidants, but all berries are terrific Superfoods.  I tell kids that antioxidants are Superheroes who stop the evil Free Radical in his tracks.  Without enough antioxidants, the evil Free Radical can take over your body and make it really sick.

Throw berries (frozen or fresh) on & in everything:  smoothies, yoghurt, whole-grain baked goods, cereal, home-made popsicles.  For a morning treat, try blending a cup of berries until smooth and then combining with some maple syrup (over low heat) to make a delicious syrup alternative for whole-grain waffles and pancakes.  For a terrific healthy waffle recipe, check out my Yummy Cinnamon Flax Waffles on the Simple Balance blog (January 7/11 post, just click on the website link below).

Good luck and health to you!

Wendy McCallum, LLB, RHN, is passionate about providing busy parents with the tools & support they need to feed their families wholesome food, so everyone can play, learn, and feel better!  She is a mother of two terrific HRM kids, ages 6 & 7.  For information and recipe ideas, visit her website

Just because the Canada Games are over and our vacations are a thing of the past, that doesn't mean you can't still have a lot of fun this weekend.

Only in HRM could you visit a world famous dinosaur, see Peter Wolf, sample food cooked on an open hearth and attend a free baby shower all on the same weekend!!  Check out our events calendar for more details on all these great events.  

Not up for staying inside?  Why not take a trip to Martock or Wentworth for a ski or grab the snow shoes and go for a trek around your nearest park or golf course.  Not to mention that our beloved Oval is open with public skating scheduled throughout the weekend.

Whatever you and the kids choose to do this weekend - hope it's safe and happy! 

A simple solution to consider - try planning a “Kid Date”.  Nope, not a play date with other kids, or a family date night (we’ll talk about that another time) - I’m talking about scheduling a special date with each of your children.   An evening visit to your local coffee shop, an afternoon at the Clay Café or hit the theatre for a movie.

Sure you may do lots as a family, or get some one-on-one time in the car on the way to hockey practice or during homework – but actually planning a special date just for you and your child will bring a whole new meaning to quality time. Letting each kid help plan their date with you, makes it all the more special. 

Just before Christmas, my husband and I planned dates with each of our daughters and it had such an impact that we promised to make it a more regular occurrence. In fact, it was only just a few days ago when our 4 year old asked me when her next date with us would be (and what sparked me to post this).  She’s already coming up with ideas of what we would do. 

We planned it on a Sunday afternoon and had a sitter come hang with our 4 year old, while we took our 2 year old on her date – the playground, a smoothie and the store for some stickers (all her ideas).  Then we brought her home to the sitter and took our 4 year old out for her date - lunch, the candy store and a trip to Woozles (her choices, of course).

It was so nice to spend some quality time with each of our children on their own, but even more importantly we realized how excited and proud each of them were to have us all to themselves for a bit.  We’re all looking forward to the next one, but I am especially excited about the tradition we’re building…cause something tells me, when I blink and they become drama-tweens who would rather spend time at the mall with their friends, we’ll cherish our dates with them even more!