Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in vancouver, CN

Haircutting for Kids

July 14, 2009

If your child is anything like mine getting a haircut is a very traumatic endeavour. Sometimes having a place that is geared toward little kids is just the ticket. With movies, interesting vehicles to "ride" in while their hair is being cut, some kids may want to stay longer. This won't work for my son, he is terrified of the clippers, but for most kids it should make going to get their hair cut a pleasure rather than a chore.

The Hairloft in the Kids Market on Granville Island. Reasonable prices and have a princess theme party for those with little girls.

Melonhead at 2962 West Broadway in Kitsilano. They seem to have both reasonable prices and hours.

Sparky'z Kutz for Kidz seem to be in most lower mainland malls. There are locations in Lonsdale Quay, Lansdowne Mall and Brentwood Mall to name a few.

You can always cut your child's hair at home. We bought a cheap barber kit and it our son wasn't terrified of the clippers he would get a nice short buzz cut every few months. Instead we take him to my husband's barber (Sasamat Barbershop) on 4455 West 10^th Ave. in Point Grey. This is a regular barbershop, but they are very good with little kids and will just use scissors if your child is really afraid of the clippers.

Where do you get your child's hair cut?

For All Children

April 13, 2009

If you are a parent blogger or read parent bloggers you have probably been hugging your children a little closer this last weekend. The horrible thing is that as tragic as these children's deaths have been, they are not the only deaths or illnesses of children that have happened over the last week. These are just the ones that we have heard of. These are the ones that are rocking the internet right now. I hope I am not coming across as callus, and diminishing the grief that these deaths have caused, that is not my intention at all. I want to point out that we shouldn't take the time with our children for granted. I want also to point out some resources to help those who have know or know right now the grief of having a child who is sick, or dying or has died. Hopefully answer some of the questions like "How can I help?"

There are some local charities which help children and their families that can always use donations of time or money.

Variety the Children's Charity, helps distribute funding for children and families across BC for special needs equipment, or out of town accommodation, medical emergencies and therapies.

BC Children's Hospital Foundation supports the ongoing research, capital costs, equipment, education and specific endowments.

The Easter Seal House in Vancouver run by the BC Lion's Society. This house provides housing for families visiting Vancouver for medical treatment. Easter Seal House in Vancouver provides a low cost, caring place to stay for more than 100 parents and children every night.

Canuck Place Children's Hospice provides specialized pediatric palliative care for children living with a life-threatening illness and support for their families throughout British Columbia.

Think about donating a lot or a little to one of these charities. You can do it in memory of someone or for the future of the children of BC.

If you need resources for yourself, family members or friends there are several sites that can help.

Glow in the Woods is a site for parents or family or friends of babylost parents. There are several articles written by parents who have gone through the death of a child. One in particular is how to help a friend.

Ann Douglas, writer of "The Mother of All" series, has written about stillbirth and pregnancy loss. She has also written a beautiful post recently about Glow in the Woods. Reading her twitter posts over the last few days has been incredibly enlightening and thought provoking, whether you have lost a child or not. Her insight into the grief process is well thought out and brings to mind that we as a society try to hard to bury any grief we may feel.

If you have any sites that you think should be added to this post, please email me at Beingsavvyvancouver@gmail.com

First Aid Courses

March 31, 2009

When writing my post on small wound care at the playground, I realized it has been a while since I took my last First Aid course. There are two main companies that do the bulk of First Aid training in Canada, St John Ambulance and the Red Cross. Both of these organizations have stellar reputations for First Aid training, and both seem to be acceptable when another organization requires you to have training. I used to have it both for teaching and for guides. It occurs to me that I should have another course to recapture rusty skills for my own children.

It's Potty Time

by Gwendolyn Floyd

January 23, 2009

Today we are going to discuss Toilet Training, that job we get as parents to get our children out of the diapers and into the bathroom. I don't know what finally clicked with my son, but we have only been trained since early December. Hopefully this post will make things easier for you. Here to help are Sean and Cindy Platt ( http://writerdad.com/ ) , the  Read more...

The Siblings Busy Book

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 22, 2008

If you have read my biography you know that I am expecting my second child soon. I am trying to find ways to include my son in my activities with the baby and vice versa. To this end I picked up a new book The Siblings Busy Book by Lisa Hanson and Heather Kempskie. I heard about this book on the Manic Mommies podcast and both Lisa and Heather were interviewed. The Siblings Busy Book is  Read more...

Dining Without the Kids, Woot!

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 16, 2008

I love going out to dinner with my husband. On the rare occasion that we have a babysitter we usually go somewhere close by so that we can have a drink or two and not worry about driving. Sometimes though, it is nice to go a little further afield and get that really nice dining experience.  Read more...

Splash Time

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 17, 2008

Around here it can get a little crazy as my three year old son is starting to shun his nap. This makes for a cranky preschooler and an even crankier mommy. I know it doesn't help that on some days this late second trimester mommy needs a nap or at least some quiet time. My solution on those days that I need a bit of a break? Give the boy a bath. Photo by: Anthony Floyd I am  Read more...

All About Mom and Dad: Date Night

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 20, 2008

Every once in a while in order to be better parents for our children, moms and dads need a night (or afternoon) out. If you are anything like my husband and I, that doesn't happen as often as you would like because of babysitting issues. We live across the country from family and don't feel comfortable asking friends more than twice a year or so. We also have no friends with teenagers  Read more...

Welcome To Being Savvy Vancouver

by Gwendolyn Floyd

May 26, 2008

Welcome to the Vancouver Blog for Savvy Source. My name is Gwen and I will be your city editor for Vancouver. I am originally from the other coast but I have been living and working in Vancouver for 10 years. I am an elementary teacher, but I traded that (for now) to stay at home with my now three year old son. I am always looking for things to do with my preschooler, especially  Read more...