Island Parent April/May 2021

APRIL/MAY 2021 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 33 Years 

The Challenges 

of First-time 

Parenthood 

Dealing with 

Differences 

Being Born 

During a 

Pandemic

An experience that lasts a lifetime! 

Summer at 

Camp Pringle 

We are open open for summer camps 

& family cabin rentals! 

Visit our website for full details on registration and 

COVID-19 safety protocols at our facility. 

Summer Camps for Children, Youth, Families & Leadership 

Out of School Care • Community & Corporate Retreats 

Want to join our team? Visit our website for info on available staff and volunteer positions. 

Register or Call Today! 

CampPringle.com • 250-743-2189 • info@camppringle.com 

2 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca

F A M I L Y F U N P E R F O R M E R S 

PRESENTED BY 

UPSTREAM! 

with The Kerplunks 

Saturday, May 15, 2021 @ 2:30 pm 

Virtual Livestream Performance 

$11.50 per household 

Rick Scott Family Concert 

Sunday, April 18, 2021 @ 2:30 pm 

Virtual Livestream Performance 

$11.50 per household 

BUY TICKETS ONLINE www.porttheatre.com 

OR CALL 250-754-8550 

Upstream! with The Kerplunks is a high-energy, 

colourful livestream performance guaranteed to provide 

children and families with 45 minutes of musical joy. 

The Kerplunks’ success has garnered the group three 

Canadian Folk Music Awards and three consecutive 

JUNO Award nominations. www.thekerplunks.com 

If you can’t tune into the livestream event, the performance 

is available online for 48 hours immediately following the 

performance. 

BUY TICKETS ONLINE 

www.porttheatre.com 

OR CALL 250-754-8550 

Music and laughter for all ages! Rick Scott and 

his dulcimer combine songs, storytelling and humour 

in warm-hearted concerts for the whole family. 

One of Canada’s most beloved children’s performers. 

www.rickscott.ca 

If you can’t tune into the livestream event, the 

performance is available online for 48 hours 

immediately following the performance. 

TheatreOne is generously supported by 

IslandParent.ca 

April/May 2021 3

April/MA Y 2021 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 33 Years 

TABLEOFCONTENTS 

Features 

In Every 

Issue 

5 

Fast Forward 

SUE FAST 

6 

Need to Know 

18 

Dadspeak 

GREG PRATT 

24 

Family Calendar 

10 

Being Born During 

a Pandemic 

Will COVID-19 become 

this generation’s 

childhood trauma? 

KELLY CLEEVE 

12 

Baby Talk in 

Any Language 

26 

Motherhood 

A role not easily summed up on 

the inside of a Hallmark card. 

SUSAN GNUCCI 

34 

Easter Eggsperiments 

Three “eggsperiments” that 

highlight the unique properties 

of the amazing egg. 

14 

The Challenges of 

First-time Parenthood 

Top concerns for new parents. 

LAUREN MATHESON 

16 

Tax Time 

Planning ahead is nearly 

always the solution and 

tax time is no different. 

LINDSAY PLUMB 

21 

Eco Grief 

Acts of love to help kids 

mourn what is being lost. 

LINDSAY COULTER 

28 

What’s for Dinner 

EMILLIE PARRISH 

30 

Kids’ Reads 

CHRISTINE VAN STARKENBURG 

32 

Moms’ POV 

SERENA BECK 

35 

Businesses You 

Need to Know 

36 

Preschool & 

Child Care Directory 

38 

Cut It Out! 

ALLISON REES 

On the 

Cover 

Photo by 

Chris Higginbottom 

Photography 

chrishigginbottom.ca 

Being Born 

During a 

Pandemic 

The Challenges 

of First-time 

Parenthood 

Dealing with 

Differences 

Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@islandparent.ca 

Sue Fast Editor editor@islandparent.ca 

Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@islandparent.ca 

RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager raeleigh@islandparent.ca 

Island Parent Magazine, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a 

bimonthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on 

resources and businesses for Vancouver Island families. Views expressed are not 

necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without 

the permission of the publisher. Island Parent is distributed free in selected areas. 

Annual mail subscriptions (7 issues) are available for $21 (GST included). 

Canadian Publication Mail Product Sales Agreement 40051398. ISSN 0838-5505. 

Island Parent Magazine 

250-388-6905 islandparent.ca 

518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 

A proud member of 

BC 


FASTFORWARD 

6½ Ways to Welcome Spring 

There’s something about spring that makes more than just the 

sun shine and the flowers bloom. Look around and you’re 

bound to see more smiles and more light in not only our longer 

days, but in each other’s moods and even as a lightness in our steps! 

So get outside and celebrate the start of spring! 

1. Geocache. Use GPS systems to seek out and hide treasures all around 

your neighbourhood. Use a series of coordinates, solve puzzles or decipher 

clues for specialty caches. geocaching.com 

2. Dog swap. Or if you don’t have one of your own, borrow a friend’s dog 

for the afternoon and find a trail you’ve always meant to explore. 

3. Create a new ritual. Sunday brunch in the backyard? Dance before dinner? 

Take an early morning cold-water swim (like the Oddballs at Willows Beach, 

facebook.com/groups/oddballsvictoria). 

4. Do a random good deed. Drop off a bouquet of spring flowers, 

anonymously, at a neighbour’s. Paint and hide rocks with encouraging notes. 

Or do the same with sidewalk chalk around your neighbourhood. 

5. Celebrate anything. Make a cake. Light some candles. Pick some flowers. 

Open the windows, get dressed up, play your favourite music and silly dance. 

5½. And remember: bike parades are always a good idea. 

6. Make plans. Sure time flies while you’re having fun and spring won’t 

last forever but summer is on its way. Start making a list of what you’d 

like to do. From staycations to local road trips, planning is half the fun. 

STAGES 

Summer Programs 

Running This July & August 

Preschool Dance Camps 

For 3-5 year olds in Ballet, Jazz, 

Musical Theatre & Tap 

Youth Dance Camps 

For dancers 6-12 years old in 

Jazz, Hip Hop & Acrobatics 

Dance Intensive 

For dancers 11 years old & up with 

Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop & Acrobatics 

Through these times let’s be 

careful & kind out there 

Come Dance With Us 

Call (250) 384-3267, email: stagesdance@shaw.ca, 

or visit us at www.stagesdance.com 



NEEDTOKNOW 

GVPL on the Go 

The Ideas to Go series encourages patrons to learn a new skill or discover a hobby. 

Episodes cover a variety of topics ranging from Scratch, the world’s most popular 

coding community for kids to the animals that live in the Salish Sea. The series 

has introduced many patrons to the resources that are available through the 

library’s digital branch, www.gvpl.ca, including the online video learning 

platform Niche Academy. 

The Take and Make program, which provides ‘to-go bags’ containing 

supplies and instructions for various DIY-inspired projects, saw two new 

‘bags’. One features a craft project that uses food and Eric Carle’s classic 

storybook The Very Hungry Caterpillar to help children understand the importance 

of good nutrition. A second ‘bag’ was developed in partnership with 

local origami enthusiast Stephen Tran and is designed to highlight the joyful art 

of paper folding. www.gvpl.ca 

Storytelling Club for 

Isolated Learners 

Story Theatre inspires young storytellers by creating touring 

theatre productions for children, educators, and families. So 

what’s a touring company to do when it’s unable to reach their 

live audience? Start a Club that reaches their audience through 

the mail! Working with an illustrator, actors and teaching 

artists, Story Theatre provides 4 activity kits to encourage 

children to learn the craft of storytelling. Kits include: 

games, crafts and placemaking challenges. For ages 6-10. 

By donation. Email club@storytheatre.ca. 

AGGV’s Virtual Workshops 

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s workshops for school-aged learners have gone 

virtual this year, with two online (pre-recorded) workshops featuring local artists, 

Bradley Yuxwelupton Dick and Farheen HaQ. In Song & Storytelling, Bradley Yuxwelupton 

Dick shares The “Paddle Welcome Song”, welcoming everyone to Lekwungen 

lands, today known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Hear Lekwungen 

stories and a “territorial acknowledgement.” In Nurturing through Artmaking, Farheen 

HaQ shares how to take care of yourself and others through art making. Learners 

create a “Rangoli Mandala” as a class, small group, or on their own, and explore 

how art and being mindful are connected. Two online workshops cost $100. Each 

video is 45 min. Have access video workshops for 3 months. 

aggv.ca/half-day-workshops 


The Kiddies Store 

Dedicated to providing Vancouver Island families 

with high-quality infant and toddler products 

at affordable prices for over 25 years 

Expecting 

Your First 

Baby? 

Explore all the quirky cuteness from 

the creators of the softest toys you have 

ever hugged, cuddled and adored. There 

is always something original and quirky 

yet incredibly soft and sumptuous to 

find at a Jellycat jamboree! Irresistibly 

cuddly, sophisticatedly silly, hilariously 

humorous, a perfect gift for all ages! 

Now Offering Curb-Side Pickups Current Hours: Tues–Sat 10am–5pm 

3045–C Douglas St. 

Victoria, BC 

tjskids.com 

250-386-2229 

Douglas St. 

Finlayson St. 

Larch St. 

T.J.’s 

Entrance off 

Larch St. 

The UVic Healthy Relationships Lab is 

conducting a research study called the 

Expectant Couples Checkup Study. To get 

involved, fill out short online surveys to 

see if you qualify. You must be 19 years 

or older, expecting your first child, able 

to communicate in English, living with 

your partner, and a resident of Canada to 

participate. Then you answer questions 

about communication and conflict in your 

relationship. All participants who finish 

the survey will receive information about 

conflict during the transition to parenthood 

as well as a list of local community 

resources. All couples will complete 

online surveys two weeks after the initial 

online session, as well as four, eight, and 

twelve months after the baby is born. 

Participants will receive an honorarium 

for completion of all procedures. 

To take the eligibility survey, visit 

web.uvic.ca/~psyclime/index. 

php/634617/lang-en. 



VIRL’s Sea & Cedar 

is Seeking Submissions 

The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) is currently seeking submissions 

of short fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and artwork for the first issue of the new 

serial digital publication. The submission deadline to have your work considered 

for the summer Issue (July 2021) is May 15. Sea & Cedar Magazine is a biannual 

digital publication dedicated to showcasing exemplary new writing by both emerging 

and established writers in VIRL’s service area. It also highlights the work of visual 

artists who are creating at all levels of experience in VIRL’s service area. Submissions 

welcome from BIPOC writers and artists, writers and artists with disabilities, 

2SLGBTQIA+ writers and artists, low-income earners, and writers and artists 

from other intersectional and under-represented communities. 

virl.bc.ca/sea-cedar-magazine-call-for-submissions 

INGENIUM 

Ingenium represents a collaborative space where the past meets the future 

in a celebration of creativity, discovery and human ingenuity. Telling the 

stories of people who think differently and test the limits, Ingenium honours 

people and communities who have shaped history—and inspire the 

next generation. Under Ingenium, three museums—the Canada Agriculture 

and Food Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada 

Science and Technology Museum—provide a sensory experience that immerses 

young and old alike in the countless ways science and technology 

connect with Canadians’ everyday lives. The Ingenium museums have a 

jam-packed virtual activity schedule to keep the kids busy. 

ingeniumcanada.org 

Train Your 

Brain with a 

Video Game? 

The Victoria Brain Injury 

Society (VBIS) has partnered 

with the UVic Concussion 

Lab in a research project 

that measures whether a 

video game can improve the 

performance and daily life 

activities in VBIS clients who 

have sustained a traumatic 

brain injury. NeuroTracker, 

a computer program, uses 

a 3D object-tracking task to 

test participant’s visual and 

cognitive-perceptual abilities. 

NeuroTracker trains cognitive-perceptual 

skills and 

aids recovery following 

concussion. For more 

information, contact the 

VBIS at 250-598-9339 

or admin@vbis.ca. 


Rick Scott 

Family Concert 

Livestream 

Beloved all-ages artist Rick Scott will perform a virtual 

Family Concert Livestream with special guest Nico Rhodes 

on Sunday, April 18 at 2:30pm. Tickets $11.50 per household 

for a 48 hour viewing window. Presented by TheatreOne 

and the Port Theatre. Call 250-754-8550 or order online 

at porttheatre.com/events/rick-scott-family-concert 

PISE PLAY Your Way Grant 

Remember the joys of days spent playing outside all 

summer? We want our kids to have the same healthy, 

active experience. The high cost of living on the Island 

often means both parents work most of the summer, 

and it can be even harder for single-parent families. 

This can lead to the only option being to leave the 

kids in front of one screen or another, especially when 

money is too tight to afford summer camps and people 

are working from home. This summer, Pacific Institute 

for Sport Excellence (PISE) will offer over 40 camps and 

programs for children and youth located on South Vancouver 

Island. To ensure children aren’t excluded due to 

financial reasons, PISE offers the Play Your Way Grant, 

a program that can cover the cost of any PISE-facilitated 

program or camp. To learn more about the Play Your 

Way Grant, visit pise.ca/grant. 

SUMMER CAMPS 

BASKETBALL • VIKES ADVENTURERS • SWIMMING • 

VIKES SPORTS • TRACK & FIELD • and more! 

Develop skills, meet new friends, 

explore creativity and experience 

exciting activities in a fun, safe and 

positive environment. 

RECREATION 

SPORT DEVELOPMENT 

HIGH PERFORMANCE 

CLIMBING & OUTDOOR 

Presented by 

Supported by 

REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 1! 

See complete camps listings online: 

vikescamps.com 



Being Born During 

a Pandemic 

few weeks ago, I met my sister and 15-month-old 

A nephew for a walk in the woods. I hadn’t seen them as 

much I would like, due to COVID safety restrictions, but 

felt compelled to spend time with my favourite baby, so we 

sanitized, put on our masks and headed out for some socially-distanced 

time in nature. 

Very conscious that my mask covered the lower half of 

my face, I tried to express my joy at seeing my nephew with 

my body language and overly excited tone of voice. (The 

phrase “apple of my eye” takes on a whole new meaning 

when that’s the only part of your face which can convey 

emotion. Can he tell, by my eyes, that I’m smiling?) As he 

wobbled up to me, on unsteady toddler legs, I bent down to 

greet him and the very first thing he did was reach for my 

mask and pulled it off. 

This tiny gesture, made by tiny hands, set my brain a- 

whirling. I have an academic background in human development 

and the researcher in me was awakened. Did my 

nephew reach for my mask because it looked silly and he 

wanted to touch it? Or did he reach for my mask because he 

longed to see my face? 

Being born only months before our first national quarantine, 

my nephew knows no other way of life. His first 

experiences on this planet have been of faces covered in 

masks. My sister told me that he naturally extends his 

hands for sanitizer when he sees his parents applying their 

own. I wondered, how is COVID affecting the development 

of small children? My natural curiosity soon turned an ugly 

corner into anxious fretting. 

What will become of a generation of toddlers who could 

not see facial expressions? Who cannot spend time around 

family? Who are being raised to avoid skin to skin contact 

with people other than their parents and siblings? Will CO- 

VID become this generation’s childhood trauma? 

Could there possibly be anything good that comes of this? 

After some serious brooding, I concluded that almost all 

generations are shaped by childhood trauma and that most 

of us rise above it. Some of us even use these experiences to 

better ourselves and our society. My grandparents’ childhoods 

were marked by war and famine. As a result, they 

became resilient and self-sufficient. 

Our society became acutely aware of safety and vowed 

to work tirelessly to prevent another war. My parents were 

raised in the civil rights era, a time when violence was ripping 

Band-aids off previously accepted culture. My parents 

grew up to become open minded and accepting. Our society 


created new standards for human rights. I was raised in a 

generation which experienced Columbine and 9/11. Fear 

was the predominant emotion felt by most adults at that 

time society became aware that fear, unleashed, can create 

a dangerous us versus them mentality or, recognized, can be 

used as inspiration to come together in community. 

Yes, this generation of children are being raised in a time 

unlike we have seen before. Yes, that certainly has its drawbacks 

and limitations. However, when I sat down to truly 

think about my nephew’s experience, thus far, I was able to 

discover some benefits. For instance, my sister’s husband, 

who works in the movie business, was able to stay home for 

more than 6 months shortly after his son was born. How 

many children are able to spend their first months in life 

with both mom and dad to care for them? When I had children, 

my husband was able to take one week off to spend 

with us. 

Children all over the world are spending more time with 

their parents than ever before. People are watching movies 

together, playing games, reading books and going for walks. 

This, if you asked me, far outweighs the temporary cancellation 

of swimming lessons, toddler playdates and music 

groups. This generation of children is less likely to be latchkey 

kids (as I was), or day care kids (like my children were). 

They will have a strong foundation of being raised by parents 

who are able to spend quality time with them. Families 

are more present and connected than they have been in generations. 

That’s got to mean something, right? 

While the researcher in me will continue to be curious 

about the impact of COVID on toddler development, I am 

doing so with hope and not fear. I am certain that COVID 

will affect family dynamics and a child’s perception of the 

world, however, I am also certain that these children will 

rise above it all to create something beautiful as a result of 

the lessons we are all learning during this time. 

Kelly Cleeve is a best-selling author 

and an educator. More importantly, she 

is the proud parent of two amazing sons. 

Visit kellycleeve.com or follow her on 

Instagram @resilient_kel and Facebook 

– Raising Resilient Children/Radiant and 

Resilient. 



Baby Talk in Any Language 

Babies prefer baby talk in any language, but particularly 

when it’s in a language they’re hearing at home, according 

to a new study including close to 700 babies on four 

continents. The research, published in the journal Advances 

in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, showed 

that all babies respond more to infant-directed speech— baby 

talk—than they do to adult-directed speech. It also revealed 

that babies as young as six months can pick up on differences 

in language around them. 

The study involved 17 labs on four continents—in Canada, 

the United States, Europe, Australia and Singapore—and tested 

333 bilingual and 385 monolingual children. Babies were separated 

into groups of 6-9-month-olds and 12-15-month-olds. 

The bilingual babies shared at least one of their two languages 

with the monolinguals. 

Each baby was played short, pre-recorded tapes of Englishspeaking 

mothers using infant-directed and adult-directed 

speech. The researchers then measured each baby’s looking 

time while those recordings were playing. 

Although infants exposed to many different languages 

showed the same listening preference, those babies who came 

from homes in which English was spoken paid even more attention 

to the infant-directed speech. The more familiar they 

were with the language, the more they liked that infant-directed 

speech. So a baby who is hearing English 75 per cent of the 

time in their home would show a greater preference than a 

baby who is hearing English 25 per cent of the time. 

To read “A Multi-lab Study of Bilingual Infants: Exploring the Preference 

for Infant-Directed Speech”, visit Advances in Methods and Practices in 

Psychological Science at psyarxiv.com/sqh9d. 

day camps 

are back! 

watch our new sumMer video 

at qwanoes.ca/sumMer/media 

the best of 

summer from 

monday to friday! 

Return bus 

transportation 

for some weeks! 


BRANDED CONTENT 

VANCOUVER-BASED MEAL KIT COMPANY 

SERVING UP SUSTAINABILITY AND TASTY FAMILY MEALS 

My son loves trying new things! When he finds something new and 

interesting, I hear about it constantly. So when he asked about meal kits 

after seeing an ad, we thought it was a great solution to family dinners 

and a week later we had one delivered. We were all excited, and that 

night we cooked up a storm. 

The kids got the condiments and seasonings ready, Dad read out the 

recipe, and I started cooking. It was a fun and connecting experience 

with music on and everyone playing a part. After we finished our 

amazing dinner, though, we were surprised to find a counter filled with 

containers, baggies, and boxes. 

The problem with meal kits, we soon realized, was what was leftover at 

the end: the packaging! As great as the experience was, the packaging 

was more than we bargained for and put us off meal prep delivery 

services. 

Things have evolved in a big way over the past year, and families have 

even more demands on them than ever. We’re all looking for a little 

break and a lot of help. But our past experience with other meal kits had 

us hesitant to try again. 

Bring us to 2021, and we discovered that Vancouver-based meal kit 

provider, Fresh Prep has provided a solution to the problem. Earlier 

this month, the meal kit delivery service brought a first-of-its-kind 

sustainable product to market, with the launch of its Zero Waste Kit. 

The Fresh Prep Zero Waste Kit is a reusable meal kit container that 

significantly reduces waste from single-use plastic, and allows for an 

easier and more organized cooking experience. Delivered in Fresh Prep’s 

signature cooler bags, all parts of the Zero Waste Kit are made with BPAfree 

reusable plastic. 

One of the many benefits of using the kit is that you receive preportioned 

ingredients in each compartment, resulting in no excess 

food waste. You’ll spend less time cutting open plastic as the kits are 

structured for grab-and-go cooking. And since the ingredient cups 

double up as measuring cups and mixing bowls, there’s instantly less of 

a mess for you to clean up afterwards. 

Finally, a meal kit that is delicious, convenient AND sustainable! No 

cardboard boxes here, as deliveries are made in reusable, insulated 

cooler bags that are exchanged upon next delivery. 

Today, families are much more aware of their footprint in the world: 

our cities have massive recycling programs, schools require zero-waste 

lunches, and we use reusable containers as much as possible. So it just 

makes sense that Fresh Prep is providing convenience and enjoyment at 

mealtime together and helping us manage our waste too. 

Using a service that helps in our busy lives really adds to our quality of 

life. Fresh Prep provides tasty menus each week that you can choose 

together as a family, which means the kids get involved in the planning 

too. When the meals arrive with pre-measured ingredients, it’s easy for 

everyone to participate in the cooking. It’s a great way for busy families 

to spend a little time together in the kitchen 

and around the dinner table! 

Given the value, we’re amazed 

that Fresh Prep is one of the 

more affordable meal kit 

offerings having a lower 

price per serving and 

minimum order costs 

than competitors. 

As a family, we still 

get the same locallysourced, 

high-quality 

ingredients and chefquality 

recipes that 

Fresh Prep is known 

for, at a great price and 

without the waste we don’t 

want. 

As if there wasn’t already enough to 

love, there is more to Fresh Prep than just meal 

kits. They have also added quick meals, salads, kids meals and sides to 

your delivery options which make great lunches and snacks too. Over 

75% of ingredients and Add-on items are supplied by local companies 

and suppliers, and the kits are also prepared and packaged locally, to 

deliver fresh and high quality ingredients to people across BC. 

Plus, you can gift meals to a family or friend who needs a little extra help 

too. We’re hooked! 

ZERO WASTE RECIPES ARE ON THE FRESH PREP WEBSITE 

NOW, AND ARE GRADUALLY ROLLING OUT ACROSS THE 

ENTIRE MENU. IF YOU HAVEN’T SIGNED UP YET, 

YOU CAN PREVIEW THE MENU AT 

WWW.FRESHPREP.CA/MENU/THIS-WEEK 

10IslandParent.ca 

www.WestCoastFamilies.com 



The Challenges of 

First-time Parenthood 

Although becoming a parent comes 

with countless ups and downs, many 

enter parenthood with eyes wide open to 

some of the challenges of taking care of a 

new baby. They have heard other parents 

talk about how peace and quiet will be in 

short supply and dirty diapers and sleepless 

nights will become the norm. However, 

diapers and sleep were rarely listed 

among the top concerns for new parents 

interviewed by researchers from the Department 

of Psychology at the University 

of Victoria. 

Instead, new moms and dads were 

more likely to talk about the parts of parenthood 

less often mentioned in popular 

media and in public imagination: 

• They talked about the frustration of 

waiting in line at walk-in clinics because 

they were without family doctors, or of 

calling daycares over and over again just 

to get put on a waitlist. 

• They described being surprised by 

the challenges of breastfeeding, a process 

that they had been told would be “natural” 

and “easy.” 

• They talked about isolation, a challenge 

new parents faced long before the 

COVID-19 pandemic put an end to many 

in-person services. 

These are some of the experiences firsttime 

parents shared during 20 interviews 

in 2019 and early 2020. Fourteen new 

moms and six new dads were interviewed 

to gain a better understanding of the resources 

available to parents in the Victoria 

area and to pinpoint where they could 

use greater support. The interviews were 

part of the larger “Perinatal Resources 

for Parents” (PeRC) study, funded by a 

University of Victoria Internal Research 

Grant awarded to Dr. Erica Woodin. 

The biggest challenges mentioned by 

most parents related to ongoing, systemic 

issues in the Victoria area such as the 

high cost of living, lack of family doctors, 

and shortage of childcare spaces. Most 

parents in the study did not have family 

doctors and found themselves waiting 

in line at walk-in clinics and receiving 

minimal continuation of care. Even early 

childhood vaccinations were difficult 

to come by, with local Public Health 

Units booking far in advance. Parents 

frequently had to make use of same day 

appointments to get their vaccinations, 

which meant calling the Health Unit each 

morning until they were able to secure an 

appointment. 

Similar to the lack of available doctors, 

parents also expressed frustration surrounding 

the lack of available childcare 

in Victoria. When asked about childcare, 

many parents admitted they were still on 

waitlists and worried about being about 

to return to work once their parental 

leave was over. Those who had secured 

spots had placed their child on waitlists 

before they were even born, a practice 

some parents found out was commonplace 

only too late. 

“I realized when he was…a couple 

months old already,” said one participant, 

“that we should’ve been on top of 

this and then that’s just one more thing 

that I had to worry about.” 

Parents were equally surprised by an 

aspect of parenting that many had never 

thought to worry about: breastfeeding. 

Almost all parents in the study expressed 

concerns around breastfeeding and about 

half noted it was a primary area of difficulty 

for them or their partner during 

early parenthood. 

Many were quick to point out that 

there are ample resources for breastfeeding 

parents in Victoria but that they had 

to access several services before issues 

with breastfeeding resolved. For others, 

despite accessing many services, breastfeeding 

continued to be difficult or had 

to be discontinued. Parents were often 

surprised by how difficult breastfeeding 

was or felt shame in being unable to feed 

their child. 

“Before you have a baby, you assume 

that it’s natural and that it’s easy, and 

that’s how babies eat, and that it should 


just happen like that,” said one parent. 

“It doesn’t. It’s so challenging and, despite 

the fact that it’s natural, you have 

to have all of your ducks lined up for it 

work smoothly.” 

Although all parents faced unique challenges, 

common threads such a trouble 

with breastfeeding and barriers to accessing 

medical and childcare services 

emerged in the interviews. Along with a 

clear need for greater local resources to 

support health care access and childcare 

availability, participants also said they 

would benefit from messages that normalize 

the challenges of breastfeeding 

and de-stigmatize some women’s inability 

to breastfeed. 

Check out more information on local 

parent and family resources and about 

research being conducted by the University 

of Victoria’s Healthy Relationships 

Lab at: onlineacademiccommunity.uvic. 

ca/healthyrelationshipslab. 

Lauren Matheson is a PhD Student in the 

Clinical Psychology Program at the University of 

Victoria. 

Time to Take the First Steps 

Glenlyon Norfolk School is excited to announce that we will be offering a First Steps 

Junior Kindergarten half-day pilot program this fall, primarily for three-year-olds. These 

young students will have the opportunity to learn and play in an environment that is 

Montessori based within the framework of the respected inquiry-focussed IB Primary Years 

Programme. Nature School as well as Art, French and PE with our specialist teachers, will 

complement the work of the classroom teachers. And, of course, there will be ample time 

for the unstructured play that is so crucial for early childhood development. Please contact 

admissions@mygns.ca or visit our website for more information. 

IB CONTINUUM 

CONTINUUM DE L’IB 

CONTINUO DEL IB 



Tax Time! 

There are few things more frustrating and confusing than 

money for the modern family. For many families, this time 

of year is the climax of those emotions as we find ourselves in 

the middle of tax season. 

But before we look at the current season, take this opportunity 

to look ahead to next season. This is a conversation I have 

on a regular basis as an accredited financial counsellor. At any 

given point, there is very little about our current financial situation 

that is managed, or fixed, by looking down where our feet 

are planted now. Planning ahead is nearly always the solution 

and tax time is no different. 

Get organised. A simple filing system can make a world of 

difference. Choose from paper or paperless to get started, get 

your supplies, and spend an afternoon getting started. Expert 

TIP: Place a “To Be Filled” folder in the kitchen, or command 

centre, for those statements and bills amid a hectic day. 

Save for your tax bill. If there’s a chance that CRA will be 

calling to collect, start saving each month now. Looking at your 

most recent return is a good way to estimate what your future 

might hold. Expert TIP: Open a separate account, start automated 

transfers in, and name the account “Tax.” 

Seek support. If you have a question about your financial 

situation, find a professional to answer it. Too often we shy 

away from paying for help and end up costing ourselves more 

in the future. (Expert TIP: Join the free group on Facebook 

called Black Is The New Red to participate in exciting conversations 

about money.) 

Now that we’ve looked ahead, let’s look at what’s right in 

front of us. While I don’t offer tax advice in my practise, I do 

hear the vibrant chatter each spring. Because getting organized 

to take our file to the accountant can be confusing, I’ve put 

together a quick reference list for some of the most common 

areas of concern: 

• Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP): Contributions are 

not tax deductible. 

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Benefit is not taxable. 

• Affordable Childcare Benefit (ACCB): Benefit is not taxable. 

• Childcare expenses: Deductible up to $8000 for children under 

age 7 and $5000 for children under age 5. 

• Fitness and/or arts credit: Those were removed a few years 

ago when CCB was increased. 

• Medical expenses: If you were not reimbursed for your expenses 

and you spent more than 3 per cent, you can claim. 

• Work from home: if you worked from home for more than 

50 per cent of the time for four consecutive weeks, you can 

claim $2 per day. 

In 2021, there are many online resources to help you. Please 

ensure you’re using reputable resources like canada.ca or work 

with an experienced professional to prepare your tax return. 

This article should not be considered tax advice. 

Lindsay Plumb is coach and founder of MOOLA 

Financial Coaches & Advisors. yourmoola.ca. 


We’re Going on a Nature Hunt! 

Do you know a budding biologist? A little nature lover? A young (or young at heart) 

scientist? Are you and your family interested in learning more about the amazing 

biodiversity that lives right outside your door? Grab your binoculars, camera and 

sense of curiosity and participate in the CRD’s first ever Biodiversity Challenge. 

Between May 21 and 24, 2021 join other nature lovers across Greater Victoria 

to build a record of the species that surround us using the free iNaturalist Canada 

website or app. iNaturalist provides image recognition for photos you take of local 

nature, so that you and your family can learn to identify new plants and animals 

while having fun outdoors. With an adult’s help, iNaturalist is an engaging way for 

kids to learn about nature and participate in real world citizen science. 


Joining the CRD’s Biodiversity Challenge is simple and fun: 

Find nature in your backyard, neighbourhood, favourite park or beach between 

May 21–24. Observations of wild native plants, animals, fungi, insects, tracks, or 

even scat are all welcome. 

Use a digital camera or smart phone to capture your sightings. 

Create a free iNaturalist account and upload your observations and photos. 

Identify your findings as best you can and have people from the iNaturalist 

community help confirm your identifications. 

Search iNaturalist for the CRD’s Biodiversity Challenge project page to see live 

updates of what other families are finding. Join the project to have the chance to 

win some fun prizes. 

Biodiversity at your Doorstep 

You do not have to stray far from home to find amazing plants, animals and 

ecosystems in the capital region. Did you know that Greater Victoria lies in one of 

Canada’s nature hotspots, bursting with an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife? 

Nestled among our neighbourhoods and workplaces are salmon-bearing streams, 

Garry oak meadows, vibrant wetlands and dynamic shorelines. In our backyards and 

local parks we can find pollinating insects, migrating birds, native wildflowers, and 

towering trees. This incredible abundance of life, or biodiversity, supports clean air 

and water, food security, recreational and cultural opportunities, and is key to the 

high quality of life we enjoy in the capital region. 

Observing and learning about the natural world that surrounds us can boost 

mental health and wellbeing, and is a key step in conserving nature for future 

generations. Visit crd.bc.ca/biodiversity for more information on biodiversity in 

the CRD and the iNaturalist challenge, including details about prizes and iNaturalist 

resources that will help you get started. 

Calling all nature lovers! 

Join the CRD’s 

Biodiversity Challenge! 

Friday, May 21 - 24, 2021 

How many plants, animals and fungi can you find? Join us on May 

long weekend and get outside with your family to explore the diversity 

of life around us! Enter your observations into the free and simple 

iNaturalist app and check out what other people have found too! 

Learn more at www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity 



DADSPEAK 

Life After COVID-19 

know things aren’t always like this, right? You won’t 

always have to wear a mask or stay away from people 

“You 

or line up outside stores to get in?” 

So I found myself awkwardly asking my oldest kid the other 

day, as we celebrated one year of life with the plague, one year of 

awkward side-stepping strangers, one year of being unclear on if 

we’re allowed to have playdates (no) or meet friends at the park 

(yes, I think) or go to the grandparents’ houses (no). And, man, it’s 

the last one that’s the killer, our kids barely seeing their grandparents 

for the past year; considering our youngest is barely two years 

old, that’s a big deal. 

It’s all just so awkward, really. Before the pandemic my kids had 

started to get a bit of independence; maybe they would hop over 

to the grocery store by themselves to grab a snack. Now, with all 

the rules and regulations, with all the increased tension and news 

reports of horribly miserable people getting into fights with store 

clerks because they don’t want to wear masks, I just think, no, my 

kids aren’t ready for that. 

Of course, none of us was ready for this, which is probably why 

people are miserable, people are getting into fights, people are just 

staying home with their kids, getting increasingly more agitated as 

the days, weeks, months pass. 

We celebrate a year of kinda barely living by continuing to 

kinda barely live, passing on taking the extracurricular stuff online 

because that just isn’t working on our end, Zoom malfunctions 

leading to familial malfunctions until all plugs are pulled. 

After homeschooling for a while, we actually put our kids 

back in school—during a pandemic! Well, we put our kids back 

in school because of the pandemic, really. Because homeschooled 

kids aren’t allowed indoor playdates with other kids, it just all 

become a bit too much, a bit too much time spent without social 

contact. 

I’m still not entirely sure about that decision, but are any of us 

entirely sure about any parenting decision we’ve made during the 

pandemic? 

This is a messed-up time to be a parent, no doubt about it. 

Every decision—seriously, even just running into the mall to grab 

something—becomes a matter of life or death, even for people like 

me who regularly eat food off the ground (I don’t mean food I just 

dropped, I mean, “Holy crap, I found a chip on my floor, Daddy’s 

day is looking up.”) and aren’t exactly what you could call a germophobe 

by any stretch of the imagination. We forget our masks, 

we curse under our breath, we lament the fact that our kids all just 

lost a year of their lives, a year of what should be the best time of 

their lives. 

We were barely getting the hang of parenting before this. Now 

we’re relearning. 

“Do you remember what it was like before this?” I added on 

Safe, Socially-Distanced 

Spring Programs! 

elevateultimate.com 

Youth Ultimate Frisbee 

& Disc Golf 

This Spring, Elevate is kicking off weekly disc 

sports programs for kids aged 6–19 of all levels. 

Elevate is loved and trusted by over 1,000 parents and their kids, 

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your athletes are guaranteed to have fun, in a safe way! 

Sign up or learn more today: victoria@elevateultimate.com 


OLYMPICGARTEN CAMP 

5-8 years 

FUNDIVE CAMP 

9-12 years 

SUMMER 2021 

DIVING 

CAMPS 

@ SAANICH COMMONWEALTH PLACE 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER VISIT 

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August Summer Camps ages 8-12 

1/2 and full day options 

Saanich Commonwealth Place 

to my line of questioning to my daughter, 

who said yes as she kinda rolled her eyes at 

me, reminding me that, hmm, alright, kids 

are maybe a bit more resilient than we are 

and don’t overthink things as much as us 

adults do. 

Still, I yearn for the day when I can 

shake another dad’s hand in greeting, when 

my kids can go to the store without having 

to worry about total societal collapse 

around them resulting in strangers spitting 

on each other in fear and anger (or walking 

the wrong way down an aisle), when I can 

just make a decision without factoring in 

COVID-19 restrictions that I need to recheck 

every single time because I can never 

remember what exactly they are. 

I guess, like everyone else, I just want our 

lives back. And, like every parent out there 

right now, I just want my kids’ lives back. 

Greg Pratt is the father 

of three children and a local 

journalist and editor. His 

writing has appeared in, 

among other places, Today’s 

Parent, Decibel and Douglas. 

He is @gregprattwriter 

on Twitter. 

It’s swimming combined with 

music, dance, 

gymnastics & drama AND it’s a 

TEAM sport!! 

COWICHAN BAY 

KAYAKING 

Canoeing Adventures 

Youth Programs 

OPEN FOR 

BOOKING! 

Book online or contact us 

by email or phone 

(minimum 24 hrs ahead). 

Visit our website for details. 

Wildlife Tours 

victoriasynchro.com 

More details soon 

Email: jennifervicsynchro@gmail.com 

ADVENTURE 

CENTRE 

Kayak & 

SUP Rentals 

On the Dock at Bluenose 

Marina, Cowichan Bay 

cowichanbaykayaking.com 250-597-3031 info@cowichanbaykayaking.com 




In 2012, Robert Bateman, a world-renowned 

artist and environmentalist, founded the 

Bateman Foundation. He wanted to help 

people reconnect with nature, hoping that, in 

turn, people would be inspired to conserve 

and protect it. The goal is to create a lasting 

legacy—one where our world is preserved 

and our children “know their neighbours.” 

This is not an easy task to accomplish, and 

the foundation started small. Nine years later, 

its flagship program—Nature Sketch—has 

become a great success. The premise behind 

Nature Sketch is simple: rebuilding our relationships 

with nature by sketching it. Participants 

are guided by artists and naturalists as 

they learn about local ecosystems through 

sketch and study. 

In the trying times of a pandemic, the need 

for people to connect with nature is even 

greater. Sketching nature not only promotes 

knowledge, understanding and connection 

to the environment, but the act itself is also 

a mindful one: taking time to stop, look and 

sketch can be a useful tool for managing 

mental health in a time of isolation and anxiety. 

The Bateman Foundation redesigned 

its programs in the wake of COVID-19, and 

the new online courses attracted participants 

from as far as Europe. They have also 

launched free drop-in sessions guided by an 

art therapist for the local community. Swing 

by the Bateman Gallery in Victoria on Tuesday 

evenings or Thursday mornings, and you will 

be welcomed to express your unique creativity 

and find support in each other. 

In 2021, the foundation will re-introduce 

in-person outdoor education programs on 

Vancouver Island, after months of preparation 

to integrate new safety protocols. In Victoria 

and Duncan, you might be able to see participants 

of all ages studying and sketching 

outdoors on the weekends: Junior and Adult 

classes will run on Saturdays starting in May. 

Meanwhile, online programs will continue to 

run—if Nature Sketch is not yet available in 

your area, you can still join in! 

This past year has taught us to appreciate 

the importance of nature in our lives. Studies 

have shown reconnecting with nature can 

improve mental health, boost energy and promote 

overall well-being. Nature helps children 

unleash creativity, and gives them a chance 

to exercise, play and discover. The Bateman 

Foundation is very proud to be doing this 

work. In the words of Robert Bateman: “Nature 

is magic.” 

For information on Nature Sketch classes 

in your area and online, please visit 

batemanfoundation.org/naturesketch. 


Eco Grief 

Acts of love to help kids mourn what is being lost 

Mom, who cries for the orca?” asked my six-year-old son 

asked. 

It was 2018, orca J35, Tahlequah, carried her dead baby 

across 1,600 km of the Pacific Ocean for 17 days. 

“We can,” I answered and we both wept. It was a relief to 

share my tears with someone. 

I felt unsure how to lead a meaningful and age-appropriate 

way to mark this sorrow end. We chose to kayak in “our” cove 

near Haro Strait to offer a prayer and gratitude. We also created 

a piece of impermanent Earth art on the beach with shells, 

sea glass, stones, and leaves. 

Nature is important to acknowledge. It reminds us of our 

lasting connection to the living world and each other. But have 

we allowed ourselves to mourn these kinds of losses? What are 

the rituals for losing a baby orca, or an entire species? 

Our culture feels broken. Society tells us idolize work ethic, 

make money, and serve the economy. Yet, it’s obvious we are 

witnessing and contributing to ecological collapse. Can we 

reconcile the life we meant to create with reality—a disconnect 

from the living world, ourselves and one another? 

We can skill-up to mark sorrow endings and we must. 

Let’s offer more reverence for the death of a songbird after 

hitting the kitchen window and the loss of old-growth forests. 

What if we knew how to tend to these moments with the same 

energy we give to celebrations like the tooth fairy and birthday 

parties? 

Eco grief is the pain or physiological response to the loss of 

non-human kin. It also requires healthy grief expression because 

we can mourn for nature. 

Benefits of making grief your friend 

• It invites us to be more intimate with the Earth 

• It’s a wise and healing force within each of us 

• Processing it can help counteract violence against the Earth 

• Processing grief expands us 

• Emotional tears excrete toxins and stimulate the production 

of endorphins, a chemical in the body to relieve stress and 

pain. 

Dr. Gordon Neufeld a developmental psychologist and bestselling 

author, ensures us happiness is on the other side of tears, 



Healthy Families, Happy Families 

Child, Youth 

& Family 

Public Health 

South Island Health Units 

Esquimalt 250-519-5311 

Gulf Islands 250-539-3099 

(toll-free number for office in Saanichton) 

Peninsula 250-544-2400 

Saanich 250-519-5100 

Saltspring Island 250-538-4880 

Sooke 250-519-3487 

Victoria 250-388-2200 

West Shore 250-519-3490 

Central Island Health Units 

Duncan 250-709-3050 

Ladysmith 250-755-3342 

Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878 

Nanaimo 250-755-3342 

Nanaimo 250-739-5845 

Princess Royal 

Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242 

Port Alberni 250-731-1315 

Tofino 250-725-4020 

North Island Health Units 

Campbell River 250-850-2110 

Courtenay 250-331-8520 

Kyuquot Health Ctr 250-332-5289 

‘Namgis Health Ctr 250-974-5522 

Port Hardy 250-902-6071 

islandhealth.ca/our-locations/ 

health-unit-locations 

Changes with BC Medical Services Plan 

premiums mean that families eligible for partial 

payment of some medical services and access 

to some income-based programs now must 

apply for Supplementary Benefits through the 

Government of BC. Applications can be done 

online and take approximately 15 minutes. 

Families who previously qualified for MSP 

Premium Assistance should not need to re-apply 

if taxes are completed yearly. It is advised to 

confirm coverage before proceeding with 

treatment to avoid paying out of pocket. 

For more information, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/ 

content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/ 

bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-bymsp/supplementary-benefits 

it builds our strength, and tears signal a 

turning point. 

Shauna Janz of Sacred Grief speaks to 

the costs of grief avoidance and having 

our losses accumulate: 

• They go unfelt, unacknowledged, 

and unresolved 

• It compromises our aliveness (grief 

expression = vitality and joy) 

• We deny our birthright to grieve 

Grief needs a container, to be witnessed 

and shared. There’s so much in our lives 

we can’t change. Children and adults 

need rest from trying to change it. Yet, 

to be fully human we need to feel. Grief 

can rearrange our insides, and we will 

be forever changed. A container—ritual, 

ceremony, activity—can prevent feelings 

of overwhelm or closing down. 

Eight kid-friendly ways to 

grieve for our living world: 

Try these ideas to support a child with 

the loss of a tree cut at school, finding 

a dead fledgling after a storm, or help 

with the loss of a beloved pet. Hint: You 

may choose to avoid the word grief when 

speaking with young children. You can 

name feelings of sadness or honour a 

goodbye. 

1. Energy can’t die or be destroyed. 

A mink once killed our rented pair of 

chickens. My then 6- and 2-year-old 

cried. We chose to keep a feather from 

each in a jar, and I helped them reflect on 

how Cream Puff and Fig left their mark. 

For weeks they had torn up my garden 

and pooped everywhere! We remember 

them each time we pluck a juicy raspberry, 

strawberry, or carrot. Their energy 

doesn’t disappear. 

2. Create a shrine or altar. There is 

no wrong way to do this. Let the child’s 

heart lead to create this container for 

their grief. It’s a tangible way to honour, 

remember and reflect on what’s alive in 

their hearts and spirit. Simple tips are: 

• It should comfort and nurture them 

• It can be inside or outside 

• Choose a box, a tin, or special spot 

in the garden 

• Add items from nature like leaves, 

branches, shells, even a found bird nest 

• Add photos, fabric (or other textures 

like clay), a chime or bell 

The purpose is to offer a sanctuary or 

refuge. Children may choose to visit often 

or at the same time each week or month. 

You can sit in silence, close your eyes or 

journal here. 

Alan Wolfelt, a leading death educator 

and author says “Personal times of still- 


ness are a spiritual necessity. Grief is only transformed when 

you honor the quiet forces of stillness.” 

3. Create impermanent Earth art. An Earth altar, land art 

or nature mandala is a simple way to acknowledge sorrow 

and joy. Need inspiration? My family took a workshop by 

Day Schildkret of Morning Altars. See the beauty he creates @ 

MorningAltars, read his book, get a calendar, or consider an 

online workshop. It’s a heartfelt way to acknowledge a loss, 

or life in a humble way. Don’t forget to pay gratitude to items 

from nature (leaves, flowers, shells, seeds, etc.) you collect. 

Practice consent-based harvesting. 

4. Walking meditation. Walk a labyrinth (we have two in 

our neighbourhood and you might discover a local one, too!) 

or choose a favourite trail. Invite kids to ask a question, or 

set an intention then walk in silence (even a couple minutes 

counts). 

5. Journal. A child who feels heavy with sorrow for the 

world may want to share more. Writing can be a release, an 

emotional playground. Need prompts? Try “my sadness for the 

dead baby bird or clearcut forest…” 

• Feels like… 

• Sounds like… 

• Is shaped like… 

• Smells like… 

• Is coloured like… 

• Has energy like… 

6. Write a letter or poem to Mother Nature (drawings are 

great). Help a child express their gratitude. What you love 

about her: her smell, sounds, colours or how she makes you 

feel, etc. You can choose to hang the letter, drawings and notes 

in a favourite tree. (Psst, this is how neighbourhood gratitude 

trees start!) 

7. Restore a local green space. My family is a volunteer 

steward for woods near our home. Check with your city for 

work parties to remove invasive species, or a beach clean-up. 

Be part of a team or lead one to make beauty where ugliness 

has set in. We all can restore a world dying and in disrepair. 

Experiences in nature promote a deep sense of well-being and 

puts us in touch with spirit. 

8. Sing, listen to music or watch a film. To feel emotions 

sometimes it’s easier to be one step removed from them. Watching 

a sad movie or listening to a sad song might help when grief 

is too hard to touch directly. 

Sometimes there’s nothing to do but cry. These acts of love 

can help little hearts find a little rest. 

Nurture wonder. Find magic. Seek beauty and experience 

more awe. To mark loss and love is work for us all and helps us 

restore respect and connection with Mother Earth. 

Lindsay Coulter is a dedicated mother 

of two, naturalist, community catalyst, soul 

activist, mentor, writer and horse lover. Find 

her @SaneAction on Instagram and Facebook. 

She’s also the Director of Communications, 

Culture and Community of EPIC Learning Centre, 

a forest and nature school in Victoria, BC. 



APRIL/MAYFAMILYCALENDAR 

For more information and calendar 

updates throughout the month 

visit IslandParent.ca 

APRIL 

V 

P 

W 

Victoria & Area 

Peninsula 

Westshore 

CV 

N 

CX 

Cowichan Valley 

Nanaimo & Area 

Comox Valley 

PR 

G 

O 

Pacific Rim 

Gulf Islands 

Online 

1 THURSDAY 

Esquimalt Farmer’s Market V 

4:30–7:30pm, Bullen Field 

A community farmers market committed to 

healthy and local living, relationship building, and 

environmental sustainability. (Weekly until Sept.) 

esquimaltmarket.com 

Sea + Cedar Call for Submissions O 

The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) is 

currently seeking submissions of short fiction, creative 

non-fiction, poetry and artwork for the first 

issue of our new serial digital publication, Sea 

& Cedar Magazine. The submission deadline to 

have your work considered for our Summer Issue 

(July 2021) is May 15. (Recurring.) 

virl.bc.ca 

2 FRIDAY TO 5 MONDAY 

Easter Book Hunt 

CX 

4pm, Robert Ostler Park 

Put on your super-seeker goggles and find ONE 

of 50 specially marked “Egg Tags” hidden around 

the library courtyard and in Ostler (pirate) park. 

Bring the “Egg Tag” to the library before April 15 

and redeem it for a book of your choice. 

virl.bc.ca 

7 WEDNESDAY 

Dads with Dads 

V 

6:30–8:30pm, Centennial United Church 

A weekly drop in group designed to offer support 

and community to men in the process of exploring 

father related concerns. (Weekly.) 

singleparentvictoria.ca 

8 THURSDAY 

Healthy Boundaries 

V 

6:30–8:30pm, 1UP Single Parent Resource 

Centre (weekly) 

Join this 6-week, in-person course. Due to COVID 

restrictions, the courses will have 5 participants 

and 1 facilitator to enable social distancing. 

singleparentvictoria.ca 

16 FRIDAY 

Opening: Orcas, Our Shared Future V 

10am–6pm, Royal BC Museum (ongoing) 

Dive deep into the stories and science that surround 

the magnificent orca, spirit of BC’s wild 

coast and apex predator of all oceans. 

royalbcmuseum.bc.ca 

SUMMER FUN 

FOR EVERYONE! 

Offering programs in Leadership, Science, Technology, Sports, 

Outdoor Ed, Robotics, Art, Cooking, Sewing and Business! 

www.smus.ca/summercamps 


18 SUNDAY 

Family Sunday 

V 

2–4pm, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 

Enjoy an afternoon of exploring hands-on artmaking 

and ideas for all ages. This recurring program 

is Oct-June and features special guests like 

storytellers, artists, performers or musicians. 

aggv.ca 

MAY 

2 SUNDAY 

Woodgrove Mother’s Day Market N 

10am–3pm, Woodgrove Shopping Centre 

An outdoor shopping event where you’ll find 

all your favourite artisans in one place. 100’s of 

unique locally made gift ideas. Located out front 

of Woodgrove Shopping Centre in the parking lot. 

woodgrovecentre.com 

6 THURSDAY 

Social Media Awareness, 

O 

Digital Citizenship & Cyberbullying 

7pm, online 

Parents lead the charge as a digital role model. 

Help your child develop a strong digital citizenship 

foundation while reminding them that their 

digital tattoo reflects their real and online selves. 

A snapshot of current trends and concerning apps 

will be provided to equip you in your digital parenting 

strategy. 

speacsocialmedia.eventbrite.ca 

8 SATURDAY & 9 SUNDAY 

Sarah Beckett Memorial Run O 

6am Saturday – 6pm Sunday 

The 2021 Sarah Beckett Memorial Run has gone 

virtual! This means you can participate in the 

walk or run any place you want. Outside on a trail 

or even in the comfort of your own home on a 

treadmill. 

sarahbeckettmemorialrun.com 

16 SUNDAY 

Family Sunday 

V 

2–4pm, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 

Enjoy an afternoon of exploring hands-on artmaking 

and ideas for all ages. This recurring program 

is Oct–June and features special guests like 

storytellers, artists, performers or musicians. 

aggv.ca 

Science & Nature 

summer camps 

Five day Summer camp $240 

Register at: www.cowichanestuary.ca 

or email: camps@cowichanestuary.ca 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 

Registration is Open! 

July-Aug 2021 

Summer Camps! 

Campers will explore the life of pollinators, shoreline 

plants, inter-tidal species and coastal birds, practice 

their discovery skills, expression of gratitude, and 

respect for self and others through play! 

We are excited to offer week-long camps in July and 

August as well as one day camps on August 3th, 4th 

and 5th. We incorporate COVID-19 advisories into our 

programming and daily routines to ensure a safe and 

fun experience for all campers! 



Motherhood 

As children, we see our mothers 

through rose-coloured lenses. 

They’re that wonderful combination 

of softness and warmth combined with 

wisdom and a steely strength. They’re the 

ones who whisper endearments to us in 

the middle of the night to ward off night 

terrors or patch up scraped knees and 

elbows with ease or remove a splinter 

or two with the expertise of a surgeon. 

They somehow anticipate every one of 

our needs and seem to have an answer 

for every question. By far, they are our 

greatest teachers as well as our greatest 

advocates. 

As children grow, mothers become our 

confidants, providing advice and guidance 

through the often-murky waters 

known as adolescence. During these 

tumultuous years, they can always be 

counted on to have our backs. Even when 

many teenagers invariably end up chafing 

at the maternal bond in their quest 

for independence, they know a mother’s 

commitment is always there, steadfast 

and unwavering. After all, mothers are in 

it for the long haul. 

It is this selfless devotion of motherhood 

that is so admirable. Maybe it’s 

simply hard-wired into us through evolution 

in order to ensure the survival of 

our species, or maybe it’s the fact that we 

have far fewer offspring these days so we 

must invest heavily in them, but I tend 

to see it that children are an extension 

of ourselves. They are by far the greatest 

thing we will do in this life. 

Certainly, mothers aren’t in it for the 

thanks we get, that’s for sure. Most of 

us are lucky if we get a quick hug on the 

fly or a “thanks, mom” tossed over the 

shoulder. But that’s okay. None of us are 

in it for the adulation. Our reward comes 

years later when our children turn to us 

in their hour of need or share the joys 

of their own children with us. Being included 

and invited into their adult lives is 

the best reward. 

It’s not until we make that journey into 

parenthood ourselves that we can truly 

understand and appreciate our mothers. 

This hit home with me when I was shopping 

for a Mother’s Day card for my own 

mother a number of years ago. At first, I 

was engrossed in my own search for the 

perfect card—not one with any cheesy 

sentiment, or a lame sing-song rhyme or 


the inadequate one-liner, but something 

special, something heartfelt. 

After several minutes, I gradually 

became aware of a middle-aged couple 

standing beside me who were also on the 

same quest. The wife kept showing her 

husband different cards, but he rebuffed 

each one with a sarcastic or critical remark 

or a dismissive wave of the hand. 

Finally, he found one of his own choosing 

and headed up to the cashier. As the 

woman replaced the card she had been 

holding, she gave me a sad smile and said 

quietly, “I wish I still had a mom to buy 

a card for.” 

My heart went out to her and I smiled 

back in sympathy, but I really had no 

true appreciation of her comment until 

my own mother passed away on the day 

after Mother’s Day in 2017. 

Now I am left to contemplate all the 

things I wish I’d said to her, the truly important 

things like I’m sorry I caused you 

sorrow as a result some of my choices, 

and thank you for always putting your 

children first and supporting me during 

the darkest times in my life. I wish I had 

told her of the esteem in which I held her 

quiet, gentle nature, how she never had 

an unkind word for anyone, how much I 

wished I could be more like her. 

In hindsight, I realize I never got the 

chance to ask her things such: as did she 

have any regrets? Was there a pivotal moment 

in her life? Was there anything she 

would have done differently? Those sorts 

of questions that a daughter doesn’t think 

to ask her mother, except when it’s too 

late. What I wouldn’t give for just one 

precious hour together with my mother, 

to sit down with her and hold her hand 

and ask her all these things—to get to 

know her as a person, not just as my 

mother. 

In thinking about the definition of 

motherhood, I naturally call to mind my 

own mother—someone who loves you 

unconditionally, would bear any burden 

for you, and would go to the ends of the 

earth for your happiness. 

Susan Gnucci is a 

local author and a proud 

“nonna” to two adorable 

grandsons. She enjoys 

sharing her experiences 

as a grandparent. 



WHAT’SFORDINNER 

Sheet Pan Dinners 

I 

love 

sheet pan dinners. They’re my go-to whenever I don’t 

have the energy to think about what to cook for dinner. 

Here’s why they are so perfect for a no-fuss and healthy 

meal: 

There’s not a lot of food prep and they can mostly be done in 

advance. 

Everything cooks in the oven, so I don’t have to think about 

them once they’re in there. 

My kids love oven roasted vegetables, so they’re an easy way 

to get kids to eat more vegetables. 

Here are three simple sheet pan dinners that kids tend to 

love—perfect for when you could use a bit of extra time and 

don’t want to fuss over the stove. 

Sheet Pan Potato Hash 

(Prep time 15 minutes; bake time 20 minutes) 

Sheet pan potato hash is probably officially a breakfast item, but we 

like breakfast for dinner! It’s packed full of vegetables and protein. 

It's also perfect for using up whatever you have in the fridge. Replace 

the mushrooms and sweet potato with grated carrots or cauliflower. 

Replace the kale with spinach, chard or coloured peppers. Really 

anything works. 

3 large potatoes 

1 sweet potato 

5 mushrooms 

1 onion 

3 cloves of garlic 

1 bunch of kale 

4 piece of bacon (optional) 

1 ⁄4 cup of oil 

1 Tbsp smoky paprika 

1 tsp thyme 

1 tsp oregano 

1 tsp salt and ground black pepper, to taste 

4 eggs 

Preheat the oven to 450˚F. 

Grate the potatoes, sweet potato and mushrooms. Dice the onion 

and garlic. Wash the kale and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. 

Chop the bacon, if using, into tiny pieces. 

Toss everything together with the olive oil. Add in the paprika, 

thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Spread it out on a rimmed baking 

sheet. 

Bake for 20–30 minutes until everything is cooked and the potatoes 

are starting to brown. Toss halfway through to ensure even 

browning. 

Serve with eggs cooked in your favourite style. 

Baked Gnocchi 

(Prep time 10 minutes; bake time 20 minutes) 

The beauty of this meal is that the gnocchi doesn’t have to be boiled 

in advance. The roasted vegetables form the sauce for a delicious 

pasta dinner that doesn’t require any effort to prepare. 

20 cherry tomatoes 

1 red pepper 

1 yellow pepper 

1 small onion 


1 package of uncooked potato gnocchi (500g) 

1⁄4 cup of olive oil 

1 ⁄2 tsp dried basil 

1⁄2 tsp dried oregano 

1⁄2 tsp salt 

Grated Parmesan cheese 


Slice the cherry tomatoes in half. Chop the coloured peppers into 

bite-sized pieces. Slice the onion into bite-sized pieces, and finely 

diced the garlic. 

Place the gnocchi and the vegetables into the centre of a rimmed 

baking sheet. Pour over the olive oil. Sprinkling on the herbs and 

salt. Toss everything so that it is fully coated, and spread it evenly 

over the baking sheet. 

Roast in the oven for 20–30 minutes, tossing once during the 

baking time. 

Serve with a bit more olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan 

cheese. 


JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS 

Cauliflower and Potatoes 

(Total time 25 minutes) 

Crispy baked potatoes and cauliflower are 

like a healthy version of fries. Serve this 

dinner with your favourite dipping sauces 

for a fun and veg-packed meal. 

6 to 8 Italian sausages or 2 packages of 

tempeh (about 400g total) 

2 potatoes 

1 sweet potato 

1 head of cauliflower 

2 Tbsp olive oil 


1⁄2 tsp salt and black pepper, to taste 


Slice the sausages into 2cm thick 

rounds. Or for a vegan-friendly dinner, 

chop tempeh into 2cm cubes. You want 

them to be big enough to pick up and dip. 

Chop the potatoes and sweet potatoes 

into French fry sized sticks about 1 cm 

thick. You don’t want them too fat as they 

won’t cook quickly enough. 

Cut the cauliflower into 2-bite-sized 

florets. The stalk is also edible, so don’t 

waste it! Chop it into French fry-sized 

sticks. 

Toss everything, except the garlic onto a 

rimmed sheet pan. Drizzle with the olive oil 

and toss to combine. Pop it in the oven for 

20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, finely dice the garlic. After 

20 minutes, take the sheet pan out of 

the oven, toss everything and add the 

garlic, salt and pepper. Bake for another 

10 minutes. The dinner is ready when the 

vegetables are browning and the sausages 

are cooked through. 

Summer Break Camps: July 5 through Sept 3 

One-week camps are $255 and run from 

9am–12pm daily, Monday to Friday 

HighlandPacificGolf.com | 250.478.4653 

VICTORIA'S PREMIERE THEA 

SCHOOL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Emillie Parrish 

writes from Victoria and 

Saturna Island. She is 

the author of the Pacific 

Northwest lifestyle blog 

BerriesAndBarnacles.com. 



KIDS’READS 

Dealing with Differences 

As more and more individuals are vaccinated across the 

province, it can be easy to hope for things to return to 

normal soon so we can visit with friends, see our extended 

families, or go to the movies. However, some researchers 

are concerned that after living in our abnormal world for so 

long, we might struggle with some of the activities we are longing 

to do, like socializing with the people we like or interacting 

with others around us. If you’re noticing that your formerly 

social butterfly of a child is now a homebody that’s normal, 

and here are a few books that might help them relearn how to 

enjoy the outside world. 

The first one is Follow Your Breath! A First Book of Mindfulness 

by Scot Ritchie (Kids Can Press, 2020). As the title says, 

this book teaches children mindfulness strategies. It is beautifully 

illustrated and the activities the author suggests are all 

clearly explained so you can easily try them out for yourself. 

However, the actual story about the friends at a sleepover isn’t 

the most exciting or interesting, so if you are looking for a 

story that weaves mindfulness into the narrative this one isn’t 

for you. However, if you want a book that will teach you at a 

child-appropriate level what mindfulness looks like, that also 

gives you examples of what that may look like in your life, this 

book can be helpful. For ages 4 to 8. 

Another book for you to consider is Albert’s Quiet Quest 

by Isabelle Arsenault (Tundra, 2019), because while we want 

our children to enjoy others’ company, it’s also important for 

us to respect their desire to be alone and have some quiet time 

to help them cope with chaos. In this book, Albert is looking 

for a quiet place to read his book. He finds a nice peaceful 

corner outside and sets up a chair in front of a painting of a 

beach scene that has been thrown away. Unfortunately for 

him, no one else wants to be quiet. They all want to play, talk, 

and listen to music. And, they all want him to join in. The illustrations 

in this book are simple but stunning and they show 

Albert’s mind as it flips between his reality and the imaginary 

beach world he has created for himself. For ages 4 to 8. 

A third book for you to read is The Invisible Bear by Cécile 

Metzger (Tundra, 2020). Unlike in Albert’s Quest where Albert 

wants his world to conform to his wishes for quiet, the bear is 

uncomfortable in his quiet and colourless world. He feels like 

he has been forgotten and that he’s invisible. That all changes 

when Madame Odette moves in next door. Unlike the bear, 

Madame Odette lives in a world filled with colour and sound. 

But, since the bear has been surrounded by quiet for so long, 

he’s not really comfortable with the beautiful racket. As the 

two of them live side-by-side they both have to learn to live 

together and cherish the other ones silence or sounds. For ages 

4 to 8. 

Your House, My House by Marianne Dubuc (Kids Can Press, 

2020) is another book filled with detailed illustrations that 

can remind your children that not everyone lives like you. This 

book follows the story of Little Rabbit as he gets ready for his 

birthday party. But while the narrative only tells the story from 

Little Rabbit’s perspective, the illustrations show us what everyone 

in the apartment building is doing, from the mice triplets 

who are causing havoc, to Mr. Owl who just wants to nap, to 

Goldilocks who is looking for a good place to eat and sleep. As 

an added bonus, the story itself is easy enough that your emerging 

reader can read this book on their own, which is good because 

they might want to spend more time looking at each page 

than you are ready for. For ages 4 to 8. 

A final book for younger children that can remind them that 

not all families are like theirs is Peppa Pig and the Family Reunion 

(Candlewick, 2019). In this book Peppa’s extended fam- 


ily comes over for a family reunion, and while they are there, 

Peppa discovers that in order for her baby cousin to sleep, 

his father needs to vacuum and his mother plays the trumpet, 

which makes for a very long and noisy night. For ages 2 to 4. 

If you and your children are struggling with getting along 

with others after spending so much time apart, I hope the lessons, 

illustrations, and stories within these books can help you 

because spending time with friends is amazing. 

Christina Van Starkenburg lives in 

Victoria with her husband, children and cat. 

She is the author of One Tiny Turtle: A Story You 

Can Colour and many articles. To read more 

of her work and learn about her upcoming 

books visit christinavanstarkenburg.com. Facebook: 

facebook.com/christinavanstarkenburg 

and Twitter: @Christina_VanS. 



MOM’SPOV 

BYTE CAMP 

Creative 

Tech 

Summer me 

r Camps 

Video Game Design 

3D Animation 

Claymation 

App Design 

2D Animation 

Music and Video 

Production 

Thinking Putty 

I 

place my tray of tea on my side desk 

in my home office. All three kids are 

off to school on time (which is no 

easy feat). All parents deserve a reward 

for surviving the morning chaos (I mean 

routine). I sit down and tuck my rubberducky-slipper-feet 

under my desk. As I 

adjust my footing, my slipper sticks to 

my carpet. I pull and free my foot, but 

my slipper is glued to the carpet. 

Ugh. Found it! 

I have found my 7-year-old son’s Crazy 

Aarons Thinking Putty. It bounced into 

my office the day before. 

I thought he had already bounced it 

back out. I also thought that the putty 

wouldn’t end up being played with before 

falling asleep, but our strict “putty at the 

kitchen table only” rule was ignored. 

This thinking putty has thought its 

way onto my pillowcase, it has thought 

its way through two sheet sets and two 

numerous times while playing with it. 

I could handle the slime. My oldest 

daughter is the queen of making slime 

and even getting it out of fabric and carpet 

with contact solution or ice cubes. I 

can handle the kids making messes. We 

bake buns from scratch and we play with 

oobleck (cornstarch and water). However, 

this putty is different. It seems to 

embed itself and bond forever with our 

clothing and bedding. 

To figure out how to remove the putty, 

I visited the website. The solution: Isopropyl 

Alcohol 99%. It is poisonous and 

flammable and the instructions indicate 

that you “Apply full strength to affected 

areas and rub in.” The label suggests that 

it will provide temporary relief of muscle 

aches. In our age of natural oils and using 

the least harmful substances, there 

is no way I would rub a poisonous and 

flammable substance on my skin. So I put 

1-888-808-BYTE 

www.bytecamp.ca 

bedspreads. It has thought its sparkly 

blue way onto numerous articles of clothing, 

into hair, and now onto carpet. I am 

about ready for it to think its way right 

out of our house. 

It’s called thinking putty because it 

is marketed to act as a fidgeting toy to 

help you think. It can help people focus 

and help people with anxiety. However, I 

think in my son’s case, it should be called 

“sleeping putty” as he has fallen asleep 

on my rubber gloves and I placed all the 

putty stained items in to the tub. 

I poured the rubbing alcohol on and 

then I used a butter knife to scrape the 

putty. The fumes were worse than cleaning 

up vomit. I think a facemask and a 

well-ventilated area should be required 

too. I aired out the house and turned on 

all our fans. Next, I soaked and rinsed 

the items in water numerous times. 

After the putty and alcohol smell dissi- 


pated, I used some stain remover to try to remove the evidence 

of where the slime was. Next, I placed them in the wash with 

an extra rinse cycle. I air dried the items for a few hours and 

then I used a low setting on the dryer, while I crossed my fingers 

that the dryer and our house would not blow up. 

The clothing and all our appliances remained intact. I think 

the type of fabric and how long the putty sits on it influences 

the stain removal. Some items may need another round of stain 

removal and a wash yet. I think my white linen pillow will 

always have the putty outline. However, my office carpet only 

has a few sparkles left to lint roller off. 

Perhaps, the Easter bunny or Santa can bring us more putty 

after all. When the putty goes astray again, I’ll be prepared to 

remove it from unwanted surfaces. 

ST. MARGARET’S SCHOOL – ISLAND PARENT HALF PAGE AD 

7” × 4.5” 03/31/21 

Serena Beck works full-time as a Technical 

Writer. She loves to write, travel and swim at the 

beach with family and friends. 

SHE CAN. 

Dream big. 

As the only all-girls 

school on Vancouver 

Island, St. Margaret’s 

School teaches girls to 

learn, lead, and grow. 

St. Margaret’s School • enrolment@stmarg.ca • 250-479-7171 • stmarg.ca 



Easter Eggsperiments 

Eggs aren’t just for breakfast…they can be fun and fascinating too! Try your hand at 

a few “eggs-periments” that highlight the unique properties of the amazing egg. 

The Spin Test 

Materials 

A raw egg. A hard-boiled or hard-cooked egg. A flat surface on 

which to spin. 

Whichever egg spins better (smoothly without wobbling) is 

the hard-boiled egg. 

For a neat variation, spin them both again then stop them. 

Quickly release them and watch the raw egg. It should continue 

moving even though the hard-boiled egg has completely 

stopped. 

Explanation. The yolk and white in a raw egg slosh around 

unevenly as it spins, making it impossible to spin it smoothly 

while the solid yolk and white in the hard-boiled egg enable the 

egg to spin smoothly. 

The raw egg will continue to move even after you have 

stopped it and then let go of it because the liquid inside is still 

moving around. 

Fun with Naked Eggs 

Method. Spin the raw egg and the hard-boiled egg at the same 

time on a large flat surface. 

Materials 

At least 2 naked eggs. 2 clear cups large enough to hold an egg plus 

some liquid. Corn syrup. Water. Food colouring. A spoon or ladle. 

Active Arts Camps 

Join us for a summer of creative, active fun! Exciting camps will 

engage children in music, art, crafts and lots of fun and games. 

v New activities to explore every week 

v Outdoor fun every day v Field trips to local parks 

Camps for age groups 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 

June 28 th to 30 th & 

July 2 nd (4 days) 

“Mad Scientist” 

July 5 th to 9 th (5 days) 

“World Explorers” 


“Goin’ Green” 

July 19 th to 23 rd (5 days) 

“Wacky & Wonderful” 


“Action & Adventure” 

August 3 rd to 6 th (4 days) 

“Magic & Monsters” 

August 9 th to 13 th 

(5 days) 

“The World at Our 

Fingertips” 

Register Online at: www.ArtsCalibre.ca For more information: summercamps@ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533 



BUSINESSES 

YOUNEEDTOKNOW 


ms will be running (hopefully) in 

person, These or online... local businesses are family-focused and committed to our community and helping you. 

eschool Dance Camps 

or 3-5 year olds in Ballet, Jazz, 

Musical Theatre & Tap 

h Dance Camps 

ncers 6-12 years old in 

Hip Hop & Acrobatics 

Dance Intensive 

For dancers 11 years old & up with 

Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop & Acrobatics 

Little Dancers Classes 

Are running through the summer for 

those 18 months to 3 years old 

STAGES Summer Programs 

Come Dance With Us 



Call (250) 384-3267, email: stagesdance@shaw.ca, 

Running or visit This us July at & www.stagesdance.com 

August 

Come Dance 

With Us 

Through these times 

let’s be careful & 

kind out there 

STAGES 






STAGES 

Come Dance 

With Us 

Call (250) 384-3267, 

Email: stagesdance@shaw.ca, 

or visit us at 

www.stagesdance.com 




FREE services are open to ALL single 

parents in Greater Victoria who are 

caring for children at home ages 0–18 

• Market Day – Weekly Food Support 

• Free Clothing Room 

• 1-1 Counselling & Coaching 

• Support Groups & Courses 

250-385-1114 | 1-Up.ca 

Method. Put a naked egg into one of the cups and add enough Naked Eggs 

Come corn syrup to Dance cover the egg. 

Put another naked egg into another cup and add enough water 

to cover it and a few drops of food colouring. 

A raw egg. White vinegar. A container big enough to submerge 

Materials 

0) 384-3267, With Us 

stagesdance@shaw.ca,or Put Call both (250) cups 384-3267, into the refrigerator visit us at for www.stagesdance.com 

24 hours. 

the egg. A spoon or ladle. 

Email: stagesdance@shaw.ca, 

After or the visit 24 us hours at you should have one nice and plump egg 

in www.stagesdance.com 

the water and one shriveled and flabby egg in the corn syrup. Method. Place the egg in the container so that it does not touch 

the sides and add enough vinegar to cover the egg. You will 

Explanation. The membrane of the naked egg is selectively already see bubbles forming on the egg. 

permeable–it lets some molecules through and blocks others. Cover the container and put it in the fridge for 24 hours. 

Water (mixed with food colouring) moves through the membrane 

easily but bigger molecules (like sugar molecules in the vinegar being careful not to break it. Dump out the vinegar and 

After the 24 hours have elapsed, scoop the egg out of the 

corn syrup) don’t. 

cover the egg with fresh vinegar. Leave the egg in the fridge for 

In the corn syrup cup, the water molecules from the egg another 24 hours. 

white (which is 90 per cent water) have moved through the Scoop out the egg and rinse carefully. Throw away any broken 

eggs. 

membrane to the corn syrup (25 per cent water) causing the 

naked egg to shrivel and go limp. 

You should now have a translucent egg without a shell. It is 

being held together by its membrane which while flex if you 

squeeze it. 

From The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum and Ingenium. For more 

ideas, visit ingeniumcanada.org/online-resources-forscience-at-home. 

Explanation. The acetic acid in the vinegar breaks apart the 

calcium carbonate crystals that make up the egg shell into separate 

calcium and carbonate parts. The calcium parts float while 

the carbonate makes the bubbles that you see. 



PRESCHOOL&CHILDCAREDIRECTORY 

v Comprehensive programs for 

Preschool through Grade 11 

v Delivering academic excellence through 

music, dance, drama and visual arts 

v Outstanding educators, 

locations and facilities 

www.ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533 

La Pré-Maternelle 

Appletree Preschool...............250-479-0292 

French immersion preschool. Group child 

care programs. 30 months to school age. 

Christian centre. 

prematernelleappletree.com 

Castleview Child Care........... 250-595-5355 

Learning Through Play & Discovery. 

Licensed non-profit, ECE staff. Since 1958. 

Morning or full-time care. 

castleviewchildcarecentre.com 

Nightingale Preschool & 

Junior Kindergarten Ltd........ 250-595-7544 

We offer education through creativity and play, providing 

rich learning experiences through a well sourced 

and stimulating indoor and outdoor environment. Early 

years reading programme. nightingalepreschool.com. 

Arts/Drama programme. kidsworks.ca 

Photo: Annilee Jane 

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare 

& Jr. Kindergarten..................250-383-5132 

ECE and specialist teachers provide an 

outstanding all day licensed program for 

2.5–5 year olds at our Fairfield and 

Gordon Head locations. 

cathedralschool.ca 

Pre-School 

Junior Kindergarten 

PacificChristian.ca 

250-479-4532 

Educational Excellence to the Glory of God 

Sir James Douglas 

Preschool.............................250-389-0500 

Fun, creative and educational ECE program 

for 3-5 year olds to grow and develop life 

long skills. Come play and learn in our bright 

and modern centre in Fairfield. 

sjdoutofschoolclub.com 

Cloverdale Child Care............250-995-1766 

Come join us in our preschool programs for 

fun and learning. Classes 9:30 to 1:30, we offer 

3 and 4 year old classes and a Mon to Fri 

multiage preschool class. Flexible schedule 

available. Located at Quadra and Cloverdale 

streets. cloverdalechildcare@shawbiz.ca 

Ready Set Grow Preschool.....250-472-1530 

Join our learning through play preschool located 

in Hillcrest Elem. Our caring ECEs offer 

an enriched Program for 3-4 hour, 2-5 days a 

week and help with kindergarten transition. 

heoscmanager@gmail.com 

Victoria Montessori.............. 250-380-0534 

Unique, innovative learning environment 

combining the best of Montessori and 

Learning Through Play. Open year round. 

30mths–K. 

victoriamontessori.com 

Island Kids Academy 

Esquimalt..............................250-381-2929 

High quality child care (ages 1-5). Enriched 

Curriculum. Includes Music Classes and 

Character Development using the Virtues 

Project. Wait list being taken. Islandkids.ca 

St. Margaret’s School Jr. Kindergarten 

Apply now for our Early Learning (JK and 

Kindergarten) Programs. Early learning at SMS is 

a curriculum-based program for 3 and 4 year olds. 

St. Margaret’s School 

250-479-7171 | admissions@stmarg.ca 

722 Johnson St,Victoria,BC 

604.366.7080 

willowbraeacademy.com 

9006admin@willowbraechildcare.com 

We implement 

a play-based 

curriculum where 

our trained professionals 

develop 

and adapt individual 

programs 

by observing 

and listening 

to your child. 


Victoria & Area Peninsula Westshore Cowichan Valley Nanaimo & Area 

Carrot Seed Preschool...........250-658-2331 

Where children can discover, imagine, 

construct and learn through play. 

Wondrous natural playground. 

carrotseedpreschool.com 

The first steps in 

your child’s education 

Call for more information today: 250.746.3654 

Island Montessori House....... 250-592-4411 

Inclusive, integrated and nurturing Preschool 

and Before/After School Care programs. 

Lovely rural setting with a focus on nature 

and outdoor environmental activities. 

islandmontessori.com 

Queen Margaret’s School........250-746-4185 

Early Childhood Education Program. Co-ed 

nurturing curriculum to develop the whole 

child. Healthy snacks and lunch provided. 

qms.bc.ca. 

Sidney Preschool 

We are a licensed co-operative preschool 

with a philosophy of learning through play! 

Four hour program, four days per week, for 

children ages 2.5-5 years. Celebrating 49 

years! sidneypreschoolteacher@gmail.com, 

sidneypreschool.com 

Sunrise Waldorf School 

Preschool...............................250-743-7253 

In a warm environment, this nature and 

play-based program enlivens and 

nurtures the growing child. 

sunrisewaldorfschool.org 

Photo: Chelsea Rumsby 

• Licensed programs, for children 3–5 years 

• Flexible part-time schedules • Supported spaces available 

• 3 and 4 hour morning classes 

Encouraging your child’s development and 

learning through play and exploration 

Fullobeans.ca 250-360-1148 E: fullobeans@snplace.org 

Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 

Learn more today! 250-390-2201 AspengroveSchool.ca 

NANAIMO’ S JK–12 INTERNATIONAL 

BACCALAUREATE WORLD SCHOOL 

Island Kids Academy 

View Royal........................... 250-727-2929 

High quality child care (ages 1-5). Enriched 

Curriculum. Includes Music Classes and 

Character Development using the Virtues 

Project. Wait list being taken. Islandkids.ca 

Photo: Chelsea Rumsby 

Little Star Children’s Centre...........250-752-4554 

Little Gems Infant & Toddler Care..250-228-5437 

Mother, Daughter owned and operated. Earth 

friendly preschool education inspired by nature. 

Infused with fun and creative daily yoga 

practices! Licensed group care. Enthusiastic 

ECE instructors. littlestardaycare.ca 

Nestled on 4 acres of lush west coast forest, our Award 

winning, Nature based program will not disappoint! 

While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy 

our dedicated team of educators use the environment 

as the third teacher as we encourage your child 

throughout their day. 

Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the 

trees from our forest. Come take a virtual tour on our website! 

lexieslittlebears.ca 

Waitlist: 250-590-3603 

Programs for Infants/Toddlers/Pre-school Age. 

BC Award of Excellence in Childcare & Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education. 



CUTITOUT! 

Growing a Self 

It can be a shock when our children start 

asserting themselves as they struggle to 

become independent. A child who was 

sweet and cooperative one day can suddenly 

become downright defiant, resistant and 

even aggressive the next. And just when we 

think they have had enough of us, they seek 

comfort and reassurance. 

Maturing is not a one-way street. Kids 

need permission to individuate, and they 

need a sense of love and belonging, no 

matter how prickly they get along the way. 

When kids resist doing anything you 

want them to do, like getting in the car 

seat, eating a meal or just having a conversation, 

chances are, they are going 

through the struggle for independence. 

The one day you are in a hurry, the threeyear-old 

will insist on putting on their 

shoes. “I can do it myself!” And heaven 

help you if you suggest your child do 

something. “I was just going to do that 

until you asked!” 

Hold on to your heart when you go to 

hug your teen, and they pull away with 

that blank look. Ouch! They seem so allergic 

to you. “My friends are the only 

cool people!” 

Behind this stage is the need for autonomy 

and independence. Stifling this 

need interferes with the development of 

your child’s ability to differentiate. A 

high degree of differentiation contributes 

to healthy adult relationships and good 

boundaries. They can hear no and say 

no. They don’t sacrifice themselves to 

fit in and are less concerned about what 

people think of them. 

Emotional maturity provides calm 

thoughtfulness that can be brought to life 

and relationship problems. 

When you dig underneath the difficulties 

and see what is going on, you will be 

more likely to respond with emotional 

maturity yourself. Less intensity of feeling 

and finding your calmness will allow 

you to love and let go. 

What to do: 

• Minimize your rules and stick to the 

ones that matter. 

• Give them more choices and say less. 

• Reflect their feelings of frustration 

and their need for independence. 

• In the heat of the moment, breathe 

and deal with things later. 

• Ignore the verbal flack; correcting 

it doesn’t work; it only feeds a negative 

loop. 

• See this as a stage rather than a character 

flaw; it really will pass. 

• Don’t take things so seriously; a little 

humour can help. 

Dr. Allison Rees is a parent 

educator, counsellor and coach at 

LIFE Seminars (Living in Families 

Effectively), lifeseminars.com. 

EXHIBITION OPEN 

APR 16, 2021 – JAN 9, 2022 

GET TIMED TICKETS AT 

rbcm.ca/orcas 

Exhibition produced by the Royal BC Museum in partnership with MuseumsPartner. 

IN PARTNERSHIP 

WITH 


NEW: 

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CAMPS! 

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Ages 3-18 

PLAY your way to: 

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FUN, TEAM WORK & 

CONFIDENCE RESPECT INCLUSIVITY 

DEVELOPMENT 

COOPERATION 

pise.ca/summer-camps 

FUN & SAFE 

Camps will have increased time spent outside this year with health 

& safety protocols in place. Campers will use PISE’s track, outdoor 

training areas, the nearby park and more!

More than half of all children in one-parent 

families in BC live in poverty. (Stat. Canada, 2018) 

Here’s how 1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre is helping: 

To stretch a monthly budget a little further we have: 

• Free Clothing Room 

• Market Day – Weekly Food Support 

• Birthday Gifts for Children 

To provide additional support and resources we have: 

• Moms and Mentors Program 

• Dads with Dads Drop-in Support Group 

• Parenting and LifeSkill’s Courses 

• 1-1 Counselling and Coaching sessions 

These and other FREE services are open to ALL 

single parents in Greater Victoria who are caring 

for children at home ages 0–18. 

Learn how to DONATE 

Learn how to ACCESS our services 

250-385-1114 | 1-Up.ca

Island Parent April/May 2021

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