Island Parent Magazine February/March 2022

FEB/MAR 2022 

FREE COPY 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 34 Years 

TYPES OF 

PRIVATE 

10SCHOOLS 

Helping Kids Build 

Healthy, Happy 

Relationships 

Sparking 

Spring Break Joy

Victoria Baby & Family Fair 

March 5 & 6, 2022 

Pearkes Rec. Centre 

Saturday & Sunday 10am–5pm 

This year our Victoria Baby & Family Fair 

is side by side with our Women’s Expo: 

2 EVENTS—1 FUN WEEKEND! 

$5 ADMISSION 

INCLUDES 

BOTH EVENTS. 

KIDS 12 & 

UNDER FREE 

KIDPRENEUR Booths 

Do you know of a young business person who would 

like to exhibit? Have them email info@pvevents.ca 

and in the Subject Line put KIDPRENEUR Booth 

baby-fair.com 

2 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca

Vancouver Island 

IslandParent.ca 

February/March 2022 3

FEB/MAR 2022 

FREE COPY 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 34 Years 

TABLEOFCONTENTS 

Features 

In Every 

Issue 

5 

Fast Forward 

SUE FAST 

6 

Need to Know 

18 

Dadspeak 

GREG PRATT 

20 

Moms’ POV 

SARAH SEITZ 

14 

10 Types of Private Schools 

What to know and 

how to choose. 

TRACY COOPER 

30 

Teaching Kids to Use 

Inclusive Language 

To each his/her/their own. 

LORA GRADY 

10 

Neurodiverse Kids 

& Anxiety 

Constant change doesn’t make 

us better at it. So…what to do? 

YVONNE BLOMER 

12 

Sparking Spring Break Joy 

Fun family activities 

to do this spring. 

SERENA BECK 

16 

How to Help 

Kids Build Healthy, 

Happy Relationships 

Creating a sense of what healthy 

relationships look and feel like. 

JENNIFER GIBSON 

28 

Motherhood Baggage 

A whole new meaning 

to “packing light.” 

JULIA MAIS 

36 

Children & Mental Health 

A parent’s role in nurturing 

a child’s mental health. 

CANADIAN PEDIATRIC SOCIETY 

22 

Family Calendar 

24 

What’s for Dinner 

EMILLIE PARRISH 

26 

Preschool & 

Child Care Directory 

32 

Kids’ Reads 

CHRISTINE VAN STARKENBURG 

34 

Nature Notes 

KALENE LILLICO 

38 

Cut It Out! 

ALLISON REES 

38 

Businesses You 

Need to Know 

On the 

Cover 

Callum M (5) & Maria M (7) 

Photo by 

Ryan MacDonald 

Photography 

ryanmacdonaldphotography.com 

Instagram: ryanmacdonaldphoto 

TYPES OF 

PRIVATE 

10 SCHOOLS 

Helping Kids Build 

Healthy, Happy 

Relationships 

Sparking 

Spring Break Joy 

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 


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FASTFORWARD 

7½ Spring Things to Do 

Tired of being cooped up? There’s no time like springtime 

to get outside and shake off the winter blahs. Not only 

are the days getting longer, with the extra light chasing 

away the shadows, but there’s lots more to do now that we can 

get outdoors and explore. So where to start? 

1. Get to a Gulf Island. Stop by Saltspring and spend an afternoon 

at Centennial Park in Ganges. Hop on over to Hornby 

and dip your toes in the water at Tribune Bay. Going to Galiano? 

Don’t miss Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park 

where the white shell beaches beckon. Like any trip, part of the 

fun is getting there! southerngulfislands.com 

2. Go Underground. Choose an individual or private tour 

and explore Horne Lake Caves with a guide—no self-guiding 

for now. Start with a basic tour, like the Riverbend Cave Explorer, 

or kick it up a notch to the Achilles Challenge. 

hornelake.com. 

3. Build Sandcastles. Challenge each other to a sandcastle 

building contest or combine your efforts and build one together. 

3½. and/or Fly Kites. Bring a kite in case the wind picks up 

and you’re ready to switch from sand to sky. The perfect sandcastle-to-kite-flying 

spot: Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, Goose 

Spit Park in Comox or Wickaninnish Beach in Tofino. 

4. Be a Tourist. Buy a wristband and take in some of Victoria’s 

finest attractions at this week-long event from Mar 7 to 

13. For every ticket purchased, Be a Tourist will donate another 

one to the Cridge Centre for the Family. beatourist.ca 

5. Watch for Whales. Celebrate marine life on the coast and 

meet the guest of honour, the Gray Whale, at the Pacific Rim 

Whale Festival from March 18 to 26. Don’t miss the children’s 

activities and culinary events, First Nations cultural workshops, 

inspirational talks, interpretive walks and more. 

pacificrimwhalefestival.com 

6. Hang 10. There’s no shortage of surf schools in Tofino 

with options including private and group lessons, for kids and 

families. Choose from one lesson to a week’s worth. Wetsuit 

and surfboard rentals included. tourismtofino.com 

7. Gaze at the Goats. The Old Country Market in Coombs 

opens in early March and the goats will be in fine form mowing 

the Market’s grassy roof. Come for the goats, stay for the bustling, 

brimming market and the ice cream! 

oldcountrymarket.com 

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Academic Excellence and Innovative Thinking 

Junior Kindergarten - Grade 12 

International Baccalaureate School 

First & Only Independent, Co-Educational 

School in Nanaimo 

www.AspengroveSchool.com 

1.250.390.2201 

7660 Clark Drive, Lantzville, BC 



NEEDTOKNOW 

Hit the Slopes 

The Canadian Ski Council has resources to keep you skiing and/or snowboarding safely this season. To find out everything 

you need to know to have the very best experience out on the slopes, visit goskiinggosnowboarding.ca for 

information about what to expect, trail markers, chair lift suggestions, beginner tips, all the details to make your first 

time at a slope a great experience. Use the interactive guides to get comfortable with what you’ll encounter, and how 

to make it a great day out. 

GET EXCITED ABOUT SNOW 

If you have a child in Grade 4 

or 5, the Council offers a Snow 

Pass to save on skiing or snowboarding 

across Canada. The 

Snow Pass is a national program 

for kids in grades 4 and 5 (nine 

and 10 years of age) to ski or 

snowboard at 150+ hills across 

Canada for only $29.99 plus tax. 

The goal is to get kids and their 

families excited about winter and 

engaged at an early age so they 

can look forward to fun activities 

in the winters to come. 

snowpass.ca 


Explore 

Butterfly 

Gardens 

What do a fuzzy spider, a 

poison dart frog and a black 

butterfly have in common? 

They’re all part of Butterfly 

Garden’s Family Day Scavenger 

Hunt. Explore the Insectarium 

and the Gardens 

to complete a scavenger 

hunt. Finished one? Try 

another! Between counting 

the various species 

3045–C Douglas St. 

Victoria, BC 

The Kiddies Store 

Dedicated to providing Vancouver Island families 

with high-quality infant and toddler products 

at affordable prices for over 25 years 

Peanut Changer 

• Newborn to 3 years 

• Easy to clean: fluids cannot penetrate 

into the pad, stopping mould 

or deterioration 

• Soft to the touch: soft, 

comfortable surface for baby 

• Crack/puncture resistant 

• JPMA certified • 5-year warranty 

Height Right High Chair 

The Keekaroo height right wood high chair grows with 

children from 6 months to adults up to 250lbs 

• 5-year warranty • Tip resistant • Adjustable 

• Customize with comfort cushions for each stage 

• JPMA certified 

tjskids.com 

250-386-2229 

Douglas St. 

Finlayson St. 

Larch St. 

T.J.’s 

Thrifty 

Thursdays 

A different 

sale each 

week! 

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

Entrance off 

Larch St. 

EVERY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH OCTOBER-JUNE 

of butterflies and searching 

for items on your list, 

there’s lots here to keep you 

busy—on Family Day and 

throughout the year. 

butterflygardens.com 

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 

aggv.ca | 



Stop Bullying 

BullyingCanada is a national anti-bullying charity dedicated 

to creating a brighter future for bullied youth. What began 

as a youth-created website to bring together bullied kids 

and to provide information on—and how to stop!–bullying 

is now a full 24/7 support service. Youth, parents, coaches, 

and teachers can phone, text, online chat, and email for 

help on how to make bullying at bullyingcanada.ca. 

Pink Shirt Day 

Celebrate our diversity while raising funds to support 

inclusive anti-bullying programs for kids in our 

communities. London Drugs will once again be selling 

Pink Shirt merchandise in their stores during February. 

Get your Pink Shirt today and stand up to bullying 

on February 23. 

pinkshirtday.ca 

BE A TOURIST 

Take advantage of discounts for locals during 

Be a Tourist, running March 7-13. Tickets cost $11 

for youth and seniors, $17 for adults and include 24 

deals and five freebies at some of Victoria’s finest 

attractions. And this year you can pay it forward: for 

every ticket purchased for donation, Be a Tourist will 

gift another one to the Cridge Centre for the Family. 

For information and to buy tickets, visit beatourist.ca. 


1000X5 Children’s Book Recycling Project 

How many baby and preschooler books sit 

on your shelves? More than 50? 100? How 

many times have you read the same story 

to your little one? Too many to count? Congratulations—you 

are building a love. Sadly, 

many babies and preschoolers in our communities 

do not have books in their homes 

and do not build this essential habit in the 

early years. The “1000 X 5” Children’s Book 

Recycling Projects are changing that reality, 

one book at a time. Families at most 

elementary schools in Victoria, Saanich, 

and Sooke School districts and seven 

independent schools donate gently used 

picture books for babies and preschoolers. 

Retired teachers and administrators donate 

time to sort, label, and gift bag those books 

then deliver them to Strong Start Centres 

and community agencies where families 

can take home three books for each child. 

1000x5.ca 

STAGES 

Performing Arts School 

since 1980 

Daytime Pre-School Classes 

for the little angels... 

Come Dance With Us 

• Offering classes for Teens & Pre-Teens in Jazz, 

Ballet, Lyrical, Tap. Musical Theatre, Acrobatics & 

Hip Hop, in a non-competitive atmosphere. 

• Not sure which class to take? 

- Try a Drop-In: No hassle, No Obligation. 

STAGES Performing Arts School 

#301 1551 Cedar Hill X Rd 

Call 250-384-3267 Email us at: stagesdance@shaw.ca 

Or visit our website: www.stagesdance.com 



Neurodiverse Kids & Anxiety 

With our first Spring Break—à la Covid-19—I remember a 

lot of pacing. 

Our niece had to cancel a visit, school didn’t restart, the playgrounds 

shut down. Each change created anxiety in Colwyn, 

my teenaged son with the dual diagnosis of Autism Spectrum 

Disorder and Prader-Willy Syndrome that manifested in skin 

picking, and nail pulling. But we were together and we nested 

big time. Colwyn began speaking more so he could really let 

us know how he felt. Now three years in, we are facing Spring 

Break with big hope. 

Constant change does not make us better adapted to it; this 

is my number one lesson. 

Years ago, Colwyn’s dad Rupert and I cycled for over three 

months in Southeast Asia. We loved it, it was amazing, but it 

was also exhausting. We had to manage long rides, daily changes, 

new things, new people, new languages, new bike problems 

all while also getting along. We did this by choice (of course), it 

was awesome and yet: anxiety. We experienced homesickness, 

that deep longing for the familiar which many of us, though 

we may be sick of our homes, are experiencing. We are longing 

for that time when we could hug a friend or attend an event. 

My son longs to see people and to join the neurotypical kids at 

school. 

Anxiety reaches us all. For any kids, “behaviours” can also 

be signs of medical-related issues. There could be a septic tooth, 

an ingrown toenail that is getting worse, or undetected ear 

infection your kid doesn’t know how to tell you about. It is 

always good to do the things we do to reduce anxiety, but it is 

also important to check if behaviours are a sign of illness with a 

visit the doctor or pediatrician. 

In December while we were visiting my dad in Nanaimo, the 

snow threw a curve in our plans. Though Colwyn loves being 

at his papa’s house, he was only prepared to be there for just 

two sleeps. Then we got snowed in. The problem for Colwyn 

isn’t so much the change—well yes, it is—but it is also the loss 

of control over what is going to happen next. Even though we 

went home the next day, Colwyn was still anxious. He moved 

to the next worry, and we entered a series of countdowns. 

Number of sleeps to school, number of sleeps until we’d go 

back to Nanaimo, number of sleeps until we’d visit with a 

friend on Zoom. I am relieved when one worry is resolved, but 

then he finds the next thing to worry over. 

So…what to do? 


1. Write down the day’s plan. 

Colwyn has a homemade booklet where each day we write 

the schedule: 1. get up. 2 make breakfast. 3. get dressed. 4. 

eat…etcetera. Colwyn then can cross things out as we go and 

can see that we are following the plan. This is especially helpful 

on weekends when the days are looser. For school, I write 

the first few, and his EA and he do the rest of the day together. 

Once he’s settled back in, we don’t need it, but I will reinstate it 

right away when Spring Break begins. 

2. Go for daily walks. 

This helps a lot, for me too as I get quite stressed by his 

intensity and repetition. A lot of PWS experts say we should 

limit the number of times he’s allowed to repeat, but I haven’t 

quite found the perfect way. Usually, we get him to make a full 

sentence and repeat that. So, instead of “Papa’s house” over 

and over he says, “I want to go to Papa’s house, but we are 

going in 16 sleeps.” It works, but then sometimes it doesn’t. 

My husband Rupert asks, “Are you doing that to bug mom?” 

and Colwyn always says yes, so my job then is to try not to be 

driven crazy by it. Sometimes, to give us both a break, we take 

Mom away. 

3. Music or a movie. 

Music is nearly guaranteed to give Colwyn a chance to stop 

being anxious, a movie can do the same. A car ride and music 

are the perfect combo as he sits back in the car and sinks into 

the music. 

4. Have a plan and do your best to stick with it. 

For my kid, Christmas and Spring Breaks are a bit long. Even 

if we do a lot of fun things, keep busy, see friends and spend 

time outdoors, Colwyn’s anxiety begins to go up. Camps help 

thanks to their familiarity, peers, and routines. 

5. Keep talking about it. 

Colwyn might not add a lot to a conversation, but I find the 

more we chat, and talk about how things might change the 

better. If we add this to him making a full sentence about the 

planned thing he begins to relax. 

Each time Colwyn’s anxiety comes up hard, the smiling happy 

kid disappears behind glazed eyes and worry. Each time he 

comes back again, we celebrate. Even though we don’t always 

succeed, we try to keep things light, stimulating and fun. 

Yvonne Blomer is a Victoria writer and 

the past Poet Laureate of Victoria. Her most 

recent books are The Last Show on Earth and 

Sweet Water: Poems for the Watersheds. 



Sparking Spring Break Joy 

Spring means it’s time to play outside—even 

in the rain! Or, if it’s too 

blustery, play inside in a small group 

(while still following the current health 

order protocols of course). 

There are many fun family activities 

that you can do this spring. Hike a new 

trail and look for rocks, sticks, sea glass 

or other treasures. Or find something to 

do indoors. For ideas, read on… 

Indoor Adventure Ideas 

From arcades to rock climbing or 

laser tag, Quazar’s Arcade provides 

something fun and different to do. Game 

tokens range from 50 cents to $. You can 

also rent the Gamma Room for groups 

for 2 hours. quazarsarcade.com 

Mr. Tubbs Ice Cream Parlor & Family 

Fun Zone is perfect for younger kids. 

They serve treats from floats to banana 

splits and have many flavours of ice 

cream. Each game costs about a quarter 

and you receive tickets that you can 

trade for prizes. mrtubbsicecream.com 

On weekends, the BoulderHouse 

Climbing in Langford offers one-hour 

drop-in sessions in the TreeHouse area 

for children aged 4 to 12. The cost is 

$20 for the first child and $10for each 

additional child in the same family. This 

includes shoe rentals too. Parents are 

allowed to join in the fun for free, but 

keep in mind that the adult-to-child supervision 

ratio is one adult to two kids. 

boulderhouse.ca 

Pre-book a time to visit the LEGO 

exhibit at the Sidney Museum (before 

March 31st). Admission to the museum 

is by donation. While you’re in Sidney, 

why not make a day of it by shopping or 

looking for wildlife from the pier. You 

never know what you’ll spot. 

sidneymuseum.ca 

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea 

features an octopus plus many other sea 

creatures such as star fish and anemones 

in the touch tank. An annual membership 

for two adults and up to four children 

is $86.50. They have a great gift 

shop, too. salishseacentre.org 

The Royal BC Museum’s feature 

exhibition Orcas: Our Shared Future 

will be extended until March 31. Take 

advantage of the opportunity to take a 

deep dive into the stories and science 

surrounding the orca, whether you are 

seeing the exhibition for the first time 

or returning to see it again. For the full 

experience, combine your visit with a 

viewing of Humpback Whales at IMAX ® 

Victoria—a whale of a time! To purchase 

combination tickets to the Royal BC 

Museum and IMAX Victoria, please visit 

royalbcmuseum.bc.ca. 

If you’re looking for an indoor workout, 

why not gather your friends for 

laser tag at LaserCity Fun Centre. After 

your games, you can see how you ranked 

against the other team. It’s $14/person 

for two games and all the equipment is 

sanitized between groups. 

lasercityfuncentre.com 

At home, one of my children’s favourite 

activities is to make food for our 

dolls and stuffed animals and then have 

a tea party with them. Bake bite-sized 

pancakes or cookies and take a photo to 

commemorate the occasion. 

Another fun activity is to make bracelets 

or other jewelry, and then play store 


LAST CHANCE 

with real money and sell your creations. 

Exchange crafts with your friends or 

write them a letter and mail them a present. 

Outdoor Adventure Ideas 

Hike a new trail, pack a picnic, or explore 

a new beach. It can be fun to bring 

along dolls, stuffies or cars and have 

them traverse a mountain or explore logs 

on the beach. Maybe the dolls want to 

build a sandcastle. Perhaps the cars need 

to clear out some sand and rocks and 

build a new road. 

My son loves collecting sticks and we 

have quite the collection in our yard. My 

daughter loves to look for crystals or 

rocks that may contain crystals in them 

such as quartz. She loves making jewelry 

with crystals and rocks. Driftwood, sea 

glass and the tops of acorns are great 

materials for decorating a fairy house or 

gardens. 

Puddle jumping is another fun activity. 

And usually puddles aren’t hard to find! 

While you’re looking, count how many 

frogs, slugs, snails or Arbutus trees you 

see along the way. Create your own outdoor 

scavenger hunt. 

Another fun idea is to take a favourite 

stuffed animal, LEGO figure or other toy 

outside for a photo shoot. Try posing 

the toy with different backgrounds and 

experiment with close ups, lighting and 

filters. 

Spring is also a great time to sketch 

your garden plans and start counting 

flowers in your neighbourhood. Use 

chalk to write friendly and positive messages 

around your neighbourhood. See 

how many Little Free Libraries you can 

walk to in your neighbourhood. 

No matter how you spend this spring, 

take time to be in nature with your family. 

Cherish each precious moment as you 

savour each budding blossom. 

A WHALE 

OF A TIME 

Save when you purchase a 

combo ticket to experience both the 

Orcas: Our Shared Future feature exhibition 

and the IMAX film Humpback Whales 

EXHIBITION ON NOW UNTIL MARCH 31, 2022 

Serena Beck works 

full-time as a Technical 

Writer. She loves to write, 

travel and swim at the 

beach with family and 

friends. 

GET TICKETS AT rbcm.ca/tickets 



10 Types of Private Schools 

There is no such thing as a homogenous 

“private school system.” In 

reality, the private school world is defined 

by choice. There are many types of private 

and independent schools, and they 

come in many different configurations. 

Some schools educate children from kindergarten 

all the way to grade 12, while 

some start at grades six or eight. Others 

are high school only. It all depends on 

what you’re looking for in your child’s 

education. 

Day schools 

This is the traditional model of schooling: 

a school that students attend from 

morning until mid-afternoon, returning 

home afterward and staying home on the 

weekends. Parents largely take on helping 

kids develop good schoolwork habits, 

such as studying for upcoming tests and 

completing homework thoroughly, especially 

with younger students. 

Boarding schools 

At a boarding school, students live at 

school during the week within the school 

year calendar. At some schools—and 

depending how far away students’ family 

homes are from school—they may live 

at school on weekends, too. Students go 

home for breaks, such as the Christmas- 

New Year break and spring break, and 

for the summer. Boarding school can 

start in middle school (grades six through 

eight) or in high school (grades nine 

through 12). Boarding school is highly 

structured, with set times for study after 

school and during examination periods, 

set “free times” during the week, as well 

as curfews. Supervision and support are 

provided by staff such as peer counsellors, 

residential dons and academic staff, 

including teachers. Boarding school students 

are deeply involved in academics 

and extracurricular activities. This is a 

highly personal choice for a child and his 

or her family. Some kids thrive at boarding 

school, while others are much better 

suited for day school. 

Single-gender school 

In single-gender schools, the student 

body is all boys or all girls. Some believe 

that boys and girls experience less peer 

pressure, focus better on learning and 

operate differently in school without the 

distraction of the opposite sex. Some 

studies point to better grades and a higher 

rate of admission to four-year university 

programs. Single-gender schools may 

help break down gender stereotypes— 

leading to more girls taking maths and 

sciences, for example. 

Co-educational school 

Often referred to as “co-ed,” this is a 

school in which the student body is made 

up of boys and girls attending classes 

together. It mirrors the real world, where 

boys and girls, men and women interact 

and work together all the time. Some believe 

that going to school together helps 

girls and boys benefit from the other 

gender’s learning style, promoting cooperation. 

Religious schools 

Depending where you live in the country, 

schools based on world religions can 

be found: Bahá’í Faith, Christian (specific 

denominations or non-denominational), 

Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh. Faithbased 

schools offer full academic curricula 

that adhere to or exceed required 

provincial standards, but also religious 

instruction. The faith’s general worldview 

is reflected in teaching and is part of the 

life of the school. Parents should learn 

about a school’s curriculum to ensure 

that, while it gives students a deeper 

knowledge of their faith, it also promotes 

respect for other faiths and worldviews— 

important for interacting in Canada’s 

diverse society. 

University preparatory 

Also known as a “prep school.” Prep 

schools focus on preparing students 

for university and getting them into the 

programs they want. Academic studies 

are intense, with courses more advanced 

than in a typical high school curriculum. 

Some courses offered later in high school 

are considered university-level and can 

be applied as university credits. Some 

schools offer international curricula, such 

as IB (International Baccalaureate) and/ 

or Round Square. University preparation 

schools tend to have very high rates of 

university acceptance. While tuition is 

often expensive, facilities and resources 

are usually outstanding. 

Montessori 

A student-centred, individualized educational 

approach. The method is named 

after its founder, Dr. Maria Montessori, 

in the early 1900s. Montessori became 


more popular in North America in the 

1960s. It is based on Dr. Montessori’s 

observations of young children around 

the world. Classes comprise children of 

different ages. Students learn at their own 

pace and choose whether to work alone 

or in groups. Teachers observe the children 

and introduce new tasks and opportunities 

accordingly. 

Waldorf 

Waldorf education was founded by 

Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian scientist and 

philosopher. It is named after a German 

factory at which Steiner created a school 

for the workers’ children in 1919. Steiner 

insisted on a 12-year school available to 

all children of both genders, and in which 

teachers would have great control. Waldorf 

schools are independently run, but 

they must be accredited as embodying 

Waldorf principles and teaching practices. 

The philosophy emphasizes experiential 

learning for the whole child (heart, 

hands and head). Schools provide a calm, 

homelike setting. 

Reggio Emilia 

An early childhood educational approach 

founded by Italian teacher Loris 

Malaguzzi in the city of Emilia Romagna 

after World War II. It is a complex approach 

that includes emphasizing independent 

thinking, cooperation, special 

layout of schools to encourage learning 

and discovery, and documenting children’s 

daily experiences. In this child-led 

approach, teachers guide students to develop 

their ideas and express their learning 

through a wide range of materials 

and experiences. 

Specialty programs 

Some schools specialize in meeting 

unique needs, including programs for 

children with special needs—such as 

therapeutic programs. Some schools 

may specialize in specific interests, such 

as schools for arts education, nature or 

sports development. These schools specialize, 

but still offer full academic curricula. 

Register for Summer Camp 

Before May 1st and Save 15%! 

Drop-In, join a Camp or Lesson program 

AN EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME! 

Summer Camps for Children, Youth, Families & Leadership 

• Community & Corporate Retreats • 

Registration opens March 1st for 

summer camps and family cabin rentals. 

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

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

Open Daily For All Ages + All Levels. Play + Train Today. 

Become an athlete in our family friendly and fun facility! 

Sunday, March 6, 2:30 pm 

Farquhar at UVic 

MAESTRO JOEY, conductor 

CLASSICAL KIDS LIVE, performers 

Life gets a little noisy and a whole lot more 

interesting for young Christopher after a 

crabby, eccentric old man named 

Beethoven moves in upstairs. Young 

listeners will be touched by history, drama, 

music and fun as they come to understand 

the genius of Beethoven and the beauty of 

his music. Don’t miss this famous take by 

the one and only Classical Kids. 

Tickets can be purchased by 

calling Farquhar at UVic at 

250.721.8480 or online by visiting 

victoriasymphony.ca 

FREEESTYLE TRAMPOLINE, PARKOUR, 

GYMNASTICS, MOUNTAIN BIKE, SKATEBOARD 

SCAN for DETAILS 

BOOK NOW 

Tracy Cooper is a freelance writer and 

author at Parents Canada. Reprinted with 

permission from Parents Canada at 

parentscanada.com. 

airhouse.ca 



How to Help Kids Build 

Healthy, Happy Relationships 

One of the biggest challenges of the pandemic response for 

many of us, especially our school aged children, was the 

imposition of limitations to our social networks. As our networks, 

or “bubbles,” became substantially smaller, many of 

us transitioned into a virtual space to continue these friendships—cue 

the zoom playdates, dinner parties and book 

clubs. And while we are lucky to be living in the screen-age 

for the opportunities to have virtual hangouts, our children’s 

ability to develop and maintain healthy in-person relationships 

with people outside our bubbles may require a bit of 

refresher from time to time. 

How can we, as their trusted adults, best set up our children 

to build new successful, healthy relationships? By having 

thoughtful dialogue about what healthy relationships 

look and feel like. 

My experiences as a sexual health educator have taught 

me that students of all ages are eager for the chance to discuss 

healthy relationships more than any other topic. Whether 

we’re having chats about friend and family relationships 

in elementary school, talking about powerful crushes with 

middle school youth or the more sophisticated romantic 

and potentially sexual relationships with older youth, youth 

actively listen, question and soak up all of the relevant information. 

And although the scope and intensity of these relationships 

differ with their maturity and life experience, they 

want tangible examples of healthy relationship qualities. 


Through the years, we continue to use and adapt the acronym 

SHARE2 as one of the most effective ways to personalize 

healthy relationship qualities. As our youth build new 

relationships, we want to encourage their relationships to 

be grounded in Safety, Honesty, Action, Respect, Equity and 

Enjoyment. 

Safety. People feel both emotionally and physically safe 

inside the relationship. They are each comfortable to set 

their own boundaries and expect to have those boundaries 

respected by others. 

Honesty. A person in a healthy relationship can openly 

communicate their thoughts, feelings and expectations with 

others. 

Action. Each of you are actively engaging in building the 

relationship through the acceptance of boundaries, decisions, 

values and family rules. This is based in communication and 

agreement which means you practice consent. 

Respect. Your decisions, values, boundaries, and identity 

are respected and you offer that in return. You also acknowledge 

needs for privacy, space and independence in a respectful 

way. 

Equity. There is balance in your relationship in the presence 

of difference. You do not need to be the same as the 

other people in your relationships. There’s space to share 

both similarities and differences. 

Enjoyment. Our relationships should be enjoyable—they 

should add to the joy in our lives. We enjoy spending time 

with the people you are in relationships with but also balance 

that with time apart. 

Although it may seem rudimentary, no matter how often 

we try to move away from this acronym, our discussions 

with youth and healthy relationships always lead us back to 

it because in the words of an astute Grade 8 participant “A 

healthy relationship means caring is SHARE-ing!” 

Jennifer Gibson, MA, is also known as 

“The Sex Lady”—officially now for over 17 years 

in Greater Victoria!—to the thousands of amazing 

youth and adults she is lucky to educate and learn 

with through her job as the Coordinator of Community 

Education at Island Sexual Health. She’s 

passionate about making sexuality education as 

positive, fun and non-cringe-able as possible. 



DADSPEAK 

The Gift of Freedom 

Well, we sure got worried, didn’t we? 

By “we” I mean parents, and by “worried” I 

mean why the heck aren’t there kids playing on 

the streets anymore? 

At the risk of sounding A) old as dust and B) ridiculous, 

I remember being a kid and just being gone for hours at 

a time, riding my bike—helmet-less, of course...ah, the 

“good” old days—around the small town I lived in back 

in the ’80s, searching for tadpoles in ponds, lighting off 

firecrackers, maybe kicking over the occasional garbage 

can. Just being a kid. 

Maybe I’m not puttering around the right neighbourhoods, 

but I don’t see that as much anymore. 

I know: everyone’s glued to their screens and everyone’s 

in after-school care and goes to five different extracurricular 

activities so no one has time to be a kid anymore, I get 

that. And I also get this: that sucks. 

Some of my best childhood memories are of those times 

roaming the neighbourhood, no parents in sight, no concept 

of time, just the open world around me and my bike 

to take me to wherever we’re going next. No responsibilities. 

Just figuring out life—on my own time and in my 

own terms. 

I value these memories so much. 

These days, you feel like a neglectful parent if your kid 

is out of the house unsupervised. 

Look, I realize downtown Victoria isn’t exactly an oasis 

of peace and calm, but the outlying neighbourhoods, while 

not quite small-town-’80s in atmosphere, are still pretty 

darn safe. I understand the fear, I breathe a small sigh of 

relief whenever the kids return home, like any parent, but 

I keep it to myself. That doesn’t mean I keep the offspring 

within arm’s reach every waking hour. 

As kids grow up, they need time away from us. They 

need to figure out what to do when we’re not there when 

something goes sideways. They need to feel the freedom of 

the wide-open world, a long summer day, a bike, a couple 

dollars in their pocket and zero sense of time. 


Every parent I mention this to agrees with me, yet it’s so 

rare to see kids out on their own. 

I get it. It’s scary. But it’s life. 

So this year, maybe don’t fill little Johnny’s every waking 

moment with activities, and shoo him out the door on 

Saturday mornings. Give him the old “come back when 

the street lights are on” line if you like (although, wow, 

you’re harsh: kid’s gotta eat). He’ll be fine. He’ll actually 

probably have an incredible adventure. 

I’m pretty sure there are no more boogeymen out there 

than there were in the ’80s. But I am sure there are way 

less kids than there were. When they grow up, they’ll never 

have that chance to experience the feeling of absolute 

freedom again. You can find kinda-similar things as an 

adult, but nothing quite recaptures that feeling. This stuff 

is important, and there’s a fleeting window where they’re 

old enough to be out of the house alone but young enough 

to just be a kid. 

So this year, let’s let our kids be kids. Let them go explore, 

buy some candy, maybe get into some mild mischief. 

If they’re old enough, let them be out on their own, figuring 

life out, away from our grip, which seems to get more 

anxiety-ridden and nerve-wracked every year, holding on 

tighter and tighter, inadvertently strangling that glorious 

sense of youthful freedom until it’s all but forgotten. 

Let’s remember to let our kids have their childhood, and 

all the wonder that comes with it, that comes with a wide 

open day with no responsibilities, that comes with figuring 

out the world, on their own. 

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. 



MOM’SPOV 

The Mental Load 

The most common conversation 

I have with my friends is about 

“the mental load” of mothering, 

by which I mean all of the stuff a parent 

has crammed in their mind. Things like 

booking dental appointments, making 

the meal plan and remembering to add 

QTips to the shopping list. 

I think of the mental load as an invisible 

backpack that holds the details, dates, 

plans and needs of our family. It’s heavy. 

It’s exhausting. And because it’s invisible, 

it’s often ignored until something snaps 

and mama seriously loses her sh*t. 

This is exactly what happened in my 

own family not that long ago. 

I don’t remember if the last straw was 

my husband asking if we had run out 

of peanut butter or his surprise when I 

told him what day camp the kids were at 

that week. It might have been his thumbs 

casually resting in his belt loops while 

I unloaded the dishwasher. In any case, 

something inside me snapped. Hot resentment, 

growing steadily and quietly inside 

of me, exploded like an erupting volcano 

and my snarky words spewed out all over 

my husband. 

“How should I know if we’re out of 

peanut butter? Do I look like an inventory 

list of our pantry?” 

“If four months ago you had been the 

one to register them for 10 weeks of summer 

camps then you would know where 

the heck they were this week.” 

“Can you take your damn hands out 

of your pockets and unload the dishwasher?!” 

A short walk cooled me down, but I 

couldn’t stop wondering if I had remembered 

to defrost the chicken for dinner. 

That’s when it occurred to me that the 

reason I was angry was because I was 

anticipating dinner before I had even 

had lunch. I was one of two adults in my 

family and yet somehow I was the only 

person thinking about dinner. 

Emboldened, I raced home and began 

compiling a detailed list of all of the jobs 

involved in keeping our family operational; 

buying birthday party gifts, buying 

new shoes, handing out allowances, registering 

for activities. By the time I was 

done, I had identified 18 different categories 

and over 90 specific jobs related to 

the running of our family. 

Guess who was lugging most of them 

around in her invisible backpack? Me. 

By this point, I was indignant. When 

and how was it decided that I would be 

the unpaid project manager of our lives? 

Was there a sign-up sheet that I had forgotten 

about? I certainly could not recall 

a conversation with my husband in which 

I volunteered to be the cook, the cleaning 

lady and the organizer of all things 

kid-related. So if it hadn’t been discussed 

and I hadn’t knowingly agreed to be all 

of the things, how did I find myself here: 

perpetually joyless, overwhelmed and full 

of resentment? 

I wanted to blame my husband, but the 

truth is I don’t have a lazy husband. He 

works hard and is a wonderful father. He 

is always willing to do anything I ask but 

that was precisely the problem. I didn’t 

want to have to ask. If he had to ask how 

to help it implied two problematic truths: 

one, he didn’t know what comprised the 

list, and, two, that the list was mine. 

Mine to make. Mine to remember. 

Mine to complete. 

So that’s when I decided to take every 

one of those 90 jobs out of my backpack 

and make them visible. 

My husband and I sat down with my 

master list in front of us, all 18 categories 

and 90 jobs. I explained that I was feeling 

overwhelmed and resentful and that 

moving forward, I wanted to feel more 

like a team in the running of our home. 

For dramatic effect, I went through each 


job that I was currently doing and highlighted 

it. 

In my head, I had built this moment 

up to angelic proportions, complete with 

sunshine parting the clouds and organ 

music engulfing us as my husband turned 

to me with the glow of enlightenment 

and with corresponding disbelief of all I 

had endured and accomplished. 

Instead, he quietly nodded as he looked 

over my list. He thanked me for my hard 

work and acknowledged that he could do 

more and was ready to redistribute the 

jobs more equitably. It was exactly what I 

wanted to hear. 

But it was so anticlimactic. 

We then had a helpful and humbling 

conversation. I admitted that I had taken 

on some of the jobs because I liked them. 

There were also a few that I wanted 

control over because I wasn’t willing to 

lower my standards. We added a few 

categories and corresponding jobs to the 

master list since there were the items my 

husband was quietly doing without my 

knowledge (winterizing the trailer, bike 

maintenance and cleaning the gutters). 

We created a new list with a few more 

categories and jobs, each discussed and 

delegated in a way that we could both 

live with. We agreed that the kids were 

old enough to have their name next to a 

few of the jobs. 

We now had not one backpack, but 

two, with fanny packs for the kids. 

I don’t think there is anything genetic 

or innate about women taking on the 

mental load. I wasn’t born with a passion 

for laundry. I wonder if families with two 

moms, two dads, single and co-parents, 

or two non-binary parents have balanced 

backpacks? Maybe there are plenty of 

dads out there carrying the mental load 

as well. 

What I do know is that if we want to 

raise children to choose healthy and balanced 

lives for themselves, then the best 

way to model that behavior is to share 

the load today. 

Sarah Seitz is a working 

mother, writer and consumer 

of coffee and books—in that 

order. She writes about the 

messy and real parts of 

parenting and reveals 

her underbelly in her 

words. You can read 

more of Sarah’s writing 

at sarahseitz.ca. 

Maybe you’ve never thought 

about fostering. 

Maybe you’ve thought 

about it for a long time. 

Maybe now is the time. 

Foster Homes Needed for 

Children and Youth with Support Needs 

The need is great, the opportunity to change a life is 

even greater... 

All children and youth who come into care need support, 

compassion, and unconditional acceptance. Some need 

more. They need physical, emotional, and behavioural 

support that goes beyond the everyday. They need 

someone with training in behaviour management, crisis 

intervention, and/or a medical background. 

Are you that caregiver? 

If you have experience with children or youth with 

complex needs, you can make a difference in a child’s life. 

Children and youth in care across Vancouver Island need a 

safe, temporary place to stay while they and their families 

heal and become strong again. Can you help just one? 

Go to 

fosterhope.ca 

to learn more and to register for a 

Foster Hope Information Session 

Or call 1-888-922-8437 

BRIGHT FUTURES START HERE 

JR. KINDERGARTEN 

KINDERGARTEN – GR. 5 

MIDDLE SCHOOL GR. 6 – 8 

An Anglican school welcoming and honouring 

all backgrounds, faiths, and identities 

Affordable tuition + financial assistance available 

Before- and after-school care 

World-class chorister program 

A supportive and connected parent community 

A new soccer pitch, basketball court and middle 

school building 

Contact us for a personal consultation! 

Christ Church 

Cathedral School 

cathedralschool.ca | 250.383.5125 



FEB/MARFAMILYCALENDAR 

For more information and calendar 

updates throughout the month 

visit IslandParent.ca 

V 

P 

W 

Victoria & Area 

Peninsula 

Westshore 

CV 

N 

CX 

Cowichan Valley 

Nanaimo & Area 

Comox Valley 

PR 

G 

O 

Pacific Rim 

Gulf Islands 

Online 

FEBRUARY 

4 FRIDAY TO 13 SUNDAY 

Victoria Film Festival 

O 

Check out Cinekids, with hands-on, anecdotal, 

competition, screenings—there are many 

streams for our guppies to thrive. Winners will be 

screened during the festival. 

victoriafilmfestival.com 

5 SATURDAY 

Museum Tots 

V 

11am-noon, Maritime Museum of BC 

Weekly program introduces children ages 3–5 

to the fun world of museum learning. Each week 

revolves around a new theme, encouraging 

children to learn through crafts, play, song and 

dance. Today’s theme: Sailing. mmbc.bc.ca 

Learn a new sport or refine 

your skills: come join our 

rock climbing teams! 

Registration 

for recreational 

and competitive 

teams open now. 

All levels 

welcome! 

Ages 6–18. 

Details and registration at climbtheboulders.com 

The Boulders Climbing Gym 

1627 Stelly’s Cross Road | Saanichton, BC | 250.544.0310 

20 SUNDAY 

Family Sunday 

V 

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 

Family Sunday happens every third Sunday of the 

month and is an afternoon of exploring hands-on 

art-making and ideas for all ages. This recurring 

program often features special guests like storytellers, 

artists, performers or musicians. Included 

in admission. 

aggv.ca/family-sundays 

23 WEDNESDAY 

Butterfly Gardens Scavenger Hunt P 

Daily, 10am–4pm, 1461 Benvenuto Ave 

Explore the Insectarium and the Gardens to 

complete the Hunt. Something with many legs? 

Check! Something edible? Found it! Find all the 

items on the list and then try the next one. 

butterflygardens.com 

Pink Shirt Day 

Celebrate diversity while raising funds to support 

inclusive anti-bullying programs for kids in our 

communities by purchasing a Pink Shirt at London 

Drugs in February. Wear your Pink Shirt on Feb 23 

and stand up to bullying. 

pinkshirtday.ca 


MARCH 

18 FRIDAY TO 26 SATURDAY 

Pacific Rim Whale Fest 

PR 

It’s about gray whales and marine life education, 

inspirational talks and interpretive walks, children’s 

fun for the small and culinary events for the 

tall, First Nations cultural workshops and more— 

come and experience a coastal tradition. 

pacificrimwhalefestival.com 

20 SUNDAY 

Family Sunday 

V 

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 

Family Sunday happens every third Sunday of the 

month and is an afternoon of exploring hands-on 

art-making and ideas for all ages. This recurring 

program often features special guests like storytellers, 

artists, performers or musicians. Included 

in admission. 

aggv.ca/family-sundays 

is celebrating 

2022 

Water to Earth 

MARCH 22 

Month - APRIL 22 

Activities and events 

to celebrate both 

World Water Day 

and Earth Day! 

getinvolved.rdn.ca/team-watersmart 

ONGOING 

The Let’s Talk Science Challenge O 

10am–noon, Feb 14–June 10 

This free, fully virtual event that encourages creativity 

and engagement in STEM learning inside 

and outside the classroom. For 11–13yrs. 

letstalkscience.ca 

Orcas: Our Shared Future 

V 

Daily until Mar 31, Royal BC Museum 

Dive deep into the stories and science that surround 

the magnificent orca, spirit of BC’s wild 

coast and apex predator of all oceans. Combine 

your visit with the IMAX: Humpback Whales. 

royalbcmuseum.bc.ca 

LEGO Exhibition 

P 

Daily until Mar 31, Sidney Museum 

This annual favourite, by donation with limited admission, 

will showcase classic sets as well as new 

show stoppers. With themes ranging from fairy 

tale castles to 1960s pop culture icons, there’s 

something for everyone. 

sidneymuseum.ca 

Lego Club 

CV 

Wednesdays 2:30–4:30pm 

Cowichan Branch Public Library 

For children 12 and under. Calling all architects! 

Bring your construction skills and we’ll provide 

the LEGO. Please call 250-746-7661 to register 

for any two of the 1-hour sessions available during 

the month. LEGO will not be shared between 

children during this event. Free. 

virl.bc.ca 

Know someone who would want to work in our programs? 



WHAT’SFORDINNER 

A Season of 

Fresh Greens 

One of my favourite things about living on the coast is 

that spring usually comes with an abundance of fresh 

greens. 

As a gardener, kale, chard and arugula are easy and reliable 

crops. They last through the winter and can handle a few heavy 

snowfalls. Then sprout up and burst with flowers in the spring. 

We always leave a few plants to self-seed for a never-ending 

crop. 

Spring greens are equally versatile in the kitchen. They’re 

delicious in soup, pasta or salad. 

Here are three recipes that feature spring greens. They can 

be made with whatever greens are available in your garden or 

from your local grocery store. That includes everything from 

spinach to kale. 

Braised French Lentils with Greens 

(Prep Time 10 minutes, Cook Time 30 minutes) 

This simple dish is surprisingly rich and flavourful. Served with a baguette 

at a table set with candles, it feels fancy in a rustic sort of way. 

2 medium carrots 

1 medium onion 

2 cloves of garlic 

2 Tbsp olive oil 

1 ⁄2 cup of broth or red wine 

3 ⁄4 cup of brown or French lentils 

2 cups of water 

A large bunch of greens 

1 Tbsp tomato paste 

1 tsp Dijon mustard 

1 tsp salt and pepper, to taste. 

1. Finely chop the carrots and onion. Dice the garlic. 

2. Heat the oil in the bottom of a large saucepan. Add the vegetables 

and saute until the onions are just starting to soften, about 2 minutes. 

3. Pour in the broth or wine. Bring to a boil, then add the lentils and 

2 cups of water. 

4. Reduce the heat and simmer until lentils are soft, but not mushy 

(about 20 minutes). 

5. Meanwhile, wash and chop the greens. 

6. When the lentils are soft, stir in the greens, tomato paste and Dijon 

mustard. Continue to simmer until the greens are just wilted (about 

2 minutes). Add the salt and pepper to taste. 

7. Serve immediately. 

Spring Greens with Baked Eggs 

(Prep Time 15 minutes, Cook Time 15 minutes) 

This vegetable-packed dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch or dinner! 

Serve it with a side of toast or oven roasted potatoes. 

I’ve written the recipe for a family of four. However, it’s an easy way 

to make a LOT of eggs all at once. So feel free to double or triple the 

recipe. To bake a larger amount of eggs, move the wilted greens to a 

glass casserole dish, then bake the eggs in that dish instead. 

1 large bunch of spring greens 

1 yellow onion 


2 Roma tomatoes 

1⁄4 tsp of cumin 


1⁄4 tsp salt, to taste 

1⁄4 tsp smoked paprika 

4 eggs 

1⁄4 cup of Parmesan cheese 

1. Preheat the oven to 375˚F. 

2. Wash and finely chop the spring greens. Dice the onions and garlic 

and chop the tomatoes. 

3. Heat a large, ovenproof frying pan on medium heat. Add the 

cumin and toast until fragrant (about 1 minute). 

4. Add the olive oil and yellow onion. Cook for 2 minutes, until the 

onions are starting to soften. 

5. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and garlic. Sprinkle on the salt and 

smoked paprika. Cook for 5 more minutes. 

6. Add the greens to the frying pan and cover with a lid until everything 

is bubbling and the greens are tender, about 5 minutes. There will 

be quite of bit of liquid in the pan, perfect for poaching eggs. Taste the 

stew and add more salt as necessary. 

7. Push the vegetables aside to create four wells in the frying pan. 

Crack an egg into each of the wells. Sprinkle each egg with a pinch of 

salt and freshly ground pepper. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. 

8. Place the frying pan in the oven and bake uncovered. The eggs 

are done when the whites are set, but the yolks are still runny, about 10 

minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your oven, so keep an 

eye on them. 


Garlic Roasted 

Flowering Shoots 

(Prep time 10 minutes, 

Bake time 20 minutes) 

In the spring, kale, cabbage and other 

brassicas send out flowering shoots. On 

cabbages they form after the main head of 

cabbage has been removed. With kale, they 

come as the main stalk shoots up to make 

little yellow flowers. 

These flowering shoots are a tender and 

delicious, yet under-appreciated vegetable. 

They can be prepared in the same method as 

asparagus; fried, steamed or sautéed. I like 

having them oven roasted with garlic, because 

it is so easy and my kids love it. 

Flowering shoots are a crop that more 

local farmers are producing, so you should 

be able to find them at any market featuring 

small, local producers. Or, if you are a gardener, 

simply leave your kale and cabbage in the 

ground until they naturally send out flowering 

shoots. You should be able to get several 

harvests from a single plant, so let them send 

out flowers several times. I don’t recommend 

trying this with chard, because it is quite bitter 

when it flowers. 

1 bunch of flowering shoots (from cabbage 

or kale) 



1⁄4 tsp salt, to taste 

Preschool to Grade 11…and beyond. 

Imagine a School…where music, dance, theatre and visual arts 

are infused into all aspects of an outstanding curriculum. 

v Junior K and Half/Full-day Kindergarten options also available 

v Comprehensive K-11 program consistently exceeds BC Curriculum 

v Excellent facilities, convenient locations throughout Saanich 

v Highly qualified, dedicated staff and low student/teacher ratios 

Visit our website, come to one of our Open Houses, or call us! 

www.ArtsCalibre.ca info@ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533 

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. 

2. Wash the flowering shoots and trim off 

the cut end. The is only necessary for storebought 

shoots, which may have dried out a 

bit. 

3. Spread the shoots out on a rimmed baking 

sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil and toss 

to coat. 

4. Finely dice the garlic and spread it over 

the shoots. Then sprinkle on the salt. 

5. Bake until the shoots soft enough to 

easily pierce with a fork, and some of the 

leaves are browning. It should take between 

15 to 20 minutes depending on how thick 

the shoots are. Cabbage shoots tend to be 

thicker than kale. 

Emillie Parrish 

writes from Victoria and 

Saturna Island. She is 

the author of the Pacific 

Northwest lifestyle blog 

BerriesAndBarnacles.com. 



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 

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

Learning Through Play & Discovery. 

Licensed non-profit, ECE staff. Since 1958. 

Morning or full-time care. 

castleviewchildcarecentre.com 

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 

Emmanuel Baptist Church Child Care 

We offer all-day Day Care 

for 3 and 4 year olds. 

We also offer an After School Care 

Program for Kindergarten to 12 years 

old for Campus View and Frank Hobbs. 

250 598 0573 2121 Cedar Hill X Rd (by entrance to UVic) 

daycare@emmanuelvictoria.ca afterschool@emmanuelvictoria.ca 

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 

La Pré-Maternelle 

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

French immersion preschool. Group child 

care programs. 30 months to school age. 

Christian centre. 

prematernelleappletree.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 

Pre-School 

Junior Kindergarten 

PacificChristian.ca 

250-479-4532 

Educational Excellence to the Glory of God 

Rainbows 

& Dreams 

Preschool 

Offering small classes, creative 3–5 year 

and kindie programs. Safe, fun, nurturing 

environment to learn and grow. 

250-479-1966 4184 Keewatin Place, Victoria 

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 

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 

SEEDLINGS 

Forest Education 

Where nature becomes the Teacher! 

Seedlings Forest Education is a Nature based program 

that includes After School Care, Nature Preschool, Parent 

Workshops, Saturday Seedlings, Summer Camps and more! 

250-880-0660 seedlingsforesteducation.com 

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 

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 

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. 

Call your local CCRR for free referrals and resources. 

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 or 1-800-750-1868 

Sooke: 250-642-5152 West Shore: 250-940-4882 

Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 

PacificCare (Ladysmith north): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 


Victoria & Area Peninsula Westshore Cowichan Valley Nanaimo & Area 

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

Where children can discover, imagine, 

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Wondrous natural playground. 

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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 

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Sidney Preschool 

We are a licensed co-operative preschool 

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The first steps in 

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Call for more information today: 250.746.3654 

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. 

• 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 

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 

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 

Metchosin Co-Op Preschool 

A Co-operative preschool in 

the heart of rural Metchosin. 

The best place to be. 

Take a virtual tour today! 

metchosinpreschool.com 

250-478-9241 metchosinpreschool@gmail.com 

Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 

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

NANAIMO’ S JK–12 INTERNATIONAL 

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

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

Mother, Daughter owned and operated. Earth 

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Infused with fun and creative daily yoga 

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

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While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy 

our dedicated team of educators use the environment 

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Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the 

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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. 



Motherhood Baggage 

The first time I took my daughter to Vancouver for the 

day, she was five-weeks old, colicky with a severe diaper 

rash. I packed everything. I brought extra clothes for her, extra 

clothes for me, diapers, diaper cream, wet wipes, a breast 

pump, bottles, blankets, a carrier, a stroller…I was so worried 

that she would start crying and that I would turn around, 

helpless, for the one thing in my limited arsenal of soothing 

strategies that would stop those dreaded cries. I wanted to 

be able to reach for something that would stop the feeling of 

panic that started in throat and sunk down into my chest until 

I felt empty and useless as my daughter’s face got redder and 

redder. 

We packed all our supplies our SUV and ventured to the 

airport to meet my friend. We used some of the things, but 

not all. I was glad I had them—just in case. They made me 

feel like I might be able to make it through the day, like I was 

a good mom, like I had done my best to be there for my baby. 

At the end of the day, I sat in the car in the ferry line up 

waiting to go home. It was pouring rain, so much so that I 

could barely see the headlights of the car in front of me. As 

it rained, I prayed that my daughter would keep sleeping in 

the backseat. I tried to picture how I could change her diaper 

in the pouring rain, the car so full of stuff that there would 

barely have been room to lay her flat. The stuff I’d brought 

was no longer helping me to me a good mom, it was getting in 

the way. 

Years later, as I took a solo trip to Vancouver, I packed as 

little as I could—underwear, a charger, a book, a sweater, 

toothbrush. Even so, as soon as I got to the city, I ditched 

anything I didn’t need at the hotel. I just wanted to wander 

around unincumbered. I kept my cell phone, keys and a lipstick 

in my coat pocket but nothing else. I took this trip to be 

myself again, to stop thinking about making lunches, booking 

swim lessons, waking up at 4am to find a stuffy. Just to be 

free. It was glorious. 

My urge to wander weightless got me thinking about all the 

many, many things we carry in motherhood, how they weigh 

us down or how they can make us feel like good or bad mothers. 

All the tasks we carry—sorting through hand-me-downs, 

meal planning, decorating the house for the holidays, creating 

lists of childcare options, hosting Easter dinner, booking 

soccer lessons, keeping track of the latest “best friend” at 

daycare. 

Then there are all the things feel pressured to do as women—be 

a certain weight, wear makeup to look less tired, 

host family dinners, participate in fundraisers, remember 

birthdays—the list never ends. Somehow the domestic to-do 

list gets bigger when we become mothers—even for things 

that are unrelated to motherhood itself. It got me to thinking 

about which tasks are necessary and which ones we carry anyways, 

even though they may not help us or our children. 

What do children need from us? 

They need a lot—our weary bodies to carry them, our souls 

to comfort them and hold them through all their many emotions, 

our finances to provide shelter and food, and our higher 

selves to show them how to walk through the world with 

integrity. 

But they don’t need us to be thin. 

They don’t need us to be on the PTA. 

They don’t need every extra-curricular and elf-on-the-shelf 

and LOL doll and home-made gluten-free spinach muffins. 

They may want some of those things, or we may want to 

provide some of those things, but they aren’t actually necessary. 

The trouble is that without all this mental and emotional 

and physical labour and the giving-up of ourselves, we often 

don’t feel like good mothers. We don’t feel like we’re doing 

everything we can do for our children. We worry that we 

don’t measure up or that our children won’t feel loved. Yet, 

children are resilient. Their well-being is often tied to our happiness, 

not the level of clutter in the house and the frequency 

at which we serve them Kraft Dinner. 

I don’t know what the answer is. It’s hard to give up on 

the image of the mother you thought you’d be. It’s hard to 

ask others to take some of it on. It’s hard to disappoint our 

children. It’s hard to disappoint ourselves. Let’s just hope that 

everything we do—every Pyjama Day we remember and gymnastics 

lesson we book, and cucumber stick we chop—still 

leaves us with enough. That at the end of the day, we still 

have our spiritual necessities—our emotional equivalent of 

cell phones, keys and lipstick. 

Nothing more. Nothing less. 

Julia Mais is a Victoria writer and mom. 


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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 

Teaching 

Kids to Use 

Inclusive Language 

Lorie English’s daughter, Jack, was 

five years old when an older kid on 

the school playground made fun of her 

for her clothing: “Why are you wearing 

pink?” the boy teased. English and her 

husband knew that Jack, who was assigned 

male at birth, would face challenges 

when she started school. “We talked 

about how gender fluid—that the gender 

you’re assigned at birth may not be the 

gender you identify with,” she says. They 

also made it a priority to equip Jack with 

responses about her choices, which is 

why her reply to the bully was so mature: 

“Clothes are just clothes, and I can wear 

whatever makes me feel good. And if you 

don’t want to be my friend because of 

that, that’s OK.” 

People are always being introduced 

to acronyms and identities, says Omid 

Razavi, director of communications 

for Pflag Canada, a national charitable 

organization founded by parents who 

wished to help themselves and family 

members understand and accept their 

LGBTQ2S children. “The terms aren’t 

necessarily new—it’s just that society is 

finally starting to understand. We need 

to ensure the next generation is comfortable 

with inclusive language.” It’s also 

important to create inclusive environments 

so that all children feel “seen and 

welcomed exactly as they are, regardless 

of sexual orientation or gender identity,” 

says The 519 Glitterbug LGBTQ2S Mobile 

Program’s Best Practices for Creating 

LGBTQ2S-affirming Environments. Ultimately, 

Razavi says, kids look to parents, 

caregivers and mentors for guidance, so 

it’s vital that we lead by example. 

English explained Jack’s transition to 

her son, Ben, now five, in simple terms: 

“Jack believes she is a girl, so Jack is going 

to be your sister.” As soon as they 

started using she/her pronouns at home, 

Ben caught on right away. Other than 

some questions about anatomy (English 

explained to her kids that “who you 


are in terms of your gender comes from 

inside, not from your body parts,”) the 

explanation was “literally that simple.” 

Now, Ben introduces Jack as his sister 

and will correct others when they make 

mistakes with Jack’s pronouns. Jack, now 

seven, can have conversations with adults 

about pronouns; she understands that 

some people are he/him, some people are 

she/her, some people are they/them. She 

also understands what it means to be 

two-spirited (a term used by some Indigenous 

peoples to describe their gender, 

sexual and spiritual identity). “And none 

of these were hard conversations,” says 

English. “Kids are really open to these 

ideas. As adults, we just have to be willing 

to have the conversations.” 

Using non-gendered terms in your 

everyday communication is one way to 

begin to normalize inclusive language. 

Try to avoid using gendered pronouns 

when asking about siblings, for example. 

And introduce relatable topics around 

the dinner table. “Try saying ‘Hey, you’ve 

heard Sam Smith’s song. Did you know 

that Sam Smith came out as non-binary? 

Let’s explain what that means,’” suggests 

Razavi. “And talk about how important 

it is to make sure that everybody is comfortable 

living as their authentic selves.” 

Jack’s first grade teacher was very supportive, 

which makes a huge difference. 

“She was not afraid to call us at home 

and say, ‘I noticed Jack seemed put off 

by being referred to as a boy, should we 

be making this transition in school?’” 

English says. Jack’s classmates are adapting 

well. “They struggle a little bit with 

pronouns, but not disrespectfully. But we 

can’t be afraid to make mistakes,” English 

continues. 

Razavi agrees. “The LGBTQ2S community 

is ever-evolving, so there are 

growing pains and learning curves that 

come with that,” says Razavi. When 

children misgender or have a hard time 

wrapping their brains around any of 

these conversations, “we just have to try 

and break it down in simpler terms,” 

says Razavi. It’s also important not to 

single out that child in front of a group— 

the point is to make them feel like they’re 

able to grow and learn to restructure 

their language in a safe space. If it turns 

out a child is purposely avoiding using 

someone’s preferred pronouns, or picking 

on them for their clothing choices, “we 

have to let them know that words can 

hurt,” says Razavi. And we need to talk 

about what it means to be an ally: “It 

means speaking up in an informative and 

kind manner when you are seeing injustices 

happen, or you witness someone 

misgendering someone else.” 

English and her husband have given 

Jack’s school lots of resources for learning 

how to teach kids to use inclusive 

language. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 

they were in the process of drafting 

a letter to the parents of the kids 

in Jack’s class to prepare them for the 

pronoun switch, and to give them some 

tips around how to talk to their own kids 

about it. 

“Make these conversations fun by celebrating 

how everybody has the right to 

live their truth,” says Razavi. “Because 

when they do, they shine bright.” 

Lora Grady is a freelance journalist and an 

author. Reprinted with permission from Parents 

Canada, parentscanada.com. 

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KIDS’READS 

Choose to Be Kind 

Recently I had a conversation with 

my oldest son about why he was 

being mean to his younger brother, 

because, as I told him, he’s not a mean 

child. He’s a kind, caring, and considerate 

boy. He tearfully told me that he 

didn’t mean to be unkind and it was 

an accident. And so, our conversation 

changed from why he was being mean 

to how it got to the point where he was 

now accidentally being mean. And how 

in order to change that he needed to start 

intentionally being kind. And so, with a 

few more hugs and apologies we came up 

with a game plan on how he could practice 

kindness and get to the place where 

he’s kind by default. 

Regardless of whether or not your 

child is the one being hurt or the one doing 

the hurting, if you would like to start 

some conversations on kindness, bias, 

and personality differences, here are a 

few books that can help set the stage. 

The first is a fun-to-read textbook for 

older children called This is Your Brain 

on Stereotypes: How Science is tackling 

unconscious bias by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and 

illustrated by Drew Shannon (Kids Can 

Press, 2020). And I know “textbook” 

and “fun” don’t sound like they’d go 

together, but in this case they do. This 

book is filled with relatable (and thoughtprovoking 

or alarming) stories about the 

ways our brains impact how we interact 

with others as individuals and as a society. 

It also has some actionable steps on 

ways we can rewire our brains so we can 

start seeing people as individuals instead 

of stereotypes. For ages 10 to 14. 

The next book looks at selfishness 

from the point of view of the selfish 

person, or rather, the selfish squirrel. In 

It’s My Tree by Olivier Tallec (Kids Can 

Press, 2020), the squirrel is very possessive 

about his tree and his nuts. To 

protect what belongs to him, he builds a 

wall around the tree so no one else can 

have any shade or nuts. But once the 

wall is up, he begins to realize what his 

selfishness is costing him. This beautifully 

illustrated story is funny and poignant, 

and it would be a great conversation 

starter about what happens when we go 

to extremes to avoid helping others. For 

ages 4 to 7. 

Another book you can use to start 

some conversations about kindness and, 

more specifically, internet safety is On 

the Internet: Our First Talk about Online 

Safety by Dr. Jillian Roberts and illustrated 

by Jane Heinrichs (Orca, 2019). 


While this book focuses on the internet, 

one aspect of the online realm is how 

people relate to others. The book talks 

about online bullying, how people can 

invade your virtual personal bubble, and 

what to do if something makes your child 

uncomfortable. For ages 6 to 8. 

Why Are You So Quiet by Jaclyn 

Desforges and illustrated by Risa Hugo 

(Annick Press, 2020) focuses on the individual 

who is being otherized. Myra Louise 

loves quiet, and she loves to listen to 

quiet things. The people around her don’t 

understand and they are constantly heckling 

her and trying to get her to change, 

but she doesn’t want to change. So Myra 

Louise decides to try and show them why 

she is quiet and along the way we learn 

she’s a good thinker, a good observer and 

a good reader. For ages 4 to 7. 

Finally, White Raven by Teoni 

Spathelfer and illustrated by Natassia 

Davies (Heritage, 2021) looks at what 

happens when cultures let their biases 

win. This story is about White Raven, 

who was one of the young girls sent to 

St. Michael’s Indian Residential School 

in Alert Bay. The book describes how she 

was treated and how she has tried to heal 

from her experiences. For ages 4 to 8. 

While these conversations won’t always 

be fun or easy, they may help you 

find gentle ways to ease into the difficult 

topics of bullying, bias, and building better 

habits. Good luck. 

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. 



NATURENOTES 

Froggy Quandary 

Frogs and toads are creatures that we come to recognize 

from a young age. No one hops like a frog, croaks like a 

frog or has the huge, bulging eyes of a frog. We even have 

games named after their leaping ability! They are also creatures 

that are not so ubiquitously common in our busy city lives that 

we notice when they aren’t there. We see them, we hear them, 

we recognize them and once they are out of sight, we tend to 

forget about them. 

Frogs and our other amphibian neighbours may not be obvious 

in our day to day lives, but they are certainly worth our 

curiosity and attention! Take their winter habits for example. 

The majority of the winter months, frogs and other amphibians 

of Vancouver Island will hibernate. Many will find refuge 

under insulating layers of dead leaves, or under logs. Some will 

remain burrowed in the debris and mud in the bottom of lakes 

and ponds. One species of frog, the Wood Frog, is native to 

British Columbia but not Vancouver Island. This unexpected 

creature has been found as far north as the Arctic Circle, a 

seemingly impossible feat made feasible with sugars in their 

blood preventing it from freezing despite temperatures well below 

0 degrees celsius. Essentially, they have an antifreeze kind 

of blood! 

There are reasons to care about the success of these mucusy 

critters beyond just their curious habits and biology. Amphibians 

have long been considered environmental indicators. The 

ability of frogs to breathe through their skin is an adaptation 

that perfectly sets them up for life aquatica, or at least a semiaquatic 

life. The double edged sword of such absorbent skin 

is that it does just that: it absorbs everything it is exposed to. 

Fluctuations in pH, minerals, oxygen and chemicals in an 

aquatic environment will be felt first by the amphibian community. 

By monitoring the health of amphibian populations, 

the health of the entire ecosystem can be observed. For this 

interaction with amphibian populations and their environment, 

amphibians are considered indicator species. 

As the frogs begin their courtship calls in February, relish 

their presence! If you are feeling as though you would like to 

contribute to the science surrounding amphibian populations, 

you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the calls and 

appearance of native amphibian species. 

Try to record the date, time and location, along with the 

species and the number you saw, or how many egg masses. 

With that information in your back pocket, you can add your 

observations to Frogwatch BC! If you are able to take photos 

without intruding on their space, you can also upload that information 

to iNaturalist. Citizen science is approachable and 

Photo: Robert Fraser 


accessible for everyone, and you can feel great about ensuring 

the longevity of amphibian populations in your area. 

Remember, if you are fortunate enough to come across an 

amphibian, give it space! Despite perhaps not always feeling so, 

you are a giant compared to these creatures, and even the best 

intentions can cause harm to a group of animals that needs support 

more than anything. 

Handling these animals for even a brief time can allow for 

chemicals and other potentially harmful substances on our skin 

to enter their body through their permeable skin. Not to mention, 

it is illegal to handle or transport B.C.’s native amphibians! 

Don’t wait until their absence provides a stark silence on 

summer evenings. Ensuring these iconic creatures are protected 

for future generations requires work, but they are more than 

worth protecting. 

Kalene Lillico is a Program Naturalist 

at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary. She 

encourages you to foster wonderment in your 

own life by slowing down and asking questions 

wherever possible, especially questions that 

don’t have answers yet! 

Photo: Kalene Lillico 

SUMMER CAMPS 

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supports quality programming 

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supports quality summer programming for families with children 

facing disabilities within your community. 

COMMUNITY OPTIONS 

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Have you ever wondered about the future and 

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supports what You it quality might gifts promotes 

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supports designating quality Community summer programming Options for for families Children with children and 

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leaving facing a gift disabilities through within your your will or community. any other gift 

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Children 

& Mental 

Health 

Mental health affects the way people 

think, feel and act. Taking care of 

our mental health is just as important as 

having a healthy body. As a parent, you 

play an important role in your child’s 

mental health: 

• You can promote good mental 

health by the things you say and do, and 

through the environment you create at 

home. 

• You can also learn about the early 

signs of mental health problems and 

know where to go for help. 

How can I nurture my child’s 

mental health? 

Help children build strong, caring relationships: 

• It’s important for children and youth 

to have strong relationships with family 

and friends. Spend some time together 

each night around the dinner table. 

• A significant person who is consistently 

present in a child’s life plays 

a crucial role in helping them develop 

resilience. This person—often a parent or 

other family member—is someone your 

child spends a lot of time with and knows 

they can turn to when they need help. 

• Show your children how to solve 

problems. 

Help children and youth develop selfesteem, 

so that they feel good about 

themselves: 

• Show lots of love and acceptance. 

• Praise them when they do well. Recognize 

their efforts as well as what they 

achieve. 

• Ask questions about their activities 

and interests. 

• Help them set realistic goals. 

Create a safe, positive home environment: 

• Be aware of your child’s media use, 

both the content and the amount of 

time spent on screens. This includes TV, 

movies, Internet and gaming devices. Be 

aware of who they might be interacting 

with on social media and online games. 


• Be careful about discussing serious 

family issues—such as finances, marital 

problems or illness—around your children. 

Children can worry about these 

things. 

• Provide time for physical activity, 

play and family activities. 

• Be a role model by taking care of 

your own mental health: Talk about your 

feelings. Make time for things you enjoy. 

Come on in and see our incredible live animals in this unique 

mini-zoo. Tour guides are always available to answer questions 

and show off our adorable critters! Virtual tours and outreach 

programs are available for larger groups and birthday parties. 

Masks and vaccines required. Thank you! 

victoriabugzoo.ca 

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How do I know if my child or 

youth has a mental health 

problem? 

All children and youth are different. 

If you’re concerned your child may have 

a problem, look at whether there are 

changes in the way they think, feel or act. 

Mental health problems can also lead to 

physical changes. Ask yourself how your 

child is doing at home, at school and 

with friends. 

Where do I go for help? 

There are many ways to help your 

child achieve good mental health. Sharing 

your concerns with the doctor is one of 

them. Talk to your child’s doctor: 

• if the behaviours described above last 

for a while, or if they interfere with your 

child’s ability to function; 

• if you have concerns about your 

child’s emotional and mental health; 

• about your child’s behavioural development 

and emotional health at each 

well-child visit. 

If your child or teen talks about suicide 

or harming themselves, call your doctor 

or local mental health crisis line right 

away. Learn more about children and 

mental health. 

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LLLEEAAAARRRRRNN TTOO SSSSSAAAAIIIILLL TTHIIIISSSSS SSSSSUMMMMMMEERRRRR! 

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From Canadian Pediatric Society’s 

Caring for Kids. For more information, visit 

caringforkids.cps.ca. 



CUTITOUT! 

Strategies Not Skills 

Even if you have great communication 

skills, you will find it hard to 

use them when you are feeling upset 

or defensive. We don’t usually notice 

that we are going there until it is too late. 

We’ve said that thing, lost our temper or 

stormed off. It’s valuable to notice the 

early warning signs: 

• You find yourself taking things too 

seriously. 

• You react and over-focus on an issue. 

• Your conversation picks up speed 

like a ping-pong game, a rapid fire of 

words. 

• You begin to see the person from a 

critical viewpoint, a caricature of their 

worst traits; controlling disrespectful, 

mean, selfish. 

• You lack empathy and find it hard to 

care about what the other person has to 

say or how they feel. 

• You might feel tension in your body 

or feel fired up. 

• You can’t, let it go. 

• The issue becomes magnified and 

feels catastrophic. 

• You see yourself as the victim of the 

other person. 

• You hear what you fear and make 

negative assumptions of the other person’s 

intent. 

All of us can go there, especially during 

stressful times. It’s part of our make-up. 

Once we accept this, we can think about 

strategies to put in place. Planning for 

emotional meltdowns 

person, 

makes 

or 

sense. 

online... 

What 

could work? 

• Slow the conversation down. Make it 

more like a game of catch, breathe, listen, 

think about what you are going to say. 

• If things aren’t improving, agree to 

stop and revisit the issue later. Be careful 

that you don’t dive back in too soon. 

If you’re still feeling triggered, it won’t 

work. 

• Your best clue that you are ready is 

when you start to feel care and concern 

about the other person. This means 

you’re back to thinking relationally. 

• Be open to hearing the person’s needs 

and values, even if it means you have to 

Through ignore these some times criticism let’s or attitude. be 

careful •& Commit kind to out taking there turns at listening 

by just hearing to understand until you 

STAGES 

get it right. 

• Stick to the issue and be specific. 

General terms don’t provide clarity. 

While this isn’t easy, it is a more mature 

way of showing love to those who 

Summer matter. It Programs 

feels good when we open our 

hearts to learning about the other and 

Running This 

about ourselves. 

July 

If 

& 

discipline 

August 

means to 

teach, perhaps this is the most effective 

form of discipline that there is. 

Programs will be running (hopefully) in 

Preschool Dance Camps 

For 3-5 year olds in Ballet, Jazz, 

Dr. Allison Rees is a 

parent educator, counsellor 

and coach at LIFE Seminars 

(Living in Families Effectively), 

lifeseminars.com. 

BUSINESSES 

YOUNEEDTOKNOW 

These local businesses are family-focused and committed to our community and helping you. 

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 

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 

Little Dancers Classes 

Are running through the summer for 

those 18 months to 3 years old 

STAGES Summer Programs 

Come Dance With Us 

Summer Programs 

Running This July & August 

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

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

August 

Come Dance 

With 

Through these times 

let’s be careful & 

kind out there 

38 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca 

Come Dance 

STAGES 

Summer Programs 

Running This July & August 

Through these times 


kind out there 

STAGES 

Come Dance 

With Us 

Call (250) 384-3267, 

Email: stagesdance@shaw.ca, 

or visit us at 

www.stagesdance.com 

Through these time 


kind out ther

What is McTavish Academy Of Art? 

In 2016 our families began repurposing a decommissioned elementary school in North Saanich, as well as the adjacent 

agricultural land, into a vibrant and inclusive community arts centre. We had a vision to create a place where our 

community could connect and explore their own creativity, expand on talents, discover new ones and bring 

cross generational collaboration and learning to life through the arts. We created a place where community could 

experience art of all kinds such as music, dance, painting and many other performing and visual art forms. We have 

been growing and evolving ever since we opened our doors and it's been an incredible adventure. 

As a result of the pandemic, our community lost the ability to visit us in person and so over the past two years we 

discovered a new avenue to create and connect with everyone through our art kits. These ready to assemble art 

kits include all the supplies needed to create your own custom work of art. Each kit starts as a drawing, is then 

digitally formatted, laser cut from wood and packaged in-house. From 3D Whales, Monsters and Lighthouses, 

to Treehouses, Unicorns and many more. We now have over 25 kits to inspire your creativity! 

To learn more about McTavish Academy Of Art please visit 

our website: mctavishacademy.ca 

Create with us! 

Join us for classes, workshops, 

events, rentals, birthdays, 

camps and much more. 

Activities for all ages 

Are you an instructor looking for a space to host your classes? 

Connect with us to find the perfect studio! 


mctavishacademy.ca create@mctavishacademy.ca 778-351-0088 

1720 McTavish Rd, North Saanich, BC 


Island Catholic Schools 

Catholic Education on Vancouver Island is a system rich in tradition and history 

dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Island Catholic Schools is a dynamic 

community of schools having a strong reputation for academic excellence, 

instilling Catholic values and building community. We are committed to 

educating the “whole” child in a Christ-centered community of learning. 

St. Joseph’s 

(Pre-K to Grade 7) 

757 W Burnside Rd, Victoria 

250-479-1232 

www.stjosephschool.ca 

Email: sjv@cisdv.bc.ca 

Tours by appointment 

February 7–11. 

St. Patrick’s School 

(K to Grade 7) 

2368 Trent St, Victoria 

250-592-6713 

www.stpatrickselem.ca 

Email: sp@cisdv.bc.ca 

Tours by appointment 

February 7–11. 

St. Andrew’s 

Regional High School 

(Grade 8–12) 

880 McKenzie Ave, Victoria 

250-479-1414 

www.standrewshigh.ca 

Email: sarhs@cisdv.bc.ca 

Please visit our website 

for a Virtual Open House. 

Queen of Angels 


2085 Maple Bay Rd, Duncan 

250-746-5919 

www.queenofangels.ca 

Email: qa@cisdv.bc.ca 

Please contact the school for 

more information and/or a tour. 

St. John Paul II 


4006 8th Ave, Port Alberni 

250-723-0637 

www.jp2nd.ca 

Email: jp2@cisdv.bc.ca 

Please contact the school 

for a private tour. 

Call today for registration information 

K to 12, Pre-school, Day Care, Out of School Care for September 2022 

250-727-6893 or visit cisdv.bc.ca

Island Parent Magazine February/March 2022

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