Island Parent Oct Nov 2022

OCT/NOV 2022 

FREE COPY 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years 

Recharge 

Your 

Batteries 

The Importance 

of Friendship 

Finding Fun 

in the Fall 

INSIDE! 

& 

TWEENS TEENS 

2022 

Parenting On a 

Hope & a Prayer 

STAYING AFLOAT IN 

THE SOCIAL MEDIA 

SHARK TANK 

Fly-By-the-Seat-of-Your-Pants 

TEEN TRAVEL 

Choices Aplenty 

Choosing Period Products

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2 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca

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IslandParent.ca 

October/November 2022 3

OCT/NOV 2022 

FREE COPY 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years 





SHARK TANK 

2 0 2 2 


T EN TRAVEL 


Ch osing Period Products 

10 

The 

Importance 

of Friendship 

DR. JILLIAN ROBERTS 

TABLEOFCONTENTS 

12 

Neurodiversity 

Is Also a 

Diversity 

YVONNE BLOMER 

20 

Helping Kids Deal 

with Anxiety 

COLLEEN ADRIAN 

24 

Finding Fun 

in the Fall 

In Every 

Issue 

5 

Fast Forward 

SUE FAST 

6 

Need to Know 

14 

Dadspeak 

GREG PRATT 

16 

Kids’ Reads 

CHRISTINE VAN STARKENBURG 

18 

Moms’ POV 

SERENA BECK 

21 

Businesses You Need to Know 

31 

Special Feature 

& 

TWEENS TEENS 





SHARK TANK 



TEEN TRAVEL 


Choosing Period Products 

Lukas F (22), Hanna C (6), Alex C (4). 

All three are part of the Nanaimo BMX club 

and ride for Diablos Racing. 

Photo by 

Ashley Marston 

ashleymarstonbirthphotography.com 

32 

Parenting On 

a Hope & a Prayer 

KELLY CLEEVE 

34 

Staying Afloat in 

the Social Media 

Shark Tank 

LINDSAY COULTER 

36 

Fly-by-the-Seatof-Your-Pants 

Teen Travel 

APRIL BUTLER 

38 

Choices Aplenty: 

Choosing Period 

Products 

JENNIFER GIBSON 

22 

Preschool & Child Care Directory 

23 

Family Calendar 

26 

Nature Notes 

EMMA JANE VIGNOLA 

28 

What’s for Dinner 

EMILLIE PARRISH 

30 

Cut It Out! 

DR. ALLISON REES 

On the 

Cover 

Charles H (4) & 

Evelyn H (2) 

Photo by 

Chalie Howes 

Recharge 

Your 

Batteries 


of Friendship 

Finding Fun 

in the Fall 

INSIDE! 

& 

TWEENS TEENS 

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. 

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

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250-388-6905 islandparent.ca 

518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 

A proud member of 

BC 


FASTFORWARD 

10 Reflections on Parenting 

If you were asked to sum up the 10 most important lessons 

you’ve learned since becoming a parent, what would they 

be? 

That’s the premise behind illustrator Grace Farris’s recent 

work, Ten Pithy Reflections on Ten Years of Motherhood. 

Chances are, you could add another 10 pithy reflections of 

your own—beware bare feet and lost Lego, for one, or maybe, 

the best way to get your kids’ attention is turn off the internet—and 

keep on going from there. Learning seems to come 

with the territory, both for kids and for parents. 

Her revelations: 

1. Everything is a phase. 

2. The sleep deprivation gets better. 

3. Beware the library silence of quietly “playing” child. 

4. You are not a short-order cook EXCEPT WHEN YOU 

ARE! 

5. Bath time is a gift. 

6. Sometimes things just won’t be aesthetically pleasing. 

7. Write the nice/funny stuff down to remember later. 

8. Time is precious. 

9. Time is an illusion. 

10. Time for a snack plate. 

This issue aims to complement a parent’s first-hand, hardwon 

knowledge. You’ll find information on the importance 

of friendship, how to help kids deal with anxiety and why 

classrooms that are “open to all learners” might not suit all 

students. There’s a guide to help you and your family find fun 

in fall, a list of autumn nature highlights and recipes for quick 

healthy oven meals. 

Time is precious, especially family time. And when the going 

gets tough, remember: “Everything is a phase.” Chances are, if 

the hangries have anything to do with it, it’s time for a snack 

plate! 

– Sue Fast 



NEEDTOKNOW 

Community 

StoryMap 

Participate in Saanich’s Community StoryMap, an interactive 

online mapping tool to help inform two projects 

related to the environment in Saanich: the Urban Forest 

Strategy Update and the Resilient Saanich State of Biodiversity 

Report. Share what you value in Saanich about 

biodiversity and urban forests (location and information) 

and suggest improvements and/or risks to those trees and 

natural features. Your input will help the district understand 

the community’s priorities and issues. It will also 

help prepare for further public engagement in later project 

phases. To participate in the Community StoryMap, 

download a tip sheet at saanich.ca. Deadline: October 11. 

Beyond Van Gogh 

Beyond Van Gogh will be at Bayview Place in Victoria from 

October 14 – December 31. Through the use of cutting-edge 

projection technology and an original score, Beyond Van Gogh 

breathes new life into over 300 of Van Gogh’s artworks and will 

make you feel like you’re stepping into a painting. It is the largest 

immersive experience in the country, offering guests ample room 

to safely enjoy the exhibit. Comprising over 4 trillion content pixels, 

this high-resolution portrayal of Van Gogh’s work gives guests the 

opportunity to become one with his paintings. Purchase tickets 

online at showclix.com. vangoghvictoria.com 

GoByBike Week 

Register now for GoByBike Week—October 3–16— 

and start tracking your kilometers biked to see 

how many kilograms of greenhouse gases you 

save. Participation is free, fun, helps you stay fit 

and healthy and it’s great for the environment. 

Plus you can win great prizes! Getting around 

on smaller wheels like scooters and rollerblades 

counts, too, as does taking the bus part way, 

carpooling halfway or using a car for a portion 

of a long commute, as well! To register, visit 

gobybikebc.ca. 


The Howl: 

A Musical 

Masquerade 

The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre 

presents The Howl: A Musical Masquerade 

with Juno award-winner Norman 

Foote on Thursday, October 20 at 

6:30pm. Foote brings out the fun and 

musical side of the Halloween tradition 

with an unforgettable evening of 

family-friendly song and dance. The 

Howl: A Musical Masquerade concert 

brings singers, costumes and Halloween 

all together in an awesome event 

for youth and families. Costumes are 

encouraged for youths and adults alike 

at this Halloween spectacle! Family 

pricing includes two adult and two children 

tickets and must be purchased by 

phone or in person only. 

For tickets call 250-746-2722 

or visit cowichanpac.ca. 



Cooks Who Feed 

Those who cook at home can benefit from wearing an 

apron, and while they are at it, they can help feed the 

world’s hungry. The Cooks Who Feed program has provided 

over 542,000 meals to feed the world’s hungry and 

has supported over 13,369 hours of fair-trade labour, 

allowing marginalized women in India to safely earn a 

fair living by creating handmade aprons. With each 

apron sold, 100 meals are given to those in need. The 

apron collection includes ones for adults and children. 

In Canada, Cooks Who Feed has teamed up with Second 

Harvest to serve meals to help fight hunger. For more 

information, visit cookswhofeed.com. 

We Are Indigenous 

Program 

Indigenous families with children 3–12 years old who are 

experiencing big worries and fears will have access to free, 

culturally-grounded wellness practices through a virtual parent 

and caregiver coaching program. In the We Are Indigenous: Big 

Worries/Fears Parent/Caregiver Support Program, parents, 

caregivers and their children will learn about Indigenous-centred 

wellness practices and strategies to push back against big 

worries and fears. The program includes short online videos 

and scheduled telephone coaching sessions. By referral. 

For information, visit welcome.cmhacptk.ca/bigworries. 

Digital Citizen Day 

Many of us spend almost 30% of our days online 

in spaces like Instagram and Twitter. But we’re not 

always conscious of the impact of our actions online. 

MediaSmarts is launching a new national awareness 

day: Digital Citizen Day to remind Canadians that we 

are all digital citizens and we have the power to improve 

our online spaces. The first annual Digital Citizen Day 

happens during Media Literacy Week on Wednesday, 

October 26, encouraging people to engage on social 

platforms using #DigitalCitizenDay and share what 

being a digital citizen means to them. Hosted by 

MediaSmarts, Canada’s not-for-profit centre for digital 

media literacy. mediasmarts.ca/digital-citizen-day 


The Magic of 

Mentoring 

Youth mentoring matters and is an essential 

service that can dramatically improve the life of 

vulnerable children. With Big Brothers Big Sisters 

(BBBS) mentoring programs, children receive the 

personalized support they need to move beyond 

their circumstance. By pairing a child or youth with 

a volunteer caring adult in a trusting relationship, 

at least two people will experience the benefits 

of mentoring: the mentor and the child mentee. 

The first step is to have a caring adult step forward 

and say, “I am willing to try to help.” To explore 

volunteer opportunities near you, or to enrol 

a child, visit bigbrothersbigsisters.ca. 



PARENTING 


of Friendship 

The reasons for child loneliness are varied and many. Some 

kids spend time between two family homes and with the 

transitions back and forth, it is more difficult to make time 

for friends. Some kids are so over-programmed that they have 

little social time left over. And some kids spend too much time 

online or hooked up to some kind of device or video game 

and miss out on real-life relationships. 

Developing and nurturing relationships is critical for a child 

happiness. Children learn integral social skills from childhood 

friends that last a lifetime. Interpersonal success is also an 

important protective factor that helps foster resilience—the 

ability to bounce back from setbacks. In our hectic lives, it is 

critical that we help our kids become strong and resilient. 

One of the things parents can do to combat child loneliness 

is to prioritize the social relationships of their children. Ensure 

that your children have time to spend with friends. If your 

child is not yet able to create their own social life, provide a 

helping hand by organizing playdates for younger kids or outings 

for older kids. Offer to drive your child and their friends 

to and from activities like movies, swimming or skating. If 

you plan to take your children to a hockey game, buy an extra 

ticket so they can invite a friend. Host a potluck at your home 

and invite some families from your child’s class. (You might 

just find that you create new friendships, too!) 

Sometimes, parents try all of these things and yet their children 

are still struggling to connect with new friends. For some 

people, friendship skills come easily. However, for others they 

may need some help developing social skills. 

Remember: “To have good friends, you must first be a good 

friend.” This reframes the conversation from a passive one 

(“Will kids like me?”) to an active one (“What can I do to 

show that I am a good friend?”). 

10 characteristics of good childhood friends: 

1. They are able to think of the needs of other people, as well 

as their own. 

2. They are patient, kind and polite—never mean. 


3. They know the difference between right and wrong. They 

help others be the best version of themselves possible. 

3. They reach out to new classmates and invite newcomers to 

sit with them. They are inclusive and embrace diversity. 

4. They share, take turns, and invite others into their play. 

5. They do not call names or tease or tattle. In fact, they stick 

up for other kids being bullied. 

6. They are open to the ideas of others and are not stuck in 

only playing what they want to play. They try to not be bossy. 

7. They try not to interrupt or bud into lines or conversations. 

They have some sense of personal space. 

8. They try to resolve conflict peacefully and say sorry when 

needed, and they also say “I forgive you.” 

9. They continuously try to be mindful of creating a genuinely 

fun and enjoyable play environment. 

10. When kids are encouraged to develop the mindset that 

“To make friends, I must first be a good friend,” they think 

about their own growth and development. They also position 

themselves as a leader in the classroom and playground, a 

leader who is helping make their tiny bit of the world a better 

place. 

With our hectic lives and addictions to screens, it is easy 

to overlook the importance of real-life connections. The consequence 

can be a feeling of loneliness and isolation. We can 

combat child loneliness by underscoring the importance of 

friends and prioritizing social times in our lives. We can also 

help our kids develop friendship skills that will last a lifetime. 

Dr. Jillian Roberts Psychology 

Corporation (DJR) is a dynamic mental health 

clinic founded in 2003 with over 20 clinicians. 

DJR has been co-branded as MindKey Health with 

locations in Victoria and Sidney. E-therapy and 

e-assessment services are available to families across 

B.C., with plans to a Western Communities location. 

Halloween at the 

Victoria Bug Zoo 

Join us as we celebrate 25 years in operation by hosting 

a spooktacular evening of games, prizes, terrifying bug 

facts and a fantastic Night Market filled to the brim with 

local artists creations. 

October 30th 

5pm - 8pm 

Admission available online at 

victoriabugzoo.ca or at the door. 



SPECIAL NEEDS 

Neurodiversity 

Is Also a Diversity 

As more and more institutions begin to look at diversity as a 

part of their plans for inclusion, it is hard as a parent with 

a neurodiverse child to untangle who or what the language of 

diversity is speaking to (often LGBTQIA2S, BIPOC and Indigenous) 

and how to find ways and resources to support our 

children and ourselves. The equivalencies between diversity and 

neurodiversity include access to community and supports and 

equality. 

A class that is “open to all learners” might suit some diverse 

learners, but not necessarily all learners. 

Not to stir up trouble for schools or teachers, but some students 

remain unseen, their needs unknown, their teachers and 

helpers and the work they do often unrecognized by the district 

and other teachers. Families with neurodiverse children—because 

they have Downs Syndrome, are on the autism spectrum 

or have other rare conditions—tend to be unseen or unconsidered. 

While there may be occasions for other diverse children to 

form community within the larger school, often special needs 

kids and families are separate, not celebrated in their schools 

for the additions they make and the insights they offer. They 

are often not a part of the larger school community and can be 

seen as people who have needs and are, in a sense, a burden. 

A shift in thinking could allow them to be seen for the complexity 

of their lives, the strength of their perseverance, and 

what they can offer in the way of diverse ways of being in the 

world. 

My son has a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi 

Syndrome and is on the autism spectrum. He is relatively nonverbal 

and will not likely catch up to his peers in his academic 

abilities. That said, he can read and loves music, he is curious 

and understands everything that is said to him even if he 

doesn’t yet appropriately respond. He has a sense of humour 

and loves people. 

Though there are resources for neurodiverse kids, accessing 

them and advocating is done by family members. Advocating 

feels much easier and straightforward when our children are 

little. From preschool to elementary, teachers and staff work 

to include diverse kids, because their differences, though pres- 


ent and real and outstanding, don’t seem as immense. Parents 

of kids in this age group can be hands-on and speak up, attend 

meetings, and be at the school observing and helping. Teachers, 

for the most part, are accustomed to parents of small children 

advocating. 

That said, some experience discrimination—“if your son is in 

my kindergarten class, we will not go on any field trips.” Imagine 

a teacher saying this? I know that neurodiverse kids are not 

the only ones to experience such discrimination. 

As neurodiverse kids move through school, the gap between 

them and their peers grows, and they become more and more 

isolated from the larger community that they may very much 

want to be a part of. 

Advocating as a parent for a middle and high school student 

can be trickier as expectations shift from parents to students. 

High school can present a shift to a more adult approach for 

the kids. In some ways this can be good and in others quite 

scary; as a parent how do you know what is being expected of 

your child at school? 

I sometimes feel uncertain if I should step in or not. As his 

ally and advocate I must navigate this uncertainty. If teacher’s 

underestimate what my son can do, he will get bored but won’t 

ask for more challenging material. But when I push for him to 

be offered more academics, it must also seem to teachers that 

I’m asking for work beyond his ability. One solution is to ask 

an external expert to visit, such as a Behaviorist. 

Parents want to find that balance between supporting independence 

and autonomy but also inclusion and a proper education. 

You may want to know that your child is being pushed, 

is learning, is doing academic work and participating in 

school culture even though they are neurodiverse and would 

sometimes rather be on their iPad. You want kindness and 

you want the teacher to have expectations. You don’t want to 

hover, but you want respect for your son or daughter. 

Ideally, my son would be included and seen by all his peers 

as an equal student in the class, a valued member, a student 

worth making some adjustments for even if it is hard. In 

middle school a boy in a higher grade came to the special ed 

class and invited my son to join a lunch time band session. My 

son loved this. The more expectations are placed on him to do 

things, the more he can do. I believe the same could be true of 

inclusion: the more inclusive we are, the more easily we are 

inclusive. 

If the number one priority is to teach all students, what are 

the results of that for everyone? Often the argument of accessible 

sidewalks is used; if sidewalk designs allow for wheelchairs, 

all kinds of other users benefit—from parents with 

strollers to delivery people. I wonder how that might work for 

neurodiverse kids in school. 

Yvonne Blomer is a Victoria writer and 

the past Poet Laureate of Victoria. Her most 

recent books are Sugar Ride: Cycling from 

Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur and Refugium: Poems 

for the Pacific. 

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island and Hotel Gran 

Sunday, December 11, 2022 

2 seatings available 

Tickets 

Available on Eventbrite 

free forchildren under 2 

$25/child (2-12 years old) 

$75/adult 

Early Bird Tickets 

Oct 1-Oct 31 

Scan for tickets 

on Eventbrite. 

Wear your pajamas! 

Oodles of fun! 



DADSPEAK 

A Pause in 

the Middle 

Offhand, I don’t know exactly how long I’ve been doing 

this column for, but I know it’s been many years. As 

my oldest started high school in September, it made me 

stop and think for a moment about how much writing this 

column has helped me kinda figure things out along the way. 

I’ll stress the “kinda” there, because, I mean, it’s also probably 

sort of a horrible documentation of some missteps I’ve 

made, but I’m not going back to cross-reference that. 

Not that it matters. The missteps are part of it all, and it’s 

something I’ve always stressed here in these pages. We all 

make mistakes, we’re all kinda winging it and you can’t really 

prepare for what’s next. 

And what’s next for me suddenly feels big: oldest in high 

school; middle kid in middle school; youngest, well, just kinda 

doing his thing, being 3. And we made it. We’re not at the 

end, there’s never really an end, but we’re at a point where I 

can sit back and take stock for a second and just say, wow, we 

made it this far. 

And you made it this far, too. 

Of course, things are just beginning: high school, good god. 

I remember high school—sort of. It was the best of times and 

it was most certainly the worst of times. I feel like I can relate 

more to my kids than my parents were able to relate to me at 

the time, but that’s the great generational delusion, isn’t it? I 

may feel like I’m still 15 at heart, but I’m a million years old 

in my daughter’s eyes. 

It’s a heartbreaking revelation but it’s the nature of things, 

just one more rude awakening on a path marked with countless 

rude awakenings, sharp left turns, detours I had no idea 

were going to exist, ups and downs as dramatic and soulwrenching 

as tears at an elementary-school track meet, which 

I recently had the heartbreaking horror of witnessing firsthand. 

So I try to push down that bitter pill (beer helps) and realize 

that, yeah, I’m not 15 anymore, thankfully. And yes, I am 

indeed a million years old, as my greying beard, exhausted 

expression and left hand reaching around and inexplicably 

grabbing my lower back can attest. I’m a million years old, 

I’m constantly in three places at once, man, I’ve gotta be honest 

with you: I’m barely holding on some days here. 

But the fact that suddenly we’re talking middle school, suddenly 

we’re talking high school, and, yeah, our little guy just 

being 3, makes me realize, I’m actually in the thick of things 

right now. It’ll change, it’ll ebb and flow, forever—you never 

stop being a parent, after all—but this is probably one of the 

busiest eras I’ll experience. Our calendar pockmarked and 

destroyed with various appointments proves that, our annihilated 

social lives, the twitching eyelids (beer helps), it all conspires 

to remind me that I’m a million years old, I’m fumbling, 

I’m in the thick of things and I’m making it work. 

And you’re making it work, too. 


And even though it’s not the ending—people always wait 

until the ending to say these things—let me say it right now, 

here in the middle: Thanks to all the readers who have 

stopped me on the sidewalk, on the schoolyard, in restaurants 

along the way to say they read the column. It’s somehow reassuring 

to know these missives don’t just go out into the void 

unread; it’s nice to know you’re out there. 

This isn’t the ending, it’s just a pause to say it’s really appreciated, 

and to remind you that we’re all fumbling along the 

way, and we’re all fumbling together. 

So, thanks for reading. Stop and say hello if you see me 

fumbling through the high school halls this fall, eyes twitching, 

beard seemingly getting saltier by the second, trying to 

enjoy every minute of it all, the ups and the downs, and everything 

in the middle, too. 

IMMUNE BOOSTERS 

ORGANIC PRODUCE 

and GROCERIES 

VITAMINS and BODY CARE 

and Happy Kids 

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. 



KIDS’READS 

Loved & Lost 

The lives of teens and tweens are 

marked by changes and transitions 

some physical, some 

mental, some emotional. Sometimes as 

parents, guardians, or loved ones, we 

don’t know what to say or what to do 

to help them. But we can be there for 

them, we can listen to their interests, 

and we can help them find a safe escape 

from reality. As an avid reader, I still 

enjoy getting lost in stories like these 

ones (though to warn you, not all of 

these books are fiction, but they are all 

good). 

Throwaway Girls by Andrea Contos 

(Kids Can Press, 2020) is a thriller 

about one girl’s quest to find her missing 

best friend. But as Caroline searches, 

she learns the harsh truth about the 

“throwaway girls” or the young women 

who are missing who are not daughters 

of the rich. Young women that the police 

won’t even look for. This book is 

fabulously written. For ages 14 to 18. 

Swallow’s Dance by Wendy Orr 

(Pajama Press, 2018) is about a young 

girl who is just on the cusp of womanhood 

when the goddess causes a violent 

earthquake that shatters her home and 

family. However, the earthquakes don’t 

stop and Leira is forced to flee across 

the sea, but there is no refuge waiting 

for her on the other side. And so, as she 

cares for her injured mother and elderly 

nurse, she has to learn to rely on the 

strength within her to survive. For ages 

9 to 12. 

Being You: The Body Image Book 

for Boys by Charlotte Markey, Daniel 

Hart, Douglas N. Zacher and illustrated 

by DanTheScribbler (Cambridge 

University Press, 2022) is a fantastic 

book for the preteen in your life. It goes 

over what body image is and how it 

impacts boys, talks about puberty, the 

importance of physical activity, eating 

well (and how to spot and avoid 

food fads) and how to learn to love 

your body. It also has quizzes, stories 

from older boys, facts from experts and 

more. If the young man in your life is 

worried about how much fat or muscle 

he has than this book is for him. For 

ages 12 and up. 

Trapped in Terror Bay: Solving the 

Mystery of the Lost Franklin Expedition 

by Sigmund Brouwer (Kid Can 

Press, 2022) is a gripping tale about 

the Franklin Expedition. A third of the 

book is an imagined narrative from 

Captain Francis Crozier’s perspective, 

while another is based on the historical 

facts of those left behind in Britain and 

the final third explains the historical 

to modern day quest for answers using 

both scientific methods and the oral 

traditions of the Inuit. For ages 12 to 

16. 

Heads Up: Changing Minds On 

Mental Health by Melanie Siebert and 

illustrated by Belle Wuthrich (Orca 

Publishers, 2020) is an easy-to-read 


textbook about mental health. This 

book includes real stories abut teens 

living with mental illnesses, explains 

what common diagnoses actually mean 

and covers different types of treatments 

(historical and modern) in an attempt 

to destigmatize mental illness. If you 

are concerned that your teen might be 

struggling mentally and emotionally, or 

if you think they might know someone 

who is, this is a good book for them to 

read. For ages 12 and up. 

I hope you and your teen or tween 

find a new favourite book in these reads 

whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. 

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. 

Help protect the groundwater rdn.bc.ca/wellsmart we share 

wellSMART 

Go to our website to learn all about... 

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Plus check out our wellSMART workshops 

Fall 2022 workshop dates to be announced soon! 

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Newborn to 12 years. 

Made in Canada. 

weewoollies.com 

@weewoollies 



Holiday 

CRAFT 

MARKETS 

MOM’SPOV 

Fall Markets 

INSIDE 

ESQUIMALT REC CENTRE 

527 FRASER ST 

Holiday Market 

THURSDAYS 

4:30PM-7:30PM 

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 

SUNDAY 

NOV. 27TH 

11AM - 5PM 

Recharge Your Batteries 

you be back for bedtime, 

Mom?” 

“Will 

“No, Dad is taking care 

of bedtime tonight. But I’ll give you the 

biggest hug and kiss now.” 

I happily accept a tight hug from all 

three of my children and then I head 

out the front door to my friend’s waiting 

car. After I close her door, I breathe 

a sigh of freedom laced with a hint of 

guilt. I just read Cat & Nat’s Mom Secrets: 

Coffee-Fueled Confessions from 

the Mom Trenches. 

They go into great detail about 

“mom guilt” and how their kids remember 

the one soccer game that they 

didn’t attend, but of course don’t think 

about or appreciate how that was the 

one and only soccer game mom missed 

but that mom attended all the others. 

I know my children will have a great 

evening and be just fine. They’re just 

used to the routine of me being the person 

who cuddles them and reads them 

books before bed. Just as they cherish 

their one-on-one time with me, they 

need to see that I cherish one-on-one 

time with my friends, too. 

We arrive for supper—moms only— 

and hours of uninterrupted conversations. 

We’ll catch up on our passions 

and parenting struggles and concerns. 

We’ll talk about anything and everything. 

Tonight, we’ll share our concerns 

about our children starting middle 

school and how to deal with bullies. 

Many of us experienced bulling at this 

age and we therapeutically recount our 

stories. 

Making the time for an evening away 

is like making the time to exercise. It 

can be challenging to schedule and to 

get motivated, but you’re always so 

glad after you’ve done it. It’s great to 

connect with other parents and support 

each other or just complain about your 

kids sometimes. Everyone needs an outlet 

to vent. Everyone needs support to 

share the struggle. 


• AN ENGAGING EDUCATION 

• AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY 

• BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE 

Christ Church Cathedral School 

Victoria’s Anglican School for Jr. K – Grade 8 

www.cathedralschool.ca | 250-383-5125 

Often our nights out start with a few moms inviting other 

moms and one person coordinating and letting everyone 

know they can invite other people, too. One evening we realized 

a few parents connected whose kids had been asking for 

playdates. Between all eight of us that night, we had children 

in every grade from K–5 at our school. 

The morning after my night out I am less irritable, more 

patient and ready to play with my kids again. I also have 

new parent tips and strategies. It’s always interesting to learn 

about other parenting styles and how other families spend 

their time. 

The next morning my kids tell me about their fun evening 

and my oldest even asks how my friend time went. I’m feeling 

zero guilt. Even when my son says: “I never want you to 

go out again.” 

I implore you this school year to reach out to other parents 

at your kids’ school. Connect and schedule a monthly 

or quarterly group going for supper, drinks, coffee or even a 

night out to the ballet or an escape room. You’ll thank yourself 

and maybe one day your kids will thank you, too. 

Serena Beck works full-time as a Technical 

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

beach with family and friends. 



HEALTH 

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 

Helping Kids 

Deal with Anxiety 

How can you help your anxious child 

gain confidence when they’re reluctant 

or refusing to do something? Is 

it possible to build their confidence by 

pushing them to do it? Or do you empathize 

and let them off the hook so you 

don’t ramp up their anxiety? 

Some current literature suggests that 

if you let your child off the hook, you’re 

coddling them or helicopter parenting, 

and that it increases their anxiety rather 

than building confidence. The idea is that 

pushing your kids will build courage, and 

if you don’t, they’ll become more and 

more anxious over time, never gaining 

the confidence to try new activities or 

skills. 

However, parents with anxious sensitive 

kids know, (especially if the kids 

have a trauma background), that pushing 

their child to “be brave” can be terrifying 

for them, cause huge emotional 

meltdowns and ultimately re-traumatize 

them. And those of you whose kids are 

spirited as well know that no matter how 

hard you coax or convince, your child 

probably won’t do the activity anyways if 

they’ve said “no,” and in the end, everyone 

will just be upset and exhausted. 

Where’s the middle road? 

Attuning includes noticing and acknowledging 

their feelings and doing 

your best to understand their experience 

and figure out what they need. 

Attend to their needs, especially emotional, 

and then get curious about where 

their “edge” is, the place where they’re 

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 


BUSINESSES 

YOUNEEDTOKNOW 

starting to feel a little anxious, but could possibly go a little 

further, even if only for a few minutes. 

That’s when you can use baby steps. 

To help them gain confidence, you and your child will need 

to gently discover where their edge is and find tiny actions 

they can take to have “success” by touching into those scary 

places briefly, as they’re able to tolerate without getting overwhelmed. 

Building courage requires building capacity in the nervous 

system—and helping them get used to feeling a little anxious, 

but not so much that it immobilizes them or sends them into 

fight/flight. 

They build on their successes bit by bit and learn to work 

gently with their anxiety and themselves. 

Finally, based on my own experience, if you have anxiety 

yourself, you may need to tune into your own anxiety and 

gain skills for regulating yourself so you can better support 

your child. 

These local businesses are family-focused and 

committed to our community and helping you. 

P iano Lessons 

for your child or teen 

in your home 

www.musicalia.ca 

250-888-2432 

Serving Oak Bay and communities close by 

Colleen Adrian, MN, helps parents 

who are at their wit’s end to deal with their 

sensitive, spirited child’s challenging behaviors 

and guides them to use connection to bring 

the joy back into parenting. instagram.com/ 

colleen.parentwriter and colleenadrian.com. 

Tired of packing lunches? Try a 

weekly delivery of school lunches! 

HEALTHY 

CONVENIENT 

AFFORDABLE 

ThisWeeksLunch.com/ 

How-It-Works 


PRESCHOOL&CHILDCAREDIRECTORY 

Victoria & Area Peninsula Westshore Cowichan Valley Nanaimo & Area 

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 

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

Learning Through Play & Discovery. 

Licensed non-profit, ECE staff. Since 1958. 

Morning or full-time care. 

castleviewchildcarecentre.com 

www.ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533 

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 

OPENING 

September 


ENROLL 

TODAY! 

Come Learn & Grow with Us! 

FULL TIME 3–5 DAYCARE 

PART TIME PRESCOOL 

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE 

Cloverdale Childcare Society 

Vic West Site 

at Vic West Elementary School 

cloverdalechildcare.com 

250.995.1766 cloverdale@shawbiz.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 

St. Christopher’s Montessori School 

Offering an enriched and 

nurturing Montessori program 

Competitively priced independent 

school education 

Half day for 3 & 4 year olds 

Full day kindergarten 

stcmontessori.ca 250-595-3213 

Pre-School 

Junior Kindergarten 

PacificChristian.ca 

250-479-4532 

Educational Excellence to the Glory of God 

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 

Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 

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

NANAIMO’ S JK–12 INTERNATIONAL 

BACCALAUREATE WORLD SCHOOL 

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

winning, Nature based program will not disappoint! 

While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy our 

dedicated team of educators use the environment as the third 

teacher as we encourage your child throughout their day. 

Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the 

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

lexieslittlebears.ca Waitlist: 250-590-3603 

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


OCT/NOVFAMILYCALENDAR 

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 

OCTOBER 

7 FRIDAY 

Friday Night Social: 

N 

Glow in the Dark with Nanaimo Science 

5–8pm Country Club Centre, 

3200 N Island Hwy 

Explore fluorescence, light and colour mixing. All 

ages, parent participation required. 

countryclubcentre.com/event/friday-nightsocial-calendar-of-events 

8 SATURDAY 

Apple Fest 

V 

10am–2pm, Ross Bay Villa 

Enjoy home-baked treats and tea under our heritage 

apple trees. Stop by our Gift Shop. 

rossbayvilla.org/calendar/?cid=mc-2439cf3af4 

78ac63d8c47a6aea04d28e&mc_id=2280 

15 SATURDAY 

Port Alberni Halloween Family Event PR 

10am–4pm, 4890 Locke Rd 

Come in Costume! Halloween photos on site! 

facebook.com/people/Lisas-Busy-Bees-Childcare/100078082459586 

Science in the Park: 

N 

Marvelous Mushrooms 

11am–2pm, Englishman River Regional Park 

Identify and learn about different mushrooms. 

All ages. 

nanaimoscience.org/events/science-in-the-park 

22 SATURDAY 

Boograss 

CV 

6:30–9pm, HUB at Cowichan Station 

Wear your halloween costume! Prizes for the 

most WOW costumes. 

cowichanstation.org 

25 TUESDAY 

Victoria Tea Festival 

V 

11am–5pm, Nootka Court 

Celebrate the diverse cultures, customs and traditions 

associated with tea. 

28 FRIDAY 

Glow Skate in Parksville 

N 

6:30–7:45pm, Oceanside Place Arena 

All ages. Enjoy disco lights and pumping music. 

rdn.bc.ca/oceanside-place-arena 

Nanaimo Diwali Celebration 

6:30–11pm, Beban Park Social Centre 

Diwali in Nanaimo at Beban park auditorium. 

29 SATURDAY 

Disco Tots – Little Monster’s Ball W 

1:30–4:30pm, Juan de Fuca Rec Seniors Ctr 

Glow sticks, dance music, friends and family. 

Wear your costume and shake a leg to classics. 

N 

Halloween Dance 

N 

with the Palace Band 

8pm, Errington Hall 

Grown-ups, teens, children—join the dance party 

dressed as your favourite character! 

erringtonhall.ca 

NOVEMBER 

1 TUESDAY & 2 WEDNESDAY 

Summit Park Pumpkin Parade V 

Tues 7:30pm, Wed 3pm, Summit Park 

Bring your pumpkin on Nov 1 and stay for a performance 

by Fern Burn Club. Come after school 

on Nov 2 for the Great Pumpkin Roll! 

20 SUNDAY 

Urban Ecology Walk: Birding V 

10am–1pm, Rithets Bog Park 

Take in the natural world all around us, with a 

focus on listening to and identifying birds. 

cityofvictoria.perfectmind.com 

25 FRIDAY 

Victoria Chamber Orchestra Concert V 

7:30pm, First Metropolitan United Church 

Live concert. Free admission for music students! 

victoriachamberorchestra.org 

Need help with the Affordable Child Care Benefit? 

Looking for child care? Taking care of children? 

Need child care training? 

Call your local CCRR for free referrals and resources. 

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 

Sooke: 250-642-5152 ext 239 West Shore: 250-940-4882 

Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 

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

gov.bc.ca/ChildCareResourceReferralCentres 

Your community’s best source of 

child care information and resources. 

Funding for the CCRR is provided by the province of B.C. 



EXPLORE 

Finding Fun in the Fall 

Sure it’s sad to say goodbye to summer 

but not when there’s so much to do in 

the fall! Read on for some ways to ease 

into autumn and find fun in the fall! 

3. Express gratitude. 

To reinforce the importance of gratitude, 

find meaningful ways that kids can 

show appreciation. Lead by example—offer 

a genuine “thank you!” to a store 

clerk, or a helpful neighbour. Talk about 

gratitude; ask your child how they feel 

when people say thank you to them for 

doing something nice, and then how they 

feel when they don’t. Point out generosity; 

call attention to it when people—including 

your kids!—do things that go beyond 

what’s expected. Find fun ways to say 

thanks: try giving a smile or a thumbs up 

if someone holds the. Share the love by 

delivering cookies or cupcakes to someone 

who’s gone out of their way for you. 

Make gratitude a part of bedtime; when 

you tuck your child in, ask them to tell 

you three things they’re grateful for. 

5. Celebrate Halloween—Backwards. 

Deliver Halloween treats rather than 

collect them! Have a favourite neighbour? 

Mail carrier? Teacher? Friend? Why not 

trick them with an impromptu treat?! As 

the expression goes: It’s better to give than 

receive. And who doesn’t love a snacksized 

Halloween treat when it comes to 

getting into the spirit of the season?! 

6. Getaway for a Day. 

One of the many advantages of living 

on Vancouver Island is the number 

of stunning road trips just outside our 

front doors. Some possibilities: Whiffen 

Spit, East Sooke Park or Mystic Beach in 

Sooke. Hand of Man Museum, the Raptor 

Centre or the Totem Trail in Duncan. Englishman 

River Falls, Coombs Market or 

Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville/Coombs. 

Maffeo Sutton Park, Newcastle Island or 

Petroglyph Provincial Park in Nanaimo. 

Mt. Washington, the Courtenay Dinosaur 

Museum or Campbell River Pier in 

Comox. Remember: Getting there is half 

the fun so factor in enough time to make 

stops along the way. 

1. Bake anything pumpkin spiced. 

There’s nothing like the scent of pumpkin 

spice to evoke that warm, cozy feeling 

of fall. But this fall, go beyond pumpkin 

spice lattes and get baking! Not only will 

you warm up your surroundings, but 

you’ll scent them, as well! From pumpkin 

spice blondies with cheesecake swirl 

to pumpkin cinnamon pull-apart bread 

you’ll find an endless array of recipes 

online. For a recipe for fresh pumpkin 

loaf and/or muffins from Victoria’s Heidi 

Fink, Red Seal chef, award-winning cooking 

instructor, and starting this fall, host 

of Chek TV’s Cooking on the Coast, visit 

chefheidifink.com/blog/baking/freshpumpkin-loaf. 

2. Play in the leaves. 

What better way to tackle yard work 

and have fun at the same time than raking 

up and playing in the leaves? Not only 

is play the way that kids learn about the 

world, but it’s fun—and it engages all five 

senses at once! Pumpkin spice isn’t the 

only fall scent…think fallen leaves, dewy 

grass and fresh crisp autumn air. And 

the colours! When you’re ready to head 

indoors, round up a few of your favourite 

leaves and do leaf rubbings, sandwiching 

leaves between two sheets of paper and 

rubbing with the side of a peeled Crayon. 

Voila! Exercise, fresh air, fun and art! 

4. Visit a Pumpkin Patch. 

From one end of the Island to the other, 

there’s no shortage of pumpkin patches, 

u-picks and corn mazes. And depending 

which one you end up at, you’ll find attractions 

including farm trains, haunted 

houses, hay rides and corn mazes—along 

with pumpkins in all shapes and sizes! In 

Victoria there’s Galey Farms and Michell 

Bros Farm. In Nanaimo there’s McNab’s 

Corn Maze. In Port Alberni there’s Naesgaard’s 

Farm & Market. For a complete 

list of u-picks and farm stands, visit bcfarmsandfood.com. 

7. Get together. 

When the days get longer and the nights 

get shorter, brighten them up with a celebration 

or two. Gather friends and family 

and host a potluck. Or pack a picnic and 

meet at a covered picnic area like the ones 

at Saxe Point (Esquimalt), Beaver and 

Elk Lakes (Saanich), Island View Beach 

(Saanich), Goldstream Provincial Park 

(Langford), French Beach(Sooke), Cowichan 

Bay Marine Gateway (Cowichan 

Bay) Bowen Park (Nanaimo), and Robert 

V. Oster Park (Campbell River). No matter 

what you choose, keep it simple. Even 

a quick kids-and-coffee meetup between 

preschool drop-off and pick-up or a movie 

night on the weekend is a chance to reconnect 

and unwind. 

8. Take a Hike. 

There’s no shortage of hikes on the 

Island. Some good ones include: Gowl- 


land-Tod Range (Saanich), Mt. Finlayson 

(Langford), Cathedral Grove Trail (Parksville/Qualicum), 

Carmanah Walbran 

Provincial Park (Carmanah Valley), Rainforest 

Trail (Tofino), Wild Pacific Trail 

(Ucluelet) or Paradise Meadows Loop 

Trail (Mt. Washington). Be sure to dress 

and pack accordingly and check the trail’s 

rating—easy to near-impossible!—before 

setting off. For more details, consult a 

good guidebook like The Best Hikes and 

Nature Walks with Kids in and Around 

SouthWestern BC by Island Parent contributor, 

Stephen Hui. 105hikes.com 

9. Stroll through a cemetery. 

We know, it sounds morbid—or with 

Halloween on the way, eerie—but few 

things are as peaceful as a stroll through 

a cemetery, especially if you take time 

to read a few of the epitaphs and reflect 

on lives lived. With Remembrance Day 

around the corner, now is a good time to 

think about those who have come before 

us and about all we have to be thankful 

for—much of it because of the actions of 

others. Be prepared for some pretty big 

questions from the wee ones but don’t 

feel compelled to answer. Instead, wonder 

aloud together. 

10. Hit the trail. 

The Galloping Goose, Lochside, and 

Trans-Canada Trails and only three of 

many cycling and walking paths on Vancouver 

Island that lend themselves to 

a family peddle or walk. And it just so 

happens that they’re three of the most 

colourful this time of year with the changing 

leaves. Not only that but depending 

which trail you choose, you’ll pass fields 

of golden corn, parks and forests, and 

even pumpkin patches! Make sure you’ve 

got a basket or panniers to carry home 

your haul if you make any shopping stops 

along the way! 

Did you know that 

it is possible to slow down 

the progression of myopia 

(nearsightedness) in 

children? Ask your eye 

doctor how. 

! Kids eye exams are covered by MSP until the age of 19 

! First eye exams are recommended at age 6 months, 3 years, 

and every year thereafter in school-aged children 

Book your family’s appointments today! 

www.cordovabayoptometry.ca 778-587-EYES (3937) 



NATURENOTES 

Fall Nature Highlights 

There are many benefits to getting 

out in nature, and one of them is 

its positive effect on our mental 

health. Nature can provide us a place to 

relax, learn, be mindful, get exercise or 

socialize. It can help us feel grounded, 

present or playful. 

This fall embrace the changes in 

weather and experience the many health 

benefits of nature exploration by looking 

out for these nature highlights in regional 

parks. 

If you’d like to see raptors, fall is the 

time to do it. Raptors are predatory 

birds who have talons, keen eyesight and 

a hooked beak for tearing meat. Some 

examples are falcons, hawks and eagles. 

Usually solitary, these birds gather in 

large groups to fly high on currents of 

warm air, getting ready for fall migration. 

This is called “kettling.” You can often 

see this amazing behaviour from the 

Aylard Farm parking lot at East Sooke 

Regional Park in mid-September to early- 

October. For the best hawk-watching, 

hike to Beechey Head in the same park. 

Seeing these birds soar is sure to boost 

your mood and give you a sense of wonder. 

While the raptors are leaving for 

warmer climates, other birds will be arriving. 

A fun species to keep an eye on 

in fall is North America’s smallest diving 

duck, the Bufflehead. These amazing 

birds nest in empty woodpecker holes 

near ponds in the Canadian interior, 

parts of Alaska and the western United 

States. Some of them come back here 

every year to spend the winter on Vancouver 

Island. Over the past 23 years 

they almost always arrive on October 

15, so that day has been designated “All 

Bufflehead’s Day.” To spot them, look for 

crow-sized ducks who dive underwater 

for up to 12 seconds to feed. Males have 

a black back and head, with a large white 

patch behind the eyes. Females are brown 

with a white cheek patch behind the eyes. 

While exploring for water birds, breathe 

in that salty air and listen for the calming 

sounds of ocean waves. 

Another awe-inspiring fall phenomenon 

are the annual salmon runs. Pacific 

Salmon return to the streams they were 

born in to spawn. This brings nutrients 

from the ocean into the forest because 

animals like gulls, eagles and black bears 

feast on the returning salmon but leave 

their leftovers behind. The salmon carcasses 

break down and nourish the soil 

and trees in the forest. To see spawning 

salmon this fall, check out the lower 

portions of the Sooke River at Sooke Potholes 

Regional Park or nearby Charters 

River. Use your senses to focus on the 

present moment (but watch out for fishy 

smells) to maximize those mental health 

benefits. 

Fall is also mushroom season, and 

a great time to go exploring for these 

fascinating “fruits.” Like molds and 

yeasts, mushrooms are a type of fungus. 

But mushrooms are just the fruit of the 

fungus. Most of the fungus lives under- 


ground as threads called “mycelium.” 

With over 1,600 different kinds of 

mushrooms in BC (and possibly thousands 

more that have yet to be identified), 

there’s plenty of variety to admire. 

Although some mushrooms are edible, 

many are not, and some can be toxic. Use 

extreme caution and do not pick or eat 

a mushroom you find in regional parks. 

Instead of collecting, try counting how 

many different kinds you can see. Mushroom 

seeking can be a playful group activity 

or a quiet, introspective time to be 

with your thoughts, depending on what 

you need. 

Mushrooms aren’t the only ones “waking 

up” in the fall. On rocks, tree trunks 

and branches, look for the many kinds of 

lichen and mosses we have in the region. 

Don’t be fooled, lichens aren’t plants! 

They are basically a fungus and an algae 

living together. Mosses on the other 

hand, are plants that do not have roots. 

Instead, their leaves are often only one 

cell-layer thick so each cell can absorb 

water and nutrients from contact with 

the air. Focusing on little details in nature 

like lichens and mosses can help you appreciate 

nature’s beauty and quiet your 

mind. It can be very soothing to know we 

are surrounded by so much life. 

If you’re interested in getting out and 

experiencing nature this fall, go prepared 

with warm layers, rain gear, snacks and 

water. That way, you can experience both 

the physical and mental health benefits of 

nature connection in comfort, no matter 

the weather. For other great places to explore, 

check out one of 33 regional parks 

in the CRD region. 

I am proud 

to continue 

my support 

of parents, 

families and 

youth in 

Oak Bay- 

Gordon Head. 

Emma Jane Vignola is a park naturalist 

at CRD Regional Parks. She invites you to free 

nature programs and events in Regional Parks 

to learn more about the fascinating topics discussed 

above. You can find a list of scheduled 

programs atcrd.bc.ca under “Events” in the 

“Parks, Recreation and Culture” tab. 

MLA Murray Rankin 

Oak Bay – Gordon Head 

Murray.Rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca 250-472-8528 



WHAT’SFORDINNER 

Healthy & Quick 

Oven Dinners 

Oven dinners are a simple way to cook a healthy meal. 

Just chop everything up, pop it in the oven and you’re 

done! No stirring over the stove or fussing about cooking 

times. Oven-roasted meals are very forgiving. As long as 

you aren’t cooking meat, it doesn’t matter if you take them out 

five minutes early or leave them to cook for an extra ten minutes. 

Best of all, oven meals are ideal for quick, after work dinners. 

The ingredients can be prepped ahead of time, so all you 

have to do pop them in the oven when you get home. 

Usually the food prep is simple enough that older children, 

tweens and teens can help out. Getting your kids to help in the 

kitchen not only makes meal prep easy, it also teaches them 

important life skills! 

Most ovens have a start timer, so you can have it set to preheat 

before you get home. 

Pasta with Oven-roasted Vegetables 

(Total time: 30 minutes) 

Oven roasted vegetables make a simple and delicious pasta dish. 

If you really want to save on time, use a package of gnocchi instead 

spaghetti. Gnocchi don’t need to be boiled. Just toss them in with 

the vegetables and they’ll be ready in 20 to 30 minutes! 

3 coloured peppers 4 Roma tomatoes 

2 medium-sized zucchinis 1 small eggplant 

1 large onion 4 cloves of garlic 

1 package of spaghetti (454 g) 1 ⁄2 cup olive oil 

1 ⁄2 tsp ground black pepper, to taste 1 tsp salt, to taste 

1 ⁄4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 ⁄4 cup of butter 

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. 

2. Chop the peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant into bitesized 

pieces. Slice the onion in half, then chop it into 1 cm slices. 

Finely dice the garlic. 

3. Toss all the vegetables together with the olive oil on a sheet 

pan. Sprinkle on the salt and ground pepper. Pop the vegetables in 

the oven and bake for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through. This will 

form the pasta sauce. 

4. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the directions on 

the package. When the spaghetti is cooked and drained, toss it with 

the butter. When the vegetables are nicely roasted, add them to the 

pasta. Be sure to scrape out the baking pan so you get all the delicious 

oil and liquid that forms the pasta sauce. 

5. Toss everything together, taste and add more salt if needed. 

6. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 

Tex-Mex Pie (Total time: 30 minutes) 

This Tex-Mex pie is something I ate growing up. It definitely has 

that 1980s cuisine vibe to it. However, it’s also simple and delicious. 

Refried bean crust: 

1 can of refried beans 1 egg 

1 cup of flour 1 1 ⁄2 tsp baking powder 

Toppings 

Ground beef (or veggie ground round) 1 medium-sized onion 

1 package of taco seasoning 1⁄2 red pepper 

1 Roma tomato 1 cup of grated cheese 

For serving 

Salsa Guacamole 

Sour cream 


2. Mix together all the ingredients for the refried bean crust in a 

large bowl. Grease a 9-inch pie plate, then spread the mixture evenly 

to form a crust 

3. Cook the ground beef and onion in a frying pan over medium 

heat. Stir occasional and cook until the beef is brown. Drain off the 

liquid, then stir in the seasoning mix. 

4. Chop the red pepper and tomato into bite-sized cubes 

5. Spread the ground beef over the refried bean crust. Top it with 

the pepper and tomato. Then cover it with grated cheese. 

6. Bake the pie for 30 minutes, until the crust is set and the 

cheese is melted. 

7. Serve hot with salsa, guacamole and sour cream. 


Mediterranean Pita Pizzas (Prep time: 5 to 10 minutes, Bake time: 10 minutes) 

There’s really no need to buy frozen pizza crust, when a thick pita or 

naan bread works just as well. Best of all, they are naturally individualsized, 

so everyone can decorate them how they want! 

I decided to play on the Mediterranean theme for this recipe. However, 

feel free to use all your favourite toppings. Pita pizzas definitely 

work with the usual tomato pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese. Just 

don’t use any ingredients that need to be cooked with the pizza crust. 

These pizzas are heated just enough to melt the cheese, but they won’t 

necessarily cook raw onions. 

1 package of pita (get the thick, pocket-less pitas typically used in 

Greek cuisine) 

1 jar of pesto 

1 bunch of fresh spinach 

2 Roma tomatoes 

Black olives & artichoke hearts 

2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese 


2. Wash the spinach. Dice the tomatoes, olives and artichoke hearts. 

3. Place the pitas on a baking sheet. Spread pesto on each of the 

pitas, getting as close to the edge as possible. The oil in the pesto will 

help keep the pita from turning into a crouton. 

4. Cover the pita in a layer of spinach. Top with the tomatoes, olives 

and artichoke hearts. Then cover with grated mozzarella. 

5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. 

Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with 

her two busy children. You can find more of her 

recipes in her recently released cookbook 

Fermenting Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com 

STAGES 

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CUTITOUT! 

At My Wit’s End 

Talk it out? Really? When you are 

six or eight or 40? 

Many adults don’t know how to 

talk out issues effectively! So how do we 

support our kids when they struggle with 

peers? It’s hard being a kid at school. You 

are surrounded by a bunch of egocentric, 

immature, ummm…kids. 

It’s a given that children will feel left 

out, hurt by teasing and embarrassed 

What to do: 

1. Listen to your child first with empathy 

(not sympathy) and reflect feelings 

and needs. Be supportive, safe to talk to, 

soothing and understanding. 

2. Ask your child to describe a couple 

of scenarios that typically happen at 

school. 

3. Teach snappy comebacks, which is 

saying something funny that doesn’t put 

your child or the friend. Practice, practice, 

practice while having a bit of fun. 

This will give them the tools they need in 

the moment. 

6. If they need to tell someone, they 

can use a polite threat. “I’d hate to tell 

our teacher about this. I’d prefer you just 

stop what you are doing. Okay?” 

7. Keep it simple. These skills need to 

be accessed during difficult exchanges. 

by taunting. When they go to seek help, 

they get different messages. One parent 

might say, “Fight back.” Another parent 

might feel sorry for their child but offer 

no skills. Some take over the problem 

and call the school, the friend’s parents 

or talk to the friend directly which can 

make matters worse. Then, there are the 

well-meaning mediators who get the kids 

together and force an apology. 

How confusing. Be your child’s emotion 

coach. 

the other person down. It might sound 

like, “Hey stupid.” Snappy comeback: 

“I’ve been working on my stupid skills, 

and I think they are improving.” 

4. Practice body language. What does 

passive body language look like? What 

about aggressive? Now, what does confident 

body language look like? If your 

child decides to walk away, get them to 

practice doing that with confidence. A 

game face comes in handy at the right 

times. 

5. Take turns playing different roles 

with your child. Get them to play another 

child, a teacher, a parent. You can play 

8. Use strong and clear body language 

behind a good I-Statement. “It’s not okay 

to pull my coat. Please stop now.” 

Empower your child with relationship 

skills and the schoolground may be a 

little more enjoyable. 

Dr. Allison Rees is a 

parent educator, counsellor 

and coach at LIFE Seminars 

(Living in Families Effectively), 

lifeseminars.com. 


& 

TWEENS TEENS 






SHARK TANK 


TEEN TRAVEL 


Choosing Period Products



was a fantastic parent when my kids were young. 

I Okay, that sounds egotistical. What I mean to say is I 

felt confident in my choices. I knew exactly how I wanted 

to raise my babies—love them, provide structure, feed them 

nutritious food, expose them to new adventures and teach 

them to be kind. 

When they turned 13 and entered high school, everything 

shifted. Instead of being a hands-on parent, I am relegated 

to the role of guide. I have to step back, loosen control and 

let them make their own mistakes. It’s terrifying because I’m 

never sure if I’m making the right choices. 

Let me give you an example. 

My oldest son’s bedroom has the best cell phone reception 

in the house. Thus my choices when I have an important or 

work-related call are to stand in the middle of the backyard 

or enter the odorous confines of my teenage son’s bedroom. 

On rainy days, I choose the latter. 

My son knows I use his room as an office space occasionally 

and trusts that I respect his space and his “stuff.” I don’t 

snoop. I swear. However, there was one day when I plopped 

down on his bed, only to sit on something hard. When I 

reached down to retrieve the item from under me, I was absolutely 

shocked to find a vape pen.

Starting when my boys were toddlers, I made a point to 

nurture an open dialogue about anything and everything. 

For years, we’ve discussed sex, love, relationships, drugs, 

drinking and even vape pens. As a result, they’ve been open 

with me about their struggles, their friendships, their worries, 

and their experiences. I know about the fights they 

are having, when they’ve been drinking and when they’ve 

skipped school. Our policy is open honesty and transparency. 

No lies. 

The fact that he had tried vaping wasn’t surprising. I 

know that part of a teenager’s journey is to experiment, to 

find their boundaries and define their values. What shocked 

me was the fact that he hadn’t told me about it. My naivety 

suddenly became undeniable. How foolish of me to believe I 

was privy to it all! 

After finishing my phone conversation, I walked downstairs, 

placed the vape pen on the kitchen table and waited 

for my son to return home. 

As he walked through the front door, I sat him down. 

“We need to talk,” I said. “I know you are going to try 

things as you get older, but I thought you knew how bad 

vaping is for your body. I’m curious why you tried it.” 

“Mom, I just wanted to know what it was like. Sometimes 

I’m a dumbass and make stupid choices.” 

While I asked a few questions—What did he like about it? 

How often did he smoke?—my son actually did the majority 

of the talking. He knew all the right things to say. He 

spoke about the repercussions to his athletic potential. He 

acknowledged the fact that addiction runs in our family and 

that he, himself, has an addictive personality. He liked the 

“community feeling” of smoking with his friends but mentioned 

that he wanted to stop. At the end of the conversation, 

he asked me a question I hadn’t been anticipating. 

“What are you going to do with the vape pen?” 

It felt like a lose-lose situation. If I held onto it, he could 

simply buy another one, but it didn’t feel good to give it 

back to him either. 

After sharing this moral dilemma, I told him I needed time 

to think about the options. 

While driving home from soccer practice the next evening, 

he brought it up again. “Have you decided?” 

“Well, I’ve always said that I wouldn’t try to control you. 

I am here to educate and to guide, but ultimately, your life 

and your choices are yours. I think vaping is dangerous and 

stupid, but if that’s what you choose to do with your friends, 

you will have to live with any potential consequences. I 

guess what I’m saying is that I’m going to give it back to 

you.” 

Once home, he walked in the house and retreated immediately 

to his bedroom. As I passed his doorway on the way 

to my own sanctuary, I overheard him on FaceTime with his 

girlfriend. So, I stood at the door and listened like a ninja. 

Wouldn’t you? 

I could hear his girlfriend asking, “So…. she just gave it 

back to you?” 

“Ya.” 

“She doesn’t care if you smoke?” 

“Well, she said that she hopes I make the right decision,” 

he explained. 

“Huh,” the confusion in his girlfriend’s voice was palpable 

(and laughable). 

“Ya,” my son answered. 

Then, there was silence as they both digested this unexpected 

outcome. 

I giggled quietly to myself as I walked away. At least I 

gave them something to ponder! 

In truth, I don’t know if this was the right parenting 

choice to make. I wonder if I give my boys too much leeway 

to make mistakes. I wonder if I should impose consequences 

or react in anger or disappointment. I wonder if I should 

send a stronger message of unacceptance. At the end of the 

day, I want to preserve my relationship with them. I want 

them to know I will always try to reserve judgment about 

their choices, so that if (and when) something truly problematic 

or tragic occurs, they will feel safe in coming to me for 

help or guidance. I suppose I’ll find out the consequences of 

my parenting choices, whether they were nurturing or naive. 

Parenting teenagers is a crapshoot. It’s a toss of the dice 

and crossed fingers, hoping for the best possible outcome. 

All I can do is hope, pray, and wait. 

Kelly Cleeve is a best-selling author 

and an educator. More importantly, she is 

the proud parent of two amazing sons. 

Visit kellycleeve.com or follow her on 

Instagram @resilient_kel and Facebook – 

Raising Resilient Children/Radiant and 

Resilient. 

IslandParent.ca October/November 2022 33

Staying Afloat in the 

Social Media Shark Tank 

We’re habitually distracted with internet and screen time 

filling our waking hours and defining leisure time. Our 

youth are stressed, anxious, experiencing stronger emotions 

and suffering from the burden of being so interconnected. 

Participating in social media can feel like we’re swimming 

with sharks. And being bitten can look like: 

• Dreading checking your device (afraid of what you may 

have stirred up) 

• Obsessing about who liked or noticed a post, picture or 

video 

• Allowing responses and feedback on social media to dictate 

mood 

Six ways to avoid getting bitten and meet the world without 

losing yourself: 

Be less reactive. 

Reacting puts you in survival mode. Respond instead by: 

• Reading the full article or post before you share it or comment 

• Checking the source to avoid the spread of fake news, confusion 

and aggression 

• Not having an opinion. Take breaks from posting, sharing 

and commenting. Even when someone asks for your opinion, 

you can say you don’t know 

• Noticing if you are seeking more places to shout your opinion 

• Watching for the trap of individualism. When you realize 

how attached you are to “Do you like me?” it’s time to take a 

social media break. Tracking friends, followers, likes and comments 

shouldn’t be a full-time job and it’s hard on the heart. 

• Know you don’t need to fix, save or convince people. Those 

are all forms of aggression. 

• Finding more silence. Breaks from social media will improve 

your relationship with it! 

Be less distracted. 

When you’re distracted day-to-day, you risk going numb. 

You’ll also lose connection to yourself, others and our living 

world. Distraction fuels reactivity and leaves zero time for wisdom, 

insight or compassion. 

• Don’t text for one day, set up rules for phone use, and try 

do one thing at a time. 

• Set boundaries and say “no” more often to curb restlessness. 

• Reflect on how distracted we are as a culture. 

Have you witnessed how much personal business people 

now conduct in public spaces? People talk about their private 

relationships, finances and more—right beside you on the bus 

or in the grocery store lineup! (They may assume you’re equally 

distracted.) 

Take a device break in the next line up, waiting room, restaurant 

or soccer practice and see what you notice. Collectively 

we’ve done a lot of damage because we’re not being present. 

It’s a simple change and can be contagious. 

Make time for conversation. 

Phone or drop-in on a friend or relative. It’s a simple way to 


feel more connected and less lonely. Maybe text less? Did you 

ever consider that texting your friends or family is regularly 

distracting them from their relationships, time in nature, their 

ability to be present and enjoy silence? What’s the true cost of 

more online versus in-person relationships? Do you book times 

to talk to people? Are people surprised when you call out of the 

blue? 

Share less. 

Social media is about self-promotion. You build an identity 

and brand yet it’s all manufactured. Think about the risks of 

constantly telling a story about yourself instead of just living it! 

Could you post fewer updates and keep more to yourself? Try 

it. The benefits are an increase of living in and savouring the 

present moment. In the present moment there is no fear or 

anxiety. 

Relax. 

This doesn’t mean taking a nap or watching TV. Relaxation 

is free from strain. Check in with your body right now. Where 

is there tension? Can you soften? How are the muscles in your 

face? In this moment, put a smile on your face but without 

smiling. Next put a smile into your palms, then into an ache 

or pain and finish with smiles in your feet (smile at the Earth). 

Your mind can create a different sensation. This is a lovely 

practice to start each day. 

Find ways to get together. 

People need to feel they belong which can’t be achieved virtually. 

(Popularity isn’t the same as belonging.) We need each 

other and time to comfort, console and support our communities. 

Find grounding and connection in taking on a local paper 

route, helping neighbours with pet sitting or child minding, cutting 

lawns or helping with an elder’s garbage and compost bins. 

Lindsay Coulter is a writer, educator, facilitator, 

naturalist, community catalyst, soul activist, 

mentor, and dedicated mother of two. She’s the 

Director of Communications, Culture and Community 

at EPIC Learning Centre, a forest and nature 

school in Victoria. Find her @SaneAction on Instagram 

and Facebook. 



Fly-by-the-Seat-of- 

Your-Pants Teen Travel 

My son has just left on an epic 

backpacking trip through Europe 

starting in Paris. He’s thrilled. I’ve got 

that feeling similar to when you binge 

eat a tub of espresso chocolate-chip icecream—happy, 

excited and then jittery 

with a heap of insomnia. 

In my pre-COVID career as a filmmaker, 

I travelled for much of my 

work. I was organized, I carried a 

binder with flights, hotels, directions 

and often, restaurant recommendations. 

When things got delayed, it was 

a scramble to make back the production 

time. I’ve lost luggage (with audio 

equipment), got stuck in Belize for an 

extra week because of snow in Texas 

(not as fun as most would think), and 

have been detained in the Philippines. 

When it comes to travelling, I come 

with a lot of baggage—literally and 

figuratively. 

My teenager has been insulated from 

that type of experience. He’s had parents 

who have kept the trip organized 

and him entertained and distracted 

when things went sideways. Hungry? 

Mama has snacks. Bored? Here is a 

movie. He’s had the 5-star bubblewrapped 

experience. 

He’s jumped into this trip with a 

general plan and a fly-by-the-seat of 

your pants attitude that is way outside 

my comfort zone. Deep down I know 

that the beauty in his experience is the 

simplicity and the freedom and I expect 

that his trip will be a truer cultural experience 

than anything I’ve ever done, 

but I’m adjusting to this understanding. 

Before he launched, I was a very active 

part of getting him ready. Here are 

some things that worked well for us: 

Travel with a carry-on backpack so 

you don’t worry about missing luggage. 

There are good-sized backpacks 

that will meet airline specs. Start packing 

your new backpack weeks before 

your travel date and think about how 

much you really need. Repack several 

times and evaluate the items. Then, at 

11pm before your early morning flight, 

do one last panic purge and repack. 

Get all the apps and put in your 

information at home. Flight information 

is often updated quicker in the app 

than in the airport. Many companies 

have priority calling through their apps. 

Do a trial run with your gear. Encourage 

your teen to practice wearing 

his backpack and carrying his passport 

with his wallet and phone with him to 

get comfortable with the new items. 

Lack of sleep and jet lag is not the time 

to start thinking about where your 

passport is or struggle with how easy 

it is to carry your backpack through 

transit. 

Research! Things have changed, especially 

with hostels. Read the guides 

and find out what you need, and don’t 

need, on a trip. 

Ensure that there is at least 1.5 

hours between flights. It is not a great 

time to count on making tight connections. 

You can also call the airport to 

find out if you have to go through security 

again or how big of a distance it is 

between gates. 

IslandParent.ca

Learn a new sport or refine 

your skills: come join our 

rock climbing teams! 

Pack snacks. There is a lot of waiting 

and sometimes food is not readily 

available. Teens are hungry every 15 

minutes, so having something readily 

available is nice. My teen had a sandwich, 

but hummus could be confiscated 

as it is considered a liquid. Fruits and 

vegetables would need to be eaten or 

disposed of before landing in an international 

location. 

The biggest piece of advice is for 

parents. 

Kathy Peterson, a counsellor at Collaborative 

Counselling, advises that 

when empty-nest syndrome hits, to remember 

your role. 

“Remember that parents are the 

compass that will guide their children 

back home,” says Peterson. “Sometimes 

as a parent it is hard to let go but stay 

grounded in the knowledge that you’ve 

given [your kids] the skills to handle 

these challenges and they will come 

back with a gamut of experiences that 

will shape their future.” 

Letting go isn’t easy, but I’m learning 

to give my teen space to explore 

without needing to check-in and he is 

embracing it by only giving me quick 

one one-line email updates—sometimes 

one word. I’m working on remembering 

all the strengths and skills he has, and I 

am looking forward to hearing his stories 

when he gets back and seeing how 

travel has empowered him. 

April Butler is the mother 

of three (one teenager and 

two grown) children and the 

grandmother of one. She was 

working as a documentary 

filmmaker and if her career 

doesn’t reboot after the 

pandemic, she will just 

spend more time sailing. 

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 

IN-PERSON 

and 

VIRTUAL 

PROGRAMS 

REGISTER 

TODAY 

www.GirlsInScience.ca 

Join Canada's largest STEM Club for girls, nonbinary, 

and gender nonconforming youth ages 7 - 17. 



Choices Aplenty: Choosing Period Products 

Several years ago, a friend’s 10-year-old daughter came for a 

sleepover, carrying two bags. In one bag she’d packed lots 

of supplies for her period/cycle bleed—and she wanted to talk 

about all of them! That evening, we explored the large stash of 

pads and tampons—we unwrapped, examined and compared 

them—you know just a typical sleepover/show-and-tell session! 

Here’s an overview of the most current and common period/ 

cycle bleed management options: 

Period Underwear. Period underwear come in many different 

styles and patterns, from a longer boxer-style short to 

the cheeky styles that will suit all identities, activity levels and 

body shapes. While they look like regular underwear, they 

have a thicker gusset lining between the legs. The top layer of 

fabric allows the fluid to pass through to the middle layer that 

absorbs the fluid while the tightly woven bottom/outside layer 

prevents the fluid from leaking through. Some styles are thicker 

and can be worn for up to 8 hours which works overnight or 

for the length of a school day. 

The thinner styles can be worn on days with less fluid flow 

or when a person is awaiting a period/cycle bleed. The thinner 

styles can be helpful for young people who aren’t yet sure when 

their period/bleed will begin and feel anxious about being prepared. 

To clean them after a single use, simply rinse them and 

follow the machine wash and dry instructions. Some brands 

even make bathing suits, bike shorts and leggings with leak 

proof gussets for more active user options. Typically, a user will 

need to have 2–3 pairs of underwear in rotation to ensure they 

have an extra pair or two to use during wash times. 

Re-usable Pads. Re-usable pads follow the same idea as period 

underwear, the major difference being that they are shaped 

like a pad and they usually use a snap to secure the pad to the 

gusset of regular underwear. They come in different sizes, colours, 

patterns and shapes from a light liner to overnight coverage. 

They are rinsed and washed as per instructions following 

use. They are typically changed every 4–6 hours so likely users 

will have to carry two with them for an entire day’s coverage. 

With both the underwear and reusable pads, it’s a good idea 

to carry a plastic pouch for used pads/underwear, another set 

of underwear or pads and maybe some leggings in case there’s 

need for back up! 

Menstrual Cups. Menstrual cups or discs are worn inside 

the body in the vagina and rather than absorbing the fluid like 

a tampon, the fluid is collected by the cup or the disc and it’s 

either emptied, rinsed and re-inserted if it’s re-usable or discarded 

if it’s single use only. Most cups and discs are re-usable 

although there are a few brands of discs which are single use. 

Cups and discs are usually made of medical grade silicone and 

both require the user to be familiar and comfortable enough 

with their own bodies to insert and remove them with clean 

hands. 

Cups typically sit very high in the vagina and create a suction 

to the cervix while discs sit a bit lower and have a seal but not 

suction. Some brands have different sizes for different sized/ 

shaped bodies and/or heavier fluid flow days, while others use 

a universal-sized approach. Cups/discs usually only need to 

be emptied 2–4 times per day depending on the amount of the 

fluid flow and can also be easily worn during activities that 

involve water like swimming. Users who like to hike and camp 

or are planning extended travel often appreciate the ease and 

freedom of a re-usable cup or disc. At the end of a cycle, the 

re-usable cup or disk is washed and stored according to the instructions 

until next use. Reusable cups and discs usually need 

to be replaced after two years of use. 

All of these products are becoming more accessible, affordable 

and popular. Beyond the obvious benefits of convenience 

and privacy, many users feel that these products are more environmentally 

and financially sustainable. Like anything health 

related, if you or your youth have interest in trying a new 

method, gather accurate information from reputable sources 

and choose a product that feels like a good physical and lifestyle 

match. 

These new options will go a long way to support our young 

people through their period/cycle bleed with increased comfort, 

privacy and autonomy while reducing stigma and shame and 

leaving the outdated menstrual contraptions in the past! 

Jennifer Gibson, MA, is also known as 

“The Sex Lady”— for close to 20 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. 


NOW OPEN 

Starry Night Pavillion at Bayview Place 

Tickets at VanGoghVictoria.com 



$ 

55 

EARLY BIRD 

PRICING 

Available Nov.1–30 

IMAX® VICTORIA 

PASSES ARE BACK! 

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Purchase an IMAX ® Victoria pass to enjoy UNLIMITED regular documentary films for 

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Pass purchased in November 2022 

ᤱ FREE upsizing to the next size on soft drink and 

popcorn purchases 

ᤱ Admission to Hollywood films for just $6.50 (2D) 

and $7.50 (3D) 

ᤱ 20% discount on IMAX ® Victoria tickets for your guests 

ᤱ 20% discount on Royal BC Museum admission 

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ᤱ Invitations to exclusive passholder events 

IMAX ® VICTORIA PASSES GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 1, 2022 

imaxvictoria.com/annual-pass 

*Based on 2018 price. Increases to $59 after Nov.30, 2022.

Island Parent Oct Nov 2022

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