4 Season Family Fun! Thule Chariot Sport 2 Video Review

2020 has definitely made spending time outside more important than ever. So any piece of gear that helps us accomplish that goal as a family of 6 is amazing! For the past 8 months we’ve been using our Thule Chariot Sport 2 non-stop to enjoy nature with our family. We have taken it on countless bike rides, an adventure at the zoo, walks around our neighbourhood, and along paths in our local parks. Both myself and my husband have decided it’s our absolute favourite! The quality of materials, features, and ease of use is far above our previous bike trailer, and even as a stroller it’s a dream to use. We love it so much that I partnered with Thule to show you why it’s so amazing. ⁣

Some of my favourite features include: (Demonstrated in video)

• 4 Seasons + 4 Sports Capability: Can be used all year and transforms for strolling, jogging, biking & cross country skiing

• The Click n’ Store System: It means that you can store extra parts on the Chariot & switch up activities while out and about

• Incredible Comfort: Includes reclining seats (removable and washable!), adaptable ventilation, and an integrated rain cover

• Easy Fold: Perfect for storing your Chariot, or to pop in your trunk for adventures at your destination

• Amazing Optional Accessories: Including an Organizer, Cargo Rack & Infant Insert for strolling

• Plus so much more! Watch the video to see what I mean.

Please leave any comments or questions below and let me know if you have any other products or topics you want me to feature. Make sure to check out my other videos for more info including my Thule Sleek Stroller Review. Plus make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date on my new videos.

- Care

In this video: Thule Chariot Sport 2 | Thule Organizer Sport Double | Thule Cargo Rack 2

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about the Thule Chariot Sport 2. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. Please always read the product manual and ensure proper use depending on age, stage, and size of your child. Always use appropriate safety gear. Contact Thule customer service if you ever have questions about proper use or need further support.

Britax Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat Installation + Review Video

Britax’s beautiful NEW lineup of Harness-2-Booster Car Seats have hit the Canadian market. I’ve partnered with them to test out and review the Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat (the middle seat in their 3 seat lineup, comparison chart included below).

As a Child Passenger Safety Technician I find that most parents are frustrated by their car seats, and make installation errors because they get confused with so many steps. Britax’s incredibly simple ClickTight installation process helps parents feel confident about every installation.

Watch my video to get a full run down of what makes this seat effortless for parents to install and use, and awesome for kids! Plus, see exactly how this seat grows with your child. It currently fits both Penny (Almost 4 Years Old, 39lbs & 39” Harness Mode) and Lucy (6.5 Years, 49lbs & 47” - Both Harness & Booster Mode). Check out some photos below.

Penny age ~4 Years, 39lbs, 39” In Harness Mode

Lucy age 6.5 years, 49lbs, 47” In Harness Mode

Lucy age 6.5 Years, 49lbs, 47” In Booster Mode

Please leave any comments or questions below and let me know if you have any other products or topics you want me to feature. Make sure to check out my other car seat safety videos for more info. Plus subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date on my new videos.

- Care

In this video: Britax Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat

Shop Britax **Get 15% OFF the Grow With You ClickTight Harness-2-Booster Seat (Asher Colour) at select Canadian retailers Until May 20, 2020.

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about car seat safety. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. Please always read your vehicle manual and car seat manual to ensure compatibility and proper secure installation and use. If you need assistance installing your car seat, or want to have your installation checked please reach out to me (care@with-care.ca), or another certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (find a tech map).

Jack Of Sports Summer Camp GIVEAWAY!! $335.00 Value! Enter NOW!

Winter may still be hanging around, but it’s officially time to start planning for the warmer weather. Spring will be here before we know it, so let’s get the kids registered for summer camps before everything is full! This year our big kids are attending a few great local day camps including Jack of Sports. We have been loving our experience with their swimming lessons, so we wanted to give their camps a try. My 6 year old Lucy can’t wait to try Art Camp and Swimming Camp, while my 8 year old Ben is going for a combo of Swimming and Rock Climbing. So cool!

As a parent I know summer camp costs add up fast, so I’ve partnered with Jack Of Sports to do an amazing GIVEAWAY. Enter for a chance to WIN a week of summer camp, Valued at $335! With tons of amazing activities to choose from (check out all the options below), and locations all over the city, this giveaway is perfect for Toronto families with kids ages 4-13.

I love that all of the Jack of Sports programs include 1 hour of swimming a day, and even the theme camps include some sport play, so our kids keep active. They offer an extended before and after care program, plus this year they have a new optional lunch program (including vegetarian & gluten free meals). A huge perk for tired parents everywhere!

Needless to say, you should ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY! Make sure to Enter all 3 ways to increase your chances of Winning!

1. To Enter Via My Blog: Simply Like this post & Comment below with your name and email (you must include your email address so I can contact you if you win. If you prefer to keep it private, please comment with your name below and send me a quick email so I have your contact info.)

2. Head over to my Instagram and Enter!! ** Unlimited entries with tags!

3. Head over to my Facebook Page and Enter!! ** Unlimited entries with tags!

That’s it. So easy, and if you win, you can check one thing off your never-ending parent to-do list. You can thank me later ;)

Contest is open to all Canadians* 18+ and closes Monday March 2nd at 10pm EST** A winner will be chosen at random and contacted within 24 hours. *Jack of Sports Camps are located in Toronto Canada. No travel or accommodation costs will be covered. Camp registration dates are subject to availability and age restrictions. Learn More about Jack of Sports Programs Here. 

Good luck, and happy registering!!

- Care

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Register for NEW Live Online Starting Solids Workshops + Greek Yogurt Snowball Recipe for BLW *VIDEO

I’m very excited to announce that I’ve listened to your requests and added a LIVE Online Starting Solids Workshop to my offerings. Check out all of the upcoming dates on my calendar and grab your spot now! Just like my in-person classes, these online sessions will have very limited spaces available. So you’ll still be able to engage with the class content, enjoy live food demos, and ask all of your questions.

Speaking of questions, I get tons about how to feed soft liquid textures like greek yogurt when focusing on self-feeding (vs spoon-feeding). Watch this video to get one of my all time favourite healthy recipes for self-feeding greek yogurt, Snowballs! My little guy Fred has been scarfing these down on the regular. The best part is that the recipe only takes minutes to make, uses 4-5 simple healthy ingredients, and can be switched up to work with what you have at home. You don’t want to miss this one! Watch this video and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to see more of our adventures in starting solids.

Enjoy!

- Care

In This Video:

ezpz Tiny Spoon from Hip Mommies | Bumkins sleeved bib | Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about starting solids. All babies are different and this is just one example of safe feeding. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual baby.

*If you need more help please register for one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops or contact me if you want to arrange a private session. If your needs go beyond what I can help you with, I am more than happy to provide you with a referral to an excellent paediatric dietician

*Health Canada Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants: Recommendations from Six to 24 Months (includes recommendation for self feeding)

How to Feed Banana: Baby-Led Weaning - 6 Months Old *VIDEO

I’m so excited to post my first video in a long series of starting solids resources that I will be sharing in the coming months. Over the last 6 years teaching parents about Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) I have realized that more online support is needed. I can’t wait to offer more of my favourite tips and tricks, so you can feel confident feeding your baby safely.

In this quick video you’ll learn how to prepare banana for baby. Including tips for dealing with slippery textures, how to make sure our baby is safe during meal time, and my favourite product for BLW food scraps. You don’t want to miss this one. Watch this video and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to see more of our adventures in starting solids.

If you need more help please register for one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops or contact me if you want to arrange a private session. If your needs go beyond what I can help you with, I am more than happy to provide you with a referral to an excellent paediatric dietician.

- Care

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about starting solids. All babies are different and this is just one example of safe feeding. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual baby.

*Health Canada Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants: Recommendations from Six to 24 Months (includes recommendation for self feeding)

Starting Solids & Baby Led Weaning Basics with Motherhood Uncorked

A few weeks ago (during the most epic snowstorm of the season!) I sat down with Cortney, mother and creator of Motherhood Uncorked, to talk all things Starting Solids. We had such a great time covering all the basics including: when to start, how to start, what baby led weaning/feeding really is, food allergies, and how to feed your baby safely. This is a must watch for all of the parents out there who aren’t feeling confident about starting solids. I know how scary this transition can be, and always love to be able to offer some support and advice for parents. Watch Video

Starting Solids: The 1st Year (BLW + Purees) *Virtual Workshop

Quantity:

Register

If you’re needing more help and support please Register for one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops, or reach out (care@with-care.ca). My 2 hour workshop is jam packed and always leaves parents feeling so much more confident in their approach to starting solids and progressing through textures with their baby. Workshop covers:

• Purpose of Mealtimes

• Signs of Readiness

• 1st Foods & Foods to Avoid

• Updated Allergy Evidence & Guidelines

• Spoon Feeding & Baby Led Feeding

• Choking vs Gagging *How & when to safely intervene

• Food Progression & Motor Development in the 1st Year

• Meeting Nutritional Requirements & Healthy Recipes for Baby

• Cooking & Preparing Food for Your Baby

• Real Food Demos, so you can feel confident preparing and serving food at home

Space is extremely limited in each session to allow for individual questions, so don’t wait to Register!

You can also check out my Starting Solids videos on YouTube. More to come very soon!

Feel free to ask any questions below and don’t forget to check out this video.

- Care

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about starting solids. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual baby.

How to Care For Your Kiddo’s Teeth + An Important Teething Safety Notice: Oral Health Month With The Bloor Clinic Kids

Caring for your little one’s teeth can be really hard. Not all kids love to brush and floss, and knowing how to keep their smile healthy is difficult for parents. Especially as you navigate the exhausting world of teething. That’s why I’m so excited to team up with The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Oral Health Month this April.

With the help of one of their board-certified Paediatric Dentists, Dr. Regina Revuelta Perez, I’m answering 3 Frequently Asked Questions. Plus I’m discussing a very important safety notice for all parents with teething babes, and giving you one of my simple tricks for making teeth brushing fun for the whole family!

1. When Do I Need To Start Cleaning My Baby’s Teeth?

You can begin wiping your babies gums with a cloth (damp with water) wrapped around your finger at a few months old. This gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned, gets parents in the habit of focusing on baby’s daily oral hygiene, and provides a clean environment for their primary teeth to erupt into. As soon as your baby’s first teeth arrive you should wipe their teeth and gums down with a wet cloth at least twice daily. Eventually you can switch to parent-led brushing with a paediatric size toothbrush (with water), and then supervised child-led brushing. Around 3 years old (or when your child can spit) you can begin using a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride. Even older children, who seem capable of brushing their own teeth, should be supervised and assisted to ensure all surfaces of the teeth are being cleaned properly. A lot of parents assume that baby teeth don’t matter because they will eventually fall out, but some primary teeth, like our molars, stay until around 12 years of age. So it’s very important to keep them clean and healthy.

2. When Should I Take My Baby To See The Dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends the “assessment of infants, within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth, or by one year of age. The goal is to have your child visit the dentist before there is a problem.” Meeting with a dentist can provide important education for parents, so they know how to care for their child’s teeth, and when to reach out with any concerns. It also allows children to get used to visits to the dentist.

3. Why Should My Little One See A Paediatric Dentist? *Includes Our Personal Experience

Paediatric dentists do an extra 4 years of specialist training, which makes them very well equipped to care for infants, children, and people with special needs. They are trained to work very quickly, something that’s important since most kids have little to no patience ;) They also have special sized equipment needed to assess and treat your little one’s small mouth and teeth properly.

When we took our son Ben (now 7.5 years old) in for his first dental checkup we went to our regular dentist. They did his cleanings for 5 years, however when it came time for x-rays we started having problems. Our initial dentist’s office didn’t have the appropriate size equipment for paediatric x-rays, and the large pieces would cause my son to gag and almost vomit. After several failed attempts to get the x-rays done I saw my son’s anxiety and fear about the dentist rising. I didn’t like the stress it was causing him. I was also feeling a ton of anxiety as a mom, because no successful x-rays had been done. I decided I needed to find a better option, so I reached out to The Bloor Clinic Kids, a new full service Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics clinic at Bloor & Islington.

The staff answered all of my questions, helped me get a predetermination done with our insurance company, and booked our 2 bid kids in as new patients within a few days. I was amazed that they were successful in getting all the x-rays we needed in just 1 quick appointment. Ben even raved as we were leaving the office “this is the best dentist ever!” I was so relieved that it went so well and that there wasn’t a single cavity for either kid. However, we did find out that our daughter Lucy is missing her adult incisors (which my dad and I are also missing, thank goodness for modern day dentistry!). We know she will have a very long dental journey ahead of her, so I’m very relieved to know that we have the amazing team at The Bloor Clinic Kids to help us along the way. Especially since they provide orthodontics on site too. It’s nice to know they’ve got us covered for it all. If you need some help with your little one’s smile reach out to their incredible team info@thebloorclinickids.com or (437) 774-8225. They will be more than happy to help answer all of your questions, and get your dental needs sorted out.

Teething ***IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE!***

Teething can be a long a hard process for some babies. Click here to read about 6 of My Favourite Teething Remedies. Please always remember that Orajel/Baby Orajel teething products should NEVER be used. The presence of benzocaine in these products can lead to a rare but fatal condition called methemoglobinemia (Health Canada Warning). In addition any local numbing agent could numb their throat making it difficult to breath, or increasing the risk of choking. There are many other remedies that can help with the discomfort of teething without being dangerous.

Finally, I want to share with you one of my parenting tricks that helps make teeth brushing fun in our home. We love to sing Brush Your Teeth by Raffi in a very jovial way. Our kids absolutely love it. Check it out if you don’t know the song. Wishing all the parents good luck brushing teeth tonight.

- Care

In This Post: The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is located at 3250 Bloor St West Unit 112 in Toronto at Bloor & Islington. Contact info@thebloorclinickids.com or (437) 774-8225 with any questions.

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Grow A Butterfly! Buy Your Caterpillars NOW for Junction Wings 2019 - Community Fundraiser

It’s officially spring, so that means it’s time to place our orders for Junction Wings 2019!! If you’ve never heard of this incredible community fundraiser, you need to check it out. Basically for $10 you get an adorable little caterpillar in a container with food and instructions on how to care for it. You take it home and watch it grow into your very own special butterfly. It truly is magic.

My family has been taking part in this fundraiser for several years, and every single year I am amazed at this process and how much our kiddos learn from it.

Check out my post from a few years ago for a super simple Ikea Hack Butterfly Habitat, so you’ll have the perfect home for your little friend to emerge into as a butterfly.

Don’t wait! Place your caterpillar orders by this Friday April 5th! ***ORDERS EXTENDED TO APRIL 8TH AT 5PM*** ( I always recommend buying a few, since some won’t work out. Think of it as a good insurance policy.)

Caterpillars will be available for pickup in the West End on Saturday May 11th & Wednesday May 15th. The pickup location and all details will be sent out via confirmation email with each caterpillar purchase. You can arrange for someone else to pick up your caterpillars on your behalf, but please let the Junction Project know in advance. Full Details & Buy Caterpillars

I hope you and your family enjoy this as much as mine does every year. Maybe it’ll become one of your spring family traditions, like it is in our home.

- Care