Join Me At The Bump To Baby Show, Fall 2017 + Ticket GIVEAWAY!!

I'm so excited to be taking part in The Bump to Baby Show's 1st ever fall show on Saturday October 21st at The Riverdale Hub. I always love the spring show because it's such a great group of finely curated local businesses, that genuinely love to help and support expectant and new families in our communities. The Bump to Baby Show is a much slower pace show than most giant baby shows out there, but that's another element that I really enjoy. As a participating business I love being able to connect with guests, and give them an opportunity to ask questions and learn about what I offer. 

This fall's show has an incredible Marketplace, Kids Activities, a fun Photo Booth, Swags Bags, Prenatal Yoga and amazing Guest Speakers. 

Yours truly will be speaking with The Big Carrot at 2pm about Healthy Snacks for Busy Families. Join me for some live food demos and healthy recipes for pregnancy, starting solids and your growing kiddos. Plus some awesome Swag and Giveaways!  Pre-Register for my talk Here

Advance Tickets to the show are $5 and come with a complimentary cotton tote filled with amazing swag. Admission at the Door is $10 per adult **Please Note: Bumps, Babies, Kids & Grandparents are FREE! Add The Bump to Baby Show to your calendar on October 21st and buy your tickets now! 

If you have a baby on the way, or a young family in tow, this is the show to attend. Don't miss out! ENTER for a Chance to WIN a pair of tickets to The Bump to Baby Show.

To Enter simply comment below with your name and email address, or alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to care@with-care.ca for entry. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter!  Contest is open to anyone 25+ and closes Saturday September 30th at 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and contacted within 24 hours. Good Luck!

Learn More + Buy Advance Tickets to Save 50%

Hope to see you at the show!

Care xo

No Stress, Last Minute, Back To School Guide - The Real 4 Must Haves

With back to school right around the corner I have received some panicked messages from friends and clients who have left prep to the last minute, and are feeling overwhelmed. So many parents believe they need to break the bank and buy a tons of supplies to make sure their little one is ready, but that's not the case. I firmly believe back to school shouldn't be stressful for parents, especially if you're little one is headed to Kindergarten (or early elementary years, grades 1-3). We are very fortunate to have the majority of school supplies provided here by our public school board, so don't waste your money. You can always buy supplies in the future if the need arrises. (*If your child attends a private school, please follow the list they provide)

In an effort to calm nerves and help anyone who is worried that they're not doing enough, here is my super simple, no stress, totally last minute, back to school guide. There are only 4 Must Haves on my list...yes technically some categories have more than 1 item, but you probably have at least 1 at home. Yay! See, you're already winning ;) 

4 Must Haves for Back to School

1. Litterless Lunch: Most schools ask families to pack lunch and snacks with as little disposable packaging as possible. There are tons of amazing lunch boxes on the market these days, so take a look around before you purchase one. You can always use some simple containers eg. yogurt and sour cream containers, for the first few days if you're waiting on your lunchbox to arrive, or still deciding. One thing to ensure is that your little one can independantly open whatever containers you send. It's a good idea to do some practice runs in the days leading up to the start of school to give them confidence for the big day. We did a practice walk to school and a picnic so Lucy could try out her new gear. Needless to say it was a total hit.

Each kid typically needs a lunchbox and bag, an ice pack, a leakproof water bottle, a reusable cutlery set, a napkin, and a thermos (if you intend to send any warm food). We love our PlanetBox lunch boxes (See previous review here), and are really excited to try out their capsule water bottles and cold kits this year. These are definitely an investment, but with Ben going into his 3rd year with his, I'm feeling pretty great about the purchase. *Edited in 2019 to note: We’re now on year 5 with Ben’s original planet box and still going strong! 

We typically pack the PlanetBox with a healthy lunch, and then pack 2 snacks in the front pocket of the carry bag (you could also pack these in the front pocket of their backpack). For snacks we typically do 1 piece of fruit eg. apple, pear, orange - no package, or wrapped in abeego, and something that fits into the planet box big dipper snack container eg. nut-free energy balls 

2. Indoor Shoes: Schools usually ask that kids have a comfortable pair of shoes to be left at school for daily use indoor. Since our kids are running around inside and sweating a lot I always try to pick something that's breathable. I love runners with a strong mesh fabric upper. These are the ones I have bought for Ben for the last 2 years (In pic above. *Edited in 2019 to note that we got these awesome similar New Balance ones this year for both Ben & Lucy). I have been really happy with the way they have lasted all school year and through the summer for camp, and how comfortable he's found them. I highly recommend finding something similar with good breathability. There are tons of great sales on right now, so hopefully you can save some money on this purchase. 

3. Change of Clothes: A labeled, season appropriate, change of clothes is important to pack on the first day of school (including socks and underwear). Place the extra clothes in a labeled resealable plastic bag to be left at school for future accidents or mishaps. I have used Mabels Labels on clothes, bags, water bottles & lunch containers with success for 2 years now and have barely lost anything. I highly recommend labelling your kid's stuff in some way (even simply using a sharpie), otherwise you will lose a lot of stuff, and be unable to easily identify it.  

I don't rush out to buy a ton of fall clothes for back-to-school, because September tends to be warm in our area. When I do buy school clothes I like to stick to basics that can be handed down to siblings. If your little one is in need of some new cloths for the school year, check out the amazing new line of Tiny Basics Tiny Trendsetter just launched. 

4. A Backpack: Every kid obviously needs one, but what size? There are so many these days that it can be hard to know what is appropriate. Most schools ask that kid's bring a full size backpack (eg. one that fits a binder) starting in Kindergarten. Mini backpacks, like these adorable Skip Hop ones, are perfect for preschool and daycare, but not appropriate for full day school. I always try to find a backpack that will fit lunch, snacks and library books, but that also fits my kid's frame and doesn't overpower their ability to stay upright ;)

If you're in need of some last minute back to school gear check out Tiny Trendsetter. They have a huge selection of adorable backpacks and back-to-school basics to choose from online or in-store. 

I hope this simple list helps put you at ease, and let's you focus instead on your little one, and the big transition that is to come. Lots of love to all of the nervous parents out there (don't worry, I'm one too!). One thing I can tell you from experience is that it's usually harder on us than it is on them. You've got this!

As always please feel free to ask questions below. 

Care

In This Post

Tiny Trendsetter Herschel Backpacks, Skip Hop Backpacks    |    PlanetBox Rover Lunchbox, Capsule Water Bottle, Carry Bag + Cold Kits    |    The Shoe Company Nike Running Shoes

*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. 

Download My FREE Complete Family Camping List

We just returned from our annual backcountry camping trip, so I thought it was time I shared my complete packing list for camping with kids. A lot of friends and family are surprised that we can enjoy our time camping with 3 kids in tow, but it really is one of our favourite traditions. As I've said in previous posts about Camping with Kids (found here & here), preparation is key to your enjoyment. There is nothing worse than forgetting a vital piece of equipment that means you're left wet, or uncomfortable, or hungry. In an effort to make sure this doesn't happen to any family, I'm sharing my Complete Family Camping List.

Going camping the first time can feel a bit overwhelming due to the sheer amount of gear required. Don't forget you can save your budget by borrowing equipment from friends and family, buying gently used gear from neighbourhood buy and sells, or renting from places like Mountain Equipment Co-op. We registered for camping gear from MEC for our wedding, and have been using it for the last 7 years. It’s amazing to think how many memories these gifts have given our little family. 

I really hope this list makes you feel a little more prepared for camping with a young family, but remember nothing is perfect. You will be bug bitten, covered in grime and smelling less than peachy, but seeing the look on your little one's face when they catch their first crayfish, bite into a perfect s'more, go skinny dipping in a warm lake, or drift off to sleep in your arms watching the sun set, makes it all so worth it. There will probably be tears (for everyone), but trips like this build resiliency and help connect our kids to nature and the environment. For all of those who would prefer to glamp it up in a hotel or cottage instead, have fun! Whatever you do with your littles, know you're doing an awesome job.

CAMPING GEAR: 3 Day Family Trip

• Canoe, Paddles & PFDs (Can be rented at most parks and marinas)

• Collapsable Wagon (Great for hauling kids or gear to walk in sites, or over simple flat portages)

• Container for gear, clothes, toiletries & bedding (Large waterproof dry pacs are ideal or rubbermaid bins for car camping)

• Dry Food Storage (Barrel with Harness or Rubbermaid Bin for cap camping)

• Cooler (pre-freeze water bottles to save ice pack space in the cooler, and have cold clean drinking water)

• Tent, Vestibule & Footprint (or large tarp for underneath tent)

• Bug Shelter

• Sleeping Pad (We use 1 Family Sleeping Pad + 2 Regular Size Sleeping Pads, makes perfect size bed for our family)

• Large bed sheet (Or appropriate for your size mattress)

• Sleeping Bags (Since we sleep with the kids all together, we typically lay out a sheet on the sleeping pad and then use the sleeping bags on top as blankets)

• 2 Large Tarps (for rain shelter, covering gear at night etc)

• 2 Ropes (for tying tarp up to create a rain shelter, hanging food, towing a canoe, clothesline etc)

• 2 Bungee Cords (for attaching stuff to packs or keeping gear closed etc.)

• Lightweight Fold Up Chair for each person

• Booster Seat (lobster style is ideal for attaching to picnic tables)

• Headlamps/Flashlights (*Always check batteries and pack extra. Headlamps and handsfree options are ideal when you have to help small children. Lantern style are also handy)

• Plate, mug, bowl for each person

• Sippy Cups/Bottles for little ones

• Cutlery set for each person

• Lightweight Cutting Board (not a flimsy one)

• Flipper, Tongs, Mixing/Serving Spoon, Bottle Opener

• Sharp Knife x2 (I wrap them in the dish cloth and tea towel with an elastic around them and put them in a bag together before packing into the gear bag)

• Camping Stove with Gas Canisters (Even if you love to cook over the fire it's important to pack a stove in the case of rain, or a sudden fire ban)

• Pots & Pans

• French Coffee Press

• Ove Gloves (or oven mitts)

• Lake Eco Dish Soap (not for use in lake)

• Dish Cloth & Drying Cloth

• Duct Tape

• Tin Foil (for using on grill when cooking veggies etc)

• Paper Towels (In a large ziploc bag to avoid getting ruined from water)

• Ziploc baggies (a few large and small, very useful for keeping things dry if it's a wet trip, putting your map into, or putting leftovers away etc)

• 2 Green garbage bags + a few smaller Kitchen catcher garbage bags for collecting garbage around site and covering things to keep dry if needed.

• Matches/Lighters (Packed in a ziplock bag to keep dry. I typically pack an emergency lighter and matches in our 1st Aid Kit too)

• Pelican Case for valuables e.g. cell phones, car keys, permits, wallets

CAMPING TOILETRIES: 3 Day Family Trip

• Eco-friendly shampoo/body wash (for shower, no soaps are safe for lake use)

• Hair Brush

• Toilet Paper (2 rolls, in separate large ziploc bags to avoid water damage + backup)

• Portable Fold Up Potty (much easier than trekking to the outhouse in the dark)

• Sunscreen, Aftersun

• Bugspray, Afterbite, Bug Jacket, Tick Kit or Tick Remover

• Diapers

• Baby Wipes (for easy hand and face wipes etc)

• Swim towels (Turkish towels and travel towels pack well)

• 2 Face Cloths

• 1st Aid Kit *Get My Downloadable Complete Family First Aid Kit List!

OPTIONAL ITEMS: 3 Day Family Trip

• Baby Carrier (eg. mesh water sling, favourite regular use carrier *consider what carrier would be ideal if you need to rock/walk your little one to sleep in it, backpack style etc.)

• Hammock

• Solar Heated Camping Shower

• Binoculars

• Utility Knife

• Camera

• Cards/Dominos/Travel Backgammon

• Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

• Books

• Picnic Blanket

• Water Toys (Boats, Pails & Shovels)

• Rainy Day Activities *Check out some great ideas in Part 2 of Camping with Kids

CLOTHING: 3 Day Family Trip

• 2 Bathing Suits & UV Shirts (or full piece UV suits)

• 2 Pants

• 2 Shorts

• 3 T-Shirts

• 2 Long Sleeve Shirts

• 1 Sweatshirt

• 2 Socks

• 3 underwear

• Rain Coat & Pants (or full piece rain suit)

• Brimmed Quick Dry Sun Hat

• Sunglasses

• Wet Shoes (eg. Keens)

• Dry Shoes (eg. Running Shoes)

Hope this list helps you have a great time in the outdoors. Happy Camping!

Care

This post is not sponsored but I have linked some of our absolute favourite pieces of gear in case you're looking for some. *Please note that we backcountry camp for about 3 days eg. portage and paddle in site with no running water, no flush toilets, no electricity etc. If you're planning a less rugged trip, feel free to scale back and omit some of these items or pack in any bags or bins you have. You will need to add some items if you're planning a longer or more rugged trip. 

Potter & Pehar Sling + Sip Social - Register Now! (Free Event With Care)

Babywearing is a lifesaver for so many parents, but only when you know how to use your carrier safely and comfortably. As a Babywearing Educator I love helping families learn how to make the most of their carriers. That's why I'm so excited to join Potter & Pehar at their upcoming Sling + Sip Social to offer a FREE Ring Sling 101 Workshop. (Full Details Below *Space is very limited so don't wait to register. RSVP to hello@potterandpehar.com)

Ring slings are one of my favourite carriers from infancy right through toddlerhood. In the early days they are perfect for our little babes who need to be kept snug up on our chest. As our baby grows and develops, ring slings are ideal for quick trips using a hip carry. Ring slings are great because they fold up nice and small for travel, can be put on and adjusted relatively quickly, are lightweight for hot weather, and are great for wearing to fancier events. I have worn all of our babies to weddings in my ring slings. I also love ring slings because they are one of the easiest carriers to nurse in. 

Even with all of these amazing qualities I find that ring slings often get a bad wrap. I have spoken to lots of parents at my community events and on social media who just couldn't seem to make their ring sling work. They often reported pain, or felt insecure about their baby's position. Neither of which are any fun. The majority of the time some minor adjustments to the carrier would make a huge difference, and impact both the wearer's comfort, and the baby's comfort and security. Learning the basics of how to use a ring sling properly is essential to your long term enjoyment and safety while babywearing with one. 

If you're a local parent join me at the Potter & Pehar Sling + Sip Social on Thursday August 17th to learn all about ring slings. This FREE event takes place from 11am-2pm at 1830 Bloor St W (3rd floor event room).

Pop by to enjoy some light refreshments and get your photo taken by Jamie Mack Photography for $15. Come and check out Potter & Pehar's beautiful collection of Canadian made ring slings. As a special gift to all attendees they will be offering sale prices on their end of season slings. *Please Note: No purchase is necessary to attend this event. 

*Remaining Space is very limited so please don't wait to register. Email hello@potterandpehar.com to reserve your spot. Feel free to ask any questions below in the comments 

Happy Babywearing!

Care 

In this post:

Potter & Pehar Berkeley Ring Sling    |    Tiny Trendsetter Saltwater Sandals     |     H&M Care's Dress 

*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. 

True North Sports Camps Review - One Happy Mom's Perspective

It's always a good sign when you pick your kid up at the end of the first day of camp and they immediately say "Today was the best! I love it here. Can I come back tomorrow?" Yup, that was Ben's initial reaction to True North Sports Camps. After 2 weeks of camp I can confidently say that he's still feeling the same, and totally pumped for more camp in August. 

Sending your kid off to be in the care of camp counsellors can be daunting. Especially if it's their first year attending day camp. We talk a lot in our house about the importance of feeling safe and having fun. If our kids don't feel safe or aren't having fun than we have an issue with the program. I'm so happy to say that in these last 2 weeksI have never had a doubt about Ben's safety or well being with True North Sports Camps, and it was obvious he was having fun. 

Here are a few things that I noticed over the last 2 weeks that really make True North Sports Camps an amazing place for kids to learn, have fun and feel safe. Plus a few things that make them super parent friendly! 

• Engaged Staff - From the moment we arrived each morning the staff were friendly with parents, campers and siblings, and helped with any kids who were a little nervous. They encouraged the kids to be silly and weren't too cool to joke around with the little ones. 
• Sun Safety - I was so happy to learn the they reapply sunscreen as a group 3 times a day. This is huge for me and a really big improvement from our experience in previous programs. 
• Regular Group Water Breaks - This is essential to prevent overheating and dehydration. Kids are also always encouraged to stop if they need water in between. A large water cooler is always available for kids to refill their bottles throughout the day with cold water. 
• Beautiful Outdoor Space - The camp in the West End has a large field with lots of beautiful old trees and a great playground. Ben loved the mix of time for sports and some breaks to have fun on the play structure.

• Safe Indoor Space - Although I want my kids outside running around as much as possible, I know that occasionally we have days that make it impossible to do so. I was relieved to know that the camp has access to indoor spaces with air conditioning & industrial fans for heat advisory and rain days (individual camp locations will vary on their facilities). Ben had 1 rain day and 1 heat advisory day during his 2 weeks, which meant they spent half a day of each inside. I was worried Ben would be disappointed by the lack of outdoor time, but when I arrived both days he was absolutely loving the games and crafting they were doing inside the portables. During superhero week they each made their own superhero cape which was a big hit with Ben.  
• Safe & Inclusive Water Play - Every Friday the camp has water play. As a family that doesn't allow gun play, I was so relieved to hear that they use balloons, sponges and a slip and slide to stay cool. 
• Simple Instructions For Parents - I love the welcome email the camp sends you in anticipation of each week of camp. It has everything so clearly laid out (map to location with pics of drop off area, list of what to bring, schedule for the week, contact info etc). Receiving this simple email meant that I didn't have to go searching online for anything. Something that I really appreciate as a busy parent. 
• They Let Sleeping Babies Sleep - A few times during Ben's 2 weeks at camp the baby fell asleep on the way to pick up, making it tough to sign Ben out. The staff tent was set up right near the parking lot and everything was so visible that they would see me and bring the clipboard and Ben right to me. This meant I didn't have to wake a sleeping baby which was huge. I know this type of help isn't always possible (and shouldn't be expected), but when it is possible it makes a big difference for parents.

I am so happy that we tried out True North Sports Camps this year. Ben has had such a great time learning different sports, meeting new friends and enjoying some time without mom ;) 

If you're still looking for some summer camp for your little one, check out True North Sports Camps. Use code TrueNorth57 for 30% off their West End location this summer. You won't regret it. 

Care  

*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. 

Keeping Our Kiddos Safe In Summer - Preventing, Recognizing & Treating Overheating & Dehydration

Summertime is so much fun with little ones, but it can also be a dangerous season if we don't consider how to keep our little ones cool and hydrated during extreme heat. Babies and young children have a smaller amount of liquid in their body, so dehydration can progress more quickly than in adults. Additionally, babies and young children can't sweat as well as adults, so they can have a hard time cooling their bodies down once they begin to heat up, putting them at higher risk of overheating. That's why it's very important to keep a close eye on your little ones on hot and humid days. Most of the time we can recognize the early signs and symptoms of dehydration and overheating (heat exhaustion & heat cramps) and work to prevent any serious issues. If ignored, these can progress to Heat Stroke and Severe Dehydration - which are a medical emergency and life threatening. 

As a CPR & Safety Instructor and mom of 3, I get lots of questions about keeping kids safe from the sun and heat in the summer months. So today, I'm sharing a few tips on keeping your kiddos safe from the sun, and preventing overheating and dehydration. Plus how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses, and what to do if you're concerned about your little one. 

How to Keep Littles Safe In the Sun: 

• It is recommended that babies under 6 months old stay out of the sun, and sunscreens are not recommended. If you absolutely can't keep baby shaded from the sun, a small amount of sunscreen is typically safer than sun exposure to their sensitive skin.

• Cover up as much skin as possible with light loose breathable clothing

• For kids and babies over 6 months use a broad spectrum sun screen of SPF30+ daily on exposed skin, and don't forget to reapply frequently. This is my current favourite

• Use a brimmed hat and UV protective sunglasses (if your little will keep them on!)

• Stay in the shade as much as possible

• Use UV protective clothing and swim suits

• Use umbrellas to create shade

When parents are concerned about sun exposure they often cover their baby completely, putting them at a much higher risk of overheating. Here are some tips to reduce that risk and keep babies & big kids safe on hot days. 

How to Reduce the Risk of Heat Related Illnesses:

• Stay home on heat/smog advisory days, or head to air conditioned spaces e.g. libraries, community centres, shopping centres

• Dress in light breathable natural fabrics

• Play outside before 10am & after 4pm when the sun is less intense

• Play in the shade

• Use a sprinkler, water mister, or fan to stay cool

• Encourage hydration throughout the day. Breastmilk/Formula are the main forms of hydration for infants under 1 year, but a small amount of water is appropriate if you're concerned about their fluid intake on a hot day. Clear fluids like water and coconut water are ideal. You can flavour water with fresh fruit for a nice change. Popsicles are also a great way to hydrate and stay cool. Kids can get distracted when having fun, so make sure you stop regularly for hydration breaks.

• Eat foods with high water content eg. watermelon, cucumbers, cantaloupe, blueberries, oranges etc

• Never leave a baby, child or pet in a parked car, even for a moment. A parked car can reach life threatening temperatures within minutes.

• When out and about with your stroller or car seat avoid using plastic sun covers, and never fully cover your baby. A few years ago a Swedish research study showed that a covered stroller or car seat can become dangerously hot very quickly, even with a light muslin blanket. If you are using a stroller cover, please ensure it's a UV protective breathable mesh cover, or ensure you don't cover the entire opening. Always prioritize air flow to baby.

You should always be able to see your baby's face without lifting up the fabric. Oh hot sunny days I use a set of Kiddie Clips to hold a light weight blanket in place which creates good sun cover for Penny's bare legs, but does not block the air circulation to her face. If you're ever draping a blanket over a car seat please ensure there is adequate air flow and that baby is always visible. (*Special offer from Kiddie Clips below)

• If you're babywearing try to choose a carrier made of a lightweight breathable fabric like linen, or one with a mesh panel to allow air flow. My favourite in the summer months are my Sakura Bloom Linen Ring Sling and my new I-Angel Hip Seat Carrier with mesh panel. If you or baby is getting too hot make sure you take a break and remove baby from the carrier to cool off in the shade or inside. *These are only 2 examples of carriers which are ideal for summer wearing. I always encourage parents to "try before you buy", as you never know what will fit you and your babywearing needs best until you try it with your own baby. Join me at my monthly FREE Babywearing Drop In to learn more about babywearing, or to try any of my carriers.

Even when we follow these recommendations overheating can happen in our extreme climate. Learn the signs and symptoms below so you will know how to recognize heat related illnesses early, and treat them to avoid an emergency.

Signs and Symptoms of Overheating and Dehydration:

• Change in behaviour eg. lethargy, drowsiness, irritability

• Muscle Cramps

• Decreased urination/dark yellow urine

• Headache

• Extreme thirst

• Nausea/Vomiting

• Cool, clammy skin

• Weakness/Fainting

• Fever

• Rapid breathing & heart rate

What to Do If You Notice Concerning Symptoms: 

• Bring person to a cool place indoors, an air-conditioned car, or shady area

• Remove excess clothing

• Encourage hydration (clear, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated liquids are best)

• Apply a cool wet cloth to skin *Here's one of my fave mom hacks for summer. If we're headed out on a long summer day trip I always plan ahead and freeze a few water bottles in the deep freeze the night before. The frozen bottles stay cold late into the day and keep the rest of the food/drinks cool. They can be used to hydrate, but can also be applied to the back of the neck/wrist, or thawed cold water can be poured over a piece of fabric for a compress, to help cool someone off if need be.

• With mild symptoms continue to encourage hydration and monitor closely.

• If they are refusing liquids, and symptoms are not improving or becoming more serious, contact your health care provider or head to a clinic to get health care immediately.

• Always call 911 if situation becomes life threatening (eg. overheating or dehydration causing rapid breathing, a true fever, increased heart rate, fainting, unresponsiveness)

I hope these tips make you feel more confident caring for your babes in our hot summer months. In my experience parents focus so much on their little ones well being, and often forget about their own. So here's a friendly reminder for all parents, and especially the nursing mamas out there, to up your hydration during the summer months so you to keep up with the increased hydration your body needs.

If you want to learn more about keeping your family safe throughout the year check out my Infant/Family CPR & Safety Workshops (Private in-home and public group classes available). As a little gift please use code: sunsmart10 for 10% off your own set of Kiddie Clips. Please post any questions or comments below, and let me know if you have any topics you would like me to cover. 

Care

IN THIS POST: 

Ollibaby Kiddie Clips *10% off code: sunsmart10    |    I Angel: Grey Chevron Hip Seat Carrier    |    Tiny Trendsetter: Chambray Bonnet & Saltwater Sandals    |    Diaper-eez: UV suits, Baby Sunglasses *10% off code: Withcare   |    Sakura Bloom: Linen Ring Sling     |     Uppababy Vista Stroller    |    Bonjour Baby Baskets Little Unicorn Official Strawberry Blanket 

*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.

Summertime With Kids: Let's Talk Motherhood

Motherhood is one of those things no one can ever really prepare you for. That's why a supportive mom community is so important. I love how social media has opened up my life to a whole new group of amazingly supportive women who genuinely care about one another. Although we might not all agree on everything in motherhood, we know that we all love our kids and want the best for them, and that's what's most important.

I was so excited to be asked to be part in this month's Let's Talk Motherhood Series with a group of awesome fellow moms. We have all answered a few questions about summertime with our littles, so check it out below. Links to each post can be found at the end.

1. What are your favorite summertime activities with your little ones?

Hands down my favourite thing to do with my kids in the summer is spend time around the pool at my family farm. As a long time swimmer and lifeguard I am so happy that all 3 of my littles love the water. Our farm is a place that the kids can run wild and have lots of unstructured time outdoors. When we're not in the pool we love to go on walks to pick wild flowers, check out the cows in the neighbouring fields, and of course enjoy bon fires with s'mores.  

2. How do you help keep your young ones cool when it's hot outside?

It can be really difficult to keep little ones cool and hydrated when our heat advisory days arrive. When we're at the splash pad or poolside it's easy to wade in the water to cool off, or sit in the shade of a big tree, but if we're headed out on a long summer day trip around the city I always plan ahead and freeze water bottles or juice boxes in the deep freeze the night before. The frozen drinks stay cold late into the day and keep the rest of the food/drinks cool. The cold water bottles can also be applied to the back of the neck/wrist, or poured over a piece of fabric as a compress to help cool someone off if need be.  

Stay tuned for an upcoming post on Summer Safety With Kids focusing on Preventing, Recognizing, and Treating Overheating and Dehydration. 

3. How do you handle having less time in the summer, since your kids are out of school?

With all 3 kids home full time for the summer I find having a mix of structured time, and vacation/go with the flow time, is important. I want my kids to enjoy the carefree days of summer. The slow days where you get so bored you create the best game or invention ever. That's what I remember loving about summer. This year we have our big kid in Camp a few weeks scattered throughout the summer, plus I have some occasional help from local babysitters for my 2 littlest. Ultimately, I have to slow down my community offerings during the summer months, so I can keep up with the kids. 

4. At what age were your kids when you started taking family summer vacations with them?

We took our first babe on a road trip to our farm when he was only 3 weeks old, and have never looked back. We try to spend about 3 weeks each summer at our farm, we also go on an annual back country camping trip (Learn about Camping With Kids Here & Here), and we always love getting away on local adventures. My husband and I love to travel, but we probably won't be going on any big fancy trips anytime soon with 3 littles in tow and a tight budget. Hopefully as the kids get older we'll be able to plan more elaborate family trips again. 

5. What tips would you suggest for new moms traveling with their little ones for the first time?

Read my Travelling with Tots Series. Hahaha...no seriously. Although it doesn't contain everything you need to know about travelling it has a lot of tips that I have learned over the years. Travelling with kids isn't like a pre-kid vacation, but it can still be wonderful if you go into it prepared and with realistic expectations. When all else fails, lower your expectations ;) 

Hope you enjoyed hearing my take on summertime with my littles. Don't forget to check out these 4 awesome moms to hear about their perspectives on Motherhood in Summertime. 

McKell lifeasmrswilson.com (@mckellwilson)  |  Aurora auroramccausland.com (@auroramccausland)   |  Jenn whatyoumakeitblog.com (@whatyou_make_it)  |   Hannah mundanemummy.com (@_hannahsilver_)

What's your favourite thing to do in summer with your kiddos? I would love to hear in the comments below. 

Care 

IN THIS POST: 

Anchor Studio: Photo with kids at top (Julia Salk Set Stylist)    |   Rollo Towel: Roundie Towel     |   Tiny Trendsetter: Chambray Bonnet & Saltwater Sandals|    Diaper-eez: Motherease Swim Diaper & Swim Trainer *10% off code: Withcare   |    Sakura Bloom: Linen Ring Sling      |    I Angel: Grey Chevron Hip Seat Carrier   

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Oven Roasted Tomatoes with Burrata - Simple Summer Recipe

Summer is here and local tomatoes are hitting the farmers markets, so I wanted to share one of my favourite seasonal recipes. I was forced to recreate this recipe at home, because the local restaurant I usually get it at sadly closed this spring. I'm so happy with how it turned out. I always think it's a good sign when you need to make a new recipe twice in one weekend. That's exactly what I did with this one.

If you're anything like me you won't be able to get enough of these soft, warm roasted tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, balsamic, sea salt, fresh chopped basil and a generous helping of burrata. Add in some grilled bread and you really can't go wrong.  

This recipe includes only 7 ingredients, 6 of which we typically have on hand ...not the buratta ;) It takes about 20 mins to make from start to finish, and tastes like pure summer, so that makes it pretty perfect in my books. 

INGREDIENTS: 1 quart of grape or cherry tomatoes, a few basil leaves, olive oil, sea salt, balsamic vinegar, 1 pkg of burrata cheese, baguette. 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash tomatoes & basil

2. Toss tomatoes with olive oil and sea salt and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes

3. Brush baguette with olive oil and grill in a grill pan over medium high heat while tomatoes roast.

4. Once tomatoes are done, remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, and then transfer to plate.

5. Add generous helping of buratta, and drizzle with balsamic, olive oil, sea salt and fresh chopped basil. Serve with grilled bread.

This recipe is going to be in heavy rotation around here this summer. I can't wait until we can make it with our own homegrown tomatoes. 

Care