Kids and TV in the background The intense media coverage that accompanies traumatic events, such as devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, or war, can be very disturbing for children and teens. Certain young people are particularly vulnerable.

Parents, and indeed everyone, should work to lessen children’s anxieties that may arise from their inadvertent viewing of coverage of catastrophic events.

Three quick rules:
Monitoring media exposure
Mediating media images and messages
Mitigating the media’s impact
Monitor
Keep an eye on what is on television, particularly around young children. Protect kids from intensely disturbing or frightening TV images by closely monitoring what is on the television. Never leave them on as background noise and switch away from coverage of traumatic events when kids enter the room.

Do not assume that children are unaware of news events. It is almost impossible to be unaware of current events in our information age. Even very young children hear and see more than we think, so it is important to question them about what they have learned and how they are feeling.

Look for signs of anxiety in children. Some children are more susceptible to anxiety about events reported in the media. Various factors influence children’s reactions, including age, temperament, a tendency to worry or a vivid imagination. Children are more likely to dwell on certain news events if they themselves have been victims of violence, war or similar tragedies, if they have relatives or friends living in the affected area, or if they have family in the military or in emergency-response professions.

Mediate
Help children feel safe. When traumatic events occur, kids need to have the risks to themselves and their families put into a realistic context. While we should be concerned about conflicts in other parts of the world, children need to be reassured that these events do not pose a direct threat to them. Explain how governments and organizations such as the United Nations, the Red Cross and UNICEF are working hard to make the world a safer place for all children.

Make the time to listen to any concerns children may have. Be honest when answering questions. With young children, however, do not elaborate with long, detailed explanations. Some children may ignore news coverage of catastrophes in order to avoid unpleasant feelings. If they do not want to talk about the events, tell them that is fine. It is okay to just let them be kids.

Tell them how you are feeling. Be aware of the impact that traumatic events may have on your own emotions and behaviour. Share your feelings with kids. It helps older kids to know that such events are upsetting to adults as well. Remember, however, that young children may become more fearful if they sense anxiety and tension in the adults around them.

Mitigate
Help older children to analyze media coverage. Use the opportunity to educate kids about how the media works. If watching news coverage with older kids, talk about it. Explain that news is a business with a need to attract audiences and that need influences editorial decisions on what events make the news and how they are reported.

Expand your sources of information. Seek out news coverage from a variety of sources including the Internet, newspapers, magazines and radio. Access alternative media as well as mainstream media outlets. If your children are reading about current events on the Internet, check out the sources of the information to ensure their credibility. Compare the coverage by Canadian, American and other international media. Talk about the differences in how various media approach the same event.

Emphasize the positive things that may arise from traumatic events. Talk about how, after a tragedy, there is usually a shared outpouring of grief, concern for the victims’ families and admiration for the heroes. Traumatic events can make us pull together and talk about the importance of loved ones and the value of life.

Take action to make a difference
Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Helping people in your community or another part of the world can help minimize feelings of despair and helplessness. Let children choose their own course of action. They can volunteer at a local food bank, make a donation to a refugee support organization or write a letter expressing their concerns to the local newspaper.

Arlette Lefebvre, MD, FRCPC, Staff Psychiatrist, SickKids

Sarah Kelsey, Communications and Public Affairs, SickKids

Whether you are leaving on a jet plane or staying close to home this year, the week famous for family fun is quickly approaching.  There are so many fun and exciting things to do in your own neighboorhood.  Check out your local municipal websites to see what is going on.

Aurora:  http://www.town.aurora.on.ca/

East Gwillimbury:  http://www.eastgwillimbury.ca/

Georgina:  http://www.town.georgina.on.ca/

King:  http://www.township.king.on.ca/

Markham:  http://www.township.king.on.ca/public/index.cfm

Newmarket:  http://www.newmarket.ca/en/

Richmond Hill:  http://www.town.richmond-hill.on.ca/

Vaughan:  http://www.city.vaughan.on.ca/

Whitchurch-Stouffville:  http://www.townofws.com/

If you are looking to get out and enjoy the great outdoors check out places like The Kortright Centre http://www.kortright.org/ for some maple syrup fun! 

Try a hand at some science experiments at The Ontario Science Centre. http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/

Go back in time and try out life the way it used to be.  http://www.blackcreek.ca/

Enjoy the week known for getting out and having fun!

The Most Important Thing To Pack When Traveling With Children…

March Break is now upon us.  Airports and popular destinations will be at their busiest, and you will be too if you’re planning on taking off.  Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first family vacation, if you’re going to maintain any semblance of sanity, you’ll need to remember one (not-so) little thing, and it’s not food or a toy.

You’ve tailored your travel arrangements to suit your child’s schedule.  You are super-organized, and arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Delays and line-ups won’t affect your plans, since you’ve planned ahead and have enough distractions and snacks on hand. And even though you packed your bags weeks in advance according to an extensive packing list, if you forgot just one small thing, your travel days are bound to be unpleasant. When you’re traveling with children, be sure to pack your patience.

Because, in spite of your best efforts, stuff happens.   Someone will spill something, or thow up on someone.  A flight will get delayed, or cancelled, or it might just sit on the tarmac for hours and not go anywhere.  Your knees will be jammed into the seat in front of you, and that person will repeatedly try to recline.  Sounds like fun, right?

It’s not in my nature to be a Negative Nellie, but these things happen at the best of times on the road, and chances are, they could happen when you’ve got your kids with you.  You’ll occasionally come across someone who has a romanticized view of what air travel is like, but the days of relaxing before, during, and after a flight are long gone for most of us - now reserved only for those who can afford such luxury. For the rest of us cattle, we hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

So find your happy place and make sure it’s close by when you need it.  Keep your cool for the sake of your kids, and you’ll all be much more relaxed when you get where you’re going.

Corinne McDermott is the founder of Have Baby Will Travel – your online guide to family travel with babies and toddlers.  Connect with her online at www.havebabywilltravel.com or www.twitter.com/hvbabywilltrvl

I think it is pretty safe to say that being a parent has its stressful moments.  I can recall several ‘ close to the edge’ moments of my own in the short 4 years 8 months that I have been called Mommy.  When our oldest daughter was 15 months I began the journey of becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor.  I had been practicing yoga for 8 years before my adventure started but at that point in my life I had a calling.  I loved my teacher training experience and I fondly think back to it as a time of peace, solitude and self discovery.  While learning how to achieve my best Downward Dog, I became more and more aware of how I was using the yoga teachings off the mat.  I was turning to yogic breathing while rocking my baby back to sleep for the third time in the middle of the night. I was using my mantra of ‘just be truthful to who I am in this moment’ while driving in a snowstorm, to the doctors, three towns away. Now, when I have a 4.5 year old and a 23 month old in each ear I can easily stay calm, breathe and move forward with compassion….most of the time.

In the upcoming newsletter I am going to be adding a section dedicated to ‘Mindful Moments’.  This is an opportunity to share those moments in a day when you are able to stop, take a minute and breathe in a situation that we may refer to “that’s it…I am done!”.  This may also be a tool for anyone wanting to learn how to do so.  I know I can use all the help I can get!  Please feel free to email me with any experiences in which a ‘Mindful Moment’  played a part in your day!

On June 29th 2005, 12:01pm, our lives changed forever.  Our first daughter was born by emergency c-section at 31 weeks due to my ruptured appendix. There was a flury of activity as I was wheeled into the O.R. on, what I thought, was my last day of work. The weeks that followed were filled with more love than we thought possible but also filled with fear, stress and worry.  Life would never be the same, nor would we want it to be!

The Linden Fund, www.thelindenfund.com raises money to fund health needs through the purchase of specialized medical equipment as well as providing items of comfort and convenience to assist in the mental, physical and emotional development of the infants and their families of the Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Canada.

The 3rd Annual Pedal 4 Preemies is quickly approaching and I am thrilled to say that we have entered a team in honor of of daughter, Ireland.  She is a joyful and outgoing, soon to be 5 year old, and we are so excited to be supporting a cause so close to our hearts.  If you, or someone you know, may be interested in sharing the day with others who see the importance of making a ‘big differnce in tiny lives’, check out the site!  If you would like to be part of Ireland’s Team, please email me.

We’ll see you there!

Come on out and enjoy time together as a family while having fun and learning about yoga! We will discover and explore the world of yoga through imaginative postures, music, games, visualization and relaxation. It is a great way to release some energy and learn to quiet the mind. Ali, the teacher, brings her love of family and children to this wonderful class and guarantees a good time! What isn’t there to love about a class full of your favourite people, your family!?

Invest in some family time and check out the website for this fantastic pre-registered class, you won’t regret it!

A great resource for parents in all phases of parenting is About Kids Health. Their goal is to provide families with reliable, current information about all areas influencing child health and family quality of life in a format that is easy to understand. The Resource Centres provide comprehensive information for families whose children have a medical condition such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diabetes, brain tumours, heart conditions, pain or epilepsy. They also feature complete guides to Pregnancy & Babies and Premature Babies. More resource centres are in development, including Learning Disabilities. Our Just for Kids section has age-appropriate animations for kids on many different health topics. Their site is updated frequently, so please visit often.

Since 2006 we’ve been helping parents in York Region navigate their new world.  We are taking a break until January 5 to enjoy time with our families.

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2010!

We did Disney last year.  We did just one day, but we are going back for more soon.  We are looking for insider tips on the house of the mouse and wanted to share this great travel agency and insider tips.

clickTHEMOUSE.ca is a full service travel agency which allows you to plan your complete vacation with us, and also take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts offered by Disney to residents of the U.S. and Canada ! Experience, knowledge and passion are the driving force behind clickTHEMOUSE.ca. Our travel planners have visited Walt Disney World© over 30 times, visited Disneyland© and sailed on the Disney Cruise Line© numerous times.

I used to joke that the pile of luggage we brought with us on our first trip with baby rivaled J.Lo’s - only ours wasn’t Louis Vuitton and we had to carry it ourselves (correction: husband aka pack mule carried it). Can you imagine what her luggage cart(s) looks like now that she’s a mother of twin toddlers?!

Let’s face it, gone are the days of traveling light. I once prided myself on galivanting through Europe with one bag strapped to my back, but now that same said bag would barely hold all the diapers.  Yes, you can order baby supplies to be shipped to your hotel ahead of time, and that might be quite cost-effective now with the ridiculous airline baggage allotments (or lack thereof). Yes, depending on where you’re going you can always buy what you need once you get there (although rushing out to find a store is not the first thing I want to do when I’m traveling). My exhaustive, extensive packing lists are based on our trips to Cuba, where not only is it difficult to find baby supplies, the selection is minimal and what is there is quite expensive

For more including a great packing list check out the rest of the article here….