Posts Tagged ‘family’

Conscious Family Series

Parenting with Purpose, Presence and Peace
Level One Seminar:Pre-conception to One Year Old

The Conscious Family Series is for those who want to do their best each day to love, cherish and
respect their children, and who want to learn and grow from their roles. We believe that in order to
accomplish these tasks, parenting must be a conscious endeavour, meaning that we are willing to
examine ourselves, our background, beliefs, motivations, behaviours, and how these aspects affect the
way we parent. Let’s find the positives in the way we were parented, recognize the lessons we learned
and empower ourselves to trust our own intuition and emerge as the parents we want to be.
Decisions made prior to conception, during pregnancy and in baby’s first year of life provide the
foundation for the creation of a conscious family. After attending this series, you will be inspired to take
initiative to choose the style of caring for yourself and your infant that resonates with you and you’ll be
connected to the tangible tools and resources to support you on your journey.

The Conscious Family Series speakers, Denise Martin, Nicole Meltzer, Clare Sullivan, Christine Marrin
and Meredith Deasley, all experts in their fields and mothers, whose children range in age from infant
to teen, will be covering the following topics:
☯ Optimizing the health of the body, mind and spirit of mom and dad from pre-conception
throughout pregnancy, through cleansing, emotional release and nutrition
☯ Understanding childbirth as a rite of passage, your birth team, pain coping options, setting the
environment for welcoming your baby, the birth plan trap and the consciousness of infants
☯ And once baby has arrived…. Making the transition and finding balance; Baby B’s: bonding,
breastfeeding, baby wearing, bedding close, baby’s communication; healthcare concerns such as
postpartum depression, nutrition for parents and child, vaccinations, common childhood ailments;
soothing techniques including CALMS and infant massage; and green living strategies including
baby and cleaning products and air & water purification. And so much more…..

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009 in celebration of International Children’s Day
Location: Matrix Repatterning Centre - 33 Victoria Street, Aurora
(just East of Yonge St. & South of Wellington St.)
Schedule: 9:10 am Registration
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Seminars
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm A light lunch will be provided
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Seminars
Cost: $100 per couple
$75 per individual
Babes in arms welcome

To enrol: Email Nicole Meltzer at clientcare@balancedbodymindspirit.com
The following speakers are pleased to be
sharing their wisdom with you at the
Conscious Family Series:
Denise Martin, CD (DONA), CLE (CAPPA), LLLC Leader, Certified Breastfeeding
Councillor, Postnatal Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator and Reiki Master;
www.4theloveofthefamily.com
Denise has found tremendous inspiration in witnessing and supporting hundreds of women and
their families during the passage of birth and their postnatal period. She is active in the
community as a La Leche League Leader and doula by facilitating lectures and discussions on
topics of prenatal health, breastfeeding, parenting and more throughout York Region and the
GTA. Her skills and approach are guided by compassion, knowledge and training in many
supportive modalities of care.
Nicole Meltzer, RMT, CHt, Reiki Master and Co-founder of Balanced Body Mind
Spirit; www.balancedbodymindspirit.com
Through her specialization in fertility issues & prenatal care as a Registered Massage Therapist,
Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master, Nicole helps parents conceive and achieve balance while on
their journey into parenthood. Nicole was awarded the 2009 Readers’ Choice Award for top
Massage Therapist in Richmond Hill; has appeared on Daytime York Region; and has been
interviewed by and written articles for various magazines and websites including Reiki News
Magazine, Vitality Magazine and YorkRegionParent.com.

Clare Sullivan, BSc, ND, Naturopathic Doctor at Align Health Centre, Reiki
Practitioner (Level I); www.alignyourhealth.ca
Clare was drawn to study naturopathic medicine because of its philosophy which blends new
scientific knowledge with past healing traditions; a combination that provides a balanced
approach to health and well being. Clare’s practice focuses on family medicine where she strives
to empower her patients on their journey towards wellness. She has a special interest in
pediatrics, which focuses on couples hoping to become pregnant, pregnant women, new mothers
and children from birth to 19 years of age. She is an active member of both the Canadian and
Ontario Associations of Naturopathic Doctors.

Christine Marrin, BA, B Ed, FSL Specialist, Reiki Practitioner (Level I), Teacher,
Green Living Expert and Parenting Coach; 905-836-6877
Christine taught for 8 years for the York Region District School Board where her first priority was
to create an environment that allowed children to reach their full potential. This occurs when
children are valued, honoured, and cherished. When her own children were born, she dove into
motherhood with zeal, researching environmentally friendly products for her home. With her
children as her spiritual teachers, Christine continues to delight in sharing each conscious
moment with her family as they journey along their sacred paths.

Meredith Deasley, BA, RHN, RNCP, Reiki Practitioner (Level II) and owner of The
Resourceful Mother; www.theresourcefulmother.com
After spending a decade in the corporate world, Meredith gave birth to two daughters, who
reacted adversely to multiple foods and sent their mother on an entirely different path. As a
result, Meredith has specialized in pediatric nutrition for the past decade, and teaches pediatric
nutrition at The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Having studied the impact of food on
children’s health so thoroughly, she has recently authored a book, which is awaiting publication.
Meredith has appeared on the “Body, Mind and Spirit” television show and written articles for
various health magazines.

 

Who is Photography by SSV?

Think of Photography by SSV as a photographic boutique experience!  You will receive one on one service where we will create anything you have in mind with all attention paid to detail.  With every family (client) I work with I strive to create a portrait that is as unique as you and your family are and I want you to cherish the portraits you choose for a life time, not simply a year.

What type of work do I offer?

I like to create out of the box portraits therefore I choose the type of light I use carefully with minimal props.  I like all attention to be on the subject in the photograph therefore I only use props that mean something to you.  Think of my work as a character study.  I never ask children to pose as that is when they clam up and nothing is achieved.  I look for those in between moments where the child may chew on their figure, pull at there hair, or laugh for real.  Those are the little nuances that best represent your child.  It’s amazing how fast they change! 

What type of products do you offer?

Photography by SSV offers a wide range of products to preserve your session forever.  Whether you are looking for simple prints, to a print that will last the test of time, we will meet any need.  That is why we offer standard prints along with Giclee prints.  Giclee print colours are more true, more vibrant and are guaranteed to last at least 100 years before fading or discolouring.  Giclee prints are available on a number of different art papers and canvas if you so choose. Other products are Fine Art Coffee Table Books.  Preserve your session forever in a stunning fine art table book that will wow any guest that flips through and will be something you enjoy forever. 

Finally we offer framing services, when you invest in a fine art print it is so important to preserve it so the print will last the test of time.  All framing products are acid free archival quality materials so your print will stay as true as the first day you bought it!

You’re Fee?

It’s true I am not as cheap as a big box store but when considering price you must compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges.  My pricing reflect a higher level of service one where your session time will last 1 – 2 hours and follow with hours of print processing to ensure you nothing but top quality.  Think of me as your personal connoisseur to this industry.  Years of studying and learning have brought me to expect nothing but the best so that is why I only use the best equipment and the best supplies this industry has to offer.  I guarantee ALL of my work and that means if you are not happy we will try again until we achieve what you are looking for.  Now when was the last time you received a guarantee like that at your local big box chain?

So stop by and take a look at what I have to offer at www.photographybyssv.com or call 905-898-0146!

Divorce: Guidelines for Children (6 to 9 Years)

By the time children reach the early school-age years, they no longer cope by denying the reality of divorce. They are keenly aware of the pervasive pain and sadness, and yearn desperately for reconciliation.

They tend to view life in black and white, and are likely to blame one parent for the break-up. Boys, especially, mourn the loss of their fathers and frequently express anger at their mothers. Both boys and girls have great difficulty accepting their parents’ new partners.

Crying, daydreaming, and problems with friends and school are common divorce-related behaviours in children this age.

Here are some suggestions that might help your school-age child cope with this transition:

• Discourage reconciliation fantasies.Avoid dinners, outings, or holiday celebrations with your ex-spouse; they only fuel your child’s fantasies. Instead, emphasize the finality of divorce.
• Make sure your child has the phone number of the absent parent.
• Both parents should encourage easy access and frequent conversations with the noncustodial parent.
• Do not allow your child to manipulate you into buying more possessions. School-age children are likely to feel deprived. Although they may intensify requests for playthings or other possessions, do not try to retain your child’s affection through material objects. Even children of divorce need to be told “No!”
•  Talk to your child’s teachers or school counselors about the divorce.
• They may then better understand possible learning or behavioural problems and will likely offer extra support.

Excerpted from the AboutKidsHealth website. AboutKidsHealth provides trusted answers from The Hospital for Sick Children for families’ health questions.

What do you want me to be when I grow up?

Parental and social pressures on adolescent career choices

- From the makers of WhyBecauseISaySo

In a two-part series of advertising features contracted by Colleges Ontario, this fictional drug was marketed with text reading “My son had ideas of his own. Obay put a stop to that,” and “Our teenagers don’t have their own goals anymore. Obay works like a charm.”

Bewildered onlookers were left scratching their heads as they stared at the poster’s beaming parents and shiny trophy children until the second part of the series revealed a large yellow sticker plastered over the original ad, reading “Luckily, Obay isn’t real. Unfortunately, though, the problem of pushing your kids to do what you want is - especially when it comes to their future. Believe it or not, university isn’t the only prescription for success. Help your children explore their options.”

Colleges Ontario advocates for the province’s 24 colleges of applied arts and technology, and while the group has an interest in this promotion, they do bring up a very important issue: do we really give our kids a choice when it comes to their career?

Starting young: career choices of children and adolescents

We cut their meat, tie their laces, and make sure that they have wiped after using the potty. And yet, at the same time, we ask them one of the most important questions they will ever have to answer: what do you want to be when you grow up?

The answer is not as simple as the colourful drawings of teachers, veterinarians, and firefighters found on classroom walls may suggest.

Cradled between finger-painting and applying for university, adolescence is a critical period during which individuals discover, one hopes, who they are and how they might like to earn a living. Studies have shown that job interests and aspirations formed in adolescence influence career choices made in adulthood. However, adolescents are vulnerable to environmental influences including peers, media, culture, and especially parents and family.

Parental influence: You can be anything you want … as long as I say it’s okay

Although there are many factors that contribute to career choice, parents and family are one of the most influential. Mark Franklin, career counsellor and president of CareerCycles, a career counselling and coaching organization, says with careless, subtle comments “[parents] say what is a good career and what is a bad career.” For example, “Painting is a hobby, not a career,” or a sarcastic “Isn’t it nice that Billy’s mom can afford to stay home and not have a real job” would strongly impress on a child that becoming an artist or stay-at-home parent should be crossed off the wish list.

“By the time parents figure out what the world is about, they think about job security, financial security, and prestige - particularly prestige,” says Franklin. These values ultimately resurface when children begin considering career options.

Adolescent girls may be particularly vulnerable; compared to their male peers, it has been argued that they are more likely to change their career goals to suit their parents’ wishes.

In addition to the regular pressures of adolescence, individuals of lower income levels may be further disadvantaged due to reduced access to resources, lower family or school support, and lower job expectations based on the types of jobs held by family and friends. “Career inheritance” is how Jelena Zikic, Assistant Professor of Human Resources Management at York University, describes these pressures. “Very often, what we see is a family tradition. Whether it is a trade, profession, or family-owned business, children are likely to follow that,” she says.

Intrinsically linked to parents, family, and career inheritance are ethnicity and culture. Zikic, who also does career counselling, says, “Students often explain that it’s really their cultural influences that causes their parents to impose specific careers on them.” Franklin agrees, noting a recent session with an Asian client in medical school whose cultural background focused on achievement. He explained that his parents pushed him toward medical school and he was confused about whether this was the career he truly wanted.

A career crisis may develop when there is a mismatch in terms of the ego strength of the child and the environmental pressures that challenge their identity. By definition, adolescents straddle the line between childhood obedience and adult independence. In a sense, they are learning how to make up their own minds, perhaps ignoring what they are told. However, judging by the multiple shelves of career self-help guides found in any major bookstore, it is not only youth who struggle with this problem.

What should I do with my life? And when?

Featured on Oprah several years ago, Po Bronson’s book What Should I Do with My Life? documents the career epiphanies of people of all ages from all over the United States. The book chronicles the often drastic career transitions of a very diverse group of individuals who, later in life, all asked themselves this same question: what do I want to do when I grow up?

Many books on the career paths people choose are predicated on the concepts of career maturity: the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional components that determine an individual’s degree of readiness to deal with the career demands appropriate for his or her age group. Essentially, it is the idea that specific career milestones should be reached by certain ages in one’s life.

Franklin, who spent 15 years as an engineer before pursuing a career in counselling, disagrees.

“There’s an underlying assumption that when you’re young, you can make a decision about what you’ll do for the rest of your life - most people don’t do that,” says Franklin. Zikic, whose research focuses in part on career transitions and career development, adds, “Children will reach what we call career maturity at very different ages. There won’t be one time in their life when they will be ready to make a decision - very often, there’s change. The world of work, in general, is changing a lot; nothing is really that fixed any more.”

Given these family pressures and shifting social changes, Franklin believes it is crucial that adolescents learn to identify their interests, wants, and needs apart from those of their parents. “When you really know and appreciate who you are, you will know what you want to do,” he advises on his website.

How can parents help?

Children will need to discover who they are on their own. And although parents are warned against imposing their own goals onto their children, they can most certainly act as a guide. Briana Keller and Susan Whiston recently published a study on the role of parental influences on the career development of middle school children. Along with Mark Franklin and Jelena Zikic, Keller and Whiston have the following suggestions for parents wanting to help:

1. Respect your child’s differences.

Family environments that show respect for differences and independence are enormously helpful to a child’s career development.

2. Show interest in and support for your child’s career plans.

Keller and Whiston found that showing interest in and support for their child’s interests and career plans proved to be more helpful than providing information about the careers or jobs themselves.

3. Focus on your child’s strengths and give names to them.

Parents are ideally positioned to notice their child’s strengths. By giving names to these strengths, parents can empower their child with a vocabulary for the skills that they have. For example: “You’re a really good people-person,” or “You draw really well,” or “You’re very creative.” But be careful not to make the next judgemental leap, which could be harmful: “You should be an accountant because you like numbers.”

By focusing on strengths, children will gain confidence knowing that their parents believe in them, and as a result, will feel more confident in their own skills for future career options.

4. Encourage your child to explore career options.

Your child may tell you that he wants to be a surgeon one day and then a cattle rancher the next. It is important for children to get a sense of what these jobs are like in real-life before they start pursuing them.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Job shadowing: Children can gain useful insight from activities such as Take Your Child to Work Day, or job-shadowing a family member or close friend with a profession of interest.
• Volunteering and part-time jobs: Teenagers and young adults will often have several part-time jobs before entering into the workforce out of school. Part-time jobs and volunteer opportunities can provide valuable experience sampling different careers. For example, working as a receptionist in a law office or volunteering as an animal attendant at a veterinary clinic would give students a taste of the inner workings of each profession. They will also learn about themselves and may be able to narrow down their options. For example, those who dislike babysitting may be able to rule out early childhood education.
• Get help: A recent Ipsos-Reid survey noted, given the chance to start over, “65% of Canadians would get more career planning or job information”. Encourage your child to speak to a professional for career help. For example, if your child is in university, encourage them to visit the career centre.

5. Be mindful of careless comments.

As mentioned earlier, children are very susceptible to careless comments parents make about “good” and “bad” professions. There are over 30,000 different jobs categorized by Canada’s National Occupational Classification. However, when considering career options, adolescents often consider only a fraction of one percent of them, often because of parental and social influences.

6. Remember, there is no plan.

Because we are all so different, there is no 7-step program that can guarantee instant career satisfaction. Your child will almost certainly make mistakes along the way, but learning from those missteps will get them closer to finding a career that will complement their unique set of skills and passions.

As Po Bronson writes in What Should I Do with My Life?: “Step one: Stop pretending we’re all on the same staircase.”

Further career resources

Free Canadian site for career information: Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS): http://alis.alberta.ca/

Occupational profiles: www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo/

Career quizzes: Service Canada:http://www.jobsetc.ca/toolbox/quizzes/quizzes_home.do?lang=e

Looking for a career professional?

Association of Career Professionals International (approximately 120 career professionals in the Toronto chapter): http://www.acpinternational.org/

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need by Daniel H. Pink (2008) - paperback comic-book style career guide

 

Excerpted from the AboutKidsHealth website. AboutKidsHealth provides trusted answers from The Hospital for Sick Children for families’ health questions. www.aboutkidshealth.ca