Links for Girls

This a great program run by Links For Women, is for junior girls who are interested in meeting other girls and want to learn to play golf. Whether your junior has never played before or already has a season or two under her belt - this is the program for her! This full day program will teach juniors all aspects of the game including the essential "on course" instruction.

This program will be held exclusively at the centrally located Braeben GC in Mississauga, ON. Juniors can come to all four events and learn something different at each one, or they can choose one date to see if this is the sport for them! This program will run on Sundays: June 6th, 13th, July 11th, 18th from 9:00am to 2:30pm.

Our LPGA and CPGA professionals make learning fun for girls ages 6-16. Register early to avoid disappointment as we will be taking a small group for 2010.

•  5 hours of custom instruction
• 6:1 student/teacher ratio;
• On course instruction including:
  
  
  
  
  • Golf course information 101;
  • Rules and etiquette;
  • Course management;
• Lunch;
• Great prizes for a fun day!

Should you wish to include a set of Callaway Junior Girls XJ Clubs as part of your registration, as a generous sponsor of Links For Girls, Callaway is offering both the program and clubs for $319 (Ages 6-8) or $349 (Ages 9-12). Clubs will be available for pick-up on the day of instruction. Please call 416-928-2909 ext. 228 to activate this promotion.

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Task or Treat - by Donna-Jean Brown

I’m not always thrilled by children. There, I said it.

They’re frequently noisy and dirty and rarely genteel. They don’t care whether I approve of their behaviour. They’re not the best of listeners and are, in fact, highly skilled at ignoring me, unless I want to be alone.
I have felt this way ever since my first baby screamed right in my face after I’d rocked, sung, patted and walked for hours. She didn’t seem to understand that she was at the mercy of an exhausted, overwhelmed maniac, ten times her size. She even felt free to vomit on me.

Nevertheless, I willingly chose the task of raising three kids. Mind you, I didn’t read the small print to check the end-date of the contract and now my job description has expanded to include four grandchildren. No one invited me to the renegotiation meeting. The task of spending time with noisy, dirty, children continues.

But then there’s the treat I mentioned in the title. Prepare for gleeful explosion. I love children!

What could melt your heart more than feeling a warm little body lean into you as you read those charming storybooks?

When could you laugh harder than when you have a hoola hoop contest with a three year old and it’s impossible to tell who’s worse? How could you have more fun than when you play tackle football with little people who don’t care where the goalposts are or what team we’re on?

What could inspire you more than a six year old who gets up weeping from a fall off his bike and gets right back on the darn thing?

And later in life, much, much later, where can you discover greater joy than in holding your first grandchild in your (saggy, spotted) arms – the whole earth quivers with delight.

Donna-Jean is a native Torontonian and some-time writer, who finds life continually surprising.  She is mother of 3 and grandmother of 3 (with one more on the way any day now).

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Funny Mummy - Easy...Does It?

“When does it get easy?” If I had a dime for every time a new Mom said that to me, a hopeful, somewhat desperate look in her red-rimmed, sleep deprived eyes...well I wouldn’t be getting excited over BOGO days, that’s all I can say. Yes, there is no denying that having a newborn baby is one of the toughest jobs you’ll ever take on – physically, emotionally, spiritually – the burden of being responsible for a new human life while dealing with the fact that a long sleep for you is approximately 3 ½ hours long, can really take its toll.

It’s a really, really good thing that babies are just so darn cute. They redeem themselves over and over again with just the smallest smile, movement or gurgle.


Teenagers, on the other hand...well let’s just say it’s a really, really good thing we’ve already invested about 15 years in them when they start making us wish we could just give them back. Personally, I’m too old and tired to start fresh with a new one at that point.

Teenagers are not cute, very often (unless you are also a teenager and you’re looking at a picture of Justin Bieber). What teenagers are, according to them, is very knowledgeable. About everything. Particularly those things they have zero experience in. These things include but are not limited to:

• How to drive. Before they have ever taken a seat in the driver’s side of a car. The only thing worse about the totally inexperienced teenage driver telling you how to drive, is having the newly licensed teenage driver point out your alleged bad driving habits. (“Just because everybody rolls that stop sign Mom...”)
• How to discipline their younger siblings. Due to their complete lack of parenting experience they are total pros at telling you how to motivate and teach their younger brother about how whining will not get them everything they want. (And I’m sorry but in the case of your eight your brother, it mostly works. He’s my fourth and the rest of you have worn me down. You have no one to blame but yourselves.)
• What to cook for dinner so that people (i.e. THEM) will actually like it. I’ve been at this meal preparation game for a long time, but apparently all I’ve learned how to do is to make food which is "not good”. It’s fun to see them operate under the assumption that I actually care if they like it.
• What an appropriate walking (versus driving) distance is. According to a teenager, it is totally reasonable to ask for a ride to the high school which is 10 minutes walk away. On a sunny, dry day. And any attempts to school them on your history of an hour long walk through a snowy suburb of Winnipeg is dismissed as “folklore” or falls into the “sucks to be you” information pool.
• How to dress. “Are you going to wear that today? Just asking.” is apparently not a statement that one should get upset about hearing. They are, after all, “just asking.” Sheesh.

So, when does it get easier? In my experience, it’s not the age of the child that makes any difference at all in terms of the “ease” of going through a particular phase with them. It’s more directly correlated to something more simple than that. For once, it’s not about them...it’s about you. I’m much more receptive to their particular brand of advice when I’m holding a glass of Chardonnay in that bad driving, poor cooking, ridiculously dressed and generally inappropriate hand of mine.

Kathy Buckworth’s latest book, “Shut Up and Eat: Tales of Chicken, Children and Chardonnay” is available everywhere. Read Funny Mummy every month and follow Kathy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kathybuckworth Visit www.kathybuckworth.com

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The Nanny vs Daycare Dilemma

I read a tweet from a mom trying to figure out how to hire a nanny and I felt for her. Every life change in our "parenthood" comes with so many complications. We are so busy in the day to day business of caring for our kids that these extra tasks can make life so stressful.

When I went to hire a nanny I looked at agencies and searched online for tips and suggestions and nothing I found really spoke to me in a totally practical way. There's lots of interviewing tips which are useful but the list below seemed to be left out so hopefully you will find it useful :)

1. Agencies: I am a control freak so in the end I decided an agency was not the way to go. It is very expensive for one thing, but my main reason for going it alone is I wanted to be the one conducting the background checks. What I found out was that hiring a nanny on your own is extremely difficult.
   
2.  Vulnerable Sector Screening Program - Doing your own criminal reference check does not give you the peace of mind I thought it would bring. Here's why- in Toronto, a regular "citizen" can not conduct a vulnerable reference check. Only "organizations"  can request do this with a special application form approved in advance by the Police Department. What do you get as a regular citizen requesting a nanny to get a check? You can have your nanny candidate apply for a regular police reference check. It checks for a "criminal record" but for the "deep" search only comes from a vulnerable one. So no total peace of mind really.
   
3. Setting up an Employee on Payroll - The hardest thing for me to wrap my head around was the financial stuff. Luckily the government has a Payroll Deductions Online Calculator and you can call Revenue Canada to you walk through setting up an employee.  Here's the link to play with deductions - gross vs. net pay  (all nannies want to know what the net pay will be.) 

Written by: Leigh Mitchell, Read rest of the article on my Urban Moms Blog

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10 Easy Ways to Cut Calories Everyday

Losing weight is a numbers game!  We all know that you have to burn more calories than you take in.  The challenge becomes how to consume less.  Sometimes, it may be easier then you might think.

1. Choose fruit instead of juice.  A medium apple is approx. 70 calories.  A cup of apple juice is 115 calories.  Juice can also have added sugar and has less nutritional value.  (Calories recovered:  45)
   
   
2. Say no to pop!  The average can of pop contains 160 calories, is loaded with sugar and has zero nutritional value.  Try water instead and add flavour by putting in slices of fruit.  (Calories recovered:  160)
   
3. Wrap vs. Bagel:  Instead of going for a calorie heavy bagel (can clock in anywhere from 210 – 350 calories) try having a wrap instead (110 – 130 calories).   (Calories recovered:  100-220)
   
4. Go Light!  Choose light versions of mayonnaise.  It can save you up to 50 calories for every tablespoon.  (Calories recovered:  50)
   
5. Check the nuts!  Make sure you measure out nuts before you eat them.  They are packed with calories.  One ounce of nuts (between 15 – 25 nuts) can be worth 200 calories.  
6. Put off the pasta.  Try taking ¼ cup less of pasta.  (Calories recovered:  50-60)
7. Go Chicken!  Try having 4 oz of chicken breast instead of 4 oz of steak.  You’ll save in calories and over 8 grams of fat.  (Calories recovered:  65)
8. Have a glass of wine.  Choose a 4 oz glass of wine instead of a 12 oz beer.  (Calories recovered:  50)
9. Say Yes to Halloween Chocolate!  If you have a craving for chocolate, try having a Halloween size bar (approx. 70 – 110 calories) instead of the full size (190 – 250).  (Calories recovered:  80 – 180) 
10. Season to Taste.  Use herbs and spices instead of butter or margarine to add flavour to your vegetables.  (Calories recovered:  100 per tablespoon)

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to save calories.  You need to be diligent and making many small changes can add up to saving a lot of calories.

If motivation is your challenge, find a friend who will join you. Schedule a time to meet and workout. Another option is to hire a personal trainer who will meet you at the park and provide you with a challenging outdoor program. If working out in a group is more your style, outdoor boot camps are also a great way get in shape.

Allison Amery is the co-owner of Toronto Adventure Boot Camp, a four week fitness program that excites, motivates and gets results.  For more information call 416-434-6378, email us at info@bodybyubootcamp.com or visit our website www.bodybyubootcamp.com. 

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Cine-Babe Movie Morning at the Kingsway Theatre, Wednesday at 10:30 am

Join me this Wednesday at 10:30 am (Doors Open at 10:00 am) for Mother and Child with Samuel Jackson, and Annette Benning - 3030 Bloor Street West, Kingsway Movies
Enjoy Free Coffee Refills and win a gift certificate from Diaper-eez

Writer/director Rodrigo García (Nine Lives) teams with executive producer Alejandro González Iñárritu to craft this drama highlighting the powerful bond between a mother and her son. It's been years since Karen (Annette Bening) gave her daughter, Elizabeth, up for adoption, and the decision to abandon her child has always haunted her. Upon meeting laid-back Paco (Jimmy Smits), Karen permits her anxiety and mistrust to get the best of her. On the surface it appears that Elizabeth (Naomi Watts) is none the worse for never knowing her biological mother; she's a fast-talking lawyer who's just landed a high-profile job at a firm fronted by Paul (Samuel L. Jackson), though her unsavory penchant for exploiting others is about to blow up in her  face. Meanwhile, maternal-minded baker Lucy (Kerry Washington) longs to experience the joys of motherhood, eventually deciding that adoption is the best bet to start a family with her husband, Joseph (David Ramsey). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide.


Cine-Babe Movie Mornings is sponsored by: CST Consultants Inc 
and Diaper-eez

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Nominate a Wonderful Teacher!

My Nomination Submission for my son's amazing teacher Mrs. Loop.

I have so much to say about this wonderful teacher. Ms. Loop has been a huge influence in my son's life. My son R. was born later in the year and was one of the younger children in his class (JK/Sk). R. had some initial struggles with printing and fine motor skills. I worried and Mrs. Loop did everything in her power to help my son get the help he needed. R. was evaluated early thanks to Mrs. Loop and placed on a wait list to receive occupational therapy. I worried that he would not receive the help in time. During the year and half wait for assistance Mrs. Loop volunteered her lunch hour to help R. with his printing and made it her mission to learn as much as she could to help him. She was also there for me during the stress of returning to work after my second maternity leave. Mrs. Loop always had a smile for me and answered any emails I had for her within a day. I am happy to say that R. has improved in all areas of his schooling and I know it has everything to do with Mrs. Loop. Mrs loops cares, she's passionate, she's fun, she teaches the children amazing science projects like growing butterflies and ant colonies (the ants got lost in the mail - that saga was the funny part - my son came home and told me about it every day until the ants were located!). Mrs Loop is creative, supportive and involves the family in lessons - she regularly had my youngest son in her classroom = from the time he was born until he turned one. The kids loved it - she even had a birthday party for N. to celebrate the milestone with the classroom. I'm amazed at how productive she is, she provides a weekly sheet on their activities, and a monthly calendar. She also maintains an awesome web site. She is the most amazing teacher I have ever come across. My son is afraid of leaving her classroom and moving onto grade one (so am I!), Mrs Loop has listened to his worries, reassured him and took him on a private tour of the grade one classroom. I think Mrs. Loop knew I was worried too and left a sweet note about visiting the classroom and the neat stuff they saw! We all love Mrs. Loop.

 Nominate a teacher you love.

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Win a $25 Gift Certificate to Toys R Us & Tips for Nurturing Your Baby!

Opening an RESP is just one of the things you can do to help build your baby’s future. Creating a nurturing and challenging environment is also key. One of the most important areas of development is communication.

Here is a list of helpful tips you can use to encourage your baby’s communication:

Have "conversations" with your baby

Babies learn how to converse by following your lead. When they coo or babble – you coo and babble back. It is an easy way for them to start understanding the rules of a conversation.

Talk to your baby normally

Babies will start to understand what you are saying before they start speaking. They will also start absorbing the rules of language by listening to you. Using the right sentence structure and grammar will help them develop these skills properly.

Narrate

Keep a running dialogue about what your baby is doing. When the baby reaches for your nose, you can say “That’s my nose”, when he grabs your nose say “You’re grabbing my nose”. You should also tell him what you’re doing. Tell him what you’re doing when you’re cooking or when you are dressing him. The more language a baby is exposed to the better their understanding will be.

Sing songs

Songs are an important part of learning language. Because they are repeated, children have a chance to learn them over time. Songs, finger plays or movement activities teach children words that have physical clues attached. When a baby has learned a clapping song, she can ask for it by clapping her hands, even before she knows how to say, "I want to sing the clapping song!"

Read books

Look for books with photos or bright, bold pictures. You don’t have read the story of the book – point out the different objects in the pictures. Babies love to have objects labeled and they love to hear your voice. Make sure they are sitting across from you so they can see you read. Babies learn language by watching your mouth form the words.

Win a $25 gift certificate to Toys R Us -  Click here to enter!

 
C.S.T. Consultants Inc
Make the educated choice with Canada's leading Group RESP
Distributed by C.S.T. Consultants Inc.
Branch 644, 4 Robert Speck Parkway #1500, Mississauga, ON, L4Z 1S1. Bus: 905-891-1779
Rhonda Reid, Sales Representative, Tel: 905-891-1779 or
e-mail: rhonda.reid@cstresp.com

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Do it Right - Stay on Site with a Disney Vacation

Many potential Guests approach me about going to Walt Disney World and state “I heard it’s cheaper to stay in a rental house in Kissimmee, is that true?”

People will argue with me about this, but I stand by it - it is not cheaper to rent a villa or house “offsite”. For example, my Dad rented a 5-bedroom vacation home for two weeks in February. He was very proud that it only cost him $2,000 for the accommodations. He thought he was saving so much money by putting all 9 of us in there. But he forgot about the cost of renting a vehicle, food, supplies (laundry detergent, dish soap, toilet paper etc), gas (you will easily go through a couple of tanks of gas driving in and out of Disney during a week’s stay) parking ($12/day at Disney parks, free for onsite resort guests) and convenience. The time spent going back and forth was a huge waste and hassle - going through the parking lot alone to find our vehicle took eons. Babies were cranky and naps had to be missed because we would have to drive a distance back to the house. It made for a lot of running around and incidental costs, which added up quickly.

Not to mention having breakfast with my brother in law in his underwear, hearing my Dad snore at night down the hall, my mother nagging me about folding laundry, cooking your own meals, and cleaning up after yourself is not a vacation in my humble opinion! My fiancée and I ended up checking into Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for three nights to escape.

Never would I recommend staying "offsite" - non-Disney owned hotel/vacation villas/homes to any one, ever because I fail to see the “savings”. When doing so, you do not get use of Disney's Magical Express (complimentary airport to resort transfers), you do not get full use of Disney's transportation throughout the 47 square mile complex, you do not get to utilize Extra Magic Hours, you CANNOT have the dining plan (which saves you 30% on the cost of food) and you cannot have any purchases delivered to your resort. You would also miss out on the Magic and level of service that a Disney Resort has to offer.

Staying at one of the 22 owned and operated Disney Resorts means being surrounded by Magic 24 hours a day and also being close enough to return to your hotel for a snack, nap or dip in the pool. There are Resorts that suit all budgets. It's your vacation and only you know what will work best for your family, but be certain you are making an educated decision.

For a Disney trip, do it right by staying on-site. It’s the only way to do it.

Kathryn Dickson is a Disney Vacation Planning Specialist with Fairytale Dreams and Destinations. Fairytale Dreams and Destinations which is the only TICO registered agency in Ontario that deals specifically with Disney destinations. You can contact Kathryn at 905-857-3611 or by email at   kathryn@fairytaledestinations.com

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I love Alyson Schafer

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Cini-Babe Movie Mornings at the Kingsway Theatre - Every Wednesday at 11:00 am

Cine-Babe Movie Mornings at Kingsway Movie Theatre - 3030 Bloor Street West (at Bloor Street & Royal York).

Movies & Meet-Ups for parents in a baby-friendly setting

Every Wednesday at 11:00 am, doors open at 10:30 am

3030 Bloor Street West  (Bloor & Royal York) 416-232-1939

www.kingswaymovies.com

Cost: $12

Prizes awarded each week! This week: Gift Certificate to Diaper-eez

Movie this week: Alice in Wonderland

Sponsored by: 

Diaper-eez 

CST Consultants Inc, Sales Representative, Rhonda Reid

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Play, by Stuart Brown, M.D., with Christopher Vaughan

This book is the perfect thing if you need permission to relax, loosen up, let go. It proves (with scientific evidence) that play is not only good for us, but is as necessary as sleep! With examples of how play helps adults have career-changing breakthroughs, Stuart Brown discusses the role of play for adults – something many people think is taboo; an activity only allowed for children. He also talks about the importance that playing has on both the social and brain development of children.

I am a pretty strong believer in the value of play, I didn’t need convincing but it was great to read a book that tells me I'm right! If you are having a hard time relaxing while the kids play outside instead of doing more homework inside; or, if you have someone else in your life that you’re trying to convince to loosen up a little, this just might be the right book at the right time.

Review by: Tabitha Brown

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Mother's & Daughter's Day Golf - Links for Women

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A little smile can make it all seem better

A very close friends of mine’s father had a heart attack on Saturday night. Needless to say neither of them were in very good spirits when we met up with them on Sunday. I mean, their Dad was in hospital, and nobody could tell them anything about what the prognosis was until he had his angiogram Tuesday. We talked about it for a while and of course, nothing really helped. All we could do was speculate as to what could possibly happen, which really didn’t help. It probably only fueled their anxiety, as much as we were all just trying to help.

Then it dawned on me; what cheers me up when I am not feeling so great about things? The answer is simple; my little girl. So instead of ordering another round, I suggested we head back to my place for some Lyla time. As soon as Jenny laid eyes on that sweet innocent face and heard her say, “Hey!” the trouble seemed to slip away, at least for a few minutes. Lyla reached for her, arms outstretched and Jenny was more than happy to oblige. Lyla asked her what that was, what this is, and her wonder and innocence brought a much-needed smile to a sad face.

Pretty soon it was bath time, and she insisted that Jenny come to. Lyla introduced her to all her friends; Quackers, Joey, Mama Fin, Baby Fin, Sea-WOWW, the whole gang! She splashed, and screamed and splashed some more. She kissed her toys, and then offered them up to Jenny so they could kiss her and try and make her feel a little bit better. After bat time was over and pajamas were on, she came out and gave both Chris and Jenny a big hug and a kiss as if she knew they were both hurting. You could see the momentary happiness on both of their faces.

I know that it doesn’t make what they are going through any better in the long run, but for that brief fleeting moment, the smile and admiration of a beautiful and innocent little one looking up to you and wrapping her little arms around your neck can make it a little bit easier. It amazes me the love you can feel for a baby and how much better even a simple smile can make you.

Jason Darby is a sports blogger, musician and most significantly the proud father of a beautiful 1-year-old daughter. He currently works in the academic publishing industry and is working on a book about the Maple Leafs and the pilot for a sitcom currently titled “The Shop”. He spends much of his spare time watching the Detroit Tigers with his little girl. Come back often to read his musings on raising a child from a father’s perspective. Please leave comments for Jason on this blog! You can also reach Jason on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/darbyjason

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Funny Mummy - Timing is Everything

Being in the right place at the right time is a long time accepted principle of success in life. This can also be true when trying to achieve success in the parenting world. From getting the registration into the soccer club on time and scoring that preferred Monday versus Sunday timeslot, to producing a child who doesn’t land in the overcrowded kindergarten class because you delivered two days after January 1st, there are some things we can control in terms of timing, and some we can’t. You might want to take my advice and take control where you can. For instance:

• Don’t tell your kids you’re taking them to the dentist, doctor, or other such dreaded appointments until the last minute. And by last minute I mean when you’re walking in the door to their offices. You’ve just cut the whining time to about two minutes. (Or in the case of the doctor’s office potentially two hours, in the waiting room, where all can enjoy.)
  
• Next time you have a long car ride, you might surreptitiously mention to two of your favourite kids that they have about three minutes to jump into their favoured seats in the family vehicle before yelling out the age-old “We’re leaving now!” announcement to the rest of them. Squatting rights and all that. You’ll save loads of time listening to fights on this one.
  
• If you’re heading out to a restaurant with your kids, you might want to call your order in before you even get there. The minutes spent waiting with children in a public eating space are existentially not the same length of the minutes that pass while you’re sitting in a bar with your friends. These minutes with children drag and you need to make sure to minimize the impact on fellow diners, and your own patience.
  
• If you frequent a neighbourhood park, you have to be careful of not only the Last-minute Extension Situation (you’re just leaving and Junior’s BFF arrives – of course with his annoying mother in tow, and you have to stay an extra 20 minutes or face a melt-down of nuclear proportions), but also avoid that Mom or Dad who always comes to the park and has to “dash back home” for a snack or something, and is gone for an hour (no doubt drinking wine, eating dark chocolate and snickering over your gullibility) while you watch their kid pummel your kid with a sand shovel.
  
  There are many things we simply can’t control in terms of timing with kids, such as the internal alarm of theirs which goes off the second you close the bathroom door, get on the phone, computer or BlackBerry, or collapse with a glass of chardonnay on the couch – fyi their alarm sounds like this “MOOOMMMMMMM!!!! WHERE ARE YOU????? YOU NEED TO COME HERE RIGHT NOW!!!! MOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!” – so we need to learn acceptance techniques for things like this, as these are universal problems which have likely been faced since Mom took a break from the butter churning and racoon skinning to take a swig from her own wineskin. We need to have “wineskins” too. I like to think of mine as Twitter, Facebook, and email. Just be thankful you’re not living in that place, a way back then, when an escape into technology wasn’t possible – in fact like it or not, you’re in your right place, at the right time. You timed that well, after all.
  
  Kathy Buckworth’s latest book, “Shut Up and Eat: Tales of Chicken, Children and Chardonnay” is available at bookstores everywhere. Visit www.kathybuckworth.com or follow Kathy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kathybuckworth
  
  

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