Family Matters

Not all students will be heading back to class this September. Many parents will be keeping their kids and the learning at home. So what should you consider before making the leap? We turn to Dr Robert Kunzman for advice. The University of Indiana professor and director of the International Center for Home Education Research has spent the last 16 years studying homeschooling and says the common denominator in successful schooling is support. Also on this episode, we chat with Sarah Renner. She’s a professional organizer and mother of two young girls. She and her husband have decided to homeschool this year. We find out what led her to make this decision and how she’s re-organized her home to make the transition work. You can connect with Sarah through her website Organized with Kids.

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As health professionals prepare for a second wave of COVID-19, psychologists are preparing for a wave of mental health issues – especially in teens.  Clinics are full of youth with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Psychologist and author Vanessa Lapointe joins for her advice on supporting kids who, developmentally, are extra challenged to wade through this pandemic. For more information on Vanessa, click here.

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In the age of social distancing, meet the virtual babysitter. Instead of showing up at your house, the sitter engages with your child through Skype, Zoom, FaceTime and other video platforms. The concept exploded this spring as parents attempted to work remotely and look after children learning from home. Elize Shirdel launched HELM Life following five years of connecting parents with babysitters through Datenight Babysitting. She joins us to explain what both parents and children can expect. So what does the mediatrician think? Dr Michael Rich weighs-in on the trend and offers a few alternatives for families. For more information about Dr Rich, click here.

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Willa Sowell won over the internet with one little lie. She told her dad that the lipstick-stained on her face was purchased from Home Depot. But her dad knew better. She stole it from her mom’s purse. It was cute, innocent and eventually became a viral video. But not all lies are created equal and discovering deception can be frustrating for parents. Dr Kang Lee has been studying lying and children for the past two decades. He assures parents it’s a developmental milestone and shares his insight into why it may be happening. You can find out more about his research by checking out his website, just click here.  We also hear from psychologist Dr Jody Carrington. She offers up a script for parents on what to say and how to say it, when you catch you child in a lie.

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After a spring spent close to home, Canadian children have the energy to burn. As they channel it into outdoor activities, Canadian paediatricians are seeing the fallout. Dr Dominic Allain joins us to talk about the spike in injuries he is seeing in his emergency department. He shares why he’s not surprised to see an increase. Dr Dominic Allain is a member of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Injury Prevention Committee. And, we are getting a D+ for physical activity. Before the pandemic, Canadian children were barely getting a passing grade for overall physical activity and sedentary behaviours. Restrictions from the COVID-19 crisis have made things even worse, according to numbers released by ParticipACTION. We talk to exercise scientist Leigh Vanderloo about the new report card and the role parents play in getting children active.

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After years of loss, an Alberta couple is celebrating a double dose of joy. In the span of a week, Ian and Margo Sheldon welcomed a baby boy and girl they’re calling their “moon twins.” The babies are siblings born to siblings. Ian and Margo join us to share their long and unique journey to parenthood. Also on this episode, we take you inside the Baby Spa in Sherwood Park where it’s all about pampering infants. Owner Tara Machuik walks us through the services offered. To find out more about the Baby Spa click here.

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No pool, no problem. Some Canadian families are continuing on with swim lessons by holding class in the tub. Kaylee Kennedy with K&K Swim School has pivoted from in-person lessons to virtual ones. She has now taught students across the globe and joins us to explain how bathtub swim lessons work. You can find out more about K&K Swim school by checking out their website, just click here. We also explore some of the other alternatives for swim lessons and dive into one water safety advocates concerns with summer holidays bringing more time in lakes, rivers and inflatable pools. Our guest is Karim Zayed with the Canadian Swim School Association.

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COVID-19 has cancelled a lot since it arrived in Canada, but it doesn’t have to ruin your summer vacation. Heather Greenwood Davis has travelled all over the world as the blogger behind globetrottingmama.com. She joins us to talk about her family’s “plan b” for the summer and shares some ideas for finding adventure closer to home. We also hear from travel expert Claire Newell about what to expect if you are flying or staying in a hotel. You can find out about Claire and her travel tips by checking out her website, just click here.  

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When it comes to COVID-19, why do some infected children become severely ill while others have no symptoms at all? Why does the virus tend to hit adults harder than kids? And what role do little ones play in spreading the virus? Those are the mysteries Alberta researchers hope to help solve with a new study out of the University of Calgary.  Researcher and professor Dr. Jim Kellner joins us to talk about the project. We also look at the science and art of building your bubble. As restrictions continue to ease across the country, what does that mean for cohort or bubble families? Nova Scotia’s Heather Laura Clarke is sticking to just one bubble family. She joins us to talk about how it’s working for her family and if and when they will expand. Heather Laura Clarke is A parenting columnist and editor with the SaltWire Network. You can find out more about her by checking out her website. Just click here.

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We’d like to think our kids don’t see colour but they do. Research shows children as young as preschool absorb ideas about race and racism. Kira Banks is an educator and founder of Raising Equity. She says the conversation needs to start at home and early. So where do we start? We turn to child psychologist and author Jillian Roberts for advice on answering some of your children’s toughest questions? From skin colour to dealing with prejudice. You can find out more about Roberts by checking out her website, just click here.

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