My mother-in-law and I at the #SupportHER high tea event. She is one of the most supportive women I know.

A photo posted by Diana (@torontomom) on Apr 11, 2015 at 8:31am PDT

Following the tea service, we listened to Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley share an overview on breast cancer statistics as well as tips on what to consider when offering help to someone who has received a breast cancer diagnosis.

Diaper cake using Pampers Swaddlers

1. Baskets, baskets and more baskets - At first, all things baby are small…socks, diapers, shoes, hats. They are easily sorted into baskets that can be stored neatly and easily accessible on the change table or on a shelf nearby. This not only makes it more convenient to have everything handy for a quick change, but it also keeps you close to your baby while you get that matching hat or pair of socks. What’s great about baskets is they also can grow with baby’s changing needs; as you need less diaper creams, powder etc., you can use the basket to fill a new need, like hair accessories, toys or books! 

Consumer Reports just released recommendations for keeping kids safe around pools. Here is an excerpt:

• Teach your children to stay away from pool drains.

• Don’t allow children to wear dangly necklaces or wear their hair long and loose in or around the pool, to prevent getting entangled in a drain.

• Give your children swimming lessons and learn about water safety.

• Don’t leave toys in the pool when they’re not in use.

• Empty the wading pool when it’s not in use and store it upside down.

Disclosure: I chose to share this information with my readers because I feel it's important to be aware of keeping children safe around pools. I was not compensated in any way. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

I haven't blogged much about this topic because I'm a little reluctant to admit that my kids generally won't go to sleep on their own. So, yes, we lay next to them. There, I said it.

My son is 2 and my daughter is 5, so I can understand their need to have someone keep them company. And I'm not against co-sleeping at all. I just want need to sleep in my own bed and it's nice to have my hubby next to me.

What usually happens is that I put my daughter to sleep (in her twin-size bed) while my husband lays next to my son in his big boy bed (which is a double). I try to just sit at the end of her bed but I am often so tired, I end up curling up in a ball and falling asleep. This means I fall asleep in an awkward position, without any covers and will wake up in the middle of the night with a sore neck and feeling cold.

I have always been steadfast against putting our kids to bed this way but they, mainly my daughter, got used to it during infancy. I did go through a period where I sort of 'weaned' her off the need to have someone lay next to her. But then we found ourselves getting lazy and becoming inconsistent. Especially when she would get sick. And sometimes it's just easier to give in.

But I want my bed. It's so comfortable. And big. And spacious. And I want my daughter to have a sense of security and feel comfortable going to bed by herself. Because I know she can do it. And she did! For the past two nights, I have been jumping up and down over the fact that she went to sleep on her own. Yes, it's true!

How did this happen?

A couple of days ago, I noticed a tweet by @DrGreene in which he shared a link to his "Bedtime Pass Program" and boy, am I glad I followed it. In this article, he suggests using a bedtime pass that can be used only once each night for whatever need your child might have. Once it's used, though, that's it. If your child leaves his/her, you need to take them back to bed without talking or making eye contact. Sounds all Super Nanny.

Anyway, my daughter and I used our Cricut to cut out a door hanger and decorated it with the poodle from the Cricut Create a Critter cartridge. This is what we use for her bedtime pass.


She has been pretty cooperative with this idea and the first night, she never used it. Tonight, she used it early on but after I took her back to bed, she fell asleep instantly. I wanted to cry, "Eureka!" You have no idea how amazed I am at the simplicity of this little trick. It requires such minimal effort and no begging. I love it! I could cry at how easy it is. Now, you know that by posting this, I'll end up jinxing the whole thing and she'll stay up late tomorrow putting up a fuss. But, I just had to share this with you. I really hope it continues to work for us. Oh, and thank you Dr. Alan Greene!

And by the way, if you or anyone you know owns a Cricut, you can win a Cricut Create a Critter cartridge in Jalisa's blogoversary giveaway. Just sayin'.

I can! My sister-in-law mentioned over the holidays that it's possible to peel a hard-boiled egg without the tedious task of peeling off broken pieces of shell. She had seen a video where they had pinched off some of the shell on either end of the egg and then blew on one end until it popped out the other. Admittedly, I didn't believe her. So I had to see it for myself. I googled "how to peel a hard-boiled egg without peeling" and found Tim Ferriss' instructional video. Not only is he handsome enough to watch, he demonstrated how easy it was to perform the aforementioned task. In the video, he shares the following tips:

1. Slow boil the eggs with about 2 inches of water above them for about 12 minutes.
2. Cool the eggs in ice water and add a teaspoon of baking soda. This lowers the pH balance which thereby reduces adhering. (I didn't have any on hand but it still worked!)
3. Crack one end of the egg by gently tapping it on a hard surface and pinch the end to remove a bit of the shell. Repeat on the other end.
4. Hold the egg securely in one hand, pointy side up, and bring your hand to your mouth. Your finger and thumb will form a circle that should fit around your lips to create a bit of a seal.
5. Blow until the egg comes out of the other end. Don't forget to catch it.

NB. (update) - Some readers have expressed concern about the unhygienic nature of doing this. I do NOT endorse this as something you should do if you plan on serving the eggs to anyone other than yourself. Simply cooling the eggs in ice water will make it easier to peel by hand and safe to serve to others, assuming you have washed your hands.

Here's what I had left after attempting this for the first time:

I've included the link to the Tim Ferriss video below. I told you he's cute.

You can also learn why you shouldn't use farm fresh eggs when hard-boiling from Ontario egg farmer Diana Schenk on eggfarmersontario.ca.

Ever worry about your kids losing what they learn in school once summer vacation roles around? Two months can seem like a long time to go without being in a formal learning environment but it doesn't mean that the learning has to stop. Children can learn from a variety of experiences and in a variety of ways depending on their learning styles, and a lot of that can happen without the child even being aware of it. It is important to provide your children with these opportunities and with useful tools and resources to aide them in their learning. Looking for tips on how to bridge the summer learning gap? Join Mom It Forward on Tuesday, May 18 from 9-11 pm EST as they host a Girls' Night Out Twitter party with Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company. I, along with other community panelists, will be participating and hope you will stop by and share your thoughts or any questions you may have. Just like the African proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. And to educate them, too! You can find more information and RSVP on Mom It Forward and while you're there, enter to win a Carson-Dellosa Giveaway valued at approximately $75. There will be 5 winners! Giveaway deadline is May 19 at midnight. Do you have any tips you'd like to share about how you avoid learning loss over the summer holidays? Share them with Toronto Teacher Mom readers by leaving a comment on this post. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Hope to see you at the party!

With a 4-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son, I find I'm always worrying about their growth and development. My daughter just recently underwent a tonsilladenoidectomy and had fluid drained from her ears. I didn't realize that was the reason she would always say, "What?" everytime we asked her to do tidy up her toys. I just thought she was ignoring her responsiblities! Our major concern, however, was the sleep apnea. We didn't know she had enlarged adenoids, which was the main cause, until we had an x-ray taken. Thankfully, she is sleeping more soundly now.

We have taken her to a pediatric dentist a few times since she turned 3 but what I didn't know was that it is recommended to take your children to see an orthodontist before the age of 7. According the American Association of Orthodontics, this early checkup may allow the orthodontist the opportunity to identify underlying problems that may later affect teeth alignment. Did you know that even with baby teeth, an orthodontist can detect existing or developing problems? It is also interesting to note that orthodontists are required to undergo an additional two to three years of specialized education on top of the years spent in dental school, allowing them to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. In partnership with the AAO, the Ontario Association of Orthodontists suggests that your child meet with an orthodontist if you notice any of the following:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth


• Difficulty in chewing or biting

• Mouth breathing

• Jaws that shift or make sounds

• Speech difficulties

• Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth

• Facial imbalance

• Protruding teeth

• Grinding or clenching of the teeth

• Thumb or finger sucking

As if I didn't have enough to worry about! But really, if keeping an eye out for these warning signs means helping my children maintain a healthy smile and straight teeth, it's worth booking an appointment. My son sucks his fingers so I have to watch out for that, I know. And my daughter had been breathing through her mouth a lot at night due to her enlarged adenoids. So I know I will definitely be taking them both to see an orthodontist over the next year or two. If you are looking for an orthodontist in Ontario, the OAO has a handy orthodontist locator on their site.
 
Also, the AAO along with Pat Smith, wife of football player Emmitt Smith, have begun a sport safety campaign aimed at raising awareness of the potential injuries our children can suffer during sports play. Join moms across the U.S. and Canada and pledge your support at Moms For Mouth Guards by taking a free pledge and helping to raise awareness. By doing so, the AAO will donate funds to the National Alliance for Youth Sports.
 

 
And if your child has ever gone through the braces process, encourage them to enter a video contest to win a $2,500 scholarship. Here are some more details:
 

“How Orthodontics Changed My Life” Video Contest


The AAO is sponsoring a video contest for U.S. & Canadian students who have gone through the braces process. Videos must be under two minutes and should answer the following questions:


What were you like before you had orthodontic treatment?


What kinds of changes have you noticed?


What does your new smile mean to you?


All entries must be submitted to the AAO by June 1, 2010. The two winning entries will receive a $2,500 scholarship to be used towards post-high school education. Winners will be announced July 1, 2010.

Full terms and conditions and information on how to submit an entry can be found here.

One of my first product reviews here on Toronto Teacher Mom was on the topic of Clorox cleaners and disinfecting wipes. I received a whole bunch of wipes that I shared with family and co-workers, which they instantly used and loved. At the end of the post, I remember saying to myself how much I would love to try their Green Works Natural cleaners. It hasn't been until recently that I finally got to try some Green Works products thanks to a review offer I received not too long ago. I nearly leaped out of my computer chair when I read about it! While a part of me was excited to try an eco-friendly alternative, another part of me was somewhat dubious that they would match up in terms of cleaning results. So I was up for the test.

My parcel arrived, hand delivered, in this adorable pail along with a cleaning cloth, Green Works Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes and a bottle of All-Purpose Natural Cleaner. I couldn't wait to get started. I first tackled the washrooms and used it on the sink, the toilet and the bathtub. With a little elbow grease, I was able to attain a nice, gleaming finish. And the room smelled great, too! I often use a harsh cleaner in the bathroom when the kids are not in the house because I want to *feel* like the washroom is clean and sanitized but I don't want my kids inhaling any of the fumes. With the Green Works all-purpose cleaner, I don't have to worry about the fumes because it's made using natural essential oils and is coconut-based.

• Green Works Natural Cleaners allow you to clean without harsh chemical fumes or residues.
• They are plant-based and contain biodegradable ingredients.
• They are never tested on animals.

I also enjoyed using the convenient wipes, which I use sparingly in situations that require immediate attention. They smell great and are made of 100% wood-based fibers. They are also free of bleach and phosphorous. I would definitely recommend these products to the eco-conscious. Even HGTV host and eco-conscious designer Sarah Richardson, mother of two young children, uses Green Works cleaners on a regular basis to help keep her house spotless. Here are some tips she has to help you during your spring cleaning:

To make sure even the toughest stains come out, fill a bucket with warm water, add detergent for a full load and allow the clothes to soak. Then dump the bucket into the washing machine when you’re ready to run the cycle. All the stains will disappear and there’s no need to use additional detergent.

Sweep your floors daily to prevent dirt and dust from building up. If you keep your home tidy on a daily basis you won’t need strong chemicals to get it clean. Sweeping instead of vacuuming also reduces energy consumption!

Dilute window cleaner with some water and instead of paper towels use a sponge to wipe and a squeegee to dry. You’ll get a professional look without adding a thing to your garbage bin.

For more eco-friendly tips and how-to's by Sarah Richardson, you can check out the Clorox website.

You can purchase Green Works cleaners online through Amazon.com or you can visit the Green Works website to find a store near you. They are also offering a $1 off coupon towards their wipes when you sign up for their newsletter.


One reader of Toronto Teacher Mom will receive a bottle of the Green Works All-Purpose cleaner and their Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes.

For your main entry, which is mandatory, visit the GreenWorksCleaners.com and tell me what other product you'd like to have. Leave a comment on this post with the name of the product that caught your interest and a way to contact you if you win. (You need to click on the word "comments" at the end of this post to leave a comment.)

For additional entries, you may choose to do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each entry indicating what you have done.

• NEW! Add my newly designed button to your site. (Worth 2 entries! Please leave two separate comments.)

• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post. When you are done, leave a link to your post in your comment. (Now worth 2 entries! Please leave two separate comments.)
• Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom using Google Friend Connect.
• Subscribe to Toronto Teacher Mom in a reader or by verified email.
• Become a fan of Green Works on Facebook. 
• Become a fan of Toronto Teacher Mom on Facebook via Networked Blogs.
• Update your status on Facebook to notify your friends about this giveaway.
• Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Tweet daily for additional entries. Feel free to use the following tweet:  

Contest ends May 2 at midnight EST. Open to Canadian residents only.

Winner will be selected using Random.org and must reply to the notification email within 3 days or a new winner will be drawn.

Okay, it's that time again. That oh, so dreaded milestone that can cause anxiety amongst even the most resilient of parents. Potty training. Just typing those mere two words turns my stomach into knots. It's not that I'm less than optimistic about being more prepared with my second try at potty training. It's simply that it conjures up feelings of dread when I recall how many "accidents" we experienced with my daughter. This time, I am making sure that I'm prepared. And I have Huggies to thank for their contagious Potty Dance which will make for a very effective tool to encourage my son and make it more fun to use the potty. Even Canadian comedian Jessica Holmes is doing the potty dance! And if you don't believe me when I say it's contagious, just watch Traci Melchor from eTalk bust a move with her kids Phoebe and Phoenix. I watched the videos today and my daughter was instantly hooked. It's been about 10 hours since I first watched the videos and I still can't get that song out of my head. My daughter loved it so much, she insisted that I videotape her this afternoon while my son napped. You see, it really is easy to learn and lots of fun, too!


Huggies Pull-Ups Potty Dance from Diana M on Vimeo.

Since my son is approaching his second birthday and can already say the words relating to potty time,  I know he is well on his way to his first successful potty experience. Here are a couple of tips I'd like to share based on my mistakes experiences the first time around:

1. Wait until your child is aware of his/her bodily functions and can indicate when he/she has soiled or wet his/her diaper.
2. Allow your child to be in the washroom when you, your spouse or older siblings use the toilet.
3. Have a potty situated in the main areas of the house where your child spends most of his/her time. I also plan on keeping a couple of soft potty seats in both of our bathrooms as well.
4. Incorporate song, dance and other playful ideas as a motivator and a distraction, if needed.
5. Rewards in the form of a sticker chart might also work.
6. Make it a routine of placing your child on the potty at regular intervals throughout the day. At this stage, I have a general idea of when my son has bowel movements.
7. Don't let your child see you angry or disappointed when your child has an accident. It's all part of the learning process. Which leads me to my next point...
8. I've learned to hope for the best and expect the unexpected. Even after I just had my daughter on the potty, I remember she would sit there for a long time, give up and then go pee in a corner. So now I'm going to resign myself to having rolls of paper towel and some cleaner stashed on every level of the house to be ready for the inevitable.
9. Always remind yourself that this is just a stage, and although you may never grow out of the My House Must Always be Clean and Sanitized stage, your child will eventually grow out of diapers.

I'm feeling a little more at ease now that I've put some thought into my strategy for potty training my second child. And the Pull-Ups dance will definitely come in handy. I've already stocked up on training pants during a Shopper's Drugmart Optimum Points promotion and got 6 packs for free! Yay, me! Do you have any other ideas or suggestions that worked for you? Feel free to leave a comment with advice and tips that made potty training easier for your family. I'd love to read them!

 

If you'd like to read up on these tips for parents by parents, visit the Pampers site and download a PDF copy today. (Mine is listed on page 2 of Balancing Baby and Life, just in case you're wondering.)

As any new mom can testify, starting a new life with a newborn can be both exhilarating and also frightening. While you may feel overwhelmed with joy and excitement, there is still quite often the fear of the unknown. You might find yourself asking what you should do when the baby wakes up crying in the middle of the night. Or you might often worry about the transition back to work after your maternity leave is over. Whatever the situation may be, there may be consolation in knowing that you are not alone, and that millions of women over several generations have experienced similar concerns and asked similar questions. So who do we turn to for the answers? More than likely, you turn to experienced moms, those who've been through it all and those who are going through it right now. Their tips and advice can ease your worry and maybe even allow you that extra hour of sleep or two. That is why Pampers is working with Mom Central on a project entitled "A Parent is Born."

The aim of this project is to compile a list of useful tips for new and expecting Canadian moms. This list will be published in the Pampers Online Tips Sheet and 25 randomly selected entrants will receive a $20 gift card and one grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $500! (Just in time for the holidays!) To enter, visit MomCentral and share your tips for any of these two categories:

1. How to Cope with Going Back to Work: Ways mom can prepare for the big day and ways to soothe the unease.

2. Baby/Mommy Sleep Tips: Tips on helping both Baby and mom sleep through the night.

Here are some tips I would like to share.

Topic 1: If you intend to return to work after having a baby and need a daycare, start looking at all the available options and put your name on as many waiting lists as you feel are worthwhile. You can always narrow down your choices at a later date but I found you can be on a waiting list for at least a year before a spot opens up. So I'd say start looking while the baby is still in utero.

Topic 2: I'm sure every mom can tell you that routine is key. (Keep late night activity to a minimum to avoid over stimulation; watch for the baby's cues such as rubbing his/her eyes, or in my son's case, sucking his fingers; turn the lights down low; consider a warm bath with calming lavender bubble bath and/or a massage before settling down to read a book.) For moms who nurse, you might want to try nursing in bed while lying down. My friend told me about it and it really made it easier for me to handle late night feedings.

If you have some advice you'd like to share on these two topics, be sure to place your entry before December 10, 2009 at midnight in order for a chance to win. This contest is opened to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec).

(Disclosure: I am participating in a Mom Central blog campaign and I received an Amazon.com gift certificate as a thank-you.)

As a new mom, I often find it very discouraging when I read articles on parenting that are limited to one viewpoint or advocate a particular parenting style as the "right" one. It is easy to become bombarded with the latest research that claims our mothers and fathers reared their children incorrectly. While there has been much progress in understanding how babies grow, learn, eat and sleep, it seems to me that the tried and true methods of our predecessors are often placed on the backburner, or even disregarded completely. I have decided to begin a regular post entitled "Helping Hands" with the aim of compiling tips of the mothering trade. Readers are invited to share their opinions on the selected topic and impart some wisdom on motherhood and parenting. Let us begin the first volume with a topic that currently holds much interest for me.

Potty training.

My daughter is now 10 months old and I finally have a good idea of when she usually goes to the bathroom. She has started to walk with minimal assistance and has taken a keen interest in anything she can touch, which includes the toilet.

I've read stories of babies who have been toilet trained at a very early age. One such story talked about a woman who spent three months in India visiting with her family and discovered that diapers were not used. In fact, the grandmother was shocked to learn of our "fancy Western" ways. She insisted that her grandson experience the freedom and "if he pees, we'll wash it off the floor. If he poops, the dog will eat it." They could easily identify his elimination routine, used sound effects while he was on the "potty"(a virtual whole in the ground) and were very patient. The mother did her best to continue the potty training upon returning home but experienced difficulty seeing as we live in a completely different culture. Though there were more accidents, she stuck to it and at 13 months of age, her son was able to indicate when he needed to use the washroom. He is now 18 months old and is completely trained to go on his own. Pretty amazing, isn't it?

So my question is, what are some ways you've tried to train your child to use the potty? What type of potty should you buy or should you just stick with a regular toilet? Do you have any helpful tips? Use your helping hands and type them in the comments section. If you have a suggestion for our next topic, please feel free to let me know. I will be conducting a poll shortly on how early parents (plan to) start potty training. Keep your eyes peeled! And thanks for your help and advice!