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Top 5 baby items I couldn’t live without

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved .

The five baby items I couldn’t live without. I’m not talking about the essentials: diapers, crib, stroller, vaginal reconstruction (which apparently is a thing). I’ve compiled a list of the little miracle gifts I didn’t even know I wanted until they came into my life and afforded me the ability to sleep, eat hot (warm) food and use my hands for tasks other than handling poop.

1. Nipple Shields:

If you are breastfeeding, there may come a time when your nipples stop resembling, well…nipples, and start looking like the shrivelled, chewed-up mess that gravity forgot. Both my babies nursed so hard that eventually my family got sick of me begging them to knock me out and picked up several pairs of thin, silicone nipple shields from Babies ‘R’ Us. These clear, vented covers protect sensitive skin while still allowing your babe to feed on demand. Forgo the pain – save it for when they become toddlers. (walmart.ca, toysrus.ca) Paired with an excellent nursing bra, I managed to look a little less National Geographic.

2. Nursing Pillow:

my best friend pillow - things i couldnt live without

My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow can save your back

My first son was a voracious eater. He nursed for hours at a time. There were days (months) where I’d sit on the couch like a Holstein. A nursing pillow can save your back and provide a comfortable resting surface for baby (mine could also accommodate a magazine and a bowl of popcorn.) We used My Brest Friend (amazon.com well.ca) but do your research to see which one is the most comfortable for you.

3. Baby Carrier:

ERGObaby, Beco, Baby Bjorn, Moby Wrap, I feel like these are all foreign words for “here darling, let me make your life easier by giving you the gift of two arms again.” My oldest had to be on me All. The. Time. I wore that child for ages before he touched the ground. Needless to say, I was an exhausted knuckle dragger until a family member bought me an ERGObaby carrier. Suddenly, I could cook dinner (carefully), wash dishes and fold laundry (wait, why did I want my arms back again??) (store.ergobaby.com)

4. “Tuffo” Outdoor Blanket:

I know. It’s a blanket. So what, right? Only, it’s waterproof on the bottom. It’s machine washable, crazy durable and wraps up in its own carrying bag. Our Tuffo Outdoor Blanket (tuffo.com) became a staple in our household all year long. Soccer games (less “game” more chasing each other around the field), picnics, wet lawns, poolside, play time, nap time, our Tuffo blanket still goes everywhere with us.

5. Sleepers with zippers:

zipped onesie - 5 things i couldnt live without

Don’t wrestle the baby alligator, just go for the zip

Why, just why would you make a sleeping garment with five million snaps? (I’m looking at you, Baby Gap.) Who has a child that A) holds still and B) sleeps through the night without at least one colossal blowout? Parenting is a big enough test. I am not an engineer and doing up snaps on my baby is like crocodile wrestling, only more dangerous. Old Navy makes them (ca) and sometimes you can get lucky at Carter’s/Osh Kosh (cartersoshkosh.ca) or even Costco. But you have to look for them.

 

alexis-head-shotAlexis Nicols is a marketing specialist, actor and freelance writer. She lives in urban Toronto with her husband and two sons, but is definitely suburban at heart. She regularly dodges the slings and arrows of parenting boys, considers herself a connoisseur of stretchy pants and hopes that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a train.

For more musings from a mom who wonders when everything below the neck went National Geographic, visit her blog: stopstopcomehere.ca

What kind of parent are you?

Posted on by Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

Over the past 2 years of working in an elementary school, I’ve learned that there are 4 types of parents when it comes to registering their child(ren) for school.
My son was half way to the playground and didn't even give me a kiss or a wave... sniff sniff

My son was half way to the playground and didn’t even give me a kiss or a wave… sniff sniff

The Cryer:

These are the parents that are in tears as they bring in their child’s registration. The one’s that want to stop time and have their child home with them forever.

It’s funny, a lot of the time I find that these parents are an emotional wreck, and their kid has already run down the hallway and is trying to enjoy all the things that schools have to offer!

The Eager Beaver:

These are the parents that want to get their kids out of the house – and would do so now if it were an option. I often find that the parent (or grandparent sometimes) calls in to confirm the age for kindergarten. And it’s always funny to hear the sigh from the caller when they realized that their child is in fact not old enough to start school.

Don't let the shades fool you, I was a full on mess

Don’t let the shades fool you, I was a full on mess

The Undecided:

These are the parents that aren’t sure if they should be waiting until their child is in SK. They are literally on the fence about the school experience. Some look nervous, other’s unsure of how their child will cope. And some, just unsure in general about which is the better option.

The Procrastinator:

Everyone’s favourite, the procrastinator. And there are ALWAYS a few of them. They show up on the first day of school in September, and their kid is ready to go! Knapsack on back, lunch packed and ready to ride the bus.

But not so fast!!

We don’t know a thing about your child. Our school has a few kindergarten classes. And part of the registration process lets us get to know their strengths, any concerns you have as a parent, etc. So it makes it pretty difficult to place you when we met you 2 seconds ago. (Not to mention some Moms are already trying to run out the door to make it to work).

Well, now that you have the list, I have to say that my personal favourite is the Eager Beaver! How would you classify yourself?

(Urban Mama Elisa adds: I was a cryer. Full on cryer. Both boys.  Suburban Mama Michelle says: I’m with Krista!  Eager Beaver is my middle name)

Krista HolmsKrista Holmes, KH Mgmt, became a mother in the summer of 2014. She works behind-the-scenes in the Canadian music industry, designs several social media campaigns and manages special events. Her love for motherhood & music can be found on her blog, mommylovesmusic.wordpress.com.

twitter@KHmgmt

Beefy Irish Stew

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

irish beef stewWith St. Patrick’s day this Thursday, I thought a little Irish love was in order for #TastyTuesday! Irish Stew is kind of obvious, and I was going to dig deeper, but the Urban Hubby is of Irish descent, and is the definition of a meat-n-potato-loving man, so my Beefy Irish Stew is the real deal (he hates lamb, but feel free to swap it in for a more authentic version.)

Get it going and let it simmer until it’s so thick you can stick a fork in it and it.

What you need:

-2 pounds beef, cubed
-3 large potatoes, coarsely cubed
-3 carrots, chopped
-1 parsnip, chopped
-2 large Spanish or white onions, coarsely chopped
-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
-1 cup flour
-1 can of Guinness beer (or dark ale)
-1 cup beef stock (bouillon)
-4 cloves minced garlic
-5 whole bay leaves
-1 tablespoon thyme
-1 tablespoons rosemary
-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
-cracked pepper to taste
-2.5 tablespoons of salt

What you do:

Toss the cubed beef in flour to coat. In a large stock pot, heat the oil, throw in in the bay leaves. Turn up the heat and sear the beef on all sides. Ideally all sides should be crusted. Turn the mixture down to mediu and add garlic and onions, sautéeing and caramelizing the onions. Add the thyme and rosemary as well as three tablespoons of flour. Muddle everything together. Once combined, add the Guinness and the beef stock. Let this simmer and thicken, about 10 minutes. Throw in the rest of the ingredients, cover and let simmer a few hours until the veggies are tender, stirring gently. You can also throw it in a slow cooker for the day or into a dutch oven and into the oven at 300° for a few hours.

Serve it steaming hot in a big bowl with some crusty bread for sopping up the stew. This hearty dish needs no accompaniment – except maybe a pint of your favourite Irish ale.

The most badass stroller ever made

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved .

I fondly remember the years I lived like a rockstar, and have happily put them behind me. But then a stroller like this comes along and I. Just. Can’t. Help. Myself. The limited edition Bugaboo by Diesel Rock collection.
Limited edition Bugaboo by Diesel Rock Collection - tattoo laser-etched Only The Brave

Limited edition Bugaboo by Diesel Rock Collection – tattoo laser-etched Only The Brave

Now there are a few types of strollers in this world:

1) Umbrella strollers that are light, cheap and kill your back if you’re actually taller than 5’4″

2) Sensible and moderately priced strollers that come in all sorts of baby patterns like pink giraffes and blue teddy bears

3) SUV strollers that can ram through anything – from sand dunes to snowbanks

I’m number 3. I’m the original Bugaboo mama who was so excited to take her stroller for a test drive that my poor cat had to ride around in that bright red Bugaboo Frog for 5 weeks.

Poor cat. But my boy sure loved it, and we went everywhere with that stroller. Living in the city you get to do a lot of walking through the neighbourhood, and the Bugaboo was the perfect ride.

My boy, snug as a Bugaboo in the classic red Bugaboo Frog. I loved this stroller.

My boy, snug as a Bugaboo in the classic red Bugaboo Frog. I loved this stroller.

But that was back in 2008. If I were doing it now, it would have to be this bad boy:

It has studs.

STUDS!

It has a few elements that appeal to that girl that once lived like a rockstar: The backrest has a laser-cut emblem, ever-so-tattoo-like, with Diesel’s slogan “Only The Brave” emblazoned in the black-on-black surface. If that’s not the slogan of parenthood, then I just don’t know what is. The wax-coated fabric gives that wet, leather look (but with all the comfort baby needs on the soft interior!). There’s no simple chrome, the anodized metal chassis is sleek, jet black. The silver buttons pop like the metal on that guy’s biker jacket he tossed so effortlessly into the DJ booth.

It’s the stroller you’d take to the night club – except the night club is in your home, and it’s a party of two, maybe three. It’s more of a feeding time than a closing time. But awesome.

This limited edition is part of the Limited edition Bugaboo by Diesel Rock Collection which hit the market on April 1, with all of the matching accessories like footmuff, bassinet and canopy.

 

Slow go chicken and mushrooms

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .
FEATURE Slow go chicken and mushrooms

Slow go chicken and mushroomsOne night I came home extra late from work and Urban Suburban Daddy had made me the most delicious dinner. He was aiming for something similar to Chicken Marsala – but he didn’t realize we had any wine so he improvised. He’s a really good cook – I’m a lucky girl. It’s quick, not too complex and the flavors merge together so beautifully. Enjoy!

What you do:

-4 chicken breasts
-2 cups sliced mushrooms
-salt and pepper
-1/2 cup butter
-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
-2 cloves chopped garlic
-oregano

What you do:

Brown the chicken in vegetable oil over medium heat, turning once, about 15 minutes. Turn heat down to medium-low and add in the rest of the ingredients except for oregano. Cover and let simmer 18-20 minutes, turning occasionally.

Plate and garnish with a sprinkle of oregano. Serve with side of rice – try our Foolproof rice.

Social media and me – the lost years…

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

We grew up before social media was a thing – sometimes I think this is a good thing and sometimes I think I missed out.

I was 35 when I started my Twitter account and 36 when I joined Facebook. I resisted Facebook for a while, but decided to join when I went on mat leave so that I could share my pictures of my new baby with friends, family and colleagues. I quickly realized that it was a great way to keep up – and I was hooked.

kids2

At the same time my sister, who is 11 years younger than me, was using social media for everything from making plans to go out to networking to find her next job. She never picked up a phone and I actually knew that it was easier to get a hold of her on Facebook than it was to leave her a voicemail. She grew up online.

I was a bit of a wild child when I was younger, and though we have a few photos, there’s not much evidence! Most people weren’t carrying cameras around with them on nights out – we didn’t yet all have camera phones – so there are only pictures of special occasions or weekends away. They’re printed away in albums and rarely circulate unless someone gets inspired on a #ThrowbackThursday. And I’m glad we didn’t all have camera phones so that embarrassing pictures could not be turned into memes and go viral. I think that would be one of my biggest fears if I grew up in the golden age of social media!

blue boy - better

But I am glad I joined when I did. Now that my boys are 5 and 7, I show them the albums and share the videos I posted. It’s better than any family album, it’s completely the highlights of their early years. They love seeing the baby pictures, the funny things they did, the cute outfits I’ve all but forgotten, the pets who are now past, previous homes. And more than just an album, there’s commentary. With dates and timestamps, there’s not only an explanation of the moment, there’s reaction from everyone I know, and they love hearing the responses.

So while I’m glad I missed growing up on social media, it’s among my most favourite inventions of my adult life!

kids1

Suburban Mommy Michelle adds:

I am in total agreement. I am still learning how to communicate in abbreviations and few words for social media. LMFAO, LO, OOTD, QOTD, MIL, FIL, FML (just learned that one – that’s a goody) I am still learning.  There are times where I was just too embarassed to ask and Webster’s couldn’t define (I should have checked the Urban dictionary).  Have we done away with speaking English properly?  (Sorry my mom is an English professor).  And hashtag…who invented that word and what does it mean?  Nope wasn’t born into the hashtagging generation.  But, it has certainly been an experience expressing how I feel with a number sign prior to every word that I write.

I miss writing letters, picking up the phone, having proper catch ups face-to-face – I wonder if anyone under 30 even knows what I pen pal is?

So a part of me like Elisa, is glad that social media didn’t exist while I grew up – I had some really bad outfits and really bad hair.  The debauchery in my 20’s was not caught on Instagram thank heavens! A few gems can be found in an album hidden away in a box buried in my basement.  Don’t get any bright ideas!

And on the other hand, I too relish the times when Facebook sends me a “memory” of my children to remind me how blessed I am.  So much easier than sifting through an envelope of photos or making a print from a negative.

Oh wait…

10 questions with a professional children’s portrait photographer

Posted on by Posted in 10 Questions With .

Family portraits and professional pictures of the kids are something most families do eventually. Whether you have yours done annually, or will just do them once, there are a few things you’ll want to know to make sure your portrait session goes great and those pictures are the ones that will capture the best of your little babes. We caught up with Jaime, of Jaime Fleming Photography, a professional portrait photographer and mother of 2, to ask the questions you know you want to know.

1. How long should I expect a session to take with 2 kids?

Jaime Fleming Photography 3

Photo by Jaime Fleming Photography

I always block out a 2 hour window for my sessions and don’t put anything super important directly behind a session involving children or babies. Most kids can’t last the full 2 hours – many, not even close. But there are times when it takes a bit of time to get the session rolling. The entire experience is new to them: new location, new clothes, new lady with a weird gadget she keeps holding up to her face. And on top of that, mom and dad are acting weird today!

It may take some to get the kiddos to warm up to the photographer before a camera should be shoved in their face. Sometimes kids are cranky or an unexpected feeding for little ones needs to take place before any shooting can begin. And that’s ok. A good photograher is going to have slotted enough time to work through these typical delays. Parents shouldn’t feel rushed to get their kids to cooperate or be made to feel guilty when things get tough. It’s ok. It’s expected. Plan ahead for it and stay calm. You’ll have plenty of time.

That all being said, when working with children, it is usually pretty obvious when they reach the “done” point.

2. Should I bring props, stuffies/lovies/food bribes?

I’m typically a “less is more” person. But if there is a special something you want included in your photos, by all means bring it. If there are items that help motivate your child – like a movie or blankie, sure, bring it. I wouldn’t bust out those attachment items right out of the gate, though. They could become a hindrance if they won’t give them up. For toddlers, bubbles are a great way to hold their attention and keep them somewhat in one place for 3 seconds. Plus, I like the type of photos where families are interacting and having a good time together over a stuffy posed portrait. Basically, bring anything you’d like – just know that it may end up in the photos.

3. Should the kids be all matchy-matchy or best outfit? How do you recommend they dress?

My personal preference is for each person in the photo to be dressed for their own body. It’s probably a good idea to have a little bit of coordination of some sort, even if it’s just colors that look nice together. But in general, I don’t care for the super matchy-matchy look. I like mix and match colors and patterns, and a little individual style to show.

4. Are there any colours that shoot better than others or ones to be avoided? 

Jaime Fleming Photography 2

Photo by Jaime Fleming Photography

I usually suggest to my clients to choose anything but white. White washes a lot of people out and often looks distracting as it becomes the bright spot in the image. Our eye is naturally drawn to the bightest spot in the image, so ideally that should be the face. I like to stay away from white on clients unless we are intentionally doing a white on white type set up.

5. What’s best for location? Studio, home or outdoors?

This is a very photographer specific question. Know your photographer’s ability and style before committing to them as a client. Make sure the look you want is something they offer and do well. If you want nice polished studio shots, it’s probably not ideal to hit up the photographer who markets herself as a natural light photographer. I personally love on-location outdoor sessions because children get the opportunity to move around and explore and some really nice shots can come from that.

6. Why is there a fee for a sitting and another fee for images?

Despite common belief, “taking pictures” is a lot more involved than just clicking a button on a cheap, auto-mode camera from a big box store and running a filter from a web based editor in all the images. And also despite common belief, there are a TON of expenses that photographers have to cover – not just that 19 cent print cost you see advertised at the local drugstore kiosk. Running a photography business takes a lot of time. A lot of time. And there are many costs involved that most people don’t even think about. So yes, a custom photo experience can get pricey. But what you get out of it is so very worth it!

7. Can I just buy a disk and print my own pictures?

Jaime Fleming Photography 1

Photo by Jaime Fleming Photography

There are some photographers that are totally ok with this. Some have tailored their business around the “Shoot-n-Burn” concept. Others are a lot more protective of their images. In my case, I typically don’t offer a disk of printable images. I like to maintain control over the quality of the images attached to my name. I also like to maintain the copyright to my images, and depending on where a client chooses to upload and print, that copyright can be compromised. Check with your photographer before booking to make sure they offer digital images if this is something that is important to you.

8. What time of day is best to shoot with kids?

The best time to shoot is whenever your kid is happy! I like to plan sessions with kiddos around their eat/sleep schedule. Most parents can tell me instantly when their kid is typically cranky, so let’s avoid those times.

9. What can you fix in Photoshop – what’s not fixable?

Going back to that idea that photography and photo processing take a a TON of time, pretty much anything IS possible in Photoshop. It’s a wonderful tool with seemingly endless options. But every little edit takes time. Some of those fixes that don’t seem like such a big deal cause a lot of frustration. Ideally, we want to get the shot as close to perfect as possible in camera.

Of course, working with children adds an extra hurdle – or fifty. It’s a judgement call that day: What am I willing to try to fix here on the scene, knowing I could end up missing shots to come because the kids get cranky, and what am I willing to overlook here and now, and just deal with it in Photoshop? I play the trade-off game in my head and overlook what needs to be overlooked. Just don’t do what one client did to me and tell your photographer that you are only going to wear one solid polo shirt through the entire session and then expect me the photographer to change the colors of the shirt in Photoshop. Ha! I laughed so hard. Just change your shirt, dude. 

10. What can I do to ensure you get the best results out of my kids on camera – feed them? bring food? Don’t feed them right before?  

Fed kids are happy kids. We want happy kids. Fill them up. Bring snacks if they are motivated by foods. If we are talking infants, get a good feeding in right before you get there and bring a bottle or be prepared to have a nursing session or two on the spot. I really really don’t mind if we have to wait to get a baby fed. I’d much rather get the baby filled up and happy than do 100 little short attempts to appease them with a brief feeding. Happy kids make happy photos. That’s our goal.

twitter@JaiFlemingPhoto

facebook iconJaime Fleming Photography

5 Secrets from a make-up artist to up your beauty routine

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

juliaWe caught up with this Julia, an elite makeup artist, hair stylist and esthetician. She’s proof that beauty is more than skin deep, and she was happy to share some trade secrets with us. Here are five beauty tricks that you know you want to know:

What’s your “Can’t live without” item in your beauty routine?yves rocher moisturizer

A great moisturizer is an essential start to a perfect beauty routine. It’s important to use a product suitable for your skin, but If you’re unsure of your skin type, I recommend booking a consultation with your local beauty consultant. (A beauty store, or a good cosmetics counter at a department store are generally great places to have your skin analyzed ). For my skin type (normal to sensitive), I like to use Yves Rocher Youth Energy Day Care. It makes my skin feel hydrated without feeling heavy and greasy.

What do you think about BBs? (That’s beauty balm, we love the lingo!)

aquasource bb creamEveryone needs a great BB cream. It’s a great way to achieve even skin without feeling like there’s something thick caked on it. I really like the silky texture of the Biotherm Aqua Source BB Cream.

One of the biggest issues for moms – especially those with little ones – is sleep deprivation. How can you combat the bags and dark circles?

the body shop concealer stickTo cover up a sleepless night, there’s nothing better for a mom than a really good concealer. I love the creamy texture and portability of The Body Shop stick concealer. Before putting on your BB cream, apply the concealer stick under your eyes and dab it down with a damp “Beauty Blender”. This will make for a smooth and blended application. Goodbye dark circles!

Mascara, yes or no?

dior extaseYes! This beauty secret is my favourite. Mascara is a great way to make a mom’s tired eyes look bright and awake. My must-have mascara at the moment is the Diorshow Extase, but a great comparable one for the mom on a budget is the cult favourite Voluminous Mascara by L’Oreal.

Any other must-haves in the beauty routine?

burts bees tinted lip balmMy last beauty tip is to get a really good tinted lip-balm. The balm provides naturally juicy, plump lips for the mom on the go. A great one to try is Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balms. They are amazingly moisturizing with just a hint of luscious colour.

Julia is a Makeup artist and Hair stylist located in Toronto. She loves her craft, and is highly passionate about beauty. She also believes it’s important to involve the inner soul to achieve true beauty. You can find her on Instagram @V.I.B.E.withlove, or check out her website at www.lilfrenchfry555.weebly.com

Nana Helen’s potato soup

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .
feature nana hellen potato soup

This is one of my favourite recipes – it brings back some of my best memories, along with being one of the most delicious soups ever. You know that go-to comfort food that always warms you from the inside out and makes you feel like everything will be okay? Yah, this is it for me.

My Nana Helen was an amazing woman. Her Polish family sure could make magic with very few ingredients. In fact, the only ‘spices’ in her cabinet were salt, pepper and garlic powder, and yet she was quite a good cook. I miss my Nana and I’m glad I learned a few of her recipes, so this one’s for you, Nana Helen.

I’m going to share this recipe with you, and then go enjoy a nice big bowl of this myself – I hope you will too.

nana hellen potato soupWhat you need:

-6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed into roughly 1/4-inch squares
-1 large onion, diced
-1/2 – 3/4 cup flour
-4 tablespoons butter
-salt and pepper
-pot of water

What you do:

Dice the onion and start sautéeing it in the butter over medium heat in your soup pot. You want to go past caramelizing it and almost to black. This will give the soup a hearty flavour and an even colour as you don’t use a stock for the base.

Once the onion is deeply browned – just shy of burned – start sprinkling flour into the butter, like creating a roux. Keep mixing. A good roux isn’t hard to make, it’s close to equal parts of flour and fat, and at that sweet spot of the perfect balance it’s sort of like a paste. Just keep adding flour and blending into the butter/onion mixture until you think the oil cannot absorb one more bit of flour.

This roux/paste will burn quickly so don’t putz around with it too much. Have the water on hand and start adding it by the cup, stirring constantly. You want the water and the roux to blend well. You can add a bit more flour at this point, and then keep stirring. I like to see it on the thick side.

While mixing in the water you’re also deglazing the bottom of the soup pot from all of that lovely fried onion residue. That’s the flavour!

Once the roux is fully liquified, fill the pot with the diced potatoes, throw in about 2-3 tablespoons of salt and some pepper, to taste. The starch from the potatoes will also help to thicken the soup.

Now let the soup simmer. It can be served as soon as the potatoes are nice and soft – or leave it on your stove to boil down and become even more flavourful within the next day or two.

It’s a bit thick and can get a bit dark, depending on the darkness of the sautéed onion. If you boil too much water off, just top up the pot with more and let boil.

MMMMMMM

Raising my son in a small town

Posted on by Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .
dad and carter at lake

I was born and raised in the city. In fact there are times when I still refer to myself as a city-diot.  Many friends and family would still agree with this statement too – so what if I would prefer to swim in a pool rather than a lake? Seeing the bottom of where anyone is swimming does seem incredibly logical if you ask me.

dad and carter at lake

Speaking of swimming, that’s one of the first things that I think of when it comes to raising my child. I didn’t learn how to swim until we moved up to Parry Sound. My mom enrolled me in swimming lessons, and shortly after I was cannon-balling my way through local lakes and Georgian Bay. I am pretty sure that my husband was swimming on his own by the time he could walk, so it was clear that our son needed to know how to swim at a very young age. Unfortunately Parry Sound does not have a decent pool. (We did take lessons last year but the temperature of the pool was never above 65 degrees so the experience was overshadowed by my son’s blue lips.) So unless you’re up for the 75 minute trek to Bracebridge, swimming in the off season is not an option.

Times like this always make me think about raising our son in a small town. Of course I can only reference how I was raised (in Toronto). And Ian can only reference his small town upbringing (Parry Sound). Although I feel like this would be a suitable time for a PROs and CONs chart, I have streamlined my list for reader benefit.

Krista and carter

Support 

Our small town has a ton of support. My doctor’s office always fits me in. In fact, they have a baby nurse that’s a phone call away for those quick questions like “I am ready to give my kid peanut butter. Now what?!”.

The support from the local agencies such as Hands and Social Services is huge! The Early Year programs that run throughout our community are amazing. Whether you want to get out of the house and learn about foods to introduce to your baby, or have craft time with other young children, or just have a place to meet for tea in the first few weeks after giving birth, the support is there. (More on the actual birthing experience in a small town some other time.)

As a community, the support is nothing short of amazing. The way we band together when someone’s child is born with a heart disease, or stand by a family after a tragic death – in general, a small town is there to support you in ways that a large city can’t.

Comfort

To some it may seem like a small thing, but I love knowing that when my son is old enough to ride his bike to the corner store, that he can. And unsupervised. And he will return safe and sound. There is a comfort in a small town that just makes you feel okay that your child is out there on his own.

Easy commute/great pace

I am done work at 2pm. I pick up my son at 2:07 and we are home by 2:20 many days. And he’s still in (and out) of a car seat. I love that by 2:30 we are “doing” something! There are lots of options for afternoon and evening activities – music class, hockey, long walks to the park, swimming, etc. They’re all at very reasonable times which still allows us to eat dinner as a family, etc.

Culture and diversity

This is an area that we often lack in, however, the city is only just over 2 hours away. It’s a reasonable weekend family trip even if it means getting a hotel room so you’re not spending half of the day in the car with your little one.

And although shopping should likely have a category on its own, it is another area that we are lacking in a small town. Luckily in this day and age, we are able to order just about anything within seconds on our smart phones so although we miss the hustle and bustle of a shopping mall, we can still obtain everything that the city folk can!

dad and carter in lake

Parry Sound does all seasons well – especially summer. If you haven’t had the chance to experience the little town that I call home, I hope that you can find the time to do so. Small town life isn’t perfect. But neither is city life. But if you’re wondering about the choice between a big city, or a small town, I would encourage you to give a small town a good look. And believe me, a few years ago I could only imagine raising my child in the city. Now, I can’t imagine it any other way. I’d like to think that we have the best of both worlds with Toronto being a short drive away.

 

Krista HolmsKrista Holmes, KH Mgmt, became a mother in the summer of 2014. She works behind-the-scenes in the Canadian music industry, designs several social media campaigns and manages special events. Her love for motherhood & music can be found on her blog, mommylovesmusic.wordpress.com.

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