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10 questions with a casting director

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in 10 Questions With .

Every one wants to be a star! My little guy has asked me to be on TV and of course I really have to think about this one. My brother was a child actor and yes, at times it was exciting and glamorous, but, believe it or not it is a lot of hard work and a bigtime commitment. So many parents are curious about how to get their kids started in showbiz, we spoke to Julie J. Fitzsimmons, principle of Jules Casting, who some shed light on the audition process. We think you’ll find it enlightening!

1. Does a child need an agent before auditioning in front of a casting director?

Having an agent is a huge advantage, but there are other open call avenues that some Casting Directors use. For example, I have an online form where anyone can sign up to receive E-blasts for Jules Casting Open Call notifications signup.julescasting.com. I also make announcements using social media like twitter @JulesCasting

*NOTE* there are MANY scams out there so it’s extremely important to do your due diligence and research before you decide to submit your child to something. I can’t stress it enough. NEVER give money up front. That’s why it really is in your best interest to have an agent who can submit your child to all the castings in the city. They will be more familiar with who the industry professionals are.

2. What special talents or personality traits does a casting director look for when auditioning children?

I look for children who are confident, listen well and take our direction. Often kids are very confident but there are many that come into the casting room who get shy. It’s an intimidating experience but some children come in with absolutely no fear! It’s amazing to see!

3. Are there certain desired looks or trends these days in casting for TV/Films?

No, every casting is different so it would pertain to the specific job I’m working on.

4. Is a parent allowed in the room when a child is auditioning?

I can’t speak for other Casting Directors but I don’t allow parents in the room. Children often look to their parent for support or approval and most times it’s to the detriment of the child’s performance. I run a fun show, so the Jules Casting team will always make sure it’s an enjoyable experience for the kids.

5. Should a child dress the part when auditioning? For example, if you are casting for a period film, should a child dress appropriately?

This is another question that is specific to each Casting Director or even client. I like people to dress the role, so it adds to my visual of seeing them in the scene. This doesn’t mean they have to go purchase a costume/wardrobe for every audition. For example, if you’re auditioning for a role as an elf in a Christmas movie, wear red and green. If the part is for a private school student, perhaps dress in white shirt, grey or black bottoms similar to a uniform. Though I have heard that some Casting Directors do not like this, when we schedule auditions we’ll include wardrobe details in the prep notes so you would know ahead of time.

6. How important are good head shots to a casting director?

They’re important, but what’s more important is to keep them REAL. Do not jazz your child up in hair and make-up. It’s beneficial to have a couple of options, perhaps one casual and one dressed up. Also, children grow quickly so it’s important to get head shots updated.

7. What are some tips to help parents/children prepare for an audition?

Memorize the lines as best as they can, do some improvisation with them for the scene and just remind them it’s about being creative and having fun.

8. How long does an audition usually last?

Usually parents should be prepared to stay between 20 – 30 minutes at the Casting Studio. You’ll often be asked to fill in forms, then wait until it’s time for the child to come in the room. The audition itself could be 5-15 minutes, but it all depends on the project.

9. What can a child performer expect for a rate of pay for one day’s work?

Rates really vary from job to job, but I always tell actors in the beginning of their career to get out and volunteer for as many shoots (low budget/short films/school projects) as possible to gain more confidence and experience.

10. Any tips on how to wow a casting director or leave a lasting impression?

Be polite, do the best job you can and have fun!

About Jules Casting

Julie J. Fitzsimmons founder of Jules Casting has been working as an independent Casting Director in Toronto since 2004. Casting TV Hosts, Commercials, Reality Shows, Series, Feature Films, Live Events and voice with a long list of production clients. For over 10 years Jules has been casting and collaborating with many of the major networks including: MuchMusic, Comedy, E!, Oprah’s Network ‘OWN’, CTV, MTV, Slice, OLN, The Score, Sportnet, Rogers, CityTV, M3, Cosmo, Space, WNetwork, CMT, Bell Media, Discovery and TMN.

Jules is a Canadian Screen Award Member and has been invited to sit on the jury for the last four years. Her work has played an important role in over 30 award-winning promos, including multiple Promax Awards, a Gemini nomination for guest-hosting with Daily Planet, a Gemini Nomination, as well as a Gold Remi for On-Screen Talent and Television Series/Comedy for Ed’s Up.

www.julescasting.com

@JulesCasting

Fertility issues

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Sponsored Post, The Struggle is Real .

Growing up, most of us thought about having babies. We wondered whether we’d have a boy or a girl – or maybe even twins! We thought about how many we’d like and what it would be like to play house.

It was all very exciting.

Those childhood daydreams never involved wondering whether fertility would be an issue.

Fertility issues are difficult. For those that suffer through fertility issues, it’s painful and personal, and most don’t feel comfortable openly discussing it.

Because it’s not discussed, or even given much consideration until it becomes an issue, there is a lot of misinformation and a lot of myth surrounding fertility.

Fertility issues affect 16% of Canadians, that’s about 1 in 6 couples.

What do you really know about fertility issues? We teamed up with OvaScience who have recently launched the AUGMENT treatment in Canada to assist women who are struggling with fertility due to egg health to figure out fact from fiction and provide some insight into the subject.

Myth 1: Fertility issues usually stem from the woman

Actually… Fertility issues can lie with either partner. In men some of the factors that can lead to fertility issues are:

Varicoceles – an enlarged vein in the testicles that may affect sperm count and shape
Medical conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, infections, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy
Unhealthy lifestyle issues such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, use of anabolic steroids or other illegal drugs
Environmental toxins such as pesticides and lead

Myth 2: It’s just stress. When you stop trying, it will happen

Actually… Stress doesn’t cause infertility, but infertility will definitely cause a lot of stress.

Myth 3: There has to be a reason.

Actually… While there is a reason, sometimes science doesn’t have all of the answers. Both couples may be in perfect health and seem to be reproductively fit, yet there’s just no success. Unexplained fertility is the diagnosis for between 15 to 30% of couples who have undergone fertility investigation.

Myth 4: It’s easy for most women to get pregnant

Actually… Though it may seem like pregnancy is easy and immediate for most women, it’s actually not as easy as you think. Despite the fact that it might sometimes feel like you’re constantly hearing announcements of a surprise, or that someone got pregnant even though they were on birth control, it takes a very specific set of ideal circumstances to make the magic happen. The timing has to be just right – there are only a few days a month that a woman can conceive. The egg has to be healthy. The uterus has to be in balance. The ejaculate has to have quality sperm that reach the egg. Fertilization needs to occur. The cell division has to happen correctly. Implantation needs to be successful. And even then, there are numerous reasons why a pregnancy doesn’t succeed.

Myth 5: Young women don’t struggle with infertility

Actually… The rate of infertility for women between 40 to 44 is over 14.3% to 20.7%, but the infertility rate of 18 to 29 year old women is 7 to 13.7%. Infertility in women definitely has a correlation to age – fertility is at its peak in a woman’s early 20s. Eggs are healthiest, rate of miscarriage is lowest. Still, the odds of successfully getting pregnant within a cycle is about 33%. Fertility starts to decrease more quickly for a woman through her 30s. By 30, the odds of getting pregnant each cycle are about 20%. These odds decrease steadily by the years until early 40s, when the likelihood of infertility is much higher. 91% of women can get pregnant at age 30; 77% by age 35; 53% by age 40.

Myth 6: Infertile couples will never have children

Actually… Never say never. For some it may never happen, for others, circumstances may change. For many, the odds may be slim, but they’re just odds and it may just naturally happen. While fertility issues can occur because of a wide variety of factors, each case needs to be investigated because individual issues can vary so widely and even change over time.

With scientific development and a better understanding of reproductive health, new strategies for treatment may eventually help more couples experiencing fertility issues. OvaScience has recently introduced the AUGMENT treatment across Canada to help women who are struggling with their fertility due to poor egg health. While many factors contribute to egg health, having adequate levels of mitochondria, or energy inside of the egg is essential for healthy fertilization and embryo development. The AUGMENT treatment uses the energy-producing mitochondria from a patient’s own egg precursor cell, an immature egg cell found in the protective lining of her ovaries – to supplement the existing mitochondria in her egg.

If you are experiencing infertility, or just want to learn more about this new technology, you can visit http://www.augmenttreatment.com or talk to your doctor.

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10 questions with an adoptive parent

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in 10 Questions With .

For couples wanted to start a family or add to their existing family, adoption is definitely something to consider. Many celebrities such as Brad and Angelina Jolie have adopted children from different countries around the globe.

We had the pleasure of speaking with child therapist, author and adoptive parent Ce Eshelman about some of the benefits and challenges of adoption. Ce’s story is empowering and sheds light on the joys and blessings that parenting brings.

1. Why should couples consider adoption?

People adopt for many reasons, and adoption isn’t for everyone. It is, however, for singles and couples who feel they want to bring a child into their lives who needs everything they have to heal a hurt and hurting heart. Adopting a child gives parents a super-sized mission and purpose. It takes a lot to parent children. It takes more to heal deep emotional wounds while parenting children.

If you have passion, a secure emotional base, resources, and love like a mountain, sign up to adopt a child. Hurry, there are 400,000+ children waiting for you in foster care right now.

2. What is the biggest myth surrounding adoption?

I wouldn’t say there is one “biggest” myth. There are some pretty good ones afloat. Maybe one myth that can be a personal hurdle for people considering adoption is the notion that you have to be perfect to adopt a child. Not so. You can learn how to be a healing force in the life of a child who has lost biological parents and maybe even been harmed by those who promised to love them. Perfection is definitely not required. It does take more than love to heal, but ordinary people with ordinary lives are the best hope for the job.

3. How can couples benefit from adoption?

Let me answer that with another question: How can bringing a child into your life not be a benefit? Children bring energy, delight, purpose, hard work, joy, play, passion, and more meaning to a couple. If you are looking for that, adoption is a bonus investment.

4. What barriers might couples face while considering adoption?

Family members may not quite understand your passion for adoption. Why? Why? Why?, you will be asked. Get your narrative well established because you are going to tell that story over and over to well-meaning family and friends. It’s okay though; your coherent narrative will serve and sustain you during the tough parenting times.

5. What is the best age to adopt children or is there a better age?

Every age is the best age for an adopted child to come home to a loving family. There are adoptable children of every age waiting for you. The best age is the age you think you would really enjoy. Even older teens want to be a part of a family. The best age is up to your personal circumstances and desires. Adoption agencies are tremendous supports in determining what age is best for you. Don’t be afraid to be honest. If you cannot imagine parenting two children, the most darling of sibling pairs is not for you. If you have a large house and plenty of resources, go ahead and reach out for a set of 3 or 4 siblings that need to stick together. If baby’s rock your world, hold on; there are babies needing adoption, too.

6. If a couple adopts a child as a baby, should they tell the child that he/or she is adopted? Is there a good age to have the conversation with your child?

In my opinion children fare better when they know from the beginning that they are a gift of adoption. A coherent narrative about how you came to be where you are, how you are, and how you feel is essential for positive mental health later in life. If parents celebrate adoption day, as well as a birthday, children will delight in two whole days every year devoted just for shining on them.

As for best age to have the conversation, I think it begins with reading adoption books to your child when very young. It will be part of their awareness from the beginning of consciousness that some children come by stork, some by marriage, some by relatives, and some by adoption. Children will eventually ask you the age old question, Where do babies come from? Most wonder this around 3 or 4 years old. That is the perfect time to tell them their adoption story. Tell it beautiful, because it is.

7. How do you make an adoptive child comfortable with their new family?

You must be as safe as possible. Use therapeutic principles to parent—high structure, high nurture approaches. Frankly, parents need to put away traditional means of discipline and employ kinder, gentler styles because building a safe relationship with an adopted child is the first order of business–not disciplining poor behavior. Children need to be physically and emotionally safe before they can heal from their traumatic life experiences. Get support for learning a new way. You will be glad you started out on the right foot.

8. How do you deal with an adopted child who wants to seek out his/her birth parents?

First consider the circumstances that brought your child to you. If they were relatively abuse free and your attachment is strong, then supporting investigation can make sense in the teen years. Not all adoptive parents want to be found, so be sure to investigate first before involving your child. If the circumstances were abusive, I am in favor of waiting until the children are adults. Full disclosure: there are many divergent opinions about this. The level of attachment the child has to you needs to be considered before making promises that may not be followed through on. If your attachment is weak with your adoptive child, seeking out the birth parents is not wise, as it will likely cause even further distance in your attachment relationship.

9. Why is there still a stigma around adoption?

In general, many believe that you are gambling by bringing an unknown adoptive child into your life. Who knows what you will get? Frankly, bringing biological children into our lives is gambling, too. We never know what the child we bring into our lives is going to present. We just love and care for them the best we can. That is the nature of being a parent, adoptive or otherwise.

10. Why do you love being an adoptive parent?

I love my children. The fact that they are adopted has nothing to do with that. The journey to heal their broken hearts was a challenge for all of us. And, it turns out, we were all up for it. Now our dinner hours are full of stories, laughter, chatter, and true affection for one another. Nothing is better to my ears than that wild and zany family sound.

Ce Eshelman

Children’s therapist Ce Eshelman has decades of experience working with parents and their kids, including those who’ve experienced the added trauma of the foster care and adoption system. Founder and CEO of The Attach Place Center for Strengthening Relationships in Sacramento, CA, Ce has been in practice since 1987. She works every day with adopted children and their parents. Raising her two adopted children into adulthood has given her the insight, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to write with authority and love.

Her book for foster and adoptive parents, Drowning With My Hair on Fire, is a must-use resource tool for navigating the choppy waters of being an adoptive parent. Ce’s book is available via Amazon.

Tourist in my own city: Vancouver

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

I was born and raised in Coquitlam, British Columbia and for the last 15 years have been living downtown Vancouver. I absolutely love it!

Vancouver is one big awesome playground. Here are some of my favorite spots that are definitely worth a visit!

1.Stanley Park

Vancouver.ca

You most check it out – not only is it world renowned it is a must see for tourists.

There is so much to do whether you live in Vancouver or are visiting. Take a dip in the Second Beach Pool, check out the exotic fish in the Aquarium, let the kiddies splash around in the water park. You can bike or walk the sea wall and just take in the beautiful scenery.

Vancouver.ca

2. Science World

This place is perfect for kids and adults alike who like discovering and exploring. Science World is a “science centre” with hundreds of interactive exhibits. How cool is the architecture of this building?

vancouver-canada.ca

3. Playland at the PNE

This is the oldest amusement park in Canada and is located in Hastings Park. If you are a thrill-seeker, you must check out the newest ride The Beast. I may sit this one out and stick to the kiddie rides!

4. Maplewood Farms

kidsvancouver.com

Located about 20 minutes north of Vancouver, this is a great place for families. After you visit with the animals on the farm, you can enjoy a picnic in one of the Maplewood’s many covered areas.

5. Great Beaches

Vancouver is known for its fab beaches and there are so many to choose from – some of my favs are Spanish Banks, Kitsilano Beach and English Bay.

Kitsilano Beach – vancouver.ca

In fact, in addition to our beaches we have plenty of water parks and wading pools, I suggest visiting Vancouver.ca for more information.

6. Best Ice Cream Shops

bitesofvancouver.com

Yes I had to add ice cream to my list. Doesn’t everyone want to delight in a delicious treat? I highly recommend:

Earnest ice cream – there are two locations – one on Fraser Street and another on Quebec Street. In earnest, your tummy will thank you.
Rain or Shine – their delish ice cream is made with fresh, homemade and sustainable ingredients. They have awesome flavors like honey lavender.
La Casa Gelato – so many yummy flavors to choose from – this retro shop is located just east of Strathcona Park.

I love Vancouver – this is only a partial list of awesome things to do! When you venture outside of the city, there are even more great little gems to discover including Whistler. Enjoy and have fun!

Erica H. Wearing has been a stylist for over 16 years and she absolutely loves what she does . “It’s a great feeling to help people feel and look their best when they leave my chair. I wouldn’t trade this for any other job in the world!”
Check out Erica at Ka!Boom Hair Salon 1129 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C .
(604)681-6003

hairbyericaw

Teaching my kid how to ride a bike

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

I still remember the day my dad put me on the purple bike with the flowerprint banana seat, got me peddling and then let me go.

I still remember crashing into the fence, hitting the ground and looking at him, wailing “Why did you let gooooooooo??????!?!?!?”

But I got up, tried it again and the second time was a charm. I never looked back. That bike was my freedom, my chariot to roam the neighbourhood until the streetlights came on.

So I thought it would be easy – no problem at all – to teach my kids how to ride a bike.

Please, please, hold back your laughter, I now know how foolish that sounds. Never use the word easy when describing teaching a child how to ride a bike.

After countless, breathless efforts of me running down the sidewalk holding his seat, of trying to keep up with him and keep him from steering us both into a fence (No thanks, been there and done that!) I returned to the drawing board. I borrowed a friend’s “Balance Buddy“. It’s a handle that fits on the back, making it easier to control the kid’s bike.

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

So it’s been 2 years of trying to teach my son how to ride a bike. I think two years is long enough for me to admit defeat. I was, in fact, admitting defeat to a friend when she mentioned a local bike program that everyone swears by.

Forget the $29.99 for a Balance Buddy, the $35 it cost for the Learn-to-Ride program at Bike Works has proven to be the best money I ever spent.

[wpvideo itupO47y]

These pros are true bike enthusiasts. They see and understand your child’s movements and know how to adjust and motivate them – how to correct what they’re doing wrong, and how to improve on what they’re doing right.

It was a HUGE improvement over me running alongside of my son, panting and yelling.

I learned three things from these lessons:

A) A balance bike – They took the pedals off of the kids’ bikes and had them do a number of exercises just pushing themselves around by foot. It got them balancing and coasting. It gave them confidence.

B) A tune up – We’d bought what we thought was a good bike from a good bike shop, but it had some issues and those issues were making it hard to learn. We didn’t realize it, and the shop was careless in their tuning. A good bike mechanic is key. The Bike Works team noticed the issues – which were half the battle.

C) Confidence. The balance bike taught the balance part, and putting the peddling part together with balance was easier. Especially with the praise of strangers.

I think my son had, by year two, resolved to the fact that he was never going to get it, and no matter how much running up and down the street I did with him, it was never going to work out. But having someone who *loves* cycling and worked one-on-one with him was more motivating and worked better with his needs.

At first I was a bit bummed that I had failed. I couldn’t teach him. Then I realized, he’s riding. I’m not yelling, running or panting. So what if I didn’t teach him, I found the right teacher for him.

I’m calling it a parenting win!

A Tourist In My Own City: Parry Sound, Ontario

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

When I was asked to write about things that you can do with your child in the north, I got excited! And strangely enough, researching things to do this summer (as I am working part time during the summer) was already on my list.

I am that person that has a list for pretty much everything. Having loose plans/places to go on the days I am not working is something that helps me plan. So, I pulled out the recent Fun in the Sun magazine, questioned some of my friends with children that are a few years older, and I started the 2016 summer to do list!

I was quickly able to compile a list of 10 things to do in the Parry Sound area (aka “up north” or “cottage country” to many) for my son and me. Please note – these are in no particular order…they’re all appealing pending on the day, weather, finances, time of day, if we have company, etc.

1. GET OUTDOORS

I know that this is a tag line used by several businesses in Parry Sound and I think it’s a brilliant “line”. Sure, my list is based on summer activities, but we really are one of the nicest places to not only live, but play/spend time outdoors. Although most need no details, here they are:

Swimming

We have some of the most amazing lakes, and of course Georgian Bay. We have beautiful sandy beaches, and many beaches that offer lifeguards and swimming lessons.

Fishing

As mentioned above that we have a lot of bodies of water, we also have a wide variety of opportunities for fishing. From land. A dock. A boat. A canoe. An island. Just fishing. My husband took Tyson out for his first boat ride where he caught his first fish last month.

Boating

Continuing on with lakes and bays, get out on the water in a boat. Or canoe. Or kayak. Or sailboat. Sail Parry Sound is on the shore of Georgian Bay, and you can see it when walking on the Fitness Trail. Or whatever method of boat you can get your hands on. There are SO many bodies of water to explore and enjoy. And if you don’t own one, you can rent one!

Golf

For the older child (as our mini golf is no longer an option), there are several beautiful golf courses in the area. (Too many to list!)

Other outdoor fun – Plane & ATV

Georgian Bay Airways and BearClaw Tours would be great for those who have an older child, and a bit more $ to spend when it comes to an activity. Both offer a unique “Northern” experience!

2. Playground

Although it seems basic, there are quite a few nice playgrounds for the kids. Of course many are close to some of the beaches that we are going to visit, and others that are at a school or municipal building that offer some great free outdoor time.

3, Tower Hill, Museum and Gardens

The TOWER on Tower Hill has been a well known/visited spot in Parry Sound for years; it’s a tower that looks out over the town of Parry Sound. It also is the home to the Museum on Tower Hill, that showcase beautiful gardens. It’s a great place to take any visitor in Parry Sound to. The museum has great exhibits throughout the summer.

4. Farmer’s Markets

In addition to the market’s listed in the Fun in the Sun magazine, there are a few other regular Farmer’s Markets.

Tuesday’s – at the library

Friday’s – Rosseau

Carling – Saturday’s

McKellar – Saturday’s

5. Rainy Day Activities (or not rainy days….just wanted to group them together or my list would be more than 10!)

Bowling

Georgian Lanes offers several options, as well as birthday parties. It’s an affordable way to spend some time inside.

Library

The Town’s library has some great programs (that run all year long). There’s lots more than just going to read a book – there are crafts, reading tale sessions, learning sessions, reading club and a kids zone to name a few!

Skating

If up for the short drive, one could drive to the Humphrey Arena for some summer skating!

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame

Speaking of skating, our town is “on the map” due to Parry Sound hockey legend Bobby Orr. I worked at the Hall of Fame for 10 years, and can attest that a rainy day in the summer is BUSY! (If you’re a hockey lover, you might want to visit on a super hot day where you can enjoy hours of games, artifacts and memorabilia of the greatest hockey player.)

6. Music

For those that follow my personal blog Mommy Loves Music you’ll know that music is a big part of my life. And in Parry Sound, there’s usually some sort of musical event; be it a free outdoor concert series, music cruise on the Bay, a full fledge concert at the Stockey Centre or one of the weekly artist’s at The Brunswick. (And I couldn’t resist the plug for my friend’s putting on this show….Dolly Parton is coming to the PS area!)

7. Sports

Obviously I will include swimming and fishing again, but there are some other great options!

Baseball – there’s a great little league program.

Soccer – another great program.

Biking – so many great places to do so…especially the Fitness Trail, or the Rugged Trail. Or take note of the BOHF Triathlon (there’s a category for kids), or come and watch the Pedaling for Parkinson’s race. And there’s a great local bike shop (http://parrysoundbikes.com)!

8. Santa’s Village

This attraction is in Bracebridge (about an hour away from Parry Sound) and although I haven’t been there, I have heard nothing but great things from family and friends. We will attend this summer! (And if you register ahead of time, they’ll email you coupons and discounts so you can plan your visit and save a bit.)

9. Camping

I know that I have mentioned boating, fishing and swimming already, but these are an integral part of the camping experience. Although my camping days (both past and present) are limited, I do know how important the camping experience is. There’s really nothing better than pitching a tent, cooking over open fire (of course more than fish and hotdogs. ’Smores is mandatory at my campfires) and singing tunes.

10. Do nothing

Just breathe. Sit outside and smell that darn fresh air. Take a walk. Smell the flowers. Just chill out (ok, maybe bring a camera and book)…but honestly, life is so busy 95% of the time, I think that just taking time to do nothing is an essential part of enjoying summer in the Parry Sound area.

Obviously I have kept to the Parry Sound—Muskoka area for my 10 things to do. I hope that if you find time to come to the Parry Sound area, that one of these 10+ things to do will result in a great experience for you and your child!

Summer vs. Winter Cruising for Families

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

Summer is a great time for getaways as well as for researching and booking winter travel. We enjoyed speaking with cruise & travel expert Cynthia Joaquin so much that we decided to do a follow-up interview to discuss the differences between summer and winter cruising.

Courtesy of Royal Carribean

1.How is cruising in the summer months different than cruising in winter months?

It really depends on where you want to go. Certain destinations, such as Alaska or Canada/New England are only available in the summer time. On the other hand, Caribbean cruises are available year round. Also, whenever children are out of school, prices always go up and crowds get bigger.

2. What type of destinations do you recommend for summer cruising?

Some great options to keep in mind for the summer, if you are trying to keep costs down would be to cruise out of New York or New Jersey. You can drive to the port and park there for a small parking fee instead of paying for flights. Royal Caribbean’s brand new Anthem of the Seas is sailing out of New Jersey all summer this year.

3. What are your top destinations for cruising in winter months and what are the benefits?

In winter, I of course suggest warm destinations – Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas, etc. When the ships pull certain itineraries in the winter you have more options sailing to the hot areas. Crowds tend to be smaller and pricing lower.

4. How is cruising different according to season?

Services on board are the same. However, your cruise itineraries and shore excursions differ depending on the time of year/temperature.

5. Any booking/travelers tips for cruising?

Certain destinations will have concerns with weather in terms of hurricane season/rainy season, but that never seems to slow down vacationers on cruises. The cruise lines have great technology to monitor the weather and avoid storms and skip/replace ports of call if they feel safety may be a concern. When you look at a place such as Alaska that is not available year round, summer tends to be their rainiest season but most popular.

When travelling in winter, we will stress more than ever the importance of arriving at your embarkation city the day before, to avoid any stresses with snow and possible flight delays/cancellations. And above all else we always recommend travel insurance. You just never know what can happen and we always want to protect our clients and their vacation.

Cruising in general is an amazing experience whether summer or winter. The ships continue to get bigger and better and cruising is only getting more popular so I’m sure the best is still yet to come.

Cynthia Joaquin is a franchise owner/manager of Expedia CruiseShipCenters which is a global leader in the marketing and sales of cruise vacations. Expedia CruiseShipCenters also provides resort and other land
vacation options, including air, car, hotel and travel insurance. Allowing the company to serve all travel needs.

www.cruiseshipcenters.com/CynthiaJoaquin

ECSCWoodbridge

Battle of the baby boards

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

I don’t know how parents did it before the Internet, but baby boards and parenting groups online seem to be the way we all share information.

So why all the fighting????

I love cruising parenting boards. I think it’s my favourite distraction. I love offering info, tips, and sometimes learning something new. The personal experiences are so interesting.

By nature I’m just a research junkie, so parenting boards scratch that itch for me. Of course, I’ve read Dr. Sears and Dr. Newman and Dr. Seuss, so I’ve got my foundation of highly regarded advice, but I’ve also read far too much about the far too unusual so I’m a bit of a Cliff Claven when it comes to parenting advice.

But the thing I don’t get is all of the fighting.

The Fighting!

Why all the bashing and trolling and arguing?

I think part of the problem is that there is no font for sarcasm. If there were a sarcasm font I believe half of the world’s problems would be solved and parenting boards would be a much safer place.

I think people start to become friends, and then want to back their friends up. If only we realized that being right has nothing to do with liking someone.

I think people are misinformed and just generalize information, or worse yet, assume what the answer should be, instead of being able to admit when they just don’t know. Like not being informed is a sign of bad parenting.

I think people are too ego-driven to be right.

Why even ask the question on a parenting board? You’re sitting at a computer. You’re typing a question. If you type the question into Bing, Google, Yahoo or any other search you’ll get some pretty verified answers.

Why crowdsource?

Crowdsourcing information is the best way to connect. It’s not about nailing the most perfect answer, it’s finding something to chat about with other mommies. A way to start a conversation. It’s a way to commiserate about a subject or dig and dig until you find an answer among the pile that suits you.

Motherhood can be very isolating.

You spend 24/7 with the babes. Of course, if you work out of the home then you spend 8/5 at work and the rest with the babes. With little time to chat with friends – and that time is spent chatting about your babies anyways when it does happen – baby boards allow you to connect with like-minded people and have a communal experience without having to be in the same room, the same city or even the same country.

I get the difference of opinions – vaccines, circumcision, natural childbirth – but I’m not referring to these big bad battles. These are the biggies, and they’ll wage on through the generations. I’m talking about posts like: Is it safe to give my child cow’s milk at 12 months? Can I eat sushi while pregnant? Should I pump and dump if I have a glass of wine?

photo: MiguelPhotoBooth

There is a lot of misinformation, and a lot of changing information. Then there’s the fact that everyone has a different risk threshold. There are, though, women who give advice that is in no way correct. Just utterly unfounded. And this scares me.

First, if you’re crowdsourcing your question and you decide to rely on someone because you like their profile pic, or they once liked one of your posts, then you’re in deep trouble. And if it were only about the mama, well then go ahead. But if the info is going to harm a wee once, that’s crazy.

And you see these wars rage on and on. I steer clear. I don’t want to be part of mama wars. I don’t really get it. If you need someone to fight with, should it really be someone you don’t know behind a computer monitor who is in a group you sometimes snoop? Is there really a need?

Then there are the people crowdsourcing names. That always goes sideways. It should really be a rule that your child is the first person to hear the name you’ve picked out. Because inevitable, if you crowdsource enough people, you’ll get some nasty remark, and then you won’t be happy.

But the most incredulous crowdsourcing I’ve seen to date are the brag-sourcing mamas. “My little babe is 9 months and can’t tie her shoes yet. She can sing opera in three languages, bake perfect quiche and recite all of the state capitals, but her motor skills aren’t quite what they should be. Should I be worried or wait until she’s 10 months to see if it works out?”

Sheesh. I can see why those posts go off the rails.

While baby boards are really cool and great ways to connect, sometimes it just makes me wonder – parenting is time consuming. If you’re busy waging a mama war on a baby board, who’s watching your kids!!!!

Why I love live clean products

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Mommy Approved .

One of the first articles that I ever wrote for our blog was a product review for live clean shampoo and wash. I discovered the brand with my second child and instantly fell in love.

Recently, we were lucky enough to receive a care package of live clean products and I am over the moon. Our family has since tried and tested every single product and each is better than the next. There is something for everyone in the family.

Why I love Live Clean Products:

Plant and Natural Ingredients
SLS/Sulfate Free/DEA free
Paraben, Phthalate and Phosphate Free
Pure Vegan and Vegetarian
Cruelty Free Biodegradable Ingredients
Recyclable Packaging
Enriched with Certified Organic Botanical Extracts

Not only are the products hypoallergenic but they also smell great!

I give the following baby & kids products a thumbs up!

Live Clean Baby Soothing Vapour Bubble Bath & Wash

My LO loves his bath time and I love it even more because of the relaxing scent. This product is formulated with natural essential oils of Rosemary, Eucalyptus and Menthol, recognized and trusted for their soothing aromatherapy properties. I find bath time a calming experience for me too!

Live Clean Shea Cocoa Butter Baby Lotion

This is a fairly new product and like the rest of the Live Clean line of products that scent is just delectable. I often steal the baby lotion from my 4 year old and lather it on myself. Me and my boys have terribly dry skin – but this product really does leave a deep moisture and leaves our skin super soft.

Live Clean Kids Mixed Berry Body + Hair Wash

Certified Organic Strawberry, Blueberry and Raspberry extracts along with rich Apricot Oil give Live Clean Kids Mixed Berry Body + Hair Wash = the most delicious fragrance and the most delicious & clean 4 year old. It lathers beautifully and leaves my son’s skin and hair perfectly clean, soft and hydrated. And the easy-grip bottle is perfect for smaller hands. My son can pour the wash onto his little face cloth and wash himself.

Beyond baby and kids products, Live Clean also offers awesome products for moms & dads, for travel and even for your dog. I encourage you to try their products – I promise you that you will be pleased! There are over 100 products to choose from!

5 Communication tips to make sure you are heard

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Best You .

When you speak – you want people to listen (especially our partners and children). Although most people think that if you yell, you will be heard. It’s quite the opposite. I have put together 5 effective communication strategies to help you succeed in the art of conversation and ensure that your message is well-received and understood.

1.Stay Calm and Be Positive

Use your words to help you, not sabotage you. If you communicate with anger and negativity, no one will listen. If you’ve got your back up, you need to address it – before you start talking. Take a timeout so you can calm down and see clearly. Often, when you wait it out, your perceptions will change and you can reclaim your perspective. Calm tells the other person that you want to address the issue as a win-win situation.

2.Choose Your Words Carefully

Before you speak, consider the words you choose. Never begin a conversation on the attack. If you start a sentence with You, Why or What, you may come across as accusatory and your conversation will be interpreted as ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’. Try instead to start with “I” phrases that take ownership of your feelings such as, ‘I noticed that…, I appreciate it when you X, and when X happens, it…, I know it was with good intentions that…, , or, I love that you’….When you begin your sentences with feelings about the other person first, the other person is more likely to welcome being invited into the conversation and hear what you’re saying.

3. Watch Your Tone

Your tone sets the stage. The tone you take can make or break a conversation regardless of the words you use. Even the nicest of intentions can sound hurtful or accusatory, if you choose the wrong tone. How do you keep your tone on track? Keep calm and positive, but don’t forget to also be kind and firm. You can talk all you want, but if your tone is sending a different message, nothing you say will help you.

4. Consider Your Body Language

What is your body saying about your intent? If you want to be heard, not only do you have to watch what you say, but you also have to be mindful of what your body is saying as as well. Direct eye contact is key. Holding your phone, a pen, a food item? You won’t be taken seriously if you’re trying to convey a message while multitasking. Focus on one thing. If you want respect and validation, you also have to give it.

Get on-level too.

That means, if the other person is standing, you stand. If they’re sitting, you sit. Your goal is not only to create rapport and buy-in so your party listens, but also demonstrate that you are equals in the conversation.

Conversing with your children? Get down to their level. You don’t want to be over-bearing, a bully, or be a parent who imparts a dictatorship style of parenting. Fill their power buckets. Empower your children. That is, after all, your job.

5. Be Thankful

Giving thanks is an important step that many people forget. Let the other person know you appreciate them for not only taking the time to listen, but for hearing you and taking part in the conversation. Gratitude sets up a positive platform not just for the relationship and your expectations, but also for the next time you need to get something off your chest. All relationships hit bumps in the road and require continual communication to overcome barriers.

When you feel thankful, you allow the other person to feel thankful too, and that’s good insurance for the next time you need to have a conversation or chat with your child, or anyone for that matter.

Final thoughts: Listening and hearing are two different things. Hearing someone speak is not the same as listening to what they’re saying. Listen. Be an active participant. Lead by example.

Happy Communicating!

In practice for over 12 years, Lauren Millman is a highly sought-after Toronto Marriage & Relationship Coach and Counsellor, Mental Health Practitioner and Parenting Specialist, and is a member of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation. Lauren is a regular guest contributor on TV’s Rogers Daytime! York Region, and The Mediation Station. She has also been a guest on SiriusXM Radio Canada. Lauren is an international best- selling author, writes regularly for several online publications including Brazenwoman, PinkandBlue North America, and SiriusXM Canada, and was recently featured in the Toronto Star. Lauren continuously gives back to the community. In 2014, Lauren was the Recipient of the International Women In Leadership Award.

Managing your fro and frizz in the humidity

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in The Best You .

We all have those horrible hair days where humidity gets the best of us.

My hair turns into a huge frizzy mushroom head.

(Urban Mommy Elisa and Suburban Mommy Michelle chime in here to add a resounding ditto! Huge fro and frizz all around!)

Real Sexy Hey 😂😂😂😉

As a professional stylist I am always interested in finding new products that help hair perform its best. I’ve come across some great new products that we started to carry In our salon @kaboomhairsalon called evo

I’m loving our new line!

I thought I would share a few of my favourites to battle those frizzy, big hair kind of days. I also have a couple of hair styling tips that should help you out on those hot summer days 😎

The Great Hydrator Moisture Mask – Conditions, adds moisture, reduces frizz while greatly improving hair manageability

Happy Campers – Leave in moisturizer. Restores moisture and protects from the sun

Easy Tiger Straightening Balm – Tames curls and those fly always with weighted conditioning

Icon Welder – Helps protect hair form hot tools and humidity

Love Touch Shine Spray – Helps protect from humidity and fight frizz

The Therapist – Calming shampoo and conditioner. Prevents fading colour, hydrates and moisturizes dry frizzy hair

evo products

And here are a few of the most popular looks for this summer. Taming the mane has never been easier than with these styles, even in the humidity:

Braids braids braids. Love this look. Not only is it a great way to keep your out of control mane tucked away from the face it also is a softer pretty style that’s one of the hottest hair trends for summer 2016

Another hot hair trend that goes great with your bikini poolside, or perfect for a sexy date night is the tight and slicked back. It’s hot, clean and perfectly under control.😍👌🏻

Remember ladies, always treat your hair like you treat your skin. With lots of moisture and love. ❤️

hairbyericaw

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