Autism on the Hill - April 2

Did you know that 1 in 88 children have autism? And if you're looking at stats for boys (it is more common for boys to be diagnosed with autism than girls), the number jumps to 1 in 54. This statistics are from the U.S., but are often quoted her in Canada because the prevalence of autism isn't being monitored here. These stats are from 2012, so speculation is that these numbers have likely increased. Province to province there are vast differences in the amount and type of support that parents receive. If you start to look at what's going on, it can make your head spin. This is why it's important for government leaders to be aware of what families are facing - both on the federal and provincial levels.

Autism on the Hill is a peaceful event designed to raise awareness about autism. On April 2, families and friends of children and adults who are affected by autism will gather at Parliament Hill for the second year in a row. This event is being coordinated by Suzanne Jacobson of QuickStart - Early Intervention for Autism (a fantastic organization you'll want to connect with if you have a young child on the spectrum).

Before I ever had kids, I knew there was a chance I'd have a child with ASD because I have three families members who are all on the spectrum. Autism has brought a lot of unexpected challenges into our life, but I wouldn't wish it away for even a minute. My son wouldn't be the person he is if he didn't have autism and I adore my sweet little boy.

More and more children are having special needs identified - from developmental disorders (like autism) to food allergies and intolerances. The more we raise awareness of the diversity of needs to be met amongst our young children, the easier it will be for them to find support and understanding within the community as they grow into adulthood.

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Karen Wilson is a mom to Brandon, wife to Matt and business owner trying to juggle all three while laughing through each day at the antics of her husband and son. So, it's understandable when she drops a ball here and there. Right?

5 Stars for Starr Gymnastics!

Welcome to Starr Gymnastics, our featured sponsor this month!

Our daughter was delighted to check out Starr Gymnastics (Orleans location) this past week. We've been living in Orleans for three years now, and have definitely been missing out on this local gem!

With a bright and large open space for plenty of exercise, Starr has it all - a climbing wall, a swinging rope, several mini-trampolines, and balance beams and bars. There is also a nice quiet room in the back, intended for use by parents with really young children, and a raised area where there are four large round trampolines, and a foam pit for the children to dive into. There are also slides, balls, hoops, bean bags, and small play equipment spread throughout the space.

Starr offers regular instructional classes,March and Summer day camps, and private birthday parties. We checked out one of the many drop-in play times. My husband was very impressed with the instructors, who he said were enthusiastic and very helpful. The highlight of the hour was the parachute, when the kiddies got to send a bucket full of balls flying up into the air. By the end of the drop-in, my daughter had already decided that instead of soccer this summer, she would rather do gymnastics camp!

We'll certainly be signing her up for a class. If you're looking for last minute March break activities, there are still spaces available in their half or full-day camps. For those who like to plan in advance, summer camps will be posted soon!

Have you visited one of the three Starr Gymnastics locations? What's your child's favourite activity?

Surviving Winter: February Fun

January felt like a looong month. It always does, but in particular, this winter has been brutally cold. Our dog is depressed, our girls have cabin fever, and we're drooling over vacation catalogues. Alas, no warm vacation for us this year, as we blew that budget in 2013. So 2014 will be a stay-cation kind of year, with a week of family camping thrown in for fun.

Camping in August is a long way off, though, so I'm trying to come up with ways to make February a Fantabulous Month! Here are some ideas we have for making it through until March:

1. Create an indoor "park" - we'll set up cushions to make slides, and our rocking chair will serve as a swing. We might get really brave and create an indoor sand box!

2. Make homemade pina coladas (virgin for the wee ones, but a splash of rum for the adults!), and decorate them with fun drink umbrellas. Play Bob Marley while drinking the coladas.

3. Build a quinzee! Find the courage to sleep in there overnight? (highly unlikely)

4. Take part in all things Winterlude, and eat a copious amount of Beaver Tails.

5. Indulge in a warm, comforting meal with my partner to celebrate Valentine's Day - we're thinking tacos at El Camino!

6. Pull out the seed catalogues, and make 2014 garden plans. Can't wait to try new vegetables we've never grown before, including potatoes, onions and strawberries.

7. Welcome family guests to come check out the Capital in full winter swing! Which means extra play partners for the girls, and a chance for hubby and I to  escape for #5.

8. Declare Family Day to be annual Stay-cation day. Acting like tourists in our own town, we will head out to see Parliament, take in one of our kid-friendly museums and catch a bite to eat.

9. Put some of my New Year's resolutions into effect, and participate in a Wellness Program. I'm excited to cut back on processed foods, and meet some of my fitness goals....which leads me to:

10. The Olympics! Not only will we take in some of the Olympics as couch potatoes, but I also plan to involve my girls in fitness goals, and create our own Family Olympics.

What are you going to do to make February a Fantabulous Month?

Programs for potential Power Rangers and more in the City of Ottawa Recreation Guide

By Wendy Given the number of Power Rangers shows in our Netflix instant queue and Star Wars light saber battles that rage through our family room, it comes as no surprise that my 7-year-old son’s career ambition is to become a Samurai.  While it seems a noble profession (assuming you have aspirations to be a Jedi Knight rather than a Dark Lord of the Sith), where does one get the hands on training to know if you’ve got what it takes?

Scanning through the on-line City of Ottawa Fall-Winter Recreation Guide in September, I was pleased to stumble upon a program for aspiring Samurai.  Shoshin Kendo - the “Way of the Sword” or Japanese fencing - is offered at the Plant Recreation Complex for girls and boys ages 7-16.  The cost for thirteen 2-hour classes is $125 (less than $5/hour), and the purchase of a Shinai (bamboo practise fighting sword) is approximately $35-40.  The somewhat intimidating - but very cool looking - Kendo bogu (fighting armour) is not required for the first year of training, which is great if your young padawan may not be committed to making a career move quite yet.

Kendo classes typically begin with demonstrations of respect to instructors and the do-jo (training hall), followed by warm-up exercises counted out in Japanese, and drills emphasizing foot and sword work.  Younger members practise strikes against bogu-clad teen/adult class mates or a mannequin, always accompanied by blood-curdling cries (great for the abdominal muscles, so I am told!).  Part way through training, less experienced members are separated from more highly-skilled practitioners to receive instruction on technique appropriate to their respective skill level; the adults and teens actually engage in full-fledged fencing battles!  Classes generally end with some good clean fun; playing dodge ball and other games that help develop speed and agility and that – as a bonus – leaves the aspiring Samurai perspiring and tuckered out.

In addition to providing a great outlet for energetic kids, there are many physical and mental benefits associated with practicing Kendo and martial arts in general.  Improved strength and balance; respect for self and others; increased mental focus and concentration; self-discipline and self-control; goal-setting; socialization with peers; and improved self-confidence are just some of the great benefits of martial arts training - and there are a range of programs in the Ottawa Recreation Guide to choose from.  Check out the Guide here  for brief descriptions of their martial arts programs, which include Aikido, Capoeira, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, and Taekwondo.

No would-be Ninjas in your household – no problem!  If martial arts are not your child’s passion, there are plenty of other City of Ottawa programs that span performing arts (dance, music, drama), creative arts (writing, drawing, crafts), a wide variety of team and independent sports, as well as certification programs and workshops on babysitting, being home alone and street-proofing, among others.

Registration for winter programs starting in January 2014 is ongoing.  Click the following link for details, including instructions on how to get your Family PIN and Client Codes required for registering here.  Note that costs cited in the Guide are typically for registration fees only, and additional costs may apply to purchase a uniform and/or equipment.

What City of Ottawa program(s) do your kids (or you) love?

Wendy is mom to Benjamin (age 7) and Evita (age 3).  She achieved the level of 2^nd Dan black belt in Taekwon-do before the birth of Evita, and hopes to get back into it…one day. 

Making New Year's Resolutions With Your Kids

I love the idea of making New Year’s Resolutions with my kids. I think it’s a great way to reflect on what they were proud of in the past 12 months and think about what goals they still want to work on for the next year. So this year, as you think about what you want to work on for the next year, try including your kids, no matter what age. Here are some tips to help your kids make valuable goals and work to attain them:

• Make sure the idea is their own
• Make sure it’s realistic
• Make sure it’s manageable
• Help them think of ways to make their resolutions work
• Help them refine it if necessary
• Help them deal with setbacks

New Year’s is the perfect time to connect with your kids and help them to see that life is about being introspective, taking a look at who we are and trying to change for the positive. Making resolutions and working towards them is a way to put that into motion, no matter what their age.

Do you make resolutions with your kids? What are your resolutions for this year?