Parenting In KFL&A

11/19/2025

Listen, Respond and Connect with your child. What is something you and your child enjoy doing together? ~Rebecca, RN

11/18/2025

Let’s do a check-in!

As we find ourselves in the middle of November, with days growing shorter and cooler, and the holiday season just around the corner, it’s a good time to check in. How is everyone feeling?

Here are a few gentle reminders:

❤️ Be kind to yourself - Your kids don’t need a perfect parent, just a loving one.
❤️ You matter - Prioritize your health. Make sure to sleep well, stay hydrated, and eat nourishing foods. We can’t run on empty!
❤️ Take a break - It’s okay to step back and take a moment for yourself when things get overwhelming.
❤️ Reach out - If you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to lean on your support systems.

***

Faisons un bilan !

En ce milieu du mois de novembre, alors que les journées sont de plus en plus courtes et plus froides et que les fêtes de fin d'année approchent à grands pas, le moment est bien choisi pour faire un petit bilan de la santé de chacun. Comment se sent-on ?

Voici quelques rappels :

❤️ Soyez gentil avec vous-même - Vos enfants n'ont pas besoin d'un parent parfait, mais d'un parent aimant.
❤️ Vous êtes important - Donnez la priorité à votre santé. Veillez à bien dormir, à vous hydrater et à manger des aliments nourrissants. Nous ne pouvons pas fonctionner à vide !
❤️ Faites une pause - Il n'y a rien de mal à prendre du recul et à s'accorder un moment pour soi lorsque les choses deviennent étouffantes.
❤️ Tendez la main - Si vous vous sentez déprimé ou dépassé, n'hésitez pas à vous appuyer sur vos systèmes de soutien.

~ Émilie, RN/IA

11/17/2025

November 17 is World Prematurity Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about preterm birth and the unique health challenges premature babies face. Preterm birth occurs in approximately 10% of pregnancies, so recognizing the signs of preterm labour is essential to getting the specialized care mother and baby might need.

To learn more about preterm birth and how to recognize the signs, visit: https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/birth/special-considerations/preterm-labour/

11/14/2025

Making soup is a great way to use up veggies that have reached the end of their freshness. Instead of throwing them out, add them to a soup, like this Head to Toe Broccoli soup:

https://www.halfyourplate.ca/recipe/head-to-toe-broccoli-soup/?fbclid=IwAR3SAn_gA6RXOwRwiEt_9ivJtReVqlHrX1_4PC_r3fnRLSiiaKAmVKGA0gA

-Jess, RD

Head to Toe Broccoli Soup The best way to get the most out of your produce is to use it all up! This easy broccoli soup is delicious and makes use of all

11/14/2025

Cold weather = soup season! What is your favourite soup recipe? -Jess, RD.

11/13/2025

A taco bar can be a great family dinner because there is something for everyone – even dragons! (IYKYK)

Provide an assortment of toppings and allow little ones to choose which and how much goes onto their plate. For some ideas, check out this recipe --> https://mykidslickthebowl.com/taco-bar-ideas/
-Jess, RD.

I've pulled together more than 50 ideas for taco fillings for kids that are yum, use up left overs, are balanced, and are easy to pull together. Mix and match to build your own taco bar.

11/13/2025

Food themed books are a great way to expose children to many different foods.

Bonus‼️ because children love hearing the same books read again, and again (The Hungry Caterpillar is big in my house right now), the repetition is great pressure-free exposure for selective eaters.

Check out this Kids Eat in Color blog post for a list of food themed books --> https://kidseatincolor.com/kid-books-about-food/

-Jess, RD

11/12/2025

These black bean brownies are always a hit when we make them at our Food for You, Food for Two program. Give them a try at home! You and your family will be pleasantly surprised😋. https://ontariobeans.on.ca/recipe/black-bean-brownies/
~ Dawn, RD.

These Black Bean Brownies are a rich, fudgy treat that proves healthy can be indulgent! Made with black beans for a surprisingly moist texture, they’re packed with protein and fibre, while still delivering all the chocolatey goodness you crave. Perfect for a gluten-free dessert or a guilt-free sna...

11/12/2025

Notice a new caution identifier on some food labels? It means there is a caution statement on the back or side of a product. Many supplemented foods are not recommended if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or chestfeeding or for children under 14.

Always when shopping. Canada.ca/SupplementedFoods
~ Dawn, RD.

11/11/2025

How to talk to your young child about Remembrance Day?

Explaining Remembrance Day to a child in a way they can understand can be challenging. Here are a few tips:

🕊️ Focus on peace – explain how this day is to remind ourselves to be kind to one another and working toward a peaceful world.
🕊️ Connect to their everyday life – Help them relate by comparing it to things they already do, like saying thank you to a friend. This small act of appreciation captures the meaning behind the day.
🕊️ Help them learn what quiet means today – explain that the moment of silence is a way to show respect and remember those who helped make the world safer.
Keep in mind that staying silent, even for a minute can be a big ask for little ones, and it’s okay if they can’t tolerate it.

What else would you add to this?

***

Comment parler du jour du Souvenir à votre enfant ?

Expliquer le jour du Souvenir à un enfant d'une manière qu'il puisse comprendre peut être difficile. Voici quelques conseils :

🕊️ Mettez l'accent sur la paix : expliquez que cette journée a pour but de nous rappeler d'être gentils les uns envers les autres et de travailler à un monde de paix.
🕊️ Faites le lien avec leur vie quotidienne – Aidez-les à comprendre en comparant la Journée du Souvenir à des choses qu'ils font déjà, comme remercier un ami. Ce petit geste de reconnaissance reflète bien la signification de cette journée.
🕊️ Aidez-le à comprendre ce que signifie le silence aujourd'hui : expliquez-lui que le moment de silence est une façon de montrer son respect et de se souvenir de ceux qui ont contribué à rendre le monde plus sécuritaire.
Gardez en tête que rester silencieux, même pendant une minute, peut être difficile pour les tout-petits, et ce n'est pas grave s'ils n'y parviennent pas.

Qu'ajouteriez-vous ?

~ Émilie, RN/IA

11/10/2025

Respiratory season is here, and RSV can cause serious illness and hospitalization in babies. The RSV prevention program can help protect your baby. If you don’t have a health-care provider, you can book an appointment at a Public Health clinic.
https://southeastph.ca/health-topics/respiratory-season-vaccines/
~Rebecca RN