Parenting

It can be challenging to balance the demands of work and parenting as you work to provide love and care, protection, safety, clothing, shelter, education, health, and nutrition. This site is meant to help parents, parents-to-be, and caregivers of children balance careers and parenting responsibilities.

Activities for Kids While at Home

Widespread closures of schools, community centers and public spaces due to the necessary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 have parents thinking about how to keep their children occupied, engaged and motivated during this time of physical distancing. Here are some creative ways to spend time with your children and as a family while at home.

Ways to spend time at home

  • Maintain structure as much as possible.
  • Involve your kids in planning activities.
  • Set boundaries around screen time.
  • Encourage physical activity.
  • Promote healthy and safe habits.
  • Play games and be imaginative.
  • Make art and be creative with things around the home.
  • Learn new things.
  • Experiment with cooking.
  • Connect with others.
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How does my back work?

Learn about how your back works and basic body mechanics and safe lifting procedures.

Rules for Safe Lifting

  • Be sure to use your powerful leg muscles and large hip and knee joints while lifting.
  • Tighten your abdominal muscles (to stabilize your spine and pelvis) and tuck your buttocks under; then bend your knees and lift
  • Keep the person or object you are lifting close to your body when lifting.
  • Avoid reaching over your head to lift. Lift only to shoulder level.
  • Place your feet firmly on the floor shoulder width apart (about 30 cm), creating a strong, wide base.
    Place one foot in the direction of the lift and then pivot both feet in this direction while moving.
  • Avoid twisting your back.
  • Grasp the person or object firmly using your full hand.
  • Lift in stages if necessary.
  • If the person or object slips, lower her/him/it gently to the floor while tightening your abdominal muscles and avoiding rotation.
  • Remember that planning, rhythm and timing are important in making a safe lift.
  • Stand upright and bend backwards gently five or six times after lifting.
  • Use mechanical lifting devices whenever possible.
  • Special considerations for when pregnant
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External Links

Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health

The Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health is the leading national foundation for women’s sexual and reproductive health. The CFWH is a registered charity.

You may find this site useful if you want:

  • To access health resources on women’s sexual and reproductive health
  • To access credible sexual health information for teens, adults, parents
  • Information on healthy pregnancy
  • To learn more about menopause
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About Kids Health

AboutKidsHealth is a health education website for children, youth and their caregivers. It is designed to empower families by making complex health information easy to understand.

Topics covered on this site include:

  • An alphabetical listing of health topics
  • An alphabetical listing of drug information
  • Access to learning hubs
  • Information on ages and stages, healthy living and prevention
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Canadian Mental Health Association

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), founded in 1918, is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada. As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness.

On this site you will find

  • Information about mental health and access to mental health assessment tools
  • Mental health programs for workplaces
  • Research and other information
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ParticipACTION

ParticipACTION is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to help Canadians sit less and move more. Originally established in 1971, ParticipACTION works with its partners, which include sport, physical activity, recreation organizations, government and corporate sponsors, to make physical activity a vital part of everyday life.

This site contains:

  • A Get Started program which  introduces all the info and tools you need to work toward your health and fitness goals
  • Other programs designed to help Canadians of all ages move their bodies more at work, school and play such as the Canada 150, Sneak it in a Week, RBC Lear to Play  and Make Room for Play
  • Research, featured articles and a blog
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Dietitians of Canada

Dietitians of Canada (DC) is the professional association whose purpose is to advance health through food and nutrition, They provide evidenced based food and nutrition information, support easier access to adequate safe and healthy food, promote best practices and advocate for access to dietitians. The site provides lots of great information from finding a dietitian to planning meals and eating while you are breastfeeding.

On the site you will find:

  • A database to search for a dietitian
  • Tools to assess your BMI, eating and recipes
  • Tools to help you plan meals, shop and cook, and
  • Nutrition information
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Caring for Kids

Caring for Kids provides parents with information about their child’s and teen’s health and well-being. Because the site is developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) you can be sure the information is reliable. The information should not be used as suitable for medical care and advice, if you have specific concerns about your child’s health, please see your child’s paediatrician, family physician or other health care provider.

Topics covered on this site include:

  • A pregnancy and babies
  • Healthy bodies
  • Keeping kids safe
  • Growing and learning
  • Illnesses and infections
  • Immunization
  • Behaviour and parenting
  • Teen Health
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Canadian Physical Activity and 24-Hour Movement guidelines

Just 2 in 10 Canadians meet the Canadian Physical Activity and 24-Hour Movement guidelines. This site shares important information to help you maximize the health benefits of physical activity.

This site contains:

  • Guidelines for Early Years age 0-4 - Infants, toddlers and preschoolers need to Move, Sleep and Sit the right amounts.
  • Guidelines for Children and Youth age 5-17 - Guidelines encourage kids to Sweat, Step, Sleep and Sit the right amounts each day.
  • Guidelines for Adults age 18-64 - Guidelines to help maximize the health benefits of physical activity for adults.
  • Guidelines for Older Adults age 65+ - Physical activity recommendations to maintain health and quality of life
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Drug Free Kids Canada

Drug Free Kids Canada is a Canadian, non-governmental, registered charity made up of volunteer parent partners from the private sector; representing major media, advertising, production, scientific, medical, research and corporate industries.  We all believe that educating and informing parents and kids can make an important difference in helping to reduce drug abuse and addiction.

On this site you will find:

  • A Cannabis Talk Kit Guide for Parents
  • Information about Prevention include tips and resources for parent, information sheets, checklists and other resources
  • Information about Treatment
  • Information about Recovery and Recovery
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Sex and U

SexandU.ca takes a real-life approach to the questions and issues around sex and sexuality that matter most to Canadians. From talking about sex, to lifestyle choices, to contraception awareness and sexually transmitted infections, SexandU.ca provides accurate, credible, and up-to-date information and education on topics related to sexual and reproductive health. SexandU.ca is an initiative of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, Canada’s leading authority on sexual and reproductive health.

On the site you will find information about:

  • Your body and sex
  • LGBTTQ+
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Contraception
  • Pregnancy
  • Consent
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Finding Childcare

This Government of Ontario website provides great information on finding childcare. 

On this site you will find

  • Information on, and benefits of, various child care options
  • Information about before and after school care
  • Key dates in the school year
  • How to get help paying for your childcare
  • How issue a complaint about a child care provider
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Work Life Balance Quiz

More than ever before, Canadians play many different roles in their lives. They are workers, parents, spouses, friends, caregivers of elderly relatives and volunteers in their communities. They must also make room in their lives for taking care of their own physical and mental well-being. Not surprisingly, achieving balance among all these competing priorities can be difficult.

But, as difficult as work/life balance is to define, most of us know when we’re out of balance. To find out more about your own personal balance:

  • Complete the Work-Life Balance Quiz
  • Tips and Resources to make your work-life balance better

Click on the link below.

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