Parents Canada

In our ParentsCanada series finale, hosts Katie Dupuis and Jason Thomson reflect back on the experts they've chatted with and what they've learned along the way as parents and co-hosts. Everything from modelling behaviour, to showing weakness, to listening and connecting more, to why failure is important. And despite how much you prepare, the universe may very well laugh at your plans! Thanks for being along for the ride.

In recognition of Black History Month, we talk to Che Marville about how parents can discuss racism, diversity and inclusion with their kids. Che was the first social science researcher at the Ontario Science Centre and is now a writer, coach, and a mom. She discusses why it's important to have ongoing conversations with our kids about race and how Canadians can celebrate Black History Month in a positive and nourishing way.

As parents, February 14 becomes more about Paw Patrol Valentine cards and chocolate kisses than it does love and romance. If you're looking to rekindle the connection you once had pre-kids, don't miss our conversation with Kat Kova. She's a Registered Psychotherapist who specializes in sex and couples therapy. Kat talks to us about how COVID is affecting our connections with each other, how to rekindle that spark, and why love is an action.

Blending a family can often feel like a high wire act. So, when two (families) become one, how do you meet the needs of different family members, while creating an environment of love and unity? Alicia Robertson, a coach at Lemonade Life, talks to us about the importance of discussing values and goals, how to have effective communication and why you should bring the kids into the conversation when blending family life.

Finding time for ourselves can feel like as much of a dream as going to the bathroom without interruption. As parents, it's easy to push our own needs to the bottom of the list. We spoke to author and mom, Karma Brown, who found one hour a day in her taunt day to make her dreams of writing a novel a reality. She reveals how parents can still harness the latest research in time management and goal-setting between diaper changes and preparing dinner to focus on themselves.

"The new normal" ushered in by the pandemic has become, well, normal by now. COVID-19 has handed us so many challenges, including increased anxiety, excess stress and numerous emotional and mental health issues. Leisse Wilcox chatted to us about the importance of a positive mindset and how a shift in perspective can help you and your kids not just manage but thrive. Mindset coach, mom of three, Leisse is also the author of To Call Myself Beloved: A Story of Hope, Healing, and Coming Home.

Between pandemic parenting, supervising online learning, and career, there's not much inspiration left for mealtimes. This week we sat down with the author of Dinner, Uncomplicated and former Chatelaine Food Director, Claire Tansey. She's on a mission to make family mealtimes fun and delicious—and we're all ears! Listen for Claire's tips on taking the stress out of meal prep and making dinner the highlight of your day.

Who says boys run things on the ice, the court, and in the net? Sarah Nurse, a professional hockey player on the Canadian women's national ice hockey team, sat down with our hosts to talk about her experience and leveling the playing field.

Christmas 2020 will be a memorable one. Virtual is king this year, but you can still make it special. We closed out the year by unpacking different ways to make the holiday bright.

We worry about our kids' health and how we can do our best for them, but in order to do that, we need to take care of ourselves. This week our hosts talk with Coach Franz about parental health, men's health, workout tips and more.

The term body positivity gets tossed around a lot. But there's a difference between accepting your body and being proud of it. We sat down with Jenn Green, a self proclaimed 'superhero, but for moms who want to get fit (again) in realistic, actionable ways,' to chat about loving your new bodies and nutrition.

Giving back is important, so is teaching your kids young. Giving can be monetary, your time or your skills. We chatted with Janice Biehn about gifts that give back, giving at home and abroad, how to spot credible charity initiatives and ways to intro your family into holding others in their hearts.

Our kids spend a lot of time glued to their screens. According to non-profit Common Sense Media, children aged 8 to 12 spend an average of five hours a day on screens, not including school—and that was before the pandemic. Since lockdown in March, screen time has skyrocketed. This week we chatted with Jess Haines about screen time and the new CBC's The Nature Of Things doc Kids Vs. Screens.

To mark Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day), MJ DeCoteau of Rethink Breast Cancer and Michelle Audoin, a Black woman diagnosed with breast cancer discuss the emotional and physical scars of breast cancer, and how they relate to Black bodies.

COVID-19 has forced everyone to make long-term changes to the way they socialize. Kids and parents might be feeling it the most with the constant togetherness and lack of extracurricular. This episode we chatted with Tania DaSilva, a child, youth and family therapist, about how to help kids and families when it comes to the state of their mental health as a fallout of the pandemic and staying apart.

Every baby is different and milestones for each babe can come at a varying pace. Still, worrying is part of being a parent, we get it. That's why we tapped Kaili Ets, an occupational therapist, to give some tips on how to stop worrying and comparing when it comes to your baby's development.

It's a lot to process: A global pandemic, a totally new normal and so many channels of learning. It's hard for adults to adjust, kids aren't excluded. We chatted with a recreational therapist on how to support your child's mental health.

Being prepared is imperative whether your child is learning online or in-school. Here's how to help kids put their best foot forward in either situations.

If you're the parent of a teen, you know the challenges that stem from helping them on the right course. Throw in a global pandemic and the waters get even choppier. To help ease (and diffuse) some situations surrounding teens and COVID-19, our hosts chatted with parenting expert Alyson Schafer.

The pandemic is hurting mom's and their roles in the workforce. Many are faced with choosing to stay home with the kids over their careers. This episode we talk about the disproportionate amount of work that often falls on moms during the pandemic, plus the stress that follows. Our hosts and guest also chat about ways moms can get some balance and learn to lean more on their partners.

This week our hosts chatted with a dietician from Canada Beef about ways to get more iron into the whole fam and unpacked the new Food Guide recommendations.

Sending kids back to school vs keeping them home during the, you know, global pandemic is ~such~ a tough call. And no matter which side you choose, know that you're making the best decision for you. This week we debated the "to send or not to send" topic with Stevie Baker, a distance-learning mom, and Heather Birrell, a teacher.

The goal during a pandemic is survival. It's hard enough to navigate your own feelings of fear and uncertainty, let alone being there for your kids and partner. Relationship coach Barbara Santen weighs in on how to fill both roles while navigating the choppy pandemic waters.

It's no surprise that pet adoption is up during the pandemic. With families at home, having a new furry friend in the house sounds ideal. Our hosts chatted with Jen McCain from Dogtopia, a leading international dog daycare and spa franchise, so you don't bite off more than you can chew.

Where has the summer gone? Seriously. A lot is still up in the air, but distance learning is likely to factor in, in ways to be determined, when the kids return to school. It's a daunting thought, but we chatted with experts Sunny Verma and Jim Judgey of TutorBright for some tips and tricks.

It can be tough to be motivated. You're bogged down with raising kids, work and other commitments. We chatted with business coach Cecile Washington for ideas to help you reignite the motivation in you.

We measure how kids do in school, but what about their physical activity? There's a measuring stick for that, too. Make the grade with these movement and activity tips from Dr. Leigh Vanderloo, exercise scientist at ParticipACTION.

Regression is a normal response to what is happening in the world, it doesn't mean you are failing as a parent. Our hosts chat with Tania DaSilva, a child, youth and family therapist, on the best way to comfort our kids during these times.