Tag: Parenting

Getting Your Child Ready (Emotionally & Practically) for Back-to-School: A Parent’s Guide

The Ashley RhapsodyLeave a comment

As the summer sun begins to set and the school bells start to chime, parents find themselves in the midst of back-to-school preparations once again. With a wealth of experience in the world of education, having worked as an Education Assistant for six years and working in ministry with children across the world for nearly two decades, I understand the importance of not just the academic aspect but also the emotional readiness for the upcoming school year. This blog aims to provide you with valuable insights and tips to ensure that your child not only excels academically but also embarks on this journey with emotional resilience and enthusiasm.

1. Establish a Pre-School Routine

One of the most effective ways to help your child prepare for the transition back to school is by gradually reintroducing routines into their daily life. During the summer break, schedules often become more relaxed, and bedtimes might shift. Start implementing a consistent routine a couple of weeks before school begins. Gradually adjust bedtimes, meal schedules, and other daily activities to align with the school routine. This will help your child’s body and mind adapt smoothly to the changes and reduce the shock of suddenly having to wake up early for school.

2. Connect with Teachers and School Staff

Building a positive relationship between your child and their teachers is crucial for their emotional well-being in the classroom. Before the school year starts, reach out to your child’s teachers to discuss any specific needs or concerns your child might have. This could include information about learning styles, social preferences, or any challenges they faced in the previous school year. When teachers are aware of your child’s unique needs, they can provide appropriate support and create a more inclusive classroom environment.

3. Engage in Conversations

Encourage open conversations with your child about their feelings regarding the upcoming school year. Ask them about their expectations, hopes, and any worries they might have. Listen attentively and validate their emotions. Reassure them that it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness before starting school. Sharing your own positive experiences from your school days can help ease their worries and make them feel more connected to you.

Back-to-School Shopping with Metropolis at Metrotown: Where Style Meets Community Support

Back-to-school shopping isn’t just about finding the latest trends and supplies; it’s also an opportunity to give back to the community while preparing for the academic year ahead. Metropolis at Metrotown, BC’s largest shopping centre, has brought together shopping convenience and community support in a unique and inspiring way.

From now until September 4, Metropolis at Metrotown is hosting the “Spend & Get” shopping incentive. When you spend $275 on back-to-school essentials, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate to Metropolis at Metrotown and a free lunch box. Even more heartwarming, for every “Spend & Get” redemption, $2 will be donated to Coats for Kids, a charitable program by the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown. This initiative not only helps you prepare for the school year but also contributes to a worthy cause.

Visitors to Metropolis at Metrotown also have a chance to win big! Until September 4, you can enter to win a $500 gift certificate by scanning the contest QR code located at the captivating back-to-school art exhibit. This exhibit, displayed in the Grand Court, features Instagram-worthy sculptures made from colorful back-to-school materials. It’s not just shopping; it’s an artistic experience that resonates with the essence of the back-to-school season.

The back-to-school excitement at Metropolis at Metrotown runs through September 10, 2023. With its vast array of over 330 stores, convenient Skytrain access, and free parking, the shopping centre provides everything you need for a successful back-to-school shopping spree. Plan your visit to explore the variety of stores, enjoy the art exhibit, and make your contribution to the community through your shopping.

As the new school year approaches, take the time to prepare your child emotionally for the journey ahead. Combine this with a memorable back-to-school shopping experience at Metropolis at Metrotown, where style meets community support. Together, let’s make this transition a positive and inspiring one for both you and your child.

To learn more about the back-to-school shopping experience and events at Metropolis at Metrotown, please visit www.metropolisatmetrotown.com

How to Play with Your Toddler (Even When You’d Rather Be Watching Bluey)!

The Ashley RhapsodyLeave a comment

Hey there fellow moms! As much as we love our little ones, there are times when the thought of playing with them just seems like a Herculean task. Maybe it’s because we’re tired or stressed or just plain bored. Whatever the reason, the truth is that playing with our toddlers is important for their development and our relationship with them. So, how do we engage in play when we absolutely do not feel like it? Let’s explore!

First of all, let’s acknowledge that it’s okay to not always feel like playing. We’re human, and sometimes we need a break. But if we want to be intentional about our parenting and build strong connections with our kids, we need to find ways to engage with them even when we’re not feeling it.

One way to do this is to let our kids take the lead in play. We may not be in the mood to play dolls or cars, but if our child is excited about it, we can use their enthusiasm to fuel our own. Ask them questions about the game they’re playing or the characters they’re acting out. Get curious about their ideas and let their creativity spark your own.

Another trick is to set a timer for playtime. Commit to playing with your child for a set amount of time, say 15 or 30 minutes, and then give yourself permission to move on to something else. This can take the pressure off and help you stay present in the moment. Plus, your child will feel valued and loved by having your undivided attention for that short period of time.

If you’re really struggling to get into the play mindset, try incorporating elements that you enjoy. Maybe you love music, so you can sing and dance along with your child. Or perhaps you like to be outdoors, so you can play a game of tag or hide-and-seek in the backyard. Find ways to make playtime enjoyable for both you and your child.

Finally, let’s talk about the beloved TV show, Bluey. We all know that sometimes our kids want to watch a show or movie instead of playing, and that’s okay too. But what if we could make screen time a little more interactive? Bluey is a great show for this because it’s all about imaginative play and family relationships. Watch an episode with your child and then try acting out one of the scenes together. You might be surprised at how much fun you have!

So, there you have it! Playing with our toddlers may not always be our top choice, but it’s a crucial part of parenting. By letting our kids take the lead, setting a timer, incorporating our own interests, and even using TV shows like Bluey, we can make playtime more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone involved. Let’s show our little ones that we love them, even when we’re not feeling particularly playful.

Thanks for reading, and happy parenting!

If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother

The Ashley Rhapsody3 Comments

I thought becoming a mother would redeem “Mother’s Day” for me, but my feelings around it have not really changed. 

“Mother’s Day” is a rough one for me. 

I don’t see my mother anymore. I haven’t seen her since I was a few months pregnant. Our relationship began to deteriorate when my parent’s got divorced, got worse through my teenage years, and finally imploded in my thirties. 

I know my mother did her best. I know she loves me. I love her. I did not create these boundaries in our relationship because I don’t love her. 

I haven’t spoken about motherhood on this platform much. I’ve hesitated because anytime I’ve ever mentioned my own mother in the past, even in veiled references, it turned into a fight between her and I. 

You know that expression, “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all?” Well, I feel like, in my writing life, the expression is “if you can’t write about your mother, you can’t write about anything at all.” Not because every story is about her. Not because I have all of these terrible things to say, but because now that I have become a mother myself, I’ve discovered that mother’s are woven into everything. I can’t avoid writing about my mother, anymore than I can avoid being reminded of her. Mother’s, as a people group, shape all of us; even the absence of a mother. It is not merely “Mother’s Day” that rattles at the gates of our emotions, but it’s the everyday things that either remind us how utterly helpless we’d be without them, or how desperately we long for a mother-figure. 

It is for these reasons I haven’t written in over a year. I haven’t allowed myself to write about motherhood, in fear I would reveal my own mother-wound and further unravel pieces of myself.

But I am no longer just someone’s daughter, I am now a mother myself, and I want room to talk about my own motherhood. I want wide open spaces to express the beautiful, messy work of parenting without feeling like I’m betraying the system.

So, I give myself permission to acknowledge “mothers;” my own, myself, and all the spaces in between.