All parents and caregivers of children under 6 years old deserve a medal for having coped with these months of lock down. Explaining to a young child why we are doing things so differently - in a way that they understand and without frightening them - is so important. Emotional well-being is as important as… Continue reading Parenting During a Pandemic
Author: Mary Tountas BScN, IBCLC
Hello and thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me. I take pleasure in working within the city of Toronto, Public Health division, Child Health specifically focusing on " The Early Years" 0-6 years of age of your child's health and development. I am a certified Community Health nurse, mother of 4 , grandmother of 2, lactation consultant, Lamaze childbirth educator and facilitator of various parenting programs.
There are less than 940 Saturdays between your child's birth and your child potentially leaving the nest, tempus fugit!
Positive parenting: Ideas to help guide children’s behaviour
Parents of children age birth to 6 years (or any age for that matter), will agree that parenting can be a difficult and challenging time. No matter how well you model behaviour and teach your child, no child can behave the way you want allthe time. 4 Tips to encourage positive behaviour: Make your surroundings… Continue reading Positive parenting: Ideas to help guide children’s behaviour
Physical activity & children: What’s the connection?
Being physically active is important at any age. The early years (0-4 years old) is an important time to create healthy behaviour and patterns that your child will build on as they grow. Every little bit counts, but, more is better, at every age. We can encourage children to be active for life through developing… Continue reading Physical activity & children: What’s the connection?
Parenting: Keeping it simple
Ever feel like you have lost yourself since becoming a parent? Being constantly surrounded by a baby or a toddler, but sometimes feeling lonely? Where did time for "me" go? Parenting is like being in a constant tug of war. Wondering when the baby will need you less? At the same time, standing over the… Continue reading Parenting: Keeping it simple
Embracing winter activities with your children
What if embracing winter activities was a commitment for parents and not merely a popular trend? Throw aside the TV remote, ignore Netflix, turn off your phones; spend less time on social networks and spend more time outdoors. Let's get ourselves out the front door! Living in Toronto, we are north of the 79th parallel… Continue reading Embracing winter activities with your children
Children and divorce: Tips for parents
We can all agree on one thing: children are innocent bystanders when it involves parents separating - it is never their fault. Children need to be protected from conflict during marital breakdown. Last year, I was listening to a broadcast on what a modern divorce can look like, and the commentator's words resonated with me… Continue reading Children and divorce: Tips for parents
Feeling overwhelmed by parenting choices and decisions? Tips to help.
I wear a few hats; public health nurse, mother, and grandmother just to name a few. Having two young granddaughters, enables me to look at parenting from a different or outside lens. And what I can see is that parents today seem to be overwhelmed with decisions and choices. There are so many prevailing attitudes… Continue reading Feeling overwhelmed by parenting choices and decisions? Tips to help.