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The proudest moment in my life was on February 21st 1988 at 10:17 p.m. That was the moment I gave birth to my dear daughter Chelsey. From the moment she was born, we had a unique relationship. I was a single Mom but knew that this precious package had come to me for many reasons.
The picture attached is the day I graduated from College in 2003 – she supported me throughout my studies. We have climbed many mountains together, caught some fish together, laughed and cried and argued very little. We have hopes and dreams for each other and can talk about anything that is on our minds to one another.
A friend once said to me, “Don’t you and Chelsey EVER disagree?” I responded with, “ Rarely, for the most part, Chelsey and I TALK!”
Verna Watson
It’s a warm summer morning in August and while most families are still tucked away and nestled in bed; our family is turning the key to start the truck. It’s 6:30am and the sparkle of excitement in our eyes has wiped away any remnants of the sandman. The truck is packed, the lines are ready and we have jumped on the lid of the cooler to close it …
You see, my husband and I are outdoor enthusiast and actively participate in anything involving the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, snow machining… you name it, we do it. We live by the advice of the Health Unit Nurse in that, regardless of their age or the time of day it is, our children have always been with us when we explored the beauty Northern Ontario has to offer. My son at 2 months old came camping in a tent for 3 days, my daughter at 6 months went fishing while tucked in a snuggly, and my youngest daughter was in a snowbuggie at 3 months. Although my husband and I have always worked full-time, the time that we have off is spent with our family and our children now 11, 10, and 3 have truly benefited from the experiences we have had in the bush. The old saying “a family that plays together stays together” stands true for us. By taking a break outdoors we have been able to help our children make healthy choices not only relating to food and exercise, but to everyday life decisions.
Vikki MacDonald
Terrace Bay, Ontario
September Winner
How I take a break with my kids
We bake cookies out of air.
We dance with ribbons in our hair.
We take a walk around the block.
We make a puppet from a sock.
We take our balloons on parade
We make homemade lemonade.
We become master cooks,
We read bedtime books.
We drive cars, just for pretend.
We play at the park with a friend.
We swing our swings way up high.
We count the birds that fly by.
We throw leaves up in the air.
We make jewelry we can wear.
We plant seeds and watch them grow.
We take in a special show.
We roar our loudest roar down low,
We see how low that we can go.
We collect bugs in a jar.
We kick a ball, we watch how far.
When I became a parent
I became a child too,
I rediscovered simple things
A joy I forgot I knew.
~Antoinette Lightwood
June Winner
I love doing things with my girls and so far I am lucky: my girls enjoy doing things with me and are not “embarrassed” to be seen with me – not yet. Five years ago I enrolled in the skating program that my girls are in as an adult learner. Other than learning the sport, the lesson time shared on ice gives me great insight into the lives of my children and their peers. It teaches me how
to be Mom and friend and where to set limits. In the end I am always a parent, but not always a “friend.”
We make it a point to have at least one meal a day together. Having a meal together means sitting at the dining room table without TV or other distractions. How do we connect during meal time? Our favourite game which we have been playing for years now is “uppers and downers.” Each family member (and guests if they want to) reports on his/her highlights of the day: the positive events (“uppers”) and the negative events (“downers”). The uppers have to outweigh the downers if you don’t want to be disqualified and the party pooper. You always have a positive thing happening during the day! Often this game keeps me updated on things that worry my children, circumstances at school or with peers.
Catrin Benson
Red Rock, Ontario
My name is Kasey, my daughter Kayla is 7 years old. Enclosed is a picture of Kayla participating in the Marina Park Canada Parade as a representative of Camp Quality's float. Camp Quality is a non-profit organization that provides support to children with cancer and their families. We are a mom and daughter team that gets involved. Volunteering allows us quality time to spend together as well as give to those less fortunate at the same time. Volunteering teaches Kayla many things - above all to give back to the community. Volunteering together not only makes a difference in someone else's life but it also has taught us both about community and keeping active. Volunteering has become a family tradition; it develops leadership skills in both of us, allows us to be part of a valued team, and gives a feeling of pride in our accomplishments. It gives us the quality time to discuss what is happening in each of our lives. Seeing a Camp Quality child's smiling face - their joy, is what keeps us going. My only hope it that this will be a lesson learned that will continue throughout Kayla's life and that she will continue this tradition with her family when that times comes.
Kasey Etreni
I have always found the best stress reliever in my life is spending time with my child. My son Justin is 14 years old and a great kid to hang out with. The top picture is taken of the two of us in British Colombia
Awaiting our whale-watching excursion in eager anticipation. The lower picture, more recent, was the day we were planting flowers in our back yard. Throughout our many travels and adventures, it has given us ample opportunity to spend time talking and laughing about everything in our life. We take many day trips to Grand Marais or Lutsen just to clear our minds, laugh and talk. I find it’s much easier to get him to talk when we’re being adventurous or just rid ourselves of interruptions like the telephone, or video games. It levels the playing field and puts him more at ease. I try to ask questions and listen rather than lecture.
We also talk often about things like alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We read “Facts” books that we find in many counseling agencies about drugs and alcohol and the effects it can have on his mind and body. I offer him ideas and ways to say no.
I find the key is finding activities the tow of you can enjoy together. Play a game, build a model, paint a picture, go for a hike or take a drive. Laugh together!!!!!! It works.
Debbie Eloranta