Midtown Hot Spots

by Naomi (Urban Mummy)

There are lots of places that make raising your children just a little bit easier around here, so I'd like to share a few of them with you. I apologize for those of you that aren't local!

Getting Gear

There are a lot of baby stores in and around the Greater Toronto Area. One of my favourite, however, is just down the street. Lil Niblets & Baby Sprouts is a full service store, with almost all the gear you'll need (and a lot you won't!) in one place. Staff is helpful, and they are quite open to product suggestions. Let's face it - most of the baby stores carry the same stuff, with similar prices. So I look at the service I receive at the store, and this one is great!

Cutting Hair

First there was Melonhead. I'll admit, I've taken my son there. Twice, actually. And while the first time he was okay while getting his hair cut, the second time he was a nightmare. Tired, cranky, crying. And he insisted on getting his hair cut while sitting on my lap, which resulted in the world's worst haircut. Add to that his father's attempt at fixing it, and you end up with one raggedy little boy.

So I figured that poor haircuts were just part of the territory. Not so! A new children's haircutting salon has opened up in Midtown...Cuttie Cut Salon, located on Avenue Road, north of Lawrence, across from the No Frills grocery store. The stylist was professional, took time to talk to my son (and get to know his name), let him see what she was doing. She was patient, and did a fabulous job. Highly recommended!

Stuff to Do

This is the hardest part of parenting, I think...finding things to do with your children. If you work and have a nanny, what is she to do with your child? An ongoing process around here, but I've found a few programs that seem worthwhile to all, so I'd like to share them!

The Drama Mamas

I signed up my son for one of The Drama Mamas programs this winter. Only two sessions have passed, but, so far, we like it. My nanny took him to the first class, and I took him to the second, and we both agree. A nice mix of singing, reading, crafts and games. I like that each week has a different theme, and the activities reflect that theme. The programs run in a nice clean studio in the owner's basement. The price is a about the same as you would pay for a comparable class at a private location (out of home), but it seems well organized and fun. The 45 minute program does seem a bit rushed (I think an hour would be better) but toddlers do have short attention spans! Check them out!

Sportball

I cannot rave about Sportball enough! My son adores it, talks about it, and practically runs out the door when it's time to go there. He sings the songs (Engine Engine number nine...going down the sportball line...), he plays the games on his own (popcorn!! Spike!!) and has developed a love for sports that does his father proud. It is, by far, the most well organized program I have attended for or with my son.

We attend at a local synagogue, but they have locations all around the GTA. PS - it's not just for boys!!

For Moms

There's a new place in town:The Orange Dot. They have some wonderful programs for moms and kids. I'm taking the postnatal yoga with Baby Boy number 2, and the instructor is lovely. (The class is very small right now - come and join! It's Friday mornings!!) She tailors the class to the moms in it, and crying babies are always welcomed. It's a nice alternative to some of the other fitness programs out there.

Formerly run out of a studio in the owner's basement, they now have a beautiful new studio right on Avenue Road. Lucy, the owner, does things right, with all the personal touches you'd want.

Offered are fitness and other classes for pregnant women, fitness classes for moms both with and without babies, and some classes for the children. It's still very new (she only opened the studio this month), but I can see it going somewhere!

Hanging Out

Sometimes you just want to kick back and relax, have a coffee and read a book. Meet a friend and have a chat. One of our favourite places to go is the Second Cup / Great Canadian Bagel location on Avenue Road, north of Lawrence. A pleasant alternative to Starbucks, they welcome strollers and babies with open arms. Some of the staff even know my son, and love to chat with him when he goes in.

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I hope these suggestions are useful to you! I have more suggestions and a running list on my website, so have a look, and email me (urbanmummy at gmail.com) if you have anything you can add!

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Urban Mummy is a thirty-something mother of 2 young boys. In her various incarnations she’s a schoolteacher, an artist, an entrepreneur, and a mom.

Good Preschool = Good Future

by Naomi (Urban Mummy)


...or so some people believe. Personally, I think it's a big joke!

The other morning my husband went to line up to enrol our 4 week old son
in a mom & tot program, for next year. That's October 2007. He will be
1. Just.

At the same time, people were lining up to enrol their children in
preschool for the same year. Unfortunately for the, the preschool was
full, and they were lining up to get on the waiting list. Did I mention
that the first person in line had been there since 4:30 am?

What is up with that?

Am I the only one who thinks it is absurd to have to line up 11 months
ahead at 5 am to get my child into preschool? These are 3 year olds,
people! What is the urgency? I don't understand it.

Do people really think that it makes such a big difference? What is the
deal with the competitiveness to get into preschool around here? It's
PREschool! Not even REAL school! Do people really think this is going to
affect their child's life?

As a teacher, here's my perspective. You can agree or not, either is
okay, and I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Preschool is about socialization. Teaching children how to behave around
other children. That is all. It's all about learning not to throw toys
at the other kid's head. Not to bite, poke, hit, kick, take toys, et
cetera.

Preschool is not about academics. It isn't important that they learn how
to read, or do math, or build bridges. Really, by the end of first
grade, (almost) all children will know how to read. What is the rush?

Preschool is about having fun.

Okay, so learning about colours, how to count, and perhaps even the
alphabet? A bonus. Not required, but nice. In my opinion, these things
can, and should, be taught at home, by the parents. Parents need to be
involved in their child's education from the start.

*****

What do you think? Do you think the "right" preschool is necessary for
your child's future? Do you think preschool itself is even necessary? Is
it difficult to find/get into good (any?) preschools in your
neighbourhood? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

__________________________________________

Urban Mummy is a thirty-something mother of 2 young boys. In her various incarnations she’s a schoolteacher, an artist, an entrepreneur, and a mom.

What We Did Today

by Naomi (Urban Mummy)

We don't celebrate Christmas. We celebrate Chanukah. However, Chanukah is not a major Jewish holiday. It's a minor festival in the Jewish tradition. Running over 8 days, we light candles (adding one each night), sing songs, and play games. Gifts are generally small, a dreidel or two, perhaps a small toy, and some gelt*. We eat fried foods, mainly latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly donuts).

Today, the fifth day of Chanukah, I taught my son something about giving. I don't know if he understood, and I know it was difficult for him, but it was a lesson that is very important to us.

Today we donated 2 brand new toys to the toy drive at the local fire station.

When we arrived, I knocked on the door and the friendly firefighter invited us in. We gave him the toys (2 toy fire trucks, ironically), and The Happy Boy showed him that one of them made music.

Then the firefighter invited The Happy Boy to come and see the real fire trucks. He was thrilled. He looked at the brand new truck, pointed, and exclaimed "fire twuck!" When the firefighter asked him if he wanted to sit in the truck, he got a bit scared, and said no...but we could see he really wanted to. Eventually he acquiesced (like he was doing US a favour!!) and sat in the truck, and then pretended to drive. Pointed out the buttons ("buttons down there"). Came down, told us that there were "two fire twucks" and asked a few questions (whatsat? Whatsat?).

The hard part, however, was when we left. Walking out, he saw the toys that had been donated, and his two fire trucks were sitting on the top. He wanted to take them home, which, of course, was not possible.

So I picked him up, wiped his tears, told him how proud I was that he shared his toys with other boys and girls who don't have toys, and took him home, to play with one of his own fire trucks.

He is learning to give, and that sometimes it's difficult. But hopefully he will learn that it is all worthwhile.

In the spirit of the season, Happy Holidays everyone!


--

*Gelt - Yiddish for Money, generally coins, often chocolate, given to children on Chanukah.

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Urban Mummy is a thirty-something mother of 2 young boys. In her various incarnations she’s a schoolteacher, an artist, an entrepreneur, and a mom.

Mothering in Midtown

by Naomi (Urban Mummy)

Mom of two boys in midtown Toronto. Part time teacher, part time
student, part time entrepreneur, full time mom...figuring out how to fit
it all in!

Not the grit of downtown, nor the expanse of the suburbs, midtown
Toronto has a character all its own. Find the fun, navigate the angst
with me, as I look for new places to go, things to do, and people to
meet. This teacher & mum is trying to find the balance we all
crave...with mixed results. Join me along my road to mother two...it's
sure to be an interesting ride!