Making Bedtime Safe and Fun

The company behind the Tuckaire bed was founded in 2007, creating products to help kids fight their fears around bedtime. The Shrunks Family was created during the early days – dad, mom, son and daughter, and their beloved guard dog Sunny. Sunny became the mascot that kids turn to around bedtime to keep them safe. He always sleeps with one eye open, just to make sure things are as they should be while you’re asleep. The Shrunks has a focus on creating cool, portable stuff for kids to make bedtime safe and fun, wherever they are, making it a great sleepover solution.

The Shrunks places a huge importance on design and safety. Their inflatable bed is the only one to offer built in guard rails to help children from rolling off the bed. It comes with everything you need: a pump, a carrying bag, and repair patches, right out of the box. All of the company’s inflatable products are free from BPA, lead and phthalates, and every product undergoes stringent testing process for leaks and defects before leaving the factory.

First Sleepover

Our Tuckaire Toddler Inflatable Travel Bed made the trip to a friends’ house for a first sleepover, and it was a hit all-around. The bed is incredibly easy and quick to set up, and it’s comfy for kids. The fact that it uses a crib sheet is convenient, because you probably already have one of those kicking around. Plus, when you’re not using it, it’s compact to store. Also on the plus side is the fact that it’s gender-neutral, and isn’t covered with cutesy licensed characters, so one bed will work for any kid.

The Tuckaire does have a bit of a chemical smell, so you might want to air it out for a while before your child sleeps in it. We asked Perry Chua, Creative Director for The Shrunks about this, and he said, “As with all PVC materials, the smell is unavoidable. Airing it out before using is a good option, if the smell is an issue. The key thing here is that the PVC is safe from hazardous materials, despite the smell.” If you’re concerned about PVC and plastics and the chemicals they contain it’s best to do your own research and draw your own conclusions, just as you would with any purchase. We love the bed, but as moms we also know that there’s simply not a clear-cut answer for each and every family.

How do you make bedtime safe and fun at a sleepover? Leave us a reply and share your tips.

The Shrunks

theshrunks.com | Facebook

Smittens are the brain child of Anna, a Toronto-area mom of four, whose second daughter Robyn refused to wear her mittens. Looking around, Anna noticed that Robyn wasn’t the only mitten-less child. What mom hasn’t struggled to keep accessories on her kids? Seeing a problem in need of a solution, Anna used her experience in fabric and design to create her no-escape mittens. She sells them, along with hats, scarves and neckwarmers, under her label January Baby. It’s winter gear for keeping warm in spite of your toddler’s ideas to the contrary.

The Concept

The two mittens in a pair of smittens are longer than average, so they extend well above your child’s wrist. They’re attached using a wide band of fleece that fits somewhat snugly across your child’s shoulders. Once you put a coat over the smittens, your child can’t get them off, because they’re just too high up in their sleeves, and there’s not enough give in the fleece band to allow them to pull the smittens off without removing their coat.

I tried a pair of waterproof smittens on my three-year-old son, and they really worked. Once they were on, he couldn’t get them off. To test them out, I let him play with my iPhone, which is a rare treat. He couldn’t get the iPhone to work with his hands in the smittens, so he tried really hard to get them off, and wasn’t able to succeed. He’s quite the Houdini when it comes to clothing he doesn’t like, so if he can’t get them off, I doubt that any kid can.

Keeping Warm with a Scarf

In addition to the smittens, I also had a chance to try one of the fleece scarves. Anna says, “The scarves are unique because of their tuck-in design. They can be worn inside or outside the jacket, and moms can relax not having to worry about any snags on playground equipment.” They are very warm but not bulky, and the tuck-in fleece stays in place without being tight. Plus, if you coordinate your scarf and mittens, you’re keeping warm in style.

My Verdict

I think smittens would be really great for a baby or toddler who won’t keep mittens on. I really wish I had a pair when my daughter was a baby, for instance. If you want to be outside with your little one in cold weather, keeping warm is important, and smittens could definitely help you do that. They totally eliminate any arguments about keeping mittens on once you’re out of the house.

For a preschooler, smittens do have a few downsides. Because you need to put the smittens on before you put on the coat, it can be harder to get your child’s hands through tight wristbands. Also, if you want to take them off for any reason, you’ll need to remove your little one’s coat completely to do it. Once children reach the age where they understand why keeping warm in winter is important, and they’re staring to put on their coats and mittens independently, I would move from smittens to a more traditional option.

If you’d like to try smittens yourself, you can receive 10% off your purchase by using code JB10.

January Baby

www.januarybaby.com | Twitter | Facebook

Have you ever struggled with keeping mittens, hats or shoes on your little ones? How did you get around it? Leave us a reply and tell us about it!

To help further our goal of inspiring and informing our amazing readers, we’re profiling some moms who are redefining the word “mom” for themselves. Today we’re sharing highlights from an interview with Kim Graham-Nye, the mom behind gDiapers, a unique, environmentally-friendly alternative to cloth and disposables. Kim is a Canadian who now lives in Portland, Oregon with her two young sons, but her company will be heading to Vancouver this weekend for the Vancouver Baby and Family Fair. If you want to find out more about gDiapers and every other kind of baby gear imaginable, check it out.

Kim Graham-Nye is Redefining “Mom”

The impetus behind Kim and her husband Jason starting gDiapers came when she was pregnant with her first child, and they were sitting in a cafe in Sydney, Australia reading a magazine article about disposable diapers. “We realized one disposable diaper takes 500 years to biodegrade, and the two of us were just kind of floored,” she said. “And we had this vision – you know, we didn’t know if this baby in my belly was a boy or girl – but we had this vision of them being grown up and looking back at us and the environmental issues our generation has left them and saying, ‘What were you guys thinking?’”

Kim and Jason moved to the US to start gDiapers in 2004, and launched the product in the US in 2006. gDiapers is now working on officially launching in a big way in Canada. She says, “We really feel that Canadian parents, moms and dads, are such our target market. In Canada it’s about being a good citizen.” She adds, “Having maternity leave makes a big difference, so I think people [in Canada] are more open to alternative products than people in the US.”

Family-Friendly Policies and Fortune Magazine

Kim is committed to instituting family-friendly policies for her employees. “In the US, it’s harsh!” she says. “It’s an at-will state, so you can fire people, like, today. Your health plans are associated to your job, so if you lose your job your family’s health plan is at risk.” At gDiapers, Kim is taking a different tack. “We just try to bring in some basics on a human level. We offer three months paid maternity leave – and dads can have access to that as well. We do flexible hours, which, to be honest, everyone should do. I don’t think there’s anyone who works nine-to-five here. My husband and I work 5:00am to 3:00pm because we now have kids who are in school. We’re home at 3:30 to pick them up and then we have family time. We also have on-site childcare, which isn’t common even in Canada, but it was our own solution to [helping our employees] manage young children and work.”

Kim’s efforts in redefining the word mom for herself and others haven’t gone unnoticed. She was named one of Fortune Magazine’s 10 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs for 2011. When we asked her what that was like, she said, “It was absolutely mind-blowingly amazing. The woman who continues to impress me – and this was the first time I actually got to meet her – was Christine Day, the CEO of Lululemon. I’m inspired to think what they’re doing as a company. Not only more conscious around the environment, but also around people. I was so humbled I couldn’t tell you.”

Redefining Work and Balance

Kim feels that the structure in the work force needs to change. “It’s just really antiquated. It doesn’t reflect the fact that we have two working parents, and both moms and dads want to be engaged with their kids.” It sounds like she’s doing everything she can to make that change happen.

When asked what inspires her, Kim said, “I feel incredibly blessed getting to do work that I love. It’s not just that I love babies and the planet, but I love seeing the community around gDiapers getting involved.” She also draws a lot of inspiration from the new generation of moms who are redefining motherhood on their own terms. “The younger parents now – I’m psyched! I feel like Gen Y moms and dads are rocking it. They’re changing everything from within and in a more peaceful way, integrating their kids into their lifestyles more, and sharing the workload more. They’re not buying into that “Supermom” mentality. They seem to have taken the pressure off, and I love that. Just being a little kinder to themselves.”

We can all use a little more kindness in our lives. Thanks so much to Kim, for sharing how she’s redefining “mom”.

gDiapers

www.gdiapers.com | Twitter | Facebook

1. A Rainy Day Calls for Good-Quality Rain Gear.

I know it may not the most attractive outfit you or your child will ever wear, but a small fashion sacrifice is worth it to be warm, dry and comfortable on a wet and rainy day. Anyone going for a puddle jumping adventure needs full rain gear, including waterproof boots, rain pants and a rain jacket.

Good quality items can be pricey, but well-made gear will hold up to repeated wear and will end up being a better value in the long run. Look for children’s boots at GumDrops on 4th Avenue or Room for 2 on Commercial Drive, and hit up MEC for durable rain jackets and pants for children and adults at reasonable prices. A full-body rain suit is perfect for toddlers who are liable to plop themselves down in a muddy puddle.

2. Keep Moving.

Children can play for ages outdoors in cold or wet weather as long as they’re running around and engaged in their play. Adults are often on the sidelines, getting cold because they’re standing still. Put aside your self-consciousness and run around with your toddler, jump in a few puddles yourself or join in a game of tag. You’ll have some rainy day fun of your own and stay warm longer, too.

3. Bring a Large Dose of Patience and Wonder.

Toddlers are just discovering the amazing wonders of our world, so to them squishy mud, dirty pine cones and wet dogs are fascinating mysteries just begging to be explored. Plan on allowing yourself enough time to meander along at your inquisitive toddler’s pace, especially if you’re puddle jumping on your way to another destination.

4. Have a Hot Treat Afterwards.

It doesn’t have to be big or sugary, but a hot drink like a steamed milk, herbal fruit tea or milky hot chocolate is a nice way to end a rainy day adventure. Bundle up in a nice warm blanket together and enjoy getting cozy again after your time outside in the cold, wet weather.

It can be difficult to look out the window at the pouring rain and say, “Hey, let’s go jump in some puddles!” But it is often the case that once you’re out there you’re fine as long as you’re doing something interesting and dressed appropriately. Whether you’re puddle jumping around your block or exploring the beauty of the Pacific Rainforest in the rain, it’s possible to make the most of our rainy season.

Giveaway: Fluf Prize Package

One Fluf prize package is up for grabs, which includes a backpack, a lunchbag and a set of two snack packs. Fluf backpacks are currently undergoing a re-design, and they will be back with extra features in early 2012 – so this prize pack includes something not available anywhere else! The total value of the prize pack is $65. They’ve chosen the designs for you – and they may or may not be the same as the ones pictured in this post – but we can promise you that they’re super-cute.

How to Enter

Mandatory entry:
Please enter your name in the form below:

Additional Entries (optional):

1. Comment on the VancouverMom.ca Facebook page, and tell us your favourite Fluf style.
2. Comment on the Raspberry Kids Facebook page, and mention this contest.

Contest Rules for the Fluf Giveaway

• Contest runs until October 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm.
• Winner will be randomly selected and contacted by email. If the winner doesn’t claim the prize, then another name will be randomly selected from the list.

Good luck!

Find Danger Zones

To learn some facts and useful information about childproofing your home, try the a Safety Quiz on the BC Children’s Hospital website. There are lots of obvious hazards that are easy to spot — stairs, stove, electrical outlets, power tools, knife drawer — this is a snap, right? But there are a lot of potential hazards you might not think about until disaster strikes, when your attention is elsewhere for a few seconds.

To find potential sources of danger, see things through your baby’s eyes: try getting on your hands and knees, then crawling around your house. Or invite a friend’s toddler to come over and follow them around. Undoubtedly, the little tyke will point out many things you hadn’t thought to babyproof. Make a list of the spots you need to change.

Cheap-to-Free Safety Solutions

Once you’ve identified danger zones, look at your list and think about ways to fix each one. Not every issue requires an expensive product to ‘fix’ it. Take stock of your toxic cleaning products: do you really need them? Many cleaning jobs can be done with non-toxic products like baking soda, vinegar and dish soap. The ones you can’t do without can be moved to a secure place well out of baby’s reach.

Rather than buying dozens of baby latches for each cupboard in your kitchen, try rearranging what’s inside. Leave a few doors un-babyproofed and store your plastic containers, pots and pans in those ones, so your little one can drag them out for easy entertainment. You may not need to buy a hundred outlet covers if you rearrange your furniture a little. To keep long cords (on blinds and curtains) out of baby’s reach, try a binder clip to keep them up high. If you have doors without latches, like sliding doors, bi-fold closet doors, or cabinets, you can install a simple screw eye and hook at a height easy for the big people in the house to reach, but impossible for little ones to open. Barrel bolt latches are also handy for keeping doors closed when you need something a little sturdier than the screw eye and hook.

If you need quite a few gates in your home, you can build your own basic ‘guillotine’ style ones, with a plywood piece that slides into well-secured tracks on either side of the doorway. If you’re a little more handy, plywood, two-by-fours, a barrel bolt latch and some door hinges can make a sturdy gate for your deck or the top of stairs. Safety doesn’t have to cost a lot.

For the Gadgets

BC Children’s Hospital gift shop is home to the Safety Station, a great place to pick up gadgets that will help keep your little ones safe. You can find baby gates, a number of solutions for covering electrical outlets and cords, catches for drawers, doors and many more useful items. Don’t let the phrase gift shop make you think this is an expensive place to shop — they have very good prices on the items they sell. The shop is open until 7:00pm weekdays, but if you need advice, the Safety Station experts are there 9:00am to 3:30pm Tuesday through Friday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday.

Got any other creative solutions for child safety on a budget? Leave us a comment and tell us about them!

BC Children’s Hospital Safety Station

www.bcchildrens.ca/safetystation
4490 Oak Street, Vancouver

Picture yourself last Halloween, running around with your kids, shoulder to shoulder with other last-minute shoppers, fighting for the last Spiderman costume. Now, picture yourself in front of your computer, mouse in hand, clicking around for 30 minutes and getting everything delivered to your door. That’s how simple it can be. Why not choose to experience only the relaxing and fun side of Halloween?

To help you out, we spent some time looking for the best Canadian online stores where you can find everything you need. The perk is you get to spend more quality time with your family at Halloween. You might also find some unique pieces that you can’t get anywhere else. What’s not to love?

Halloween Decorations and Tableware

The Party Monkey

Online party supply store.

Shipping: $12.95 for BC, no local pickup.
Return policy: 10 days return or exchange.
Payment: Visa, Mastercard and American Express
We like:

• The site is moderately user-friendly.
• It’s a local store.
• The site tells you how many pieces are left.
• They have a large selection.
• Great clearance section.

Discounts: Big anniversary sale in October.

Green Treats and Party Supplies

Green Planet Parties

Eco-friendly party supplies.

Shipping: From $12.95, plus a local pickup option in Port Moody or Vancouver.
Return policy: 14 days for return or exchange.
Payment: Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, money order and cheque
We like:

• The site is very user-friendly.
• Great product selection.
• Cute store design.
• It’s local and it’s green!

Handmade Masks

Her Flying Horses on Etsy

Quality handmade costumes for pretend play.

Shipping: From $2.50 (depends on item and quantity).
Return policy: within 5 days of receipt upon approval first.
Payment: Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express
We like:

• The site is extremely user-friendly.
• All the Etsy functionality, including customer feedback and filters.
• Clear pictures.
• Product originality.
• Custom items option.

Personalized Cards, Stickers and Tags

Honeybunch

Personalized gifts for babies, new moms, big kids, birthdays.

Shipping: $12.95 for BC.
Return policy: 21 days for return or exchange.
Payment: Paypal, Visa, Discover, Mastercard
We like:

• The site is very user-friendly.
• A wide range of products that can be personalized.
• Cute store design, with nice, clear images.
• Simplicity of the browsing.
• Great “search for a wishlist” function.

Promo Code: First time newsletter subscribers receive an instant coupon code for 15% off their first order.

Dress Up

Scholar’s Choice

Oldest and largest distributor of educational materials and toys in Canada.

Shipping: $10 or free for orders over $100 (Canada only).
Return policy: 30 days for return or exchange.
Payment: Visa, Mastercard
We like:

• The site is extremely user-friendly.
• Large product selection.
• Special member pricing.
• Ability to shop by theme.
• Birthday party registry.
• Dress-up packs.

Discounts: If you become a member for $10, you get 10% off and more on special days.

Pumpkin Pie

Super Delivery

Online grocery delivery with wide variety of brand names.

Shipping: $5 to $8 or free with purchases of $120 or more.
Payment: Cash, Discover, Visa, MasterCard and American Express
User-friendly
We like:

• The site is very user-friendly.
• Grocery deals section.
• Wide selection of brands.
• Organic aisle.
• Flexible delivery time, including a same-day option.

Where do you do your online shopping for Halloween?

Emilie Sarkissian owns Apricot Culotte, an online store selling affordable European baby clothing. She carries previously loved baby clothing directly imported from France, and end of season baby clothing at up to 50% off retail value. To keep up-to-date on her latest news and specials, follow Apricot Culotte on Facebook.

Kids Clothes for Socially-Aware Shoppers

Smack dab in the middle of the Hastings Sunrise hustle, Little Earth is one of the best kids consignment stores Vancouver has to offer. Their motto is the family store that cares about the earth and you, and they fulfill that philosophy by selling gently used (plus some new and organic) kids’ clothing, toys, books and more. From newborn to size 6, this cute, neighbourly shop prides itself on a unique, earth-friendly selection of cool duds for children. Cloth diapers, baby carriers, non-toxic baby bottles, wooden toys – they’re all here, and a whole lot more, too.

Kids Consignment: High Quality Gear at Lower Prices

The atmosphere in this kids consignment store is bright and light, with wood floors and a simple design. New owners Lara and Kerstin are smart and selective in what they carry and super helpful with whatever it is you need to find (or just find out). We often see smiling co-owner Lara working there with her baby boy in tow. Another perk is there’s a nursing room and small play area at the back of the store, so you can feed and entertain your kiddos while you check out the well-stocked racks and shelves. They have kids, so they know how to make a store kid-friendly.

For Newborns and Bigger Kids Alike

Among the new items, you’ll find favourites like Babylegs, Tuffo rain gear and one of my all-time favourite baby gifts, Padraig booties. Expecting a baby? They’ve got some used maternity clothing as well.

Check back in the store often, because like all kids consignment stores, there’s an ever-changing selection of duds here. They also accept consignment items by appointment, so if you’ve got some good gear you want to clear out, give them a call to bring them in.

Little Earth Children’s Store

www.littleearthvancouver.com | Facebook
2643 East Hastings Street, Vancouver

Next to Apple and Starbucks, OXO ranks pretty high in terms of brand loyalty in my house. My can opener and potato peeler are kitchen essentials and when my husband returned from the store with a garlic press from another brand, I promptly asked him to go back and get a “real” one from OXO.

Made of bright simple colours with modern clean lines, the OXO Tot kids line offers the same ergonomic sensibility found in their regular kitchen lines.

I Love It – OXO Tot Review

My toddler is learning how to feed herself and the high lip of the OXO Tot plate ($8.49) lets her scoop up her meal with minimal spills. The rim clips off, making it more like a regular plate when your child has become a more proficient eater.

The OXO Tot Fork and Spoon Set ($8.49) is a real winner. The handles are easy for my one-year-old to grip and the set is designed for her to maneuver her food easily into her mouth. The extra wide bowl of the spoon really helps her to scoop up yogurt and rice.  I was especially impressed by the fork, which with its large tines allowed her to pierce her food without it slipping off the end. The curve in the utensils also help to prevent them from rolling off her table.

OXO really helps toddlers transition to “big” utensils, while minimizing the frustration and mess.

Available in multiple colours, the OXO Tot Fork and Spoon set and OXO Tot plate is available separately or in a set, which comes with a bowl, for $29.99 at Raspberry Kids.

Hunter: Cycling Vancouver from 18 Months Old

Ever since my partner Lawrence’s son Hunter started making overnight visits to Vancouver at around 18 months old, he’s been a cycling baby. Our vintage purple Norco trailer was one of the first things we bought for him, off Craigslist for $100. Plus, the “grape pod” carried all the other stuff that goes with the baby, like the diaper bag, toys, blankets, groceries, handbag, laptop…or maybe that’s just me.

Hunter loved his helmet, but he was a little nervous the first time we put him in the trailer. By the second trip, though, he was calm and happy. For our cherry blossom ride this spring, he brought his little piano (a present from my mum), and played and sang for most of the day.

Bicycle Seat Love

For a day-long ride, we’d probably still take the trailer, but for the six block trip to the supermarket, or to school or daycare, it’s definitely overkill. For cycling Vancouver neighbourhoods we use our Co-Pilot bike seat, which we all love. Hunter thinks it’s awesome to ride with Daddy on the big bike, and the seat cushion just happens to be orange: his favourite colour.

Lawrence and I love how quickly and conveniently the seat slides on and off the rack that fits almost any bike, and the fact that we can be at the store in less time than it used to take us to assemble the trailer. Plus, at Bikes on the Drive this spring, the Co-Pilot was around $80.

Make a Fashion Statement with Bobike

For families that want to make their bike seat a fashion statement, a Bobike seat is the way to go. The company is based in Holland where they know about biking with kids! They offer two versions: the Bobike Mini is a front mount seat, has an optional little windscreen, and accommodates kids up to 35lbs. The Maxi goes on the back, can hold kids as much as 50lbs, and looks so comfortable I wish someone would ride me around in one.

The price for a Bobike is double what we paid for our Co-Pilot, but the construction, fastening, and style are all about double the quality. They are available at Saf & Benjamin in Yaletown, where the Mini runs for $185 and the Maxi is $200. The windscreen is $45.

Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle

Cycling Vancouver with your kids is an amazing way to spend time with them, and, trust me, you get used to the added weight. For a daily commute, it may seem like a hassle to go by bike, but there are bigger benefits to traveling sustainably than just the environmental ones.

As North American childhood obesity levels rise, and more and more kids are diagnosed with diabetes and other health issues, it makes sense to demonstrate healthy lifestyle habits. If your children see you riding a bike, and get to ride with you, they will be ready and more than willing to jump on when it comes time to get out there on their own.

Do you cycle with your baby or toddler? Share your top tips for cycling Vancouver with little ones in the comments!

Talia Erickson is a writer, cyclist and daycare administrator. Her flexible occasional childcare centre for 3-5 year olds is currently accepting applications and will open October 3, 2011. Find them at buddings.ca.