Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Are You a Responsible Host?

Last night Beaumont FCSS hosted another installment of its Parent Workshop Series outlining how and why to be a responsible host if you are serving alcohol in your home. If you missed the presentation or would like more information about this topic, here is some more information about serving alcohol responsibliy in you home. As more resources become available I will be sure to post them here!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Project A21


I attended a special viewing of the latest Liam Neeson film yesterday called : Taken. It chronicles the experience of a father as he desperately searches for his 17 year old daughter in Paris who has been kidnapped and thrust into the underground world of human slavery. I have had an awareness of this issue, however, before the film there was a short presentation and film about a project called A21 that is trying to save people (mostly women) from this terrible example of organized crime at its worst. check out their web-site to learn more. It is estimated that human trafficking will become the number one type of organized crime by NEXT YEAR! It is estimated that 27 million people are currently enslaved throughout the world. Most of them in the sex-trade industry. This horrific crime is not limited to developing countries...this is happening across europe (with Greece being particularly high numbers) and even here in Canada. Please check out the web-site for more information.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Our Next Parenting Workshop Series Event!

Here is yet another exciting presentation that is being offered by the Town of Beaumont's FCSS Team! Alcohol seems to be a very common beverage of choice of social gatherings both in public and in the privacy of our own homes. Many questions loom about the liability of homeowners and hosts of these parties about over-serving, drinking and driving and personal liability around these issues. If you have specific questions to ask of industry experts or would like to learn more about this "hot topic" join us for our next installment of the Parenting Workshop Series on April 27th at the Beaumont Community Youth Centre from 6:30-8:00pm. For more information, post questions here or phone our office: 929-9271...let us know what you think!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Holy Snow!


Can you BELIEVE this SNOW? Actually, I can believe it quite easily, we're living in Alberta and it is only the middle of April. As Mother Nature proved last night and this morning...anything can happen, weather-wise, in Alberta in April.

I think, one great thing about snow, when we don't expect it is that is FORCES us to slow down. Not just in our driving, but also in the way it halts our natural tendancy to get so busy. If you don't have the energy, patience or where-with-all to get out and enjoy this unexpected snow fall...why not take the opportunity to enjoy the great INDOORS for the next few days.

Bring out a cool board game you haven't played for a while, start reading a new book as a family, rent and old movie, check out some new music on line, create a piece of artwork (see example of my 7 year old's collage above), or take this opportunity to connect with a friend or relative that you've been "too busy" to see or talk to.

So if you just can't handle getting out to enjoy this snow...stay indoors and use the opportunity to connect with family and/or friends in a new or old kind of way.

Stay Warm!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

P E P (Parents Empowering Parents) Coming to Beaumont!


It is official...you heard it here first, Parents Empowering Parents is coming to Beaumont! This is very exciting news for our community. Meetings will start on May 25th and we will have meetings the second and fourth Mondays from 7-9pm. Meetings will be held at the Beaumont Community Youth Centre, right here in Beaumont. For more information keep checking back here, or phone 780 929 9143.

Put it Down!

Here is an interesting graphic that demonstrates how parents can (or cannot) be asset builders for their children. I've often talked about the importance of using that time in the car as a time to connect and share with your child. So whether you are on the way to soccer, the grocery store on a road trip to "grandma's house" use that time to talk to you child!


Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Feels like Spring!

I hope everyone had a great spring break. I have to be honest, I felt like I needed an extra day "off" to recuperate from all of our family spring break fun! We managed to get to school on time yesterday and after school, enjoyed a relaxing afternoon, splashing and playing in some very cold water. I have resigned myself to the fact, I will be doing a lot of laundry over the next month or so. Kids seem to be magnetically drawn to puddles, creeks, and melting ice! This is a great time of year to get outside with our kids, grand kids, neighbour kids etc. and play in the mud. I find it tough sometimes, to take the time and to get dirty or watch my kids get dirty without cringing on the inside. This book: Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv takes a look at the importance of our children getting out into nature to explore, learn and get dirty! I have clear memories of my experiences around this time of year and experimenting with ice, mud and water. If you haven't got out into mud yet this year, do so. Soccer season is just around the corner and when that starts, many of us will be too busy with game times and practices to get beyond the soccer pitch to really get into nature. One word of caution, if your kids are playing in or near water any deeper than their ankles, be sure to supervise. I invested in a good pair of rubber boots a year or two ago, and have never regretted it! Have fun in the mud!