Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in halifax, NS

The Great Outdoors

by Raechelle Masuda

March 30, 2009

Rain or shine, show or sleet kids need time outside. That is the mantra right? Yet somehow it isn't always that easy. When we were children we were sent outside. It was an expectation not an exception. Our mothers and caregivers let us loose in the world without a care. We were free to explore, learn, debate, wonder and dream. The endless days of summer were truly endless.

In our time as parents things have changed. We no longer send our children out to play without a worry in the world. In fact all we do is worry. Society has made us afraid, untrusting and unknowing. On my street I am the only mom that stays at home. When my children are out playing, they are the only children out. The people that live behind us have this awesome play structure yet we have never seen any one in their backyard.

Children are indoors a lot. I realize that not every family has a stay at home parent. However what about the weekends? Evenings? Where have all the children gone. In all the fear, we have lost sight on the things that are important to child development. Kids need to be outside. They need time to discover things on their own without a parent holding their hand. They need to play at the playground and discover their own forms of conflict resolution. Parents with the best intention hover over their children taking away what little freedom they have left. I have experienced this over and over again at the playground. Most parents are amazed that I give my children so much freedom.

It is a balance, between safety and freedom. Children need room to roam, to play to experience nature. Yet even in our our yard we are not free from fear. My children were playing outside, while I fluttered from inside to outside, making dinner and supervising their activities from a far, when a car pulled over unrolled the window and spoke to my children. I flew outside as they were pulling away. My preschooler did not know what they said, when I asked she shrugged her shoulders. Was it an innocent comment about playing or was it a predator?

One of my goals as a parent is to have my kids outside once a day. Either to play, for a walk anything to get them out in the fresh air, exploring their world. I cannot say that I reach this goal every day, but we try.

What are your views on outside play and freedom? Are you afraid?

Tomorrow I will share with you some ideas of what to do when you get the kids outside.  Read more...

Crab Night

by Raechelle Masuda

February 20, 2009

Living on the east coast has many advantages. I loved the ocean when we were in California. The smell of the salt air, the sand, the water ... All very appealing especially to one that grew up on the prairies. As I gaze out my window to the harbour, I take a deep breath and taste the salt in the air. I am fully accepting of this being our home. It is new, a little intimidating at times and very far from family, but it is our city now.

(see he totally know J is going to cook him!)

Taking advantage of fresh seafood and farmer's markets we are starting to learn to cook the fresh foods of the Atlantic (mostly J since I am not really all that into dealing with our food if it is still alive).

We started off simple. Mussels. Mmmm, J steams then with a broth, garlic and basil ... My mouth is watering at the thought.

Then this past Saturday night we cooked up a couple crab ... J & B picked them out a the fish market and brought them home. I really really cannot touch a squirming nervous animal that totally knows it is about to die. Thankfully my adoring husband has overcome his phobias. The meal was so yummy and we hope to make it a Saturday tradition to make up a fabulous seafood meal, bought locally, prepared together as a family.

Note: Even the cat is sniffing around!

Helping Daddy

99 Things Continued ...

by Raechelle Masuda

January 27, 2009

Back in September I started a list of 99 things I want to experience with the children in Halifax . So far we have done some of the things listed. We attempted to go whale watching twice last summer. Both times we did not see any whales. My preschooler was so disappointed! We promised her another trip this coming summer and hopefully we will time it just right! We have went  Read more...