When I was a young boy I witnessed a very dramatic thing. A neighbourhood kid was playing in an alleyway and went running into the street just as a dump truck was driving by. As I looked into his eyes I was saddened at the look in his eyes. That was one of the most impacting things in my life and I am sure it is part of what made me who I am today, a martial arts educator and a personal and child safety instructor. What I want to discuss this month is how children should cross a street safely. Children need instruction on how to cross the street safely under several conditions such as at a location where there are stop signs, at a location with traffic signals, at a location with a school crossing guard, and at any location with moving traffic. According to studies, children have a difficult time judging time and distance relationships. Plus, there are at least 26 other decisions to be made each time you cross a street. That does not count the decisions needed when you add a bike being rolled across, or a toy being carried across. But it is easy to see why repeated training in how to cross a street safely is an important part of childhood education. The most popular rule of thumb is that no child under 7 should cross a street alone. And many professionals have bumped that up to children 10 and under. But the truth is that there is no magic age of safety. Untrained kids forget to look, and they forget that the rules include any place there is a chance of pedestrian collision with moving vehicles. Constant reminders are examples of smart parenting. There was a close call just the other day at our local gas station. Two kids (ages 12 and 10) were handed a dollar each by their father to spend inside the gas station store. Without looking, they tore across the gas station lot to get inside. Six cars were able to stop without hitting them, but it was a near thing. Neither the children nor their father noticed the quick reflexes of the people around them. It's not that the kids should have know better, which is of course true. It's that their parent should have known better. Whether your kids are crossing a street, a gas station, an amusement park lot, or any place cars are coming and going - remind your children of the four basic rules. Four Basic Rules:  Crossing the Street Safely Rules 1.     Cross at the corner or don’t cross at all! - Find a safe place to cross like the traffic lights or a street corner. 2.     Stop and Look, Stop and Look, both ways. Do you see traffic? How about a parked car - is someone in it, ready to pull out? What do you see? 3.     Are cars, trucks and busses coming? Wait and let them pass. 4.     When it is safe, walk straight across and keep looking around. You never know when a car might suddenly pull away from the curb, back out from a parking place or a driveway, or appear suddenly from around a corner. I hope that these four basic rules are easy enough to review with your child when they are ready to cross a road by themselves. Stay safe!   Mr. Doyle is a 30 year veteran of the martial arts. He has been teaching and educating men, women and children of Mississauga since 1986.  He is married and he and his wife, Lesa (also a black belt)  have two children, Charles (12) and Alexsandra (8).   Academy of Martial Arts, Port Credit www.dojoworld.ca

LKINGMOMSlking is a good form of exercise and can

WALKING MOMS Walking is a good form of exercise and can also add years to your life. Why not get out and walk with other Moms? You can enjoy the social aspects as well as benefit physically by keeping healthy and fit. Join other moms in your area for walks. If you are interested in joining a walking group or forming your own send an email to info@momsofmississauga.com or call for more details (416)873-3892. If you live in any of the following areas there are Moms waiting to hear from you. What are you waiting for get out and join them: Erin Mills and Dundas Erin Mills and Thomas Mavis and Courtney Park Winston Churchill and Derry Port Credit Square One

 

 

LE LECHE LEAGUE CANADA - (Mississauga Group) Mother to Mother breastfeeding support every 2nd Saturday of the month. For more details call (416) 483-3368.

MOMS TIME OUT - Clarkson & Meadowvale - A chance to get out of the house and meet other moms in the area. Childcare available. Email: Momstime@sympatico.ca

MOCHA MOMS - Port Credit - Need a break. Moms group meets every Wednesday.  Babysitting available. Email for more details h.m.r@sympatico.ca

ROUNDABOUT FAMILY CENTRE  - Parenting & Baby Groups - Monday mornings 10:00am—11:30am (Free) Parent & Baby Music— Tuesdays mornings 10:00 am—11:00am (Free) Love Me, Feed Me, Carry Me - A breastfeeding & baby wearing group - meets Friday mornings 12:00pm—2:00pm (Free) Breastfeeding Mother’s Group - Friday afternoons 12pm—2pm (Free) Now offering Prenatal Yoga, Mom & Baby Yoga, Baby Massage & more! Call (905) 274-9561 for more details.

ADJUSTMENTS AFTER BIRTH PROGRAM -  a service offered by the Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centres and supported by Peel Health can provide you with support and services to help you find your way. Peer support group to help you through difficult times.  Post partum depression affects 1 in 5 women.  You’re not alone!   Mississauga West (905) 567-4156  Mississauga South (905) 822-1114

POSTPARTUM PEER SUPPORT GROUP - OEYC Mississauga East offers a free support group for Moms. It is offered every Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on a drop in basis. No registration required. Childcare is available if needed. For more details please contact Sanja at (905) 276-6392.

FOODBANKS - Are you finding it hard to make ends meet? Do you find yourself struggling to put food on your table? If so, please contact your local food banks, they are there to help you in times of need. Not only do they provide food, some also have counselors.  Visit the Support section on Momsofmississauga.com for the phone list to contact your local food bank.

DROP IN -  STREETSVILLE - Ontario Early Years Centre -  Adults with children from birth to 6 years of age are welcome to join us during our regular drop in hours. Mon   9:00 am - 12:00 pm &  2:30  pm -  4:00 pm Tues   9:00 am - 12:00 pm &  2:30  pm -  4:00 pm Wed   9:00 am - 10:00 am &   2:30  pm - 4:00  pm Thurs 9:00 am - 12:00 pm &  1:00  pm -  4:00 pm Fri      9:00 am - 10:00 am  For more info on our program schedule call (905) 826-5411

VITA CENTRE FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING YOUTH Are you a young mom between the ages of 15 - 30 years looking to learn life skills. Do you want to meet young moms to share & learn with? If so, then this is the program you are looking for! Our GROWING AS PARENTS PROGRAM will provide you with the opportunity to build likfe skills and personal development. IT's FREE! Light snack provided. Free child minding is available on site.     Meetings are held@Mississauga Life Centre 110 Lakeshore Road . For more information or to register please call Rima. GAP Program Facilitator (905) 812-5477 or Email: gapm@vitamanor.org   Visit the support section of Momsofmississauga.com to download Flyer.

 

The Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centre operates the Ontario Early Years Centres in the south at Turtle Creek Plaza in Clarkson, Byngmount School, Port Credit High school and Sheridan Villa Nursing Home. We offer drop in as well as many programs for parents/caregivers and children 0-6 years. Visit our website www.mpcrc.ca or call us at 905-891-7621 for more information about our programs. The drop in and all our programs are FREE. One very important program we would like to highlight is our support group for women having difficulties with postpartum adjustment. Share your feelings and experiences in a safe and supportive environment and learn strategies to help you cope during this challenging time of adjustment. If you are experiencing any of the following : restlessness, sadness, loss of interest, extreme irritability or anger, crying for no apparent reason, overwhelmed, join us Thursday 1-3 pm. No registration required. Just drop in. You are not alone.

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