When I was a child, I remember the excitement I felt when a new holiday was coming up. Whether it was Easter, Hallowe'en or Christmas, I always felt eager to welcome them. Part of the reason is that my mother always made the effort of decorating the house or yard in anticipation of these celebrations. Decorating for a holiday is a way to acknowledge the importance of it, but it is also a great way to foster a child's enthusiasm and imagination. Holidays are so important for a family, not only as days off of work or school, but also as a time to spend together and reconnect, and for reflection if religiously inclined. Decorating together is a wonderful way of sharing the holiday, and it brings magic back into our mundane lives. Who doesn't smile when you see a sparkly snowman sitting on the living room table or those Easter eggs hanging off the chandelier? Children need magic and sparkles and colour in their lives. When you don't decorate, then the holidays just come and go with no real importance to them, and the child just ends up wondering, "what's so special about this holiday? It's as special as we make them. Understandably, parents are busy these days... but would you rather wash the dishes, or make the kids jump with joy when you pull out those Christmas lights? Hallowe'en was a mixed pot this year. In my area, we're the only ones that do any kind of decorating on the house - complete with purple lights, spider webs, scarecrows and more. All of the other houses were pitch black... and empty. My daughter would often ask why the other houses don't like Hallowe'en. I explain to her that some people don't believe in Hallowe'en, and some just don't care enough. She listens to my explanation, and then looks at our house, and flashes a big smile "I love my house" she says. And that's why I do it. We went trick-or-treating in another area, and there the Hallowe'en spirit was alive. The streets were filled with children. You could feel that people were happy that night. Houses were dressed in their best Hallowe'en finery, and they all shimmered in the moonlight. That is what I want my child to remember.

This winter, no matter what holiday you are celebrating, please remember to decorate your house. No one likes to see rows of houses all uniformed in grayness and misery, when it's grey and cold. Put the lights up, dress up your mantle, wrap the banisters in garland, and bring the snowflakes to stick on to your windows. Make the holiday something your child will remember. Decorate together.

 

As the holiday shopping season is upon us, please take the time to ensure you have a safe and happy holiday season. As you find time to shop, please be mindful of the following safety tips. Be aware of your surroundings. Look for suspicious persons etc. when you are in any area. Remember where you parked your car. While this may sound elementary, many shopping areas are spread out over large areas. Being unable to locate a car can cause you undue confusion and stress that may present you as a better target to a criminal. If shopping late in the day or after dark, park in an area that is well lighted. Keep in mind, if you are shopping at a mall, the time the store closes from which you enter the mall, as some stores close earlier than others. This may keep you from having to walk unnecessary distances to your if you find the store has closed earlier than you expected. Shop in pairs at the very least. Take a friend or family member shopping with you. There is something to be said for safety in numbers. As you return to your car, make sure to keep your car key in your hand. Make sure you are also scanning the area (looking around) for inappropriate or suspicious people. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with cheques, credit or debit cards. Carry cash and wallets in a front pocket to reduce your chances of having your pocket picked. Don’t leave car phones, purses, CD cases or any other item of value in your parked car where they can be seen. Always conceal these items under a blanket or lock them in the trunk. Don’t leave purchased merchandise in your parked car where it can be seen. Conceal these items also. Always keep your car locked. Do not leave any of your packages and bags in the car, especially in your driveway. Car break-ins go up during the holiday season. Leave small change in the ashtray and leave the glove compartment unlocked. Criminals open the unlocked car (or break in ), check the glove compartment under the seats, and in the ashtray for quick cash and then leave quick. While these steps don’t guarantee you will not become the victim of crime they will hopefully reduce your chances of falling prey to a criminal.

 

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) , and have two children, Charles (12) and Alexsandra (8).

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 9:30am—11:30am(Free), Parent & Baby Music Tuesday mornings 10:00am to 11:00am (Free) Breastfeeding Mother’s Group - Friday afternoons 12pm—2pm (Free) 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 difficult times. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 5 women. You're not alone! Mississauga West location is held at Meadowvale Town Centre in the Ontario Early Years Centre. They meet weekly on Wed from 1 - 3pm. Group facilitators and babysitting available. Call (905) 567-4156 for more details. Mississauga South location is held in the Ontario Early Years Centre at Turtle Creek Plaza, Clarkson. 1801 Lakeshore Rd W. They meet weekly on Thurs. from 1 - 3pm. Group facilitators and babysitting available. Call (905) 822-1114 for more details.

 

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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