Moms of Mississauga
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Moms of Mississauga
February Newsletter - Vol 2 Issue 2

MomsofMissississauga.com is an online resource directory for mothers and others who want to keep informed about the activities and businesses in the Mississauga area.

Our vision for our newsletter & website is to be a positive voice for the Moms of Mississauga and family community.  We encourage you to write and share  your experiences and inspirational stories.

If you would like to share a story with us, please send an email to info@momsofmississauga.com We look forward to hearing from you.

M.O.M Online
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Crafts & Recipes
Directory Listings
Events
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Funny Photos
Parenting Tips

New! MOM’s Blog

 

Join our mailing list to get regular updates of MOMs newsletter & events.

 

Gimme-a-Break Child Care Centre - 905-270-CARE (2273) - Committed to providing flexible high quality child care within a nurturing, secure environmentally friendly setting.

 

WEE PIGGIES & PAWS - MISSISSAUGA

 

By The Lake Massage Therapy & Wellness Centre

 

Skin Care Consultant

 

Port Credit Academy of Martial Arts

 

Contact Greenwood Painting Click Here for more details- 905-330-3114

 

Pippi's World -Children's Parties & Indoor Playground

 

1381 Lakeshore Rd E.

  Unit 2 
(at Dixie & Lakeshore)

 

Roundabout Kids = Children's Quality Resale - Click Here to visit website

332 Lakeshore Rd East Mississauga, Ontario
L5G 1H4
www.roundaboutkids.ca

905-274-9561

 

Creative Memories - 20 Free Digital Prints at www.cmphotocenter.com

Artisan Photography

ARTISAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Fine art children's portraiture

artisanphotographytoronto.com

(416) 992-4685

 

 

MOMs NEWS

 

Moms of Mississauga is looking forward to celebrating our first birthday with you.  Keep watch for MOMs specials throughout the year!  

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Register online for free to receive MOMs  birthday event updates and special deals throughout the year.  If you don’t  have access to email feel free to give us a call for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

PARENTING TIPS?

Calling all parents with experience. We need your advice. Please help!

MOM is looking for parenting books perferably the ones on discipline. If you have a favourite or have any advise on discipline, please send in your reccomendations or parenting tips.

Send your advice to info@momsofmississauga.com

Re: Parenting Tips.

 

 

MOMs SAY....

MOMs we would love to hear from you.

Email us your events, classifieds, crafts & recipes, parenting tips, funny photos or stories to

info@momsofmississaug.com

Each submission will be entered into a draw at the end of the year for a gift certificate valued at $50.

 

TO BECOME A

SPONSOR OF THIS

COMMUNITY

RESOURCE

EMAIL:

INFO@

MOMSOFMISSISSAUGA.COM

 

 

UNIVERSAL LOVE
Written by Carmen Joseph

Babies bring out the best in people. It all starts when you get pregnant and you share the news with your husband. At first there is shock because he doesn’t believe that it is true, then the smile from ear to ear appears. He is overjoyed and excited that he is going to be a Daddy. But he does not know that the news that you shared with him just moments ago will change his life forever. From that moment on he sees and treats you in a good way, differently.

When you decide to let your family and friends in on this big secret they are so happy for you. They become so outwardly concerned about your wellbeing. Not that they didn’t care about you before you were pregnant, it’s just that now you are going through this life changing experience. You’re going to have a baby!

As your tummy begins to grow and the physical signs of your pregnancy are more apparent people are super nice. You start to receive so much attention from people that you don’t even know. People open doors for you and give up their seat on public transit. Your husband is constantly asking you if you’re ok, friends and family don’t want you to do anything physical for fear of hurting the baby. It’s such a nice feeling knowing that people care.

You finally have the baby and everyone is excited again. They are all curious about the baby. Is it a girl or a boy? Who does he or she look like? How many pounds is the baby? Everyone hopes that Mommy and baby are fine and they all send their well wishes and love.

The baby is a few weeks old and you’re able to get out more. As you walk proudly pushing your stroller it’s amazing the number of people that smile at you; people who would normally just pass by you focused on where they are going or too shy to make eye contact. These people are Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Mothers, Fathers, Aunts, Uncles, Sisters, Brothers, cousins and neighbors to babies whom have touched their lives in one way or another. Babies are a universal love, and if only we could all treat each other this way all the time… the world would be a much better place.

 

FAMILY DAY!

The long weekend that we have all been waiting for! Do you recall an email petition that had been going around on the internet requesting another statutory holiday? Now that it’s here how will you utilize this extra time? Will you plan a mini vacation? Take the time to relax at home or get things done that you never seem to have the time to do throughout the week?

Why stay home?

Why not get yourselves a Family Day Pass at your local recreation centre. For only $6.50 you and your family can spend an active day skating, swimming or playing a family sport. Call Recreation and Parks for more details (905) 615-4100

Or, why not celebrate Family Day & Heritage Day with the Museums of Mississauga? 10 am—2pm at Clarkson Community Centre.
This new statutory holiday is on Monday February 18th. Whatever you decide to do enjoy !

 

 

WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD IS MISSING
By Christopher Doyle, Personal Safety Instructor

The last few safety tips articles have been geared to a child’s development so this month I am getting back to some of our quick safety tips. Please read these tips carefully, print them out, review them with the rest of the family and post them on your refrigerator.

What to Do if a Child is Missing…

ACT IMMEDIATELY if you believe that your child is missing.
If your child is missing from home, Call their name over and over again (an abductor does not want to be caught so any attention will make them want to escape). Search the house checking closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside large appliances, around the surrounding property, and inside vehicles, including trunks—wherever a child may crawl or hide (check their favorite hiding areas). Check with playmates, check favorite play areas, and call all friends, neighbors, and relatives.

If you still cannot find your child, immediately call 911 (or your local law enforcement agency).
If your child disappears in a store, Go to the entrance of the store and call their name over and over again (make sure you bend down to their height). Search the store displays and notify the store manager or security office. Then immediately call 911 (or your local law enforcement agency). Many stores have a Code Adam plan of action— if a child is missing in the store, employees immediately mobilize to look for the missing child.

When you talk with the law enforcement officer, provide your child's name, date of birth, height, weight, and any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces. Tell them when you noticed that your child was missing and what clothing, especially their shoes, he or she was wearing. Be prepared to also give the following information:- birthmarks or other marks of identification- most recent photograph- fingerprint record card- description of clothing worn at the time of disappearance- disappearance- medical problems- recent problems at home, school, with playmates etc.- possible/probable abduction by spouse or former spouse- possible runaway: favorite clothes, possessions missing ?- If possible abduction by a parent, does child have own passport? - Is child recorded on passport of other parent?


One of the things I make sure that my two children do when we are out in public places is what I call, “Line of Sight” drill. Both of my kids know that if we were to stop and take a quick look around, we would see each other in less than 5 seconds. So, every once in a while I look up and say, “Line of Sight” and both kids look up at me. I do not tell them why I do it and usually make it a little game, letting them try to be the first I see.


As with all self defense situations, we would rather not think about it happening but at the same time we want to know that our kids are safe. Being prepared, not paranoid, is healthy and I have a saying that goes, “I can’t predict my children’s future but I am going to teach them everything they should know to have a good and safe one!”


Academy of Martial Arts, Port Credit
www.dojoworld.ca

 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).

 

CHOOSING YOUR CHILD’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Is it as difficult as choosing their University? Written by Carmen Joseph

Parents now a days are faced with much more choices when it comes to their children’s education. It is no longer as simple as picking the closest public or separate school. Why is choosing your child’s elementary school so difficult? Shouldn’t it be elementary? Perhaps, however parents such as you and I only want the best for our children, therefore we tend to do our homework and research our options.

The choices for elementary education can be as overwhelming as choosing a University as there are several options. You can choose from any of the following (and probably more that I may not be aware of): public, Catholic, French Immersion, a fully French school, home school, Montessori school or other private schools such as language based schools, religious or spiritual based school, preschool or daycare that offer programs that follow the Ontario curriculum requirements.

Below you will find a brief description of some of your choices. If you haven’t gotten around to making that decision yet, perhaps this may help you out.

Peel District School Board
The Peel District School Board has designed a plan to help students learn and do well in school. In order to help their students achieve the best of their ability, the Peel District School Board developed a system called the Report Card for Student Success. This system helps them to turn their goals into action. The Peel board's mission is Lifelong learning: striving to be the best.


Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board
The mission of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board in partnership with the family and church, is to provide in a responsible manner, a Catholic education which develops spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social, and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully today and to meet the challenges of the future, thus enriching the community.


Montessori School
The Montessori School approach was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori who studied the child and based her schools on the natural development of children. The Montessori classrooms are setup in a prepared environment that allows the child to explore and develop at their own pace.


Home Schooling
Parents can choose to home school their children and there are many organizations that provide resources and community support. If a parent chooses to home school their children, they must contact one of the local school boards and indicate in writing their intention to home school.


French Immersion
Children can attend the French Immersion program in Peel in Grade 1. In this first year it will be 90% French instruction and 10% English. In the 2nd year and years after they will be instructed 50% French and 50% English. It is not a requirement that the parent speak French however, they do recommend that the parent take an active interest in their child’s learning for success in the program.


French School
A child can attend a full French school in the public system only if one of the parents is a Francophone or has attended a French speaking school in the past. All instruction is conducted in French and correspondence with the parents is in French as well. There are private French schools which have different requirements and may not necessary require the parents to speak French.


Daycare
There are licensed daycare facilities that provide Junior and Senior Kindergarten programs that follow the Ontario Curriculum as set out by the Ministry of Education.


Private School

There many private schools that all have different philosophies. These schools are privately owned and are not funded by the government therefore the parent who chooses this option will have to pay a tuition. Depending on the school the tuition can be several thousands of dollars.


When choosing your child’s school, do your research. Find out the reputation of the school by asking other parents in your neighbourhood, make an appointment to visit the school, consider your child’s learning ability and temperament, and determine what is important to you for your child’s education.

Good luck with your decision!

Article resources: Ministry of Education Website http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/
Peel District School Board - www.peelschool.org
Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board - www.dpcdsb.org

 

 

Kindergarten registration for the 2008/2009 school year is approaching and if you haven’t already decided on the school that your child will be attending, here is some information in regards to the publicly funded schools.

  • There are 2 publicly funded school boards that are in Peel. They are the Peel District School Board, Dufferin-Peel Catholic school board.
  • Conseil scolaire de district du Centre Sud-Ouest and the Conseil scolaire de district catholiques Centre-Sud are 2 publicly funded school boards that have school representation in Mississauga.
  • Registration for Kindergarten in a Peel District School Board school is between March 25th - April 11th, 2008.
  • Registration for a school in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic school board is on February 25, 27, 28 & 29.
    Contact your local school for more details.

 

 

EQAO Test

In 1995 the Ontario Government established the EQAO (Education Quality Assurance Office) in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Learning. This commission consulted with parents, educators and students who wanted more accountability and quality assurance in the public school system.

Every student in Ontario must take an assessment test in Grade 3 and Grade 6, as required by the Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Act. Students are tested on their reading, writing and mathematic skills. The EQAO an independent agency gathers the results of these tests and provides reports on the achievements of students province wide.

The information that you can gather from a report is the results of the current year as well as a comparison of the past 5 years. You can also get an idea of the characteristics of the participating students., graphs summarizing the provincial standards in reading, writing and mathematics as well as the percentage of students achieving them. Results based on gender, participation information, achievement levels and student questionnaires can also be found in a school report.

The results of these test are reported on the EQAO website www.eqao.com


 

MOM’S NIGHT OUT -  JOIN US FOR  A FUN NIGHT OUT WITH JUST THE MOMS

Email us at momsnight@momsofmississauga.com for more details.

 

SUPPORT GROUPS

 

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)
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.

 

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

 

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.

 
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
To view events listings click on link below the calendar or highlighted dates.

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Visit Events Section Online for more detailed information

 

Email us your events, classifieds, crafts & recipes, parenting tips, funny photos or stories to info@momsofmississauga.com.

Each submission will be entered into a draw at the end of the year for a gift  certificate valued at $50.  MOMs we would love to hear from you! 

 

CONGRATULATIONS !

TO MORGAN STORIE THE WINNER OF OUR END OF THE YEAR DRAW FOR A $50 DOLLAR CORA’S GIFT CERTIFICATE.

 

 

MOMS MAIL

To: info@momsofmississauga.com
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 1:39 PM
Subject: A moms perspective

I have just finished reading the article in your Jan, 2008 issue about Martial Arts fusion written by Christopher Doyle of the Port Credit Academy of Martial Arts. I was thinking about all the moms who maybe looked passed this article thinking it was just a way to attract business. Well, I wanted the moms out there to see it from another point of view.

I wanted to first make it clear that I am not employed by Port Credit AMA. I am just a mom that trains in this club.

My son Jesse started training in 2006 at the age of 5. I would watch him train and loved how he developed. He became confident. His grades improved and he was also more comfortable around his peers. My daughter Tasia at the age of three started months later. Tasia was once a very shy child but turned into a confident and dedicated student. I used to watch my children train and even compete in tournaments. Jesse even went to Disney to compete. I watched as they improved their technique and started reminiscing about days gone by when I was an athlete. Those days seemed too far back at the age of 33, I thought living through my children was the answer. Watching practice after practice and cheering on my children I ached for my return to athletics. I took the Kardio Kicks program at Port Credit AMA. I fell in love with the classes. I quickly cancelled my gym membership as I saw more results from this program. I lost inches within the first few weeks. My asthma improved incredibly, I felt stronger and had a lot more energy. Then my competitive side was lurking and I joined Karate. It was a great way to keep me busy as I had just quit my job and it was mentally stimulating. Of course the beginning was very difficult and I found myself thinking what have I gotten into, but I stuck it out and passed my first grading and I felt an incredible sense of personal satisfaction.
 
I just really wanted to stress to parents, you are never too old or too busy to make time for yourselves. I also think that getting the children started as soon as possible is a real bonus. I have three children and I couldn't afford these programs as a young single mom with my oldest son who is thirteen and now he isn't interested in any kind of physical activity. It is really important to start the kids in programs early. I strongly recommend this form of activity because it teaches discipline, respect for yourself and others, focus as well as keeping your body in great shape.
 
I really hope this info could help families thinking about starting their training in Martial Arts and I really recommend this school because they have wonderful teaching staff.

Thank You for reading my e-mail.

Angella


MOMS: Thank you Angella for taking the time to send us this email testimony. I have heard other positive feedback from some other Moms who have their kids in the Karate program. It is also nice to get a Moms experience on the adult classes as well. Thanks again!

 

 

"WEE & THE WISE"

WE'RE LOOKING FORE MOMS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING TOGETHER ONCE A MONTH FOR A VISIT AT A RETIREMENT HOME WITH YOUR WEE ONES.

OUR NEXT VISIT IS ON FEBRUARY 4TH , 2008 AT 10:30AM

Meet other mothers in a comfortable facility where you can do Arts & Crafts, Cooking, Snacks, Games and Songs with your children. Bring some additonal joy into the lives of our older generation, some of who don't have any grandchildren of their own or don't have the opportunity to see their grandchildren that often.

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of our seniors, email info@momsofmississauga.com.

 

 

 

 

Mambo Dream Team - offering Salsa as well as Rumba, Merengue, Samba and Latin Classes for Kids, Teens and Adults - Call 416-898-9800 for more details.

 

Prince Edward Montessori School  - member of CCMA - with two locations - Mississauga & Toronto - call 905-891-6912 or 416-234-9127 for more details.

Janee Niebler Doctor of Homeopathy

 

Charmain Green - Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner - Health In Balance

 

Fantasia

 

Trillium Laser - Beautiful Solutions Hair & Vein Clinic

 

Salsa Babies - Latin Beat for little feet!

 

ACCE Market Research Company - Become an ACCE tester. "We Pay YOu To Eat!

 

Sing - offering private vocal instruction and beginner piano lessons, licensed Kindermusik Educator, group classes

 

BR Travel - For your travel needs.  Book a family holiday today!

 

 

UC BABY 3D ULTRASOUND
 
David Hahn - Sales Representative - Royal LePage 416-937-3500

Lakeview Logo

645 Lakeshore Rd East
Mississauga, On
L5G 1J5

905-278-3567

 

Gentle Care Doula Services

Click Here to View Website

1965 Britannia Road

West, Suite 210

Mississauga, ON

L5M 4Y4

(905) 542-8885

 
Port Credit Windows & Eavestrough Cleaning
 
Portraits By Shillann - Photography
 
PAMPERED MOMMY
 

Alpha's Discovery Club - Specializing in Children's Parties - Children's Programs, Theme Birthday Parities, & Indoor Play Centre - Click here to go to our website.

 

 

 

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THIS MONTHS FEATURED ARTICLE IS BY CAROLYN OF CAROLYN'S MODEL & TALENT AGENCY

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CLICK HERE FOR FEATURED BUSINESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're looking for specific information and you're having difficulty finding it or you don't have the time, feel free to email us. Perhaps we might be able to find the information for you.

info@momsofmississauga.com

 

MOM

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