TOOL KIT FOR RAISING HAPPY HEALTHY KIDS

play in wide-open spaces

One of the best pieces of parenting advice we've heard is "they can't bounce off the walls if there aren't any!" Taking our kids out into wide open spaces has always been a major tool for us to let our kids release any pent-up negative energy and replace it with happy calm energy. In the winter, we love how Cypress Mountain Resort gives Metro Vancouver families convenient access to all sorts of outdoor adventures. Downhill & nordic skiing, sledding, tubing & snowshoeing are all great ways to get away from the 4 walls and screens at home and be free!

Build Safety Into Independence

Battles over independence certainly aren't over once you are clear of the me-do-it toddler years. Kids are constantly looking to assert more and more independence. We have found that the more creative we can be at building safety into the ways we say yes to our kids, the better they become at making good choices and succeeding. A big ask for us was walking home after dusk or on dark winter mornings. ZAPPED Outfitters' revolutionary reflective clothing has built safety into rad clothing that our kids actually want to wear, so we can say yes AND feel good about it. ZAPPED custom prints are made up of millions of microscopic glass beads that refract light back to the source within a very tight angle, allowing the silver print underneath to reflect light. This works in the same way as high-visibility reflective tape and allows kids to PLAY HARD & BEEN SEEN! And stay tuned...we've got a hot tip that Zapped adult sizing is coming very soon!

Build up their confidence

Confidence comes with knowing that our value is not dependent on what we do or what we have.  We can hold on to the knowledge that we are enough just as we are and then we can risk failure in a task without being a failure as a person. With this confidence, we can try ANYTHING! This so much easier said than done and most adults don't have this as a base, so we highly recommend recruiting Strong Healthy Kids for help in this area. They have a vision of every child building the confidence to make healthy choices & navigate unique challenges in periods of transition throughout their lifetime, with the support of healthy adult role models and a community in which they feel valued, connected & empowered. Through workshops and personalized coaching, Strong Healthy Kids support adults and children who are feeling overwhelmed or disconnected to develop the foundation skills needed to feel safe, happy, and strong!

Always carry healthy snacks

Whether it's school pick-up, hiking, or driving to dance class, we have learned to ALWAYS have healthy snacks on hand and in the car. Especially with tweens at home, we know that no hormone-charged conversation is ever helped by low blood sugar. Our kids are facing new stresses every day, and for the most part, they are handling them with grace. So it's our job to support their growing bodies and minds in the best way we can. GnuSanté makes super convenient really tasty, kids beverages, and our kiddos love them! Lunch box friendly, on-the-go nutrition in an environmentally friendly resealable pouch. Picky-eater-approved flavours like Rockin' Raspberry, Go Bananas and Mango Tango are enjoyed just as much by parents...and the fibre means no sugar crash!

Be Body Positive

Imagine your child growing up feeling confident in the skin they’re in. Living life to their fullest potential, leading a healthy lifestyle, and genuinely loving it. Imagine your kids never (ever) dieting in their life. Period. Jenn Messina, RD is a Registered Dietician and an amazing resource for parents who want to create a body-positive home and set their kids up for a healthy lifelong relationship with food. She is committed to teaching kids to learn to love ALL food and feel good in their bodies. Her flexible and non-judgemental approach allows her to meet clients where they are instead of where they think they should be. Whether it's through a one-on-one consultation or through a course, it's worth seeking support if your family is looking to bring the joy back into eating together and feeling your best through healthy choices.  

Give Them A Solid Foundation

Everyone, regardless of age, should be eating a varied diet rich in vegetables, fruits, high-quality protein, and healthy fats. But when it comes to growing, active children, they also need a solid foundation from a great multivitamin with minerals. We love that the Canadian team behind KidStar Nutrients believes that nutritional supplements for kids should be pure and clean with nothing to hide. Their products are free of sugar, soy, gluten, wheat, yeast, as well as artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners. KidStar's mission is to make nutritional supplements that are out-of-this-world amazing and contain only the ingredients needed and nothing more!

Reach For Nature First

We try to make sure that our kids eat well & exercise regularly to stay healthy, but sometimes we need to relieve unpleasant symptoms so that they can rest & let their little bodies heal. Childhood is full of minor bumps in the road and we always try to relieve symptoms as naturally as possible before looking to medications. From coughs and sniffles, to nausea, upset tummies, and a good night’s sleep, Rascal Remedies was created to provide gentle support for everyday ailments with a collection of premium quality wellness Roll-Ons and Body Mists. We love that they're formulated by certified Aromatherapists and made with pure essential oils that are safely diluted for rascals. And did we mention that their products are toxin-free, cruelty-free and always 100% natural?!

invest in quality outdoor gear

keep them safe at school & on the go