Family Matters

Connecting with English-speaking parents of young children in the Quebec City area 

I would like to take this June blog to highlight Jan Anderson, a very special person in our Wellness Family.  Many of you know her very well because she has been taking care of our Family Matters programs for over 20 years.  At the end of June, Jan is retiring and moving on to the next chapter in her life.

Always quick to come up with amazing ideas, Jan is full of spark, creativity, compassion and dedication.  She has had a great impact on our community, touching so many of our lives and enticing us with her delicious baking!  I feel so lucky to have been able to work with Jan and to have her as a mentor over these past few months. Congratulations Jan, on a wonderful career! All the best on your next adventures.

Read on for a special message from Jan.  If you would like to send her your good wishes before the end of June, please send her an email: janderson@jhpartners.net

Read on for a message from Jan to you...

Transition to High School, June 2nd

Let's plan for the summer, June 8

Baby Chat Café has gone virtual during the pandemic period. It’s still a great chance to meet and chat with other English-speaking parents of babies under one year of age.

Join us on June 8th for a discussion about ways to stay connected (virtually) over the summer.  Contact Jessica to register and for the ZOOM login details. 

Park Playdates adapted for this summer

With the recent announcements and reopening plans for Québec, we hope to make Park Playdates happen this summer, just a little differently. More details to come soon.

What we need to get started is YOU! We need a few keen parent volunteers that would be interested in hosting a Park Playdate at a park of their choice this summer. If you are interested in being a host or perhaps even helping coordinate Park Playdates this summer, please let me know. Thanks!

Virtual information session, June 16

Join Kate Nadeau, breastfeeding coach with Allaitement Québec and mother of two, as she offers practical tips, tricks and advice to expectant parents about breastfeeding.

• Learn what to expect as your baby begins nursing
• Discover tips to help baby latch on easily
• Find the position that’s right for you and baby
• Follow baby’s rhythm and create your own family routines
• Learn what Dads can do to support the nursing process
• Know what do if minor nursing problems arise
• Rest assured baby is gaining weight, growing and thriving on breast milk alone

Mark your calendars for Quebec Paternity Week June 14-20

Let's celebrate the dads and father figures out there and the amazing contributions that they make in children's lives.  The official Semaine Québecoise de la paternité campaign will be launched at the beginning of June. 
Co-parenting is one of the important themes being highlighted this year.   Read more about the Co-parenting campaign here and how teamwork can benefit the whole family. 
 

Help your child be comfortable outdoors and connect with nature 

Starting young helps provide your children with a positive connection with nature and the environment.  Get outside as much as you can and enjoy ALL the seasons and ALL types of weather.  Why not dress up and jump in those muddy puddles rather than hiding inside on rainy days? 

This is the perfect time of year to start planting outside, so why not plant some vegetables or flowers with your kids and watch them grow!  Check out some great articles from Naître et grandir on Raising children's environmental awareness and Gardening with your children (in French) and Playing Outside (in French). 

Latest news and reopening plan

Virtual workshops and activities planned for June

• Transition to High School Workshop - May 5
• Virtual Baby Chat Café, Let's Plan for the Summer- June 8
• Breastfeeding Information Session for Expectant Parents- June 16
• VEQ's Yoga Dance at Bois de Coulonge- June 5 & 19
• VEQ's Yoga Dance at Domaine des Maizerets- June 12
• Plaisir de lire et communautés: familles et enfants 0-8 ans, -June 17
• Local Vocals Singing Ensemble Mondays on Zoom
• Article on: Supporting women's mental health health in and out of the workplace
• Quebec City Women's Club Bursaries - Apply today!

Things to do with your family and other resources

• EPIQ: Getting Through it Together - Weekly on Thursday evenings
• Refresh your CV in English or French with a career and employment counsellor at the MFRC
• Les rendez-vous culturels
• Morrin Centre Children's activities - Storytime (kids aged 3-7) & S.T.E.A.M. (kids aged 8-12)
• Online storytime activities with the Bibliothèque de Québec - A great way to improve your French! 
• May-June programming at Entraide-Parents
• Parenting during COVID-19 - Great resources from Triple P
• Nobody's Perfect tip sheets for parents

It's About Time!  Encouraging dads and moms to share the care during COVID-19 and beyond

• 2-1-1 Information Service
• 8-1-1 Health Info
• Jeffery Hale Community Services
• Amiquebec Action on Mental Illness
• Éducaloi: Your Starting Point for Legal Information
• HemaQuébec: Public Mothers' Milk Bank
• From Tiny Tot to Toddler Guide
• Parents Matter
• Nobody's Perfect Parenting tips
• Triple P Positive Parenting Programs

• FORT Employability Program
• Ludothèque Ste-Foy Toy Library
• Morrin Centre
• Quebec Art Company
• Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph 
• Quebec City Reading Council
• Solidarité familles et sécurité routière
• Valcartier Military Family Resource Centre
• Voice of English-speaking Québec