Useful Links - the links on this page are:
Baby clothes
Children's book authors
Drop-In Centres
Festivals and other things to do
Fitness
Hair
Help for moms
Martial Arts
Massage
Mom's Groups
Nannies
Parks
Restaurants
Children's book authors
Drop-In Centres
Festivals and other things to do
Fitness
Hair
Help for moms
Martial Arts
Massage
Mom's Groups
Nannies
Parks
Restaurants
Baby Clothes
reBabe. ‘ReBabe’ is the brainchild of Bénédicte and Melanie, two teachers on maternity leave itching to create! Inundated with hand-me-downs, and mindful of how much goes to waste when a new baby arrives, we decided to create one-of-a-kind pieces from recycled materials. Everything we make is recycled, upcycled, reused and altered!
Children's book authors
Heather Hartt-Sussman. Heather Hartt-Sussman’s charming story, complemented by the playful, quirky illustrations of artist Geneviève Côté, is a comforting exploration of friendship and the importance of trusting one’s own judgment. Many children will root for Noni as she learns that you can stand up for yourself and still be a good friend.
To learn more about Heather and her fantastic children's books go to http://www.heatherhartt.com/home/
To learn more about Heather and her fantastic children's books go to http://www.heatherhartt.com/home/
Drop-In Centres
Drop-In Centres are places that moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers can go with kids and hang out. They are all different. Some are publicly funded, some are privately funded. The programming varies from organization to organization. Some have circle time, some have infant programs, some have outside space, some have literacy programs. The list goes on and on. I believe that they all have ECE (Early Childhood Educators) staff. If you've never heard of a drop-in and you're pregnant or have an infant, I can't stress this enough... FIND YOUR LOCAL DROP-IN AND GO THERE NOW!. Don't worry about all the paperwork your midwife or doctor gave you. Just go to the drop in. There is too much to talk about here, but trust me on this, you won't regret it.
Ontario Early Years Centres
When I was the mother of a 4 month old and was sitting in my living room wondering how I was going to get through another day, I really needed to know about these places. Here is a link to Ontario Early Years Centres so you can find one in your area. www.ontarioearlyyears.ca.
College Montrose Children's Place
My salvation came by accident in the form of the College Montrose Children's Place. They have programs for toddlers and infants and when I walked in there and met Corina and she showed me the 'grown up' table and offered me a coffee while she held my baby, I thought it was too good to be true. Turns out, that's just what they do there. I'm pretty sure that this place and their amazing staff saved my sanity. Best drop-in ever. True story. http://cmcp.ca/
The Children's Storefront
The Children's Storefront used to be on Bathurst at Dupont and it burned down a few years ago. Fortunately, through a tonne of hard work and the dedication of the families who go there, they have opened a new location at Bloor and Shaw. More info here: http://www.childrensstorefront.com/
Festivals and other things to do
Need stuff to do with the kids over the summer? Here are some useful links.
HarbourKids - All things kids at Harbourfront - And it's FREE!
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/harbourkids/
Best things to do with kids in Toronto:
http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadiancities1/tp/toptorontokids.htm
Toronto Festivals 2011
https://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/all?OpenView
Ontario Top 100 Festivals and Events 2011: http://www.ontariofestivalsvisited.ca/top_100.htm
HarbourKids - All things kids at Harbourfront - And it's FREE!
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/harbourkids/
Best things to do with kids in Toronto:
http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadiancities1/tp/toptorontokids.htm
Toronto Festivals 2011
https://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/all?OpenView
Ontario Top 100 Festivals and Events 2011: http://www.ontariofestivalsvisited.ca/top_100.htm
Fitness
Felyce’s Fitness is In-Home Personal Training.
Core and Strength training to help you achieve your weight loss and fitness goals. Personalized Exercise Programs in the privacy of your own home!
No more loud classes or crowded gyms! No more travel time!
No Equipment Required!
Find out how exercise can change your weight and your life!
Call 416 836-5416, or email me today at felycesfitness@rogers.com for your Free Consultation! http://www.felycesfitness.ca
Hair
Hair By Miranda - Want to get your hair done? Don't know what to do with the kids? Or maybe you're pregnant and you don't think you can get colour done? Well, Hair By Miranda will solve your problems. You can bring your kids with you - she has 4 herself and knows your pain! Also, she uses all natural, all organic ingredients so no need to go without beautiful hair while you're preggers. Oh, and she's a veritable rockstar when it comes to colour and cut!
http://www.hairbymiranda.ca/EXTERN/show.php
http://www.hairbymiranda.ca/EXTERN/show.php
Help for Moms
La Leche League Canada - For help with breastfeeding and general mommy baby support.
http://www.lllc.ca/chapter-group/ontario
Counselling Psychology - Maya Hammer, M.A.
Maya is a psychotherapist working with an experienced team of Psychologists and master's level clinicians at the Health Psychology Clinic in downtown Toronto. Her area of specialization is in women's mental health, with a specific focus on the perinatal period that encompasses planning for conception, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. She also see individuals and couples facing issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and communication issues, challenges with motivation, work transitions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Contact: 416.597.0015, maya@healthpsychologyclinic.ca
www.mayahammer.ca
www.healthpsychologyclinic.ca
Maya is a psychotherapist working with an experienced team of Psychologists and master's level clinicians at the Health Psychology Clinic in downtown Toronto. Her area of specialization is in women's mental health, with a specific focus on the perinatal period that encompasses planning for conception, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. She also see individuals and couples facing issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and communication issues, challenges with motivation, work transitions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Contact: 416.597.0015, maya@healthpsychologyclinic.ca
www.mayahammer.ca
www.healthpsychologyclinic.ca
The Nesting Place
You're pregnant or your partner is pregnant. You want to have a healthy labour AND you want to feel good about your experience. You want to make the right decisions for YOU but you don't know what questions to ask. You want to trust your gut yet be well informed about what to expect from something you've never done before...wouldn't it be nice if labour came with a guide?
Amanda Spakowski is the founder of The Nesting Place and a birth doulas and prenatal instructor. She thinks childbirth is a transformative life event that can influence how you feel about yourself for years after your delivery. She want parents to feel more confident, less scared, more connected and less isolated in birth and their immediate postpartum.
For more information check out www.thenestingplace.ca or contact Amanda directly at:
Amanda Spakowski
Owner, doula and Birthing From Within Educator
amanda@thenestingplace.ca
416-722-3814
You're pregnant or your partner is pregnant. You want to have a healthy labour AND you want to feel good about your experience. You want to make the right decisions for YOU but you don't know what questions to ask. You want to trust your gut yet be well informed about what to expect from something you've never done before...wouldn't it be nice if labour came with a guide?
Amanda Spakowski is the founder of The Nesting Place and a birth doulas and prenatal instructor. She thinks childbirth is a transformative life event that can influence how you feel about yourself for years after your delivery. She want parents to feel more confident, less scared, more connected and less isolated in birth and their immediate postpartum.
For more information check out www.thenestingplace.ca or contact Amanda directly at:
Amanda Spakowski
Owner, doula and Birthing From Within Educator
amanda@thenestingplace.ca
416-722-3814
Martial Arts
Toronto Academy of Karate, Fitness and Health
My Sensei once said that you do not study Karate for the .000001 percent of your life that you're in a fight. You study Karate to learn how to live in the 99.99999 percent of the time that you're not in a fight. It couldn't be more true. This is where I met my partner Duff and where we will enroll our son when he is old enough. Respect, strength, compassion and gentleness are taught equally to boys and girls, children and adults, through traditionally Karate training. I can't recommend this dojo highly enough. It is near and dear to my heart.
Contact Sensei Freeman at (416) 409-3084
E-mail: info@torontoacademy.com
Website: http://www.torontoacademy.com/
My Sensei once said that you do not study Karate for the .000001 percent of your life that you're in a fight. You study Karate to learn how to live in the 99.99999 percent of the time that you're not in a fight. It couldn't be more true. This is where I met my partner Duff and where we will enroll our son when he is old enough. Respect, strength, compassion and gentleness are taught equally to boys and girls, children and adults, through traditionally Karate training. I can't recommend this dojo highly enough. It is near and dear to my heart.
Contact Sensei Freeman at (416) 409-3084
E-mail: info@torontoacademy.com
Website: http://www.torontoacademy.com/
Massage Therapy for Kids
Massage Therapy for Kids
Balanced Body, Balanced Spirit's mission is to provide tools for creating balance for children, both physically and emotionally through on-site Pediatric Massage Therapy as well as by teaching stress management tools to children, thier families, their caregivers and teachers. Our mission is to provide hands on treatment as well as education to all children including those with serious health issues and special needs.
Contact: Sarah King, 647-203-4481
E-mail: sarah@rmt4kids.com
Website: http://rmt4kids.com/default.aspx
Balanced Body, Balanced Spirit's mission is to provide tools for creating balance for children, both physically and emotionally through on-site Pediatric Massage Therapy as well as by teaching stress management tools to children, thier families, their caregivers and teachers. Our mission is to provide hands on treatment as well as education to all children including those with serious health issues and special needs.
Contact: Sarah King, 647-203-4481
E-mail: sarah@rmt4kids.com
Website: http://rmt4kids.com/default.aspx
Mom's Groups
Mommy Connections West Toronto
Mommy Connections introduces you to programs and services available within your community. Our classes provide a unique learning opportunity as well as a fun way to bond with your child and other moms in a social environment. Each week’s class features a discussion lead by a local expert followed by a fun activity for mom and baby. This allows for a unique bonding opportunity with your little one while still fulfilling your need to obtain information and be social with other moms experiencing the same challenges, fears and excitement. You’ll get to try all kinds of local programs like Music, Pilates, Baby Sign Language, Fitness, and more! There are door prizes every week, and each mom also receives a swag bag valued at almost $300! Mommy Connections provides educational and social connections for the modern family before baby and beyond! www.mommyconnections.ca/west-toronto
Mommy Connections introduces you to programs and services available within your community. Our classes provide a unique learning opportunity as well as a fun way to bond with your child and other moms in a social environment. Each week’s class features a discussion lead by a local expert followed by a fun activity for mom and baby. This allows for a unique bonding opportunity with your little one while still fulfilling your need to obtain information and be social with other moms experiencing the same challenges, fears and excitement. You’ll get to try all kinds of local programs like Music, Pilates, Baby Sign Language, Fitness, and more! There are door prizes every week, and each mom also receives a swag bag valued at almost $300! Mommy Connections provides educational and social connections for the modern family before baby and beyond! www.mommyconnections.ca/west-toronto
Nannies
Nannies on Call - Nannies on Call is a bi-coastal boutique nanny agency. They provide Extraordinary on call babysitting services and Full-Time, Part-Time and Short Term. From coast to coast, Nannies on Call works with over 400 pre-screened, safety-certified Extraordinary Nannies.
Toll free call: 1 877 214-2828
Toronto Head Office
#702 – 2 Bloor Street West
Toronto, On
M4W 3R1
info@nanniesoncall.com
http://www.nanniesoncall.com/
Toll free call: 1 877 214-2828
Toronto Head Office
#702 – 2 Bloor Street West
Toronto, On
M4W 3R1
info@nanniesoncall.com
http://www.nanniesoncall.com/
Parks
Dufferin Grove Park - This is my favorite park in the city. Located on the east side of Dufferin across from Dufferin mall they offer a plethora of fantastic services. Thursday from 3 - 7 there is an organic farmers market on the north side of the park. In that same location, there is an organic 'Dinner in the Park' served every Friday evening starting at 6:00pm. They offer both meat and veggie meals as well as small stuff for the kiddies. They offer campfires, a pizza oven, a skating rink (in the winter of course), with skate rental and have pretty much the only shaded playground around. The trees are lovely in the heat of the summer as is the wading pool and huge mud pit. For more info about Dufferin Grove look here: http://dufferinpark.ca/home/wiki/wiki.php
Trinity Bellwoods park offers an organic farmers market on Tuesday afternoons from 3 - 7 seasonally. They have a playground and tonne of green space. They are located between Dundas and Queen, east of Strachan. For more information about the park look here: http://www.trinitybellwoods.ca/ and for more info about their farmers market look here: http://www.tbfm.ca/
Christie Pits is a bit like a local diamond in the rough. I think of it as the little brother of Dufferin Grove. It's got a lot to offer but only the people who live in the immediate area seem to be aware of it. Much like Dufferin Grove, they have gardens, pizza bakes and all sorts of events. Most uniquely they have a huge, gorgeous pool perfect for little kids! Learn more here: http://www.christiepits.ca/
Restaurants
Finding good restaurants with or without a child can sometimes be a challenge. Below is our selection of places we really like!
The Roxton - Located on Harbord just east of Ossington, The Roxton is the best place in the area to just chilll on the patio with a beer or a glass of wine.
Join them for their Fall/Winter menu by chef, D. Ellis, paired along with some of their over 20 wines by the glass and 8 local draft taps.
Join them for their Fall/Winter menu by chef, D. Ellis, paired along with some of their over 20 wines by the glass and 8 local draft taps.
Becky, Junior and Elora - owners of The Roxton!
The kitchen is open for extended hours, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays.
379 Harbord St.
Toronto, ON
416-535-8181
gm@theroxton.com
