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From the Editors

In From the Editors, Random Thoughts on
February 12, 2019

#MOMCRUSHMONDAY – CONTRIBUTOR Jody

WAHM/D, SAHM/D, Work out of the home or other?

I run a home-based business from before I had kids – so when I had kids I guess that made me a ‘WAHM’ too!  I have contracts all over the city so I’m on the move a lot.

# of Kids? Ages?

2 girls aged 6 and 9. Lots of drama around our place!

What movie makes you cry?

The Notebook gets me every time.

Tell us about a mom/dad who inspires you?

I am inspired by so many parents I just can’t name one. I think that everyone has their own style and mantra when it comes to raising children and I’m always learning from all the moms & dads around me!

What’s the fondest memory you have of your life as a mom/dad so far? The biggest challenge?

My fondest memories so far are travelling with my children. When we are away from home we connect so much more as a family – no distractions, just each other and the adventures before us!
The biggest challenges – well there are many. I found it tough to transition to being a mom after being a professional, highly driven woman in the workforce. It was hard to step out of working full time and being programmed to achieve high standards all the time. I also feel like I had no idea what I was doing half the time when it comes to raising children. I’m just ‘winging it’ and that is an uncomfortable space for me to be in! Also, raising little girls that are like me is the biggest challenge of all! Yeesh!

Would you rather be able to see 10 minutes into your own future or 10 minutes into the future of anyone but yourself? Why?

I would prefer to see 10 minutes into the future of someone else. I’d rather it be a surprise for myself.

You and your oldest child switch bodies for an hour. What do they do? What do you do?

I would love to feel what it’s like to be such a beautiful, strong dancer and gymnast and move in her body. When I was growing up I was not a strong or fit child and I was quite awkward. My daughter is like a swan, I love to watch her do what she loves. If she switched to my body she’d probably see how my mind is going a million miles a minute and then long to have her own life back – maybe she’ll appreciate more of how easy it is to be a kid!
Jody is a mom to two highly energetic daughters. She owns a marketing firm in Edmonton, www.makinamarketing.com, and is a travel blogger at www.worktravelrepeat.ca.You can find her on Twitter @holajody and Instagram @jodyninahyeg.
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In Charity Spotlight, From the Editors, Lifestyle, Random Thoughts on
February 6, 2019

Charity Spotlight: Weehelp Foundation

Welcome to a new feature on AlbertaMamas.com! Collectively, one of our big passions is giving back, and we know many of our readers feel the same. So, we’ve created the Charity Spotlight, a place where we will be posting information about Alberta based charities and how to get involved! Up this month, the Edmonton based Weehelp Foundation.

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In From the Editors, Lifestyle, Parenting on
January 13, 2019

Kiwi Co Subscribtion Box Review

We have been really trying to encourage experience gifts (see a great list of ideas for Experience Gifts here) and this Christmas the Grandparents knocked it out of the park. One set of Grandparents got the kids an Alberta’s History Annual Pass which allows us to visit numerous museums and historical sites across the province. Over the break we already used it twice (once for the Royal Alberta Museum and once for the Royal Tyrrell Museum) making it already pay for itself and it’s only the first month! You can learn more about these passes and buy your own here. It is only $120 for a family pass so if you plan on exploring the province this summer we highly recommend this pass.

The other set of Grandparents found another great gift idea. Subscription boxes. You remember how excited you used to get when mail came? Well these boxes make that happen every month! This year Grandma found Kiwi Co. and signed the boys up for a Kiwi Box (5-8 years old) and a Tinker Box (9-16+). We have received two boxes so far and I am so impressed with the quality.

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In Calgary, Central Alberta, Edmonton, Explore, From the Editors, Lifestyle, Northern Alberta, Parenting, Rocky Mountains, Rural Journeys, Southern Alberta on
July 29, 2018

Risky Play in Your Own Backyard

Risky Play has been one of those terms parenting experts have been throwing around a lot lately. I think we have all seen the video of the playground in New York where it looks like the kids are playing in a junkyard and no parents are around. The fun that the kids are having is apparent in their faces but we have yet to find a park like that in Alberta and realistically no one wants all that junk in the backyard.

A few weeks ago we posted on Instagram (If you aren’t already following us on Instagram you can do that here) a few videos of Deanne’s kids playing in the backyard with tree stumps and boards. We had so many questions about it that we decided to write a “how to” for you to bring more risky play into your backyard without it looking like a junkyard.

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In Calgary, Central Alberta, Edmonton, Explore, From the Editors, Lifestyle, Northern Alberta, Random Thoughts, Rocky Mountains, Rural Journeys, Southern Alberta on
June 12, 2018

5 Ways to Save This Summer

After what has seemed like a never-ending winter, summer has finally arrived! After being stuck inside all winter, Albertans definitely know how to take advantage of our short summer months. Along with longer days come festivals, food trucks, day trips and weekends exploring our beautiful province. The downside? All of these things can be financially draining for a family.

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In Calgary, Central Alberta, Edmonton, Explore, From the Editors, Lifestyle, Northern Alberta, Parenting, Random Thoughts, Rocky Mountains, Rural Journeys, Southern Alberta on
April 29, 2018

Alberta Mamas – One Year Later

Alberta Mamas is ONE! One year ago we had this crazy idea to work with parents around the province to create a resource for families, a place to find hidden gems in Alberta, and a place where people could share their thoughts in a safe place.  But it has become so much more because of all of you.

Alberta Mamas is a community.

We have learned so much from all of YOU! Every contributor post and conversation on social media has shown us that not only do we have way more places to discover in our beautiful province, but also thatAlberta is full of amazing, smart, and funny parents. You have made us giggle with your comments about your kids’ antics, made us feel like we aren’t the only ones dealing with difficult topics, and have offered sage advice when we have needed it.

“At first I loved seeing our passions come together. Passions for community, business and social media. And it’s grown so much more then that. We are all still passionate but it’s been beautiful to know my friends (and community around us) even better. It’s amazing to see the vision we created for community coming together. In a collaborative and inclusive way.” – Jen

We have also learned a lot from each other throughout the past year. It has not been all sunshine and rainbows. The six of us all have strong opinions and personalities which are bound to clash at some point. We can disagree, fight, and push each others buttons like siblings. But in the end we have got each others back 100% no matter what. We hold each other accountable and push each other to be better. We are each others biggest cheerleaders.

“The first thing I thought of when we started this was – yes I get to write stuff! Secondly though, it occurred to me that I would get to WORK with 5 totally different, totally strong inspiring ladies. Like, I have a legit reason to learn, bend the ears of and hang with 5 women I admire on the daily. And then on top of that, we get to read amazing pieces by moms (and sometimes dads) all over Alberta and share them in our “little” community. Makes a gal feel very blessed!” – Chris

When we first started this one of our goals was to give a voice to parents whether they had a blog or not. We have gotten to work with some amazing people and we love hearing their thoughts and opinions.

“I love that we’re creating a community where writers across the province can share their ideas, opinions and writing- whether they have their own established blog or not.” – Kim

We want to thank you all for commenting, liking, writing for us, sharing posts, offering your opinions and more throughout the past twelve months. Each action means so much to us.

We are excited to officially celebrate our first year (details announced soon) because to quote Kim – “Our parties are pretty fun too!”

 

Who are Alberta Mamas?

 

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In Calgary, Camping, Central Alberta, Edmonton, Explore, From the Editors, Lifestyle, Northern Alberta, Parenting, Random Thoughts, Rocky Mountains, Rural Journeys, Southern Alberta on
March 11, 2018

Do Your Kids Miss School for Vacations?

Do you let your kids miss school to go on vacation?

This week we are leaving for a vacation (YAY!) but for the first time I wondered about pulling the kids out of school to be on holidays.

***Full disclosure I am still getting on that airplane no matter what the consensus is because this Mom needs a vacation. Although travelling with kids sometimes feels like more work…

We have pulled them out of school the past few years without a thought but this year my oldest is in Grade 4 and it feels different. His teacher was amazing when we told him our son would be missing a week and a bit of school which I was grateful for. He said there’s no point giving him work to do while we are away. When we get back he will see what he missed and what he needs help catching up on but not to worry about it while on holidays.

No homework was getting done on this trip either.

I am a firm believer that kids don’t need to be in a classroom to learn. By making sure our kids get the travel bug early I hope that they will never stop exploring and questioning how our world works. I am just wondering if we should keep that exploring to two months in Summer?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below or on Social Media.

 

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