March Break is a week that’s not always a break for families as the mid-winter break is usually packed with activities and camps to keep your child (ren) busy. During the action packed week, parents might forget to truly enjoy the time they have with their children. Try to get involved and join your children in the activities and workshops they would like to take part in. I know that there are activities that do not require or allow parents to accompany their child, such as camps, but try finding some activities during the break that involve the whole family, because those are the memories parents and children will treasure most.
Suggestions for family events: Skating, ROM, AGO, Science Center. For a more concise list connect to the link: http://www.familycare.utoronto.ca/events/family_toronto.html

The Family Care Office at the University of Toronto has a week full of family events for both parents and children with some exceptions of one parent limitation. Below is a list of the activities hosted by the office. To sign up for any of the events, please call 416.978.0951 or email: family.care@utoronto.ca        
- March 13th: Family Yoga (aged 4 and up and a parent)
- March 14th: Planetarium Show (aged 9 to 14 and a parent)
- March 15th: Global Art Project (aged 4 to 12 and a parent)
- March 16th: At Home Alone (aged 9 to 14 and a parent)

I hear a stork is delivering your baby in nine months. How fantastic!

Now you have time to get everything ready for the arrival. No worries about morning sickness, backaches and problems sleeping! And that baby weight- what baby weight?

It would be nice if that’s how the story goes, but sadly it’s not. On the positive side though, you get to determine how your child is nurtured during pregnancy and not a stork!

It’s best to start planning for pregnancy early if you can, so preparation is the best tip during this process. It all starts with figuring out if it’s the right time for you to get pregnant. If you are a student you should look into resources and accommodations provided by your institution. Find out what’s available for you to balance your pregnancy and your academic pursuits. If you’re working, look into maternity/parental leave policies and other programs offered through your employer and the government. For family leave resources and policies for students, staff and faculty at U of T, you can visit: http://www.familycare.utoronto.ca/family_leaves/index.html.

After looking at all that paperwork, it’s time to look at you. That’s right – you! Are you eating healthy? Are you active? Do you take your vitamins?  If not, you should start thinking about making changes to your eating and exercise habits. Two good resources to start with are: Toronto Public Health http://www.toronto.ca/health/nm_index.htm#pregnancy and the Exercise and Pregnancy line through Women’s College Hospital http://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/programs-and-services/888/exercise-and-pregnancy-helpline-1-866-937-7678446

Finally, it’s time to plan for after the delivery. This can be the hardest part because it’s difficult to know what to expect. Regardless of whether you’re planning on doing this alone or with a partner make sure to mobilize the troops, aka your family and friends. Take them up on their offers to help. Emotional support can be helpful especially if you feel signs of the baby blues. Food is also good, because it can feel like there is not enough time in the day to make a meal for yourself during the first few weeks after you bring home the baby. This post-pregnancy phase can be the most stressful time so get some support, even if it is just a home cooked meal.

The Family Care Office will be holding a workshop on February 28 about planning for pregnancy which will answer questions on risks during pregnancy, health care provider options, antenatal care and screening tests, post-partum issues and any other concern participants may have.

For a detailed description and information on how to register please visit:
http://www.familycare.utoronto.ca/events/index.html#planningForPregnancy

You may also be interested in our March 5 panel discussion about using a midwife and/or a doula. Check out the FCO website at: http://www.familycare.utoronto.ca/events/index.html#birthingExperien

The 3D release of Beauty and the Beast has got a lot of publicity during the past few weeks. It has been criticized and praised simultaneously. The focus of much of the controversy is on the message of the film as it relates to gender roles – a valid concern worth exploring.

Is Belle reinforcing gender roles in her relationship with Beast? Depends how you look at it. The Disney princess Belle is different from the rest. She is described as booky and intellectually ambitious. Her outside beauty does not appear to be the main focus; rather it is her inner beauty that changes the Beast (but she also possesses external beauty – this is not Shrek). She is shown as brave and self sacrificing which are very redeemable qualities.  So, from the looks of it, you might be wondering what the gender debate is about? Next we must look at Beast. Beast is not the ideal man, he is not respectful or kind, but Belle is forced to love him because she is his prisoner (sound like Stockholm syndrome?). She has no true choice on who she can love.

The film begins with Belle’s intellectual pursuits, but the story moves away from her ambitions, and the size of Beast’s library seems to matter more. One of the first things that Beast can offer Belle in his attempt to seduce her into loving him is his large library. The library is an indicator of his wealth and thereby his manliness. What does this all mean?

It means that like any story or film, it is important to talk about these issues. There is much debate about whether watching such films negatively influences young girls or boys). That is why  the conversation after the film is so important. Issue of gender roles will always be there with fairy tales that take place in the past, like Beauty and the Beast. This story is not a modern tale and should not be viewed as one. Rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to have a discourse about gender roles with our peers and kids.

T2202A, T1-M, T778, and T4 slips…It’s that time of year again — its tax return season!!

Checkout the revenue agency website for a list of guidelines for when students should file their income tax. I will give a brief list below, but for more information go to: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/students/<http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/students/> or call at 1-800-267-6999.

Students should file an income tax return if:
1) You want to claim a refund
2) You want to apply for the GST/HST credit
3) You or your spouse or partner want to begin or continue receiving
Canada Child Tax Benefit payments.
4) You want to carry forward or transfer the unused part of your tuition, education, and textbook amounts
5) You have to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This can
apply if, for 2011, the total of your net self-employment income and pensionable employment income is more than $3,500.

If you fit into any of the above categories, your return should be filed by April 30th. Also if you don’t already keep your Notice of Assessment you should, because you will need it later for applying for OSAP or other government benefits.

You should also be aware that there are some types of income that you have to declare and some types of income you do not have to declare.

You DO have to declare:
-Employment Income(T4)
- Research Grants
-RESP Income

You DO NOT have to declare:
-GST/HST credit
-Canada Child tax Benefit payment
-OSAP
-Scholarships, Busaries, Study Grant

Filing a tax return can be confusing! Luckily, there are some free on campus services to help you. For example, a free income tax clinic is available for undergrad students through the University of Toronto Students’ Union: www.utsu.ca<http://www.utsu.ca/>. For international students, a tax clinic is available through the Centre for International Experience: www.cie.utoronto.ca<http://www.cie.utoronto.ca/>

The Family Care Office is also holding a workshop on February 27 at 12:00 pm called Boost your Refund! Tax Preparation Strategies for Families. Visit our website for more details!

My kids went back to school this morning. I’ve been feeling a bit of dread about this day, as they’ve been sleeping in and lounging about in their pajamas for days. I feared the day’s start would look a lot like trying to herd cats: lots of whining, some hissing, and a few claws.

They totally surprised me, though. While I fretted that they were up way too late for a decent start, they used that time, without prompting, to pack their lunches last night before bed. One of them made sure all her clothes were picked out and waiting for her. There was (almost!) no bickering!

This morning was pretty smooth as well: up without too much complaint, and out of the house not only on time, but early. I almost pinched myself. This *never* happens. Sure, we’re almost always on time for school, but without nagging? Grumbling? Meltdowns?

I have no delusions. I know we’ll likely be back to having to roll sleepy resistant bodies out the door tomorrow. I know there’ll be that mad dash through the house, trying to find one’s shoes. I suspect at least one will forget to brush their teeth.

Today, though? I’m just going to enjoy the peace.

Written by Anoja Muthucumaru

The stress, lack of sun, and lack of joint movements during the nonstop and looming deadline season can have physical implications on your body. It is called “DEADlines” for a reason. Taking care of yourself when you are in school is the last thing you think about.  Sometimes the only thing that matters is marks. Sitting in a cold library for six hours staring into a laptop or a pile of notes is no way to live life or succeed. When you have any kind of physical illness or you’re feeling fatigued, it is important to stimulate more then your brain.

Going to the gym will help improve the movement of your joints, improve flexibility and increase you energy so you are more alert when you are studying. Like any worthwhile goal, physical fitness does not happen over night. If you stick to it you will start recognizing changes in your study habits and in your physical fitness. You will begin to see the health benefits for you as well as social benefits, if you get my drift.  You will also see the benefits for your children, because watching you succeed will help build a child’s confidence and pride in you.

So get started. Take a free drop-in fitness class offered through Hart House and the Athletic Centre. Take care of both your body and mind because your wellbeing is important to the wellbeing of your family.

So what are you doing sitting around?

Get out there and run that 5K.