Families

The Canadian Paediatric Society is no longer recommending firm time limits for screen use among toddlers and preschoolers. Instead, new guidance encourages parents of kids aged two-to-five to prioritize educational, interactive and age-appropriate material. In this Oct. 21, 2011, file photo, a child plays with an iPad in his bedroom. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Gerald Herbert

Canadian pediatricians ditch toddler screen time limits in new guidance

Doctors’ group reassesses our changing relationship with technology

The Canadian Paediatric Society is no longer recommending firm time limits for screen use among toddlers and preschoolers. Instead, new guidance encourages parents of kids aged two-to-five to prioritize educational, interactive and age-appropriate material. In this Oct. 21, 2011, file photo, a child plays with an iPad in his bedroom. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Gerald Herbert
Tylenol brand fever and pain reliever for infants is seen in a home in Toronto, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Health Canada refuses to say how many doses of children’s painkillers it is importing from the United States and Australia citing a confidentiality agreement with the companies involved. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Health Canada won’t say how much pain medicine for kids is coming or where it’s going

Health Canada arranged to import doses from the United States and Australia to address shortfall

Tylenol brand fever and pain reliever for infants is seen in a home in Toronto, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Health Canada refuses to say how many doses of children’s painkillers it is importing from the United States and Australia citing a confidentiality agreement with the companies involved. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Schools clash with parents over bans on student cellphones

Parents who had constant access to their children during remote learning reluctant to give that up

Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
A volunteer sorts through food items at the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre in a Sept. 2021, handout photo. The executive director of the centre says more people in Saskatoon are struggling to get food for themselves and their families as the prices in grocery stores rise out of reach. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre, Kenton Doupe, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Survey suggests 20 per cent of Canadians skipping meals to cut down on food costs

Canada-wide survey says people using coupons, hunting for sales to cope with increasing food costs

A volunteer sorts through food items at the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre in a Sept. 2021, handout photo. The executive director of the centre says more people in Saskatoon are struggling to get food for themselves and their families as the prices in grocery stores rise out of reach. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre, Kenton Doupe, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Cindy Li and her son Ethan Liang pose in this undated handout photo. Cindy Li was so grateful for donated breast milk when her premature son needed it that she decided to donate some to help other babies and moms.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Cindy Li

B.C. woman grateful for breast milk donations wants to give back

B.C. Women’s Hospital breast milk bank 1 of 4 across the country

Cindy Li and her son Ethan Liang pose in this undated handout photo. Cindy Li was so grateful for donated breast milk when her premature son needed it that she decided to donate some to help other babies and moms.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Cindy Li
(Black Press Media)

Pediatric group releases guidelines for detecting anxiety in kids and youth

Canadian Paediatric Society says COVID-19 heightened pressures on many children and youth

(Black Press Media)
A family cycles along Lake Okanagan in Kelowna, B.C., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

ParticipAction gives kids and youth a D for activity, an F for screen time

18 per cent of children and youth meet recommended daily cap of 2 hours of recreational screen time

A family cycles along Lake Okanagan in Kelowna, B.C., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A woman shops for produce at the Granville Island Market in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Food inflation remains stubbornly high in Canada as grocery prices climbed at the fastest clip in more than four decades last month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Grocery prices in Canada continue meteoric ascent, rising at fastest pace since 1981

As overall inflation moderated in August, cost of food rose 10.8 per cent compared to a year ago

A woman shops for produce at the Granville Island Market in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Food inflation remains stubbornly high in Canada as grocery prices climbed at the fastest clip in more than four decades last month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Do you know where the Granny Smith apple originated? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about grandparents?

The second Sunday of September is National Grandparents Day in Canada

Do you know where the Granny Smith apple originated? (Pixabay.com)
This Aug. 15, 2022, photo shows El Johnson, right, with her girlfriend, Sara Goodie, in Austin, Texas. Johnson has decided not to bear children, though she hasn’t ruled out adoption. The birth rate in the U.S. has dropped dramatically as more young people decide not to have children. (El Johnson via AP)

Gen Z, millennials speak out on reluctance to become parents

‘Having children sounds like a trap to me…financially, socially, emotionally, physically’

This Aug. 15, 2022, photo shows El Johnson, right, with her girlfriend, Sara Goodie, in Austin, Texas. Johnson has decided not to bear children, though she hasn’t ruled out adoption. The birth rate in the U.S. has dropped dramatically as more young people decide not to have children. (El Johnson via AP)
Almost $400,000 is coming into our region for arts and sports organizations through the latest round of Community Gaming Grants. Photo by Mike Davies/Campbell River Mirror

Weston: Why is money so confusing?

Tips on how to get you and your money speaking the same language

Almost $400,000 is coming into our region for arts and sports organizations through the latest round of Community Gaming Grants. Photo by Mike Davies/Campbell River Mirror
Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, on June 2, 2015. A three-day hearing has begun in B.C. Supreme Court by a group defending itself against the provincial government’s stance that it doesn’t have the capacity to take a case regarding legal aid to trial. The Single Mothers’ Alliance says eligibility for legal aid does not meet the needs of low-income women, especially those escaping domestic violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Single mothers group challenges B.C. government stance on legal aid system

Advocates say many working mothers must represent themselves while reliving trauma

Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, on June 2, 2015. A three-day hearing has begun in B.C. Supreme Court by a group defending itself against the provincial government’s stance that it doesn’t have the capacity to take a case regarding legal aid to trial. The Single Mothers’ Alliance says eligibility for legal aid does not meet the needs of low-income women, especially those escaping domestic violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Empty shelves of children’s pain relief medicine are seen at a Toronto pharmacy Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Pharmacists say Ontario drugstores are facing shortages of common children’s pain relievers amid sporadic supply disruptions across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal

Some kids’ painkillers in short supply, but pharmacists say prescription not needed

Ontario seeing shortage of over-the-counter children’s pain relievers containing acetaminophen

Empty shelves of children’s pain relief medicine are seen at a Toronto pharmacy Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Pharmacists say Ontario drugstores are facing shortages of common children’s pain relievers amid sporadic supply disruptions across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal
Saskatoon Police Deputy Chief Randy Huisman speaks at a media event, regarding the case of reported missing woman Dawn Walker and her son, in Saskatoon, Monday, August 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

‘Elaborate ruse’: U.S. prosecutor says Saskatoon mother in custody dispute faked deaths

48-year-old Dawn Marie Walker is being detained as a flight risk in Oregon

Saskatoon Police Deputy Chief Randy Huisman speaks at a media event, regarding the case of reported missing woman Dawn Walker and her son, in Saskatoon, Monday, August 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
Canadian loonie coins are pictured in Vancouver, Sept. 22, 2011. Money is still considered a taboo topic or private matter, which is why many people avoid sparking up conversations about their personal finances with friends, colleagues and even family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Start talking to your kids about money at an early age, experts say

Early money talk will help them develop a healthy relationship with their own finances one day

Canadian loonie coins are pictured in Vancouver, Sept. 22, 2011. Money is still considered a taboo topic or private matter, which is why many people avoid sparking up conversations about their personal finances with friends, colleagues and even family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Produce is shown in a grocery store in Toronto. A recent survey says a quarter of Canadians are cutting back on essentials like food, housing and utilities due to rampant inflation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadian household budgets stretched thin as inflation, interest rates rise: Survey

MNP poll finds nearly half of respondents are reining in non-essential spending on outings

Produce is shown in a grocery store in Toronto. A recent survey says a quarter of Canadians are cutting back on essentials like food, housing and utilities due to rampant inflation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The Nouissers stand outside their Peachland, B.C. home which was the scene of an armed police response that may have been predicted by a swatting call on Apr. 16, 2022 (Photo/Gary Barnes)

‘What am I charged with?’ B.C. couple seeks RCMP apology after suspected swatting call

“They marched through my house with guns drawn going ‘clear’, top floor clear.’”

The Nouissers stand outside their Peachland, B.C. home which was the scene of an armed police response that may have been predicted by a swatting call on Apr. 16, 2022 (Photo/Gary Barnes)
Karen Fraser of Child Care Resource and Referral helped serve up cake at a Monday, June 6 celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the Langley Community Services Society. (Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Lower Mainland social service agency that started out in a 1916 barn marks 50th anniversary

Programs and services offered are based on the needs of the Langley community, and are offered free

Karen Fraser of Child Care Resource and Referral helped serve up cake at a Monday, June 6 celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the Langley Community Services Society. (Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance Times)
British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday, July 3, 2020. New provincial family court rules in British Columbia meant to resolve legal matters without going to court have been called “effective” by the province, but some lawyers and advocates say they don’t adequately address the needs of victims of intimate partner violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. family court mediation not adequate for domestic violence victims: advocates

Groups caution mediation process risks repeating power imbalances

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday, July 3, 2020. New provincial family court rules in British Columbia meant to resolve legal matters without going to court have been called “effective” by the province, but some lawyers and advocates say they don’t adequately address the needs of victims of intimate partner violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Statistics Canada says public health measures introduced during the pandemic were likely important drivers of the relatively low number of divorces in 2020. Pixabay photo

Divorces granted in Canada have dropped sharply, new Statistics Canada report shows

Canada granted fewer divorces last year than any year since 1973

Statistics Canada says public health measures introduced during the pandemic were likely important drivers of the relatively low number of divorces in 2020. Pixabay photo