I'm a NO on the giving kids allowance for helping around the house. Personal choice. My feeling is that the world is made of HAVE TO's and PAID TO's. And my child making her bed falls into the HAVE TO category. Just like I have to make my own bed. Fair's Fair in love, war and household chores.
Because making a bed is not PAID TO worthy in my world. Everyone has to make a bed. Just like everyone has to brush their teeth. And wipe their bum. You. Just. Have. To.
You don't get money for taking out the garbage. Or cleaning your room. Just like I don't get a salary for making dinner (not that what I make would actually earn very much. #NotACordonBleu). I think that chores are part of your responsibility in being part of a family. You chip in. You help out. You do your part.
I have the same opinion about getting money for grades. I'm a NO on that too. Getting good grades is a HAVE TO for me. You have to do your best in school. And the gratification is the good grade...getting to the next grade...getting smarter (so that one day you will get a good job, move out and make money of your own).
My kids don't ask for allowance. Because pretty much they know they aren't getting it.
Does this make me horrible? Am I missing a #teachablemoment here?
Whether you are staying close to home or visiting a different province...here's what's on during March Break 2011 across Canada for families.
NATIONAL
Kids and caregivers are invited to daily interactive FREE events at Indigo and Chapters stores nationally. Enjoy arts & crafts plus 20% off kids and teen books.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Get your game on at the Polar Pond Hockey game in Hay River.
YUKON
The MacBride Museum of History has a discovery zone just for kids.
NUNAVUT
Discover the Inuit culture
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Drop in to see dolphins and more at the Vancouver aquarium
SASKATCHEWAN
Royal Saskatchewan Museum is waiting for young explorers to visit.
ALBERTA
Visit the Telus World of Science to see real artifacts from the Titanic.
MANITOBA
Catch Cosmomania at The Manitoba Museum!
ONTARIO
KIDS' CBC MALL TOUR DATES:
Woodbine Shopping Centre
Tuesday, March 15 - 10:00am to 3:00pm
500 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke
Milton Mall
Wednesday, March 16 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm
55 Ontario St. South, Milton
Shoppers World Brampton
Friday, March 18 - 10:00am to 3:00pm
499 Main St. South, Brampton
KIDS' CBC SPECIAL STORYTELLING EVENT:
Chapters Queensway, Etobicoke*
Thursday, March 17 - 1:00pm
1950 The Queensway, Etobicoke
*Special Kids' CBC storytelling event hosted by Huckle from BUSYTOWN MYSTERIES and KIDS' CANADA host Sid
The Ontario Science Centre has a ton of special programming set for March Break.
QUEBEC
The Museum of Civilization is one of Canada's most kid friendly museums.
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
Enjoy a family skate in Goose Bay
NEW BRUNSWICK
Check out the new tidal tank at the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Center
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
What would Anne and Gilbert do? Visit Green Gables of course!
NOVA SCOTIA
See a real (dead) T-Rex at the Museum of Natural History
Dear Canada,
Forgive me putting more activities in Ontario than the other provinces...nap time got away on me and I wasn't able to fatten up the other provinces. If you have an event - please feel free to add it in the comment section.
Wishing you a March Break Bash,
Activity Mummy
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Oh the yummy goodness of crepes (it's plural there because you can't just eat one). Nutella* crepes, strawberry & whipped cream crepes, sugar crepes, chocolate crepes, jam crepes...nom nom nom. Prepare for tried and true deliciousness when you follow this simple recipe.
Caroline's Crepes
3 cups of flour
3 cups of milk
6 eggs
1 tbsp of melted butter
1 tsp of sugar
splash of rum** (alcohol cooks off - promise no one will get crepe drunk)
**you can replace rum with vanilla
(This recipe makes enough for a crowd...half the recipe if you just want 8-10 crepes)
First, turn on the radio because everything is better with background music.
Second, invite kids to pour in the measured ingredients. Be sure to desginate Dry Ingredient Kid from Wet Ingredient Kid so there is no fighting about who touches what (the parent is the only egg cracker otherwise you'll have kitchen eggageddon)
Put ingredients in the bowl in the order above. (I'm all into simple).
If you've skipped the gym today - mix with a wooden spoon. If you've run a marathon - use a blender.
The consistency of the crepe batter should be lighter than pancake batter. It's liquidish.
It's better if you let the batter rest in the fridge for an hour but if you are a completely impatient soul...get out the crepe pan or non-stick skillet and and warm up your burner.
Pour batter in crepe pan (tip: use a soup ladel). Roll the batter around the pan so it is covered. Flip it once the edges start to come away from the pan (tip: use a silicone Spatula). Cook on the other side. Cooking each crepe will take 2-3 minutes per side over a medium stove heat. Take off (using that spatula). Repeat.
(NOTE: don't let the kids help with the cooking of the crepes...the stove is hot...the crepes need to be flipped pretty quickly...and it's just so darn faster if you do it yourself).
I have seen crepes stand in for cake at birthday parties. Why not? It's a hands-on kid activity and food both at the same time. The Mom made the crepes ahead of time and put out chocolate chips, icing sugar and a whipped cream can and had the kids build crepe faces.
*Can't do nuts? Replace with Theresa Albert's nut-free Chocolate Hemp Seed Spread
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