Midwest Family Connections
Suite 103 4910 50th Street S9V 0Y5 Lloydminster, SK, Canada

Check out this Free Family challenge. Learn ways to connect and and get your body moving. You can also find information by following at @yllMyHome on Facebook or Instagram!

We have another great session of the Baby Bunch this afternoon. We will have a pharmacist join the conversation to answer any questions you may have. Use the zoom link or meeting information to join us at 1:30 pm.... https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87519868529 Meeting ID: 875 1986 8529 Passcode: 223233

Here is some information on 1 of 3 upcoming session in the Triple P Seminar series. Friday's session is The Power of Positive Parenting. Call our office 306-825-5911 to register.

Today we celebrate. Mom takes on many meanings for each person. No matter what journey of motherhood you are on we recognize and appreciate you... Happy Mother’s Day!

We have some really great parent education opportunities coming up. The next session is The Power of Positive Parenting. In this session we discuss the five core principles of positive parenting. Deadline to register for the virtual session is May 13th at 12:00 pm

Thursday's Mental Health Week Tip, is to breathe. This is something that is free and is available to you at any time. Try out this breathing technique. Can you notice a difference in how you feel after?

Developmental relationships are connections through which young people be and become their best selves. Relationships between parenting adults and their children are particularly powerful developmental relationshipsthough many other relationships are important and powerful, too. There are five elements to relationships that help kids grow, learn, and thrive. Express care is one of the 5 elements. Here are some quick tips on ways to express care with your older child or ...children: Use active listening - Ask good questions, paraphrase what they say to make sure you understand, and show that you empathize with what they are saying. Practice hearing on more than one level - Listen to the words your kids are saying, but also tune in to what they are saying with their tone of voice and body language. Are you interested in learning more about developmental relationships? Contact us for more information. You can also find this information and more on the Keep Connected website!

Make it Monday! Here is a slime recipe for you to enjoy!

Tomorrow we have a dietician joining us for Baby Bunch. If you have questions about introducing solids or feeding concerns contact our office to register for our virtual Baby Bunch session. Baby Bunch is for parents with baby's under 12 months of age.

Families are invited to join this 6 week course in early 2021 put on by CAMH and Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 'Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID'. Click for details: https://edc.camhx.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=9L7AXHJ9JP

Sunday Funday - register for our upcoming Family Activity Night. Bring your family to make some tie dye creations. We will have the tie dye supplies. We will also have some things for you to tie dye or you can bring you own materials. Family Activity night is for families with children age 7 or older. Sessions will run January 12th and 26th with two times available each evening, 6:00-6:45 pm and 7:15-8:00 pm. ... Due to Covid-19 restrictions sessions are limited to families from the same household. Pre- registration is required by calling our office at 306-825-5911 or by email us at [email protected]

Make it Monday! Here is our recipe for the play dough we make for our programs, if you want to make it at home. We want to see what you make - take a picture and post it in the comments of some your creations.

The weather has been beautiful so far! A fun idea to try when you are outside is to make a snow maze. Use shovels, snowshoes, or just your plain old feet to dig a maze around your yard or local park. Kids will love finding their way through the twists and turns. Find this idea and more games in the snow here https://activeforlife.com/active-games-to-play-snow/

It's Thursday and we thought we would share this upcoming virtual Mental Health and Wellness conference. It is happening on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. There is no fee for this online conference, however pre registrations is required. This event is sponsored by Walking Through Grief Society, County of Vermilion River FCSS, and Town of Vermilion FCSS.

Our playground is open Monday night and we have one spot available to book. If your family would like to come and play in the playground give our office a call during office hours at 306-825-5911 or by email, [email protected]

December craft bags will be ready for pick up next week! Here is a look at one of the crafts that will be in the bag. Call our office to arrange a pick up time, 306-825-5911.

Being a mom with a new baby comes with challenges and rewards. Mother's First is a weekly group that connects every Thursday from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. If you are experiencing postpartum depression, post partum anxiety or are wanting to connect with other mom's consider joining us for Mother's First. Sessions include facilitated discussions about your experiences as a new mom and strategies to support mental health. Mother's First is offered through Zoom so please call our office at 306-825-5911 or email at [email protected] to register.

Hello Midwest Family Connection followers!!! Our indoor playground is still OPEN for individual family bookings. We have openings available tomorrow for you to book in a time for just you and your family to come and enjoy some free play in our indoor playground. Spaces are limited so give our office a call at 306-825-5911 or email at [email protected]

A message about the importance of relationship with our children from one of our favourite ladies - Dr. Jean Clinton!

Our love and positive interactions with our children help build healthy brains! During the teenage years, the brain goes through great re-organization and development. Coffee Talk for Parents of Teens is there to help support parents with their questions, concerns and is an opportunity to learn more about the teenage brain and how to strengthen our relationship with our teens.

Craftastic Friday craft pick-up tomorrow morning! Contact us to pick up this weeks package in Lloydminster, Vermilion & Kitscoty! Each week there will be a new craft ........well also have a virtual Show & Tell through ZOOM at the end of the month so you can share with us the fantastic creations you make!

Join us September 19 for a free virtual learning session on Visioning and Planning! This session will provide an overview of the process for developing a life-e...nhancing vision and the initial plans and actions needed to move forward when using Family Managed Supports (FMS). In particular, how the flexibility and creativity allowed for by FMS can be utilized to the advantage of families and their family member with developmental disabilities. Click for details and to register: https://inclusionalberta.org/event/visioning-and-planning/ See more

As a new mom, who is your greatest support? What are the strategies you use to get yourself through some of those difficult/frustrating moments? Our Mothers First topic this week (Sept. 10) is Building Social Supports and Emotional Coping. The Mothers First group is now running in-person and via ZOOM. Registration is required.

Check out the Lloydminster Learning Council for the opportunity to win free books!!

We have lots of programs coming up this month! Family Play & Learn in the Park in Lloydminster, Vermilion and Kitscoty, Coffee Talk for Parents of Teens, Mothers First, The Baby Bunch, Dadderday Nights, Family Game Night, Handle with Care and Craftastic Friday curbside pick up. Contact our office for more information or to register for programs!! 306-825-5911 or [email protected]

Joelle was experimenting with some fluffy slime and found this recipe to try!! 1/2 cup white glue 1/2 cup foaming shaving cream 1/2 teaspoon borax powder ... 1 cup water Blue, pink or yellow neon food coloring 1. In a large bowl mix glue and shaving cream with a spoon. 2. In a separate bowl or cup, mix 1/2 teaspoon of borax in 1 cup of water. Stir until the borax is dissolved. (To speed up this process, place mixture in a glass cup and microwave for 30-60 seconds.) 3. Add about a teaspoon of the borax and water mixture into the glue/shaving cream bowl and stir. 4. Knead with your hands and if its too sticky, add a tiny bit more borax to the water mixture. 5.Once your fluffy slime recipe is ready, add a drop of food coloring to the slime and knead. Keep adding food coloring until you reach your desired color!!

Kitscoty Family Play & Learn in the Park!!

Upcoming online workshop put on by Alberta Health Services!!

This set of four virtual sessions is open to all parents and caregivers of children 0-6 years of age. Call or email us for more details or to register!!

Just a reminder that Mothers First resumes Thursday, September 3, with the options of attending in person or virtually through ZOOM. Registration is required.

A great example how an inclusive education opens up employment opportunities for youth!!

We are super excited to bring you Family Game Night, which is open to all parents/caregivers and their children, youth and teens!! Spaces are limited and registration is required, so call or email us if you would like to attend.

Hey Vermilion..... We are heading to the park on September 16th and would love it if you joined us!! With programming changes, we also would like to get your feedback on what types of programs are most meaningful to you. Take our quick survey and enter your name into a draw for a $50 Co-op card!! https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx

The Baby Bunch is open to all moms, dads and caregivers of babies 0-12 months old!

Did you know that Midwest Family Connections now offers support for families of children, not only 0-6 years of age, but for youths up to 18 years old? Coffee Talk for Parents of Teens is a group that allows parents of teenagers to connect and discuss teen brain development, how to support strong connections and relationships and discover strategies to support teens and their growth in to adulthood!

Tell-A-Joke Thursday!! Share your favourite jokes by sending them to [email protected] !

Keep your eye out for our upcoming September programs, including our Family Play & Learn in the Park! All fall programs will be requiring registration.

Finding ways to refocus attention on school work may be challenging for students this year. Practicing mindfulness can aid in the process of becoming more attentive and aware of how we are feeling and coping with everything!

Mothers First will not run on Thursday, August 27, though support is still available by contacting our office. Starting September 3, moms can join Mothers First in-person at our centre or virtually through ZOOM. Registration is required and Covid-19 Health Protocols and number limits will be followed. Childcare is not available. For more information or to register, contact us at 306-825-5911 or [email protected]

Craftastic Friday! Prepare to do a little creative painting with Desiree!

Tell-A-Joke Thursday!!Share your favourite joke with us by emailing [email protected] !!

Mothers First - Emotional Health can mean different things to different people. How we maintain our emotional health can also change when major life events happen. Join us for this session on August 20th as we explore emotional health, self-awareness and self-esteem. Mothers First is presented virtually through ZOOM.

Join us Tuesday morning, August 18, for a story, songs and activities during Family Play & Learn. Family Play & Learn is FREE and presented virtually through ZOOM. Contact our office to register and to access to the link. 306-825-5911 or [email protected]

Craftastic Fridays! Do a little painting with Desiree this morning - brushes not required!!

Tell-A-Joke Thursdays! If you have a joke that you would like to share, send an email to [email protected] and we may feature it on an upcoming post!

Adjusting to changes can affect us, and even positive changes (having baby!) may cause us stress. Our Mothers First session this week on August 13th focuses on Relaxation and Stress Management. What is Mothers First? - A weekly group for mothers of infants to connect with one another & to learn about and practice self-care. Discussions will focus on the experiences and needs of new mothers who are concerned about or potentially experiencing stress, anxiety or Postpartum Depre...ssion. Mothers can start the group at any time. There are 8 session topics that rotate each week for 8 weeks. Thursdays @ 1:30 Call or email for more information or to register. 306-825-5911 or [email protected]

Dadderday Night is coming up next Tuesday!!

+=! Join us for Family Play & Learn Tuesday, August 11 for the story Mouse Paint, where three busy mice explore the world of color! Family Play & Learn is presented virtually through ZOOM. Contact our office to register and access the link. 306-825-5911 or [email protected]

Research shows that children who are generally optimistic have better physical health, thrive in relationships, have more success at school, and are more resi...lient. Thats great news for optimistic kids, but what about for kids who arent optimistic? The good news is that brain research shows that optimism is more a learned trait than a genetic one, and that with practice, kids can become more optimistic. Click the link below for a simple exercise to get kids thinking about optimism. https://mindup.org/creating-more-optimism/

Craftastic Fridays! Play some of your favourite tunes on your homemade guitar with Kailyn!

Tell-A-Joke Thursdays! If you have a joke that you would like to share, send an email to [email protected] and we may feature it on an upcoming post!

When mothers are able to care for themselves, they are more likely able to provide the best care for their children. Our topic this week (August 6) for Mothers First is Body Health and will explore the areas of nutrition, fitness and sleep. Session starts at 1:30. Mothers First is presented virtually through ZOOM. 1-1 support is also available. Contact our office for more information or to register - 306-825-5911 or [email protected]