2008 Annual General Meeting

& National Conference

October 16-19, 2008

Click on the Workshop to jump below to view Speaker details and Workshop abstracts

Friday, October 17th, 2008

Special Guest Speaker Anne-Marie Mediwake – Welcome to the World of Multiples (Opening Address)

KEYNOTE #1 - Dr. Vyta Senikas – MBC and the SOGC – Supporting Canada’s Multiple-birth Community Together

Workshop #1 - Karen Kerkhoff Gromada – One Size Does NOT Fit All

Workshop #2 - Dr. Jon (Yosef) Barrett – The Term Twin and the Toronto Centre for Multiple Births

Workshop #3 - Lynda P. Haddon – Losses in Multiple Birth:  How Caregivers Can Provide Appropriate Support

Workshop #4 - Debbie Wang – Us and Them

KEYNOTE #2 - Patricia Malmstrom – The Art of Parenting Twins and the Joy of Watching them Fledge the Nest

Workshop #5 - Dr. John R. Mascazine – Learning Needs of Multiple-Birth Students

Workshop #6 - Dr. Jon (Yosef) Barrett – The Term Twin and the Toronto Centre for Multiple Births

Workshop #7 - Laura Crouse – Breastfeeding Multiples Guidelines – Best Practices for Hospital and Community

Workshop #8 - Dr. Cathy Barr – Risk Management 101

Saturday, October 18th, 2008

KEYNOTE #3 – Karen Kerkhoff Gromada – One Size Does NOT Fit All

Workshop #1 - Patricia Malmstrom – Zygosity Matters

Workshop #2 - Dr. John R. Mascazine – Learning Needs of Multiple-Birth Students

Workshop #3 - Spencer Brennan – Volunteers: Get ‘em, Build ‘em, Keep ‘em

Workshop #4 - Karen Melnick – Your Child’s Health & Wellness:  Parents as Advocate and Guardian Angel!

Workshop #5 - Karen Kerkhoff Gromada – Falling in Love Times Two, Three or More - Attachment Formation

Workshop #6 - Vera C. Teschow – Reading Magic with Twins and More

Workshop #7 - CHAPTER EXCHANGE – Programs, resources and initiatives that work!

Workshop #8 - CHAPTER EXCHANGE – Clothing Sales and other fundraising ideas!

Sunday, October 19th, 2008

KEYNOTE #4 - Jo-Anne Cutler – Conscious Multiple-birth Parenting

FULL CONFERENCE WORKSHOP DETAILS

Friday, October 17, 2008

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF MULTIPLES!

Special Guest Speaker: Anne-Marie Mediwake, Co-anchor, News Hour, Global News Ontario, Toronto

Anne-Marie Mediwake has a mixed up family.

“My mother is Scottish, my father Sri Lankan, my older sister was born in England, myself in Sri Lanka and my youngest sister in Saskatchewan. We are a true Canadian family”.

Anne-Marie began working in television as a teenager, writing and producing children and youth shows for a local cable station in Alberta.

“We were young, had free time, and 30 minutes to fill. It was like bad SCTV”.

She’s come a long way since then. Her passion for television continues in her latest role as co-anchor of the News Hour on Global.

In the 90’s Anne-Marie worked at various stations in Alberta, her home province, where she was eager to try everything related to television.

“I would volunteer for ridiculous hours, doing the shoots that no one else wanted, just to gain experience”.

Her focus and hard work paid off when she was offered a producing role in Toronto after overseeing the only interview with the Lang family; whose son was the sole victim in the Taber High School Shooting.

In 2001, Anne-Marie was chosen to host the national, Gemini award winning program 21C – for CTV. The investigative documentary program allowed her to travel throughout Canada and other countries probing topics like Cuban defectors and Rwandan refugees. While at CTV, Anne-Marie also reported for CTV National, Canada AM and Newsnet including coverage of the Papal Visit and SARS.

In 2004 Anne-Marie joined the Global News team to work with Leslie Roberts and anchor the Noon News. When the Tsunami hit Sri Lanka, her birth country, Mediwake, a small crew and her father traveled to the devastated region and produced “A Journey Home”, a one hour national documentary. She chronicled her experiences in a weekly column for The National Post.

After anchoring the Morning News, one of her favorite jobs to date, Mediwake reset her alarm clock and joined Leslie Roberts on the stations flagship newscast.

In 2007, Anne-Marie experienced her greatest success – she gave birth to triplets. Her popular weekly column in The National Post shared her humorous journey through pregnancy and self-described awkward entry into motherhood.

Mediwake has been nominated for Canada’s Top 35 Under 35. She is a spokesperson for Your Life Counts a teen suicide prevention organization, and POGO, Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario. Her leadership and creativity have allowed her to be voted Leading Women in 2004 and co-producer of a children’s workshop using dance, drama and puppets to bring self esteem and leadership to kids.

She and her husband reporter Darryl Konynenbelt, co-wrote and produced ‘A Delightful Inheritance”, a documentary tracing the history of Dutch immigration to Canada.

(geared for Professionals, Volunteers or Families)

MBC AND THE SOGC – Supporting Canada’s Multiple-birth Community Together

Keynote Speaker #1: Dr. Vyta Senikas, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)

Dr. Senikas is the Associate Executive Vice-President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).  Her address will examine the care needed and provided by Canada’s health care system to those expecting multiple births, touching on the latest research in this field and sharing SOGC’s guidelines for multiple-birth Best Practices. In addition, following on MBC’s 2008 National Multiple Births Awareness theme Dr. Senikas will address the impact of IVF technologies on multiple pregnancies.

(geared for Professionals or Volunteers)

THE MULTIPLE BIRTH EXPERIENCE: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

Workshop Speaker #1: Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, MSN, RN, IBCLC, Cincinatti, OH

Karen Kerkhoff Gromada works as a Lactation Consultant in Cincinnati, OH, and she has also worked in labor and delivery, childbirth education and postpartum discharge care. A mother of five, including monozygotic twins, she authored Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More and co-authored Keys to Parenting Multiples. A well-known speaker on the topics of breastfeeding and parenting, her website for parents of multiples is available at: www.karengromada.com.

Abstract: Multiple pregnancy comes with a “high risk” tag, and medical intervention is common during multiple pregnancy and birth. The "high risk" label calls for parents to become flexible in their approach to birth, yet this birth experience should still "belong" to them. Health professionals should avoid treating multiple pregnancy and birth with "one size fits all" healthcare strategies, as each multiple pregnancy and birth is unique and every couple expecting multiples deserves individualized healthcare. This presentation will look at the good, the bad and the ugly of multiple birth with discussion of strategies for assisting multiple-birth couples that enable them to partner with obstetrical care providers and potential postnatal support systems in order to attain their perinatal goals.

(geared for Professionals)

THE TERM TWIN & THE TORONTO CENTRE FOR MULTIPLE BIRTHS

Workshop Speaker #2: Dr. Jon (Yosef) Barrett, MBBch, MD, MRCOG, FRCS(C), Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Center, Toronto

Dr. Barrett is a specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine from Toronto. He graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, in 1977 and following his internship and a year of Obstetrics and Gynecology he moved to England. There he completed his specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1988 receiving his Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In 1990 he was awarded a two-year research fellowship which resulted in a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1992.  He then moved to Toronto where he completed a two-year clinical fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is currently Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Sunnybrook and Women's College Hospital and is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.  He has a special interest in multiple pregnancy and is the Director of the Ante Natal Multiples Clinics at Sunnybrook and Women's College and the Chairman of the SOGC working group on Birth on Multiple Birth. He has published many papers in the area of multiple birth and to-date has received in excess of $10,000,000 in research grants. Dr. Barrett is a valued MBC Advisory Board Member.

Abstract: This workshop will focus on and discuss the latest medical information on the special issues relating to the management of the Term Twin—special risks of twins who reach term and the issue of timing and method of delivery. Dr. Barrett will also talk on the Toronto Centre for Multiple-births.

(geared for Professionals, Volunteers or Families)

LOSSES IN MULTIPLE BIRTH: HOW CAREGIVERS CAN PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SUPPORT

Workshop Speaker #3: Lynda P. Haddon, Bereavement Support, Ottawa, ON

Lynda Haddon has over 20 years of experience supporting grieving multiple-birth families. Lynda has presented at seminars in Canada and the United States. Lynda is a long-time national volunteer and past-president of MBC.

Abstract:  Participants will learn about types of multiple birth loss suffered by families and will examine the short and long-term effects of these losses as well as ideas for providing appropriate support. www.multiplebirthsfamilies.com

(geared for Families)

KEEPING THE SPARK—“US AND THEM”-

Workshop Speaker #4: Debbie Wang, MSW, RSW, Cambridge, ON

Debbie Wang is a registered social worker, therapeutic counsellor and a parenting workshop facilitator. She is skilled in brief therapy and specialized in the Adult Attachment Interview and Life Review Process. Debbie loves to learn and is passionate about helping individuals excel in life!  Married for 23 years, Debbie and her husband have two sons who are both young adults.

Abstract:  Based on the Bringing Baby Home program by John Gottman, PhD and the Relationship Research Institute in Seattle, this workshop will teach couples how to strengthen their friendship, increase intimacy, regulate conflict and how to build a “relationship house”. Debbie will teach couples to co-parent, to foster child development and to see the value of keeping dad involved. Workshop participants will learn skills for sensitive and responsive parenting in an effort to raise healthier children in the emotional, social, cognitive and physical realms. In addition, this workshop encourages early parent-infant dialogue and increases positive communication, ritual development, and shared meaning for the whole family.

A certified Gottman Educator, Debbie is able to utilize the educational materials from the Relationship Research Institute and tailor them for this MBC conference workshop with examples that are most relevant to multiple-birth families.

(geared for Professionals, Volunteers or Families)

THE ART OF PARENTING TWINS AND THE JOY OF WATCHING THEM FLEDGE THE NEST

Keynote Speaker #2: Patricia Malmstrom, MA, Founder of Twin Services Consulting, Berkley, CA

Patricia Malmstrom founded and for twenty-two years (1978-2000) directed Twin Services, Inc., a national U.S. non-profit agency to help parents cope with their twinshock.  A mother of four adult children, including monozygotic twins, she holds a graduate degree in early childhood and special education and is an internationally recognized authority on multiples. Pat serves on the advisory boards of MBC, the Center for Loss in Multiple Birth and TWINS Magazine.  As Chair of the Council of Multiple Birth Organizations (COMBO) of the International Society for Twin Studies (ISTS), she spearheaded the development of the Society’s Declaration of Rights of Multiples.  She is the co-author with Janet Poland of The Art of Parenting Twins, Random House/Ballantine Books, 1999.  Her work has been honored by several prestigious awards including MBC’s Making a Difference Award for the International Category in 2005.

Abstract: The Art of Parenting Twins begins with the diagnosis of a plural pregnancy.  It draws on the best we parents have to offer in health, emotional well being, practicallity, understanding of child and twin development, and creativity. This talk will examine the highs and lows of twinshock and the many ways parents are called upon to adjust our lives to the amazing reality that our family is about to expand by two or three or more all at once.  We will consider some of the abiding myths about multiples which can affect their lives in positive and negative ways, such as that one twin in a set is always dominant, or that unless twins are separated they will develop a crippling dependency upon one another.

We will then consider  twin-specific dynamics as the children grow from infants to toddlers, to preschoolers, to school age, to teens, to young adults to senior men and women.  We will pay special attention to the dynamics of the relationship between co-twins and the various ways their connections continue through their adult llives.  And, of course along the way, we will remember the fun and the joy which comes with the priviledge of parenting twins or more.  www.twinservices.org

(geared for Professionals, Volunteers or Families)

LEARNING NEEDS OF MULTIPLE-BIRTH STUDENTS

Workshop Speaker #5: Dr. John R. Mascazine, PhD, Columbus, OH

Dr. Mascazine is an associate professor of education at Ohio Dominican University. He has been studying how twins and multiple-birth children learn since 1994.  He regularly works with school administrators, teachers, and parents promoting greater understanding of the diverse learning styles of multiples. Dr. Mascazine has presented at national and international conferences on school-related issues affecting multiples and how they use unique study strategies.

Abstract: The presentation will include two elements: 1) Speak of research that highlights the unique needs and abilities of multiple-birth students; 2) Offer practical advice to administrators, teachers and parents to help them make informed decisions that affect the education of multiple-birth students. School and learning situations/problems will be identified and discussed in terms of effective problem-solving.

(geared for Professionals)

THE TERM TWIN & THE TORONTO CENTRE FOR MULTIPLE BIRTHS

Workshop Speaker #6: Dr. Jon (Yosef) Barrett, MBBch, MD, MRCOG, FRCS(C), Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Center, Toronto

For those of you who missed it during the first round of workshop options, here's another chance to hear about the latest medical information on the special issues relating to the management of the Term Twin.

Dr. Barrett is a specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine from Toronto. He graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, in 1977 and following his internship and a year of Obstetrics and Gynecology he moved to England. There he completed his specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1988 receiving his Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In 1990 he was awarded a two-year research fellowship which resulted in a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1992.  He then moved to Toronto where he completed a two-year clinical fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is currently Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Sunnybrook and Women's College Hospital and is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.  He has a special interest in multiple pregnancy and is the Director of the Ante Natal Multiples Clinics at Sunnybrook and Women's College and the Chairman of the SOGC working group on Birth on Multiple Birth. He has published many papers in the area of multiple birth and to-date has received in excess of $10,000,000 in research grants. Dr. Barrett is a valued MBC Advisory Board Member.

Abstract: This workshop will focus on and discuss the latest medical information on the special issues relating to the management of the Term Twin—special risks of twins who reach term and the issue of timing and method of delivery. Dr. Barrett will also talk on the Toronto Centre for Multiple-births.

(geared for Professionals, Volunteers or Families)

BREASTFEEDING MULTIPLES GUIDELINES—BEST PRACTICES FOR HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY

(Written by Linda Leonard for the BC Reproductive Care Program, an arm of the Ministry of Health in BC)

Workshop Speaker #7: Laura Crouse, RN, BScN, IBCLC. Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto

Laura Crouse is a registered nurse, lactation consultant and childbirth educator employed at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario with a special interest in multiple births.  She currently facilitates the “Preparing for the Birth Multiples” classes offered at the hospital. Laura is currently an MBC Advisory Board member.

Abstract:  Overview of Breastfeeding Multiples Guidelines developed by Linda Leonard for the British Columbia Reproductive Care Program: Guidelines for Perinatal Care, Vancouver, BC. Published November 2006. These guidelines were shaped by the Declaration of Rights and Statement of Needs of Twins and Higher Order Multiples, in accordance with the Canadian Baby-Friendly initiatives and national breastfeeding guidelines. The importance of providing practical education and support to parents of multiples is emphasized and strategies to optimize breastfeeding success as defined by the families are discussed.

(geared for Volunteers)

RISK MANAGEMENT 101

Workshop Speaker #8: Dr. Cathy Barr, PhD, Guelph, ON

Dr. Barr is the Director of Imagine Canada’s Insurance & Liability Resource Centre for Non-profits in Toronto. The Centre’s mission is to help charities and non-profits become informed insurance consumers and take a practical approach to managing risk so that they can protect their people and fulfill their missions.  Prior to taking on her current position, Cathy spent five years as Imagine Canada’s Director of Research. She is a past MBC Director of Research and currently an MBC Advisory Board member. Cathy and her husband Rob are the parents of 14-year-old monozygotic twin boys.

Abstract: MBC and its chapters provide many services to multiple-birth families, including education, peer support and advice, social events, and opportunities to sell and purchase used clothing and equipment. Although important and usually enjoyable, these activities - like most things in life - carry certain risks.  A toddler attending a Christmas party might fall down some icy stairs and break his arm. A well-meaning "support sister" might give incorrect advice to a new mother. A stroller sold at an equipment sale might break and injure a baby. Risks cannot be completely eliminated, but they can be managed. This interactive workshop will help MBC's national and chapter volunteers understand and manage the risks associated with some of their most common activities.

Participants in this interactive workshop will learn how to identify the key risks facing their multiple-birth chapter and develop a plan to manage these risks.  Emphasis will be placed on simple, practical steps that associations can take to minimize their risks and protect their volunteers. www.imaginecanada.ca or www.insuranceinfo.imaginecanada.ca

Saturday, October 18, 2008

(geared for Professionals or Volunteers)

THE MULTIPLE BIRTH EXPERIENCE: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

Keynote Speaker #3: Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, MSN, RN, IBCLC, Cincinatti, OH

For those of you who missed it during the first round of workshop options, here's another chance to hear Karen as she enhances her presentation from Friday, giving everyday strategies to parents of multiples.

Karen Kerkhoff Gromada works as a Lactation Consultant in Cincinnati, OH, and she has also worked in labor and delivery, childbirth education and postpartum discharge care. A mother of five, including monozygotic twins, she authored Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More and co-authored Keys to Parenting Multiples. A well-known speaker on the topics of breastfeeding and parenting, her website for parents of multiples is available at: www.karengromada.com.

Abstract: Multiple pregnancy comes with a “high risk” tag, and medical intervention is common during multiple pregnancy and birth. The "high risk" label calls for parents to become flexible in their approach to birth, yet this birth experience should still "belong" to them. Health professionals should avoid treating multiple pregnancy and birth with "one size fits all" healthcare strategies, as each multiple pregnancy and birth is unique and every couple expecting multiples deserves individualized healthcare. This presentation will look at the good, the bad and the ugly of multiple birth with discussion of strategies for assisting multiple-birth couples that enable them to partner with obstetrical care providers and potential postnatal support systems in order to attain their perinatal goals.

(geared for Families)

ZYGOSITY MATTERS

Workshop Speaker #1: Patricia Malmstrom, MA, Founder of Twin Services Consulting, Berkley, CA

Patricia Malmstrom founded and for twenty-two years (1978-2000) directed Twin Services, Inc., a national U.S. non-profit agency to help parents cope with their twinshock.  A mother of four adult children, including monozygotic twins, she holds a graduate degree in early childhood and special education and is an internationally recognized authority on multiples. Pat serves on the advisory boards of MBC, the Center for Loss in Multiple Birth and TWINS Magazine.  As Chair of the Council of Multiple Birth Organizations (COMBO) of the International Society for Twin Studies (ISTS), she spearheaded the development of the Society’s Declaration of Rights of Multiples.  She is the co-author with Janet Poland of The Art of Parenting Twins, Random House/Ballantine Books, 1999.  Her work has been honored by several prestigious awards including MBC’s Making a Difference Award for the International Category in 2005.

Abstract:  This workshop will focus on zygosity and the twin relationship. Participants can share personal experiences and insights to gain useful perspectives on different family situations and the ways that the multiples' zygosity affects their lives.

(geared for Professionals, Volunteers or Families)

LEARNING NEEDS OF MULTIPLE-BIRTH STUDENTS

Workshop Speaker #2: Dr. John R. Mascazine, PhD, Columbus, OH

For those of you who missed it during Friday’s workshop options, here's another chance to hear about research highlighting the unique needs and abilities of multiple-birth students and practical advice for administrators, teachers and parents to help them make informed decisions.

Dr. Mascazine is an associate professor of education at Ohio Dominican University. He has been studying how twins and multiple-birth children learn since 1994.  He regularly works with school administrators, teachers, and parents promoting greater understanding of the diverse learning styles of multiples. Dr. Mascazine has presented at national and international conferences on school-related issues affecting multiples and how they use unique study strategies.

Abstract: The presentation will include two elements: 1) Speak of research that highlights the unique needs and abilities of multiple-birth students; 2) Offer practical advice to administrators, teachers and parents to help them make informed decisions that affect the education of multiple-birth students. School and learning situations/problems will be identified and discussed in terms of effective problem-solving.

(geared for Volunteers)

VOLUNTEERS: GET ‘EM, BUILD ‘EM, KEEP ‘EM

Workshop Speaker #3: Spencer Brennan, Toronto, ON

Spencer Brennan co-coordinates the Ontario Self-Help Network at the Self-Help Resource Centre of Toronto. In this capacity, he supports the development of both local and regional self-help/mutual aid initiatives by providing free consultations, networking support, training workshops and resource materials. Over the past 25 years Spencer has worked as an addiction therapist, volunteer coordinator and adult educator.

Abstract: In this interactive workshop participants will – explore how relationships are central to all aspects of volunteer management; learn the basics of the volunteer management cycle; and gain practical ideas for building your local chapter. The workshop is open to all with a focus on chapter development. Bring your experience, challenges and success to share and learn together. Spencer will bring many resources from the Ontario Self-Help Network which works with diverse peer support groups across the province.  OSHNET offers free consultations, training and information resources to support volunteer community members and professionals to integrate effective self-help strategies into their organizing efforts. www.selfhelp.on.ca

(geared for Families)

YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH & WELLNESS: PARENTS AS ADVOCATE AND GUARDIAN ANGEL!

Workshop Speaker #4: Karen Melnick, RN, BSN, Midhurst, ON

Karen Melnick is the parent of three children. She learned through personal and professional experience that parents can make a difference in their child’s health and wellness! As parents, we are not taught how to do this, and it doesn’t come naturally for most people.  Karen guarantees that learning a few simple tips will make a difference in your confidence in actively managing your child’s health and wellness.

Abstract: Learning to actively manage your children's health is a topic most parents don’t think about. Parents of multiples often don’t have a choice. Their children often born with, or are at risk of, health or developmental concerns. As a primary caregiver you have immense influence over your child reaching his or her potential. Trust your instincts; learn how to talk so health professionals listen; be an educated observer and embrace your role as Guardian Angel! This is not a medical presentation. Rather, the focus is on parents learning to actively manage their child’s health and wellness. This presentation is for all parents … expectant, new and experienced alike. You will find this presentation informative, supportive and thoroughly enjoyable.

www.healthandwellnessrecord.com

(geared for Professionals, Volunteers or Families)

FALLING IN LOVE TIMES TWO, THREE OR MORE - ATTACHMENT FORMATION

Workshop Speaker #5: Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, MSN, RN, IBCLC, Cincinatti, OH

Karen Kerkhoff Gromada works as a Lactation Consultant in Cincinnati, OH, and she has also worked in labor and delivery, childbirth education and postpartum discharge care. A mother of five, including monozygotic twins, she authored Mothering Multiples: Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More and co-authored Keys to Parenting Multiples. A well-known speaker on the topics of breastfeeding and parenting, her website for parents of multiples is available at: www.karengromada.com.

Abstract: The birth of multiple infants presents unique challenges to the formation of parent-infant attachment with each infant within the set of multiples. Humans were designed to form a deep attachment with only one other human at a time. However, parents of multiples are faced with developing a deep, lasting attachment with two or more infants at once, and the emotional health and development of each infant in the set depends on their ability to do so. This presentation will discuss: the challenges of forming attachments with multiple infants simultaneously, the various "pictures" attachment with multiples may present as, and strategies for reassuring parents and developing a deeper attachment with one or more of multiple infants.

(geared for Families)

READING MAGIC WITH TWINS AND MORE

Workshop Speaker #6: Vera C. Teschow, M.Ed., MOT, Toronto, ON

Vera Teschow is a professional educator and mother of monozygotic twins. In addition to acting as Vice Principal at an elementary school in Mississauga, Vera also volunteers on MBC’s Health and Education Committee and runs “Get It Together!”, an in-home prenatal consulting service for families expecting twins, triplets and more.

Abstract: A frequent area of concern for families with multiples is Language Development. Language delays tend to be more common in twins, triplets and more. Why is this, and what can we as parents do about it? This session is geared towards parents of older babies and toddlers and will focus on language development and reading. We’ll look at research on toddlers in general and twins/multiples in particular. We’ll share ideas and strategies—bring your own kids’ “favourite book” to share! www.verateschow.com

(geared for MBC Chapter Volunteers)

Workshop #7

CHAPTER EXCHANGE – Programs, resources and initiatives that work! Fantastic opportunity for Multiple Births Canada Chapters to connect and learn what works and what does not.  Bring your Chapter success stories to share!

(geared for MBC Chapter Volunteers)

Workshop #8

CHAPTER EXCHANGE – Clothing Sales and other fundraising ideas! Most MBC Chapters are experts at running their local Clothing Sales but others are looking for new technology to help the volunteers and vendors.  Come learn and share your successful fundraising ideas and Clothing Sale tips!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

CONSCIOUS PARENTING

Keynote Speaker #4: Jo-Anne Cutler, Mississauga, ON

Jo-Anne Cutler is an author, speaker and awareness coach. Jo-Anne is a passionate voice for children; building awareness of what we teach them by our example, inspiring and empowering others to be conscious and connected parents, teachers and role models. She is a certified Inner Workout™ life coach, author of several published articles, audio programs and is scheduled to release her book in 2008. Jo-Anne continues to offer personal consultations, seminars/workshops, a monthly e-newsletter and more, inspiring the heart and soul connection to the harmony that we desire in our homes, our classrooms and in our lives; one connection at a time.
www.jcconnections.ca

Abstract: When our children are born, we melt into the connection of unconditional love, peace and contentment that they come wrapped in. As parents, we do the best we can and it goes without saying that we love our children very much, however, sometimes we can feel so overwhelmed and stressed out running on life’s treadmill, that we lose this connection and may find ourselves behaving and reacting unconsciously and perhaps repeating what was modelled for us from previous generations. So how can we keep this connection in the midst of a toddler’s temper tantrum or a teenager’s power struggle for control…and what if they are twins or triplets all having fits at the same time? Being a more conscious parent is being constantly aware of this inner connection and is the best gift we can give to ourselves, our children and our families. Connection is the heart and soul of parenting and the heart and soul of a happy and peaceful life!